the Gospel, grow in love, and truth, and holiness, going on unto perfection. A JUST JUDGe. SIR MATTHEW HALE was on one of his circuits, when at a certain place, before the court sat, a gentleman sent him the present of a buck for his table. This same gentleman had a case for trial at the assizes. When the case came on and his name was mentioned, the judge inquired if he was not the same person that had sent him the venison, and finding that it was so, he immediately told the gentleman he could not allow the trial to go on until he had paid him for his buck; to which the gentleman replied, "That he never sold his venison, and that he had done nothing to him which he did not do to any judge that had gone on that circuit, which was confirmed by several gentlemen present; but all was of no avail, the Lord Chief Baron had learned from Solomon that a gift perverteth judgment, and therefore he would not suffer the trial to go on till he had paid for the buck; upon which the gentleman withdrew the case. Also, when at Salisbury, the Dean and Chapter having, according to custom, presented him with six sugar-loaves, he made his servants pay for them before he would try their "LIFE," BY BURNET. cause. NEGLECTING THE GREAT SALVATION. MOST of the calamities of life are caused by simple neglect. By neglect of education, children grow up in ignorance; by neglect, a farm grows up to weeds and briars; by neglect, a house goes to decay; by neglect, a sowing man will have no harvest; by neglect of reaping, the harvest will rot in the field. No worldly interest can prosper where there is neglect: and why may it not be so in religion? There is nothing in earthly affairs that is valuable that will not be ruined if it is not attended to: and why may it not be so with the concerns of the soul? Let no one infer, therefore, that, because he is not a drunkard, or an adulterer, or a murderer, he will be saved. Such an inference would be as irrational as it would be for a man to infer that because he is not a murderer his farm will produce a harvest; or that because he is not an adulterer, therefore his merchandise will take care of itself. Salvation would be worth nothing if it cost no effort; and there will be no salvation where no effort is put forth. WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT, INSTANTANEOUS. THE witness of the Spirit, from its nature as a witness, must be instantaneous. A witness deposes to a particular fact, and there must be a particular instant or time when his testimony is given. The mathematician, slowly, by the use of single ciphers and symbols, works out his problems, in order to find a result concerning which he is altogether in doubt; the chemist slowly and cautiously conducts experiments to find out the nature of substances concerning which he is totally ignorant ; but a witness enters a court to depose to a fact of which he has already a full knowledge, and whose testimony the court is now waiting to hear. He who believes in Jesus Christ is in a Scriptural condition to receive the witness of the Spirit that he is a child of God, and the case neither requires nor admits that the witness should be gradually imparted. When a parent has forgiven his child, he does not gradually reveal that fact to him, but gives immediate proof, in his countenance and actions, if not in words, that he again loves him. (See the "Outline," on S. HULME. page 222, vol. i.) THE PROMISES. THE following sentences from the pen of William Gurnall, in his "Christian Armour," deserve much pondering: they will raise a vital question in the mind of those who have never felt the sweetness of the promises in the hour of need: "Promises are like the clothes we wear. If there be heat in the body to warm them, they warm us; but if there be none, they give none. So where there is living faith, the promise will afford warm comfort; but on a dead, unbelieving heart, it lies. cold and ineffectual: it has no more effect than pouring a cordial down the throat of a corpse. Again, the promises do not throw out comfort as fire throws out heat; for then we should only need to go to them in order to be warmed: their heat is like the fire in the flint, which must be struck out by force, and this force can only be applied by faith." AN IMPARTIAL JUDGE. SIR MATTHEW HALE, as judge, would receive no private addresses or