NOTES, EXPLANATORY and PRACTICAL, on the NEW TESTAMENT. By ALBERT BARNES, Minister of the Gospel, Philadelphia. Vol. VIII. Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. 12mo. NOTES, EXPLANATORY and PRACTICAL, on the NEW TESTAMENT. By ALBERT BARNES, Minister of the Gospel, Philadelphia. Hebrews. 12mo.

Blackie and Son, Warwick-square.

The demand for Commentaries on the Holy Scriptures is a marked and gratifying peculiarity of the age. We would hope that it indicates an increased attachment to the word of God, and a growing determination to discard all authority in religion but that of the living oracles. The very cheap rate, too, at which our most approved commentaries can now be obtained, as compared with former times, is matter of high congratulation. Such helps to the intelligent perusal of the sacred volume are now brought within the reach of even the labouring classes of the community; many of whom may now be seen daily reading the Scriptures with the aid of Matthew Henry, Scott, Cobbin, or Barnes. It is a spectacle this most grateful and full of hope.

Of the many editions of Barnes's Notes which have appeared in this country, that of Messrs. Blackie and Son is entitled to distinct notice. Some have complained of the supplementary notes which have been introduced into the pages of this edition, especially those of them which oppose certain views of scriptural doctrine entertained by Mr. Barnes. We do not see the force of such objections, as the notes in question are clearly distinguished by brackets from Mr. Barnes's comments, and as they are, in general, well sustained criticisms. We think, for example, that the additional notes upon the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, not to speak of other instances, are well fitted to counteract certain views of the author to which hundreds of thousands of orthodox Christians are unable to subscribe. If the notes were stealthily introduced, without intimation, so as to put sentiments into the commentary of Mr. Barnes which he does not hold, the thing would be very objectionable; but this not being the case, we see no objections to the critiques in question.

The three volumes we now introduce to our readers will be found quite equal to any of the others which have long been in the hands of the public. Indeed, we have no scruple whatever in giving it as our deliberate opinion, that Barnes's Exposition of the Hebrews is superior to any of his other comments. He has fully availed himself of all existing aids in the treatment of this most important book. We earnestly recommend

Messrs. Blackie's edition as highly deserving of public patronage.

The VILLAGE RECTORY; or, Truth in Fiction. By the Rev. R. W. DIBDIN, M.A., Minister of West-street Episcopal Chapel, Author of "Life of Edward VI.," "Sermons," &c. Small 8vo, pp. 240.

James Nisbet and Co.

We have been very much interested in the perusal of this pleasing and instructive volume, the production of a pious and evangelical clergyman, "whose praise is in all the churches." There is a fine tone of Christian discrimination running throughout the whole work, and rendering it a safe guide to those whose opinions may not be fully formed and matured. The writer is no advocate of loose theology, or of half-and-half measures in dealing with the souls of men. In the characters pourtrayed in these pages, he has shown the marked difference between the legal and the evangelical in Christian teaching; and has administered many a sharp rebuke to those who would say, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace." As we have read certain passages, of great pungency and fidelity, we have been ready to ask, will the authorities of Mr. Dibdin's church bear with this honest exposure of existing evils? We believe the author has counted the cost of keeping a good conscience, and would be but little disturbed at anything that might befal him in the path of duty. There are some beautiful domestic scenes in the volume, which deserve to be written in letters of gold. We can very conscientiously recommend the volume to our readers, as tending, in a high degree, to promote the interests of faithful preaching, pastoral vigilance, and vital godliness. Our prayer is, that the labours of this devoted and catholic-minded clergyman may be greatly blessed.

BRIEF NOTICES OF BOOKS.

1. The Fruits of the Spirit. By the Rev. WIL LIAM HENRY ELLIOTT, Ebenezer Chapel, Shoreditch, London. 18mo. pp. 108. Ward and Co.This brief treatise contains much seasonable truth, on a subject but too little regarded by many who profess to be the followers of Christ. The author has treated the theme announced in the title in a manner truly scriptural, and well calculated to do extensive good.

