happiest influence on the lay mind to which it ministers..

Though a few pages can give but an imperfect idea of such a volume as this, we refer our readers to an extract from its last Lecture in another part of the present number of the "Christian Witness."

The Handbook of Specimens of English Literature, selected from the chief British Authors, and arranged chronologically. By JOSEPH ANGUS, M.A., D.D. London: Religious Tract Society.

"THIS volume completes the plan announced in the Handbook of English Literature.' It adds specimens to the history, and illustrates the principles of criticism laid down in the previous volumes, by éxamples taken from the master-pieces of English authorship." These specimens extend from A.D. 450 to 1866, but the works of living authors are not included, nor are those of American writers. The hearty commendation which we gave to the Handbook of English Literature" we can equally award to this Handbook of Specimens. Dr. Angus has rendered good service by the pains which he has bestowed on its preparation.

.66

The Works of Thomas Goodwin, D.D. Vol. xii. containing sermons and notes of sermons. Indexes. Edinburgh: James Nichol.

An entire Commentary upon the whole Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. Preached by Mr. Paul Bayne, sometime preacher of God's word at St. Andrew's, in Cambridge. Edinburgh: James Nichol.

THE original James Nichol, to whose tact and enterprise we are indebted for the two series to which these works belong, rests from his labours. But we are happy to find that he has left a son, who has shared his labours for years, and who is prepared to carry forward the schemes with which his father's name is associated. Mr. Nichol, jun., has just issued a prospectus of the second section of the Series of Standard Divines; Puritan Period,-which will con. sist of the complete works of Thomas Brooks, George Swinnock, and Henry Smith, Richard Gilpin, on "Satan's Temptations," and John Goodwin, on "Being filled with the Spirit." These works will be contained in fifteen volumes, and the publication, commencing on June 1st, 1866, will extend over three years. Subscribers can thus purchase for three guineas works which cannot be procured at present for less than £20 or £25, and some of which can be procured with difficulty at any price. We wish Mr. Nichol

God-speed in his undertaking, and hope that the works now announced will command even a larger circulation than those which have preceded them.

The Parables, Read in the Light of the Present Day. By THOMAS GUTHRIE, D.D. London: Alexander Strahan.

WE have so often characterised Dr Guthrie's style of thought and speech that we need say nothing about this volume but announce its republication. These discourses or expositions were originally published in "Good Words," and are therefore well known. In the beautiful type and clear page of their new form, they will be greatly prized by many.

ik bila Biblical Commentary on the Books of Samuel. By C. F. KEIL, D.D., and F. DELITZSCH, D.D., translated by the Rev. JAMES MARTIN, B.A. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark.

DETAILED Criticism of such works as that now before us is, with our limited space, impracticable, but we have had occasion oftener than once to express our hearty approval of the Biblical Commentaries of Kiel and Delitzsch; and the volume now before us on the books of Samuel will be found, like its predecessors, very helpful by all who wish to study these Scriptures minutely and thoroughly. According to our authors, these books contain the history of the kingdom of God in Israel, from the termination of the age of the judges to the close of the reign of King David," and in this idea is to be found the unity of both the books themselves, and of this Commentary upon them. There is a danger lest commentators should unduly subject the facts and narratives before them to what they believe to be the ruling thought which is embodied in them; but such ruling thought is the pole-star which alone can guide them, and make their march a true and real progress.

མཪ་རྩ་ཏ།་ཞིཥྞཱ་ }

Narrative of the Mission to China of the English Presbyterian Church. By DONALD MATHESON, Esq. With remarks on the social life and religious ideas of the Chinese. By the Rev. S. MAC GOWAN, of the London Missionary Society, Amoy. London: James Nisbet and Co.

A NARRATIVE which will be read with pleasure by all who are interested in the great work of evangelizing China.ope

A Commentary on St. Matthew's Gospel. Designed for Teachers, Preachers, and educated English Readers generally. By Eustace R. Condér, M.A. London: Elliot Stock. ༧ >༧༢ ༠༩ ? 254 to br WE ventured to express an opinion on

this work when only a few monthly parts were before us. The monthly issue was soon discontinued; and now that we have

the Commentary on Matthew complete, we have no hesitation in repeating that the author of this work gives us the result of much reading and of much thought, in a style the most perspicuous, and at the same time suggestive and stimulative. We regretted that Mr. Conder had described his Commentary as being for Sunday school teachers, because such a description tended to limit its circulation; and we are glad to find that his title page is now more comprehensive. We know of no class who may not consult this work with advantage; and if teachers will make it their study, both themselves and those whom they teach will reap a rich reward.

The Contributions of Q. Q. By JANE TAYLOR. Thirteenth edition. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.

WHо that knows anything of these "Contributions" needs any recommendation of them? Nearly half a century since, the first of them appeared in the Youth's Magazine, and here they are still claiming the attention of the world! Right glad are we to see them in a cheap but attractive form; and right glad shall we be to know that they find readers in families which are now too familiar with the more sensational literature of the present day.

