that "hundreds of our clergy and aristocracy, who were educated at our public schools, have apostatized from Christianity, and joined the idolatrous Church of Rome!" Not to dwell on the truth that Roman Catholics are generally considered Christians, I may fairly ask for some proof that their perverts are generally public school men. Can any such proof be given? Has Mr. Poynder seen a list showing how many were at public schools, and how many at private ?

Then, as another instance of violent assertion, he goes on to say, by way of proving that very little religion is taught at public schools, that many of our leading statesmen betray a profound ignorance on the subject of religion. "Their notion," he writes, "is that we are all born good, instead of being born in sin, and the children of wrath." By what right does he attribute this notion to many of our leading statesmen? How many can be proved to have said so?

At all events, I conceive that the Tractarianism, which Mr. Poynder so dislikes, has not taught them any such doctrine.

In a word, Sir, it would be doing some service to his own cause, if Mr. Poynder will be so good as to prove the charges of immorality and irreligion which he brings against our public schools; or if he is unable to do so, it would be well if he ceased to attack a body of men desirous, as I believe, to do their very arduous duty well, as men who know that they must account to God for their conduct.-Yours,

Z.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

Thoughts on Preaching; being Contributions to Homiletics. By James W. Alexander, D.D., late Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, New York. Edinburgh: Ogle, and Murray and Co. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1864.-This is the work of a shrewd, observer, who has given much attention to the subject on which he writes, and is well acquainted with preaching both in its theory and practice. It seems designed for those whose education has been imperfect, but who are now anxious to repair its defects. It wants method, and is in some parts redundant. Its Americanisms are too prominent, and it is altogether rather below what our own clergy require, though it may be very useful to that increasing body of our clergy who have not had the advantage of a regular education. The best book with which we are acquainted on preaching is decidedly Dr. Porter's "Homiletics," edited some years ago by Archdeacon Jones, of Liverpool. Professor Ware has an admirable tract upon "Extempore Preaching," and the student will learn much from Whately's "Rhetoric."

But after all, the student will often find that he has anticipated the lessons of the teacher; for, in fact, preaching is a subject on which the best instruction is merely the result of experience; beyond this there are no secrets to be disclosed :

"For all a Rhetorician's rules

But teach him how to name his tools."

Piety, education, voice, and other physical endowments being granted,

little more can be done. The young preacher should listen to the best models, and note where success lies. Our May meetings afford him admirable opportunities. If he desires to excel, he will sometimes be a patient listener in the Court of Chancery, and in the gallery of the House of Commons. He must have an exalted notion of his calling. He must regard the pulpit, with George Herbert, as the "parson's joy and throne." He must have a lofty conception of eloquence, such as Cicero had, when he dwelt upon it as something immensum et infinitum. And all this, and more than this, he will have, if he believes himself to be God's ambassador. And this same foolishness of preaching, as the world esteems it, God's method of saving souls.

The Bible the Defender of the Church against Sectarian Error, as to the Kingdom of Heaven, Baptismal Regeneration, and Sponsorship. By the Rev. R. P. Hutchison, B.A., Incumbent of Christ Church, Old Kent Road, Camberwell.-Among the many answers which Mr. Spurgeon's tirade against the baptismal service of the Church of England has brought forth-most of them excellent in their several ways-here is one that goes direct to the point. Mr. Hutchison seems to have gone upon the principle-" Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him." Without one word of abuse, without anything like recrimination or vulgar claptrap appeal, he meets the audacious assertions of this self-constituted judge of others by calm sober statements, based upon Scripture and upon history, which carry with them the simple force of truth. We never remember to have met with so much ad rem in regard to the baptismal controversy, condensed within so small a compass. There is not one superfluous word or sentence in the whole. Mr. Hutchison shows unanswerably that the service of our Church is in accordance with Scripture; and if rightly interpreted, free from that false sense which Tractarians and Dissenters, alike for their own ends, would put upon it. Curiously enough, too, he completely turns the tables upon Mr. Spurgeon, by showing that he himself is a teacher of Baptismal Regeneration in the proper theological sense of that expression. Here Mr. Hutchison has acted upon that other rule of Scripture-" Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."

