"We know no time when we were not as now, Know none before us, self-begot, self-raised By our own quickening power, when fatal

course

Had circled its full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native heaven, ethereal sons!"

Now if such be the most subtle and dangerous form in which temptation can assail a spiritual being, there can be conceived no means more likely to prove a remedy, than that which the wisdom of God has devised in the actual constitution of human nature. We enter life through the narrow gate of infancy; and the lesson of ignorance, dependence, and weakness, is taught in every step of that daily progress by which the unconscious child is advanced to the full maturity of reason, and is enabled, at length, almost to vie with angels themselves in the gift of ripe and large intelligence. What a wide, deep lesson of humility and dependence is contained in the truth embodied in those simple lines of Addison :

"Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived

From whom those comforts flowed."

And when we rise to a higher point of view, and gaze on the dying agonies of the Saviour, by which He finished the work of atonement for the sin of the world, we find that this truth was one of those cords of mighty love, by which the perfect Son of man confirmed His own faith in the Father's goodness in the hour of intensest sorrow. "But Thou art He that took me out of the womb; Thou didst make me hope upon my mother's breast. I was left unto Thee ever since I was born; Thou art my God from my mother's womb." How mighty must be the power of that appeal to every human heart for mingled gratitude and humility, because of protection in helpless infancy, which is thus enshrined in the very deathsong of the Incarnate Redeemer, the true and only begotten Son of God!

An impressive caution was given to the Israelites in the law of Moses; that when they had eaten and were full, and had built goodly houses, and dwelt in them, and their silver and gold were multiplied, they must beware lest their hearts should be lifted up, and they should forget the Source of all their mercies. The warning applies with still greater emphasis to the gifts of knowledge and reason, than to outward and material possessions. It is the men who have been conscious of a keen and piercing intelligence, and in whom the animal nature has been most subordinated to higher instincts, and the pursuits of learning and ambition, in whom pride has appeared in its most expanded and dangerous forms. The only security against this threatening danger lies in a perpetual memory of the truth our

66

Lord Himself taught His Apostles, and of which the echoes come back to every one from the days of his own childhood. Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

A similar explanation will apply to the multitude of worldly cares, and busy, anxious labours, connected with the hourly and daily wants of the body, which form the chief elements of their human history to the masses of mankind. Viewed in themselves, such employments appear strange and unnatural for immortal beings, endued with powers of thought that can range far and wide through all creation, and ascend even to the presence of the Creator, to gaze upon His infinite perfections, and bask in the vision of Infinite Goodness. But if mankind are really prisoners of hope, under an economy of redemption, these occupations may be a discipline eminently adapted to promote the great object of Divine providence. No means could be more likely to teach the great lessons, that the creature is now subject to vanity, that the present life is not the true portion of the soul, and that selfishness and vice are the fruitful parents of misery, than this perpetual and inevitable struggle with bodily wants and necessities. The disparity between the secret consciousness of power, and the requirements of daily life, by placing the conscience in the attitude of longing hope, ministers powerfully to the great purpose of redeeming love. We see, in continual experience, that when these restraints are removed, where Divine grace has not first awakened a spiritual appetite, the minds of men degenerate into torpid sloth, or wander further and further in profligacy and wickedness. A child born to the certainty of an ample fortune, with no correlative duties clearly fixed and assigned to temper the dangerous gift, is subjected to the severest moral ordeal to which it can possibly be exposed. The reflection Milton ascribes to Adam, after the sentence imposing labour, that "idleness had been worse,' echoed by the constant experience of every age. In those tropical regions where the produce is most luxuriant, the standard of energy and civilisation sinks lower in proportion; and the most appalling condition for man's moral welfare would be a golden age of nature, when

Immunis, rastroque intacta, nec ullis

Saucia vomeribus, per se dabat omnia tellus,

if it should be joined with a race of iron hearts, abandoned to the double curse of unbridled sensuality and insatiable ambition.The Ways of God.

