to the use and abuse of literary and ecclesiastical endowments; and Part II. to the establishment and extension of National Churches. We can acquiesce in much that the doctor has said in favour of college endowments, provided those institutions are made accessible to the whole people without ecclesiastical restriction. But we may be allowed to differ amicably with the author, in his Lectures on Church Establishments. Irrespective, however, of such difference, we suspect the doctor would not now say all that he did, when he came up to London to extinguish the Voluntaries. At least, we cannot reconcile all that he then said with the position he has since taken in the nonintrusion movement. The volume, however, is an interesting one, well worthy of the perusal of every enlightened and reflecting man; though the supporters of National Establishments, who think with Dr. Chalmers about the prerogative of Christ in his church, must ever be involved in inextricable difficulties and contradictions.

Vol. XVIII. is devoted to the discussion of "Church Extension ;" and so far as it advocates a vigorous effort on the part of a people to supply themselves with the means of religious instruction, we heartily coincide with Dr. Chalmers; so far, however, as it would combine with voluntary contribution, compulsory legislative grants to build churches for one patronised sect of Christians, we differ in toto, both on the justice of the measure, its political expediency, and its Christian integrity. But we are not wanting in admiration of many of the trains of thought introduced into this volume. It is written in the doctor's best style.

Vols. XIX. and XX. are entitled, "Political Economy, in connexion with the moral state and moral prospects of society." The subject is one of vast interest, upon which great difference of opinion exists among men of learning and philanthropy. We incline to many of Dr. Chalmers's views. They are decidedly liberal and enlarged; and might be examined with great benefit by all that body of politicians, who think that a nation's security depends mainly on class-legislation, and restrictions on foreign

commerce.

Vol. XXI. brings forth to full view Dr. Chalmers's peculiar opinions "on the sufficiency of a parochial system, without a poor-rate, for the right management of the poor." Whether his theory be right or wrong, one thing is certain, that the history of poor-rates has been one of doubtful benefit on the page of human nature. Dr. Chalmers has been much criticised on the subject of this volume; but if society were to commence de novo, there can be little doubt that the plans he suggests would be

How

fraught with vast good to mankind. far they are applicable to a state of society, in many respects already modelled, whether for good or evil, is a question by no means easy of solution. That all poor laws hitherto adopted, have created pauperism by the effort to relieve it, is a proposition so true. that no man in his senses can deny it. It may be, however, that this is only a manifestation of that necessary imperfection which pertains to all things human.

We are glad of the opportunity afforded us of expressing our profound respect for an author, who has done so much to enlarge the spread of human knowledge, and to give an impulse to the mental energy of our country. If his style be chargeable with an unusual degree of mannerism, it is at the same time so stirring and impressive, that no one can escape the force of its appeals. He has proved himself an honour to his country, and a blessing to mankind. May his valuable life be long spared, and his usefulness continued to his dying day.

The PICTORIAL HISTORY of ENGLAND; being a History of the People, as well as a History of the Kingdom. Illustrated with many hundred Wood-cuts of Monumental Records, Coins, Civil and Military Costume, Domestic Buildings, Furniture, and Ornaments, Cathedrals and other great works of Architecture, Sports, and other Illustrations, Mechanical Inventions, Portraits of the Kings and Queens, and remarkable Historical Seals. 4 vols. Imperial 8vo, upwards of 800 pages each vol.

Charles Knight and Co., Ludgate-street.

We cannot but regard the Pictorial History of England as a work of great national value. While it includes all the ordinary details contained in our best histories, it displays an attention to all subjects involving antiquarian research, peculiar, we may say, to itself. As a popular and cheap undertaking, it may be imagined, perhaps, by some, that it is wanting in that minute accuracy which ought to attach to a professed History of England and her people; but we can assure our readers, that such an impression would be ill-founded, as very few of our histories will be found safer guides, upon all vital points, than the Pictorial History of England. The plan of Henry has been followed by the laborious editors, viz., that of separating the different topics connected with a particular reign into distinct branches; so that any one wishing to know the military tactics; the state of religion; of government; of national industry; of literature, science, and arts; of manners and customs; and of the social

condition of the people, during the reign of any of our sovereigns, may find all these topics handled in an able and instructive manner under separate heads.

