sary once in a while to take our bearings. We commend this volume to those that are and those that would be cultivated in the use of a noble language. Even where it may be hypercritical, it will set them thinking to good purpose. Let them read carefully the chapters on Big Words for Small Thoughts, Misused Words, Style, British and American English, Is being done. And if they continue to talk of "Presidential campaigns," and to say "balance" for remainder, "has got " for has, "portion" for part, "resurrected," "donate," etc., they will do it deliberately. But if a mau has a drop of Irish blood, to say nothing of Dutch, Scotch, or French, we despair of his learning the dis inction between "shall" and "will." He will to his dying day imitate Biddy's "Will I spread the table, ma'am?" and "We will be cold, ma'am." · BIBLE NOTES FOR DAILY READERS. A comment on Holy Scripture. By EZRA M. HUNT, A. M., M. D., Author of Grace Culture," etc. New York: Chas Scribner & Co. Chicago: W. G. Holmes. 2 vols. 8 vo. Pp. 576, and 794. The conception of this commentary is a good one. It aims to give in the most compact form such an explanation of the whole Bible as shall unfold its meaning to "daily readers." It omits the text, makes no references to expositors and almost no quotations, and uses the fewest words that will convey the meaning. The author in his Introduction, however, acknowl edges his abundant indebtedness to the best modern commentators by name, and indicates that this is the fruit of many years' labor. We ought to add that it is printed on large, clear type. The commentary is written in a devout spirit, and with thoroughly evangelical views, adopting even the Old School view of our relation to Adam, thus (Rom., v. 13): "Adam was the representative of the race, and being involved in sin the race is involved with him. His sin is made over, imputed, counted or reckoned as theirs because he is their agent, their father, their natural prototype, their federal head, their representative." In exegetical value the notes vary somewhat with the helps which the author used. They are naturally strongest on the New Testament, and especially the gospels. The work undertaken is a great and a difficult one, requiring not only the highest skill, but great learning. We judge that this writer was dependent chiefly upon other expositors, and in cases of a special difficulty perhaps at a loss between different views. The general spirit of the commentary and its prevailing influence upon its readers are probably superior to its ability in exposition. We should hardly resort to it to answer any question of doubt or difficulty or even to know what is the most accepted or best sustained exposition. The author probably would not expect it. Still it would give most readers a far more intelligent understanding of God's word than they now have. And we welcome all devout endeavors to promote the familiar, intelligent use of the Scriptures. THE PSALMS: THEIR HISTORY, TEACHINGS, AND USE. BY WILLIAM BINNIE, D. D. London: T. Nelson & Sous. New York: John Boyd, 169 South Avenue. Pp. 400. 8 vo. This treatise has been Dr. Binnie's "pleasant companion of his leisure hours for many years." He has evidently bestowed upon it much thought and labor, and has used the works of Hengstenberg, Hupfeld, Delitzsch, and other able scholars. The title sufficiently describes the contents. While the writer does not attempt to exhaust the learning of the theme, nor to probe all its questions to the bottom, he has given us a highly judicious and valuable account and analysis of this remarkable group of compositions. It is a good book on a magnificent theme, and will deepen the impressions and exalt the conception of its readers. As indications of the writer's position, we may mention that with Hengstenberg, Delitzsch, and Ochler, he maintains the authenticity of the titles (against De Wette, Ewald, and others); he reckons the second, twenty-second, forty fifth, and hundred-andtenth psalms as directly Messianic; the 8th, 18th, 35th, 41st, 55th, 69th, 109th, as typically Messianic; the 16th and 40th as "mystically" Messianic; he finds the doctrine of immortal life plainly uttered in psalms 16, 17, 73, 49, and suggested in others; and he defends the rightfulness of the so-called "imprecatory" psalms. BIBLE THOUGHTS AND THEMES. THE LESSER EPISTLES. By HORA- SERMONS PREACHED IN THE KING'S WEIGH HOUSE CHAPEL. London. 