And, more generally, the forces which the visible Church was created to embody and to direct are spiritual, and stretch forward to all eternity; they are forces which affect the soul as such. But the powers and authority confided to the visible Church can extend no further than the judicial cognizance of the Church. They concern, not the souls of men as such, but men in their present condition considered as members of the visible Church. The judgment of individual souls is reserved to God alone. That judgment no human tribunal whatever has any right to pretend to anticipate.— I remain, dear Sir, your faithful servant,

AN ENGLISH CHURCHMAN.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Recollections of the Life of Countess Matilda von der Recke Volmerstein. By her Daughter. Translated from the German. With a Preface by the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells. London: Seeley. 1874. -It is impossible for Christians not to sympathise with the gallant struggle which Germany is now waging against the deadly hostility of the Church of Rome. But that sympathy would be still greater if there were not a painful consciousness that political freedom is more the aspiration of the nation than religious liberty. We can readily believe that the infidelity of Germany is exaggerated, not only by Romish opponents, but by those who are busiest in promoting it; still beyond a question it is wide-spread and soul-destroying. It is, moreover, so audacious, and so persistently proclaimed, that it is difficult to realise that there may be "quiet in the land" who worship the Lord Jesus Christ, and walk humbly with their God. It is therefore pleasant when there are occasional rifts, as it were, in the dull and heavy clouds which oppress the soul with gloom, and patches of blue sky are seen beyond. Without metaphor, it is reassuring to find that all have not forsaken God, but that in Germany, as in England, there are Christian homes where the inmates delight in the law of God, and exercise a loving faith. Such a scene is disclosed to us in the Memoirs of the Countess Matilda von der Recke, which will, we trust, find their way into many English families. As the Bishop of Bath and Wells, in his preface, justly remarks, we are admitted into a society of German Christians, whose highly spiritual and exalted piety is redeemed from the suspicion of enthusiasm by the multitude and excellence of their practical good works." The whole book is full of interest, whether we follow the story of the lady's earlier years, when she walked

"In maiden meditation fancy free;"

or the pleasant story of her wooing and espousals; or follow her into the midst of all her indefatigable labours for the orphan and the helpless in the institutions at Dussenthal; or the quiet and sober autumn of her days, or the touching story of her death. The whole of it will be read with pleasure and edification. We heartily agree with the estimate put upon it by the Bishop, "No Christian can read

it without profit, or contemplate her without admiration." We will not mar the reader's enjoyment by anticipating the story, but refer them to the book itself, a most delightful record of earnest religious life.

Sir Donald M'Leod, C.B., K.C.S.I. By Major-General Edward Lake, C.S.I. London: The Religious Tract Society.-Some time ago a missionary was preaching in a village in Lahore, on the beauty of the highest ideal of a Christian's character, and described such a character. One of his hearers said, "Sahib, I have heard of but one man like this." When asked who was that, he replied, "Sir Donald M'Leod." Shortly after, he preached at another place, on the same subject, fifteen miles off." A Fakir made a similar remark, and to the same question he replied, "Sir Donald M'Leod." A native gentleman testified that if all Christians were like Sir Donald M'Leod, there would be no Hindoos or Mahommedans. In the most competent judgment of Lord Lawrence, Sir Donald M'Leod was a worthy type of the best of our Indian civilians. It would have been a thing much to be deplored that so bright an example of Christian excellence should have passed away from our midst, and no memorial have been preserved of one who made it so plainly apparent that the most scrupulous discharge of public duty can be reconciled with the deepest spirituality of Christian life, and the most perfect consistency of Christian character. For the particulars of the career of this distinguished man, we would refer our readers to the too brief, but still most interesting, account furnished by General Lake. With a portion of it some may be already familiar, as it has already appeared in the "Sunday at Home." But additions have been made to the volume as it is now issued. We hope it will have extensive circulation, especially among young men destined for India, or whose lot may be cast in that portion of our empire. It is well calculated to arrest the attention of the most thoughtless and indifferent, and will furnish rich encouragement to those in whom there may be the dawnings of the Christian life.

The Church Missionary Gleaner. London: Seeleys. 1874.-We do not habitually notice periodicals which are struggling into existence. Their number is legion, and their existence often of the most ephemeral kind. They come and depart like shadows, and notice of them is therefore unnecessary. But when the Church Missionary Society embarks in an undertaking, importance attaches to it. The publication now under review is professedly the resuscitation of a periodical very familiar, in former years, to those interested in Missions. For a season it was dead; but it has risen, Phoenix like, with augmented splendour, in a new form, and with more ambitious aims, and bids fair to command a full share of popularity amongst its numerous competing rivals. Three numbers have already appeared, profusely illustrated, and with letter-press abounding in interesting matter. It is well adapted to interest nearly all classes of readers, for there are facts alleged upon which the wise may ponder, and there are incidents related which will captivate the young. As an effort to popularize the subject of Missions, and to excite interest among those who need awakening to what is the paramount duty of a Christian, it deserves, and we wish it, all success.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE usual formalities incidental to the opening of Parliament have now all been duly observed. Mr. Brand, the former Speaker, has resumed his Chair, not only without a dissentient voice, but with hearty commendation from the whole House. Some delay in business necessarily arose from the necessity of re-electing the Ministers on their appointment to office; no opposition was made to their return. The Queen's Speech, after adverting to the retirement of the late Administration, to the existence of friendly relations with foreign powers, and the marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh, notices the famine in Bengal. Important measures are then referred to in con nection with the transfer of land, and the re-arrangement of the judicature. A Royal Commission has been issued to investigate the relations of Master and Servant; and a Bill to remedy the complaints arising from the Acts regulating the sale of Intoxicating Liquors is promised. No amendment was moved to the Address in the House of Lords, and that proposed in the House of Commons was withdrawn. Much uncertainty has prevailed as to who would be the Leader of the Opposition; but although it is uncertain to what extent Mr. Gladstone will fill the position, for the present at any rate he is assuming the duties of the post. The sudden dissolution of the late Parliament was sharply criticised by the Duke of Somerset, but Lord Selborne came to the rescue of his friend and chief.

