Literary Reviews. An Earnest Exhortation to Christian Unity, affectionately addressed to the members of every religious community and denomination, be they Hebrew, Christian, or Infidel. By the CHIEF OF SINNERS. London: Partridge and Co. 1858. THE CHIEF OF SINNERS is not wanting in presumption. His sincerity perhaps makes him bold; but his rambling, illogical, and really pointless book will not gain many disciples. He treats his readers to several of the inspired writings transcribed at full lengthsuch as the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and many of the Epistles. As an author he is emphatically one of the Chief of Sinners, and we trust his temerity may be succeeded by becoming penitence and future privacy. Sermons and Lectures to the Working Classes. By the Rev. Robert Maguire, M.A., Incumbent of Clerken well. London: Partridge and Co. THESE are most admirable discourses for the times, and expound, in forcible language, the truth of the Bible in relation to certain social evils. They discuss the following subjects:-The Better Observance of the Lord's Day; Sunday Buying and Selling; Early Payment of Wages and Early Closing. They deserve an extensive circulation among masters and workmen, and in all our large towns. The Church in the Circus. By the Rev. John G. F. H. Knapp, Incumbent of St. John's, Portsea. London: Partridge and Co. 1858. THIS little work gives a narrative of the remarkable success which attended the preaching of the Gospel in a circus at Portsmouth. The author has strong sympathy with the working classes, and he has gained their attention by means of the earnest efforts which he has put forth on their behalf. Ministers and others interested in reaching the masses of the people would do well to peruse Mr. Knapp's practical and suggestive narrative. 387 The Four Evangelists: their Distinctive Designs and Peculiarities. Manchester: Bremner. 1858. THIS small work, the composition of a member of the Manchester Young Men's Christian Association, is a performance of considerable merit. It evinces a most intelligent study of the four Gospel histories, and presents a clear and succinct view of their designs and peculiarities. It is a valuable introduction to the examination of the early books of the New Testament. If this be a specimen of the papers read at meetings of young men it is indicative of an advanced intelligence and earnest piety. Such literary efforts, and the generous criticisms they encourage, do much to cultivate the mind, settle the doubts, improve the hearts, and direct the energies of young men in large towns. Fly-Leaves. A Book for the Churches. By Aristarchus the Wanderer. London: Partridge and Co. We do not know why we should aspire to be censors of the religion of the day, and of the pulpit in particular; but we have been favoured with several small works animadverting upon these subjects. We presume that, since we deemed it our duty to treat of the social power of the pulpit, it is supposed we are specially interested in this part of social science and reform. The author of Fly-Leaves' finds many evils and inconsistencies in the religious profession of the time, and earnestly, as wel! as satirically, attempts to rebuke and exhort. A Word to the Free Church and to Preachers. By the Rev. Samuel Macmillan. Aberdeen: Davidson. THE reverend gentleman who has prepared this concio ad clerum disapproves of reading sermons in the pulpit. He adduces arguments and authorities in support of his views, and laments the injurious effects of reading upon the Church of England-a practice which he regrets to see also in the Free Church of Scotland. With commendable zeal he protests against clerical indolence, and counsels fidelity in study, preaching, and pastoral care. There cannot be a doubt that the highest and most effective oratory has been uttered without reading; but some of the most able and successful preachers have read their sermons. The most natural is generally the most persuasive; and if preachers preachers have an earnest manner and a strong intellect, they will be listened to whether they discourse with or without notes: but those of smaller calibre and less enthusiasm will find few congregations willing to accept their dulness for the sake of the accuracy with which it is expressed.' Parson-ography; or the Book of Parsons. By Linnæus Lynx, Esq., M.A. London: Cash. THIS little work is full of satire; perhaps rather too sharp to be useful; but it is very clever. There is, however, a lightness in the treatment which detracts from its serious effect. Preaching, Prosing, and Puseyism, with other Peas of the Pod. By Feltham Burghley, author of Sonnets' and Sir Edwin Gilderoy.' London: J. F. Hope. 1858. THIS work is a satire on the preaching of the times. The author has abundance of wit and humour, and hits very hard. He has, moreover, an evident love of the truth, and a great dislike to error and sham, He exposes many scandals in the performance of clerical duties at the present time. His pen has great caustic power, which he may use to good purpose. He seems to incline towards the evangelical side, and is very severe upon all Puseyites. But he does not spare prosing wherever he finds it. There is in our time evident improvement in pulpit address; but there is still room for progress and adaptation to the wants of the age. Christianity and Secularism. By the Rev. James Scott, M.A. Edinburgh: Shepherd and Elliot. THE author has thoroughly exhausted, in some sixty pages, the controversy on which he has entered. He shows that reason is on the side of Christianity and against secularism. His mind is eminently metaphysical, and his logic severe. We commend the little work to all thoughtful readers, especially working men in large towns. Letters to the Working Classes on Important Subjects. By one of themselves. Glasgow: W. R. M'Phun. THIS Small work discusses with considerable ability subjects of highest interest. The author is evidently well read and possessed of a clear and logical mind. Without the learning or metaphysical subtlety of the preceding work, this may with as much effect convince the inquiring among his fellow workmen. 