2. The Claims of the Gospel on the Young. By the Rev. JOEL PARKER, D.D., of Philadelphia. 18mo. pp. 142. Religious Tract Society.-Dr. Parker is one of the most powerful preachers in the United States; and the essay which we now introduce to our readers is an admirable specimen of the kind of appeal adapted to young men of the intelligent and educated class. We know of no volume that we could more hopefully put into the hands of an undecided youth.

3. Life of Heinrich Stilling: abridged by JOHN WRIGHT, from the Original Translation. By SAMUEL JACKSON. 32mo. pp. 436. Houlston and Stoneman.-There is a romantic interest connected with the life of Stilling, irrespective of its higher qualities, which will always invest it with a powerful charm. In the abridgment before us the spirit of the original work has been fully preserved.

4. The Candidate for Heaven invited to Christian Fellowship. By WILLIAM GARNER, Primitive Methodist Minister. 32mo. pp. 96. Ward and Co. The subjects treated in this compact volume are the following: Church-membership a Divine Institution; Practical Attention to Church-membership on the part of Professing Christians and Penitent Sinners, an important Duty; Disadvantages of lonely Piety; Advantages of ChurchCommunion; Objections to Church-membership answered; Instructions for the Determination of our Choice; Concluding Remarks. All these topics are treated with discriminating wisdom.

5. Elegy on the Death of Thos. Chalmers, D.D., Corresponding Member of the Royal Institute of France. By ROBERT WILSON, A.M., author of "The Pleasures of Piety." Small 8vo. pp. 22. Hamilton, Adams, and Co.-There is great vigour of conception, riches of imagery, and pathos of feeling, in this Elegy on the Death of Chalmers.

6. Scriptural Epitaphs. 18mo. pp. 108. Smith, Elder, and Co.-"The design," observes the writer "of this little book is to furnish a selection of passages from the Holy Scriptures, suitable for Christian epitaphs; in the hope that it may tend to a more judicious choice of monumental inscriptions." The design is excellent, and the selection of texts highly judicious.

7. Hymns from the German of Dr. Martin Luther. By the Rev. JOHN ANDERSON, Minister of the Free Church of Scotland, Helensburgh. Second Edition. 12mo. pp. 96. J. D. Lowe, Edinburgh. We sincerely thank Mr. Anderson for this deeply-interesting selection of Hymns from the devotional compositions of the immortal Luther. We regard them as a great boon; and greatly value his critical preface.

1s. 6d.

8. The National Spelling-Book; or, Easy Guide to Useful Knowledge. Illustrated with 150 Engravings. 12mo. pp. 120. B. Steill. We have seen no spelling-book for the young of equal pretensions with this. We can cordially recommend it as sure to interest beginners.

9. School Music, comprehending the "Child's Own Book" for Sunday Schools, with a large and varied selection of Tunes for Day Schools. Arranged for three voices. By GEORGE HOGARTH, Esq., author of the "History of Music," &c. And edited by JOHN CURWEN. Ward and Co-We have no hesitation in committing ourselves to the strongest recommendation of this selection of music for the use of Sunday or day schools. It is deserving of any amount of confidence which may be reposed in it, both for its taste and talent.

10. The Rock of Israel; or, A Word or Two to the Distrustful upon Jehovah as the reasonable Object of the Confidence of Man. 32mo. pp. 176. Arthur Hall and Co., Ipswich.-This volume will be found a word in season to weary and afflicted souls. We commend it earnestly to those who have passed through the deep waters of sorrow.

11. The Christian Reader: a Collection of Pieces from the most celebrated Authors. Selected and arranged by JOHN SALTER. Third Edition. Enlarged, revised, and improved; forming a superior Class-Book for Families and Schools. Small 8vo. pp. 424. Fisher, Son, and Co.-One of the best books of the class to which it belongs. We give it our warmest recommendation.

