THE CHURCH— DISSENT— AND THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM. 
Just published, in foolscap St’O. price 4s. 6 d. boards. 
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
A DISSENTING MINISTER. 
As the Evangelical, the Imperial, and the Congregational Magazines, with other 
Periodicals of that class, have taken upon themselves, in their unjust and malignant 
criticisms of this work, to impugn its veracity, and wish to make their readers and the 
public believe that it is written by a Member of the Church of England, and not by one 
of their own body ; the Publishers feel called upon, injustice to the public, to the Rev. 
Author, and to themselves, most unequivocally and distinctly to state, that the volume 
is, as it professes to be, from the pen of an old and respected Dissenting Minister, and 
contains a faithful record of his many years’ experience in that office. 
Cornhill, 1st December, 1834. 
The following extracts from more canilid and unbiassed reviewers, will convey to the 
public a correct idea of the real merits of “ this able and highly interesting volume .” 
“ The Dissenting world is, in the book before us, turned inside out, and exposed to 
the gaze of all that choose to look, itself included ; and that itself should look into this 
mirror, is very much to be desired. 
“IT IS A SAFE PREDICTION THAT THE LEADERS OF DISSENT 
WILL EITHER STIFLE OR ABUSE THIS BOOK. Most likely the latter ; 
for there is so much of it that * comes home to the business and bosoms ’ of Dissenters 
themselves ; so many readers of other classes will enjoy its quaint style, and the novelty 
and piquancy of its delineations ; that THE SMOTHERING SYSTEM can scarcely 
succeed. It is, we think, sure to be read, although the Author shows bis accustomed 
sagacity in the remark that ‘ by many it will be treated as fiction ; for they who do not 
know it to be true will think it fiction, and they who do know it to be true will call it 
fiction.’ Substantial t ruth it certainly is, — nothing but the truth. 
« We can avouch that his individuals, witli all their individuality, are the representa- 
tives of very numerous classes. We ‘ know them as well as he that made them and 
through many a score of congregations will ‘ thou art the man’ be the text for the day, 
when this book shall come amongst them.”— Monthly Repository, December 1834. 
“ Our own observation has shown ns the truth of the statement put forth in this well 
written exposure of the tyranny to which the greater portion of Dissenting Ministers 
are compelled to submit, and the evils which tire destruction of the Established Church 
would bring upon religion. It is only necessary for any person of good sense to enter 
into one of the sectarian communities, to be convinced that liberty of conscience and of 
action, are entirely at an end. The picture drawn is not overcharged ; all who are 
acquainted with the subject will bear witness to the accuracy of the testimony. The 
book is amusing as well as instructive.” — Court Journal. 
“ We warmly recommend this most excellent work to public notice. 
British Mag., December. 
“ This volume is one which strikes us as being likely to make a considerable stir in 
the religious, high-church, and dissenting world. Its distinct and avowed object is to 
demonstrate the evils which attend the voluntary system for maintaining Christian es- 
tablishments : and it goes to work in a very straight-forward and popular manner to 
enforce its argument. 
“ Jt has been stated that the character of the writer is an assumed one, and that he is 
evidently a member of the National Church, but we must assure our contemporary that 
he is mistaken : not only is the Author a Dissenting Minister, but his volume contains a 
correct statement of facts which have come within his own observation and experience. 
“ The volume is very cleverly written, and will be much sought after by all classes of 
religionists.” — Naval df Military Gazette. 
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL, LONDON. 
