THE LIFE OF WILLIAM BROCK, D.D. By Charles M. Birrell. Nisbet. Price 6s. WE have given a taste of the fine quality of this biography in a lengthy citation from its earlier and autobiographic portion-a portion which has come upon us as a surprise. We well remember listening, with great delight, at Mr. Spurgeon's, to a long and interesting description of Dr. Brock's early days at Stepney, and of the difficulties he had to master as a student; but the disclosures of the terrible hardships of his boyhood and youth made in these beautifully written autobiographic sketches, are a revelation. And as we read them we feel a hundredfold more constrained to admire the man who was so energetic and courageous as a youth, and to adore the grace that inspired the courage and fed the energy.

Our interest is scarcely less in the description of Dr. Brock's ministerial work in Norwich and London. The life was full of movement and energy, sympathetic with the currents of thought and feeling of the time, rich in ability and goodness; and the story of it is told with eminent ability, in a style that is captivating by the elegance of its diction and the grace of its expression. Mr. Brock's "Recollections" of his father crowns the book as a beautiful and fragrant summer rose the tree on which it hangs.

THE HOMILETIC QUARTERLY. Jan. 1878. Dickinson.

2s.

THIS is the fifth number of this extremely valuable Quarterly, written in aid of the preaching of the Word. The plan on which it is conducted is clear, comprehensive, and wise. First, there is a sermon, given in full, from one of the first preachers of the day; next comes a department devoted to the bearings of Science upon homiletical work; then expositions in the homiletic vein of different portions of the Bible; a set of admirable "outlines" follows; and the whole is completed by a section helpful to ministers in their incidental work. Preachers will find stimulus, guidance, and large help, from this very efficient Quarterly.

THE KINGDOMS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH AFTER THE DISRUPTION. By S. G. Green, D.D. Sunday School Union. THIS is the second part, and treats of the times of Hezekiah, Manasseh, Josiah, and on to the Restoration of Jerusalem, and has been prepared with a view to the necessities of Sunday school teachers

using the International Lessons, by the skilled and practised hand of Dr. Green It is scarcely necessary to say more. Whoever wants reliable workmanship, abundant information, and appropriate help, will find it in this volume.

THE SPARE HALF HOUR. C. H. Spurgeon. Passmore & Alabaster.

THE third issue of this shilling series consists of some well-selected pieces from the Sword and Trowel. Variety, piquancy, good sense, practical force, mark these contributions. The spare half-hour will be pleasantly and profitably used that is spent on these pages.

THE KING'S SON; OR, A MEMOIR OF BILLY BRAY. By F. W. Bourne. 2s. 6d. Bible Christian Book-Room.

WE have long been warm admirers of this graphic story in its smaller form, and now give a hearty commendation to this enlarged and illustrated edition. It is full of reality, humour, earnestness, flaming zeal, and unresting service. It is sure to do good. Give it free course.

MOODY'S TALKS ON TEMPERANCE. Edited

by J. W. Kirton. Ward, Lock, & Co. THIS is a capital volume, and as cheap as it is good. Our village preachers would find it full of facts of a useful kind, and our temperance friends will deem it invaluable as a help in their advocacy. We cordially recommend it to all our readers. G. W. M.

BIBLICAL THINGS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN. (Stock.) This seems likely to be a useful compilation, judging from this sample. The information is, for the most part, fresh; and if it is sufficiently indexed will render signal service to Bible students.-AFTER WORK (Stock) is a good penny magazine for working people, well illustrated, and attractively written. -INSPIRED ETHICS, by Dr. Stock, (Stock) is a revised translation and topical arrangement of the Book of Proverbs. Not worth much. The translation is not, in many cases, an improvement, and in some it is glaringly worse.-THE CHURCH CONGRESS AT CROYDON; A REVIEW AND A CRITICISM. By J. G. Rogers. (Liberation Society). Trenchant, incisive, discriminating, and acute. Deserves a wide distribution.-SANCTIFICATION: A STATEMENT AND A DEFENCE. By H. F. Bowker. (Hodder & Stoughton.) Fair in state-. ment, scriptural in doctrine, temperate and conciliatory in tone.

CHILWELL COLLEGE.

