THE BIBLE THE STANDARD OF TASTE; a short Introduction to Critical Knowledge: illustrated by Passages extracted from the Bible itself. For the Use of those Schools and Private Families where the Scriptures are made the subject of frequent reference and perusal. By the Rev. J. HUSKISSON ROBERTSON, A.B. late of King's College, Cambridge.-Pp. 70. bound. Price Sixpence. 18mo. Whatever tends to enhance the value of the Scriptures in the estimation of the young, or to promote their perusal, cannot fail to meet the approbation of all who are friendly to the sacred volume. The little work before us is a judicious and praiseworthy attempt to recommend the Bible to the attention of the young, on the ground of its critical excellencies. That it possesses these excellencies, even infidels have acknowledged; for, while they have denied its authenticity, they have consulted its pages in order to improve their taste. That there are other and more cogent inducements to the investigation of the Scriptures, cannot for a moment be doubted; yet it is desirable that the one which this work suggests should not be lost sight of. Those persons who consult the Word of God as a "Standard of Taste," may, perchance, be led to a discovery of the infinite importance of the truths which it reveals; and thus, though the motive which leads to its perusal may, comparatively speaking, be unworthy, the results may prove beneficial and interesting. Mr. Robertson treats of the sublime, the pathetic, the beautiful, and the eloquent, in the composition of the Scriptures. These points he illustrates by appropriate quotations from various parts of the sacred writings, and many judicions observations of his own. Parents, and the conductors of schools, may place this little book in the hands of youth; indulging in the expectation, that, while their critical knowledge will be improved, they may be led to a more cordial attachment to the volume of inspiration.-Extracted from "The World" Newspaper of Friday, June 27, 1828, No. 67. My GOD, who makes the Sun to know His proper hour to rise, And, to give light to all below, Doth send him round the skies. See page 38. SONGS, FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN. BY ISAAC WATTS, D.D. Out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast FAMILY PRAYERS for every Morning and Evening throughout the Week. To which are added, a Prayer in Sickness, and a Thanksgiving Prayer. Composed expressly for the Use of Christians of every Religious Denomination. By the Rev. J. HUSKISSON ROBERTSON, A.B. late of King's College, Cambridge. Pp. 108. 18mo. Price Eighteen-pence. Notwithstanding the many collections of Family Prayers, com piled or composed by individuals of undoubted learning and piety, there are, it is to be apprehended, but few serious persons who, in the performance of the important duty of family worship, have not been sensible of the want of a Manual, suited in every respect to their purpose. In the majority of publications of a similar nature to the one before us, the Prayers are chargeable with too great prolixity; the ideas are not sufficiently varied; and, in studying the graces of language, the writers have often been led to adopt a style too far removed from the comprehension of the junior and dependent members of families. In this little volume Mr. Robertson has happily escaped the errors which we have mentioned. By avoiding tautology and circumlocution, the Prayers, while nothing is omitted which ought to enter into the petitions of a Christian to his Creator, are comprised in a moderate and convenient compass, and are free from the sameness too often visible in such compositions. The language is unambitious and unaffected, and, without any approach to a degree of familiarity which might give offence to correct taste and proper feeling, is uniformly characterised by a simplicity of style calculated to render it intelligible to all capacities. Another peculiar merit of these Prayers is, that the writer, by carefully avoiding the introduction of any allusions to those particular doctrines or opinions on which Christians differ, and restricting himself to the great fundamental truths of Christianity, has adapted them to the use of religious persons of every denomination. On the whole, we regard this collection of Prayers as supplying what has long been a desideratum in pious families, to the members of whom it will prove a valuable conipanion, for its conciseness, comprehensiveness, and Christian liberality. OLLEIAY AN 11 DEC1931 LIBRA CONTENTS. 1 A General Song of Praise to God 2 Praise for Creation and Providence 3 Praise to God for our Redemption 9 Praise to God for learning to Read 10 Against Quarrelling and Fighting . 11 Solemn Thoughts on God and Death 12 Love between Brothers and Sisters 15 The Advantages of early Religion |