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of the greatest orators which this country ever produced; and yet the luminary of East London shone among them with no inferior splendour. His greater efforts were marked by a power, an elevation of tone, and a loftiness of expression, which had not often been exemplified in the Christian ministry. But still, though capable of rising to the level of important public occasions, in his ordinary pastoral labours he never sacrificed usefulness to ambition. The truth most calculated to edify believers, and bring the ungodly to repentance, was always set forth with a clearness and simplicity that could hardly be surpassed; and this was, beyond a doubt, the secret of his very great success. There were some that far excelled even Dr. Reed in eloquence and genius, but the number of their converts will bear no comparison with those whom he was honoured as the instrument of bringing into the Church of Christ. Few ministers, perhaps, will have a greater multitude to be their joy and crown, in the day of God.

Andrew Reed was born on the 27th of November, 1787, in the parish of St. Clement Danes, without Temple Bar. It was his privilege to be descended from a godly race, and to have parents who sought to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Doubtless, their early instructions and pious influence prepared the way, but it was through means of the ministry of Mr. Lyndall, his own predecessor at Cannon Street Road, that he was actually brought to religious decision. Subsequently, we find him diligent in the pursuit of knowledge, seizing every opportunity for the cultivation of his mind, and actively engaged in Sunday School teaching. Of course, it would not be long before others would observe in him talents of a superior order, that might be expected to do good service. in the Christian ministry; and this, together with his own inclination, finally led to his consecration to that high and holy work. What is somewhat singular in the case of Dr. Reed is, that on the conclusion of his college

course at Hackney, he became pastor of the very church of which he was a member, showing that sometimes a prophet may have honour in his own country-a circumstance that surely warrants us in inferring a high reputation both for competency and piety. Nor is it less honourable, both to the church and their minister, that he continued among the same people to the end of his days. Indeed, it appears to have been a fixed principle with him that a pastoral connexion once formed should be regarded as permanent, unless Providence itself rendered a change unmistakeably imperative.

Thus, through more than one trial, and threatened alienation of friends, upon the causes of which we do not feel called upon to enter, or to express an opinion, Dr. Reed maintained his ground, and to the last sought no other than the spiritual bride of his early affections.

For the details of his ministerial life we must refer our readers to the goodly octavo which is the monument of filial piety, and which has the merit of being profoundly interesting, and not overloaded with private memoranda. It is an exceedingly difficult task for sons to write the Memoirs of a father of whom they have in many respects, reason to be proud; forasmuch as they have, or may be reasonably presumed to have, an irresistible inclination to colour their portraiture, and present the carum caput as a model of perfection. This is the inevitable effect of a natural and amiable partiality. The elements of Dr. Reed's usefulness as a philanthropist did not surely consist in all the smooth and gentle dispositions, which, while they tenderly embraced the wants of orphanhood, softened all social intercourse, and made co-operation a pleasure and delight. If it were so, we can only say, that such a character is both contrary to nature and experience. To us, the subject of this volume appears to have been a very majestic man-of inflexible will and purpose-who could afford to have the angles of his character left unrounded, and his value to

he determined by the deeds of mercy which have made his name immortal.

We say this deliberately. The founder of the London Orphan Asylum at Clapton; of the Infant Orphan Asylum at Wanstead; of the asylum for fatherless children at Reedham; of the Asylum for Idiots; and of the Royal Hospital for Incurables, has done enough to secure a name that posterity will not willingly let die. It is inseparably blended with the history of those now national institutions. Persons who care nothing for religion, or for Dr. Reed as a minister, will read this life with profound interest and admiration, as showing what one man can do in the cause of benevolence, without great riches, and by the mere force of untiring industry and determination. Those who wish to know the secret springs of human action, will trace with satisfaction and pleasure the origin of all his efforts in the cause of the orphan, to their first fountain in the incidents of domestic life. gether the volume is a most important issue, and reflects great credit upon its joint editors. We hope that thereby many will be stimulated to follow him in so far as he followed Christ.