3. The Temperance Pulpit. Nos. 1, 2, and Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League. 1858. As literary compositions, biblical expositions, and social tracts, this series, so far as it is published, is of the highest order, and merits extensive circulation. The first sermon is by the Rev. W. Arnot, of Glasgow, on Christian Duty in relation to Drunkards and Drink. It was preached before a large conference of ministers which assembled at Manchester in June, 1857, to consider the liquor-traffie, and was then published at their request. It advocates voluntary personal abstinence from intoxicating drinks and legal restraint upon their manufacture and sale. The one,' says he, 'is the soul of the temperance reformation, and the other its body. Either alone will certainly fail to work deliverance on a national scale. Actual abstinence by earnest men for their own and others' good, will not wipe away the shame of drunkenness from the country, as long as the dealers are permitted to treat the weak and the profligate as raw material for their trade. And, on the other hand, a law, entirely prohibiting or greatly restricting the traffic, cannot be enacted, and though enacted could not be enforced, unless a very large proportion of the community have become conscientious and systematic abstainers. The personal abstinence of the good, without a law to restrain the evil, would be a soul without a body; a prohibitory law, without a public sentiment in favour of abstinence, would be a body without a soul. The one is a ghost, the other a carcase.' Mr. Arnot founds his prinIciples on the Scripture, and reasons them out with great clearness and vigour. The second sermon is called Nehushtan, or the Principle of Hezekiah's Reformation applied to the Tem perance Reformation, and is by the Rev. Dr. Brown, of Dalkeith. His thoughts are historical, analogical, apologetical, and evangelical, and contain much truth ably set forth and applied. The third discourse is on Abstinence: a special service for a special need, by the Rev. Alexander Macleod, Glasgow. It is an eloquent appeal to professing Christians Literary Reviews. Christians to join and support the abstinence movement. We hail the appearance of these sermons, and rejoice to observe that ministers of the gospel are growingly advancing in their views of abstinence. O si sic omnes! The church against the drink traffic would be its ruin and the blessedness of the land. 4. General Literature. My Recollections of the Last Four Popes, and of Rome in their Times. An Answer to Dr. Wiseman. By Alessandro Gavazzi. London: Partridge and Co. 1858. THE memories of the disputants with reference to the last four popes have very different records. This is not the place for entering into the controversy. We may add, however, that Signor Gavazzi writes with more force and earnestness than the Cardinal, if not with such refinement. His book evinces ardent patriotism and manly courage, as well as extensive acquaintance with public events of the holy see during the pontificates and changes of the last half century. Self-Formation: Twelve Chapters for Young Thinkers. By Edwin Paxton Hood. Third Edition. London: Judd and Glass. 1858. THIS work may be safely put into every intelligent young man's library. It is eminently calculated to stimulate thought, cultivate the mind, and improve the heart. It is written with ability, and in a most engaging style. The episodes introduced at the end of each chapter are very happy. Indeed, the whole work is interesting, and as literature for the rising generation is of the highest order. Philosophy and illustrations, precept and example, religion and learning are so harmoniously blended as to make the book such as the late Dr. Arnold would have loved to welcome and commend. The Poetry of Teaching; or, The Village School, its subjects and its rulers. A Poem. By James Malcolm. London: Partridge and Co. 1858. THIS is a well-meant attempt to set the 389 THERE is true poetry in many of the pieces contained in this volume. Mr. de Montgomery has a good imagination, fine taste, noble and devout thoughts, and great felicity of expression-qualities eminently characteristic of the poet. The Eternal,' The Old Hall,' Sunset,' Twilight, Night,' contain vivid descriptions. The prose portions are beautiful and abound in good sentiments. The translations from sixty languages evidence considerable learning and rare ability to render one language into another. The author is, we understand, a young man, which encourages the hope that by care and study he may yet take a place among the poets of his country. We would suggest to him the propriety of separating the prose from the poetry, which in this volume are commingled. The advertisements at the end of the work we think in bad taste. Macassar oil, hair dye, essence of coffee, paper hangings, &c., may be very useful; but it is most unusual to append notices of them to a volume of poems. Upward and Onward. A Thought book for the Threshold of Active Life. By S. W. Partridge. London: 1857. THIS work is for young men, and well fulfils its idea. Throughout every page there is condensed thought tersely though sometimes inelegantly expressed. The lessons it conveys are of the most practical kind-suited to the activities which engage young men, the temptations which surround them, and the responsibilities which press upon them. INDEX. ARCADIA, Life in, 201. Ownership of 210. Art Education, Popular, 165. Recent BURNING of the Dead, 125. English CARLYLE, Thomas, 338; his Parentage, Cotton Supply, 351. Growth of Manu- EAST INDIA COMPANY and the Opium position of Chinese, 35. Conduct of FRANCE, the Morals of, exemplified in HOMER, his Translators and Commen- Human Form, Symbolisms of, 17. De- KEEPING up Appearances, 88. MAINE, History of Struggle in, 276. Com- License and no License, 278. Neal Dow, 281. Riot at Portland, 5. Morals of Business, 46. The late Com- NEGROES, Genius and Prospects of, Norway, Recent Travels in, 211. Nor- 235. PATERSON, Founder of Bank of Eng- Crofton's Plan in Ireland, 315. Ob- and Crime, 81. Statistics of Refor- Life of J. Stirling, ib. Béranger's World, |