valuable list of works on missions appended to it. We do not, indeed, agree with our author in his liking for soirees, as expressed in his foot note at p. 13, but think they are altogether" of the world, and not of the Father;" neither do we wholly accord with him in reprobating appropriated pews, and classing them with rented pews, (p. 7;) the former may be fairly defensible on the principle, let all things be done decently and in order;" it is the method of appropriation, not the thing itself, that is an evil. Neither, lastly, do we like to hear a presbyterian, or, indeed, any one, speaking of the admirable' liturgy of the church of England. But these are trifles. We admire greatly the ardour, the zeal, the single-heartedness, of the writer, as manifested throughout the whole pamphlet. May it abundantly serve the cause he is seeking so nobly to promote! Let the presbyterianism of England awake to its responsibilities in the missionary cause. Let the laymen of Liverpool bestir themselves, and unlock their liberality and zeal." "It is time for them to do so,— they have slept too long.

Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews from the Church of Scotland in 1839. Second edition, two vols. Edinburgh: Whyte & Co. 1842.

Had we space and time at present, we should not have allowed the second edition of this work to pass through our hands with nothing but a brief notice as its recommendation. We have some thoughts of returning to it, and completing what our former review left imperfect. But this in the mean time we must defer. Of the value, the interest, the excellence of the work, we have already spoken; nor do we need now to add any thing further to the commendation then given. If inclined to alter any of our previous remarks, it would not be in the way of diminishing ought of our praise, but rather of adding to it; for besides that the interest of the narrative grows on us the oftener we turn to it, there is also in this new edition much to commend. Apart from its very handsome exterior, and the great improvement which a division into two volumes has effected, there are throughout the whole work so many minor amendments, the fruit of careful and laborious revision, that whether for its literary execution, its classical air, its simple eloquence, its rich descriptiveness, its spiritual elevation of tone, its exquisite elucidations of scripture, and more especially of prophecy, it promises to secure for itself a place of standard eminence among works both of literature and religion.

Witnesses for the Truth in the Church of Scotland. J. Greig, Printer. Edinburgh, 1842.

This is a large sheet, consisting of twelve wood engravings, accompanied with letter-press descriptions underneath. The engravings form a PICTORIAL

• A letter which we lately had from a Liverpool merchant contains the following paragraph, to which we beg the attention of our readers:-"I trust you will do something to show that the efforts of our zealous men here (and they are daily growing in numbers and zeal) are not unnoticed or unsympathized with by their northern brethren. I assure you we are now on the point of making a great effort here, and it is clearly your duty to give the countenance and encouragement I have asked for. I am as yet only a spectator, but believe me, one who feels deeply interested in the cause; and I rejoice to say we have now good reason to expect that, with our late accession of zeal and talents, God designs to make the presbyterian kirk in England an effective instrument of promoting his cause, and probably some day a shelter for the good men whom Puseyism and party zeal will drive out of the church of England."

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND from the times of the reformation downwards to our own day. The first only has yet been published; other two are soon to follow, and complete the work, which is to consist of three large sheets. The engravings are executed in a most superior style, and most of the designs are admirable. We have heard but one sentiment of cordial commendation on the work, and when we add, that the two remaining sheets not yet published are even superior to the first, our readers will with ourselves look forward with eagerness to their forthcoming. They should be hung up in every house, hall, cottage, and hovel in Scotland. No means should be spared to send them through the whole breadth of the land. Nothing could be better fitted to awaken the dormant interest and sympathies of our fellow-countrymen in behalf of our suffering church than those records of the past. Surely the poorest in the land may afford to purchase them, when we say, that though executed in the style we mention, their price is only sixpence. We would not rest till they had reached a circulation of fifteen or twenty thousand. Were Scotland in the state it once was, an impression of 50,000 would be exhausted in a week.

Death-Bed Scenes. By the Rev. ALEXANDER MOODY STUART, A.M., Minister of St Luke's. Edinburgh: Johnstone. 1842.

These narratives, as the preface states, appeared originally in a periodical of the day, we believe the Scottish Christian Herald,—a work which we would gladly see revived. They form four distinct portraits, the Antinomian, the reprobate, the drunkard, the penitent, each of which is strikingly and vividly painted. Without entering minutely into the substance of the work, we content ourselves with bringing it under the notice of the public, and adding our high and hearty recommendation.

1. The Charge of the Bishop of London Examined, and its Unscriptural tendency set forth. By one of the Laity. London; Nisbet & Co., 1842. 2. A Respectful Address to the Lord Bishop of London concerning some prevailing notions apparently countenanced by his Lordship's late Charge. By the Rev. C. J. YORKE, M.A. London; Nisbet & Co., 1842.