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Mediatorial Sovereignty the Mystery of Christ and the Revelation of the Old and New Testaments. By GEORGE STEWARD. 2 vols. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

In these handsome volumes Mr. Steward has discussed the doctrine of Mediatorial Sovereignty with a fulness and completeness to which no other work on the subject in our language pretends.

It appears that he had drawn out the scheme of his argument whilst engaged in the active duties of the ministry; but being unable to secure the needful time for completing it to his own satisfaction, he was compelled to await the leisure which retirement from pastoral labours could afford, to arrange his materials in proper form; and we congratulate him on the good use he has made of that leisure.

In a well-written introduction, the Sovereignty of God over all his works is discussed, and his Sovereignty over man is shown to be essentially mediatorial. The thesis which the author maintains is then stated, that "this rule is . . . . the one grand fact to. which revelation is appointed to bear witness," so that inspiration, when viewed as supplying mankind with the several books of the Bible, "is the historical development of [this] one single first principle-a fountain truth." The evidence adduced in support of this proposition is naturally distributed into two parts, the first embracing the Old, and the second the New Testament Scriptures. By giving a summary of the topics which are dealt with, our readers will easily judge for themselves as to the exhaustiveness of the treatise. Under the first part, then, it is shown that Sovereignty is "the chief charac teristic in the creation of man," and "proofs of Mediatorial Sovereignty are drawn " from the federal character of Adam, and its influence on the fall." The divine titles of "the Word,” “the Angel of the Lord," "Redeemer," "Jehovah," "Lord," are then examined as declarations of this Sovereignty. The forms of divine manifestation next pass under review, and the indications of Mediatorial Sovereignty to be found in the primitive faith and worship of the church, in the covenants, in the church, and in the types, are carefully traced. This Sovereignty is further proved to be the doctrine of prophecy, and the discussion is appropriately closed by showing that the Old Testament is fundamental to the New. In the second part, the history of the personal and official titles of the Messiah, and the illustrations of Mediatorial Sovereignty found in the ministry of our Lord, in the work of the Holy Ghost, in the testimony of the apostles, and in the church, are examined at great length, and the proof is thus completed that "the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father."

The general ability with which this great argument is conducted makes us regret the diffuse style adopted by the author. Had there been as much energy shown in keeping down all tendency to use the amplifications the amplifications customary in spoken discourses, as there is diligence manifested in the collection of the Scriptural evidence, the book would have been smaller in bulk, and, as we think, of increased value to theological readers. But we are bound to say that, even amidst the redundancies of expression which we could wish out of the way, the argument is not overlaid, but always fairly kept in view. It is a work especially fit to be read aloud, and would be sure to keep alive the interest of intelligent persons; but it will amply repay the

closest attention of the student. We shall be glad to know that it has a large circulation in our body.

range as an expositor. He is very careful not to admit unnecessary difficulties in the text, and to limit himself to the statements which its own words by fair interpretation can be shown to make. In this way he obviates many objections and quibbles that have been raised by scientific and other inquirers, and gives fair reason for the conclusion that there is nothing in the Book of Genesis which will be found contrary to the facts established by science, when they have first given themselves the trouble to understand the precise meaning of the document they have in their hands. We commend the work to our readers, and can assure them that, when they may see reason to doubt the interpretation given of any passage by Dr. Murphy, they will give him credit for an evident desire to get at and state the truth as it is recorded.

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A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Genesis, with a new translation. By JAMES G. MURPHY, LL.D., T.C.D., Professor of Hebrew, Belfast. Edinburgh T. and T. Clark, 1863. The design of this work is to trace out for ordinary readers of the Bible the exact meaning of the phraseology used in the Book of Genesis. The author's acquirements as a Hebrew scholar have enabled him to render good service in a department requiring much discrimination and patient labour to produce anything of permanent value to the Church of God; and we heartily welcome the aid thus given us in the study of "this venerable document." Critical students would have prized the work more highly if it had been prepared with a special reference to their wants, and the philological and other questions raised in connexion with the book had been exhaustively discussed. But, as Dr. Murphy has evidently provided for a much larger class, and has written for the instruction of those who know little of Hebrew, he has allowed himself considerable

Sacrificial Worship of the Old Testament. By J. KURTZ, D.D., Professor of Theology at Dorpat, &c. Translated by James Martin, B.A. Edinburgh T. and T. Clark, 1863.

