BRIEF NOTICES. The Paragraph Bible. The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the authorized version, Arranged in Paragraphs and Parallelisms, with an entirely new Selection of References to Parallel and Illustrative Passages, Prefaces to the several books, and Numerous Notes. London: Religious Tract Society. When the notice which appeared in our January number was written, this work had not been printed long enough to render it safe to bind it; but having now seen it in elegant costume, we take the opportunity to say that it is to be obtained handsomely bound, and to advise our young readers to inspect it in that state. Many of them will undoubtedly prefer it to any other, on account of its portability, its beauty, and the instructive accompaniments to the inspired writings which it contains. We submit, also, to the conductors of the society the propriety of placing it before their elder friends in an octavo or a quarto form. Lectures on the Gospel according to Luke. By the Rev. JAMES FOOTE, A.M., Minister of the Free East Church, Aberdeen. Second Edition, Edinburgh and London: J. Johnstone. 12mo. Three Volumes, cloth. | simplicity, both in matter and in style, he read and consulted a great many authors, and was at great pains to make up his mind decidedly as to the meaning of the sacred text. In general, he has given only the result to which his examinations led him; occasionally, however, he has given a full statement of the steps by which he was led to the result." We will add, that there is just that proportion of criticism which would be acceptable to one of our most intelligent congregations in this country, and that our best instructed ministers will find enough well conducted investigation to repay them for a perusal of the work. Mr. Foote's sentiments are thoroughly evangelical, his judgment is sound, and his productions are evidently the result of much thought and reading. Is Christianity from God? or, a Manual of Christian Evidence for Scripture Readers, City Missionaries, Sunday School Teachers, &c. By the Rev. J. CUMMING, D.D. London: Arthur Hall and Co. 12mo., pp. 284. Infidelity, it is said, is a characteristic of the age. If, as there is too much reason to believe, this witness is true, it is of the last importance that every disciple of Christ should set himself in earnest to counteract and arrest the evil. One way in which he may do this is, to be himself an intelligent believer of the Christianity which he has professedly espousedknowing not only what he believes, but wherefore he believes it-and being thus prepared It would delight us exceedingly to find that the mode of communicating and receiving instruction which in Scotland is called lecturing was become popular in the southern part of this island. In that case we should expect that our friends would become grounded and established in the true doctrine of Christ more completely than they ever can be where public teaching is confined to the delivery of pulpit discourses of a more rhetorical character, which require less study on the part of the preacher, and afford less solid advantages to the hearer. That this will be the case in an increased degree at no very distant period, we fondly hope, as education, intelligence, and a desire to examine the foundations of currently received opinions advance. Meanwhile, there is no class of books which we receive from our northern neighbours with greater satisfaction than the commentaries occasionally published by their more judicious and skilful men on single books of scripture. Mr. Foote is known among us as the author of an excellent treatise on Effectual Calling; and these lectures will establish and extend his reputation. They are printed in the same form, he tells us, in which they were preached in the congregation to whom he ministers. He adds that, "all very long criticisms would have been unsuitable in popular discourses; but criticism has been often introduced, where it was thought that it could be brought to bear in a perfectly intelligible, brief, natural, and useful way. The author can truly say, that while he was studious of to give an answer to every man that asketh him, a reason of the hope that is within him." This duty is specially incumbent on those who are placed in a position favourable for forming the character or guiding the inquiries of others; and hence the scripture reader or home missionary, the sabbath school teacher or head of a family, should not regard himself as thoroughly furnished for his particular vocation until he has made himself familiar with the evidences by which the genuineness, authenticity, and inspiration of the scriptures are supported. In the present day this point is easily secured,-works clearly and forcibly written, adapted to the attainments and circumstances of all, being very accessible. To those who have neither time nor ability to consult larger and more elaborate treatises, Dr. Cumming's "Manual" will be found invaluable; and we think the doctor has rendered great and good service to the cause of Christianity generally, and to the parties for whose benefit this work was specially designed in particular, by this treatise. This Manual of Christian Evidence abounds with the "seeds of thought," while many points are amplified and illustrated with great originality and beauty. Among other topics introduced and ably discussed are the following, Does creation prove the existence of God? Is a revelation from God to man probable and necessary? Is names of the lecturers may be learned by referring to the extracts there given, one being taken from