manner in which the New Testament came into its present condition, find in these pages a brief, but lucid, and highly instructive record, novel in form, and fascinating in style. The difficulties against which the book has had to struggle to obtain the position it had in public esteem at the commencement of the present century are here detailed in a few chapters forming the first division of the volume, the information collected being authentic and full of those facts which awaken devout gratitude that we have the bible free as the light shining around us and the air we breathe. Somewhat more than the latter half of the volume is occupied with exceedingly interesting details on the apparatus at work in multiplying copies of the bible; and on the rise, progress, and present operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The "Book and its Story," has been written professedly with the desire that the younger members of our families should look upon it as a volume intended for them, and peculiarly their own, a desire which we think will be gratified. Nor will our young friends fail to regard as beyond all other arguments to awaken prayer, contribution, and effort on behalf of the Bible Society, the fact that notwithstanding all it has done in circulating the precious volume, not less than seven hundred millions of the inhabitants of our world are totally destitute of those counsels which make wise unto salvation. G. The attention of our readers was directed at the commencement of this year to a learned work published by the Chevalier Bunsen, in four costly volumes, on Hippolytus, who in the middle of the third century was bishop of Portus, a suburb of Rome, and at the same time one of the presbyters of the city. Much as there was to admire in that performance, it was felt that while its expensiveness placed it beyond the reach of many who would gladly have perused it, the account which it gave of the ancient martyr was so mingled with comment, and presented in so poetic a form, that it was diflicult to ascertain frequently whether the sentiment advanced was the sentiment of Hippolytus, or merely of the Prussian ambassador. A principal object which Dr. Bunsen had in view in its publication evidently was to advocate his own opinions on some points from which evangelical Christians in this country generally dissent. We are happy therefore to have now to announce a work which, at one tenth part of the price of Dr. Bunsen's volumes, gives a concise and trustworthy account of Hippolytus and his writings. After treating succinctly of the discovery of the manuscript, of the claims, of Hippolytus to its authorship, of his life and character, and of the other products of his pen, Mr. Taylor vindicates successfully, we think, the orthodoxy of the venerable author's opinions respecting the personality of the Divine Spirit, and the authenticity of the book of Daniel. He then adverts to the nature of the principal heresies that called forth the opposition of Hippolytus, and gives an analysis of the newly discover 1 work, translating some of its most important portions. He closes with disquisitions on the Government, Constitution, and worship of the Christian church, at the time referred to, showing especially that Hippolytus did not recognize the papal supremacy. To all Dr. Bunsen's readers this work may be cordially recommended as a corrective of some erroneous impressions which his volumes are adapted to produce; and others will find in it much information respecting the ecclesiastical aspects of a deeply interesting age. Scenes in other Lands, with their Associations. By JOHN STOUGHTON. London: Jackson and Walford, 1853. 12mo. Pp. viii, 306. Price 5s. Mr. Stoughton's pen is indeed that of a ready writer, and the proof of it which lies before us will not detract from his well-earned fame. It is not a journal of any single continental tour, but the recollections of several. There is little, if any, personal incident; but the objects seen are grouped into masses, and they give rise to written with great beauty and force. It will various reflections and historic reminiscences, be seen from the table of contents, that this book is very unlike the generality of the journals of tourists, and in the distribution of the details, we think, the author has exercised a sound disis much increased. The Rhine and its Archicretion; while the general interest of the whole tecture-Basle and its Council-Zurich and the Reformation-Lands and Lakes of Heroic Memories-Stories about the City of BerneAlpine Gateways-Footprints of Piety and Genius Monarch of Mountains- Lakes of Lombardy-Three Worthies of Milan-Roman Amphitheatre--Verona, Padua, and Mediæval Times-Historical Dream in St. Mark's, are the subjects of the thirteen chapters into which it is divided. If we have not been so much struck with Mr. Stoughton's power in this production, we have been surprised at the variety of his knowledge and attainments. So far as we can judge, his notices of architecture, sculp ture, and painting, are accurate and just. They are full of true taste and feeling. His sympathy with beautiful and sublime scenery is deep and fervid, and many of the descriptions are vivid and fresh. Fond of musing, a habit of superior minds, especially when thrown among the grander scenes