THE President writes that six students from the College have settled as pastors of churches during the year 1877-the largest number he remembers as having settled in one year. Four candidates have been admitted, and five applications for admission have been declined or postponed. The premises at Chilwell have been enlarged so as to accommodate fifteen students instead of twelve. The probability is that there will be seven, or it may be nine vacancies to fill up in Sept., 1878. The churches will do well, therefore, to look out good men and true, and send them, with their prayers and good wishes, to the College. The College offers four years' study, with the possibility of six. The Pegg Scholarship is worth forty-five pounds per annum, and is available for Chilwell students who have completed their course at Chilwell, and matriculated in the London University. The Scholarship is tenable for two years, and the "scholar" may pursue his studies during the two years in any University in England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, or elsewhere, subject only to the approval of the Committee.

The

founding of this Scholarship, the enlargement of the Library, the re-arrangement of the curriculum of study with a view to matriculation, have, it is hoped, greatly added to the advantages of the Institution; and the deeper interest of the churches in the College, and their more liberal support, are earnestly desired.

DERBY AND DERBYSHIRE LOCAL PREACHERS' ASSOCIATION HELD its 26th Conference at Belper, Dec. 26. The reports were very encouraging, several churches having had additions by baptism, and some having anxious inquirers. A committee having drawn up some rules for the Association, these were read by the secretary, and after considerable discussion were passed. Mr. G. Wright was elected president, and Mr. H. A. Blount was re-elected secretary. A public meeting was afterwards held, when Mr. Bennett, of Heanor, occupied the chair. A paper was read by Mr. C. Smith, of Derby, on "How to Retain our Elder Scholars," and addresses were delivered by Mr. T. Abell and Mr. Cooper. The conference was thoroughly successful. H. A. BLOUNT, Sec.

CHURCHES.

BIRMINGHAM, Longmore Street.—Our annual meeting was held, Dec. 31. The Rev. W. Oates, pastor, presided. Mr. Cheatle, sen., presented to the pastor a purse containing £12 2s. 6d. collected by Mrs. Carpenter and others, and subscribed by the friends as a token of their esteem and regard. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Howse and Hobbs, deacons, J. S. May, Shaw, and Compton, and the following resolution was moved by Mr. J. P. Warner, seconded by Mr. E. Heyden, and carried unanimously, "That this meeting desires to record its appreciation of the faithful and zealous services of the Rev. Wm. Oates during the first two years of his pastorate, and earnestly supplicates the divine blessing upon all his future efforts for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom.

BURNLEY, Ebenezer.-The annual meeting was held, Dec. 25. Nearly 700 to tea. The pastor, W. Reynolds, presided at the meeting afterwards. The report from the Sunday and day schools was given, and the day school showed an increase of over seventy, and the Sunday school of over fifty, during the year; and sixteen scholars have, during the year, joined the church by baptism. The proceeds of the meeting go towards reducing the chapel debt down to £1,000, which it is expected will be accomplished by the end of Feb.

GAMBLESIDE.-The annual festival was held, Dec. 25. Attendance unusually large. 400 to tea. In the evening a packed and enthusiastic meeting was held, when the Rev. James A. Andrews presided. Mr. A. Maden directed the singing, etc. Mr. John Maden, of Bury, gave an address.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter Gate. On Sunday, Dec. 16, the anniversary sermons were preached by the Rev. J. W. Williams. Collections amounting to £16 were made. Dec. 19, a lecture was delivered by J. Clifford, on "Eyes and no Eyes," in aid of the Jubilee Fund.

LOUTH.-A few of the friends of Rev. E. H. Jackson, desirous of marking their appreciation of his weekly lectures on "The History and Principles of Nonconformity," now in course of delivery, presented him, at the close of the year, with the sum of twelve guineas.

MEASHAM.-A timepiece was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Yemm, on the occasion of their recent marriage, by friends of the church and congregation.