A CORRECT ESTIMATE.-The most trifling act which is marked by usefulness to others, is nobler in God's sight than the most brilliant accomplishment of genius. To teach a few Sunday-school children, week after week, commonplace, simple truths, persevering in

spite of dulness and mean capacities, is a more glorious occupation than the highest meditations or creations of genius which edify or instruct only our own solitary soul.Robertson.

Submission, and its Reward. A Memoir of Alice Johnston. By the Rev. JAMES GAILEY. Nisbet & Co.

WE very much like this book. The portrait of Alice Johnston is beautiful, nothing better have we seen for a long time-so meek, so sprightly, so intelligent, and withal so finely executed. Professor Martin, of Aberdeen, has introduced the volume in a few decisive words. He knew the lady "as one that was living the life of faith in its highest form, and whose whole energies were concentrated in seeking the advancement of her Saviour's kingdom." From such a man this is certainly high praise, and while it is matter for regret that a light burning so purely and so brilliantly should so soon have been withdrawn, it is matter for gratitude that we have here the record of her doings on the precincts of the eternal world. We learn from Professor Martin, that "her divine Master was pleased very remarkably to answer her prayers, and to make her an instrument of spiritual good to others, to an extent which, taken in connexion with her circumscribed sphere of labour, and heavy personal afflictions, is well fitted to encourage others, who, like her, are laid aside from active and public duty by much bodily weakness, but who, like her, also burn with an irrepressible desire to spend and be spent in that highest and happiest of all earthly service-the service of Christ." This is, certainly, very high praise, but we presume it is a simple declaration of the facts of the case. We have here an account of her early life and conversion, with her Christian progress afterwards. We regret that the author has fallen into the cant of the Germanlings; we have one chapter designated "Inner Life and Progress," and another "Outer life." What do men mean that talk in this way? There can be no life but that which is inner. What is outer life, but the effect of that which is within? Properly speaking, indeed, there is no outer life. Life is one, and its seat is the soul. However, we shall pass by the jargon for the sake of the good stuff which follows. The volume is chiefly made up of letters and extracts from journals, many of them truly excellent. The book puts us a good deal in mind of that inimitable volume, once so famous among the people of God, "The Life of Mrs. Graham."

Miss Alice Johnston is the fruit of the great Revival movements which occurred a few years back in Scotland; and assuredly, had

all been like her, the harvest would have been one that would have enriched every region in which it grew. A movement that could produce even one such character, must of neces sity have been of heavenly origin. These are not trees planted by the hand of man.

The delicate frame at length wore out under the fervent operation of the powerful spirit. Lingering affliction gave place to serious illness, and that illness issued in death. Nineteen years before, she recorded in her journal, "Whenever I cross the Jordan, I should like to go in full sail, and enter the harbour heavily laden with the precious fruits of holiness." How noble the wish! and that wish was realised. After her end was come she was full of joy and hope, and glad to make her escape from the tempests and the troubles of this sorrowful world. We need scarcely say of such a work, that we commend it. It requires simply announcement. To read will be to admire, and it will be the reader's own blame if not abundantly profited.

Ancient Egypt, its Antiquities, Religion, and History, to the Close of the Old Testament Period. By GEORGE TREVOR, M.A. Tract Society.

MULTITUDES will hail the appearance of this very admirable book. We have not many publications on the subject of Egypt, but not one complete, satisfactory, and popular digest. That want, however, has at length been supplied by the volume before us. The book may be described as a beautiful, small, cyclopædia of the great subject. It opens with a fine description of the Valley of the Nile, after which we have the "monuments of both Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt," "Hieroglyphics," "the Assyrians," "the Primitive Religion," "The Idols," "The Temple Worship," "The Funeral Rites,' ""Chronology,' ""The Pharoahs of Memphis," "The Pharoahs of Thebes," "The Coptic Monarchy," "The Pharoahs of the Delta." Around these centre-points we have circling all the main facts which appertain to each; and within the compass of some 350 pages we have all that the bulk even of intelligent people care, or require, to know. The volume is singularly solid; there is here matter enough to have been driven out into half a dozen volumes, and, if we mistake not, the author would have preferred more scope; but there is enough for popular uses, and anything further would only have tended to encumber it. We may just say, that the volume

is a model in its mechanical aspects; in addition to the introductory matter, the copious contents, we have an explanation of the illustrations, which actually amount to 65. There is then a beautifully executed map; and to the whole is subjoined an appendix, with a useful index. Of the immense series of kindred publications issued by the Tract Society, there is not one which reflects on the institution more credit than the present.

