Manual of Biblical Geography. A Text Book of Bible History, for the use of Students and Teachers of the Bible. By Rev. J. L. HURLBUT, D.D., with Introduction by Rev. J. H. Vincent, D. D. C. A. Gilling, 9, Strand. As nearly as possible a complete atlas of the Scriptures. The maps, plans, plates, &c., are very abundant, and exceedingly well designed and executed. We wish for the publishers a large sale. For England the maps are, some of them, the less instructive from comparisons made with dimensions of the United States, Texas, &c. That, however, is a comparatively small matter. We do not think that fifteen shillings is quite the price to secure a large sale. Of course it cost much money to prepare the work; but low prices and large sales are the open road to success. Emmanuel: Leaves from the Life and Notes on the Work of Jesus Christ.

By Rev. J. B. FIGGIS, M.A. Partridge and Co.

DEAR Christian reader, this is a delightful volume. Get it as soon as you can, and read it with prayer and praise. We have given a short chapter from it just to show how truly it keeps to the vital doctrine of the cross-the vicarious sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. Homiletical Commentary on the Book of Genesis. By Revs. J. S. EXELL, M.A., and T. H. SEALE, A.K.C. R. D. Dickinson.

COMPILED with labour and care; valuable to ministers, and helpful to teachers. At the same time we do not think it at all comparable to Genesis in "The Pulpit Commentary."

He

A Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. By JOSEPH AGAR BEET. Hodder and Stoughton. MR. BEET is a born commentator. conceives that Luther seized upon the essential idea of this epistle, and that his work is of undying value. This is correct, and shows a just appreciation of the drift of the apostle. Hence our author's own exposition runs upon right lines. Having read extensively upon his theme, Mr. Beet then approaches it and handles it in his own manner, and makes for the thoughtful reader an exposition of the utmost value. The price is 5s.

Scenes and Characters of the Early World. By GEORGE MCHARDY, M.A. Hodder and Stoughton.

HAS our most hearty commendation. The author, in his preface, tells us that his aim was to be practical, and most assuredly he has hit his mark. We have not only read the book, but have turned to some of its chapters again and again. It is sound in doctrine, full of massive common-sense, and in style is fascinating in its simplicity. The book, as its title suggests, treats of some of the most important characters and incidents found in the Book of Genesis, and such is our admiration of its worth, that we can only express a hope that the author may go on as he has begun, and give us a like epitome of each book of the Bible. Teachers and preachers will find the chapters really helpful.

The Women of the Bible. (New Testament). By ETTY WOOLNAM. Partridge and Co.

A SERIES of Bible-class addresses of unusual ability. Capital suggestions for a similar course; helpful to a hardworked teacher. Many a preacher might profit by their clear, luminous lessons, whilst the general reader would find much stimulus and comfort in them. It would have been a mistake to have left them unprinted; and now in the truest sense it may be said of the authoress, "She, being dead, yet speaketh.'

Our Young People's Treasury. A Collection of Interesting Narratives, suitable for Youthful Readers. Houlston and Sons.

To write a good tract is an exceedingly difficult achievement. It must be full of interest, or it will not be read; and it must be saturated with gospel truth, or it will do little good. The papers in this small book are not above the average of tract productions, for they are somewhat ponderous and prosy. A little more snuff in the style of the writers would have saved a measure of yawning in the readers. As it is, we fear only very good people and reviewers will read them: the former not needing them, and the latter not appreciating them.

Brief Essays and Sketches. By MATILDA STURGE. J. Harris & Co., 5, Bishopsgate Without.

THE name of Sturge has long been honourably associated with the Society of Friends, and this little volume will help to sustain its influence in that body. It consists for the most part of a republication of reflections upon biographies of eminent female philanthropists which had appeared in the periodicals of the Society. The authoress is eminently entitled, both by her religious and literary qualifications, to give her opinions upon the subject on which she writes. These opinions are such as they might have been expected to be from the peculiar point of view of a Friend. Evangelical and moral principles are too much confounded, and faith is made less prominent than its fruits. Deep convictions of sin are thought to have more of nature in them than of grace, and conversions are considered to be less reliable when sudden than when they are the result of imperceptible growth. On these matters we might have something to say which we should not find in this volume: there is, however, such a deep and genuine sympathy with experimental and practical piety in these pages that it cannot fail to meet with a response in all who are enamoured with the beauties of holiness. Long may there be such a gracious leaven among the Quakers, whom we never think of without reverent affection. They have done a great work, and we trust that the sceptical party among them will never become so strong as to mar the achievements of their fathers. We cannot allow ourselves to fear that the Friends will ever give forth an uncertain testimony as to the atoning sacrifice of our Lord; there is no taint of this sort in the book before us.