3. Danger and Duty; or a Few Words on the Present State of the Times, and in behalf of Truth and Righteousness and Peace. By the Rev. R. MARKS. London; Nisbet & Co., 1842.

To speak of the "unscriptural tendency" of the Bishop of London's charge, as the first of these three tracts does, is doubtless to say what is true, but it is certainly calling things by as soft a name as possible, a name by far too soft for a piece of composition, which, with a very few redeeming sentences, ought to call forth the indignant condemnation of every man who cares for the name of the protestant. To speak of that charge as "apparently countenancing some prevailing notions," as the second tract does, is assuming a tone of mildness which almost borders upon palliation;-palliation for what admits of none -palliation for what demands the honest and bold reprobation of every man who is not a papist or an infidel. Yet, while we think the titles of these two first tracts too gentle, still the tracts themselves are excellent. There is nothing of compromise about their contents, whatever may seem to be in the title. The second is a piece of powerful and vigorous writing and thought. It is only too short. The third is admirable. It is amongst the few out-and-out unflinching assaults on tractarianism. There are many professed opponents of Oxford popery; but they have always some reserve about them. One praises the piety of the tract writers, another defends exclusive episcopal succession, (such

as Mr Dale!) another has a great deal to say in favour of the necessity of church ordinances, till between the scraps of Puseyism to be gathered from its opponents, one might fairly construct the whole system. But in Mr Mark's pamphlet there is nothing of the kind. It is a noble testimony from a nobleminded minister, bold, resolute, vigorous, uncompromising. And having said this, we need say no more. We thank God the Church of England has such a man within her bounds. She has need of many such.

The Duty and Privilege of Keeping the Sabbath. By the Rev. JOHN BRUCE, St Andrew's Parish. Edinburgh, 1842.

We owe an apology to Mr Bruce, and not less to our readers, for not having previously noticed this volume. The publishers, we are inclined to think, must bear somewhat of the blame, but the high excellence of the work, should, in spite of their oversight, have led us to draw public attention to it much sooner. The book, though small, is a book of rare value, it is the production of a thinker. It neither can be called an essay nor a treatise-for it does not profess to discuss, far less exhaust the Sabbath question. We might more appropriately describe it as scenes from the Sabbath, as the author just seizes upon certain points from which to view his subject, and these he sets before us in a style truly vivid and fresh, and all his own. Mr Bruce throws a good deal of shade over his pictures. He seems often to love the light all the more for the shade with which he has enveloped it. But he is sure to bring us into sunshine at last-sweet-Sabbath sunshine. Could we have dealt in quotation, there are various passages we have marked, which would greatly have enriched our pages. But we are rather anxious that our readers would purchase and peruse the work for themselves. It is worth all its price. It is full of the picturesque and striking. And whilst it betrays the hand of taste, and the eye of genius, it draws to God. We have read parts of it three times over.

The Covenant; or the Conflict of the Church, with other Poems, chiefly connected with the Ecclesiastical History of Scotland. Edinburgh: Johnstone. 1842.

A volume marked by the depth of feeling displayed on the subjects which the poems refer to. These are almost all, as the title page indicates, connected with our own church history, past and present, and the true-hearted, right-minded spirit which pervades them is quite refreshing. There are many vigorous, many pleasing passages scattered throughout these pages, which, apart from the general tone, will commend the volume to many readers, but especially to the friends and lovers of our church in these her days of suffering.

The Gift-Book of Poetry. Edinburgh: Johnstone. 1843.

There is much beauty and elegance in the exterior and more material parts of this volume, and there is no less within, in its substance and spirit. It is a good selection of modern poetry, consisting of pieces, some of them well known, others more new, making up a tasteful, pleasing, and not unprofitable giftbook for this season of the year.

Letters to the Friends of the Established Church on the First Principles of

the Church Controversy. By PATRICK M'FARLAN, D.D.

My Church Politics, in Letters to my People. By the Rev. N. MORREN.

The Church of Scotland and the Church of Christ owe much to Dr M'Farlan for the disinterested, manly, and able part he has taken in the present controversy. No clergyman has more to sacrifice, as a Minister of our Church, than Dr M'Farlan, but "he counts all things loss for Christ;" and in this iron age, when principle and intrepidity like this are so rarely to be met with, we almost venerate the man who has so pre-eminently displayed them. "Letters" ought to be possessed by all, as a judicious Manual" upon the subject to which they relate. They are excellent.

His

Borrowing the idea from Dr M Farlan of writing epistles to his Congregation, perhaps induced by the example of Apostles,-Mr Morren has directed a series of letters to his flock, entitled as above. Had the title been "The Politics of Christ in Letters to Christ's People," it would have been more suited to the nature of the subject, though not so congruous, perhaps, to the character of the work. It was reported during the Convocation that these "Letters" had been preached as sermons, and from, we believe, Eph. iv. 15, "speaking the truth in love," as the text. This we do not credit. At all events, with every attention, we cannot discover in them either the talent of Paul or the spirit of John. To do their author justice, however, the truth and the love they contain are in equal proportions.