The Life and Character of John Howe, M.A., with an Analysis of his Writings. By HENRY ROGERS. Religious Tract Society. IN point of order, the Life of Howe ought to have come first, although it could not have been properly labelled as Vol. I. of Howe's Works; and therefore, although it has come last, it will naturally fall into its own place as introductory to the splendid volumes of the Tract Society. It is now many years since this Life originally appeared. At that time, in common with numbers, it gave us great satisfaction, and having gone through it again, that satisfaction has been revived. Professor Rogers has performed a great public service by his learned, elaborate, able, and candid performance. The book overflows with important information concerning persons and parties, events and national movements more or less related to religion. But, while all is excellent, the chapter presenting an analysis of Howe's writings is incomparably the best. This we consider to be superior to everything on the subject that has yet appeared. Professor Rogers is a rational admirer of the immortal writer, but his admiration does not blind him to the shortcomings of Howe's style. The strictures are singularly able, and every way, to our judgment, they are accurate. We were, in truth, hardly prepared for so much candour and sterling integrity, things very rare in these days of hero-worship. In connexion with this circumstance we see reason to congratulate the public on the excellent judgment of the Tract Society Committee in having secured the services of Mr. Rogers to edit their edition of Howe's works. There can be no doubt that his punctuation has done much, exceeding much, to disentangle thought and to pour in light on many an intricate, confused and dark page. This will now be, to all coming time, the standard edition of Howe. Of the many great services the Society has done in connexion with the republication of our classical divines, we know of none to be placed upon the level of the present.

Gradations in Euclid. By HENRY GREEN, M.A. Kent & Co.

MR. GREEN has deserved well of the public

for this masterly volume. We have here 440 copious pages, severely elaborated, and exceedingly adapted to further the ends of mathematical knowledge. We have first an "introduction to plane geometry, its use and application," to which succeeds an explanatory preface, comprising remarks on geometrical reasoning, and on arithmetic and algebra as applied to geometry. But the grand feature of the work is its practical results and exercises. To the self-instructor, the book will be of special value, and it may be turned to the very best account by masters of academic institutions. We would that a passion for mathematics might but diffuse itself throughout the realm, taking fast hold of the intellects of our young men. We know no better cure for insipidity, frivolity, wandering of the mind, and intellectual incapacity for anything good or solid. This is of all antidotes to the stuff-ofttimes the empoisoned and corrupting stuff-called light literature, the best. This volume is of more real intellectual use than all the fiction that has appeared since the issue of "Humphrey Clinker."

The Politics of Christianity. By EDWARD MIALL. Arthur Miall.

We have here twenty-six articles, essays, or dissertations, which do credit to Nonconformity, and to the intelligence of the age. They are all comparatively brief, but exceedingly elaborate, and very rarely has multum in parvo been more applicable to any publication. They constitute reprints of leading articles from Mr. Miall's journal, and it reflects some credit on the intellectual resources of the writer, that they were all produced in 1847-8. While a few of the topics are more light and pleasant, yet the bulk of them are solid and weighty, such as "The Primary Object of Government," "The Sword Bearer," "A Clear Stage and no Favour," "The Strong Government," ," "Man above Property," "State Education," "Functions of Civil Government," "Distribution of Office," Law-making," "Administration of Justice," "Punishments, Capital and Secondary," "Colonial Government and International Intercourse." From this it will be seen that, while the themes are momentous, they are as seasonable in 1863 as they were in 1847. They are themes, the interest of which will never evaporate. The young man who shall take and give the volume-which does not reach 200 pagestwo or three thoughtful perusals, will find his account in it for years to come. It is an example of sound thinking and correct writing, as well as, for the most part, convincing and irrefragible logic.

