skilful manner in which it is wrought out, are certain to render it a welcome visitor to all sick chambers, and to bring back to many of our children and friends, who are far away from the land that gave them birth, the sweet sounds of the Sabbath bell, and the joy which they were wont to feel when it was said to them, "Go up to the house of the Lord."

Our readers will find on turning to the number of this Magazine for February 1862, a brief notice of the first volume of an exposition of the Gospel by John, entitled, "Christ, the Light of the World,”* translated from the German of Dr Rudolph Besser. We had occasion to take exception to the views expressed by this author in reference to the Sacraments, as these are set forth in his exposition of the third and fourth chapters of his exposition. The translator has, we find, in the preface to the second volume, indicated the divergence of Dr Besser from the orthodox interpretation of these passages, and as we have already noted our objec tions, and warned our readers, we do not feel called upon to revert further to the topic; the more so, as in this volume almost every sentence commands our hearty recommendation. The same earnest piety, and richly devotional style, combined with those turns of expression which remind us so much of Bengel, are observable in this as in the preceding issue. Dr Besser seldom sets himself to the resolution of critical difficulties, resting contented as an expositor mainly with the practical and devotional; but the book is not on that account the less valuable. We would commend the volume especially to such of our brethren as may either at present be lecturing on the gospel according to John, or who may have that pleasant, but somewhat difficult work in prospect. We say, “somewhat difficult," for we have indeed found that the greatest problems of thought and life stand in intimate connection with this gospel; the remark of Westcott being true to the letter, "No writing, if we view it simply as a writing, combines greater simplicity with more profound depths. At first, all seems clear in the childlike language which is so often the chosen vehicle of the treasures of eastern meditation, and then, again, the utmost subtilty of western thought is found to lie under abrupt and apparently fragmentary utterances." We can safely say, that Dr Besser seems to have drunk largely of the Spirit of this gospel, and that his words will find (with some few exceptions already noted) a response in the hearts of all who have drawn, like the loved disciple, near to the bosom of Him regarding whom he wrote.

We should have drawn attention long ere this, to an admirable volume,† republished by Elliott, and entitled "Consolation." It is by the late Dr James Alexander of New York. It has evidently been a series of discourses. They do not bear the stamp of genius like the volume of his brother Joseph Addison, of which Nelson & Sons have recently published a new and improved edition. But this is not saying much to the discredit of the volume before us. We should like to know the volume of sermons delivered on ordinary occasions, and published within the last twenty years, that could take rank beside that matchless collection of sermons, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ." It puts to utter shame in genuine strength of thought, and simple dignity of composition the feeble platitudes of Maurice, and even the sermons of Robertson of Brighton, in which clever and occasionally shrewd thinking cannot redeem the obvious want of logical and theological accuracy. This work on "Consolation" by the brother is superior to the ordinary run of similar works, designed for the comfort of the allicted. Truth is neither chopped into mince, nor diluted into weak sauce, with perhaps some fancy title to catch the eye and give scope for the cunning art of the gilder. The reader is expected to think. The substance of the reasoning is grave, calm, earnest, and elevating.

For one of the best books of the season, we are indebted to Mr Burns of Dundee. He combines three qualities essential to the historian of the church of Christ-deep sympathy with the spiritual power of Christianity, great skill in

*Christ, the Life of the World: Biblical Studies on the Eleventh to the Twenty-first chapters of St John's Gospel. By Rudolph Besser, D.D. Translated from the German, by M G. Huxtable. Pp. 484. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

Consolation. By James W. Alexander, D.D., New York. Edinburgh: Andrew Elliott. The History of the Church of Christ from A.D. 1 to A.D. 313. By the Rev. Islay Burns, MA. London: Nelson & Sons,

the graphic presentation of facts, and shrewd insight into the philosophy of events. It is said that higher genius must be required for history than for any other species of literature. Seeing so few excel in it, the author before us is a true brother of the craft. We trust his work will not be left incompletea magnificent Torso, serving but to shew what the full statue would have been. As it is, it is complete in itself. The age of the apostles and martyrs will never pall in interest.