NANTWICH.-Jan. 13, anniversary sermons were preached by Rev. I. Preston; and a lecture on "Christianity and Common Sense" was given, on Jan. 8, by the Rev. H. Stowell Brown, Councillor Pedley presiding. Attendance good, and collections were made towards defraying the cost of a recent decoration of the chapel. SPALDING. -The 230th annual tea meeting was held, Dec. 31. Upwards of 300 present. Short addresses were given by A. Godsmark (chairman), E. Foster, J. T. Atton, and J. Johnson (London). During the evening a very handsome and elegant "timepiece," with a purse containing sixty-five sovereigns, was presented by Mr. T. Sharman (senior deacon) to the pastor, Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., as a token of esteem for Mr. Jones, who has held the pastorate thirty-one years. At half-past ten in the evening the same day, a watch-night service was held. Short addresses were given by the Revs. A. J. Robinson, S. Newling, of London, T. Sharman, and the pastor. SUTTON BONINGTON. After a long period of depression we are experiencing a revival of faith and hope. On the 26th of Dec. we had a largely attended and useful meeting. The chapel was full. Mr. W. Bown presided, and addresses were given by brethren Sharman, Richardson, Terry, Laurence, Spendlove, and Newstead. We trust the set time to favour Zion has come.

WENDOVER.-Our Sunday school had a "richly loaded and tastefully illuminated Christmas ladder" on Christmas Eve. The pastor, J. H. Callaway, gave an address, gifts were distributed to the children, and a very pleasant evening was spent.

WINDLEY, Derbyshire -The anniversary sermons were preached, Dec. 23, by Mr. E. Carrington, of the College. On Christmas-day tea was provided, after which a public meeting was held, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. H. A. Blount, J. Foster, W. Bridges, and E. Carrington. Proceeds, £5.

Ebenezer.-Thirteen, by W. Reynolds. COVENTRY.-Nine, by H. W. Meadow. HEANOR.-Nine, by F. Shacklock.

LOUGHBRO', Baxter Gt.-Three, by C. Savage. LONDON, Boro' Road.-Four, by G. W. M'Cree. Church Street.-Three, by D. Burns. Westbourne Park.-Nine. LONGTON.-Ten, by C. Springthorpe. LONG WHATTON.-Three, by W. Bown. MANSFIELD.-Fifteen, by H. Marsden. NOTTINGHAM, Woodborough Road.-Six. PETERBOROUGH.-Four, by T. Barrass. SHORE.-Four, by J. K. Chappelle. SPALDING.-Five, by J. C. Jones-one the pastor's second son.

SUTTON BONNINGTON.-Three, by W. Bown.

MARRIAGES.

STUBBS-ALCORN.-Dec. 26, at Wood Gate Baptist Chapel, Loughborough, by the father of the bride, Frederic Stubbs, watchmaker and jeweller, Loughborough, to Elizabeth Margaret Ann, daughter of the Rev. J. Alcorn, Rectory Cottage, Longhborough.

FORRESTER-WHITHERBED.-Dec. 30, by license, at the G. B. Chapel, Barlestone, by Rev. J. Greenwood, Mr. William Forrester, to Miss Mary Ann Whitherbed, both of Desford.

BLOUNT-VENABLES.-Nov. 29, at the Baptist Chapel, Ightfield, by Rev. R. P. Cook, of Nantwich, assisted by the Rev. Henry Hall, Mr. John Blount, of London Road, Willaston Nantwich, to Margaret Whittaker, daughter of Mr. Samuel Venables, of Ightfield Heath, Whitchurch.

CREWE-ASHLEY.-Dec. 9, at the Baptist Chapel, Nantwich, by the Rev. R. P. Cook, Mr. Thomas Palmer, of Crewe, to Miss Louisa Ashley, of Manchester, late of Nantwich.

TEMPERANCE WORK. NANTWICH.-Dec. 3, the Town Hall was crowded at an entertainment given by our Band of Hope, and a most gratifying report of our work was given.

NORWICH, St. Clement's.-The Band of Hope in connection with this place, consisting of some eighty members, celebrated its first anniversary, Nov. 15, 1877, by a Special Service of Song, with readings and recitations from "Shifting Scenes in a Man's Life." The various parts were

OBITUARIES.

SHARMAN.-April, 1, 1877, aged eighty-three, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Thomas Sharman, of Spalding, and for many years a member of the church. She was interred in the Cemetery, Holbeach.

DALTON.-Dec. 9, 1877, at Spalding, aged 59, James Dalton, after a very short illness. He had been for many years connected with the Sunday school, and secretary for upwards of twenty years. He was followed to the grave by the officers and teachers of the school as a mark of esteem for him and his valuable work.