1829-1869. By T. BINNEY. London: Macmillan & Co. Pp. 383. It is very natural to read the last of these weighty and thoughtful discourses first, and those preceding in the light of it. The title is "A Forty Years' Review." Mr. Binney's miListry has been a notable and effective one. Facile princeps among the Congregational preachers of London—if not among all London preachers, Spurgeon alone excepted,-possessing a large, rich nature, and great power of impressing himself upon the public mind, and constantly looked to and appealed to for aid by pul, it and platform addresses, in every good work, he has filled a large place in the religious movements of forty years past. The London of this period would not be London with Thomas Binney left out. A man of ample and fatherly presence, a "front of Jove,"-somewhat like grand Dr. Guthrie's, of Edin burgh,- -a noble capacity of kindling and sweeping thought, a judgment and gift of wisdom touching great public questions and interests worthy of large honor and trust, and unusual insight and foresight-these were elements of protracted and eminent usefulness, which have made the "Weigh House Chapel" a center of attraction and power. Some of these sermons are really elaborate treatises, and one can but wonder how they were ever preached! Was it in the fashion of old New England preachers, pausing where convenient, and beginning at the next service with the next "head?" The preacher explains that they were Lot written at all till after being preached, and are now expanded and amplified." They are, unquestionably! Two of them extend to more than fifty pages, those on "Salvation by Fire and Salvation in Fullness," and on "The Law our Schoolmaster.” The other discourses cover respectively 8, (three sermons) 9, (two) 11, 12, (two) 13, 16, 18, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, and 33 pages. The preacher evidently believes in "cutting the coat according to the cloth!" in saying much when there is much to be said, and little when there is little American readers will be struck by the eminent Scripturalness of these sermons. They are very rich in exhibitions of the Word. Bible language and Bible exposition abound in them. The preacher's habit of indicating inspired words by single quotation commas shows this on every page. The style is various-at one time, as a note explains, intended to be heard, "as if the book were speaking like a man;" at another "to be read, pondered, studied, because the man had spoken like a book.” Many of these sermous show Mr. Binney's ability in doctrine. The first: "The Words of Jesus and what Underlies them," is a vigorous assertion of the orthodox ered as the substance of our Lord's teaching, and the answer to man's spiritual questiouings. The fifth, "Men in understanding is a potent plea for an elevated, intelligent, intellectual piety." The wise preacher evidently spues out the puling tale of the day about religion consisting in feeling, and needing no theology, and insists, instead, upon deep and comprehensive views of truth and duty. In the sixth sermon,— "Natural and Revealed Religion," the distinction between the two is sharply set forth, and illustrated by Paul's teaching at Athens, at Thesslolica, and at Corinth. It is thoroughly well-done. The third, "Life and Immortality," shows how law and gospel severally held the fundamental truth of a hereafter. The thirteenth, "The Law our Schoolmaster," defines the relation at large, between the Old Dispensation and the New—a masterly presentation, and pretty exhaustive. Five sermons, VIII —XII., inclusive, deal with the practical on Christian experience very shrewdly and usefully. "An Old Year Meditation," and “ Buying and Selling," are practical in other, and very pungent, ways. "Rationalism at Corinth," and The Creed of St. Paul" are cogent assaults on current religious error, and "The Blessed God "gives utilitarianism in religion no quarter, while "Experience and Hope conservative of Faith," deals with some of the deep things of the divine life. New York: J. B. Ford 18mo., pp. 167. OUR SEVEN CHURCHES. THOMAS K. BEECHER. & Co. Chicago: Cobb Bros., S. C. Griggs & Co. We have here a series of eight lectures delivered by the author to his own congregation in Elmira, N. Y. Their aim is to promote charity between churches of different name and order. They present the best features of the Roman Catholic, the Presbyterian, the Protestant Episcopal, the Methodist Episcopal, the Baptist and Congregațional and the Liberal Christian churches respectively, with two additional lectures on “ Choosing One's Church," and on "the Church of Christ," as it shall ultimately be made up of representatives of all churches and many of no churches. The design of the book is excellent, and falls in with one of the most hopeful tendencies of our times. Perhaps the book will promote that design. But we apprehend that its greatest influence will tend to defeat the end for which the Church of Christ was instituted, by fostering a spirit of indiffer ence to all religion. The true end for which the Church was established in the world, is identical with that of the whole scheme of redemption, viz., to reconcile men to God, and hold them in vital union with the Father. For this some positive beliefs are necessary, and some associated action for the propagation of these beliefs. While intolerance and exclusiveness are to be deprecated, yet some earnestness of devotion to thorough convictions of truth is essential to overcome the careless indifference to divine things, of souls estranged from God, is sure to prevail under a charity which makes no discriminations. A TREATISE ON THE PREPARATION AND Delivery oF SERMONS. By JOHN A. BROADUS. D D., L.L.D, Professor in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, S. C. Philadelphia: Smith, English & Co. New York: Sheldon & Co. Chicago: Cobb Brothers. Pp. 514. 