12. The Christian's Half-Hour Book. Small 8vo. pp. 384. W. Smith, Fleet-street.-This volume

deserves, and will obtain, a wide circulation, and a general acceptance with the Christian public. It is a book for a leisure hour or half-hour, and will fill up usefully many a little fragment of time which, but for such a companion, might be utterly squandered.

13. Mrs. Baynes's Knitted Lace Receipt Books. Seven vols. Price 6d. each. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. We have much pleasure in introducing to our readers this very useful and ingenious series of cheap works on the subject of lace knitting in all its departments. The volumes are beautifully illustrated with specimens of knitting, and the rules laid down by Mrs. Baynes are such as to be intelligible to any young lady of moderate capacity. In an age when the labours of the needle are rendered so available for the benefit of religious and charitable institutions, we deem it a public duty to make known to our female friends, who delight in doing good, this valuable series of instructions from the pen of one who well understands her subject.

14. School Songs, Sacred, Moral, and Descriptive; designed to aid Instruction in Schools and Families, and connected with appropriate Tunes, which are published separately, in "School Music,' Is., and Children's School Music." 4d. Edited by JOHN CURWEN. 32mo. pp. 160. Ward and Co.This is a suitable companion to the Music recommended in No. 9, of these Brief Notices of Books. The selection we regard as peculiarly excellent. In fact, we could not point to one piece that we could pronounce exceptionable.

15. Memorials of the Dawn of the Reformation in Europe. Small 8vo. pp. 320. Thomas Nelson.This volume of Nelson's Cheap Series will be found alike entertaining and instructive. It is a beautiful and well-written compendium of some of the most thrilling facts connected with the rise and progress of the Reformation.

16. The Recreation. A Gift-Book for Young Readers. With Engravings. Small 8vo. pp. 346. W. S. Orr and Co.-This is an old favourite of ours; and we are happy to say, after all the years of its existence, it retains all the vigour of its youth; and is as full of incident as when it first sued for a measure of public favour. It is admirably conducted as an annual token for the young.

17. The Young Man's Aid to Improvement, Suecess, and true Happiness. By "Mentor." Fourth Thousand. 18mo. pp. 156. George Gallie, Glasgow. -An admirable present for a young man on leaving the parental roof, or while occupied in the pursuits of business, and exposed to the temptations of the world.

18. The Portraiture of a Christian Lady; or, Sketches of Christian Life and Conversation. Small 8vo. pp. 244. Seeley and Co.-This is a book of fine principles, and is well adapted to form the habits, and direct the conduct, of all those young ladies who wish to demean themselves as "women professing godliness."

19. The National Cyclopædia of Useful Knowledge. Part X. Berwickshire-Bokhara. 8vo. 1s. Charles Knight.-This most useful and instructive work is proceeding with all the vigour which characterizes Mr. Knight's house.

20

The Protestant Dissenter's Almanack for 1848. J. Snow.-It is not, of course, to review this little publication that we introduce a reference to it in this department of our Magazine, but to recommend it heartily to all our readers. We have glanced rapidly over its pages, and, assuming the correctness of the various accounts which the compiler has brought together, we are bound to say the work sustains the professions of its title, and is an Almanack for Protestant Dissenters. For threepence, therefore, our friends may place upon their tables the usual items of information which an almanack supplies, and a considerable amount of intelligence most valuable concerning the religious

condition of our country, and those Christian and benevolent institutions in which they are deeply interested. It will be a disgrace, if both the publisher and editor shall not have cause to rejoice in their enterprise, and to continue it in future years. Let Dissenters give currency to this Almanack. Wherever it goes it will bear a testimony for them and for their principles, the result of which cannot but be beneficial.

21. Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians and the Epistle to the Galatians. By Rev. ALBERT BARNES. Revised verbatim from the latest American edition, edited and carefully corrected. By Rev. INGRAM COBBIN, M. A. Small 8vo. pp. 466. William Tegg and Co., Cheapside.-We believe the public may fully rely on the accuracy, as it may be grateful for the cheapness, of this edition of Barnes's Notes.

