and shows the wish to offer some meet tribute to the excellence it records.

Posthumous Works of the Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL.D. Edited by the Rev. William Hanna, LL.D. Vol. IX. Prelections on Butler's Analogy, Paley's Evidences of Christianity, and Hill's Lectures in Divinity. With Two Introductory Lectures, and four Addresses delivered in the New College, Edinburgh. 8vo., pp. 1, 498. Hamiltons. -This volume concludes the posthumous publications from the manuscripts left by Dr. Chalmers, and thus places before us the completion of the record of his literary labours. His works, as published by himself, extend to twenty-five duodecimo volumes. His posthumous works are included in nine volumes octavo. Probably, had these last been published uniformly with the others, fifteen volumes would have been required, making the whole number forty. Besides his labours in preaching and teaching, while he lived, and the effects produced by them on others, who will carry the influence into their respective spheres of action, he now stands in that important class on whom even death cannot impose silence, and who continue to act with great power on successive generations. Happy is it for the church and the world when such perpetual teachers are found to be teachers of truth and righteousness! Such was, such is, Dr. Chalmers. Of course there are subjects in systematic theology on which we very widely differ from him; but this is not to hinder the acknowledgment, that he not only taught the great truths of the Gospel, but taught them in reference to their ultimate design. He was eminently a practical teacher, who well understood, and ably explained and enforced, the grand principles and rules of the invaluable ethics of Christianity. This last volume is somewhat fragmentary in its character; but the pieces which it contains did not the less merit publication. Many things contained in the Prelections of Dr. Chalmers have been worked up in separate treatises; and Dr. Hanna has rightly thought that, to publish merely the germs of larger developments already given, would be a needless tax on the purchaser. Much, however, remained, far too good for oblivion, and which no student in theology can read without profit. Much care has been evidently given to the preparation of this concluding volume, the last, but not the least in value. Indeed, both to the Editor and Publisher of these "Posthumous Works," the readers of Dr. Chalmers

are under great obligation, for the substance and the form of what they have thus given to the world.

A contemporary Account of the Suferings of the Rebels sentenced by Judge Jeffreys.-A Memorandum of the wonderful Providences of God to a poor unworthy Creature, during the Time of the Duke of Monmouth's Rebellion and to the Revolution in 1688. By John Coad, one of the Sufferers. Large 16mo., pp. xiii, 141, Longmans. This very interesting volume is printed from an old Ms. to which Mr. Macaulay was permitted to have access in preparing his "History of England," and which in that work he mentions approvingly. John Coad narrowly escaped with his life, and was banished to Jamaica, only regaining his liberty at the Revolution. The publishers have given the book very appropriately such an antique appearance that the reader would take it for a fac-simile republication from an old edition. The narrative, in addition to its autobiographical interest, possesses historical value, as showing how some good men in humble life thought and rea soned respecting the public occurrences of the day: how such a man as John Coad, for instance, was induced to join in Monmouth's rebellion,-for such it really was. We are glad that this permanent form is given to a work which, in Ms., must soon have ceased to exist, and thank both the Editor and Publisher for the pains they have taken with it.

Sacred Annals: Volume 11.-The Hebrew People; or, The History and Religion of the Israelites, from the Origin of the Nation to the Time of Christ: Deduced from the writings of Moses and other Inspired Authors; and illustrated by copious References to the ancient Records, Traditions, and Mythology of the Heathen World. By George Smith, F.A.S., &c., &c. Longmans.-The good fame already won by this Author is here quite sustained. We cannot at present follow him in the detail of his grand subject; but, waiting for the opportunity of doing so, we at once hail his second volume. It is elaborate and excellent. The spirit in which the Annalist's numerous and recondite inquiries are pursued, is worthy of a Christian, and of a philosopher. His pages comprise a Commentary on a large part of Holy Scripture, presented in new and engaging form; as well as a store of collateral instruction not to be easily exhausted. To Divinity Students, to our literary Youth in general, and indeed to

all who aspire to an intelligent use of the Old Testament, this fruit of Mr. Smith's labour will be truly valuable. We are glad to understand that the future volume of the series, which will embrace Gentile History and Religion from the Death of Isaac to the Christian Era, may be expected in a short time.