An

But the attention paid by the spirited authors of this history to the subject of our national antiquities, entitles them to the highest praise. By keeping their eye stedfasily fixed on this interesting branch of inquiry, they have succeeded in throwing an air almost of romance over their labours, which cannot fail to draw attention to the Pictorial History of England, among persons of inquisitive habits of mind. intelligent child, of ten years of age, having been found poring over the work with great avidity for a whole morning, was asked by her mother, why she was applying so long at a time? Her reply was, 66 Mother, I cannot help it; the book won't let me leave it." This is really a very just description of the effects which the work produces upon more matured minds. Then the pictorial illustrations are exceedingly attractive; and are, in general, remarkably well executed. The moral, religious, and political bearings of the work, are ordinarily very correct; so that it may safely be put into the hands of youth.

The four large volumes published, which may be divided into six, carry our history down to the times of George the Third. Three more volumes are in rapid progress, which, under a new issue, will bring the narrative as far the present period. We regard the Pictorial History of England, as supplying a desideratum in our national literature; and recommend it earnestly to the notice of our readers.

ILLUSTRATIONS of SCRIPTURE, from the Geography, Natural History, and Manners and Customs of the East. By the late Professor GEORGE PAXTON, D.D., of Edinburgh. Third Edition, revised and greatly enlarged, by the Rev. ROBERT JAMIESON, Minister of Currie, Author of "Eastern Manners illustrative of the Holy Scriptures," &c. In 4 vols. royal 18mo. Vol. I. Geography: Vol. II. Natural History; Vol. III. Manners and Customs. W. Oliphant, Edinburgh; Hamilton, Adams, and Co., London.

The deceased author of these volumes was one of the most diligent biblical collectors of his age. He commenced his researches at a time when the class of studies to which he devoted so many of his best years was less appreciated than happily it is in the present day. Possessed of a vigorous mind, and a sound education, he was stimulated to engage in the eager pursuit of oriental literature, by the circumstance of his being appointed to the theological chair in the di

vinity hall of the Anti-burgher Synod. If he had nothing unusually brilliant in his equipment for the work to which he was called, by the suffrages of his brethren in the ministry, he was at least a man of sound judgment, of correct taste, and of steady and laborious application. The result was, that his students were "scribes well instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom," and that his original resources were every year augmented by an ardent devotement to the proper duties of his solemn and responsible vocation.

The volumes which we now introduce to the cordial notice of our readers, may be regarded as a favourable specimen of the kind of instruction the author was wont to convey to that portion of the rising ministry committed to his care. He had a strong and just conviction, that a correct knowledge of the geography, natural history, manners and customs of eastern countries and of the Holy Land in particular, was a powerful aid to all correct biblical interpretation, that it lay at the basis of sound scriptural exposition, and that it furnished ample means for rendering the labours of the Christian pulpit at once engaging and instructive.

In the first of these volumes, under the head, "Sacred Geography," the author has collected a mass of valuable information upon the original state of the world, the settlements of Japhet-Babylon-the conquests of Nimrod-Chaldea, Persia, Media, Egypt, Arabia, and Palestine. From all the ordinary sources of information, the author has collected his materials, has thrown over them the charm of modern science, and has illustrated some thousands of texts of sacred writ.

The second volume is devoted to "Natural History;" and treats of herbs and shrubs, woods and trees, insects, reptiles, amphibious animals, domestic animals, beasts of prey, wild inoffensive animals, birds of prey, and harmless birds. In this volume, the author, without any tendency to what is dry and stiff, has adhered to strictly scientific rules, and has exercised such diligence, that we greatly doubt, if any additional information could be supplied on the subjects which have come under his notice. To all the authors who have written on the natural history of the Bible, Dr. Paxton has made reference, whether ancient or modern, and has done much to clear up those difficulties which arise from the fact, that the translators of our English Bible were evidently but little acquainted with the subject of which this volume treats, and which led them often to feel the difficulty attaching to the correct rendering to certain words in the original.

