The Home Library. Kentish Lyrics: Sacred, Rural, and Miscellaneous. By BENJAMIN GOUGH, Author of "Lyra Sabbatica." London: Houlston and Wright. 1867. Mr. Gough justly deserves to be acknowledged as "The Kentish poet." As one of the gifted contributors to OUR OWN FIRESIDE, it is quite needless for us to express our judg ment of this new volume from his pen. Let the reader turn to the lines in our present number, and to those entitled "Stars," in the June number, and further criticism will be felt to be most superfluous. The author's modest "hope" that "the perusal of 'Kentish Lyrics' may serve to promote reverential love to God in His Word and in His Works, and inspire a keener thirst and relish for whatever is beautiful and pure and good," will certainly not fail to be realized. Our Kentish readers will especially appreciate this picture of A HOME IN KENT. "Mine be a home on some sweet Kentish hill, Blessed with a rich variety of view- Ye happy homesteads, and broad orchards, hail! Apart from the high social rank of the subject of this memoir, the life of Lord Haddo furnishes one of the most interesting and profitable studies in biography we have met with for a long time. Seldom has unassuming piety, adorning a naturally amiable and gifted cha racter, been more strikingly and winningly exemplified. We hope to return to this volume in a further notice.. The Canticles of the Song of Solomon. By the Rev. JOSEPH BUSH, M.A. London: Hatchard and Co. 1867. The author has produced a very judicious and able commentary on the Song of Solomon. The introductory remarks present, in brief compass, much information and valuable criticism. In the "Metrical Paraphrase" which follows, an English dress is given to the Oriental style, displaying considerable poetical power. The "Explanatory Notes" and "Practical Comments are most interesting and suggestive. In the latter, whilst the spiritual interpretation of the sacred allegory is fully maintained and satisfactorily established, Mr. Bush has avoided all fanciful and over-wrought applications of the text, and gives sound and sober and experimental views of Divine truth. Thoughts for the Inner Life. By JESSIE COOMBS. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. 1867. These are "thoughts that breathe," expressed in "words that burn "-earnest, affectionate, experimental expositions of Scriptural truths. But we should have liked the work of the Holy Spirit to have been more prominently brought into view. We do not mean that it is lost sight of. The Ministry of Home. By OCTAVIUS WINSLOW, D.D. First Series. London: William Hunt and Co. 1867. Dr. Winslow sets forth Scripture truth fully and invitingly, and with remarkable spiritual power. "The Ministry of Home" is designed to be the first of a series of similar volumes, designed especially for family and private reading. Twenty topics are selected, and expositions given suitable for domestic instruction and closet meditation. The Exposition entitled "The Christian Family," is calculated to be very useful. Dr. Winslow well says of the mother: "She is the central power of home. She may not be called the head of the family, but its heart she certainly is; and though not de jure, yet de facto, she is its head. To her hands the interests of the family are chiefly confided; on her the happiness of home mainly depends. She it is who supplies the Church with its brightest ornaments, the pulpit with its holiest ministers, the state with its strongest pillars." The following extract illustrates the power of a mother's influence : "A weak and sickly infant was once launched into life. He was the last of a numerous family. So frail and helpless seemed this little boy, that he was laid aside as one that was dead. A mother's quick eye, however, detected signs of animation, and her warm bosom roused the sinking pulse, and her sleepless care won back the life doomed to destruction. He grew up a sickly child, of feeble constitution, and pulmonary tendencies. And yet that little, sickly, consumptive boy, was the embryo of a great and holy man. Hidden in that fragile frame were germs of great intellectual power-one of the noblest, loveliest, and most com manding spirits that ever animated our humanity. Sitting upon her lap, his pious mother was wont to interest and instruct her frail sickly child from the china Dutch tiles which ornamented the chimneypiece of her humble room, upon which were rudely yet truthfully traced various Scripture histories. Thus, when he could read, the mind of her pupil was well stored with a large amount of Scripture knowledge, both of the Old and New Testaments. Referring to this interesting fact, when grown to be a great and good man, he says: "The wise and pious reflections which she made upon these stories were the means of enforcing such good impressions on my heart as never were worn out.' Such was the basis upon which, in after years, rose one of the noblest Christian characters, and such the nucleus around which were gathered those holy principles and lovely thoughts, and yet lovelier disposition, which, through forty years of suffering life, shed their holy light and influence upon countless other minds. And as long as the Church on earth lasts, and vital godliness is admired, and religious truth influences, 'Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul' will never die. And when you consult the Biblical Commentary, and sing the spiritual hymns, and trace the progress of experimental religion as they flowed from the pen of Philip Doddridge, pause, and bless the memory of that mother whose hands sowed the precious seed, which, in after years, yielded so golden, so great a harvest-and yields it still." Sermons preached in Country Churches. By R. DRUMMOND B. RAWNSLEY, M.A. Second Series. London: Hatchard and Co. 1867. These are model village sermons: and in our opinion equally adapted for city and town hearers. It is delightful to find an author who has attained the highest university distinctions, giving such proof of his power to descend as a teacher to the level of his congregation. In plain, homely Saxon, the great evangelical