The New Testament expounded and illustrated, according to the usual Marginal References, in the very Words of Holy Scripture. Together with the Notes and Translations, and a complete marginal Harmony of the Gospels. By Clement Moody, M.A., Magdalen Hall, Oxford, &c. Longmans.-This goodly

volume contains the narrative Books of the New Testament. Its worthy object is, to promote the habit of making Scripture its own interpreter. Dr. Blayney, who in the 18th century revised our Authorised Version, corrected the marginal references provided by his predecessors, and increased the number by tens of thousands. Mr. Moody spreads before us, in a most agreeable way, the words of Dr. Blayney's references, and thus collects their scattered lights. In doing this, he wisely resolves to make the sense of each reference complete; thus sparing the reader's longer search. The "Notes" and "Translations" are Blayney's marginal summaries, etymologies, &c.; and the "Harmony " follows Greswell.

The Comprehensive Pocket-Bible. With explanatory Notes, &c. By D. Davidson. Edinburgh. Brydone.-A remarkably "comprehensive" publication. The preliminary matter, which is copious and good, goes to some of the most interesting biblical points; and the Notes condense a world of information. Maps and vignettes, of great beauty, are added.

The Book of the Prophet Joel. (In Hebrew.) Bagsters.—A beautiful specimen of metrical arrangement. Joel, selected as being throughout poetical, appears with great advantage in parallelisms. We hope the esteemed Publishers will be encouraged to bring out other Prophetical Scriptures in the same appropriate form.

The Thoughts on Religion, and Evidences of Christianity, of Pascal; (newly translated and arranged, with large additions from original MSS.;) from the French Edition of M. P. Faugère. With Introduction, Notes, &c., by George Pearce, Esq. Longmans. While complete in itself, this is the third volume of a series which comprises Pascal's Works, Scientific Trea

tises excepted. Mr. Pearce's aim has been, as he observes in his "Introduction," ""to give to a classic of a high order in French literature the place to which he is entitled among our own standard writings." Having welcomed him as he entered on his work, we now rejoice in its successful completion, and commend Pascal, as thus offered, to the deep and serious consideration which his singular merits claim.

Memoirs of the Life, Character, and Labours of the Rev. John Smith, late of Sheffield. By Richard Treffry, jun. With an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. James Dixon, D.D. Sixth Edition. John Mason.-This Record of self-consuming zeal is well known, as its successive Editions testify. In the crowded state of our columns we may, therefore, satisfy ourselves with giving it a fresh welcome. It will be read by few, studied by none, without advantage. Its value is materially enhanced by Dr. Dixon's Essay, which extends to page lxi, and which, in an ample variety of eloquent and spirit-stirring passages, is worthy of its Author's pen.

The Christian Life: a Manual of Sacred Verse. By Robert Montgomery, M.A., Oxon., Author of "The Omnipresence of the Deity," &c., &c. Flsep. 8vo., pp. xvi, 479. A. Hall and Co.Two circumstances are connected with the present volume which we think deserve notice and record. Within the last few years an "Hospital for Consumption" has been established in the neighbourhood of London. With this benevolent institution Mr. Montgomery has been associated from the beginning; and he now publishes this work with the design of advancing its interests.

By a

"legal document the writer has assigned one half of whatever profits may accrue from its circulation, in perpetuo, to the Hospital for Consumption." The purchaser will therefore have the pleasure of reflecting that a portion of his money will be applied to an object in which considering that "of the 60,000 deaths which occur every year in England and Wales from slow and lingering diseases, about 36,000 are probably due to Pulmonary Consumption "-all the dwellers in this land have a melancholy interest. Our second remark is, that in our judgment this is Mr. Robert Montgomery's best volume. There are more of his peculiar excellencies, fewer of his peculiar faults. We are not sure whether this is not owing to the comparative shortness of the pieces which it contains. Less elaboration was therefore necessary;