of nature, and the noblest works of art, both ancient and modern, the passages in which our author indulges it, are exceedingly interesting and beautiful. To us, however, the greatest charm of the book lies in the brief but graphic sketches of the men who have made the places visited for ever famous. Few writers surpass Mr. Stoughton in this department of literature. He boldly vindicates the reputation of those who have been unjustly aspersed; and there are, in the seventh chapter, a few words about Calvin, which we particularly recommend to the consideration of those who seem to have no notion of him, except as taking a part in the execution of Servetus. We have read this work with great pleasure, and have A Manual of Budhism in its Modern Development. Translated from Singhalese MSS. by R. SPENCE HARDY. London: Partridge and Oakey. Pp. 532. The Churches for the Times, and the Preacher for the People; or, the Bible, the Churches an they were, as they are, and as they ought to be, and the People. By WILLIAM FERGUSON, Bicester, Oxon. London: B. L. Green, Paternoster Row; W. Freeman 69, Fleet Street. 1853. Small 8vo. Pp. 308. The following sentence, selected from the preface, is a very fair specimen of the spirit and style of this book, "If the author should be This volume, in conjunction with a former attacked by unreasonable reasoners, or little one by the same author, entitled "Eastern men in a large mask, the probability is that Monachism," places before the English reader they will receive that unanswerable reply, the most complete picture of the religion and which dignified silence administers to masked philosophy, or rather religious philosophy, of impertinence, as well as to that kind of raving Gotama Budha to be found. The fundamental which frequently arises from a consciousness of principle of the system is simple, but has been real weakness." There are some good things ramified into innumerable forms, and burdened in this volume, it is true; but so much conceit, with legends the most outrageous and absurd. ignorance, bad-taste, and bad feeling, have The object of Gotama's life and the gist of his perhaps never been exhibited in the same space. teaching were the attainment of perfect in-One would suspect that the writer is a disdependence of all material forms, and by a appointed man, whose disposition had been course of severe self-discipline to fit himself for soured; he looks on everything with a jaundiced absorption into the impersonal essential Being. eye, which discovers and multiplies defects, and But his theory of that Being is scarcely dis- is slow in discerning excellencies. It would tinguishable from nonentity, and annihilation, not surprise us to hear, some day, that his the entire destruction of conscious being be- spirit had sought repose in the green pastures comes in fact the desire and reward of the and beside the still waters of the Established Budhist, while the practical effect is the asser- Church. We are not able, neither do we wish, tion of a blank a theism. Who Gotoma was, to understand the heart or piety of him who how he came to entertain these notions, the can collect and publish to the world, with apnature of homage paid to his person, his remains parent zest, the frailties of Christians or the and his images, the strange events of his life defects in our churches. We recommend him and his final absorption, may all be found to ponder well, and act upon, one sentence in detailed in this volume from authentic sources. his own book, "It is not by abusing certain To missionaries engaged among Budhists and evils from the pulpit, or through the medium to all curious readers of the freaks of unof the press, so much as by creating a taste for sanctified imagination, as well as to the better things, that the people can be induced to oriental scholar, this volume of Mr. Hardy will cease from evil and learn to do well." be found an invaluable help. U. The Poetical Works of George Herbert. With Life, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory This is an elegant edition of poems which have had admirers more than two hundred years. Herbert entered this world in 1593, and quitted it in 1633. He was elected orator for the university of Cambridge, and became rector of Bemerton before he died, but he was too much of a poet to prosper greatly in his worldly affairs. As a poet, he married one of the nine daughters of a friend who had fixed on Jane for him because she was his beloved daughter, in three days after their first interview with each other. His sentiments were evangelical, but his style was exceedingly quaint, and the editor remarks that next to the person of Christ, his passion was the church of England. "Fully to appreciate him " Coleridge observes that the critic must be "an affectionate and dutiful child of the church, and from habit, conviction, and a constitutional predisposition to ceremoniousness in piety as in manners, find her forms and ordinances aids of religion, not sources of formality." Our readers will not be surprised, therefore, that we should regret that this is the only volume of the series that has reached us, as it is probable that any of the others would have been more to our taste. B. The Preacher and the King; or Bourdalone in the Court of Louis XIV. Translated from the French of L. BUNGENER. With an Introduction. By the Rev. GEORGE POTTS, D.D., New York. London: T. Nelson and Sons. 1853. 