recommendations respecting anything in which justice was concerned, neither from rich nor poor. One of the first peers of England called upon him once to inform him that he had a suit coming on in court, and he wished to acquaint him with it, that he might the better understand it when it should come before him in court. The judge at once interrupted him, that he did not deal fairly to come to his chamber about such affairs, for he never received any information of causes but in open court, when both parties were to be heard alike, so he would not suffer him to go on. His grace, the Duke, was dissatisfied with the judge's conduct, and complained of it to the king, as a rudeness that was not to be endured. But the king told him to be content, for he was no worse used than he would be himself, for he verily believed he would have used himself no better if he had gone to solicit him in any of his own causes. "LIFE," BY Burnet. NOTICES OF BOOKS. Sermons to the Spiritual Man.-By W. G. T. Shedd, D.D. Edinburgh: T. T. Clark. These are sermons much to our mind in spirit, style, and doctrine. There are many sermons imported to this country from America that are frothy, flashy, and dashy; but sermons such as these are like angels' visits, few and far between. Dr. Shedd is a thinker, and this is what cannot be said of some of the American preachers, whose sermons are made so much of in certain weeklies -weaklies, we had almost said-of this country. To justify what we say, we shall shortly reprint in the TREASURY one of the sermons from this volume. The reader can then judge for himself. The Outer Life of a Methodist Preacher, and Sermons.-By J. H. Beech. Burslem: J. Dean.-There are in this book many incidents and anecdotes to interest the reader. We doubt not that those who knew Mr. Beech personally will feel great pleasure in reading this volume. The sermons are good specimens of plain, faithful, Methodist preaching. It is a melancholy fact that the author had just finished the revision of the last sheet, when he was suddenly called to face the realities of the eternal world. Mr. Beech was a man of sterling worth in his sphere, and boldly stood up for the right and the true in all things. We wish for the volume an extensive circulation. The Faithful Servant and his Reward: A Funeral Sermon.—By the Rev. Charles Garrett. London: E. Stock. This sermon was preached on the occasion of the death of Joseph Livesey, who died at the advanced age of ninety. He had been a total abstainer since 1831. He was a man of marvellous energy in every way of usefulness among his fellowtownsmen in Preston. Would that a Joseph Livesey could be multiplied into a million! Mr. Garrett's sermon is well worthy the man. It will do anyone's heart good to read it. Sermons on Neglected Texts.-By C. S. Robinson, D.D., New York. London: R. D. Dickinson, 89, Farringdon-street. -There are many texts that preachers take which it would be well if they did neglect. We have often thought that preachers take texts because of their oddity, and on purpose to make themselves singular. Such texts are best neglected. We do not say this of the texts in this volume. Anyhow, we do say this, that Mr. Robinson is a smart thinker, and no preacher can read his sermons without deriving benefit from them; and this is saying more than can be said for the bulk of sermons that are preached and published. : Heaven on Earth.--By J. B. Horberry. London R. Fenwick, Sutton street, Commercial-road, E.-Heaven on earth is entire sanctification, which Mr. Horberry considers in for chapters. What is sanctification? What sentire sanctification? The privilege of being wholly sanctified. Can we advance holiness if sanctified wholly? Our readers are somewhat acquainted with Mr. Horberry from his occasional contributions to the pages of the TREASURY. One shilling in the purchase of this little book would be well invested. We recommend its purchase by Local Preachers. Studies in the Acts of the Apostles. - By the Rev. J. Cynddylan Jones. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. These studies are quite equal to the studies in Matthew and John, by the same author. Mr. Jones is a preacher and writer of unusual energy, life, and power. It is refreshing both to head and heart to read him. We do as heartily recommend this volume to our readers as the former two which we have noticed in previous numbers of the TREASURY. The Old Book Tested.