their lives estranged from Him. Some asked who Christ was, having apparently never heard of Him before; and others feared that their day of salvation was past. Now, you could not imagine a greater contrast than that between good Elizabeth Fry, and those wicked, wicked women, whom she was trying to reclaim in Newgate. But had you seen them all when they were little smiling infants, you could not have foretold the difference, and said of one of them, that she would be, in after years, as a very angel of God, and of the others, that they would be as fiends on earth.

Nor must we ascribe such differences as these altogether to circumstances. There were, perhaps, among these wretched women in Newgate, persons who, when children, were placed in circumstances as favourable as those of Elizabeth Fry in the house of her father, John Gurney, the Quaker banker of Norwich. I knew a family in which there were two sons brought up together by the same Christian parents and amid the same favourable influences. One of these sons lived to be a terror as well as a disgrace to his family, lifted his hand to his own mother, and died while an exile from home, under sentence of law. The other became both a Christian and a scholar of the highest order, won the admiration of University professors, and died amidst the tears of those who loved him and who

hoped that he might live a long life to bless the world. This difference was hidden among the possibilities of the future, and could not have been foreseen when these two children were nursed on the same lap, and taught to bend their infant knees in prayer beside the same mother.

My dear young friends, this is a sad sort of subject, and seems to have no element of pleasure in it. But it has. And it is this-that whatever be your circumstances, each of you may attain to a life of beauty and of blessedness. It may not be a life of health or of wealth, but it may be, I repeat, of beauty and of blessedness. And in order to this take two remarks to help and guide you.

First. Give your heart at once, and wholly up to Christ. You have come into a terribly sinful and dangerous world. None but Christ can cleanse your hearts, and carry you safely through the sins and dangers that surround you. Be His now. Be His wholly. You will then have peace with God and strength to serve Him.

Secondly. Beware of those little things that don't seem to have much evil in them, or much danger about them, but that are really like the unknown little leak in the ship that gradually lets in water enough to sink it. I have no space to say more on this point at present; but I ask you to ponder it well, and pray that you may feel how important it is.

The Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Fathers down to A.D. 325. Edited by the REV. ALEXANDER ROBERTS, D.D., and JAMES DONALDSON, LL.D. Vols. V. and VI. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark.

THE first of these volumes is Vol. I. of the writings of Irenæus, translated by Dr. Roberts and the Rev. W. H. Rambant, A.B., and the second is Vol. I. of the writings of Hippolytus, translated by the Rev. J. H. MacMahon, M.A. and the Rev. S. D. F. Salmond. Both volumes have such introductions and notes as are necessary to render them generally intelligible, while the tables of contents are so full and clear as to furnish a ready key to

their multifarious contents. We have already expressed our high appreciation of this series. Its publication is very timely. We never feel more sensibly that the Bible is very "light," than when we turn to it from the darkness and chaos of even the first ages of the post-apostolic period.

The Hive. A Storehouse of material for working Sunday School Teachers. No. I. Jan. 1868. London: Elliot Stock. THE title of this new penny monthly magazine indicates its design. This first number is sufficiently well done to deserve attention, and to lead us to hope that this may be a successful and useful publication. The chief feature is the supply of

outlines for addresses and lessons. These are suggestive and good, although somewhat too sermonic. And we cannot refrain from a word of caution to young teachers about the use of such helps. Let them not rely too much upon this kind of aid, or they will infallibly stiffen and deaden their teaching instead of improving it. While we shall be glad to see a cheap and ably conducted periodical devoted exclusively to subjects connected with their work, let them be assured that neither in this, nor in any other "hive," will they find all their material ready stored for them. If their work is to be well and wisely done, they must be like the "busy bee," celebrated by Dr. Watts, which "Gathers honey all the day, From every opening flower." The Pulpit Analyst. Vol. II. 1867. London: Jackson; Walford, and Hodder. A GLANCE at the well-to-do and substantial exterior of this volume, when it was put into our hands, suggested at once, that, during the year that had passed since we made the acquaintance of its predecessor, the "Pulpit Analyst" had been leading a prosperous life. An examination of the contents of the volume for 1867 proves that that life has been marked by a good degree of vigour and energy. The Editor seems to have taken upon himself even a larger share of work, in the way of contribution, than he took the year before; and several of his contributions are of a high order. Mr. Gilfillan's papers, which have appeared in a separate form, under the title of "Remoter Stars in the Church Sky," are readable enough, and present the defects as well as the better qualities of the author's style and taste. The Christian Year Book; containing a Summary of Christian Work, and the Results of Missionary Effort throughout the World. 1868. London: Jackson, Walford, & Hodder. WE are glad to find that the projectors of this work have been encouraged to persevere with its annual publication. It has certainly no rival that we know of, and many will find it a great convenience to have always at hand the large body of facts which it contains. The British Quarterly Review.