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Hymns for Divine Worship. Compiled for the Use of the Methodist New Connexion. WILLIAM COOKE.

THESE are truly improving times, and in nothing is that improvement more manifest than in our hymnology. Even the Scottish Presbyterian bodies, that so long stuck to David's Psalms in the most doggerel of all the versions, with some dozen hymns appended, have at last burst the fetters of prejudice, and prepared for themselves very excellent hymnbooks, which are proving a source of unspeakable comfort to their congregations. The Wesleyans have from the first been noted for the excellence of their hymns, and for their love of sacred music. It has always appeared to us that John Wesley was not more especially and undoubtedly raised up of God to frame the polity which distinguishes his people, than was Charles Wesley to supply them with hymns for "praising God with the heart and with the understanding also." Charles Wesley was inferior to no man that ever versified in these realms. If in some respects he is excelled by Dr. Watts, in others he excels that illustrious poet. The glory of our British hymnology lies between them. None of their compeers, predecessors or successors, are at all to be compared with them in point of either quantity or quality. But while such is the fact, and while the Wesleyan Hymnbook is most excellent, it does not comprise all excellence. Rich as it is, it might be further enriched by the addition of a selection of compositions by other hands. Such was the conviction of the New Connexion Conference, who have judged wisely on this matter, and have furnished what may now, perhaps, be correctly designated one of the best hymn-books in the English tongue. That recently issued by the Congregational body is certainly a compilation of transcendant worth, and it might be difficult to determine between that and this, which is the more rich, varied, and excellent. To our own taste, we need not hesitate to say we prefer the Congregational on the score of its more accurate doctrine; but next to it, and all other things considered, quite equal to it is that of the Methodist New Connexion. The preparation of the volume is a grand achievement, reflecting much credit on the New Connexion, and we cannot doubt of its universal approval. It comprises 1,024 hymns, and is supplied by an admirable set of indices. The work is finely printed, and every way admirably got up.

The Pulpit Assistant. By the Rev. THOMAS HANNAM. Tegg.

WE do not know how this work came to be issued in separate volumes, but one thing is

clear, it secures for the publisher three notices in place of one. We have already spoken so well of the sermons as a whole, and of the essay on the composition of a sermon, that we need say no more than that the present volume comprises an ample store of capital matter, which may be turned to good account by village and local preachers, and which, no doubt forms excellent reading for Christians generally.

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Genesis, with a New Translation. By JAMES G. MURPHY, LL.D. Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

The

THIS is emphatically a great work. subject is great, and so is the execution. It bears a considerable resemblance to our German authorship; there is the same minuteness, fulness, erudition, and elaboration. Without professing to be a reply to those infidel publications which have within the last few years been showered abroad upon the public mind, it supplies, to all intents and purposes, that which is sufficient to dispose of them. The volume is much fitted to be of use to the private student, heads of families, Sunday-school teachers, and ministers of religion. It is exhaustive of the Great Book on which it rests, and is to be viewed as every way a most valuable contribution to our biblical literature.

The First Week of Time; or. Scripture in Harmony with Science. By CHARLES WILLIAMS. Jackson, Walford, & Hodder. THE Rev. Charles Williams, although still a man in the full vigour of his intellect, may be said to have written a considerable library. He is rarely gifted for public teaching, his mind is clear as the sun, and his knowledge exceedingly diversified; his command of the pen such as only a lifetime of practice can give, and everything is more or less spiced and scented with the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. Of his all but innumerable publications, there are few that bid more for popularity and usefulness than the one before us. It is a great work brought within a very reasonable compass. In 300 pages we have an encyclopædia.

