life. How I fail in doing so to the extent I desire, is known only to God and to my own heart; but still it is

ever my unceasing aim and effort to do so.-Extract from a Private Letter.

Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers, down to A.D. 325. Vols. I, and II. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. MESSRS. CLARK have entered upon another important department of Christian literature-the works of the Ante-Nicene fathers translated into English, and by their cheapness rendered accessible to the theological student of humble means. This is, unquestionably, a great boon, especially at the present day, when appeals are so often made to patristic literature in support of dogmas and usages that have no authority from either Scripture or reason. Access to the fathers being thus given to the English student and the general reader, men will see how much the authority of the fathers is worth; and, in our opinion, that authority will be subjected to a very large discount in theological questions, while the authority of the sacred volume will rise proportionately higher. Compared with the childish feebleness of some, and even the more rational and consecutive reasoning of others of the so-called fathers, how radiant the inspired wisdom of the apostles and evangelists appears! Popery, semiPopery, and Ritualism, boasting of their antiquity, will sink into contempt, when it is rendered manifest that they have either no ancient authority at all, or only what is spurious or ridiculous, for their idle conceits and intellectual dotage. The early Christian writers command our reverence for their devoted piety and moral heroism, but their opinions, when not sustained by "Thus saith the Lord," are unworthy of being taken as decisive on the momentous questions of Christian doctrine. Such an issue, were there no other, from the publication of this series, will break the spell which has long bound and infatuated a large class of minds, and will thereby confer an unspeakable benefit upon the Church of God.

The first volume in this series com

prises the first and second epistles of Clement; the epistles of Polycarp, and the account of his martyrdom; the epistle of Barnabas, including both the larger and shorter editions; the epistles of Ignatius, after the Syriac version, discovered in Egypt in 1838; the martyrdom of Ignatius; the epistle to Diognetus; the Pastor of Hermas; fragments of Papias; and an appendix containing the spurious epistle of Ignatius.

The second volume contains the writings of Justin Martyr, with an account of his martyrdom, and the writings of Athenagoras.

How remarkable, that the only extant manuscript of the first epistle of Clement should have remained unknown to Biblical scholars until the year 1628; and that the Syriac version of three epistles of Ignatius should have remained unknown until the year 1838-yet so it was.

The spirited publishers announce their intention to issue translations into English of all the extant works of the Fathers, down to the date of the first General Council held at Nice, A.D. 325. The scle provisional exception is that of the more bulky writings of Origen. It is intended, at present, only to embrace in the scheme of publication the "Contra Celsum" and the "De Principiis" of that voluminous author; but that the whole of his works will be included, should the undertaking prove successful, which we fervently hope will be the case.

It only remains to add, that the editors and translators give evidence, so far, of literary competency and trustworthy care and candour in the performance of their important task, while the beautiful type and paper, and the entire getting up of the volumes, reflect a high degree of credit on the respected publishers. We heartily recommend their undertaking to the support of our readers, and wish great success to the important and responsible undertaking.

Christian Dogmatics: a Compendium of the Doctrines of Christianity. By Dr. H. MARTENSEN. Translated from the German by the Rev. WILLIAM URWICK, M.A. Edinburgh : T. and T. Clark. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

WE are disappointed in this book. From the translator's preface, we expected to find not only a well-written, thoughtful book, but one thoroughly sound in doctrine. It is certainly well written, and on many points of doctrine it is sound; but on others of great importance it is very unsound and speculative. It speaks of the purpose of God to save all men, even those who on earth reject his Gospel and die unconverted. It argues for the restoration of the ungodly in the future world, representing the intermediate state of separate spirits as a sort of purgatory, where the mass of the ungodly become purified and ultimately glorified. In reference to the most hardened and abandoned of mankind, it puts their case hypothetically, merely asking whether or not a few may not become so intensely depraved as to be beyond the possibility of recovery even in the future world? These are not the doctrines of the evangelical Protestants of England and Scotland. They are diametrically opposed to our authorized standards of theology, and equally opposed to the plainest teachings of our Lord. We cannot for a moment suppose the respectable publishers were aware that such sentiments were adVocated in this volume. But how comes it to pass that the translator passes over them in silence? How is It that, while eulogizing the work, he makes no allusion to this false doctrine? How is it that he is not only silent in the preface, but appends no note of exception or warning in the body of the work? This is to us mysterious and ominous !

Commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By WILLIAM GOUGE, D.D. Vol. II. Elinburgh: James Nichol. London: James Nisbet and Co.