This volume is a welcome addition to the series of translations issued by Messrs. Clark. It contains an elaborate examination of the sacrificial system established by God of old, and is worthy of attentive study by all ministers of the Gospel. Even the discussions, in which Dr. Kurtz delights, of theories of his German opponents have a great interest for English theologians, for they shew us the tendencies of speculation against which it is necessary to be forearmed; whilst the thoroughness of investigation which characterises the book makes it a model for all who engage in such studies. We should be glad to know that the esteemed theological tutors of our colleges made it a class-book for their students, and lectured upon it with corresponding ability; for they would thereby do much to fit their pupils to become workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Brief Notices.

The Course of Faith; or, the Practical Believer Delineated. By JOHN ANGELL JAMES. Second edition. Fourth thousand. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., Paternoster Row. Birmingham: Hudson and Son, Bull Street. Pp. 336.-It would seem superfluous to notice a work which has been so long before the public, and for the excellency of which the lamented author's name is a sufficient guarantee. But many of our readers will be glad to learn that the publishers now offer it at a very reduced price, and we hope that this will greatly extend its circulation.

The Gospel according to Saint Matthew. A new translation, with brief Notes and a Harmony of the Four Gospels. London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 15, Paternoster Row.-The design of this translation is to give the exact meaning of the Greek in the English of the present day. We must say, however, that if we are to judge by this volume, the English of the present day is very far inferior in beauty, force, and euphony to the language of our forefathers. Moreover, it seems to us, that words and phrases that are found in our standard version, and which are not obsolete, are here exchanged for others without any real difference of signification. To take an example at random from the narrative of the Syrophenician woman: we do not see that "requested" is more modern than "besought," nor "the bread of the children" and " the table of the master," than the "children's bread" and the master's table." And yet in the genealogy the translator gives us 'David's son, Abraham's son," instead of the son of David, the son of Abraham. Again, what motive can there be for altering"Be it unto thee even as thou wilt," into "Be it for thee as thou desirest," and

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O woman great is thy faith," into " 0 woman thy faith is great." The sense is as nearly as possible the same: is it that the force and beauty of the former rendering are greater than the original? With all due deference to the scholarship of Mr. Godwin we cannot think so. Altogether, in our opinion, this version would have been far better if the modernising process had been conducted

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with more judgment and taste. catalogue of lessons, however, to be derived from the Gospel now under our consideration, together with the harmony, will be found of great practical utility.

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The common Eng. lish version corrected by the Final Committee of the American Bible Union. Eleventh thousand. New York: American Bible Union, 1863. Vol. I.-This first volume contains the whole of the Four Gospels. As put forth under the sanction of a great institution, it has a strong guarantee with respect to fidelity and accuracy. The emendations of the received English text, though numerous, are not obtrusive, and therefore are not harshly at variance with familiar phraseology that is consecrated by long usage. We regard this as a great merit. To Baptists it will perhaps be the more acceptable, inasmuch as it translates the words that relate to the ordinance, and is an immersionist version.

Thomas Raffles, D.D., LL.D. A Sketch by JAMES BALDWIN BROWN, B.A., Minister of Clayland's Chapel, Clapham Road. London: Jackson, Walford and Hodder, 27, Paternoster Row. Pp. 53. This brief record of a distinguished man, who belonged to a race of great preachers that has now well-nigh passed away, will be welcomed far beyond the limits of the denomination with which Dr. Raffles was identified. Comparatively few, even though possessed of commanding eloquence and power, have fulfilled a course so long, prosperous, and useful. Mr. Brown has exhibited in few words the character of the man, and the causes of his success, with much judgment, and in a spirit worthy of the highest commendation.

First Lessons in the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ, for Families and Schools. By CHARLES WILLS, M A. Jackson, Walford and Hodder, 27, Paternoster Row, 1863. Pp. 78.-A very useful little manual for Bible classes and for catechetical instruction generally. No questions are given, but they may be easily applied by any judicious and intelligent teacher. We hope the work will be widely circulated.