16mo. Pp. xxvii. 371. Price 3s. 6d. This is one of those books which so fascinate the reader who has gone through one third part of it, that he can scarcely close it, though per fectly aware duty demands his immediate attention elsewhere, but respecting which, when the narrative is ended, he finds it difficult to say what good he has gained, or why it should have been written. It consists almost wholly of conversations in which Bourdalone, Bossuet, Fenelon, Clande, Louis XIV., his queen, and the king's mistress for the time, take principal parts; the object of most of the parties being, by means of a sermon, to procure the expulsion of Madame de Montespan from the court. The conversations contain many true and striking remarks respecting the art of preaching impressively; and the effect of the whole is to cause the most celebrated French preachers of the seventeenth century to be regarded as mere performers, aiming at admiration and unworthy of it. This opinion of them is probably not far from correct; and were the conversations genuine, the result in this respect would be good; but as they are not, as the tale is a romance, and facts of the history are in it misrepresented, we cannot think that the book is casting a richer and more mellowed radiance will really subserve the cause of truth. A Valedictory Offering: Five Sermons, in token of Christian Love and Remembrance towards his Brethren in England. By CHARLES PETTIT M'ILVAINE, D.D., D.C.L., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio. London: Seeleys. Fleet Street and Hanover Street. 1853. 12mo. Pp. 107. Price 2s. 6d. Bishop M'Ilvaine has long been favourably known in this country by Christians, both in and out of the Establishment. This volume though small will add much to his reputation and usefulness. The subjects of the Sermons are, "The Power of the Word of God-The Personal Ministry of Christ now and everThe Believer's Hidden Life in Christ-The Believer's Assurance in Christ-The Portion of the People of God." They are rich in pure doctrine; practical in their scope and tendency; oftentimes truly eloquent in style; pervaded throughout by a devout and earnest spirit. We heartily thank the prelate for his farewell gift, and commend it to all our readers. W. Life in Death. A Sermon preached at Rodborough, Gloucestershire, on Sunday, June 12, 1853, on occasion of the Death of the late Earl of Ducie. By SAMUEL THODEY, Minister of Rodborough Tabernacle. London: Partridge and Oakey. 1853. 8vo. Pp. 50. A great change had taken place in the habits and pursuits of the late Earl of Ducie before his last illness. "The decision of his religious character," says Mr. Thodey, "as his own impressions became matured, during the last seven years of his life especially, was seen in nothing more than in his deep concern to advance both the temporal and spiritual welfare of those around him." But the closing period of his life was "marked by a great accession of religious peace, and by a more full development of that inward life of personal godliness which had been growing up very much in secret, and now appeared, like a river flowing a long way under ground, to break forth into light as it approached the termination of its course.' "He was now wholly occupied and engrossed with a sense of the aboundings of God's grace towards him, yet penetrated with the deepest sense of contrition, and lowliness, thinking that he had glorified God so little in life, who had done so much for him." He entreated his children "to give a young fresh beart to God, and not to leave it till it became old and rusty," as he feared he had done. The account of the joyful death of this nobleman, at the age of fiftyone, is deeply interesting, and the sermon which introduces it is of a superior order. Poetic Sketches; or, Thoughts in Verse, written during the Intervals of Business; by HENRY FLETCHER. London: Relfe. 1853. 16mo. Pp. xiii. 191. Price 5s. The author, who dates from Camberwell, has written principally for those "whose early friendship gilded the morning of his days, and VOL. XVI.-FOURTH SERIES. on his pathway as he draws nearer to the sunset of his life." To strangers who may be inclined to glance at his pages he observes, with truth, that "if no thoughts are elevated, no delicacy will be wounded.” A pleasing specimen will be found on page 752. The Martyrs, Heroes, and Bards of the Scottish Covenant. By GEORGE GILFILLAN. Second Edition, carefully revised. Fourth Thousand. London: Albert Cockshaw. 1853. Pp. 251. Price 2s. 6d. Those who have derived their opinions of the Cameronians and Covenanters from the writings of Sir Walter Scott, will do well to study this little volume. Here will be found the charms of romance combined with the sternness of truth; vivid and eloquent descriptions of heartstirring scenes of suffering and cruelty; and exhibitions of human nature which lead us both to weep and to rejoice. Tribute is here paid to the courage, constancy, and fidelity of the martyrs and heroes of the Scottish Covenant, whilst their faults are faithfully exposed. Their heroism was the offspring of deep-rooted religious feeling and principle, and in the strength of their convictions the source of many of their lived was one of comparative darkness; religious faults may be traced. The age in which they freedom was a thing unknown and almost unconceived; and with every man liberty of conscience was liberty for himself and not for his neighbour who differed from him. In such an age, much claims our forgiveness for which now there would be no excuse, and conduct that cannot strictly be defended excites our admiration. We are glad to find that this book has reached a second edition, and hope that it will lead many to appreciate and imitate the virtues of men, of whom the world was not worthy. B. Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart. A Study for Young Men. The Wife, or a Mirror for Maidenhood. A Sketch by T. BINNEY. London: Nisbet and Co.; Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1853. 12mo. Pp. 199. Price 1s. Happy is the preacher who has a good text, and happier he who makes a good use of it. Mr. Binney has found a good text in Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, and has well handled the materials furnished by his history and character. The contrast between the youth and the man is well drawn, and the process of transformation well depicted. The means by which a man not possessed of striking genius arrived at deserved eminence, acquired immense power, and established a reputation which will never die, are ably pointed out; and in a manner calculated to teach young men the value of determined energy, promptness, and prayerful heartfelt piety, and to stimulate to integrity, perseverance, and virtue. The "Mirror of Maidenhood" is not a whit less happy. "The Model Wife," her domestic and personal virtues, their results, and basis, are well sketched. Let but our youth well digest this little volume, and who shall declare the next generation of fathers, wives, and mothers! 4 s B. The Faithful Promiser. London: R.T.S 64mo. Pp. 128. Cloth, gilt. Glimpses of Great Men; or, Biographic | diate concern of the unconverted-the inevitable Thoughts on Moral Manhood. By A. J. and terrible doom of his incorrigible enemies. MORRIS, Author of "Religion and Business," Sc., &c. London: Ward and Co., Paternoster Row. 1853. Pp. 148. Price 2s. 6d. These sketches are rightly named. They are glimpses of great men; but such glimpses as are calculated to make us long for more intimate acquaintance. In them there is manifested a discernment of character and motive, which does honour both to the understanding and heart of the writer. They are glimpses of great men, men of gigantic power; but they are sufficient to show that the secret of true greatness is to be found in a strong and living faith, and in strict adherence to the course marked out by conscience. We com mend their study to our youth, with the hope that they may learn to appreciate and realize the power of patient perseverance, and diligent activity, in the cause of humanity and truth. B. An Address to the Working Classes on the If the working classes would pay more earnest heed to such teachers as the author of this address, and less to the itinerant demagogues of the day they would soon rejoice in an improved condition." For sound principle, faithful expostulation, friendly and affectionate counsel, they will not easily find this appeal surpassed. Employers would do well to distribute it largely among the persons for whom it is designed. W. The Kingly Office of Jesus: a Sermon preached After adverting to the scriptural representation of the Kingly Office of the Messiah, the preacher describes the leading characteristics of his royal administration, showing that Christ's kingdom is in, but not of this worldthat it is essentially spiritual-that it is preeminently righteous-that it is grounded on his atoning sacrifice and death-that it is eminently a kingdom of peace-and that it shall be progressive and universal. From all this we may learn the pre-eminent dignity of the Lord Jesus-the blessedness of his subjects - the duty of his people-what should be the imme The baneful tendency of collections of scripture promises, when those promises are sentences or parts of sentences torn from their connexion and presented without any reference to character indiscriminately before all readers, has for many years past called forth the regrets of thoughtfal observers. The source whence this pretty little book has come led us to turn to it with the hope that it might be in this respect unob jectionable; but alas! it is no better than its predecessors. The bulk of this work is the production of the editor, who is favourably and somewhat widely known as the author of a talented and powerful book, addressed chiefly to young men, called "The Crisis of Being." This periodical, if it continue as it has commenced, will certainly widen the circle of his reputation and usefulness. A second edition of several of the numbers bas already appeared. Mr. Thomas is certainly a strong-minded man, and, so far as we can see from his sermons, holds, with a firm grasp, the fundamental doctrine of evangelical truth. We do not assent to all his propositions, at least as he puts them; but the defects of the work are few indeed compared with its merits: the disk is bright enough to bear many such specks. Although this is a periodical of sermons, let not our readers