The two last volumes treat most amply of the manners and customs of the East; and

exhibit illustrations of Scripture from the pastoral life, agriculture, architecture, dress, entertainments, marriage ceremonies, covenants, courtesies, sepultural rites, jurisprudence, amusements, military tactics, travel, and manufactures of the orientals.

One of the most striking features of these volumes is the surprising number of texts on which light has been thrown by the author. And as they are fully arranged, in eich volume, under the several books of Scripture, they may be referred to by the student or private Christian without loss of time. The indexes, too, of this edition are admirable; and show, at a glance, the vast field of inquiry to which the author's researches extend. A more valuable work for a student's or a minister's library we can scarcely conceive of.

We are much indebted to the present editor, the Rev. Robert Jamieson, of Currie, for his careful superintendence of the press, and for the valuable additions which he has made on most subjects, to Dr. Paxton's original work. As he has devoted much of his time to the investigation of oriental literature, his additions are, in general, highly judicious.

PUSEYISM; or, the Errors of the Times. Four Lectures. By the Rev. ROBERT FERGUSON, Minister of Brickfield Chapel, Stratford, London. Post 8vo. pp. 72. John Snow.

These lectures are announced as designed for popular use, and we think them pre-eminently adapted to the popular mind.

A work in order to be useful in the present day must be comprehensive and brief. Wilks' motto for a speech is a good one for a book,- A river full of thoughts and a spoonful of words." In the universal agitation of mind upon secular, civil, and ecclesiastical questions, attention is necessarily greatly divided. Principles therefore, illustrated by a few appropriate facts, are mainly needed, so that every individual as a citizen and as a Christian,-without a perfect familiarity with the minutiae of all subjects in reference to which he must think and act,may possess sufficient knowledge for an independent and rational opinion. We therefore feel grateful to an author who presents important truths with brevity and entireness at once; so that a subject may be comprehended by ordinary minds in a few hours and in the course of a single perusal. Such is the work before us. The author presents and proves in a few words the great doctrines of the Bible; and at the same time exposes in a vivid and convincing light the errors of the Oxford tracts, and the entire system of popery.

The volume may be read in an hour, and

we believe no work of the kind will in so short a period furnish the Christian with so great an amount of scriptural truth, substantial argument, and we may add, rigid demonstration. It may be a good pocket companion for men of business, who would become acquainted with the system it exposes and the arguments by which that system is met; or who would disseminate light amongst their Puseyite and other friends; and it will furnish an intellectual and a spiritual entertainment to those who are accustomed to philosophical and theological studies.

We have read the lectures with great delight, some passages of which possess, in our view, a peculiar force. Amongst many which we can hardly refrain from quoting, the following paragraph, touching" apostolical succession," affords a good illustration of the whole work.

that

"But where is the proof that the apostles appointed successors? We are told one of their very first joint acts, when deprived of the presence of their Lord, was to select a person to be associated with themselves in the apostolic office, that the number originally named to that office by our Saviour might be complete.' The reference here is beyond question to the election of Matthias. Now that was an official act, or it was not. If official, it was premature. The apostles were commanded to wait till they received the promise of the Father,-till they were endued with power from on high. Till thus enriched and endowed, they were not competent to enter on any department of their work; and consequently, not authorized to enter on any such proceeding as the election of a fellow apostle. But if it be admitted that it was not an official act, the whole transaction goes for nothing. Besides, was not this election wholly set aside by Christ himself when he chose Paul to bear his name far hence to the gentiles? Never did he commit to them such power. It was indispensable to the very existence as well as possession of the office, that the commission should be held immediately from Christ. This was the case with Paul, but not with Matthias. Nor is it a little remarkable that the latter is never once introduced in any way, either in the evangelical history, or in the epistles, from the day of his election to the extinction of the whole college of apostles.