The Contrast; or, the Shepherd of

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Bentham Hill. By Mrs. Brown. Edinburgh: William P. Kennedy, 79, George Street. Glasgow D. Bryce and Co. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.-This narrative is by no means devoid of interest, but its chief excellence is, that it abounds with evangelical truth and sentiment. From the introduction it would appear that the story is at least founded upon facts. The volume is attractive in appearance, and the reading is pleasant though not exciting.

Chinese Scenes and People, with Notices of Christian Missions and Missionary Life. By JANE R. EDKINS, with narrative of a visit to Nanking by her husband, the Rev. Joseph Edkins, B.A., of the London Missionary Society; also a Memoir by her father, the Rev. William Stobbs, Stromness. London: James Nisbet and Co., Berners Street, 1866. Pp. 307.-The greater portion of this volume consists of letters by Mrs. Edkins, which, beside their interest as containing sketches of scenery and people, are remarkable for the Christian character "which incidentally they unfold." They were written, as we are informed, without the remotest idea of their being published. We do not wonder, however, that they were deemed worthy of perusal beyond the circle of relations and friends. We heartily commend them to all who love missions, and will be gratified by information about China and its people.

The Family, the Character, and the Reward of the Faithful Minister of Christ. A Sermon occasioned by the death of the Rev. Thomas Winter, late of Counterslip, Bristol, preached at Torrington on Sunday morning, May 17th, 1863, by the Rev. Evan Edwards, of Chard. London: Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row. Chard: Thomas Young, 1863. 1s.-This is an excellent sermon, and does as much credit to the head and heart of the preacher as it does honour to the memory of the eminently pious and useful minister by whose decease it was occasioned. Such an example as Mr. Winter is more than usually calculated to give point and force to the Apostle's words, "Whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."

The Duties of British Christians in reation to the Struggle in America. A discourse delivered by the Rev. John Stock. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row. Manchester Union and Emancipation Society, 51, Piccadilly. 3d.We

e are not prepared to put on record an

upon opinion the American constitution, and the precise bearing of the present war on the interests of emancipation. Suffice it to say that, for the most part Mr. Stock's remarks are sensible and good; though it would have been well if the politics of a distant land had been kept out of the pulpit. It may fairly be doubted whether any man in this country is competent to expound the duties of British Christians in the present instance. Certainly no man is so, who has a strong sympathy with either party. No doubt many will fully agree with Mr. Stock, and such will find his pamphlet worthy of their attention.

The Foundations of our Faith. Ten papers read before a mixed audience of men. By Professors AUBERLEN, GESS, and others. London: Strahan & Co.These papers, founded upon the several articles of the so-called Apostle's Creed, discuss in an admirable manner the fundamental doctrines of the gospel. They are worthy of attentive perusal, not only for the exposition they give of those doctrines, but especially because they are prepared with reference to the exceptions commonly taken in these days to the things assuredly believed among us. No one can read the volume without feeling thankful to God for having raised up such valiant witnesses for the truth as the several authors of these ten papers.

Warm Hearts in cold Regions. A tale of Arctic life. By CHARLES EDE, R. N. London: Nelson & Sons.-A story which our young friends will be sure to read to the end if they once begin it. It is enough to add that it is well worth reading.

Living in Earnest; with lessons and incidents from the lives of the great and good. A book for young men. By JOSEPH JOHNSON. London: Nelson & Sons.-Fitted to do much good to the class for whom it has been written.

Stories from Jewish History; from the Babylonish captivity to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. By A. L. O. E. London: Nelson and Sons.-A little book of useful information on the political history of the Jews.

Notes on the Gospels; Critical and Explanatory. Mark and Luke. By M. W. JACOBUS, Professor of Biblical Literature in Alleghany City. Edinburgh: W. Oliphant and Co.-Written with especial reference to the wants of Sunday school teachers, and likely to be of use to them. The Pædobaptist teaching of the

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