degree, the veil which conceals futurity, he has only done it so far as to create a general and indefinite expectation of the event, by exhibiting its general character and features, but by no means to disclose such circumstances of time, place, and instrumentality, as might interfere, in the least degree, with the morality of human actions."* The coincidence of these views with those before expressed in this paper, is gratifying to the writer, since he had not read them until after his convictions on the subject were formed. We intreat the reader to give them his cautious examination, since they are sufficient to throw doubt over speculations, which we shall soon proceed to oppose more in detail. We shall now introduce Mr. Pym's statement, which, it will be perceived, goes on principles totally at variance with those just advocated. After some calculation on the prophecies of Daniel, Mr. Pym says, "From the data, furnished entirely by this prophecy, we have ascertained, that the year of our Lord, 1847, is the time appointed by Jehovah for the restoration and re-establishment of the seed of Abraham in the land which he sware unto their fathers. From various passages of holy writ, the next advent of our Lord must precede that restoration: from which it follows, that the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ must have taken place before the year 1847." The truth of this confident statement we shall consider in our next number. In the mean time, we must deprecate the introduction into the christian church of doctrines, new, *Robert Hall's Works. Vol. vi. page 57-60. and unknown to the fathers. There is a pride, from which the best of men are not free, of being the advocates of sentiments not common in the age in which we live, against which we should sedulously watch. The multitude, to whom plain truth is always displeasing, are ever ready to wonder after the setters forth of strange things, and there is a manifest danger, lest, while we seem to be actuated by zeal for the truth, we should be gradually misled by excitement and vanity. To quote the words of our introduction in the first number of the Miscellany, "In religion the middle path is the safest." (To be continued.) THE SLIGHTED LOCK. Written on finding a lock of hair of a deceased friend. I took thee from the hand that gave But other eyes soon smiled on me, I would not that new friends should view And former vows were broken. Ah man! thy friendship ardent seems Had woman claimed one lock of mine, LIFE OF DR. CAREY.* THERE is one class of persons by whom this volume will be read with intense interest; those who were acquainted with the early movements of the society under the auspices of which Dr. Carey proceeded to India, who have watched its progress, and who are able to appreciate its benign influence upon that vast continent. But while it will have peculiar charms for them, the work must excite general attention, pourtraying as it does a character distinguished for enterprise, learning, and benevolence. We shall endeavour to give a slight sketch of the volume, hoping to induce our readers to procure it for themselves. Dr. Carey was of humble origin. He was born in the village of Paulerspury, in Northamptonshire, August 17, 1761. His father being a schoolmaster, he possessed advantages of an educational kind above those in similar station with himself. He displayed an early disposition for reading, and has himself given a brief description of the kind which he preferred. "I chose to read books of science, history, voyages, &c., more than any others. Novels and * Memoir of William Carey, D. D. late Missionary to Bengal; Professor of oriental languages in the College of Fort William, Čalcutta. By Eustace Carey. Jackson and Walford. plays always disgusted me, and I avoided them as much as I did books of religion, and perhaps from the same motive. I was better pleased with romances; and this cirumstance led me to read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress with eagerness, though to no purpose." When fourteen years of age, he was bound apprentice to a shoemaker at Hackleton. By this trade he afterwards endeavoured to procure a livelihood for his family, and a board, expressing the handicraft of Wm. Carey, which was placed over his door, is still preserved among other relics, at the Baptist College, Stepney. He gives a sad account of himself during his apprenticeship, which ceased only through the death of his master. For many years he endured the most painful privations, sustained, however, by that unshrinking perseverance by which he was distinguished through life. He married in his twentieth year, and suffered, from poverty and sickness, ills which an ordinary mind would have sunk under. In the midst of all, however, he increased his mental attainments, and was becoming more fitted for the important station Providence had destined him to fill. When very young, Dr. Carey exercised the office of the ministry among the Baptists in different places in Northamptonshire, until his removal to Leicester, which took place in 1789. This change "gave him increased opportunities for the acquisition of every species of knowledge. Dr. Arnold, a great lover of polite literature, gave him free access to his library, a circumstance which, together with other attentions he received from that gentleman, nourishing his love of science, and making him acquainted with the best works then extant upon its several branches, prepared him to pursue his studies more effectually when abroad, and shut up to his own resources." Soon after his removal to Leicester, the importance of christian missions to the heathen became the grand theme which occupied his mind, in a manner so remarkable, that the interposition of heaven may, without presumption, be inferred. He was opposed; by some of his most valued friends his views were treated as fanatical; the denomination to which he belonged had shewn no disposition to engage in plans like those which he was forming. Yet by unremitting perseverance, by constantly agitating the subject, the public mind was awakened, and Dr. Carey, with Mr. Thomas, sailed for India as the first baptist missionaries who had ever visited that benighted country. This part of the volume, detailing the particulars of the voyage, and the difficulties which opposed their settlement in India, has the thrilling interest of romance, deepened by the conviction that nothing is false or over-coloured. The English East India Company did all in its power to render their mission useless, and it is worthy of record, that it was underthe protection of the Danish government that the English missionaries found an opportunity of executing their benevolent designs. Even then their course was much obstructed, and they were obliged to adopt the character and habits of mercantile men, in order to secure the means of effecting their purpose. Dr. Carey gave his soul to the work before him, and he gathered in a plentiful harvest. The translation of the scriptures went on rapidly under his superintendence. These and other literary labours, combined with gentleness of manners, and the most scrupulous integrity, gained for him the countenance of government. In 1800 he was appointed professor of Bengali in the college of Fort William, by which his pecuniary resources were enlarged, and a degree of influence conferred upon him, very favourable to his missionary views. He continued in this situation, until some organic changes in the Institution rendered his services unnecessary, and he retired from it with the most honourable testimonies of ability and good conduct. The extent to which Dr. Carey and his co-adjutors carried the work of translating the Holy Scriptures is astonishing, and the bearing such labours have had, and must still have, on the religious welfare of India, it is impossible |