The Sunday School Teacher. By G. J. MOULTON. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1842. Pp. 32. A well-written, and useful little manual for teachers of Sabbath Schools. It is plain, practical, and full of excellent hints and observations. Teachers may find in it some suitable remarks to assist them in their work of feeding the lambs. The Works of William Jay, collected and revised by himself. Vol. IV. London: C. A. Bartlett. 1842. In announcing the fourth volume of Mr Jay's works, we need not repeat the recommendations already given. Let it suffice, that we make known the fact to our readers, and, without becoming security for the correctness of every interpretation of scripture therein set forth, add this farther, that in these four handsome volumes there is a rich mass of most profitable thought,-thought all the more profitable, because its tendency is to attract us to the divine word, and lead us to feed and rejoice in it above all. As the author remarks, "In this inspired volume, I have the judgment of God himself upon every subject with which it is necessary for me to be acquainted. And I will go to it; not with a previous bias, but open to conviction; not to dictate, but to learn. I will not be influenced to embrace a doctrine because it is easy of comprehension, or to reject it because it is mysterious. It is infinitely reasonable to believe whatever God speaks, and my only concern is to ascertain what he has spoken." P. 9. Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits, addressed to a Student. By SAMUEL MILLER, D.D. Belfast: M Comb. 1842. Some parts of this work remind us more of Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son, than of a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ offering grave and solemn counsel to his fellow-workers as to how they "may fulfil their ministry" and win souls. Hence we wish the editor had drawn his pen through some of those passages relating to worldly etiquette, before reprinting it. Nevertheless it is a valuable work in other respects, and fitted to be really useful to ministers and students; for while it descends a little too low at times, it does not by any means overlook the solemn and spiritual duties of the ministry; nor does it ever address ministers as less than shepherds of the flock of Christ, or servants waiting for the Master's coming. A Sober Inquiry; or Christ's reign with his saints a thousand years modestly asserted from Scripture; together with the answer of most of those ordinary objections which are usually urged to the contrary. First printed in 1660; now reprinted, with an advertisement by the REV. E. BICKERSTETH. London: James Darling. 1842. The spirit of this little piece of antiquity is admirable. It is calm, candid, and Christian, marked by boldness in the maintenance of the author's own views, yet also by equal charity in opposing the opinions of others. Mr Bickersteth's imprimatur is worth much, and would, of itself, be a sufficient testimony in its favour. To this we gladly add our own, asking our readers to weigh the author's arguments with calmness and unbiassed judgment. Assuredly the subject is a momentous one, and not to be treated slightly, nor condemned unheard. In these last days, especially when the world's crisis is hastening on with whirlwind speed, it becomes us to inquire, "what of the night?" and instead of despising, through prejudice, the efforts of some to interpret the "true word of prophecy," we ought to rejoice that " many are running to and fro," and that “knowledge is increased." The dislike of many to the literal interpretation of prophecy is much to be deplored. Not only does it lead to the obscuration of the prophetic Scriptures; but it proceeds upon principles of exposition which, if carried out and applied to other parts of inspiration, would unfix the whole word of God; for if one man is at liberty to spiritualize the twentieth chapter of Revelation, why is not another entitled to spiritualize the third chapter of Genesis? As a conclusion to this notice, we give a brief extract from the work before us, showing how the expression, "throne of David," cannot be taken in the merely spiritual sense contended for by some. "These words, I confess, have been interpreted, by some, of Christ's spiritual reign in the hearts of his people, without a personal. But it seems to me, that a spiritual, without a personal, should not be here meant: for, "1. David had no such reign himself, nor Solomon his son, nor any of his seed; yet we read that Solomon his son did sit upon the throne of David his father, 1 Kings ii. 12, 24. And what man will say, that by throne' is meant the spiritual reign of Solomon without a personal? And if it be not so meant when it is spoken of Solomon, why should any think it to be so meant when it is spoken of Christ? "2. The spiritual reign of Christ belongs to him as he is God; but to sit on the throne of David belongs to him as man; as Acts ii. 30, ‹Therefore David being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne,' &c. The throne of David is one thing, and his spiritual reigu another. “3. When Christ is called the son of David, as Matt. xxii. 42, no man will say that thereby is meant the Son of God. No more ought any man to think, that when Christ is said to sit on the throne of David, that thereby is meant the spiritual throne of God; for, doubtless, they are two distinct things. “ 4. Christ did reign spiritually, and that in the heart of Mary herself, before this prophecy was revealed to her: but Christ did not at that time sit on the throne of David; but the angel told her he should sit on the throne of David hereafter. And therefore this spiritual reign is one thing, and the throne of David another. "5. The spiritual reign of Christ is in reference to spirituals; but his sitting on the throne of David is to order it with judgment and justice. Isaiah ix. 7, Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to stablish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even for ever.' So Jer. xxiii. 5, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.' This seems to imply some other thing and matter. "6. The throne of David is peculiar to Christ alone, and not common to all the three Persons; but the spiritual reign of Christ in the hearts of men is common to all the three Persons, and not peculiar to Christ alone: therefore the throne of David is one thing, and the spiritual reign of Christ another." When clouds and thick darkness are gathering over our church, our nation, and the world at large,-when Popery is on the ascendant,-when the "three unclean spirits" have gone abroad,-when above and around there are so many portentous "signs," is it not high time for us to ask, is the Bridegroom really a hand? and if so, are we ready to go in with him to the wedding? The Scottish Ecclesiastical Register and National Almanac for the Year 1843. Edinburgh: M. Patterson. We have little to add to the numerous commendations with which this publication has been already greeted on all hands by the periodical press. In most of these we entirely concur, and very heartily wish the publisher all success in this attempt to embody and classify such a great amount of ecclesiastical information relating to Scotland,-information most useful in itself, and to be found no where else. The Watchword Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. Edinburgh: Menzies. We shall merely act as advertisers of the above periodical, not being able to afford room at present to enter into detail upon its substantial merits. We beg however to press it earnestly upon the support of our readers, as one most highly deserving their countenance, whether they view it in the light of its own very superior merits, or as a new ally in our present ecclesiastical warfare. The Christian Mother; or, Maternal Duties Exemplified in the Narratives of the Old and New Testament. By MARY MILNER, Author of "The Life of Dean Milner." London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co. Pp. 167. The title-page of this little volume is very exactly descriptive of its contents, and from it the reader will learn the nature of the work he is opening. Its design is excellent, its style simple and chaste, its tone elevated, its remarks vigorous and useful, its whole contents scriptural and spiritual. It is most suitable for the end aimed at, and we trust will find its way into the hands of many Christian mothers, to prove, through them, a blessing to their rising offspring. Is there a parent who knows the value of his own soul, that, looking round upon a bright circle of little ones gathered round his knee, can fail to sympathize with the apostle's yearning love, My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you." Such will find in this little work a very helpful guide and assistant in the fulfilment of their parental duties. 66 Christian Theology. By G. C. KNAPP, D.D. London: Ward & Co. This is another of Mr Ward's very valuable series of republications, and forms No. 35 in his Library of Standard Divinity. In bringing this work under the notice of our readers, we would prefix the caution which the translator has done in his preface, that "we are not vouchers for the exact truth of all its doctrines." As maintainers of God's eternal election, we are not satisfied with the author's statements on the divine decrees; as lovers of a free gospel, we are far from liking the conditions with which he hampers, and, we might say, subverts its freeness; as holders of a literal prophetical system, we demur to his statements in some of his concluding chapters; but we believe, that in the learning which it contains, the acute remarks with which it abounds, and the condensed and comprehensive views of many different con troversies and doctrines which are given, the reader will find much to reward his perusal of the work; and reading it with sufficient caution, will be saved from any injury which otherwise some of its statements might be apt to produce. Childhood's Duties; or, Precepts for Little Emma. By M. A. S. BARBER. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1842. Both the Sabbath school and the nursery, especially the latter, would be enriched by the addition of this small volume to their respective libraries. It comprises a series of conversations upon moral and religious topics, and is well executed both as to style and matter. Teacher and scholar will derive profit from it, and neither, we are sure, can read it without interest. A Family Record; or, Memoirs of the late Rev. Basil Wood, M.A., and of several Deceased Members of his Family. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1842. Though not remarkable for striking incident, these narratives are fitted to be useful, as authentic pieces of Christian biography. They are excellent in themselves, and they are especially worthy of notice, as illustrative of God's dealings with the different members of a family, the heads of which feared his name. His eye was upon the children for the father's sake; and reading it in this light, it does furnish us with a striking display of God's abounding mercy and loving-kindness to the seed of the righteous. Infant Baptism Scriptural and Reasonable; and Baptism by Sprinkling or These are two of the most compendious and satisfactory treatises on the subject of infant baptism that have been published of late years. They are clearly and simply written, and on this account very suitable for general circulation, especially in districts of the country where the baptists are endeavouring to proselytize; yet the controversy is so vigorously and closely argued, that even the theologian will find himself amply recompensed in the perusal of them, and will regard them as most valuable additions to his controversia! stores on this important head of doctrine. Practical Thoughts. By the Rev. W. NEVINS, D.D., late of Baltimore; with an Introduction by the Rev. E. BICKERSTETH. Wright & Altrecht, 1841. With Mr Bickersteth's brief introductory recommendation of this small volume we very heartily concur. Its character is miscellaneous, and the practical thoughts are on many different topics. They are forcibly and pointedly written, as well as spiritual and searching in their tone. There is a freshness and originality about them which forms no small recommendation to a work whose very title is apt to suggest the idea of something commonplace and stale. It has no doubt many Americanisms, but in spite of these it is a most valuable collection of " practical thoughts." The fragrant breath of a holy man, a man of prayer, a man of love, a man of zeal, a man of faith,pervades every page and paragraph. Memoir of Miss Grane, late of Heathcote Street, Mecklenburgh Square; illustrative of the Nature and Effects of Christian Principles, compiled chiefly from her own papers. Second edition. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1842. The footsteps of a true follower of the Lamb are here; and though there is nothing striking or remarkable in the narrative, yet it will be read with pleasure by all who can appreciate “the memory of the just." There is perhaps a tendency throughout to dwell upon self and upon experiences, instead of looking to the cross,-a tendency to lay greater stress upon the knowledge of self than on the knowledge of Christ,-a tendency to draw comfort more from a contemplation of her own evidences of grace than from the direct contemplation of the Lamb of God;-still the Memoir is good, and its tendency on the whole beneficial. Two remarkable Signs of the Times, viewed in Connection with Prophecy. By MATTHEW HABERSHON. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1842. While there is much that is interesting in this pamphlet, and much also with which we can agree, yet we feel that the author has not succeeded in establishing his point. It is well, however, that men's minds should be turned to such solemn subjects of reflection, to have the signs of the times set before us, even though, with regard to particular events, we may not accord in their interpretation. It is well that men should be reminded that days of darkness are approaching, the last crisis is nearing, the last convulsion mustering its explosive force, the last conflagration heaping up its materials in preparation for the great day of the Lord. Let the trumpet sound, that men may be awakened, and that the church may no longer dream of perpetual sunshine; lest when we are saying peace and safety, then sudden destruction shall overtake us, swift as the lightning, stealthy as the thief, and unwelcome as the overwhelming flood. The world is slumbering on in its perilous security;-let us lift up our voice in its ears, if possible to awake it before the judgment comes. The church is only half awakened,-scarcely that,-let us take the sure word of prophecy, and call her attention to it, lest the midnight cry, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh," be heard before she is even imagining that it is possible her Lord may be at hand.* Short Practical Hints on the Means of Inducing, Combining, and Directing Missionary Efforts in Churches and Congregations. Respectfully inscribed to the Presbyterian Church in England. Liverpool, 1842. We rejoice to read a pamphlet like this from a layman,— —a layman too of the presbyterian church in England. Within the compass of twenty-four pages there is brought together as large a body of useful" practical hints" as may be found in any similar twice its bulk. Ministers may derive advantage from it either in setting up or conducting parochial and congregational missionary associations, not only from the suggestions embodied in it, but also from the * We may here say that we have read some of Mr Habershon's other prophetical works with much pleasure, and though in some things we differ, yet we recommend them to our readers as worthy of their attention. 2 R VOL. XV. NO. IV. |