recoil from it. We are quite aware Goddess of Dulness must have supplied the that some persons have an idea that Pope's pen with which many sermons are prepared for exclaim, in the midst of such productions, kie the press: truly, we admit, a man may locus est Somni! if thoughtful Christians will not find these But we are much mistaken Homilies worth a perusal, and even more than one. We can also assure brethren that if they are seeking for real help our ministerial for the pulpit-we mean suggestive materials, or what Dr. Johnson calls "seminal thoughts"— they will find them here. Homilist to all who like to think as well as to We commend the feel, who wish to expand their minds, as well as excite their hearts. H. Puritan Gems; or Wise and Holy Sayings of tences, each embodying some valuable thought. "Strikes," viewed in relation to the interests of RECENT PUBLICATIONS, Approbed. [It should be understood that insertion in this list is not a mere announcement: it expresses approbation of the works enumerated,-not of course extending to every particular, but an approbation of their general character and tendency.] Australia; its Scenery, Natural History, and Resources. London: R.T.S. Monthly Series. 18mo., pp. 192. Price 6d. Australia and its Settlements. London: R.T.S. Monthly Series. 18mo., pp. 192. Price 6d. The Life of Alexander the Great. London: R. T.S. Monthly Series. 18mo., pp. 192. Price 6d. To all who are interested in the subject, whether as operatives or employers, we recommend this tract very cordially. This is not the first time that Mr. Dunckley has shown himself a warm and judicious friend of the working classes. His essay which gained the prize offered by the Religious Tract Society was a masterly performance, and this breathes the same spirit. He shows that labour and capital are co-factors in the production of wealth; that Monthly Series. 18mo., pp. 192. Price 6d. "Strikes cannot raise wages," and that "Strikes always depress wages;" that "they frighten capital," that "they lead to a large increase in the number of labourers," and that there are other evils connected with them, "affecting partly the operative himself, and partly society at large, the mischievousness of which it is almost impossible to exaggerate." He then illustrates the Tyranny of Trades Unions, and contends that the complete emancipation of industry not only includes their overthrow, but also the entire repeal of what are known as "trade laws." Successful Men of Modern Times. London R.T.S. The Intelligence of the Animal Creation. By the Rev. WILLIAM EDWARDS, Assistant Chaplain of the House of Correction, Wandsworth. London: William Freeman, 69, Fleet Street. 18mo., pp. 38. Price 6d. The Elder Brothers; or, Protectors and Tyrants. A Story for Boys. By Mrs. THOMAS GELDART. London: A. Hall, Virtue, and Co. 24mo, pp. 72. The Sabbath School Hymn Book. Selected by the Rev. JOSEPH BROWN, D.D., Dalkeith. Edin burgh: Gall and Inglis. 32mo. The Tree of Life. Winter-November. London: Blackader and Co. 32mo., pp. 64. Price 6d. The Great Storm in 1703. By CHRISTOPHER WOOLLACOTT. London: Houlston and Stoneman. The Scripture Pocket-Book for 1854; contain- A list of Religious and Benevolent Institutions, some pages of pious extracts under the title of Gleanings, and the peculiarities mentioned in the title-page, combined with such general information as may be found in other respectable diaries, will secure for this PocketBook the preference of many purchasers. The Protestant Dissenters' Illustrated Almanack By The Converted Soldier: a Tale of India. CHRISTOPHER WOOLLACOTT. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 16mo., pp. 16. Price 1d. Faded Flowers: a Tale for Little Girls. By a Mother. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 32mo., pp. 16. Price d. The Youthful Christian: an Account of the Dying Experience of Ann Young, aged Fourteen. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 32mo., pp. 8. Price d. The Pocket Book Almanack for 1854. London: for the Year 1854; being the second after R.T.S. 32mo. Price 2d. If the title were altered to the Congregationalists' Almanack, we should have no reason to complain of it; but the immense preponderance given to the information respecting one body of protestant dissenters should prevent the continuance of the present appellation. The small part relating to baptist institutions is incorrect in some respects, as well as scanty. The Christian Almanack. 1854. London: As usual; neat, exact, and comprehensive. The Tract Society Penny Almanack for 1854. London: R.T.S. Price 1d. Sheet Almanack for 1854. London: R.T.S. Price ld. The Christian Treasury: Containing Contributions from Ministers and Members of Various Evangelical November, 1853. Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter. Svo., pp. 45. Price 5d. Denominations. The Eclectic Review. November, 1853. Contents: I. Progress of the Nation. II. Poems by Alexander Smith. 1II, The Stones of Venice, the Sea Stories. IV. Memorials and Correspondence of Charles James Fox. V. Faber's Revival of the French Emperorship. VI. Miss Bremer's Homes of the New World. VII. Medway's Life of Dr. John Pye Smith. VIII. Cholera: its Treatment and Remedy. Brief Notices, Review of the Month, &c. London: Ward and Co. Svo., pp. 148. Price 18. 6. |