The Well-being of Nations. By Rev. GEORGE J. SMITH, B.A. William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh. THE well-being of nations is here very properly shown to depend upon the well-being of individuals and families. The best way to benefit the nation is to be diligent and conscientious in the discharge of private, relative, and social duties. Apostles have shown in their Epistles how much the well-being of churches depends upon the performance

of relative duties by the private members. The author of this book proves himself to be a minister of the true apostolic order, by explaining and enforcing with clearness and fidelity the duties of Christians as Christians, in the several relations of children and parents, servants and masters, subjects and rulers. These, which were well-worn themes in former years, need much to be revived in the present age. Neither the English nor the Scotch fireside is what it once was. If family discipline was formerly too strictly enforced, it is too loosely regarded now. Social gatherings for amusement or instruction, and even for philanthropic and religious purposes, often entrench upon home duties, which must be acknowledged to have the first claim upon us. On this ground we consider this little volume to be of great practical utility: we commend it both for its subject and for its unpretentious adaptation to its end.

Gordon Anecdotes. A Sketch of the Career, with Illustrations of the Character of Charles George Gordon, C.E. By Dr. MACAULAY. Religious Tract Society.

BRAVEST of the brave, Gordon has deservedly won the admiration of our nation. Any scrap of information about him is prized, and very naturally so; hence these anecdotes will command a large circle of readers. So long as we must have soldiers, let them be of this noble order; yet there is a more excellent way, and we trust the day will soon come when godly men will shake themselves free from all complicity with offensive wars, if not from bloodshed of every kind." They that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Oliver Cromwell and Gordon are two of our heroes, but we trust that other Christians will only follow them so far as they followed Christ.

Profil-Sharing between Capital and

Labour. Six Essays by SEDLEY TAYLOR, M.A. Kegan Paul and Co. CONTAINS many important facts, going to show that the best and happiest results have attended the plan of giving the employed a personal interest in the business of their masters. The book teaches co-operation in labour, and teaches it most judiciously and forcibly by telling examples.

The Abiding Christ; and other Sermons. By the Rev. W. M. STATHAM. Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row. THESE sermons, as the author anticipates, will, without doubt, be read with considerable interest by those who heard them; and as they were delivered during three separate pastorates, they will have more than usual acceptance on that account. The reputation which the author has gained by his other writings will secure a fair demand for his published discourses. Apart from these considerations, we do not see in them sufficiently clear and pronounced sentiments, or so much beauty of style, as to make them prominently attractive or permanently useful.

Scripture Biography and its Teachings. By JOSEPH HASSELL. Blackie and Son, 49 and 50, Old Bailey.

As this work is the result of twenty years' experience in conducting the Bibleclass of a training college, those who are similarly engaged may reasonably look to it for valuable help, and we can assure them they will not look in vain. The study of Scripture characters is one of the most instructive and engaging to which the attention of the more advanced pupils in Sunday-schools, Bible-classes, and families can be directed. These characters are so well selected, arranged, and expounded in this volume as to leave little or nothing within the same compass to be desired. Though professedly elementary, a thorough knowledge of its contents could hardly fail to make the man of God thoroughly perfect, furnished unto all good works.

Metaphors of the Gospels. By DONALD

FRASER, D.D. James Nisbet and Co. THE interpretation of the metaphors in the teaching of our Lord is here narrowed down to the occasions by which they were suggested, and the meaning which was, or ought to have been, given to them by those to whom they were first delivered. Surely this is a needless restriction. If the instruction contained in them had not been intended for a more extensive application, there would not, we think, have been sufficient reason for placing them upon the inspired record for the use of future ages. There was more gospel in them, we presume, than could have been known at their

first utterance. In the death of a single grain of wheat for the life of many, for instance, not only is there no expressed reference to the sacrificial import of the death of Christ, but we are told by our author that there is no such reference, although it is in close connection with the fact of God being glorified by it. The reason assigned for this is that "he was not speaking exclusively to Jews and Galileans familiar with the Old Testament propitiatory system, but to Greeks; " and yet those Greeks could not have been ignorant of the idea of sacrificial death as an atonement for sin. What little there is of evangelical teaching, in this volume, is in harmony with the well-known intelligence and literary acquirements of the author, although these, on other occasions, have been more signally displayed.