After an introductory chapter, Mr. Williams proceeds to consider "The Structure and the Place of our Globe," "God's Works in Eternity," "The First Day," "The Firmament,” "The Water," "The Dry Land," "The Vegetable Tribes," "The Rulers of the Day and the ""Races of Animals," "Man, Physical Night," and Moral." These headings of chapters, then, indicate at once the path which this highly gifted author pursues, and we beg to

assure our readers, those of them who require such assurance from not knowing Mr. Williams, that they will find the book to be one of the richest, and most instructive and satisfactory that can well be conceived. The writer's stores of knowledge peer out in every page, and everything is so purified and simplified, and adapted to public usefulness, that the work will be read with a charm which will not soon be exhausted.

Mediatorial Sovereignty; the Mystery of Christ, and the Revelation of the Old and New Testaments. By GEORGE STEWARD. Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

THIS is, certainly, one of the books of the age, we might say of the century. Anything more massive, comprehensive, and thoroughly theological we cannot name. The volumes of Dr. Cunningham, of Edinburgh, and of Dr. Gibson, of Glasgow, are the only works which in our time, are worthy to be compared with it. Without being precisely a theological system, it is yet an all-comprehensive view of the mediatorial economy. It is most truly

what its author modestly suggests, "Christology," but far more complete and comprehensive then the valuable volume of Fleming, which bears that title. The first volume comprises two parts, the former treating of the Old Testament and the latter of the New, and of their bearings on the titles, offices, and the glory of the Lord Jesus. We could scarcely desire a more comprehensive, profound, and scriptural discussion. As a mere intellectual exercise for a young man, we could not point out a better, and to have thoroughly mastered the volumes will be to have derived a measure of benefit for which the possessor will have reason to be grateful to life's last hour.

While the New Testament is commenced in the first volume, yet so fertile are its themes, that it requires the whole of the second to exhaust them. We have here the Kingdom of Christ presented in a variety of aspects, his prerogatives, dominion, administration, and consummation, all are set forth with splendour and power. The latter chapters, touching on the body of Christ, the Pleroma of Christ and of the Spirit, and of the Father and His Sonship, Kingship, and Priesthood are all severely and pointedly elaborated. Here the powerful mind of the author exerts itself to the uttermost to fathom his subject, a subject which is unfathomable, but on which, nevertheless, he has done great things.

This volume closes with "Truths Evangelically Reflected," in four chapters, which we think might have been happily interspersed with the previous sections. There is here,

VOL. XX.

"The Pre-eminence of the Filial Nature," "The Relations of the Filial Nature to Mediation," "The Distinction between Knowledge and Faith," "The Kingdom of the Father, the Sabbath of the Universe."

Such is a glance at this truly great work, and we trust it may have at least the effect of stimulating attention to the volumes, and lead to their appearance in many a circle which may not yet have heard of them. We dismiss the book with grateful admiration of the author, who has achieved a noble triumph on behalf of the cause he loves, and for a considerable lifetime has served.

We may notice that Mr. Steward bears a strong resemblance to the late John Foster ; both their minds have much the same grasp, with this difference-that Foster is frequently dark, whereas Steward is always luminous. While both supply admirable exercises of thinking, Steward will be the more pleasing as well as the more decidedly evangelical.

Life Triumphant. A Poem. By ELIZABETH ANNE CAMPBELL. W. Macintosh.

THE present volume is one of a deeply interesting character. The introduction consists of an elaborate essay on divers points all related more or less to the work, and which will be read with interest. The volume is not a common place one, it is marked by peculiarity and originality. The first part comprises four sections on "The Covenants." To this succeeds part second, entitled "Judgment;" in which the laws of nature are discoursed of, as well as the laws of Christ; and the conclusion arrived at is, that the judgment of the conscience is in accordance with the word of God. Rarely has poet or poetess aimed at anything more arduous. The theme is the loftiest, and if the writer has not been able to soar to its utmost heights-a task to which no finite mind is competent-she has yet done much, and done it well. The measure is varied, and generally correct, and severely polished. For our own taste we should have preferred plain prose for the discussion of such themes; but taste has no rule, and the fair and gifted authoress has been laudably employed.