each, and his name appended to it. The subjects are, The Characteristics of Romanism and of Protestantism God in History The Bearing of Commerce on the Spread of Christianity-The Common Origin of the Human Race-Modern Infidel Philosophy-The Possession of Spiritual Religion the surest Preservative from the Snares of Infidelity and the Seductions of False Philosophy -The Characteristics of the Middle Ages The French Revolution of 1848. The Church and the World -Internal Evidences of the Divine Inspiration of Scriptures of the Old and New Cardinal Wolsey Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart., a Study for Young Men. The book will be found a very acceptable addition to the library of any young man or young woman. Testament Poems by EDWARD HENRY BICKERSTETH, Curate of Banningham, Norfolk. Cambridge: Macmillan and Co. London: Seeleys. 18mo., pp. xii., 236. Having completed his preparatory studies and entered upon ministerial engagements, Mr. E. H. Bickersteth has made a selection from the poetic compositions in which he had exercised himself from time to time during the last five years, and has sent them into the world under the auspices of his respected father. To his father's friends, as well as to his own, they will give pleasure; and though we do not anticipate for the volume much more than this, the evidence it affords of piety, talent, and good sense, renders it probable that the world may become indebted to the author hereafter for more valuable productions. A short specimen will be found on a preceding page. The Pastor's Wife. A Memoir of Mrs. Sherman of Surrey Chapel. By her Husband. London: C. Gilpin. 8vo., pp. 464. When we received this work it was our intention to give such a review as might enable us to hold up to our readers those parts of the character of the estimable lady to whom it refers as might be imitated with the greatest advantage. Other demands on our time and space have, however, interfered with our design, and we now feel that some notice of it must be taken immediately. Without the slightest hesitation we can commend it to our readers as an interesting and instructive piece of biography with which they will do well to make themselves acquainted. Many of them will take our word for this, we trust, without waiting for proof; but we hope that an opportunity will soon occur for presenting them with evidence of the truth of our opinion, in the form of extracts. The Mirror of Sunday School Teachers: containing Biographical Memoirs of One Hundred 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, Author of the "Companion to the Bible," "The Youth's Key to the Bible," "British Ecclesiastical History," &c. London: Book Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge, 12, Paternoster Row, 1848. pp. viii., 376. Our only regret respecting this work is that our recommendation of it has been so long delayed. The plan and the execution are equally good. The biographical part includes sketches of twenty-four ministers, six ministers' wives, twenty missionaries, eleven female missionaries, eight deacons, eleven superintendents, fourteen philanthropic gentlemen, and nine philanthropic ladies. All these being persons who took a lively interest in the instruction of the young on Lord's days, it will be believed readily that their memoirs are pleasing and suggestive. The Essay on the Office of Sunday School Teacher is divided into chapters on the Dignity of the Office of Sunday School Teacher-the Grand Object of Teacher's Means of employing his ObjectSunday School Teachers-the Sunday School Qualifications of Sunday School TeachersQualifications of Superintendents-Benefits of Sunday Schools to Teachers-Sunday School Teachers' conduct to their Colleagues - the Spirit of a Sunday School Teacher in his Duties-his Discouragements-his Temptations his Encouragements and Motives to Diligence. Judicious observations are made on these and similar topics. We know of no work better adapted to excite and cherish the sabbath school spirit, or to yield assistance to those who are engaged in the arduous employment of which it treats. Conversations on British Church History: adapted to Youth. By J. K. FOSTER, Canterbury, late Resident Tutor of Cheshunt College. London. Price 2s. 6d. These papers were published some time ago in the Sunday School Magazine, for the instruction and benefit of the young, and they are now republished in a volume at the request "of many who perused them in their original form" They include seventeen "Conversations," and embrace many of the principal events in church history, from the times of our British ancestors down to the eighteenth century. They are written in a familiar style, the tone is evangelical, the spirit is good, and parents and teachers may place the book in the bands of their children and pupils with safety and advantage. Should a second edition be called for, we hope Mr. Foster will not give any countenance to the absurd tradition about Constantine and his vision of the cross. What are the Bishops doing? An Appeal to his Grace the most Reverend Father in God, John, by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Canterbury; Primate of all England and Metropolitan. With a Dedication to the Right Honourable Lord John Russell, Prime Minister to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. By a Freeholder of the Province of Canterbury. London: Gilpin. 