The Voice of Humanity, Nos. 1 and 2.

A Treatise on the uility of Classical Learning. By Joseph Burton.

Sermons. By James Parsons.

The Pilgrim's Friend, Meditations selected from various authors.

In the Press.

Drew's Essay on the Immateriality and Immortality of the Human Soul, nearly ready.

A Second Edition, very much augmented and improved, of Professor Millington's Epitome of the Elementary Principles of Mechanical Philosophy.

By Mr. Rowbotham, of the Academy, Walworth, a Duodecimo Volume, being "A Course of Lessons in French Literature," on the Plan of his "German Lessons."

A Second Edition of the First Volume of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library.

Mr. Jones Quain's Two Lectures on the Study of Anatomy and Physiology.

A Collection of Statutes relating to the Town of Kingston-upon-Hull. By William Woolley, Solicitor. In one volume, 12mo, the Life and Diary of the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, A. M. By the Rev. Donald Frazer Kennoway.

The Life and Death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. By Thomas Moore, Esq. in 1 volume small 8vo. with Portrait.

Ilints Illustrative of the Duty of Dissent. By a Congregational Nonconformist.

Preparing for the Press.

Twenty-nine Original Psalm Tunes, in Four Parts, adapted to the Measures in general use, with Figured Basses, and an Accompaniment for the Organ or Piano-forte. J. I. Cobbin.

An Analysis of Archbishop Secker's Lectures on the Church Catechism, arranged as a Course of Sermons preparatory to Confirmation. by the Rev. Richard Lee, B. A.

A Key to a Complete Sets of Arithmetical Rods. By P. B. Templeton, Master of Cannon street Academy, Preston.

Colonel Montague's Ornithological Dictionary of British Birds, with numerous Additions and Cor rections.

Literary Recreations, or the Romance of Truth. By the Rev. J. Young, 1 vol. 12mo.

By Mr. McCulloch, Professor of Political Economy in the University of London, a Theoretical and Practical Dictionary of Commerce and Commercial Navigation, in 1 large vol. 8vo., with Maps, &c. &c.

COMMERCIAL RETROSPECT, LONDON, 27TH DECEMBER, 1830.

THE close of the year suggests to us the propriety of presenting to our readers some observations, on the events which have characterized its course.

The difficulties arising from the resumption of cash payments, have, in a great measure, been surmounted, and the extension of the branches of the Bank of England, and of District Banks, have tended to supply a healthful medium for the operations of trade; and a sound currency will prevent the recurrence of the ruinous effect of panic.

The natural consequences of low prices have attended this alteration, with the exception of corn, which, by the operation of an anomalous law regarding importation, aided by two years of deficient harvests, have caused this article to rule high, and thus, with a diminished price for labour, the consumer has had to contend with the high price of bread. The present average price of wheat in this market is 70s. 5d. per quarter, while the same rate of brown sugar is only 22s. 74d. per cwt. exclusive of the duty of the customs; this price is lower than was ever known, leaving but little to the planter for the cost of production, after deducting the charge of bringing the article to market. Many other articles of colonial produce are at a rate hardly more remunerating.

In our opinion an alteration of the corn laws would have a benign tendency both at home and abroad. By a free importation, or a fixed scale of moderate duty, the prices would be kept from these fluctuations, often alike ruinous to the farmer and the merchant; prices abroad would rise in proportion to the currency in this country; sudden and great importations would be prevented, whilst the corn-producing countries, particularly America, would be better enabled to enlarge her orders for British manufactures, and a better spirit would be evinced towards an increased intercourse; and we presume to believe, that the British farmer would find himself better off, by a steady course of prices; while the powers of the consumer would be augmented by the increase of wages, consequent upon the extension of foreign

demand for British manufacture.

The legislature of the country are proceeding upon the principle of reduction of taxation, and, from the intimations already given, we may anticipate, that much weight, which has pressed upon the springs of commerce, will be taken off, so as to give it elasticity and vigour. Independent of the salutary measure of the corn bill, we may hope that the attention of parliament will be drawn to the opening of the East India Company's Charter, which its most strenuous advocates can hardly expect to retain, after the ample developments which were made, before a committee, during the last parliament.

Many subjects of great moment will come under consideration shortly: the slavery bill will receive that attention which its importance demands; and the friends of humanity will rejoice, if they can have the prospect of a period when slavery may cease. Already, it is hoped, have a goodly number of the sons of Ham, in the West India colonies, imbibed those Christian principles, which would form a mound and defence against the danger consequent upon the manumission of others less civilized.

Our manufactures are in a state of full activity, and the disturbed state of other countries will (as already in the case of Belgium) tend to throw many orders to England; and as our government are determined not to intermeddle with the jarring contentions of other nations, we may hope for a continuance of the blessings of peace.