THIS commentary contains the substance of a course of lestures delivered by the author to his own people, on successive Wednesday evenings, during a period of thirty years. We do not remember to have read of any course of lectures parallel to this for its con

tinuity and extent. How few of that congregation who heard the beginning would hear the end! and how few who heard the end had heard the beginning! Yet there the patient and persevering doctor was, on the Wednesday evening of each week, absorbed and enraptured with his theme, finding in it the whole Gospel, and not only the whole Gospel, but the whole law and the prophets, lecturing away through a whole generation; nor weary, we deem, when he came to the last verse. The present volume carries us from the sixt to the end of the tenth chapter, and the third volume will, we presume, complete this remarkable commentary. With all its copiousness it is terse, suggestive, thickly strewn with unexhausted hints, which were probably leading thoughts expanded when delivered as lectures. We have thus the study, learning, and labour of a life, expended on the illustration of one epistle. While the doctrine is spicy with Calvinism and elaborately learned, it is evangelical, experimental, and practical, and very minute in its expositions.

The Works of Henry Smith; including his Sermons, Treatises, Prayers, and Poems, with Life of the Author. By THOMAS FULLER, B.D. Vol. I. Edinburgh: James Nichol. London: James Nisbet and Co.

HENRY SMITH lived in the stirring times of the Nonconformists. He was educated at Oxford, and for some time was a preacher at St. Clement's, in London; but having expressed some opinions favourable to Nonconformity, he was suspended, and soon after he retired into private life. He was esteemed a wonder and miracle in his age for his prodigious memory, and for his fluent, eloquent, and practical preaching. Fuller, speaking of him, says, Smith had as great dexterity as any in "fastening nails (or truths) in the judgments of his hearers by his solid reasons, in their fancies by his proper similitudes, in their memories by his orderly method, and in their consciences by his home applications." On examining these discourses, we can assent to this description of his sermons as published, and as such we cordially recommend the volume to our readers. The Story of Jesus, in Verse. By

EDWIN HODDER. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.

MR. HODDER, while conducting an important and extensive business as a

I

publisher, employs much of his leisure time in doing good. He has written several useful works, and compiled the "New Sunday-school Hymn Book." He now appears before us as the author of "The Story of Jesus, in Verse." The rhymes are intended for children, and he therefore aims, not at fame, but usefulness to the little ones. "Nursery rhymes," he says, "outlive nursery story-books. So deep are the impressions made by poetry, that aged men and women can repeat scores of hymns and rhymes which have retained their hold upon memory from childhood, when all else has perished." With this view, the principal events of the Saviour's life, and some of his parables, are put into simple verse for children.

Clark's Foreign Theological Library. Fourth series. Vol. XI. Biblical

Commentary on the Book of Job. By F. DELITZSCH, D.D. Translated from the German by the Rev. FRANCIS BOLTON, B.A. Vol. II. Edinburgh T. and T. Clark. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. WE have before introduced this able and learned work to the notice of our readers. This, the second volume on Job, completes the commentary on the life of the suffering patriarch. The work

is profoundly learned and thoroughly critical, but too technical in its criticisms, as most German productions are. It is, however, orthodox in doctrine, pious in spirit, and practical in its tendency, and is undoubtedly an important acquisition to Biblical literature which no scholar would like to be without. There is a valuable appendix, contributed by Dr. Wetzstein, on the monastery of Job in Hauran, the tradition concerning Job, a map of the district, and a copious index of the texts illustrated in the work. Distinguished Englishmen. A series of Biographical Essays. By the Rev. E. HALL. London: W. Lister, Primitive Methodist Book-room; and G. J. Stevenson, 54, Paternoster Row.

THESF essays were published originally in the Christian Ambassador, and in their present form they are highly recommended by the Rev. C. C. M'Kecknie, the principal editor of that publication. The eminent men portrayed in this volume are Shakespeare, Milton, Herbert, Quarles,

Cowper, Bacon, Paley, Foster, and Watson. The sketches are lively and pictorial; they indicate a mind in sympathy with goodness, appreciative of greatness, and are graphically descriptive of both. Young and old, learned and unlearned, may read them with profit and pleasure.

Richard Cobden: A Study for Young Men. By T. BULLOCK. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. Manchester: J. Heywood.

RICHARD COBDEN was at once a politician, a patriot, and a philan thropist, not made at Oxford or Cambridge, but moulded by his own wisdom and energy. God had given him great powers, and he cultivated them diligently and employed them faithfully, for the good of his fellowmen. He conferred untold benefits on the commercial interests of the world, which will be seen through all future ages. His name will never be forgotten. He will always be remembered and honoured as an enlightened benefactor to his species. Mr. Bullock has supplied a graphic life-like portrait of this extraordinary. man, written in a lively, eloquent style. It would be well for young men to procure this admirable sketch, as a noble incentive to the study and imitation of true greatness.

The Pulpit Analyst. Edited by

JOSEPH PARKER, D.D. Vol. I.
London: Jackson, Walford, and
Hodder.

THERE is much good thinking and writing in this volume. It contains the contributions of many gifted ministers. The sermons and sketches are of a superior order, and the expositions and illustrations of Scripture are original, racy, and suggestive. We cannot, however, see the utility of the interlinear translations; for if a student knows but his Greek grammar, he can do without them; and if he does not know it, they are useless. The spirit of the book is candid, noble, and generous, perhaps sometimes too broad and liberal; certainly the review of "Ecce Homo" is, in our opinion, much too favourable. A work so lax in its views on inspiration and other fundamental truths, however beautiful in its style,

is not to be "hailed into our ranks
with acclamation."