12mo., pp. 174. laws ordaining that if a slave on the Lord's day did any work at the command of his lord, he should be set free, and his lord punished by a fine of thirty shillings; but that if a slave acted thus of his own accord, he should be beaten with a cudgel, or "save his skin by a fine." He cites also indulgences granted by the protestant Elizabeth and her immediate successors authorizing their beloved people to edify themselves on the Lord's days with bull-baiting, cock-fighting, dog-fighting, quoits, wrestling, bear-gardens, and theatrical shows. We thank the author for his facts, but to some of his inferences we demur. Pp. xv., 284. This is a bold and earnest appeal to the primate of all England by a freeholder of the Evangelical Melodies. London: Dalton, &c., province of Canterbury. He writes like a man fully awake to the evils of church and state, which he has set before the archbishop in a way that must have made his ears tingle, being one of the evangelical party. Among other things the freeholder tells his primate what some of the archbishops and bishops have done, as well as what they are doing, to make a gain of godliness. "Dr. Markham, predecessor of the late archbishop of York, is said to have given, on the Christmas-day before his decease, the sum of £47,000 to his forty-seven grand-children, thereby evading the legacy duty, though so deeply indebted to the nation and the government; and to have left £100,000 besides real estates. His successor is believed to have amassed a much larger sum, though he lived in princely luxury. The Standard newspaper announced that the stamp duty paid on the probate of the will of the late archbishop of Canterbury was £1500; the personal estate having been valued at £120,000, which is exclusive of freeholds." pp. 78, 79. "By the probates at Doctors Commons it appeared in 1828, that the personal property of twenty-four bishops who had died within the preceding twenty years, amounted to the enormous sum of £1,649,000, an average of nearly £70,000 for each bishop. This was the sworn value of the personal property only; and some of the bishops are known to have had very large possessions in real property." p. 84. It is on record that a bishop of Clogher went to Ireland without a shilling, and after eight years died worth £400,000! The bishop of Cloyne, who died in 1826, left £120,000 to his children. On the 12th of July, 1832, Mr. Grattan presented to the House of Commons a statement from the probates of wills, that ten of the Irish prelates had left in personal property, exclusive of real estates, £1,575,000!" p. 95. This is a specimen of what the bishops have done, and for what they are doing we must refer our readers to the book itself. Dies Dominica. Voices and Admonitions from Mr. Mereweather quotes ancient anglo-saxon With the laudable object of placing evan- The Northern Whale Fishery. By Captain This work gives a general view of the history, localities, methods, dangers, and utility, of the whale fishery. It is intended as a companion to the monthly volume on the Arctic Regions: both are abridged, with modifications and additions, from Scoresby's volumes published at Edinburgh in 1820. It will be interesting to intelligent boys generally, to sea-faring men, and to many other persons, particularly in the north-eastern part of the island. Opportunities have been taken frequently in the course of the work to introduce remarks of a decidedly religious character. Repentance, what is it? and for whom Neces- Jewish Witnesses that Jesus is the Christ. Edited by RIDLEY H. HERSCHELL. Second Edition. London. Royal 18mo, price 3s. Though all the narratives are not equal in merit or in interest, yet the collection is a good 2 9 one. Friends who feel a deep interest in the conversion of the Jews will do well to circulate the volume as widely as they can. The Eclectic Review for April, 1849, Con- The article on the Pulpit and the People is The Union of Church and State a Heathen Principle. By S. BERARD. London: Partridge and Oakey. Svo., pp. 67. The Voice of Events to the Evangelical Laity in the Church of England. By Philologus. London: Partridge and Oakey. A Lecture on the Recent Revolutions in Europe, together with an Historical Retrospect of 1848. By Rev. JOHN BLACKMAN. London; Jackson and Walford. Price 6d. Encouragement to Inquirers. A few words to Anxious Souls. By JOHN Cox, author of "Our Great High Priest," "Coming and Kingdom," "Immanuel Enthroned," "Word of Exhortation," "Birthday Book," &c. London: pp. 12. Price ld. Christian Experience, its Counterfeits, Helps, and Hinderances. A Dialogae, with Thoughts upon God's method of addressing the Unconverted. By JOHN Cox, author of "Our Great High Priest," "Coming and Kingdom," "Immanuel Enthroned," "Word of Exhortation," &c. London: Nisbet and Co. 32mo., pp. 36. An Appeal to my Fellow Townsmen in Torquay, Ince's Outlines of General Knowledge. A New Any of our friends who are unacquainted with Mr. Shore's case, or doubtful respecting its merits, may find here an able statement of it with illustrative documents, which tell decidedly in his favour. For the Use of Schools, Ince's Outlines of English History. With a Genealogical Chart and other Engravings. London: Gilbert. 18mo., pp. 108. For the Use of Schools, Ince's Outlines of French Bunhill Memorials. No. IX. April, 1849. London: James Paul, The Christian Bearings of Astronomy, with a Review of Dr. Chalmers's Argument. A Lecture by Rev. GEORGE GILFILLAN. London: B. L. Green The Connexion between Science, Literature, and Religion. A Lecture delivered on behalf of the Funds of the Early Closing Association, at Exeter Hall, December 14, 1848. By the Rev. GEORGE GILFILLAN. Second Thousand. London. Price 3d. Funeral Services on decease of the Rev. David Denham, late of Margate and Unicorn Yard Chapel, London. Funeral Sermon, the Rev. JOHN BRANCH; Funeral Address, the Rev. W. H. BANNER; Funeral Oration, the Rev. W. B. BOWES. London: B. L. Green. pp. 24. The Independents not the First Asserters of the Principle of Full Liberty of Conscience. With especial reference to the Views of the five Dissenting Brethren in the Westminster Assembly of Divines. By EDWARD BEAN UNDERHILL. Leeds: John Heaton. 