22. The Scripture Pocket-Book for 1848. Containing an Almanack, also a Passage of Scripture for every Day, with an arrangement by which the

Bible may be read in the course of the year; and a variety of useful information. 32mo. pp. 192. Religious Tract Society.-This Pocket Book will be found to answer every practical and useful purpose.

23. The Pocket Book Almanack for 1848, being Bissextile, or Leap-Year. Also, The Tract Society's Penny Almanack for 1848. Religious Tract Society. -Very cheap and admirable little books.

24. The Christian Almanack for the Year 1848, being Bissextile Year, or Leap Year. 12mo. pp. 84. Religious Tract Society. 6d. This annual favourite is, as we think, an improvement on its predecessors.

25. Mary and her Mother. A Sequel to "Scriptural Stories for very Young Children." By the same Author. Fifth Edition. 18mo. pp. 260. Ward and Co.-The acceptance which this admirable little volume has realized renders it unnecessary for us to say anything in commendation of it. It is one of the best little books of its kind extant.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

DEAR SIR,-At a time when our great Institution is being so unsparingly assailed, the testimony of any disinterested party in its favour must be held invaluable.

At a time when the Church of Christ is being rent by its own internal feuds, how refreshing to the spirit is it to see men forcing through the limits of sect and party, and embracing in the arms of a pure and unconfined charity all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity!

Being recently on a tour on behalf of the Society, the following note was sent by a ministerial brother of the Church of England, as an apology for not being present at the public meeting in his immediate locality. It will be read with deep and lively interest by the friends of the Society. Its whole style bespeaks the man of God:

"Dear Sir,-I was yesterday favoured with your intimation of the meeting to be held this evening, in aid of the London Missionary Society; and as, if able, I should be happy to avail myself of your obliging notice, and be present with you on this interesting occasion, I think it only alike due to your Committee and to myself to tell you so.

"I should be equally rejoiced to-night, as on many former occasions, to be permitted to offer my humble testimony, in any assembly of my dear fellow-Christians, to the great value of the London Missionary Society, and to join your speakers and the meeting in praising and thanking God for the visible rich blessing with which He is crowning the labours of the Society in the various extensive scenes of its operations. Such a testimony in the face of the world,

from a poor servant of God, is only due to the cause and to the Society; and I should feel that I did myself honour in rendering it for from my heart I rejoice, that, notwithstanding all the jarrings and unholy strifes and divisions among the various sections of the Church of Christ, there are little oases-lovely green spots to be found in the wilderness of this fallen world, whereon faithful Christians, who have the law of Christ's love written in their hearts, can meet in perfect unison, and show the unbelieving world that they ARE ALL ONE in Christ Jesus, their ever living Head !that their Master's work is their common work, and that where His honour and will are concerned, their miserable little differences vanish;-that they possess a great uniting and all-pervading principle ;-that though differing in outward uniform, like the various regiments composing a vast army, they can at any emergency act with unity and vigour under the same great Leader, and move forward to the help of the Lord, under the same glorious banner. God grant that the hour may be near when all his true worshipping people shall be united in externals, as they now are and ever will be in the sacred bonds of spiritual truth and love!

"Perhaps you will do me the kindness just to read this note to the Deputation and the gentlemen of your Committee, to account far my nonappearance, and also to put the inclosed mite into the collecting. plate."

The mite was a sovereign. We appreciate the gift, but the letter is more than the money. It is worthy of being printed in

characters of gold. Oh, when shall the whole Church of God breathe this loving spirit? When shall our feuds be quelled, and our fires extinguished? When shall we lay aside "all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, with all malice, and be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us; and be followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us." The church must be united before the world can be converted.

Yours, most sincerely,
ROBERT FERGUSON.

