78, the tenth law; "Thou shalt not have in thy private possession either a metal figure (an idol), or gold, or silver, or any valuable thing." The metal figure (an idol) is a perfectly erroneous translation. The two words "sang seang," which Prof. N. takes for a metal figure, would in the Chinese original, seem to mean a living image; but they are explained to be used for some foreign words that crept into the text in passing from India; and the next two words Kin yin, gold and silver, are given to explain the sense of sang seang: so that the metal figure (an idol), should be blotted out of the translation. The original is, "do not grasp hold of gold, or silver, or any precious thing." Idolatry is not at all interdicted in the Catechism of the Shamans.
Thus we have taken a hasty survey of our friend's book. In the conclusion, he thanks the British residents in China, generally, for their kindness to him: and mentions the names of Mr. Dent, and Dr. Morrison in particular. He is not so polite to the Chinese, whom he designates "self-conceited and semi-barbarous," and thinks that a civilized and warlike nation must, "necessarily, in spite of itself extend its empire over them." We for ourselves positively disclaim the wish for any other conquest than that of truth over error.
In closing this article, we have to record, with deep regret, the death of the respectable oriental scholar and sinologue, M. Abel Remusat. He is cut off in the midst of his labours to elucidate the subject of Budhism.
The divine authority and perpetual obligation of the Lord's day. By Daniel Wilson. M. A. Vicar. London: 1831. pp. 206.
A copy of this excellent little book, and one only, so far as we know, has reached China. It is from the pen of that eminent servant of Christ, whose name appears above, as Vicar of Islington; but who is now Dr. Wilson, the Lord Bishop of Calcutta. The work consists of seven sermons, prefaced by a pastoral address, to the inhabitants of the parish of Islington. The whole is dedicated to the Bishop of London, who has distinguished himself as the advocate of the Sabbath, in opposition to the archbishop of Dublin, who has, we think, erred egregiously, by pleading for its abolition, under the Christian dispensation.
The Bishop maintains, that, although subordinate matters concerning the Sabbath of the Jews, and Lord's day of the Christians, have been disputed, it has, in every age, since creation was finished, been a fundamental point, that there should be a day of religious exercise, and holy rest, after six days work. And that the "whole church of Christ, in the proper sense of that term," has maintained this great doctrine.
In studying the subject, Dr. Wilson has omitted no author of any note, belonging to any nation or any church. He is obliged to dissent from eminent writers of his own church, the famous and elegant bishop Taylor; Drs. Ogden and Paley;