Cardiphonia; or, the Utterance of the Heart in a real Correspondence. By the Rev. JOHN NEWTON. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, and Co.

THIS is an old standard, but not obsolete. The doctrines and experiences which form the staple of this "real" correspondence Pare themselves "real;" and though forms of speech, and even of thought, may vary in different ages, the substance, the "realities," remain unchanged. Devout converse with good old John Newton, will, we believe, deepen the reader's sense at once of the evil of his own heart, and of the preciousness of the Saviour.

"

རྨ་ Light in the Hospital; or, the English Volunteer in the American War. His happy Death. By the Rev. A. MORTON BROWN, LL.D. London: Elliot Stock.

A DEEPLY affecting and very instructive story, worthy of wide circulation, and especially fitted to do good to young men.

The Bristol Orphan Homes and their Founder By the Rev. J. WEIR, D.D. London: Morgan and Chase.

THE story of George Muller, personally, and of his great and blessed work at Bristol. It is brief, and well told, and

indicates some points of which we should be glad to see a friendly but discriminating discussion.

Spiritual Songs from the Canticles. From

the German of GUSTAV JAHN. Trans. lated by ANNA M. MAY. London: Morgan and Chase.

UNLESS there is more excellence in the originals than in the translations of these songs, we should say that the translator will not find much sympathy for her great interest in them. They are rhapsodic, but not warm with the passion of true poetry as we read them in English. "Them also:" The Story of the Dublin Mission. By the Author of " Holly and Ivy." London: Jas. Nisbet and Co. A WELL written and deeply interesting story of a most important and successful mission. We wish we had space for some of its true and touching narratives..

Expositions on the Epistles of the New Testament. By CHARLES DALLAS MARSTON, M.A. London: John F. Shaw and Co.

THOSE Who cannot avail themselves of larger works, will find here much that is useful and instructive. After an introduction on the value of the Word of God, and some general remarks on the Epistles of the New Testament, we have a brief account of the writers and the occasion of their writing their several Epistles. This is followed by an analysis and short comments on the most remarkable passages and expressions.

Echoes of Apostolic Teaching. Selections from the Family Expositions of the late EDWARD BICKERSTETH, London: John F. Shaw and Co.

THE name of Edward Bickersteth, one of the holiest and most loving of Christian men, will be sufficient to introduce these "Echoes" to many. The book is edited by his daughter, and prefaced by his son. The King and People of Fiji: containing a Life of Thakombau; with Notices of the Fijians, their Manners, Customs, Superstitions, &c. By the Rev. JOSEPH WATERHOUSE. London: Wesleyan Conference Office.

1

THE author having been fourteen years a missionary in Fiji, is able to give an aecount of the people, their history, manners, savage practices, and, finally, their renunciation of heathenism, which cannot fail to awaken the deepest interest in missionary enterprise. The Fijians were once amongst the most barbarous cannibals on the face of the earth; and their beautiful islands, "where only man is vile," were the scenes of every abomina

tion. A fine race in stature and strength, they were peculiarly addicted to the revolt. ing horrors of cannibalism, an inveterate vice which they were most reluctant to abandon. The book is a valuable contri. bution to missionary literature, illustrating, on the one hand, the difficulties with which the missionary has to contend, and, on the other, the power of the Gospel to elevate the most degraded of mankind. Whispers in the Palms. Hymns and Meditations. By ANNA SHIPTON. Third Edition. London: Morgan and Chase. "THERE is an eastern tradition of the palm-tree, that when its leaves quiver in the wind, they whisper the holy name of Jesus, which the listener never hears but once. This tradition and the Bible references to the palm-tree and palm-branches have suggested the title of this volume of Hymns and Meditations. The book has already gained considerable acceptance, and is worthy of it. Its poetryand there is genuine poetry in many of its pages-is not so much its recommendation as its quiet, earnest, Christian thoughtfulness.

Diamond Dust. By ELIZA COOK. Lon

don: Pitman, Paternoster-Row. THIS book forms a collection of laconic sayings, proverbs, "wise saws," and definitions, upon a wide variety of subjects. They are many of them very striking and suggestive; and an occasional peep into

Miss Cook's volume will prove a benefit and pleasure to many.

Brands Plucked from the Burning. By the Rev. J. H. WILSON. London: S. W. Partridge.

WE are glad to see this useful and interesting record in a second edition. The second is not a mere reprint of the first, but omitting some things of less permanent interest, contains instead an account of later means for promoting the spiritual good of the lowest and most neglected classes, and of results which, as the author says, cannot fail to encourage earnest workers in the field of Christian philanthropy to pluck brands from the burning.

Scenes and Characters in a Scottish Pastorate. By the Rev. J. R. McGAVIN, D.D. London: James Nisbet and Co.