A most instructive volume is due to the pen of Dr Thomson.* Few are more competent to give anew the wondrous incidents of missionary enterprise suggested by the honoured names of Eliot, Brainerd, David, Williams, and the others whom this volume brings before the attention of the reader. We e envy the pleasure of those readers to whom the whole is new, served up, for the first time, in the graceful and lively narrative of Dr Thomson. He has one special excellence as a writer-the power of compressing into a short space a great amount of truth or fact. Compression, however, with him never mars the beauty and vigour of the composition.

Dr A. Thomson deserves credit for introducing a new feature into the annual sermons preached before the directors and friends of the London Missionary Society. His discourse, † preached last May, takes up a special question, and discusses it so as to subserve a useful practical purpose. We are accustomed to annual sermons of this kind, in which at least, if it was not the only and the chief, it was one object to display how brilliantly the author could declaim on missionary enterprise and similar topics. The question which Dr Thomson sets before him. self for discussion, is the causes under which the evangelisation of the world has been retarded. The discussion is conducted with the author's wonted grace of style, with no effort at grandiloquence,—and with eminent success as to the solution of the interesting problem before him.

What

We have reserved, in our theological list, the last place for the first of the second year's issue by Mr Nichol of the Standard Divines, not that we hold it, by any means, in the least esteem, but because it has come most recently to hand. With each fresh issue of this truly valuable series, our wish becomes stronger for its increased circulation. The price is such that it may find a place upon the book-shelf of even our working-classes. In the volume now before us we have the writings of one better known, perhaps, than either Goodwin, or Adams, or Ward, but not on that account the less acceptable. a feast of fat things is in store for him who peruses the "Bruised Reed," the "Soul's Conflict," and the "Saint's Safety," and how pleasantly he will read them in such an edition as this! Mr Nichol is doing, through his editors, for the great Puritan writers what has been done years since for the Greek and Roman classics-using, that is, every effort to secure an accurate and standard Mr Grocart, who has been employed to edit Sibbes's works, has, as we say, stripped himself to the work, and goes thoroughly and heartily into it. The memoir, extending to 142 pages, is especially well-written, whether viewed simply as a piece of composition, or in the honest working up of all the materials (alas! how scant) which were available. We have no hesitation in pronouncing it, even where all are so good, to be the best written of the series.

text.

We have but one volume of biography to which we ask the attention of our readers-viz., Memorials of the Life and Labours of the Rev. Robert Craig, A M., Free Church, Rothesay. § We have read this volume with no small amount of pleasure, and also, we trust, with considerable profit. The pleasure, however, would have been heightened if the volume had been shortened by 100 pages. It occurs to us that the journal of Mr Craig's tour on the Continent might have been omitted with advantage; not that it is uninteresting, but we have in the present day so many volumes devoted exclusively to the records of such tours, that it was not worth while to break up the continuity of a most * Great Missionaries. By the Rev. Andrew Thomson, D.D. Nelson & Sons, London. What hinders? A Sermon preached in Surrey Chapel, before the Directors and Friends of the London Missionary Society, May 14 1862. London: John Snow.

The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, D.D. Edited, with Memoir, by Rev. A. B. Grosart, Kinross. Vol. I, pp. 587. Edinburgh: James Nichol. 1862.

Memorials of the Rev. Robert Craig, A. M., Free Church, Rothesay. By the Rev. Robert Clark Craig, Fenwick. Pp. 400. Glasgow: David Bryce. 1862.

interesting biography by so many pages of notes of foreign travel. Mr. Craig was essentially a man sprung from the people, or rather from the honest, Godfearing peasantry of Scotland. Born in Eaglesham (name endeared to us by precious recollections of the loving, talented Winning), Mr Craig was left fatherless when little more than three years of age. At twenty-four, he eutered college, after preparing himself by assiduous study during the intervals of manual labour, and carried off several academic honours of a high kind, being deemed worthy, besides, by the professor of Logic, to have succeeded him in that important chair. Of his subsequent career as an evangelist at tanley, as parish minister of New Cumnock, as Free Church minister in Rothesay, and as an author, we leave the Memorials to speak. Suffice it to say that we have presented to us the portrait of a talented, God-fearing minister, whose memory will live long in the West of Scotland. We do not know if the Mr Craig who writes the biography be a relative of him whose labours he recounts: be that as it may, the volume reflects very great credit upon the writer, who seems to be a man of kindred spirit with him whose life he narrates.

