REVIEWS. having been scattered, he had to hide himself in the cowherd's hut on the Isle of Athelney. But Alfred did not know when he was beaten. He believed that men may rise on stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher things," and was not long before he proved this true in his own life, and rendered it for ever after impossible that England should be possessed by other than the Saxon race. Neither was he content with victory by the power of the sword. By his generosity he turned the foe into a faithful ally, and induced him to abandon paganism for Christianity. By his forethought he guarded England against future invasion, and, giving her a fleet, taught her to become mistress of the sea. By his wise government he established righteous laws, educated his people, and secured inward prosperity for the nation; and by his piety he presented a noble example of Christian character, and for the first time made it possible that a Saxon might read the Word of God in his mother tongue. At one part of his life Alfred vowed to devote to God half his services day and night, and also half his wealth. Hence we have many instances of his generosity, and one of a very interesting character. We may quote the words in which Mr. Hughes relates the circumstance: "Alfred had made a vow, before the taking and rebuilding of London, that if he should be successful in that undertaking, he would send gifts to the Christian Churches in the far East, of which uncertain rumours and traditions still spoke throughout Christendom. The apostles St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew had preached the Gospel in India, and founded these Churches, it was said; and it was to them that Alfred, in the performance of his vow, despatched the same Siglaelm and Athelstan who were the bearers of his gifts and letters to Pope Martinus. They would seem, indeed, to have gone on from Rome in the year 883, by what route we know not, or how long they were upon their mission, or how they sped, save only that they came back to their king bringing greetings from those distant brethren, and gifts of precious stones and spices in return for his alms. These Alfred distributed among his cathedrals, in some of which they were preserved for centuries. Such was the first intercourse between England and the great Empire which has since been committed to her in the East. St. Thomas Christians are still to be found in Malabar and elsewhere." It is not difficult to trace the hand of the author of Tom Brown in this book, or rather, perhaps, we should say, the theology, "the muscular Christianity." As a Life of Alfred the Great, written by a practical and earnest thinker, in face of the difficulties that confront Alfred's descendants in this nineteenth century, this volume may claim and will well repay careful perusal. We should not, however, ourselves that have preceded it in this series, it select it for Sunday reading. Like those presents to us no special claim to be called a Sunday book. At the same time, we feel that the gain would be great if this and similar books could displace some of the literature to which Sabbath hours are devoted. In such an attempt we heartily wish this and similar efforts great success. New Cyclopædia of Illustrations, adapted to Christian Teaching. By Rev. ELON FOSTER, New York. With introduction by Rev.Stephen H. Tyng, D.D. London: Dickinson & Higham, 59, Old Bailey. 1870. THE employment of illustration as a means of instruction has such palpable advantages, especially in public discourses, that nothing need be said in its favour. Most of our readers will endorse Mr. Paxton Hood's opinion, that one illustration is worth a thousand abstractions. It is only, in fact, by some such means that the loftier and more recondite truths of religion can be brought within the reach of an simple truths can make a permanent ordinary capacity, and that even the impression. piled to assist the various classes of This New Cyclopædia has been com Christian teachers, by furnishing them with some analogy, simile, or anecdote appropriate to any subject they may have in hand. The illustrations are drawn from every conceivable quarter. The various arts and sciences, the world of nature and human life, mythology and history-all contribute their share to the enforcement of moral and spiritual truth. There are quotations from upwards of five hundred different authors, and the illustrations are considerably over six thousand. Many of them are of course familiar, but a large proportion have never been previously collected, and will, we believe, be new to the majority of both preachers and hearers. The book has a decided advantage over all similar productions, in gathering so many "gems of literature" from the more recent masters of illustration. Beecher, Guthrie, Spurgeon, Arnot, Robertson, Caird, and Mrs. Jameson's valuable works on the Legends are also pressed into the service, and supply some of the most effective pieces. The arrangement of the work is all that can be desired. The subjects are classified alphabetically. Each illustration is numbered, and a copious index is given. Altogether we feel great confidence in pronouncing this to be the most useful (as well as the cheapest) book of its class, and earnestly recommend it to all who are engaged in the work of