those who turn sinners to righteousness, by many a struggle, and trial, and woe. The volume is thus, in a moral sense, a photographic gallery. Each honoured man is there representing some special aspect of the missionary work, its toils, its perils, and successes, or some peculiar adaptation for its many-sided duties; and altogether we know not any volume of the same size better adapted to give a right direction to missionary aims, or to impart, if blessed, a right direction to missionary minds. The young may here be interested, while some may be induced to face the question-Have I no call to walk in these men's footsteps? Shall I make the mere admiration of His servants a quit-rent to my Lord ?

In no respect are we better pleased with this volume than as regards its buoyant hopefulness for the cause of missions. While deploring the lethargy of many regarding it, and not ignoring the difficulties which do still, and must long, impede our progress, Dr Thomson knows of a power which can master them all. He lets us see men grasping that power, and triumphing thereby; and when multitudes learn to do likewise, the time will be drawing on when our poor groaning world may look out for deliverance.

The Missionary Life and Labours of Francis Xavier, taken from his own Correspondence, with a Sketch of Romish Missions among the Heathen. By HENRY VENN, B.D. London: Longman. 1862.

Every one who has looked into the French life of Xavier, and formed any accurate idea of the devotion and zeal and gifts of that remarkable man and earnest Jesuit, must have had a desire to know more about him. It is the same feeling that prompts the desire in many to become acquainted with Port-Royal, or Madame Guion, or Fénelon. Dr Venn, the earnest secretary of the Church Missionary Society, has met this wish in the well-executed volume before us. We are here led to see the devoted missionary a burning and shining light; but no one will think better of Popery, or of the popish system of conducting missions, respecting which Dr Venn remarks that they have never succeeded, notwithstanding all the dazzling accessories or accompaniments which have sometimes gone along with them. The volume before us will do good in bringing out this fact, as well as in exhibiting to English readers, in a truthful way, the noble qualities of this devoted man—a Christian of a high order, notwithstanding his Jesuitism.

WORKS ON PRACTICAL RELIGION.

The Three Marys. By the Rev. A. MOODY STUART, author of the "Expostion of the Song of Solomon." London: Nisbet & Co. 1862.

Those who have made themselves acquainted with the searching style of Mr M. Stuart's teaching, will find in this pleasingly written work all his best peculiarities-deep experimental views of the exercise of grace in the heart, with a piercing insight into the phases of Christian character. The delineation is solid, and the exposition exact, without that ingenuity and fancy which have sometimes been carried a little too far in some of his other productions. The book deserves to be widely read.

From the Cradle to the Crown: or Days with Jesus. By the Rev. JOHN HUNTER, late of Halifax, N. S. London: Nisbet & Co.

This is a neat little volume, consisting of seven short, but thoughtful, chapters the babe, the boy, the friend for every day, the worker, the sympathising kinsman, alone and lonely, the Judge. The style is elegant and clear, the matter is evangelical and fresh, and the whole tone and spirit highly commendable. Mr Hunter, while he walks in the old paths, does not walk precisely with the same gait, in the very same foot-prints, and at the

identical pace of his predecessors. He thinks and speaks for himself, and consequently he has produced a useful little volume.

The Risen Redeemer; the Gospel History from the Resurrection to the Pente cost. By F. W. KRUMMACHER, D D. Translated from the German by JOHN T. BETTS, with the sanction of the author. London: Nisbet & Co. 1863.

The character of Krummacher's sermons is too well established and too well known to call for any description or analysis from us. We content ourselves with noticing the appearance of the present volume, which has all the well known peculiarities of the richly gifted author. The translator has done his part well.

The Sympathy of Christ with Man; its Teaching and its Consolation By OCTAVIUS WINSLOW, D.D. London: Nisbet & Co. 1862.

Most of our readers are familiar with Dr Winslow and his books. We think that, on the whole, this volume is superior to most of its predecessors from the same pen. The matter is fuller and fresher. The subject is not so common as those on which Dr Winslow has formerly written. It is a delicate and difficult walk of theology; but we think that Dr Winslow has kept his balance well between the divine and the human, and has produced a book which brings out a phase of our Lord's person and work all too little dwelt on by our modern divines.

Freedom and Happiness in the Truth and Ways of Christ. By the Rev. JAMES STRATTEN, more than forty years Minister of Paddington Chapel. London Nisbet & Co. 1862.

Good evangelical discourses, having a value, not only to the flock to whom the writer has long ministered, but to a wider circle, though they have nothing particularly striking either in thought or style.

Nichol's Standard Divines.-Goodwin's Works, Vol. IV. Commentary on the Second Epistle of Peter, by THOMAS ADAMS.

This volume of Goodwin's works is particularly welcome, as containing the two practical treatises which have always found the greatest favour amomg the readers of his works," Christ Set Forth," and "Christ's Heart in Heaven."

