The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-21 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICES.

The Pilgrim's Progress: in two Parts. By John Bunyan.
With Original Notes by the Rev. Thomas Scott, Rector
of Aston Sandford, Bucks. Eighth Edition. London : L.
and G. Seeley, Fleet-street. 1840.
The intrinsic value and excellence of the Pilgrim's Pro-
gress may be inferred from the high estimation in which it
has been held, during the last and present centuries, by every
denomination of Christians. There is scarcely a language
in the civilized world into which it has not been translated.
In this country we do not know of any work that has enjoyed
a larger circulation,' excepting the Sacred Volume whose
truths it so beautifully and affectingly illustrates and enforces.
Among the testimonies to the interest excited by the perusal
of this admirable work we find that of Dr. Johnson, who re-
marked that " the Pilgrim's Progress must be ranked
among a very few books indeed, of which the reader, when
he comes to the conclusion, wishes they had been longer."
It would be superfluous to add anything in its praise. The
present edition is the best that we have ever seen. The well-
known character of the Rev. Thomas Scott, as one of the
ablest commentators on the Bible, is a sufficient guarantee
for the orthodoxy of the accompanying notes, which are
equal in extent to the text of the work. The biography is a
very valuable addition to the volume, and it is almost un-
necessary to add that it breathes a truly catholic spirit. The
plates, after Stothard, are beautifully executed. We do not
know of any human production more worthy of the aid of art
than the Pilgrim's Progress. Asa suitable and elegant pre-
sent for the young we would recommend this volume in pre-
' ference to all the annuals ever published.

The Redeemer. A Poem. By William Howorth, Author
of "The Cry of the Poor." London : Charles Tilt, Fleet-
street. 1840.

In these days, when mediocre poetry is so-abundant, it
is quite refreshing to meet with a work like the one before
us, evincing as it does genius of the highest order, Sanctified
by deep and fer:ienqiety, and consecrated to the most hal-
lowed purposes. The subject of this poem is one which
ought never to be approached but with the deepest awe and
reverence. Sikh, we are happy to say, has been the spirit in
which the authoi!has ventured on a theme so sublime as the
redemption. The greatest attraction which this work pre-
sents to the Christian„readet is, the religious tone by which
it is pervaded. The language throughout the poem is so-
lemn, unaffected, and eminently adapted to the subject. The
imagery employed is natural and undistorted. The versifica-
tion is flowing and harmonious. We feel convinced that this
work must become popular among the Christian public. No
one can rise fromits perusal without acknowledging that the
author is a man of commanding and original genius, and en-
titled to take his stand among the sacred bards of Great
Britain. We sincerely hope that the success attendant upon
the present effusion may stimulate him to future efforts.

Extracts from Holy Writ, and Various Authors, intended
as Helps to Meditation and Prayer, principally for
Soldiers and Seamen. By Capt. Sir Nesbitt. Willoughby,'
R.N., 8:c. Lundon : printed for the Author, or Compiler,
for Gratuitous Circulation, by T. H. Coe, 27, Old Change,
Cheapside. 1839.
This excellent compendium of scriptural knowledge is ad-
mirably adapted for the purpose for which it was intended by
its benevolent author. It is composed of striking passages
from the Sacred Volume, pithy extracts from the works of
eminent divines, interpersed with several original reflections.
The extracts are neither arranged under distinct heads, nor
placed so as to have any peculiar connection cvith each other.
The volume may be opened at any page, and read, as it were,
by snatcheS. We trust that its perusal may be found useful
to many, especially among those classes for which the author
feels such deep solicitude. We would particularly recom-
mend this volume as a companion in the sick chamber, where
works of a more connected character can seldom be read
without superinducing an aggravation of suffering.

Observations on the History and Evidence of Me Resurrec.
tion of Jesus Christ. By Gilbert West, Esq. Edinburgh
Adam and Charles Black, North Bridge.

This and the following form a part of the series of
" Christian Literature." now in course of publication. We
have already expressed our opinion of the plan and execution
of this invaluable series. Prom the extreme cheapness of
the treatises which have already appeared, we have no doubt
that they will obtain a very extensive circulation. The work
before us is one of considerable celebrity. It was written in
answer to a pamphlet, published about the middle of the last
century, entitled, "'The Resurrection of Jesus considered,
in answer to the Trial qf the Witnesses; by a Moral Philo-
sopher." The author of that pamphlet, in order to overturn
the testimony of the evangelists, attempted to show that they
contradicted each other in the accounts which they gave of
the fact of the resurrection. The object of the work before
us is, to clear the sacred writers from the imputation of con-
tradicting each other, as well as to illustrate and confirm their
testimony. The author has fully and triumphantly succeeded
in his vindication of the divine records. His proofs are clear
and unquestionable, and his arguments remain unanswered
and unanswerable.