Already have our ports received many vessels destined for the disturbed continental ports: already have many investments been made by foreigners in our funds; so that whilst our happy country affords an asylum to expatriated royalty, and offers a secure place of deposit for the funds appertaining either to the foreign or to the home-born; shall we not supplicate from Him who ruleth the nations, a continuance of the blessings of peace?

Amongst the events of the year may be mentioned the total failure of the Greenland and Davies's Straits fisheries. On the latter station, the fishermen, emboldened by the example of a Ross and Parry, were tempted to prolong their labours until a late period, when, overtaken by storms, most of the vessels perished. This catastrophe has occasioned a great advance in the price of oil and tallow.

We ought not to overlook the extensive improvements that are making throughout the country, by the introduction of railways and steam navigation. It has been observed, that these are still in their infancy; but who can, without astonishment, notice the fact, that a distance, marked in Carey's map thirty-six miles of road, between the two mighty towns of Lancashire, has been traversed on the rail road in the space of one hour. The despatch and certainty attending the transit of goods, will also be attended with great advantage in point of cheapness.

We look forward to the means that are likely to be pursued, by the administration of the present government, consisting of men of acknowledged talent and liberal principles: we sincerely pray," that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations."

LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, by H. Fisher, son, and co.

THE IMPERIAL MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1831.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, D.D.

(With a Portrait.)

THERE IS scarcely a more difficult task that can fall to the lot of a biographer, than to write memoirs of living characters. This is more particularly the case, when the subject of his sketch is nearly silent on the events of his life; when, of retired and unobtrusive habits, he shuns public observation, and

"Along the cool sequestered vale of life,

Pursues the noiseless tenor of his way."

Pious, but popular ministers of the gospel, with whose early history, developing the progress of their mental attainments, and the varied means through which they pursued the paths that conducted them to eminence, the world is anxious to become acquainted, are in general of the most inaccessible character. To this, two causes perhaps conspire. Aware, on the one hand, that a censorious generation is ever ready to impute frankness to an improper motive, they hesitate to comply even with the solicitations of friendship on all topics which respect themselves, lest it should look like egotism; while, on the contrary, entertaining lowly views of their acquirements, they find little or nothing to meet that laudable curiosity, which, from these almost only genuine sources of biographical truth, seeks after innocent gratification.

Every one, however, must be aware, that although dates, and prominent facts, are essential ingredients in biographical narration, a thousand nameless incidents and occurrences are always needful, to give completion to the picture we wish to draw. These anecdotes and incidents, though trifling in themselves, and in their detached form scarcely worthy of notice, assume a very different character when combined. They throw a freshness over the general delineation, and give it an interest which more prominent occurrences are unable to excite.

In its extended outline, the biography of individuals, moving in a similar sphere of life, is much the same. Hence repetition creates monotony, and novelty in character is always diminished by resemblance. It is to the minute circumstances of individuality that variety is indebted for nearly all its charms; and when these fail, interest languishes, attention grows careless, and excitement ceases to stimulate.

Every observer of our common nature, as displayed in the character of individuals, must know, that the destinies of human life frequently depend upon incidents and events that appear in themselves insignificant, and almost contemptible; and it is only when we perceive the effects produced, and the consequences to which they lead, that we look back in retrospection, and contemplate their importance. In the lives of men who have wielded the fate of nations, this truth is abundantly apparent; but in all the descending links of human society the same principles are invariably at work, although, from our ignorance of causes and effects, we are frequently unable to trace their connexions.

2D. SERIES, NO. 2.-VOL. 1.

H

146.-VOL. XIII,

To the eminence, as a gospel minister, which the Rev. Joseph Fletcher has attained, there can be no doubt, that many trifling circumstances in the early history of his life, have essentially contributed. To these, however, we can have no access. Many of these, perhaps even to himself, might have been unobserved when passing; many others may have been forgotten; and such as are remembered, no hand but that which modesty renders unwilling, can draw from

"Their death-like silence and their dread repose."

We must, therefore, be content to form this sketch of this highly esteemed servant of Christ, from such scanty materials, as inquiry, observation, and an estimate of character, have enabled us to procure.

The Rev. JOSEPII FLETCHER was born in Chester, in the year 1784, of parents who knew the value of education, and were blessed with the means of imparting a liberal portion of it to their son; but with their particular situation in life we are not acquainted. The early life of Mr. Fletcher is also equally unknown, and perhaps it furnished nothing but the common occurrences which mark the character of youth.

Advancing from the elementary principles of learning, Mr. Fletcher obtained a classical education in the city of his nativity, in a seminary, of which he was a pupil for several years. Having passed in this place through the common routine of scholastic instruction, and acquired such principles of general knowledge as prepared him for further acquisitions, in his eighteenth year he was removed to Hoxton College. In this academy he remained about two years, improving his mind by study, and gathering information from lectures, conversation, and other means of instruction.