We can only mention our having received, a few days ago. "Pen and Pencil Sketches of Faröe and Iceland, by A. J. Symington." To enter into any detailed account of this interesting volume in the present number is out of our power. It comes on for next month, when we hope more formally to introduce to our readers one of the most delightful books of travels which it has for many months fallen to our lot to read.

We trust that every member of the Church, and many also beyond her pale, will be prepared, by the time this number of the Magazine is issued, to join with us in passing an opinion of cordial approval upon the Synod Sermon, preached in the beginning of May, by our excellent missionary, Mr Inglis. With that practical sagacity and talent for hitting upon the best means for securing a good end, Mr Inglis has issued his discourse, made up into packets, at one shilling each packet containing ten discourses. By this means, the poorest member of the Church may have the pleasure of perusing the missionary's earnest, eloquent pleading, and the wealthier members will have made many worse investments in their time than the purchasing of ten of these packets, and circulating them right and left among friends and acquaintances. "The few words in the way of practical application" should be prayerfully weighed by all members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and conscientiously reduced to practice.

We have before us another discourse, entitled. "Divine Preservation; or, what the Lord willeth will be," by the Rev. W. M'Donald, Burnhead, Dumfriesshire. The sermon is founded upon the text, "The Lord will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom," and manifests great ability. The language is clear and perspicuous, in many parts rising into true eloquence, and the preacher is thoroughly sound in doctrine-this last being no small commendation in a district where recent religious excitement has not issued in all cases favourably for the purity of the gospel of Jesus. We are not surprised to find that this sermon has reached a second edition, although the editor of a contemporary in Glasgow may be thrown off his balance by the announcement: to this gentleman it seemed passing strange that such a discourse could be preached in the pulpit of a country church. We were at first struck with that too, till it occurred to us that large towns may not possibly monopolise all the talent in the world, and that a country audience, whose senses are exercised to discern both good and evil, know a good sermon when they hear it quite as well as our city friends. We finish off with "Bazaar Lotteries: their Unlawfulness and Sinfulness, with Appendix, containing Remarks upon Fortune-telling,' the White Slave,' and Live Gorilla,' introduced at the Campsie Bazaar. Being a Lecture delivered in Campsie and Kirkintilloch, by James Caldwell, Esq., Milton." We have wandered once or twice through the romantic glen of Campsie, in happy ignornace of the presence of any gorilla, live or otherwise. After reading this

* Pen and Pencil Sketches of Faroe and Iceland; with an Appendix, containing Transla tions from the Icelandic, and 51 Illustrations. By Andrew D. Symington. Pp. 308 Longman, Green, Longman, & Roberts. 1862.

pamphlet, however, we expect to see all manner of boards, with the words of warning duly inscribed, Cave Simiam Magnam, ferocem, anthropophagacem. Seriously, however (for the proceedings at Campsie Bazaar pass beyond the region of joke), this evil of raffling, and trickery, and chicane, for the purpose of raising a few paltry pounds for any purpose, must be put a stop to by the Church. It will otherwise soon come to this of it, that no minister or member of a church who has any, the slightest, regard for his character will be able to frequent such scenes. Mr Caldwell very properly and powerfully exposes the system as carried out at Campsie, and to our own knowledge in other places besides. Scripture, human legislation, and experience are brought forward, each in turn, to point out the evil effects of the "lottery" under all forms. Wherever a bazaar is about to be held, we recommend friends of the truth to circulate this pamphlet among all the lady members of the committee.

Original Poetry.

THE SMILE.

ENSPHERING smile! with beaming Love Eternal
Sent forth to rule this weary, labouring heart;
Her darkness wondered at thy light supernal,
That bade the spirit of the storm depart.

Oh! she hath been a chafing sea of sorrow,

And the dark wrecks her bosom bore were hurled
The long night through, despairing of the morrow,
On the blind rocks and breakers of the world.