Stratford-le-Bow, Nov. 11, 1847.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF SOWING BESIDE ALL WATERS.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us in the parable of the sower, not to expect that all the good seed will grow which we scatter abroad; but if only a quarter of it bring forth abundantly, it will be a rich reward for all our toil.

The idea of "sowing beside all waters," Isa. xxxii. 20, implies that we are to be always on the look out for opportunities to glorify God, and to do good to men,—and, in the present article, I shall mention two facts to encourage my young brethren, to turn every place into a pulpit. To make every sinner they meet a congregation. To have always a good stock of seed with them, and, as they have opportunity, sow away. Notice, first, the baptism of a little girl when I was a student.

It is not usual for young ministers to return to college after they have been ordained, but it was so in my case. I returned after my ordination, and remained until the ship was ready to take me to India; and, during that time, the following circumstance occurred. One morning, some of my fellowstudents came to me, saying, "There is a family near our lodging in deep distress. They have a child, supposed to be dying, and it is not baptized. The father has been to us, requesting us to baptize it, but we have not been ordained; will you come with us and baptize it?" I said, "Who are the people?" They replied, "We know nothing about their religious character, but they are respectable shopkeepers." I then proposed to wait on our venerable tutor, and consult him. He heard us, and said: "These parents are strangers to me, but do you go, sir, and endeavour to do good to their souls. It may prove a fine opportunity to say something for God. I will pray for you,"

Away we then walked to the house of mourning. There we saw the mother with her daughter on her lap. She never raised her eyes to look on us; they were fixed on what she thought her dying child. The father was walking up and down the room, wringing his hands and weeping. At last he stopped, and looking wistfully at me, said, "Are you come to baptize my dear daughter?" I said, "Yes; but sit down and try to compose yourself." We then sat down and sympathized with the parents. I then said, "You think your child will die. We hope not; we will pray God to spare it to you. But if God spare her, think what responsibility will be on you. O friends, train her up in the fear of God! Let her often hear your voice in prayer. Perhaps you have not yet believed in Christ yourselves, and this affliction may have been sent by a merciful God, to lead you to the Saviour." At this moment the father could contain no longer; he stopped me, and sobbed out, "You-do not know-our character." "No, sir, I do not; but I should like to know it." "O," said he, "we have been great professors, but we have departed from the Lord, and now he is punishing us for our sins. O, he will surely take away our child. O, how we have sinned!" He then described how they had been tempted, in hope of gain, to sell goods on Sunday-morning; then occupying nearly all the forenoon in supplying ships; then proceeding from step to step, until,under the hardening influence of sin, they had wholly given up family prayer, and nearly absented themselves from the house of God altogether. My brethren and myself sat amazed at the disclosure, while the heart-broken wife wept and sobbed aloud. After the sobbing had ceased, we began again : “Well, sir, if you see the heinousness of your sin, and are really sorry for it, then return ye backsliding children, and the Lord will heal your backslidings, and, as a proof of your sincerity, restore the worship of God in your house, and have family prayer tonight." "O, sir," said the father, "I cannot. I have three young men in my house, and they know how I have lived. How can I pray before them?" "How can you?" I replied, "act an honest part, sir. Tell the young men your present views and feelings. Acknowledge your guilt in neglecting them as well as yourselves, and, as you were not ashamed to serve the devil in their presence, don't be ashamed to let them see that you are now determined to serve God." We then went to prayer, baptized the child, and departed. This was the only person I baptized before I went on my mission to the heathen.

In a few days I called to inquire for the child. "O," said the servant," she is get

ting quite about again; she began to recover immediately after the baptism." "Where is your master?" "I will call him." As the girl left the room, I espied on a table some Bibles and Hymn-books; and on her return, I said, "What have you been doing with so many Bibles?" "O, sir, they are the books which master and we use at family prayer." So he had begun.