THE author of this volume is a respected minister of the United Presbyterian Church, and the style and manner of his work will be understood by the extracts which we gave two months ago in the Christian Witness. The work is a record of facts-facts such as occur from day to day in the history of Christian pastors, and on this account the more valuable and instructive. There is no attempt to throw an air of romance around them, and the reader's confidence is never shaken as to the truth and genuineness of the story.

CHAPELS OPENED.

Rhostry fan. Preachers, Rev. R. Thomas, Rev. W. Ambrose,

May 16.-Bethel, near Caernarvon. Preachers, Rev. W. Jones, Rev. W. Ambrose.

May 23.-Selby. Preacher, Rev. James Parsons.

May 29.-Church Stretton. Preacher, Rev. R. W. Dale, M.A.

May 30.-Spilsby. Preachers, Rev. J. Parsons, Rev. P. Strutt.

June 6.-Matlock Bank. Preacher, Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B.

June 6.-Cambridge Heath, Hackney. Preacher, Rev. T. Binney. Public meeting in the evening. S. Morley, Esq., in the chair.

June 10 and 12.-Victoria Mission Hall, Derby. Cost £1,800. Opened free of debt. June 12.-Edith Grove, West Brompton. Preachers, Revs. S. Martin, J. Stoughton.

CHAPELS RE-OPENED.

June 5.-Charmouth. Preacher, Rev. E. H. Jones. Meeting in the evening. Rev. J. Rogers presided.

Preacher,

June 7.-Theddingworth. Rev. C. Clemance, B.A. Public meeting. CALLS ACCEPpted.

L. Parkinson to Brightside, Sheffield. W. Jones, Cheshunt to Highbury Chapel, Portsmouth.

DEATHS OF MINISTERS.

May 15.-Rev. G. Steward, late of Newcastle, at St. Brelade's Bay, aged sixtythree.

May 22.-Rev. John Jukes, Bedford, aged 68. Ministry, 37 years.

May 29. Rev. J. Pattison, Wem, aged 65. Ministry, 40 years.

June 8.-Rev. R. Burls, Maldon, aged 74. Ministry, 46 years.

June 8.-Rev. W. Evans, Bagilt, aged 56. Ministry, 25 years.

June 16.-Rev. C. Williams, of Sibbertoft, at Salisbury, aged 69. Ministry,

42 years.

DEATHS OF MINISTERS' WIVES.

May 31. Bromley, Middlesex, by Samuel Morley, Esq. Public meeting in the evening at Trinity Chapel, Poplar.

June 12.-Stratford, Essex, by Samuel Morley, Esq. Public meeting in the evening.

June 13.-Hull, Anlaby Road, by John Crossley, Esq.

June 18.-Whitchurch, in connection with Bristol Itinerant Society. C. Godwin, Esq.

ORDINATIONS.

May 17.-F. Baron, Weybridge. Rev. Samuel Martin, Rev. J. G. Rogers.

D. Williams, Bala, Rhuddlan, and Ochryfoet. Introduction, Rev. J. Williams. Prayer by Mr. Williams, sen. Charge, Rev. N. D. Jones. To the people, R. Thomas.

D. Griffith, jun., Bethel. Introduction, R. Parry. Charge, E. Stevens. People, William Ambrose.

May 20.-William Lance, Market Deeping. Rev. J. G. Paton, M.A., G. H. Hancock.

May 23.-Howel Davis, Middle Hill. Introduction, T. Tierscross. Prayer, D. Salmon. Charge, H. Long. People, J. Griffiths.

May 23.- H. Bevis, Mevagissey. Introduction, J. Morland. Prayer, G. Hobbs. Charge, Rev. H. J. Bevis. People, C. Wilson, M.A.

May 23.-C. H. Silcocks. Introduction, D. Richardson. Prayer, J. H. Hitchens. Charge, W. Young, B.A. People, E. W. Wilson.

May 23.-T. Ruston, Barton-on-Humber. Introduction, H. Ollerenshaw. Prayer, C. C. Tyte. Charge, Dr. Fielding. People, J. T. Shawcross.

June 13.-W. Lang, at Broadway, Somerset. Revs. W. Standerwick, W. Gammon, S. Wilkinson, A. McMillan, J. Erleback, and E. H. Jones took parts in the service.

June 15.-H. Luckett, Rotherham College, Gainsborough. Introduction by Rev. H. Ollerenshaw. Charge by Rev. D. Falding. Sermon to the people, Rev. H.

J. F. Moser, Esq.

May 29.--Berkhamstead, by William Rouse, Esq., and F. Miller, Esq.

RECOGNITIONS.

May 24.-H. B. Ingram, Wardourstreet Chapel. Revs. R. D. Wilson, Dr. Halley, Dr. Ferguson, and others officiated on the occasion.

June.-J. Stuchbery, B.A., Cuckfield. Revs. J. Griffin, J. Adey, Dr. Ferguson, R. Hanington, and Dr. Burlingham took part in the service.

REMOVALS.

J. Thomas, Newport to Mola.

Rev. R. W. Selbie, B.A., Chesterfield to Salford. LOON