Never did any system more completely stand upon wooden legs than that of the Baptists. Their pertinacity in maintaining that the word " baptize" always means to "dip," betrays ignorance combined with obstinacy. There is not, as Mr. Hutchison shows, a single instance in the whole New Testament in which, for certain, the word bears this meaning, while there are many instances in which it plainly cannot bear this meaning; so that the theory of the Baptists, which all turns upon the sense of this word, has, as we say, not a leg to stand upon. Mr. Hutchison's pamphlet is especially valuable in so completely sweeping away the false theory of the Baptists in regard to this, as well as the other points on which their peculiar system is based.

We would strongly recommend any of the clergy who may be troubled with Baptists in their parishes to possess themselves of his pamphlet for distribution. It is thoroughly evangelical in its tone, very concise and convincing. Mr. Spurgeon and his friends are surprisingly active in circulating his pernicious sermon. We have heard it stated, on good authority, that Mr. Spurgeon took seventy thou

sand copies of his own sermon for distribution through his own agents, and we know for certain that his sermon is given away in large numbers by his sectarian adherents in railway carriages, and in other public places. As to answers to it, he does not deign to notice them, wisely enough. It is much to be regretted that such answers as Mr. Hutchison's and Mr. Bardsley's cannot be made to reach the multitudes who are misled by Mr. Spurgeon's bold assertions. Unfortunately they never see or hear of the answers; and it would be well if some of the wealthier members of the Established Church would order thousands of them, and employ agents to put them into the hands of every person who issues from the great Baptist tabernacle. This would be to meet the enemy on his own ground, though gentlemen such as we have named cannot fight with Mr. Spurgeon's untempered weapons.

Facts and Fragments: a Sequel to the Spirit in the Word. By W. Weldon Champneys, M.A., Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's, and Vicar of St. Pancras. Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday, Fleet Street, London. 1864.-The title of this volume, we much fear, will not prove very attractive to the general public. Fragments are supposed, and not altogether without reason, to be rather desultory reading; but on examining this little book, we soon find, that the title on the cover is by no means an index of its contents, except as far as the facts are concerned. It might have been well called, "Pastoral Experiences in a large Parish." We gather from it how much good may be done, and how many profitable lessons learnt, by earnest ministers of the Gospel, even in the vestry and the vicarage, provided they will but lend a sympathising ear to the tales of need and sorrow that are brought to them. We may gain an insight at once into the kindness of spirit, and the readiness to help, which those who would do good to their fellow-men should practise, from the following short sketch:

"I was in the room, which served as a vestry, at one of our school services, when a young man came in to see me. His manner was diffident and modest; he asked if he might speak with me. Of course, I was glad to hear what he had to say: 'Sir,' said he, 'I have not come to talk about religion. I am in need of help, and came to ask you for some assistance.' I said, 'I like that; it is plain and straightforward. You say what you mean at once.' So many persons talk religion, who mean money, that it was pleasant to meet with one who told you plainly and honestly, though very modestly, what he really did want. I asked a few questions as to where he lived, who and what he was, what where his difficulties, and how they had arisen. We made inquiries about him, which were entirely satisfactory, and we helped him out of his pressing difficulties."

After learning so much of the hearty manner in which the author of this work entered into the cares or troubles of those who came to ask his advice or help, we are not surprised that he should have so many "facts" to relate, of suffering and of pity, to be found among the humbler ranks of society. Many of these are told with so much pathos, that they cannot fail to be interesting to all whose delight it is to study human nature.. There is a very interesting account of the wife of one of those brave men who fought in the Crimea. She came to Canon Champneys for godly counsel and comfort, during her husband's absence; he took her into his study, and offered up a

petition to Him who covered David's head in the day of battle, that He would preserve her husband; and thus from one interview there sprung up a constant intercourse. His description of the letters written from the husband to the wife, and of the poor man's being saved throughout the war, and then dying, as so many did, within sight of home, the bereaved widow's deep sorrow, yet quiet resignation, is not only deeply touching, but we feel assured that it will read a lesson to many mourners, telling them how to suffer and to bear; and will point them to the source from which that strength is supplied, which teaches joy, patient holy joy, even under the deepest sorrow. Canon Champneys gives us many interesting facts concerning nature and animal life; we are told of a tench that existed for a considerable length of time, in a damp hole, under a tree, only just large enough for its body, and other facts that will interest both the young and old among our readers; and with an enviable facility he turns them all to good account. We might fill some pages with interesting stories drawn from the book; but we think our readers will do well to refer to it themselves. If it is taken up only at odd times, they will have no difficulty in finding a short chapter, containing something well worth remembering, and conveying a very useful lesson.