A Practical Treatise on Regeneration. By John Wither-
spoon, D.D. Edinburgh : Adam and Charles Black.
-This work has always been considered a master-piece on
the subject of which it treats. In the author's -views we cor-
dially concur. Fr.= the expression, " Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," and other
similar expressions, the inference drawn is, that the change
implied, and which is meant under the term regeneration, is
not merely partial, but universal—that it is not merely ex-
ternal and imperfect, but inward, essential, and complete—
and that it .is supernatural in its nature and origin. We
cordially recommend this work to the notice of all who de-
sire a clear and evangelical elucidation of the subject.

The Omnipresence of the Deity. By the Rev. R. Mont-
gomery, A.M. Sixteenth Edition. Glasgow : John Sym-
ington and Co.
This is emphatically "The People's Edition,, of Mr,
Montgomery's popular works. The price, considering the
execution of the work, is exceedingly moderate, and we hope
it Will obtain an extended circulation. On the merits of
The Omniprescence of the Deity we have already pronounced
our opinion. It abounds with glowing imagery, lofty thoughts,
and touching appeals to the purer feelings of our nature.
Poetry of the highest order is here allied to the most fervent
piety. That man must, indeed, be very destitute of religion,
taste, or feeling, who can rise front the perusal of this poem
without pleasure and edification.

The Christian Observer. January, 1839.

This number contains several very iatele, are:tinepineacruts cm
articles.lial-
y
" The Ten Virgins'ris an excellent essay. The
" Court Circular Religious Announcements
appropriate, and much called for. The meditations fromr
" Sir H. Wotton's Relique are highly beautiful and elo-
buent. " A Fortnight in England : by a French Protestant,"
is a very characteristic diary, quaint and original in its style.
The " specimens of Romanist Superstitions in Germany"
will be perused with a melancholy degree of interest. They
exhibit Popery in some of its most hideous lights.

The Accordance of the Church of England with Scripture;
and the Dis-ordanee.of Independency and other Fornis of
Dissent from Scripture. A Sermon preached at St. Mi-
chael's, Liverpool, at the request of the Young Men's
Church of England Association. By the Rev. Joseph
Baylee, A.B. London : Whittaker and Co.; Liverpool :
Lace-and Addison, Perris, and Newling. 1839.
This sermon constitutes one of the most masterly defences
of the Church of England that we have ever met with. The
respected author has most triumphantly established the po-
sition assumed in the title. lie has irrefragably proved the
strict accordance of the Church with the revealed will of
Chrit, and as triumphantly proved the manifest discordance
of Independency and other forms of dissent from the scrip-
tures. The sermoUtreits Ofllie nature and purposes of the
Christian Church L--the, connection between Church and
State—the affairs of the Christian Church—the extent of the

authority in the Church—the ordinances at; doctrines of the
Church—and the unlawfulness of dissent or schism. All
these topics' are handled with great ability. Many of the
Reverend Preacher's illustrations are striking and original,
and cannot fail to carry conviction into every candid and un-
prejudiced mind. His appeals to scripture are forcible and
unanswerable. His language, which it is chaste, eloquent,
and dignified, is, at the same time, plain and intelligible to
the most ordinary capacity. We cordially recommend this
sermon as a powerful antidote to the poisonoUs trash so ex-
tensively disseminated by voluntaries and infideli.

The Educator and Children's Cyclopedia. By v''• Martin.
No. 1. London : Sherwood and Co., Paternoster Row.
To this work, we are happy to say, we can give our
cordial and unqualified recommendation. It is especially
designed for the edification of youth, and very successfully
blends amusement with instruction. One of its main features
is, to convey religious instruction in connection with, but
not in subordination to, general information. The author is
an attached member of the Church of England, and he as-
sures his readers that "he con only teach according to the
convictions of his mind and conscience." He adds that "he
has long been of opinion, and is daily strengthened in his
conviction, that religion is the only sound basis of all educa-
tion ; and that, without it forms a prominent feature in every
' course of tuition, there is no hope either for the teacher, or
the individual taught." The work embraces a series of ex-
positions of christian faith and practice—teachings from
nature—the philosophy of common things—natural history
—natural philosophy—ancient and modern history—the arts
and manufacturing processes—travels and adventures in all
parts of the world—tales, historical and social, grave and
gay—drawing and the fine arts—and sports and amusements.
From the specimen before us we have no hesitation in say-
ing that it possesses all the elements of popularity.

Report of the Chester Diocesan Board ofEducation. War-

rington : J. W. Booth. 1839.

In this valuable and carefully compiled report we have a
full exposition _of the objects contemplated in the compre-
hensive plan of education for the middle classes, now in course
of developement, throughout almost every diocese in the
kingdom, under the auspices of the National So6ety. In
the introduction to this report we have a full explanation of
the arrangements approved of for the effectual working of
the plan to which we have alluded. The report itself embo-
dies all the rules and regulations adopted in the diocese of
Chester. together with a list of all the officers appointed in
each deanery. The analysis of the state of education in the
diocese is a very valuable document embracing very copious
statistical details respecting the population, and the number
of children educated both in connection with the Church of
England, and under Roman Catholic and dissenting tuition.
We rejoice to find that the Diocesan Society is gOing on
prosperously, and we trust that the next report will show a
great increase in the amount of subscriptions.