doctrines of the Faith are expounded, and their practical bearings enforced. The sermons possess two qualities which especially commend them for family use-they are brief, and to the point. An Epitome of the Bible: Volumes I. and II. London: Hatchard and Co. 1867. These volumes give the text of the Bible, and brief explanatory notes from such writers as Secker, Tillotson, Hall, and others. We confess the Notes are to our mind too brief: but they are certainly good; and the error is one in a right direction. The Intermediate State, and other Discourses. By the REV. JAMES STRATTEN. London: Nisbet and Co. 1867. The first discourse in this volume really forms a very remarkable treatise, presenting at considerable length an argument which sheds light on some very difficult passages of Scripture bearing upon the Intermediate State. Coming from one who speaks of himself as "about to enter the world of spirits, of which it treats," Mr. Stratten's work claims, and will secure, the most thoughtful consideration of the reader. We gladly note the absence of that spirit of speculation respecting unrevealed mysteries which characterises so many books written on the subject. The author's modesty and caution are in admirable keeping with his acknowledgment of the supreme authority of the written Word, and of the liability of man to error and mistake. Well were it, if on this great question, and all other topics of religion and Christianity, the students of Divine knowledge exemplified in prayer the words of the excellent Quarles "Oh that Thou wouldst grant Thy light to guide me: That's not light alone, but life, eyes, sight, grace, Glory, all in one!" Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth. Illustra tions of the Book of Proverbs. By the REV. WILLIAM ARNOT. First and second series. London: T. Nelson and Co. Ethics are here evangelized by the pen of a winning, as well as a faithful scribe, well. instructed in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. It is not a new book; but it will live and be valued when most of our new books" are forgotten. Sunday-school Lessons; explaining and illus trating the subject of the Gospels, for every Sunday in the Christian Year. By the REV. ROWLEY HILL, M.A. London: J. Nisbet and Co. Notes Thoughtful, simple, and striking. which will be of real service to all who desire to be "apt to teach." Sermons for the Day. By the REV. E. HOARE, M.A. London: Hatchard and Co. These Sermons deal faithfully with the Ritualistic errors so widely prevalent. The Children's Sermons. By the REV. JAMES VAUGHAN, M.A. London: Houlston and Wright. This book deserves its title. A special gift is required to talk to children, and Mr. Vaughan possesses that gift in no ordinary measure. We might be disposed to think the anecdotes are rather too numerous, but our criticism would claim little weight, and we dare say the children would enter their unanimous protest against it. The Christian Year Book, 1867. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. The best handbook of Christian work in existence. It gives a summary of missionary efforts throughout the world. CHAPTER VIII. HE circumstances in which Archy Dunlop was now placed were perhaps the most uncomfortable 66 of his whole life. His physical sufferings were by no means slight, but his anxious apprehensions as to what he should do were at times more distressing to him than his bodily pain. What he might be tried with, what straits he might be forced into, or, in other words, what questions might actually be put to him,-these were the considerations which pursued him night and day, and from which he could not escape. He hoped he should not have to tell a downright lie. He did not think he could do that. But how else would it be possible for him to avoid betraying others in case of certain inquiries being made? Engaged in any good and honest work, or any honourable enterprise, he might have trusted to that protecting care to which, from his childhood, he had been taught to look; but what had he to trust now? nothing but the shadow of a chance. And how was that to cheer his drooping spirits, or support his feeble strength? At length the time arrived when Archy must make an effort to leave his bed, and go down again amongst the boys. The doctor pronounced him convalescent, so far as that the slight fever was gone. patient needed nothing now," he said, "but fresh air and exercise, to improve his appetite; and there was no reason why he should not resume his studies." "The So Archy managed to get up and dress THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND," ETC. himself, though heart-sick and trembling at the prospect of what might await him from the questioning of those who would see that he was lame; for he was lame without a doubt, and the agony of setting his foot flat upon the ground was such, that it brought the colour to his cheeks, and the tears into his eyes. "What shall I do ?" said he, appealingly, when alone with his friend Charley. "They will see that I am lame." "Set your foot down, and bear it like a man," said Charley. "Cruel words!" thought Archy, "but I'll try." And he did try, until his face flushed crimson, and great drops of perspiration stood upon his brow. But the encouraging words of his companions still helped to support him, and their flattering encomiums upon his resolution, manliness, and bravery, seemed to bear him up, as the waters bear the floating bark, until, when its sails are torn, and framework shattered, they open, and let it sink into unfathomed depths. It was very pleasant to Archy to hear all that his companions said to him; and the more so that he really felt he was a hero to bear such pain as he was enduring without flinching or betrayal. It was very pleasant in one sense; but if pain and pleasure can be so mingled as to exist in any high degree together, it was certainly so in his case; for the real heart of the boy was very sore, and his inner life was full of terror and distress. The boys who understood the critical conditions under which Archy was labouring did all in their power to spare him pain, and G G |