January,

1868. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.

THIS number of "The British Quarterly" contains papers on George Macdonald," "Eton," " The Book of Common Prayer," "Juvenile Literature," "Utilitarianism,'

maintain their high character, and the number taken as a whole is equal to its predecessors. We cannot say that we are quite satisfied with the article on "George Macdonald." We would not abate one iota from the applause, by no means indiscriminate, which the reviewer renders to Mr. Macdonald's writings, and to the noble and deeply religious spirit which pervades them. But "The British Quarterly" should have carried into its larger article the same theological discrimination which often, without any taint of bitterness, distinguishes its briefer notices of books. And we are disappointed that it has not done so in this instance. The reviewer does not indeed put his seal on all Mr. Macdonald's theology, but he calls the preaching which pervades his books as "practical, clear, and Evangelical." But Evangelical" it certainly is not in the sense in which the readers of the "British understand that term. It is 'Evangelical" only so far as Mr. Maurice's teaching is Evangelical. And as we deprecate the influence which Mr. Maurice has exercised over the ministerial mind, so we deprecate the influence which his disciple is exercising over the popular mind. It would have been worthy of the position which "The British Quarterly" has attained, while doing full justice to his powers as a literary man and to the beautiful spirit which animates his writings, to have exposed the unsatisfactoriness of the theories by which Mr. Macdonald glosses over the difficulties of the moral universe. The Eclectic Review. January and Febru

ary, 1868. London: Jackson, Walford,

and Hodder.

WE do not usually review the "monthlies," but we must say a good word for our old friend, "The Eclectic." Its indefatigable Editor has evidently girded himself for the year's work with great zeal and energy; and we know of no man who better deserves success. With all the encroachments which younger rivals have made on the field once occupied by "The Eclectic" almost alone, there is still work for it to do, and we trust it will have much encouragement in the doing of it. Memoir of Thomas Archer, D.D., Minister of Oxendon Chapel, London. By the REV. JOHN MACFARLANE, LL.D. London: James Nisbet and Co.

DR. ARCHER was a man of considerable mental power and high oratorical skill. As a preacher and lecturer, he was eminently popular. In Exeter Hall, in the latter capacity, he achieved distinguished success on several occasions; and in his own pulpit and throughout the country, in the former, he was regarded as an able

and efficient expounder of truth. It was fitting that the character and memory of such a man should be enshrined in a suitable memoir. This has been done in the present volume, in a manner that must gratify all the friends and admirers of Dr. Archer. Throughout, the memoir is characterised by the grace, finish, and taste that distinguish the productions of Dr. Macfarlane's pen.

Memoirs of the Life and Labours of the Rev. Hugh Stowell, M.A., Rector of Christ Church, Salford. By the Rev. T. B. MARSDEN, M.A. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

THE late Canon Stowell occupied a large and honoured place in the eye and esteem of the public for many years. He was a man of high character and of great eloquence and power. And although it is seldom that we can find elements in the "Memoirs" of such a man that will render them of permanent value, it was right that his contemporaries should be informed of the facts of his history and of the springs of his character. This service Mr. Marsden has rendered, with far less of that over-loading and over-praising which are so common in such cases. life of Canon Stowell contains necessarily much of the history of his times. Emanuel Swedenborg: His Life and Writings. By WILLIAM WHITE. Two Vols. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

The

SWEDENBORG'S name has grown familiar in English literature, but with few definite ideas attached to it. The causes (says Mr. White) are not far to seek. Swedenborg's works are so voluminous as to daunt many readers, nor are there any one or two of his volumes calculated to afford a complete view of his philosophy and theology. The little sect, moreover, which assumes his authority to be divine, has never commanded the public ear, nor have any of its