12mo., pp. 18. The Christian Treasury. Containing Contributions from Various Evangelical Denominations. Edinburgh: Johnstone. The Working Man's Charter: or the Voice of the People. Part III. March, 1849. London: Partridge and Oakey. The Herald of Peace for April, 1849. London: Ward and Co. INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. REVIVALS IN THE UNITED STATES. The baptist newspapers continue to furnish cheering accounts of additions to the churches. They do not generally give details the reprinting of which would be interesting to readers in this country, who know nothing of the places or persons to which they refer, but they show that in different States and in very many towns, there is apparently a renewal of those gracious operations which for two or three years seem to have been suspended. The following paragraphs from one number of The New York Recorder are given as a specimen. It is from the paper dated February 21st, but subsequent papers contain similar statements: "We are glad to be able to say to our readers that the intelligence from the churches in numerous sections is of the most gratifying character. In the New York Evangelist of last week, we find a more extended allusion to the revivals in the presbyterian and congregational churches in Brooklyn, to which we have already referred. Revivals are mentioned likewise as in progress at Northport, L. I., at Homer, Berkshire, and Boonville, N. Y. From the latter place the Rev. Mr. Northrop, of the congregational church, writes that the methodists and baptists have participated largely in the blessing. The Northern Journal is informed that nearly one hundred at Boonville have passed from death unto life. That paper mentions revivals likewise at Copenhagen, Harrisburgh, Pamelia Four Corners, and Evans' Mills. "The Christian Chronicle has notices of a revival in the baptist church at Schuylkill, Chester co., Pa., and likewise at Woodstown, N. J., where the Rev. E. Andrews is labouring in connection with the pastor, Rev. J. P. Hall. Some twenty conversions had occurred. "The Western Christian Journal says:A brother writes us from Ashtabula county (Ohio) as follows:-'The work of the Lord, in the salvation of sinners, is being revived in Ashtabula under auspices of much encouragement. A number of conversions are already reported, and a large number inquiring what they shall do to be saved." We find in the same paper an acknowledgment of good news from Cleveland, Dayton, Zanesville, Granville, Mount Vernon, and other places.' "The Christian Secretary has accounts of revivals in Preston, Groton Bank, and Suffield, Ct. At the former of these places twenty-five have been received in the church by baptism, at the second four, and at the last twelve, the work being still in progress. "The New York Baptist Register contains a letter from Rev. E. W. Allen, North Hebron, giving an account of a revival in that place. Thirty-nine have been baptized. A letter in the same paper from Rev. J. N. Webb, Ogdensburgh, mentions a revival there which has been in progress for several months. Among the blessings which this church has experienced, is the restoration of brotherly concord and peace. Fifteen have put on Christ by baptism, and united with the church. Several more, 1 am informed, will embrace the first opportunity for so doing. To God be all the praise. "The Watchman and Reflector publishes a private note pertaining to a late baptismal occasion in the first baptist church, Springfield, Mass., Rev. M. G. Clarke, pastor: "I was the witness of a very interesting baptismal scene at the first baptist church, Springfield, a few sabbaths since. Fifteen, in the morning and meridian of life, followed the example of their Lord, in the ordinance that introduced them into his church. The spacious church was thronged by an audience deeply attentive and solemn. Following the baptism, the hand of fellowship was extended by the pastor to thirty-two-fifteen males and seventeen females; and the occasion was one truly tender and impressive. Already the number baptized and received into the fellowship of the church is thirty-five. "From the Western Christian of the 7th inst., we take the following revival intelligence from Illinois: Through the week the revival at Elgan has been deepening in power, and its influence is extending to the adjacent neighbourhoods. In one or two instances, as we understand, bands of infidels have been broken up by the conversion of some of their number. Sunday, the 4th inst., was a day of great interest. At noon, the baptist and freewill baptist congregations met together at the river, and the two pastors, brethren Joslyn and Goodnow, baptized each eight persons. At BELVIDERE fourteen persons were baptized on Sunday, the 28th, making twenty-eight since the revival began The interest continues without abatement. At ROCKFORD the work of grace, in connection with the preaching of brother Knapp, has been very powerful. We do not know the exact number baptized, but understand it to be in the neighbourhood of sixty.' "A letter from Aztalan dated January 25, 1849, says:-I am happy to inform you that after a long season of spiritual dearth among |