"Neither do we find the apostles on any subsequent occasion (such as the decease of one of their number) making any provision to fill up their original complement. There is not the remotest allusion in any of their epistles to their successors. Both Peter and Paul speak of their approaching decease, and with consummate wisdom instruct the churches how to walk, but not a syllable escapes their lips in reference to a certain

succession. Even St. John, who outlived all his colleagues, says nothing on this boasted point. The office of the apostles, with all its extraordinary endowments, died with the men. After their decease, the exalted Head of the Church sent forth no corresponding order of men. The instruction and government of the church were subsequently in. trusted to pastors and teachers.' These were designed as a standing order, to be perpetuated through all succeeding time, and the validity of whose ministry was to depend not on any supposed communications of virtue and power from apostolic hands, but on their intellectual and moral adaptation to the work. So it is now. If there be satisfactory evidence of a man's personal regeneration-a competent measure of sound learning-the concurrent testimony of his fellow presbyters, with the visible seal of the Divine approbation on his labours in the conversion of souls, his ministry possesses every attribute which can render it valid. And the more closely it adheres to the doctrine and practice of the apostles, the nearer he comes to them, not as ambassadors, but as ministers of Christ. But without these attributes and without this conformity, if even every link in the chain of apostolic succession could be traced with unbroken certainty 'from St. Peter to our present metropolitans,' those who assume the office of the Christian ministry would stand at the greatest possible remove from those pre-eminent and extraordinary men.'

The paragraphs on the sufficiency of Scripture; right of private judgment; authority of the church; baptismal regeneration; justification by faith; purgatory; prayers for the dead, &c., are equally full, vigorous, and convincing.

We most cordially commend these lectures to all classes, and venture to predict for them a wide circulation, not only in this kingdom, but amongst our transatlantic brethren, as the sad fact cannot be concealed, that Puseyism is springing up there to poison that faith which the puritan fathers bled and died to disseminate.

The HOLY BIBLE, containing the Old and New Testaments: according to the Authorised Version; with copious Critical and Explanatory Notes, and Reflections on each Chapter, adapted for Family Reading. By DAVID DAVIDSON. With also a copious Index, and illustrated with new Maps. Folio. pp. 1432.

W. White, Edinburgh; Simpkin and Marshall,

London.

Mr. Davidson has long been known to pious circles in Scotland, as a man able in the Scriptures, and possessing abilities of no

ordinary description for expounding them to others. We are happy to find that his biblical writings are beginning to be known on this side the Tweed; and we are sure that the more they are known, the more they will be prized. The small edition of his Commentary, in three volumes, has had a wide circulation. We are now glad to see it in its present form, for the use of families. Mr. D. has a happy talent for saying much in little space and his views withal of Divine truth are eminently and sweetly evangelical. He has not encumbered his work with references to the authors of whose labours he has availed himself. This fact does not expose him to the just charge of plagiarism, as he has made the thoughts of other men his own, by casting them into the mould of his own particular mind.

A better Family Bible, for common use, we do not know than Mr. Davidson's. His insight into the meaning of Scripture is very clear, and his attachment to its cardinal truths strong and marked. We cannot but anticipate a wide circulation for this valuable aid to the proper understanding of the word of God.

The EASTERN and WESTERN STATES of AMERICA. By J. S. BUCKINGHAM, Esq. In 3 vols. 8vo.

Fisher, Son, and Co.

This is Mr. Buckingham's third series of historical researches in America. His first three volumes were devoted to the Northern, or free states; his second two volumes, to the Southern, or slave states; and the three volumes before us, to the Eastern and Western States. The eight volumes combined supply the fullest and best account of America extant; although we are strongly impressed with the fact, that the author details where he ought to be brief, and is brief, at times, where detail would have been preeminently acceptable. If he had, throughout the series, said less of himself, we are sure that the omission would have been approved by many who regard him as a man of sound intentions and truly benevolent heart.