The Miner of Perranzabuloe; or, Simple
Records of a Good Man's Life. By
W. DAVIS TYACK. London: Hamil-
ton, Adams, and Co.

WILLIAM MURRISH was one of God's nobility-a man in humble life, but deeply pious, earnestly laborious, and exceedingly useful-just one of that class which has helped to render Methodism so great a power for good in the world. The memoir is not spoiled by extraneous matter and irrelevant disquisitions, but depicts the man, or rather allows the man for the most part to depict himself in a series of familiar letters, many of them to the author, describing the work of God in his own soul and in the district around him. It cannot be read in a right spirit without spiritual profit.

The Sunday Scholar's Annual; containing Stories, &c., for Sunday-Scholars written by the Best Authors, and Illustrated with Twelve Wood Engravings by Eminent Artists. Second Series. London: Elliot Stock.

ADULTS have their annuals, and why should not our children and young people have theirs? We know no reason to the contrary; and here is one, containing twelve subjects, illustrated with twelve engravings. The sentiments are good, and the design is to benefit the young by presenting truth and duty in a pleasing and attractive form.

Life: what will you do with it? By Rev. W. GUEST. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.

MR. SAMUEL MORLEY says, in a letter referring to the above, "It is admirably adapted to arrest the attention of the large class to which it is addressed. I would that thousands of our young men in London would read it. I shall gladly endeavour to think of some mode by which its circulation may be promoted."

The Earnest Woman: a Narrative of the Remarkable Work of Mrs. Bartlett, in the Woman's Mission of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. By EDWARD LEACH. London: Elliot Stock. THE substance of the tract justifies the title. It is indeed a record of a remarkable work, and shows what one devoted woman can do. We rejoice in

it, and earnestly wish that we had many such women as Mrs. Bartlett in our own Denomination.

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary; designed as an illustrative Commentary on the Sacred Scriptures. With Numerous Wood Engravings. Sixteenth Thousand. By SAMUEL GREEN. London: Elliot Stock.

THIS work contains much excellent matter within a small compass, and is very serviceable for the Sabbath-school teacher, and withal so portable as to be carried in the pocket without inconvenience.

Ministers co-workers together with God. A Sermon, by F.W. BOUrne. Shebbear: J. Thorne.

THIS is a very excellent sermon, preached by Mr. Bourne before the Conference of the Bible Christians in July, 1866. We have read it with unmingled pleasure. It is a credit to the author, and an honour to his Denomination.

The Young Minister Counselled. By the Rev. J. GUTTRIDGE. London: W. Reed.

THIS is a charge delivered by the esteemed author to several young men on their public recognition as ministers in the United Methodist Free Church. It is copious, earnest, and eloquent, showing a mind well furnished, and apt to teach.

Patriotism; or, Our Fatherland. A Lecture, by the Rev. J. GUTTRIDGE. London: W. Reed.

THE author supplies much valuable information, and shows good reason for the love of our country.

The Cottager and Artisan. Vol. VI.

London: Religious Tract Society. A CHEAP monthly publication, with profitable articles, good illustrations, all well adapted to promote virtue, industry, economy, and religion among the humbler classes of society. Praying to Christ. A reply to Bishop Colenso. By C. SCHWARTZ, D.D. London: Elliot Stock.

A CONCLUSIVE refutation of the latest development of the bishop's heresyhis denial of prayer to Christ.

A FEW GRAVE THOUGHTS. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." This inspired truth finds an echo in every heart, and it is as true in spiritual things as in secular ones. Good news, indeed, from a nearer source is delightful. That news which our soul thirsteth for-yea, panteth for as the thirsty hart for the waterbrooks-is spiritual prosperity. And by spiritual prosperity we mean the conversion of sinners, and the growth of believers in holiness. There is no other standard of prosperity. The erection of chapels is good, the liquidation of their debts is good, the gathering of large congregations is good, the advance of education is good. We rejoice in all these good things. No one, indeed, rejoices more than we do in these matters, and no one more highly estimates the liberality and enterprise of the friends who promote them. It is always to us a great delight to be associated with these

efforts, and to promote them. But we dare not call these things spiritual prosperity, for God does not so regard them. Often, indeed, they are the outgrowth of spiritual life, but they may be, and sometimes are, the poor tinselled substitutes of genuine religion. Such they are, undoubtedly, in the Church of Rome and in some other churches, and the tendency of churches generally is to rest in these externals. Hence we cannot, and we ought not to be, satisfied with any state of our churches in which spiritual prosperity is not the predominant, the characteristic element.

We say,

build chapels and schools wherever they are needed; liquidate their debts as much as possible; increase the congregations by all legitimate means; promote education and intelligence with unfailing energy; but take care of the spirituality of the church. See to it that, amid all this attention to externals, the inner life of the church, the inner