A Brief Commentary on the First Epistle of John. By the Rev. A. S. PATTERSON, Hutchesontown Church, Glasgow 1842.

We regard this as an eminently successful specimen of Biblical exposition. It combines criticism and theology in their due proportions; and whilst its theology is pure and sound, its criticism embodies a rare amount of hermeneutical reading. We could not imagine a happier model, than this unpretending but admirable volume, for a Commentary upon all the Books of Scripture. If the author would be inclined by our opinion, we would earnestly ask him to take up other portions of the sacred writings in succession; and one so quali fied, as he is, would easily furnish us with something far superior to the American compilations of Bush or Barnes.

Records of Female Piety; comprising Sketches of the Lives, and Extracts from the Writings of Women eminent for religious experience. By JAMES A. HUIE. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1841.

Beginning with Monica, mother of Augustine, in the fourth, and concluding with Mrs Wilson of Bombay in the nineteenth century, the author has furnished us with nineteen valuable narratives of female worth, in a clear, but somewhat heavy and monotonous style. His design and aim are excellent, and in many respects the execution of his work is worthy of all praise; yet the spiritual tone is not very elevated, and the interspersed remarks are rather flat and tame. To some of his statements we demur. In the first memoir he speaks of Augustine's "correct and systematic views of evangelical truth," and then panegyrizes that father extravagantly. Now, of some evangelical truths, we admit Augustine did entertain correct views, but the praise here bestowed is far too lavish. Even Milner, with whom that father is a favourite, gives it as his opinion that his views on justification by faith were not satisfactory, or

at least not satisfactorily expressed. And though Milner's statement is rather strong for we remember well, some years ago, when our love to Augustine was at least as great as Milner's, searching some of his treatises for passages to disprove that historian's allegation, and finding some that seemed to do so,— yet we believe it is substantially correct. Our author must study Austin more thoroughly before he ventures again on so broad a eulogy, and while commending him for his noble defence (scriptural and metaphysical) of predestination, he will abate his more sweeping panegyric. Again, at p. 97, we find it stated that Bishop Burnet's exposition of the 39 Articles "is now ranked among the best pieces of English theology"!!! Nor do we like the slighting way in which he alludes (p. 177) to the controversy on some of the Calvinistic points between Toplady and Fletcher, Wesley, and others of that day. Toplady deserved some better name than that of " polemic." With these remarks we leave the volume to the judgment of our readers.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

PATNA. An interesting description of one of the stations which the Baptist Society has long occupied on the continent of India, we extract from their Magazine.

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Having visited Patna a few months previously to my embarking for England, I was requested by Mr Thomas to draw up, while on the voyage, for the perusal of friends at home, an account of things relative to our mission there -my impressions of Patna-its population-and the efforts made by Mr Beddy. In compliance with Mr T.'s request, I have endeavoured to do this, though briefly; and if the end be attained of affording information on any topic, I shall feel happy in having made the attempt, although the statement be less comprehensive than might have been desired. You are of course aware that Patna is a city of immense extent, situated on the banks of the Ganges, about 400 miles north of Calcutta, or, according to the usual oriental method of computing distances, by time, five weeks' journey on the river by boat, from the metropolis of British India. The distance is sometimes accomplished in a fortnight by the steamer, but as this is rather an expensive mode of travelling, the more humble conveyance is always chosen by our missionaries, especially as it affords opportunity of visiting, en route, the stations of Serampore, Cutwa, and Monghyr, belonging to our Society, and those of Chinsurah and Berhampore, in connexion with the London Missionary Society; these places being the only points from whence the word of salvation emanates in the wide tract of country from Calcutta to Patna, whilst large districts lying between these stations remain wholly unvisited, excepting now and then by the passing traveller; and the people are as ignorant of the gospel as the untutored mountaineer on the highest range of the Himalayas.

“The city of Patna extends about seven miles along the south bank of the river. Its population is computed at 600,000, of whom about 400,000 are Hindoos, and more than 199,000 Muhammadans. In the midst of this vast multitude of heathen, the only settled missionary is Mr Beddy, who has now spent more than thirty years of his life in India, eleven of which he has been a devoted and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. His robust frame and cheerful animated countenance would lead you to infer that he had suffered little from the baneful effects of the climate; and this impression is strengthened by observing his unwearied activity of mind and body; but there are times when he suffers severely from languor and depression, the lot, more or less, of all who take up their abode in India: and once or twice lately disease has assumed a