The three volumes before us embrace a very wide range; as they narrate almost every thing pertaining to the history of the Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and of the eastern states of Maine, New Hampshire, western states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, Mr. Buckingham's plan leads him to present to the notice of his readers the history, topography, productions, statistics, cities, towns, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the American nation.

"Besides," he observes, "repeated visits to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, and the examination of new ob. jects in each, the records of which will be found in these pages, the journey into the interior of Pennsylvania, across the Alleghanny mountains to Pittsburgh; the voyage down the beautiful river Ohio, to its junction with the Mississippi; the ascent of that noble stream, most appropriately called, 'The father of waters,' up to the highest navigable point of its rapids; a journey across the flower-clad prairies of Illinois; a voyage on the great lakes, Huron and Erie; a second visit to the falls of Niagara; give to the contents of these three volumes a great variety of new and interesting materials, which, it is hoped, will be generally acceptable to all classes, and be found to blend together the agreeable and the useful."

We are decidedly of opinion that the three last volumes are the best written of the series; and we do hope that they will have a large circulation, as they exhibit correct views of the state of American society and of American institutions.

MISSIONARY LABOURS and SCENES in SOUTHERN AFRICA. By ROBERT MOFFAT, Twenty-three Years an Agent of the London Missionary Society, in that Continent. Fifth thousand. 8vo, pp. 624.

John Snow.

We are truly happy to announce the fifth thousand of a work, which has done so much to awaken interest in missionary undertakings. From us it can require no additional recommendation. We gave a decided opinion respecting it when first it made its appearance. That opinion is in no way changed. We rejoice to know that the demand for it continues to be unabated. It deserves a place in the library of every Christian, and of every philanthropist. May the Divine blessing rest upon the author and his beloved family, in their voyage to the favoured scene of their missionary toils and success!

The CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER; or, the Connexion of Science and Philosophy with Religion. Illustrated with Engravings. By THOMAS DICK, LL.D. Eighth edition, revised, corrected, and greatly enlarged. 12mo, pp. 656.

W. Collins, Glasgow; Hamilton, Adams,
and Co., London.

This volume was always a favourite with us, since its first appearance. We do not wish to depreciate Dr. Dick's other labours, when we say, that we prefer it greatly to any of them. It has had a large circulation;

and, in its present greatly improved form, we sincerely trust it will keep its hold of the public mind. The sciences have been travelling at such a railroad speed, that when the author set himself to revise "The Christian Philosopher" for the press, he found it necessary to remodel many parts of it, to bring it down to the present state of discovery on the subject of the physical sciences. And, so far as we can judge, he has performed his task with much ability, and has furnished a work replete with correct information, and sound moral and religious principles for the instruction of the young. As many years ago, we introduced this work with pleasure to our readers, we are happy to be able, with undiminished, yea, with increased confidence, to recommend the eighth edition to their warm and grateful reception.

The CONGREGATIONAL CALENDAR and FAMILY ALMANAC, for 1843, being the third after Bissextile, or Leap Year. Compiled pursuant to a vote of the annual assembly of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. Price 1s. 12mo. pp. 132.

Jackson and Walford.

This has been a most valuable publication from its commencement, and highly creditable to the taste and industry of the editor, and the deliberative judgment of the respected body under whose auspices it meets the public eye. It should be in every nonconformist's house, who can afford to purchase it; and there is nothing in its spirit or details that unfits it for the use of Christians in general. It is an admirable compendium of that kind of instruction which is generally looked for in an almanac of the highest class.

The SCOTTISH ECCLESIASTICAL REGISTER and NATIONAL ALMANAC, for the year 1843, being the third after Leap Year. Royal 18mo, pp. 232.

Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

This Register of matters pertaining to religion in Scotland, has been a singularly well-conducted publication from the period of its first appearance. The author, who is a well-educated and well-informed man, has bestowed much pains upon all its details; and has succeeded in producing a most entertaining, instructive, and useful volume. The present number of the Scottish Ecclesiastical Register will be very valuable, as it furnishes correct information respecting all matters pertaining to the present position of the Church of Scotland. Those in this country who wish to understand the position of that