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Brief Literary Notices.

529

The Fatherhood of God considered in its General and Special Aspects, and particularly in Relation to the Atonement. With Reviews of Recent Speculations on the Subject. By Thomas J. Crawford, D.D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh. Blackwood. 1866.

THIS is a comprehensive work in small compass. Dr. Candlish's heterodoxy and Mr. Maurice's heresy are both here refuted. The subject of the volume is one which touches all modern error, respecting men's salvation and Christ's nature and work. We have received it too late for us to do more than "notice" it; but we have great satisfaction in recommending to the particular attention of students in theology a book so candid and so orthodox, so judicious and so seasonable.

English History from the Earliest Period to the Present Time: Expressly Designed for Students for Examination. By W. M. Lupton. Longmans.

THIS is a very useful compilation, and one that supplies an undoubted want. In nearly all those Public Examinations which are such a prominent feature in the educational movements of the present day, the study of English History has now obtained its due recognition and encouragement; but hitherto the student has laboured under considerable disadvantages in the choice of a text-book suited to his special requirements. What the "competition-wallahs" want is a synopsis of the facts of history, rather than a history proper: they want a history, that is to say, wherein the events, personages, dates, laws, &c., about which they are likely to be asked, are presented in a form calculated to strike the mind and to impress themselves on the memory; whilst they require little, if any, critical discussion. Such a book is the one before us: whereof the appendices will be found the most useful and valuable part. They consist of Chronological Tables of Battles, Sieges, and Treaties; a short Biographical Dictionary; a List of British Colonies and Dependencies, with a history of how acquired; and a Table of Contemporary Sovereigns.

All these tabular forms are well arranged both for casual reference and for regular didactic purposes. The "things to be remembered" strike the eye immediately; and the same idea has been attempted in the text itself, by means of printing in thick black type the names of all the important events, persons, and places as they occur in the narrative. Mr. Lupton has also contrived to incorporate in his work another great desideratum, an elementary History of the Constitution, by placing at the end of every chapter a summary of Parliamentary proceedings, and by inserting in its proper order an epitome of each of the principal constitutional changes. To the general student this book will prove valuable in more points than one; to candidates for competitive examinations it wit undoubtedly be a great boon.

Footsteps of a Prodigal; or Friendly Advice to Young Men. By William G. Pascoe. London: Elliot Stock, 1866.

This is not a mere book of religious common-place. It is an earnest and real book; one very likely to be useful.

The Home Life; in the Light of its Divine Idea. By James Baldwin Brown, B.A. London: Smith, Elder, and Co., 1866.

Mr. Brown's style improves; it grows simpler and less strained. This is one of his best books. It contains many things both beautiful and true; many wise and good thoughts. But, like all that Mr. Brown has written, it must be read with caution. Mr. Brown believes in Mr. Maurice first, and in St. Paul next. He interprets the Gospels by the light of modern Platonism. The book is dedicated to the memory of the late Professor A. J. Scott, of Manchester.

Christianity and Recent Speculations. Six Lectures by Ministers of the Free Church. With a Preface. By Robert S. Candlish, D.D., Principal of the New College, Edinburgh. John Maclaren. 1866.

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THE subjects are "The Bible not Inconsistent with Science," by the Rev. Thomas Smith; "The Place and Ends of Miracles" by Dr. Rainy, "Spiritual Christianity in Relation to Secular Progress" by Dr. Blaikie, "The Purpose and Form of Holy Scripture" by the Rev. A. Crichton, "Prayer and Natural Law," by Dr. Duns, "The Sabbath" by Dr. Candlish. In these lectures Christian truth is set forth, for the most part, with superior ability and a clear appreciation of the points to be aimed at by the lecturers. Dr. Rainy's is a very able lecture; so is Dr. Dun's on a cognate subject. We may not deny the general ability of Mr. Smith's lecture, but we cannot congratulate any apologist for Scripture on successfully dealing with real or supposed scientific difficulties, who talks about the solution of the earth on its axis being, in the case of the "sun standing still," brought to a stay somewhat gradually, so as to avoid "any concussion on the earth's surface." Mr. Crichton's lecture is intelligent and enlightened, but we fear that he raises many more doubts and questions than he settles. Such a subject cannot be dealt with to purpose in a short lecture; and we are sorry for the man, however gifted, who has such a task imposed upon him. Dr. Candlish's irregular lucubration on the Sabbath question is suggestive, but merely fragmentary. That, again, is a subject which requires comprehensive treatment and ample time for the expositor to unfold his views. On the whole, perhaps, Dr. Blaikie's excellent and suggestive lecture on a subject with which he has been long, familiar is the freshest and, in relation to its subject, the most satisfactory in the volume.

Brief Literary Notices.

531

The Sixth Work; or the Charity of Moral Effort. By S. Meredith. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. 1866.

THE sixth work is visiting the prisoner. Mrs. Meredith, however, seems to forget, in her ingenious and striking title and her motto, that the judge's commendation is given to those who had visited Him, that is, His saints, in prison. Apart from this misappropriateness of title and allusion, we can heartily commend this interesting and charmingly written volume; it is one of that class of modern books, of which the "Missing Link" is another, which the Christian benevolence of the age has called forth, and which, with the works which they commemorate and to which they unite, stand amid much that is perplexing and disheartening, as one of the most encouraging marks of the present time.