and when a subject must still be pursued where the feeling with which the writer began is in some measure exhausted, there is always a danger of continuing the language of feeling, (heightened, perhaps, by the very consciousness that feeling itself is weakened,) and thus of approaching the confines, at all events, of what very much resembles bombast. Whether the author would always have succeeded best in lyrical poetry, is a question into which we shall not enter. It is enough to say that he has succeeded now. Most of the pieces contain a richness of poetry, combined with a clearness of truth, which will make them both instructive and pleasing to the reader. We ought to add, that our readers may be aware of the character of the entire volume, that the pieces from page 416 to the end are placed under the heading, "My Prayer-Book," and contain references to some of the leading subjects thus suggested. In this portion, expressions occur with which we can by no means coincide. The value of the Liturgy, as a hu man composition, we have never denied ; but neither can we be blind to its defects. Nor can we shut our eyes to the fact that there are many who, under this general acknowledgment of excellency, shelter their own principal adherence to what is defective and erroneous, and thus construct a religious system the prediction of which before Latimer at the stake would have aroused his honest indignation, and made him tremble for the candle that he trusted he was then lighting. However, this, as it is the least valuable portion of Mr. Montgomery's volume, is at the same time the smallest.

The Father of Methodism: or, the Life of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. Written for Children and young Per

sons.

By Nehemiah Curnock, Wesleyan Minister. 18mo., pp. vi, 74. John Mason. A happy idea, and well wrought out. The leading facts in the eventful life of Mr. Wesley are given, expressed in language which, though plain, as it ought to be in a work in tended for the young,-does not in the least degree approach to that vulgar coarseness which is sometimes, most mistakenly, identified with plainness. The young, in all that is prepared for them, ought to be treated with the respect which, while it descends to them, descends for the purpose of elevating them. This Mr. Curnock has done, and furnished a little volume admirably adapted to its purpose. Those readers who have not the opportunity of

VOL. VI.-FOURTH SERIES.

reading the larger volumes which have been devoted to the biography of Mr. Wesley, would be benefited as well as interested by reading the one which Mr. Curnock has prepared. No Wesleyan should allow himself to live in ignorance of the life of a man for whom so great a debt of gratitude and praise is due to Almighty God.

Sketches of Character, and other Pieces in Verse. By Anna H. Potts. 12mo., pp. vii, 215. J. W. Parker.Some years ago, the true well of Parnassus gushed forth in copious streams: latterly, we have been almost inundated with outpourings from its lower springs, and sometimes from springs only in the neighbourhood of the hill. We confess that we were almost reluctant to open a volume professing to be poetry. We have here been most pleasingly disappointed. We are much mistaken if this is not poetry that will live, and give the writer a position among the female poets of the nineteenth century. We do not mean to detract from the originality of the composition by saying that it has often reminded us, both in substance and form, conception and expression, of some of the happiest efforts of Jane Taylor; especially of her occasional touches of quiet but well-pointed humour, her delicate truthfulness, her knowledge of human character, and her abiding adherence to sacred truth. young female readers especially will here find poetry that will not only gratify them, but improve them.

Our

Lessons on Industrial Education, for the Use of Female Schools, by a Lady. 12mo., pp. vii, 220. Longmans.-A work of humble pretension, perhaps, but of real and, speaking relatively, great value, calculated to assist in making good servants and housewives, and thus in promoting domestic comfort in no ordinary degree. Although primarily intended for persons in comparatively humble life, it will supply much useful information even to those who have the advantage of receiving an education capable of being "finished," as the phrase is. It is as important to know how to be a good mistress, as how to be a good servant.