members written books which have travelled far beyond the sectarian borders." As to definite ideas of Swedenborg's theology and philosophy, he will be a clever man who attains them even with Mr. W. White's assistance. And as to his authority being divine, before we believe it, we must believe that the authority of Jesus Christ and His servants was not divine. Two teachings so different cannot have come from the same fountain. But while we say this, and might say a great deal more, we acknowledge the service which Mr. White has rendered by these volumes, to those who have any desire to study a very singular phenomenon in the history of mind, and of mental speculations and vagaries. The Apocalyptic Roll. The Title Deed of the Church. The Seals, the Mystery of Good and Evil contending for the Mastery. With a new Apocalyptic Chart. By C. E. FRASER-TYTLER, Author of "The Structure of Prophecy," &c. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, and Co. THIS volume is remarkable on many grounds, and will amply repay examination. It is vigorous in thought and forcible in style; its investigation of scripture is thorough and searching; and its views of the Apocalypse are simple, comprehensive, and luminous. Whilst we cannot follow the author in his minute details of type and symbol, which, in not a few instances, appear to us fanciful and strained, his idea of the seals is distinguished by a unity, harmony, and sublimity which do not belong to the usual historic conception. The historic notion is broken, fragmentary, and eminently unsatisfactory, whereas there is a grandeur and completeness in the theory that represents the seals as successive stages, or developments, in the mighty contest of good and evil; and, moreover, as a compendium of the whole book of Revelation.

Jan. 8.-E. K. Evans, Prees, Salop. Introductory Discourse, Rev. T. Gasquoine, B.A. Prayer, Rev. J. Thornton. Charge, Professor Newth. Sermon to people, Rev. G. Kettle.

Jan. 10.-John Davies, Nazareth" and Pantglas. Introductory Discourse, Rev. W. Ambrose. Prayer, Rev. J. Williams. Charge, Rev. E. Roberts. Address to Churches, Rev. D. Griffith.

Jan. 27.-James Grant, Donaghmore. Introductory Address, Rev. R. Sewell. Prayer, Rev. H. Kelso. Address to Minister, Rev. J. White. Address to Church, Rev. W. Tarbotton.

CALLS ACCEPTED.

G. L. Turner, M.A., of Cheshunt College, to Melford, Suffolk.

A. Warner, to Whitfield Chapel, Drury Lane.

W. T. Blenkarn, of Nottingham Institute, to Watton.

C. Aylard, of Nottingham Institute, to Altrincham.

D. Bloomfield James, of Western College, to Castle Green Chapel, Bristol. REMOVALS.

Rev. Goodeve Mabbs, from Nagercoil, to be Secretary of the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society.

Rev. T. Sissons, Southampton, to be co-pastor with Rev. E. Mannering, Bishopsgate Chapel.

Rev. H. Ashbury has withdrawn his resignation, and will continue at Cirencester. Rev. G. Burgess, Linton, to Ware.

Rev. G. Nicholson, B.A., Longsight, Manchester, to Union Chapel, Putney.

Rev. J. Atkinson, Potter Newton, to be Assistant Minister at Hare Court Chapel, Canonbury.

Rev. J. Christien, Manchester, to North Shields.

Rev. W. Dorling, Bethnal Green, to Buckhurst Hill.

Rev. S. Lewin, Ardwick, Manchester, to Ilfracombe.

Rev. R. Harley, F.R.S., F.R.A.S., Brig house, to Bond Street, Leicester. RESIGNATIONS.

Rev. J. Frame, Horsleydown.
Rev. A. Jack, North Shields.

DEATHS OF MINISTERS.
Jan. 19.-Rev. S. Drakeford, Marple
Bridge. Length of ministry, 9 years.
Jan. 23.-Rev. J. H. Gavin, Harrogate.
Length of ministry, 10 years.

Jan. 24.-Rev. R. J. Matthews, Old Kent Road. Age 79. Length of ministry, 30 years.

Jan.-Rev. J. Walker, Derby. Length of ministry, 29 years.

DEATHS OF MINISTERS' WIVES. Dec. 28.-Mrs. Phillips, wife of Rev. M. Phillips, Tripatore, Madras Presidency. Jan. 28. Mrs. Kent, wife of Rev. Philip Kent, Peckham.

Feb. 10.-Mrs. Glass, wife of Rev. J. F. Glass, Brentford.

TESTIMONIAL.

To Rev. A. M. Brown, LL.D., on the anniversary of the twenty-fifth year of his ministry at Cheltenham-a Purse, and to Mrs. Brown a Tea Service.

THE MERCHANTS' LECTURE Will be delivered (D.V.) on Tuesday, 3rd March, at the Poultry Chapel, by the Rev. Dr. Spence, at noon precisely.