This, however, was only preparatory to another step, which he was very shortly about to take. Already had he resolved to devote himself to the ministry among the dissenting branches of the community, and to this point all his future movements tended. In the year 1804 he went to the university of Glasgow, where he remained about three years, preparing himself for the momentous charge he was speedily to undertake. In 1807 he graduated in this university, taking his degree of A.M., and during the same year quitted the "academic groves," and was ordained to the pastoral charge of the congregational church at Blackburn. Here he remained many years, displaying talents of no ordinary character, and presiding over an affectionate people, to whom his ministry had been peculiarly blessed.

In the year 1816 the Blackburn academy was instituted; and from. Mr. Fletcher's extensive acquaintance with literature in general, and more particularly with those branches which were immediately connected with theological subjects, the views of the directors were turned to him, as every way qualified to become its Divinity tutor. Of this important office he deliberately accepted, but without resigning his pastoral charge. His duties now became more arduous than ever; and no one in the least acquainted with the stations he was called to fill, and the awful responsibility attached to his official situation, can for a moment suspect that he had entered on a life of inactivity.

In this joint situation of pastor and tutor, Mr. Fletcher remained until the year 1822, when some occasions calling him to the metropolis, he was invited to fill the pulpit in the chapel at Stepney Green, in the suburbs of London, then vacant by the recent death of the Rev. Mr. Ford, the established pastor. The powerful talents, amiable spirit, and evangelical principles displayed by Mr. Fletcher on these occasions, so operated on the minds of his hearers, that he shortly afterwards received a call from the church at Stepney to become their minister.

This invitation, after due deliberation, Mr. Fletcher thought it his duty to accept. He accordingly resigned his united charges in Blackburn, and removed to Stepney, which is one of the oldest Congregational churches in England. In this place he has ever since remained stationary, preaching to a large and an affectionate congregation, and evincing his love for them in return, by using every exertion to promote their temporal and spiritual welfare. Of the exalted esteem in which Mr. Fletcher was held by his congregation and friends in Blackburn, some judgment may be formed from the consternation which the announcement of his intended removal occasioned, and the general sorrow which his approaching departure excited. Many efforts were made to induce him to alter his purpose, and still to detain him among the early fruits of his spiritual labours. Every exertion, however, proving unavailing, the painful separation took place with mutual affection, and nothing but a sense of duty on his part prevented it from being with mutual regret. From that period to the present, a friendly understanding, strengthened by occasional intercourse, has subsisted between the parties, accompanied with a sincere desire for each other's prosperity, in which it is pleasing to add they have been mutually gratified.

In theological sentiment Mr. Fletcher is decidedly evangelical; not as that term is sometimes applied, to conceal the abominable stench of antinomianism, but as a preacher of righteousness, leading his hearers to place all their dependence for salvation on the merits of a crucified Saviour, and to seek with earnestness the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, as that which can alone qualify the soul for the enjoyment of heaven. The doctrines thus taught have been productive of the most salutary effects among those by whom they have been embraced under his preaching. When he first came to Stepney, on the death of Mr. Ford, the church was in a languid condition, but under his fostering care, its spiritual energies have revived, and both blossoms and fruits have since appeared. His congregation is large and respectable; and, allured by his eloquence, and the spirituality of his addresses, his chapel is frequently visited by strangers who occasionally repair to the metropolis.

Nor is the fame of Mr. Fletcher's talents, or the high respect paid to the doctrines which he inculcates, confined merely to the congregation over which he presides. The university in which he graduated so early as 1807, has not been inattentive to his preaching, his principles, his character, and the manner in which he employs his time. In each of these respects the presiding members of this great seminary of learning have been so well satisfied, that in the month of December, 1830, he was honoured by the Senatus Academicus of the university of Glasgow, with the diploma of Doctor in Divinity. This mark of enviable distinction, although it will not make him a better preacher, or a better man, furnishes a decisive evidence of the high esteem in which the individual is held on whom it was conferred.

In addition to his pulpit labours, Mr. Fletcher has rendered himself more extensively known through the medium of the press. The following list comprises his principal publications:

1. Lectures on the Principles and Institutions of the Roman Catholic Religion. 8vo. Three editions.

2. A Discourse on Personal Election and Divine Sovereignty. 8vo. Four editions.

3. A Discourse on Spirituality of Mind. 8vo. Two editions.

4. A Discourse on the Protestant Reformation. 8vo. Three editions.

5. A Discourse on the Prophecies concerning Antichrist."

6. A Discourse on the Unfulfilled Prophecies.