The Working Classes: their Moral, Social, and Intellectual Condition; with Practical Suggestions for their Improvement. By G. Simmons, Civil Engineer. Foolscap 8vo., pp. viii, 316. Partridge and Oakey.-It may serve to give some idea of the contents of this volume if we mention the subjects of the different chapters, and add, as a particular in

G

stance, the subordinate topics of some one of them. Social Condition of the Working Classes-Their PrinciplesThe Importance of Improving themMeans for Improving them-Practical Suggestions for Improving them. The first chapter is thus arranged: Introduction-Agricultural Labourers-General Labourers-Domestic Female Servants -Tailors and Shoemakers-The Manufacturing Classes-Dressmakers, Policenien, and Porters-Colliers and Miners -Sailors and Soldiers-Thieves-Mendicants, &c. The importance of a work on subjects thus suggested, can scarcely be overrated; and we fully agree with the author in what appears to be his grand principle, that all efforts to secure the improvement which is so desirable must be based on religion, and guided by it.

In such a number and variety of topics, there is, of course, great room for diversity of opinion; but a treatise like this is not for ordinary readers. It is for the thoughtful Christian patriot, who desires to do what good he can to the masses of his fellow-creatures around him. He reads, therefore, to have subjects brought before him on which he may seriously reflect, and then form his own judgment as to his own plans. To such readers, having such objects in view, we earnestly recommend the volume. In many respects it will afford valuable guidance; and even where it does not, it will be usefully suggestive.

Monthly Volumes of the Tract Society:

The Court of Persia. By Dr. Kitto. The People of Persia. By Dr. Kitto. Plants and Trees of Scripture. Life's Last Hours; or, the Final Testimony.

Life of John Kaspar Lavater. All of them mingling well, as usual, the useful with the agreeable.

The Philosophy of Food and Nutrition in Plants and Animals. By the Rev. Edwin Sidney, A.M. Foolscap 8vo., pp. 192. Religious Tract Society. -An able and perspicuous treatise on the subject to which it is devoted; designed, not for professional students, but for general readers; and calculated, as well as intended, to exhibit the adorable wisdom and benevolence of God, as displayed throughout the whole system of organized life. We are wonderfully sustained, as well as wonderfully made.

The Wesleyan Vindicator and Constitutional Methodist. No. I. January 1st, 1850. Edited by the Rev. Samuel Jackson, and a Sub-Committee.

John Mason. "We engage in business, says one of the ancients, "that we may be at leisure; and we wage war that we may live in peace." This is the object of the "Vindicator; " and its Conducto:s may be confident that, in their righteous cause, the field of argument will be speedily won. The papers supplied in their first Number are,-The Case stated-Disastrous Consequences of unnecessary Agitation in ChurchesWesleyan Reform - Notices of Meetings and Books. Though of necessity polemical, they yield evidence that the writers have not forgotten the duty of "speaking the truth in love." That any who have borne the Wesleyan name can descend to a very different style, is inexpressibly humbling; and, in this regard, the monitory examples need not be lost. But, assuredly, we shall not sully our pages with any detail of the vulgarity, intemperance, and calumny, which an unhappy occasion has called forth. It is cheering to observe that the wellaffected masses of the people are with their Pastors. But there are some who need to be put on their guard,to be fortified against troublers who are unscrupulous enough to practise

on

unsuspecting simplicity. An appeal is carried to parties who cannot be adequately prepared to weigh the questions at issue. The declaimers know quite well that their ignoble trade depends on this state of things; and hence the tone of confidence in which they talk to the assemblies which, for an hour of delusive notoriety, they attract. But how will they review these proceedings seven years hence, should life be prolonged? How, in the hour of their departure? How, in "the day of the Lord Jesus?"We are not ashamed to say, for ourselves, that these solemn thoughts chasten the feelings which such an occasion too naturally kindles. For freedom of discussion, and all proper freedom, we are ready to plead. But there is a freedom which cannot consist with order, purity, or even civilisation. Adam had doubtless greater liberty in the wild, than in the garden from which he was banished. We prefer the garden, nevertheless; and, while secure in its happy enclosure, can pity those whom an untamed spirit misleads to wander among briers and thorns. Let us, at the same time, requite the bitterness of our opponents by praying that God may show them the error of their ways, and the awful responsibility they are incurring. And let all our dear people carry our cause, which is theirs

also, to the throne of the heavenly Grace. Their interests and those of their ministers are indivisible.