More than twenty years after this, one of my children went to a shop, where a respectable young woman was in attendance. She made herself known by saying, "Your father baptized me." "Indeed, did he?" "Yes, and from the time of my baptism, my dear father and mother turned to the Lord. They became honourable members of the church of Christ, and have lately died in the hope of the gospel. Tell your father I am a member of the church of Christ also."

"Though seed lie buried long in dust,
It shan't deceive their hope;
The precious grain can ne'er be lost,
For grace secures the crop."

Secondly Notice the Evangelical Magazine.

Mr. Stevens, a missionary student, died while pursuing his studies under Dr. Bogue. He was our youngest student, and greatly beloved by his brethren. He was a great favourite also with the congregations that he visited, and was frequently called to preach sermons to the young. These constant labours were too much for his constitution. He sunk into a rapid decline, and soon entered into glory. I was much with him during his illness, and watched over his dying-bed with great profit to my own soul, and, I believe, to his comfort. His zeal never forsook him. In his dreams he was preaching to children, and in his delirium he was telling the heathen about Christ. After his death I drew up a brief memorial of this brother beloved, and sent it to the Evangelical Magazine. It was the first effort of my pen that ever appeared in print, and many years after dear Stevens had been mouldering to dust, and after I had been labouring on India's burning sands and Russia's frozen regions, I met with a good deacon of an Independent church, who said, "How often I have wished to see you, to tell you how that account of young Stevens was blessed to my soul! I was just of his age. My mind was busily engaged in seeking happiness, and when I saw the short account of him in the Magazine, it overpowered me. It went right to my heart, and I trust I gave my heart to Christ immediately, to serve him for ever. Soon after this I joined a church, and for some years have been a deacon, endeavouring to advance the same cause in which Mr. Stevens died."

These two facts may afford encouragement to those who write for the Magazine, as well as to those who baptize children. The happy results were not known to me for more than twenty years after my part of the work was done. What I sowed in weakness was raised in power. God took care of it. The seed was sown in very different soil. O, we must sow beside all waters. That is our duty, and doubtless in due time we shall reap if we faint not! Fellowlabourers in God's vineyard, if now and then we hear of good being done through our instrumentality, what may we hope to see and hear in heaven? Let us thank God and take courage. RICHARD KNILL.

Wotton Tabernacle, Nov. 8th, 1847.

BIBLE

SHALL THE DESTROYER OF THE
MONOPOLY BE SUFFERED TO SINK?

[We think it a duty to our friend, Dr. Thomson, to give publicity to the following circular, and to press its contents upon the notice of our readers. What they do, let them do quickly.]

DR. THOMSON'S COMMITTEE-ROOM, 53, Paternoster-row, London, November 12, 1847.

Rev. and Dear Sir,-You are the friend of the circulation of the Scriptures to the widest extent throughout the world. In common with all Protestant Christians, you rejoice in the extraordinary reduction in the prices of the various editions of the Bible and Testament within the last ten years.

The quarto Bible, which in 1837 was sold by the Bible Society at £1 2s., is now sold by the Free Bible Press Company for 14s. 6d. ; the royal octavo, with references, which sold for 13s. 4d., is now sold for 9s. 4d.; the 24mo pearl Bible, which sold (in calf binding) for 5s. 6d., is now sold for is. 6d., and bound in roan, gilt edges and on fine paper, for 10d.

One result of this reduction in the prices of the Scriptures has been an extraordinary increase of their circulation. Take the case of the British and Foreign Bible Society; in the years ending April, 1836 and 1837, the issues were, 417,462 Bibles, and 374,206 Testaments, making a total for the two years of 791,668; but in the years 1846 and 1847, the issues were 1,008,331 Bibles, and 1,205,680 Testaments, making a total of 2,214,011; being an increase in the two last-mentioned years, over the former, of 1,422,343 Bibles or Testaments, besides the increase in the general trade sales, and other Bible institutions. Who brought about this great change? Chiefly Dr. Adam Thomson, of Coldstream. He laboured indefatigably for the destruction of the Scot