Saul of Tarsus: his Life and its Lessons. By the Rev. W. B. Mackenzie, M.A., &c. Second Edition. London: Seeley and Co. 1864. The proverb that "Good wine needs no bush" is not English, but European. It is used alike in Germany and Spain, in France, Holland, and Italy. But its most usual form on the continent is, that "Good wine needs no crier." The sentiment contained in it, applied to the present case, and conveying the feeling that "A good writer needs no crier," has allowed this volume to remain in silence on our desk, until the appearance of a second edition reminds us of our duty. And even now, when so reminded, we cannot feel it needful or expedient to give six or eight pages to a "review" of a work, the title-page of which is a direct passport to an easy and rapid sale. The biography of St. Paul is second only to that One subject which is beyond all comparison, the earthly life of HIM "who was before all things, and by whom all things consist." We are glad to copy from one of the Broad-church leaders a recent and fervent tribute to the high rank of this great apostle. Mr. J. L. Davies says,-"Those who judge St. Paul as they would judge any other remarkable man, confess him unanimously to have been one of the greatest spirits of all time; while those who believe him to have been appointed by the Lord of mankind, and inspired by the Holy Ghost, to do a work in the world of almost unequalled importance, are lost in wonder as they study the gifts with which he was endowed for that work, and the sustained devotion with which he gave himself to it."*

The subject, then, of this volume, is of the first rank for interest and importance. It may be fairly so described when handled by such a man as Mr. Mackenzie; for he may be trusted never to forget the Master in his praise of the servant. And we are glad to receive such a volume from such hands. It helps to sustain and perpetuate the theology and the language of the Reformation. Decay and deterioration belong to everything human; and hence we rather sorrow

*Mr. Llewellyn Davies in "Smith's Dictionary."

over than resent the harsh censure which describes the Church as now divided between "attitudinarianism, latitudinarianism, and platitudinarianism." If Romanism in disguise, and infidelity under a mask, are both to be detected among our clergy, let us not blindly deny that in the third and soundest portion there is too often the stale and lifeless repetition of evangelical phrases and formulas. We greatly want more of the plainness, earnestness, and unction of Reformation-times, the warmth and directness, the downright manner and vehement explicitness of Latimer, Bradford, Jewell, and Hooker. Among our modern theologians, we have not many writers who think their own thoughts, and express those thoughts in the terse and vigorous language of Milton and Bunyan. Among such as we have, Mr. Mackenzie occupies no inferior place; and his present volume is quite worthy of his well-earned reputation.

It is a complete and full-length portrait; omitting no part of the apostle's history or character. The reader begins at the youth and manhood of "Saul of Tarsus," and proceeds along the Bible-record till it ends with "Paul the aged," now "ready to be offered," and knowing that "the time of his departure was at hand." A map, and a view of Damascus, are added, and the reader closes the volume, feeling nothing to be wanting to its entire completeness. As a “giftbook" of permanent value, we can think of no work of our time possessing higher merit.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE BRISTOL CONGRESS.

THE Bristol Congress has been held, and public opinion has pronounced upon it, that it has answered no useful purpose, but that upon the whole it has given a fresh impulse to the insidious movement which is aiming to introduce monasticism, and to change the character of the Church of England. It is quite consistent with this view of the Congress to admit that many excellent speeches were delivered, and many wise suggestions made. It is not till a few days have passed that we begin to see the whole as one affair, and to strike a balance between partial impressions and the general result. Thus one of our correspondents, a faithful minister of nearly half a century, calls upon us to remonstrate with those Evangelical brethren who lend the sanction of their presence to meetings so dangerous to the Church. A second clergyman, also grave and gray-headed, writes:-"The Bristol Congress is a huge imposture, and will do no real good to the Church of Christ; what business Evangelicals have there, and what good they expect to do, I cannot understand." Before the Congress took place, a Member of Parliament, generally ranked among High Churchmen, but one to whom trickery is hateful, told us that he believed that the intention of those who manage the Congress was to invite a number of Evangelical men, but to keep them always in the minority, and, if possible, to gain their sanction, or at least to have the weight of their