Richard Cobden By John McGilchrist. London: Lockwood and Co.

The price is two shillings. The life is authentic and fairly compiled. It ought to be sold at a shilling.

Science and Christian Thought. By John Duns, D.D., F.R.S.E., Professor of Natural Science, New College, Edinburgh. London: Religious Tract Society.

PROFESSOR DUNS has written this book to show "the present relations of Science to Christian thought." In the earlier chapters he sets forth the evidence of the creating, controlling, and governing presence of God in nature, in opposition to theories which deny that presence, or remove it as far back as possible. He proceeds to show that the established results of scientific research do in no case contradict or discredit the teachings of Revelation. Here are discussed, interalia, the facts and conclusions of Geology, the origin and antiquity of man, the unity of the human race. A more sparing use of scientific and technical terms, and the entire avoidance of such words as 66 transom " and "homologated," would have enhanced the value to general readers of this interesting and seasonable work.

A Commentary on St. Matthew's Gospel. Designed for Teachers, Preachers, and Educated English Readers generally. By Eustace R. Conder, M.A. London: Elliot Stock. 1866.

It is a pleasure to see such books as this. It is a conscientious and thorough work, by a competent scholar and a loving student of the Gospels. It is very cheap and very good.

The Judgment Books. By Alexander Macleod, D.D., of Birkenhead. Edinburgh: Andrew Elliot. 1865.

Very forcible and eloquent sermons; whatever may be thought of the apocalyptic interpretations on which they are made incicentally to rest. The subject of the book is retribution as wrought in and upon the sinner's own soul in this world and the next. The office of memory in retribution is largely insisted upon.

Palestine for the Young. By the Rev. A. Bonar.

Alypius of Tagaste. A Tale of the Early Church. By Mrs. Webb. The Religious Tract Society.

THE former of these volumes is a valuable book for the young; the latter is a pleasant and readable story of Alexandria and Rome, Africa, and Italy, in the times of Augustine.

The Biblical Antiquity of Man; or Man not Older than the Adamic Creation. By the Rev. S. Lucas, F.G.S. London Whitaker and Co. 1866.

Mr. Lucas is a real geologist, and a man of ability. His book merits the attention of candid enquirers. He is one of those intelligent and practical geologists who have a firm faith in the Old Testament revelation, the Deluge included.

The Age of Man Geologically considered in its bearing on the Truths of the Bible. By John Kirk, Professor of Practical Theology in the Evangelical Union Academy. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. 1866.

THIS is a close and able examination of Sir Charles Lyell's larger work on the Antiquity of Man. It is a remarkably cheap volume.

END OF VOL. LII.

Beveridge, Printer, Thanet Place, Temple Bar, Strand.

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Abraham Lincoln, 269; true Southern
sentiment, 273; Professor Cairns, 275;
victory of the North, 277; George
Washington, 279; Lincoln's early
life, 285; election, 287; moral gran-
deur of his position, 289; personal
character, 295; McClellan, 297; cau-
tious progress, 299; proclamation of
emancipation, 303; how received, 305;
slavery not at first touched, 307;
Federal gun-boats, 309; Sydney
Smith, 311; re-election, 313; religious
character, 314.
Alderney, 463.

Alford's Letters,' 260.

Anderson's Kings of Society,' 250.
Archives, British National, 44; extent
and historical importance, 45; M.
Duffus Hardy, 47; chronicles and
their editors, 49; value of calendars
of records, 51; correspondence of
Henry VIII., 52; vicissitudes of his-
toric characters, 53; genealogy and
topography, 55; State papers, 59;
Domesday, 61; Magna Carta, 63;
origin and history of records, 65;
present arrangement and accessibility,
69.

'Bees and Bee Keeping,' 100; authority
of queen, 111; development, 115, fer-
tile workers, 123; comb building, 129;
Stewartson hive, 133; Nutt's hive,
135; Pastor Dzierzon, 145; Ligurian
bee, 147; sagacity of bees, 151; in-
stinct, 155.
Bonar's Palestine,' 532.

Bosworth's Gospels,' 236.
Brown's Home Life,' 530.

Candlish's Christianity, 530.
Capital Punishment Report, 428.
Channel Islands, 453; sea scenes, 455;
Guernsey, 457; harvest of the sea,
461; Alderney, 463; Herm, 467; Sark,
468; Major and Minor Sark, 471;
Jersey, 473; climate, 476; crops, 479;
early history, 480; religious troubles,
483; Major Pierson, 485; constitu-
tion, 487; Victor Hugo, 489.
Children's Employment, 316; Sir Robert
Peel, 318; ten hours' bill, 319; govern-
ment inspection, 321; iron workers,
323; match manufacture, 325; chim-
ney sweeps, 327; lace, hosiery, and
straw-plait trades, 321; Sheffield and
Cornwall, 337; education, 338.
Chimney Sweeps, 327.
Christian Companionship, 527.
Civil Service, 250.

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