Christian instruction. There are one or two deficiencies and errors in the mention of the authors from whom the illustrations are drawn. Thus No. 5,983, which is set down as simply from Good Words, is by Dr. Vaughan; and the incident is (as Dr. Vaughan states) from the experience of Colonel Campbell, as narrated in his Indian Journal. A distinction ought to have been made between Augustus Hare and Julius Charles Hare. No. 2,710 is from the former, while 2,721 is from the latter, and so in many other instances. The same remark applies to F. W. Krummacher-the well-known author of Elijah the Tishbite-and his father, from whose book of parables several quotations are made. The illustration on a wakeful conscience (983) is from Bishop Reynolds on the Affections, not from Dr. M'Cosh, as here stated, though we believe Dr. M'Cosh uses it in his Method of Divine Government. The Jewish apologue of Charity (592) is given as Dean Stanley's, but he was indebted for it to Jeremy Taylor. These, no doubt are minor faults, but the book would certainly be improved by their removal. The North British Review. No. CV. October, 1870. Edinburgh: Edmonston & Douglas. THE North British" is certainly among the ablest of the Quarterlies, and in its recent numbers has not only maintained, but even surpasses, its old reputation. It might perhaps admit with advantage a larger proportion of lighter pieces, but in regard to articles of permanent value, it leaves nothing to be desired. We now only mention those in the present number on "The Moabite Inscription," which the writer translates and connects with the Biblical history, placing it approximately "in the second year of Ahaziah's reign, or at the beginning of that of his brother Jehoram, B.C. 896-894"-" Philosophy and Psychology," "The Russian Church and Clergy," and "The Vatican Council." These two last articles are especially interesting-one of them as depicting the present condition of the Orthodox Eastern Church, which is shown to be so entirely outside the current of European civilisation that we wonder how any intelligent Anglican longs for corporate union with it; and the other of which traces the origin and progress of the so-called Ecumenical Council recently held at Rome. The writer of the article has evidently been "behind the scenes," and has given what is, as yet, our best narrative of the opposition which the Pope had to encounter even among his own friends, the manœuvres he adopted to secure the declaration of his infallibility, and the grounds on which the protesting Liberals gave way. The article should be read by all who wish to understand the true position of affairs. The other papers, on Shelley, Trade Unions, and English Diplomacy, are also of great worth, and contem poray literature is kindly and impartially reviewed. Baptist History; from the Foundation of the Christian Church to the Present Time. By J. M. CRAMP, D.D.; with an Introduction by J. Angus, D.D. Illustrated by fifty-eight first-class Engravings. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row. 1871. By issuing this valuable work in a form so neat and attractive, and at so small a cost, Mr. Stock has laid the Baptist Denomination under very great obligations; and his generous enterprise will, we trust, be duly appreciated. The work should certainly have a place in every Baptist household. Its story is one in which all who have accepted our principles must feel an interest, and of which they ought not to remain ignorant. When they have once begun it, it will carry them on by its own fascination. There is, moreover, no other history of Baptists, as such, without distinction of age and country. Dr. Cramp's authority as an ecclesiastical historian 18 thoroughly established, and this admirable narrative-so clear, concise, and scholarly-will doubtless enhance his reputation. We give it all the recommendation in our power. UNDER this very musical title, Mr. Jackson gives us between thirty and forty sermons, evangelical in doctrine, fresh and vigorous in thought, lucid in style, and remarkably brief. His love of quaintness is sometimes carried too far, and exposes him to the charge of being fanciful; but as a rule his remarks are characterized by sound vigorous sense, and the book will be read with great interest. It conveys will attract the attention of minds inmany valuable lessons in a form that sensible to the ordinary and more prosaic methods af instruction. Thoughts in Theology. By JOHN SHEPPARD, Author of "Thoughts on Private Devotion," &c. Second Edition. Hodder and Stoughton. 