-By the Rev. John White. London: R. D. Dickinson, 89, Farringdon- street.-What has not been done and said to test the "Old Book," both by its friends and foes? Yet it is as true and pure as ever. Here is a small book, written by an excellent man, whose life was prematurely cut short by his devotedness to work in making known the truths of the "Old Book. In his study, in his life, in his head and in his heart; in suffering and in dying, he found the Old Book to be "more precious than gold, or than fine gold: sweeter than the honey or the honey-comb. Local Preachers would find this volume very profitable reading. EVERY SATURDAY, ONE PENNY. MONTHLY PARTS, SIXPENCE. HALF-YEARLY VOLUME, NOW READY, PRICE 4s. 6d. GREAT THOUGHTS FROM MASTER MINDS, A Popular Weekly for the Diffusion of Pure Literature. Subscription, quarterly, by post, 1s. 8d.; half-year, 3s. 3d.; year, 6s. 6d. Advertisements should be sent to LILE & FAWCETT, Advertisement Agents, Ludgate Circus, London, E.C. In speaking of the volume the Rev. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B., says:-- "In this form the work is very valuable as a Book of Reference and Illustration. In its penny form it is the best substitute I know for the trashy literature of the day. Short, varied, instructive, amusing, suggestive. It deserves a very wide circulation. All friends of education and religion should help to make it known." The following Testimonials have been received from our Readers: Rev. W. Lightfoot, of Cardiff, says: "For the first time (to-day) I happened to procure a copy of your very valuable paper, 'Great Thoughts.' I shall, indeed. be glad to render all the aid possible to make it a success.' Rev. W. H. James, of Rhyl, says: "I came across your paper the other lay for the first time. It is a splendid thing. Pray send me all back numbers by return." Rev. John T. Foster, of Greasboro', near Rotherham, says: "Great Thoughts' is well worthy the perusal of any right-thinking man or woman.” Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B., says: "I am charmed with 'Great Thoughts. I recommend it to my friends everywhere." Rev. J. Baker Norton, of South Shields, says: "I heartily congratulate you upon the success, the deserved success, of your undertaking, and anything I can do to publish the fame of your welcome weekly shall be done." Mr. E. T. Wray, Romford, says: "I think 'Great Thoughts' deserves a irculation far exceeding any other paper." J. C. Brooke, British Schools, Chester, says: "It is a paper that should be on the table of every householder." Miss Mills, Ferndale-road, Clapham, says: 66 The paper is an admirable one, and fitted to exercise a great influence for good. It only wants publicity." Order of any Bookseller, or direct from the PublishersLILE & FAWCETT, LUDGATE CIRCUS, LONDON. New Volumes of each commence with January. “Behold in these what 'eisure hours demand-Amusement and true knowledge hond in hand.”--CowFER THE LEISURE HOUR. (ENLARGED TO 72 IMPERIAL Svo. PAGES MONTHLY.) PRIZE COMPETITIONS-LITERARY, ARTISTIC, MUSICAL. See Announcement in January Part. January Part, Now Ready at all News Agents. contains the Opening Chapters of the New Serial Story: A LOST SON, By M. LINSKILL, Author of "Between the Heather and the Northern Sea." The True Story of Wat Tyler. By 8. G. GREEN, D.D. Wood Gleaners. By J. HENNESEY, Railway Notes in the North-West; or, the Dominion of Canada. By HARRY JONES, M.A., Author of "Past and Present Ave. A New Year's Poem. By SYDNEY Grey. By R. D. ROBERTS, Fellow of Clare College, Pigtails and Powder. With Engraving, With Frontispiece in Colours, from Painting by Birket Foster, and many other Illustrations. Sabbath Reading for every Member of the Family. THE SUNDAY AT HOME. January Part. commencing a New Volume, is Now Ready at all News Agents, containing: Ruth Oliphant. By Mrs. COOPER. Ius- The Childhood of Our Lord. By the The Great Rest-Giver. By the Author of The Jews in Central Asia. By the Rev. The Benedicite. A Series of Fine Illustra- In the Gloaming. By I. FYVIE MAYO. Admiral Sir EDWARD PARRY. Miss Pris. By E. A. CAMPBELL. How Far Men should be like Children A Recently Departed City Man. Men's Class. By the Rev. W. PROSSER. The Religious Record of the Month. LONDON: 56, PATERNOSTER ROW. |