The Wesleyan Ministers and their Slanderers: being an Investigation into the Christian Propriety of the Disci plinary Acts of the late Conference: a religious Estimate of the public Conduct of the Expelled Ministers; and a brief Erposure of the Calumny with which the Ministers and Institutions of Methodism have been recently assailed. By George Smith, F.S.A., &c., &c. 8vo., pp. 52. John Mason.-The title-page renders it needless to state the nature of the contents of this pamphlet: the reader will find in its pages all that the title promises. In fact, the whole subject is examined as much at length as the size of the work allows. It is a masterly production, simple, lucid, and logically consecutive. Let all who honestly wish to know the truth, and are willing to embrace it on whichever side it is found, read Mr. Smith's pamphlet, and we have no doubt of the result. They, indeed, who think that the institutions of Methodism are fundamentally wrong, and who merely espouse the cause of the expelled ministers in order to promote an agitation by means of which they hope to effect a revolution in the system, will little regard Mr. Smith's reasoning, though even on this point he has some forcible remarks, suggested by his view of the subject (to use his own phrase) as a practical man of business. We wish, too, that some of the agitators would ponder his sayings on the character of the agitation when viewed in reference to the ethics of the New Testament. By too many, sins of the flesh seem to be regarded as the only sins into which a man is in danger of falling, forgetting that sins of the spirit have an equal condemnation fixed on them. They would do well to ask, why the wicked is called "devil." Perhaps if this were well considered, slander would be seen to be more than a mere peccadillo, and to be as truly a mortal sin as any other sin whatever. But we call attention to no separate portion of Mr. Smith's pamphlet. Let the whole be well weighed. We may be allowed to express our admiration especially of the spirit in which Mr. Smith has written. In giving the commanding commonsense view of the case, he writes like a gentleman and a Christian. Nor should it be forgotten that as a layman, who has at different times had a seat in various connexional Committees, he can both view the case as from without, and state

one

from his own knowledge the practical working of the system. Nor do we confine our recommendation to those who may be in danger of being affected by the agitation. The character which this has assumed, unless we are to cease to be guided by the New Testament, imposes a universal obligation to repress it with righteous indignation. The reader of Mr. Smith's pages will soon see how important are the aspects which the case has assumed. The Wesleyan Ministers themselves, while deeply grateful for Mr. Smith's testimony, will be greatly cheered by it. Such an independent and argumentative approval outweighs whole columns of abuse.

England in the Eighteenth Century; or, a History of the Reigns of the House of Hanover, from the Accession of George I. to the Peace of Amiens. Religious Tract Society.

A Memorial concerning Personal and Family Fasting and Humiliation. By the late Rev. Thomas Boston, of Ettrick. With Prefatory Remarks and Appendix, by the Rev. Alexander Moody Stuart, A.M., of Free St. Luke's Church, Edinburgh. Johnstone and Hunter.

Memoirs of eminent Sunday-school Teachers. With Two Essays: I. On the Importance of Sunday-schools. II. On the Office of Sunday-school Teaching. By the Rev. Thomas Timpson. John Snow.

The respective Peculiarities in the Creeds of the Mahometan and the Hindu which stand in the Way of Conversion to the Christian Faith: an Essay, which obtained Sir Peregrine Maitland's Prize for the Year 1848. By Ernest Frederick Fiske, M.A., of Emmanuel College. Cambridge: Deighton. London: Rivingtons.

A Memoir of the Rev. Thomas Dykes, LL.B., Incumbent of St. John's Church, Hull; with copious Extracts from his Correspondence. By the Rev. John King, M.A., Incumbent of Christ's Church, Hull. 8vo. Seeleys.

Liebig and Kopp's Annual Report of the Progress of Chemistry and the allied Sciences, for 1847-8. Taylor, Walton, and Maberly.

Letters and Memoirs of the late Dr. Shirley, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Edited by Thomas Hill, B.D., Archdeacon of Derby. Hatchards.

The Anglo-Saxon, a New Quarterly, on Original Principles. Longmans; Bosworth.

Grote's History of Greece. Vols. I. to VI. New Edition. Murray.

A Second Visit to the United States