Love-lighted sky, within thy heart reposed,
Her charmed wave would fall, with gems impearled,
And, even in shade of angry rocks enclosed,
Give thy bright image to the unheeding world.

A flickering image, mingled yet and broken,
And dim with the night-story of the past;
Still true, and brightening on, as if in token

Of beauty sphered and perfect at the last.

Enkindling smile! what numbers beyond summing,

Showers of sweet words, whose life should have been bright,
Sent forth in hope before thy radiant coming,
Have fallen unlit, like raindrops in the night!

Revealing smile! this deep knew not the story
Of her own wealth of gem, and pearl, and shell,
Till they were bathing in thy flood of glory,

And thrilled to beauty, as they felt the spell.

O smile of love! that sought the troubled waters,
And moved the depths until they gave reply,
Roused the lost soul and her dark-veiled daughters,
And lit their lamps up, never more to die.

Smile! from the mercy-seat, the guarded portal,
Of that most secret holy place within;
Smile! ever sowing light of love immortal,
And ever bringing joyful harvest in.

Whence comest thou? From lips of One, the Holy,
Even when he drank the sinner's cup of wrath;
From the same lips, pale, darkly-laid, and lowly,
Till the light burst the prison-house of death.

1

May 1862.

Smile from the rising cloud, whose soft pulsations

Beat through all ages coming, and all past;

Smile, from the throne! Oh! find the darkened nations,
Light of eternity, thou First and Last!

C.

News of the Church.

MODERATION OF CALL.-According to appointment of the Presbytery of Dumfries, a call was moderated in at Penpont, on Thursday 5th ult. Rev. John Kay of Castle-Douglas preached from Colossians iv. 5, “Walk in wisdom towards them that are without," and presided in the meeting of electors, when a unanimous and cordial call was issued in favour of Mr William Milroy, A.B., preacher of the gospel.

OPENING OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN HALL.-The ensuing session of the Hall will be commenced on Tuesday the 5th August, at eleven o'clock, A.M. The Rev. Professor Binnie will deliver his inaugural lecture; thereafter the examination of students on the subjects of intersessional study, and of competitors for the Dumfries bursary, will be proceeded with. The vacation exercises are to be given in to the professors on the first day of the session.

MUNIFICENT DONATION TO THE MISSION FUNDS OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD, IRELAND.-We have mnch pleasure in stating that a liberalminded gentleman, not in our communion, and who desires that his name may not be made public, has handed over to the synodical agents and trustees of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the sum of ONE THOUSAND POUNDS in aid of the Church's missionary operations. The only condition on which this large sum is presented to the Church is, "the capital to be safely invested, and the proceeds of interest accruing therefrom to be annually divided in equal proportions among the Home, Colonial, Irish, and Jewish mission schemes; so that, as long as the Church needs pecuniary aid, something may be forthcoming from this source."-Covenanter.

Missionary Intelligence.

LETTERS FROM MR PATON.

[The date, as well as the contents, of the following letter will suffice to shew our readers that it was penned shortly before Mr Paton was compelled to flee from Tanna, and that immediately before the late outbreak, the work of the mission had made encouraging progress.-ED.]

TANNA, January 6. 1862.

Rev. and Dear SIR,-By Mr Copeland on the 2d of last month I received your very kind letters, dated July 23. and August 24. 1861; and I cordially thank you, the Committee, and the Church for your kind and generous sympathy for our natives in their starving condition. But as a twelvemonth had nearly passed since their food was destroyed by the hurricanes, and as they had the prospect of having chestnuts and bread-fruit in a few weeks, and as it would have been impossible for me to have got, giving help only to the most deserving, and as it would have been likely to increase the hatred of our enemies and the jealousy of our friends, and as Mr Copeland thought he would be able to dispose of what was sent on Aneityum without loss to the Church, since food was so near, I thought it better to let them still depend on their own resources; but I accepted three-fourths of a bag of biscuits, and one and a half bags of rice for my Aneityum teacher and his wife, who have had to live chiefly on European food for the last year. I have also had to supply our sick people with bread and tea