But the appearance of the first of a series of Puritan commentaries gives us particular gratification, as we have always considered this department of Puritan literature as one of its most important parts-perhaps its most important part. That they are prolix is not denied. But they who are ac quainted with the manner of these commentaries can more easily read all that is expository in them than they can turn over any of the larger commentaries on Scripture, and they possess great value. We trust the enterprising publisher will find such encouragement as may induce him to bring out other treasures, such as Gouge on Hebrews, Elton and Byefield on Colossians, Bayne on Ephesians, and many others, which it would require a catalogue to name.

MISCELLANEOUS.

My Country. The History of the British Isles. By E. S. A. Edited by Rev. J. H. BROOME, Vicar of Houghton, Norfolk. London: Wertheim. 1862.

2 vols.

An unpretending but very interesting little history of the British Isles from a Christian point of view. It brings out many historical facts con

nected with the religion and morals of our country, omitted by the secular historian, and deserves the attention particularly of youthful readers.

Calvin, his Life, his Labours, and his Writings. Translated from the French of FELIX BUNGENER. Edinburgh: Clark. 1863.

Bungener, already well known by his lively and interesting sketches in certain fields of church history, has recently published a Life of Calvin, which has been well received on the continent. It is to be hoped that it will help to bring back the attention of the continental churches to the real merits of Calvin, who has of late been as much neglected and cast off as he was once esteemed by them. The Life of which we here have a translation is written with historical accuracy and French vivacity, and can be read with an interest which the much more elaborate work of Henry has not called forth. The biographer evinces a sincere admiration for Calvin, though there are parts of the Reformer's system, and phases of his character, which it would require a mind more akin to Calvin's own to apprehend. Dr Cunningham's delineation of the Reformer supplies much of what Bungener wants.

Mick Tracy, the Irish Scripture Reader; or the Martyred Convert and the Priest. A Tale of Facts, by W. A. C. London: The Book Society. 1862 "Mick Tracy" is a style of book with which we do not often, or greatly, concern ourselves. It is a novel, a religious novel. The design of it is to bring out the peculiarities of the papacy, as they are exhibited in Ireland. The pictures which the author draws are graphic, lifelike, and artistic. The life, the habits, and thoughts of the Irish priest, and the Irish peasantry, are well brought out; they are fully and, we believe, fairly represented. The author fails, to our apprehenion, when he attempts to delineate the words and ways of the higher classes of Irish society; but, taken as a whole, the volume deserves commendation, and will, we doubt not, do good service in conveying right ideas as to the evil effects of the papacy on the Irish people. The pictures of the priests we believe to be no way overdrawn or caricatured.

Convent Life in Italy. By ALGERNON TAYLOR. London: Charles J. Street, Charing Cross. 1862.

"This volume is compiled from the writer's journal of several tours in Italy, made between the years 1856 and 1859." It is a poor book. The author of it is more of a papist than a protestant. He can engage con amore in all the parts of the Romish worship. He draws back only at the extremest point of transubstantiation. Hence we have popery neither from a popish nor from a protestant stand-point. There is no complete picture; no perfect statistics; no definite, decided, trustworthy facts. The medium through which they are seen is all and always couleur de rose; and the result is unsatisfactory in the highest degree.

English Nonconformity. By ROBERT VAUGHAN, D. D. London: Jackson Walford. 1862.

This work, which owes its origin to the Bicentenary Commemoration of the Exodus of the 2000 ministers from the Church of England, was prepared by the author at the request of the Congregational Union. It is written with much vivacity and elegance, and is well adapted to the object which it was meant to serve to "express opinions and feelings which are common among English Congregationalists."

The author might have dispensed with the introductory chapters, which go back to the early days of Christianity, and then bring before us the middle ages. "English Nonconformity" is not immediately connected with

either of these. With regard to the research of the volume, and the real înformation communicated by it, we cannot say, that beyond its lively, pleasant, and sketchy style, it brings before us anything but what every reader who has directed any attention to the Puritans already knows. One point for which we were prepared by the circumstances of its preparation, viz., the steady aim to put Congregationalism in its best light, is not only too much for the taste of any one who is not wedded to the traditions of that denomination, but too much for the authentic facts of history. We thought the day had gone by for that exclusive party spirit, and making capital of history for denominational purposes.

The part of the volume which continues the history of Nonconformity down to recent times, is one of its most interesting and most valuable sections, but only too succinct and sketchy. Though the book, true to its origin, is too narrowly denominational, yet it is a well written account, which the reader can peruse with interest and pleasure.

The following works on Practical Religion which have come to hand, we can only announce in the mean time, viz. :—

1. The Believer's Treasure. By D. DEWAR, D.D., late Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen. Glasgow: Murray. 1862.

2. Realities, or the Manifestations of God in past ages considered as earnests of the future. London: W. Yapp. 1862.

3. Saturday Afternoons, or Short Addresses to a class of Young Women. by a LADY. London: Wertheim.

4. Pentecostal Blessings. By the Rev. DAVID PITCAIRN. London: Wertheim. 1862.