The public entry of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh into London took place on March the 12th, in the midst of a snow storm, the solitary exception to the genial weather which has prevailed throughout the winter. It was no small proof of the loyalty of the English people to their Sovereign, and of their sympathy with her happiness, that the pitiless storm was braved manfully, and abundant enthusiasm greeted the Royal Lady who has come among us.

It is with satisfaction that we notice that the Tichborne trial, so long an incubus upon the time and patience of our judges, with all its unsavoury details, has come to an end, and the impostor has been sentenced to imprisonment for perjury. The punishment seems hardly commensurate with his crime, but so far justice has been vindicated. In the Court of Chancery, a suit commenced by Dr. Hayman has been argued on demurrer. The animadversions of Vice-Chancellor Malins on the conduct of Bishop Temple and Dr. Bradley were severe. Some fresh Ritual cases will be brought before the courts of law.

An intimation has been given by Lord Sandon that an effort will be made to promote Ecclesiastical Reform during

the present session. This bas stimulated the Bishops to propound a scheme of their own, which does not, however, meet with favour from the public. Meanwhile Dr. Pusey raises his voice for a little further delay. We sincerely hope that Lord Sandon will neither delay nor lay aside his proposed measures, that there may be some end put to the lawlessness now prevalent, which is a scandal to our Church and nation.

Much interest, and some surprise, has been aroused by the recent Imperialist demonstration at Chiselhurst, when the young Prince Napoleon attained his majority. It has revealed the existence in that distracted country of an active Bonapartist faction which the blundering and vacillating policy of the Duc de Broglie's cabinet has much encouraged. In Spain, civil war is still raging; in the north the Carlists have obtained successes, but not yet of a decisive character.

In Austria Ecclesiastical Bills have been introduced into the Vienna Reichsrath, regulating the relations between the State and the Church. Although they are not so stringent as the Prussian measures, the Pope in an encyclical declaims against them, but he is not heeded.

It is with extreme thankfulness that we record the return of our expedition from the Gold Coast, after the capture of Coomassie and the burning of the King's Palace. Sir Garnet Wolseley, who has carried out his plans with vigour and ability, was well supported by the gallantry of his troops, and ably seconded by Captain Glover. We trust that the results of the overthrow of the horrible government of the Ashantees may yet be fraught with blessing to Africa.

The reports of the Famine in Bengal are still so far unfavourable as to cause serious apprehensions for the future; but the efforts made to reduce the misery within the narrowest possible limits are energetic, and may yet, we trust, with the Divine blessing, prove successful.

A most strange movement has been set on foot in the United States to arrest the progress of intemperance. It is carried on by women, who meet in or near the liquor stores, and pray for the conversion of the dealers, noting those who frequent the bars, and praying for them also. While we wish heartily the success of their cause, we shrink from an approval of the means adopted, which to us bear an unpleasant likeness to terrorism, even supposing there is no admixture of profanity. How far the conduct of the women engaged may be consistent with female propriety, we cannot pretend to judge. America is not England.

Among the deaths, we notice with regret those of Dr. Binney, the eminent Nonconformist minister, and of the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Harris, ex-Bishop of Gibraltar.

THE SONG OF SONGS: REMARKS ON ITS HISTORY, AUTHORITY, AND LEADING DESIGN.

THE Song of Solomon is one of five books, to which the Jews have given the name of Megiloth, or Scrolls, all of which, at stated seasons, are annually read in the synagogues;_namely, The Song of Songs, on the Feast of the Passover; Ruth, on the Feast of Pentecost; Lamentations, on the ninth of Ab; Ecclesiastes, on the Feast of Tabernacles; and Esther, on that of Purim.

I. There is nothing in this grouping together of several books, however, which implies any resemblance between them, or which could help us to understand, with regard to any one of them, either the nature of the composition, or its inspired design. On the contrary, while each of these Festival Scriptures has its distinctive peculiarities, the Canticles is the most distinct of all. Its very form is unique. Neither in Hebrew literature has it a perfect parallel. Its title, The Song of Songs, does not greatly help us. For this, it has been argued, may mean no more than "The Song which consisteth of many Songs," and implying that the book is an aggregate or collection of single poems, composed by different authors, and at different periods. But the internal evidence is entirely opposed to this view. Whatever its other characteristics, the composition certainly has unity-unity of plan, and treatment, and central purpose. The same sentiments are breathed, the same illustrations recur, the same personages appear and re-appear upon the scene; all indicative of a kind of mental and organic unity in the conception, however deficient the composition may be, as a whole, in the requisites of a formal dramatic plot. But, besides this objection to the view of the book being a loose and mis