1870. READERS of the BAPTIST MAGAZINE are too well acquainted with the venerable author of these essays to require on their behalf any word of commendation from us, a word which they know will be cheerfully given. For our own pleasure, we gladly direct their attention to the volume. It contains five essays, all of which were published many years ago, but have been for some time out of print. They are entitled, "Christian Theism argued from Organised Life and Fossil Osteology"; Argument from Theism for a Future Life"; "The Reunion and 66 This Recognition of Christians in the Life to Come"; "The Right Love of Creatures and the Creator"; "The Excellences and Consolations of Divine Philosophy." As our readers will see, there is a natural connection between them, the one following the other in regular sequence. The first is an argument for the existence and personality of God, as against the author of the Vestiges of Creation and the the Darwinian school; and a clearer, more conclusive piece of reasoning, carried on, moreover, in a truly Christian spirit, we could not desire. The second accepts as its premiss the conclusion reached in the first, and shows that our belief in a future life is a logical as well as a moral necessity. essay alone is worth the price of the entire volume, and, short as it is (its brevity is its only fault), will repay the most careful and prolonged attention. To the great majority of minds, its train of thought will be quite new. The third proves from Scripture, and necessary reason, that this future life will be social; the fourth specifies the true relations of the love of God and man-the affection requisite for enjoying the blessedness of heaven; and the fifth enforces the necessity of believing and yielding to the truths so clearly and beautifully expounded in the preceding pages. This last essay was originally published as a letter to Lord Brougham, whose courteous and interesting reply is inserted in the appendix. Life Problems, Answered in Christ. Six Sermons. By LEIGH MANN. With preface by Alexander Maclaren, B.A. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1870. THE sermons which Mr. Mann has here offered to the public are among the very best which have recently appeared, and may justly be classed with those of Maclaren, Ker, and Hull. The problems with which they deal are such as every thoughtful man must encounter, and which can be solved only by an intelligent personal apprehension of Christianity. Throughout the volume there is a tacit reference to the scientific gospel of Professor Huxley's school. Its insufficiency is plainly demonstrated, and we are made to feel that for man-suffering, sinful, dying, and yet yearning for immortalitythere is no other Gospel than that of Christ. After reading the sermons very carefully, we must heartily endorse the high eulogium pronounced upon them by Mr. Maclaren in his brief preface: they are "the work of a mind and heart singularly tender and strong, pure and true, touched with imaginative beauty, and penetrated by loyal attachment to our dear Lord." Of the Imitation of Christ. Four Books. By THOMAS À KEMPIS. A new Edition. Rivingtons. 1871. NEXT to the Bible itself, no book has had a larger circulation than The Imitation of Christ, nor is there at present any falling-off in the demand for it. Very probably the recent progress of Ritualism has given an impulse to the study of it in England, as it is one which this party has taken under its special patronage. But while its theology is decidedly ascetic, and it is prone as someone has acutely remarked) to "make humility and humiliation change places," there is very much in it which all Christians may ponder with advantage, and which ought not to remain in the exclusive possession of any party whatever. Even in the fourth book, "Concerning the Communion," which is based on the doctrine of the Real Presence, there are considerations which, if realised, would tend to a deeper and more spiritual fellowship with Christ than is commonly attained. This new edition is most beautifully "got up," and is among the best we have seen. Life of the Rev. Dan Taylor. By W. UNDERWOOD, D.D., President of Chilwell College. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. A VERY graphic and concise memoir of a great and good man, the father of the General Baptist body, whose existence as a separate community is a painful memorial of the polemical The Orphan and the Foundling, or, Alone in the World. By EMMA LESLIE. London: Sunday-school Union, 56, Old Bailey. THIS is an attractive story. Miss Leslie always writes well, but in this instance she has done excellently. The book is elegantly got-up, and will serve well for a Christmas-box or New Year's gift. "A Good Minister of Jesus Christ." An Address to the Students of Rawdon College. By the Rev. J. BARKER, Lockwood. Huddersfield: Wheatley & Co. Price Twopence. MR. BARKER, than whom there is not a more universally beloved and respected minister in the northern counties, in this sermon sets forth the solicitude of a good minister respecting his credentials, his supreme regard to the will of Christ, his close study of the Saviour's character and work, and his devout, earnest, and persevering performance of his ministry. The sermon is a faithful mirror of the preacher, and we pray God to send many such out of our colleges to be the strength of the land. A Dialogue on Life in Christ: The State of the Dead and the Punishment of the Wicked. By S. WRIGHT. London: Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row. WE have no confidence in any writer who attempts to carry a position in argument by means of dialogue. He can make his foe as big a fool as he likes, and run a-muck through all his defences. From the number of publications which reach us on this solemn subject, it is evidently attracting the attention of Christians largely. Much prayer, great docility of disposition, and profound thought, will draw from the well of Scripture the truth of God. The faith of ages cannot, however, be overthrown by the conjectures of novices. |