Pearls from the East. Stories and Incidents from Bible History. By Rev. RICHARD NEWTON, D.D. F. E. Longley.

THERE is no living divine who can better instruct and delight the young than our author; and these pearls from Bible treasuries gleam with a tender and beauteous light under the touch of his hand. Scripture truth in such bright and vivid form is worth a ton of the poor fiction which abounds on every hand. Echoes from a Village Church. By the Rev. F. HARPER, M.A. Nisbet and Co.

A LITTLE Volume of short, simple sermons, which have the rare, but allimportant merit of being true to the Word of the Lord. Oh, that such testimonies to divine grace could be heard in every parish church, and in every Dissenting meeting-house!

Moments on the Mount. A Series of Devotional Meditations. By Rev. GEORGE MATHESON, M.A., D.D. Nisbet and Co.

CHOICE Chapters upon chosen texts, suitable for private reading, or for enlargement into public discourses. It is seldom that a man can kill two birds with one stone, but Dr. Matheson has accomplished two purposes with signal success. The truly spiritual reader will find much wholesome and delightful food in these meditations.

The Sunshine of Religion. By J. E. PAGE, T. Woolmer, 2, Castle Street, City Road, E.C., and 66, Paternoster Row.

VERY good, with just a flavour of that perfectionism which we are disposed to question. Our author does not seem to understand the doctrine of the two natures: his experience has been unusually joyous, and he has seen less of his own inward corruption than has fallen to the lot of many others. In all

his persuasion to a holy, happy, heavenly life, we are heartily at one with him; but when he talks of the conflict being ended we differ from him altogether. We shall cease to make progress when we think we have attained, and we shall fall into carnal security when we believe that there is no more need for watching and wrestling. Perhaps our author really means no more than we do, but he has awkward modes of expression. Anything that urges men to the highest sanctification is so agreeable to our mind that we are sorry to differ when we feel compelled to do so.

One story, which shows how holiness should reveal itself in happiness, is well worth quoting:

"A little girl had a good mother, who taught her, by word and example, the beautifulness of religion-taught her that to follow Christ meant goodness, kindness, happiness. One day that Christian mother said to her girl, There is a lady coming to visit us this afternoon.' 'Yes, mamma.' And she is a

very holy woman.' "Yes, mamma.'

That afternoon there was a knock at the door, and their visitor came. The child expected one so lovable that she could at once throw her arms round her neck and kiss her. The lady came in, and seated herself, and the first notice she took of the child was to administer a rebuke for something she noticed in her dress or manner. The little girl sat in silence while the interview lasted, and when the door was closed behind the visitor she said, 'Mamma, I don't want to be very holy.' Alas for the misrepresentation of Christ in the lives of those who profess to follow Him! If it be an evil thing to speak against religion, surely it is more evil to live against itto live so as to make the impression that it is a thing of gloom and sadness."

An Introduction to the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. By A. H. SAYCE, M.A. Religious Tract Society.

To many the stories of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are jumbled together. By the help of this learned introduction the facts will be set forth in due order. The more scholarly a man is, the more he will appreciate this work of Mr. Sayce. By means of a continuous narrative our author here gives us a commentary of a very useful kind, not made up of doctrinal reflections, but of historic facts. Recent monumental discoveries relating to the days of Cyrus are utilized and made to furnish illustrations of Holy Writ, some of which are here given for the first time. This work should be in every library of reference.

Kissing its Curious Bible Mentions. By JAMES NEil, M.A. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

THE title will prove attractive because it suggests amusement, but the contents of the little book are as solid as gold. Very much of really valuable information of a rare sort is here set forth. Incidentally other matters are touched upon as well as kissing, and the touch is that of a master's hand. We fully endorse the following remarks upon the holy kiss:—

แ Kissing the cheek, in the East, answers exactly to our hearty shaking of hands between those of the same social station when meeting in familiar intercourse; and if the Holy Spirit had been writing in our age and clime, instead of eighteen hundred years ago in the East, we may say, with all reverence, that he would have commanded believers to salute one another with a holy shaking of hands'; to meet, that is, as brethren of one rank before God, members of the same body, children of the same Father. 'Let the brother who [is] low, glory in his exaltation; but the rich in his humiliation.' Let it not be said that you have dishonoured the poor man,' or that you have respect to persons.' James i. 9; ii. 6, 9. This is the glorious truth contained in the words, 'salute one another with a holy kiss,' which, like most of the deepest and strongest sayings of Scripture, convey instruction under a figurative, rather than a literal form."