8vo. The author has made a valuable contribution to Homiletic literature. His work, though not strikingly original, shows wide range of reading, good command of the literature of the subject, judicious and ample selection of materials, and fresh and attractive treatment of them. The author has made free use of the works of other writers in his department, especially Whately and Vinet, for which he has given full credit ⚫ His arrangement of topics, though supported by high authority, seems faulty. Instead of treating at length of the materials of preaching, and then of the several parts of a sermon,-a course which almost compels one to go over much of the ground a second time,—it would seem better to enter at once on the analysis of a sermon, and discussion of its various parts, and then to take the synthetical method, and show how to gather materials, and build up such a sermon The author's classification of subjects of sermons into "doctrinal, moral, historical, experimental and occasional," seems as unphilosophical, and imperfect, as would be a similar distribution of the various kinds of apples, were one to attempt an exhaustive classification of them, by making classes of Pippins, Russets and so on, and then adding a class to embrace miscellaneous or stray apples. The author surprises us when he says, "The proposition of the subject scarcely needs to be treated as a distinct part of the discourse. The simplest and most natural analysis would seem to be that which gives three parts, viz: the introduction, the plan, (including divisions, when these are made,) and the conclusion." It would seem that the proposition should make a separate part in every analysis of a sermon, for it is as distinct from the divisions, as the trunk of a tree from its branches. Aristotle makes the statement distinct from the proof, and each equally essential to an oration. The author's classification of sermons into "Subject Sermons, Text Sermons and Expository Sermons," seems also not the best. It would seem that the ground of classification should not be the manner of treating a text, whether topically or textually, for this is nothing more than a difference in the statement and division of a theme, but should rather lie in the method of treatment, or form of the development. We think it not well to introduce into a treatise on Homiletics, so large an amount of material on general rhetoric, which a student of Homiletics ought to have previously studied. The author's style is, in general, clear, familiar and attractive, and well adapted to his subject. Very rarely we find such expressions as “had better," "correspond with facts,” which ought not to appear in a work of this kind The treatise, as a whole, is a good one, and will well repay perusal by those who desire to excel in the work of the Christian ministry. A HISTORY OF THE SANDWICH ISLANDS MISSION. By REV. RUFUS ANDERSON. D.D, LL.D, Late Foreign Secretary of the American Board. Boston: Congregational Publishing Society. Pp. 408. 12 mo. After a long life of most efficient superintendence of the Missionary work Dr. Anderson now gives the churches the benefit of his thorough knowledge and his eminent wisdom. It is the fitting climax of his labors. The present volume is the first of a series, intended to be three in number. They may prove to be more. This history of the Sandwich Islands we have read straight through, as we used to read a novel. Much as has been said and written concerning this wonderful series of events, there was still room and call for the narrative of the honored Secretary. First, it gives us the interior and central view. This fact, again, makes it by far the most complete and symmetrical view. Dr. Anderson grasps the history as one whole, from the landing of the brig Thaddeus till the Jubilee of 1870. The fragmentary accounts we have heard from the lips of Coan and Ruggles and others are here combined. For ourselves, we never before comprehended the origin and method of the first great revival. Here we learn for the first time the broad and deep system of influences which God was pleased to bless, and these again as part of a regular system of agencies devised at the Committee Rooms for the conquest of the Islands unto Christ. But not as a system of machinery alone; for the deepest spirit of prayer and |