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volumes the editor will supply these serious defects.

Missions Apostolic and Modern. An Exposition, By FREDERIC W. BRIGGS. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co., 1864; 12mo. pp. 334.-We have read this volume, by a Wesleyan minister, with unfeigned pleasure. It is a commentary on the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. The author with considerable force and skill endeavours to develope from the example and teaching of the great Apostle the principles of modern missionary enterprise. His views are sober, without much novelty, and sustained by illustrations from missionary records. These illustrations are far too brief, and it is this part of the author's labours that we consider defective. When treating of the formation of churches, he says: "The churches of apostolic times were objectively, communities of persons who, on their profession of faith in Christ, had been baptized into His name; and they were therefore understood to be formally and solemnly separated from the world, and devoted to His service. Everywhere, during the age of the Apostles, the Church, as represented in the history of its formation, and as it existed before the world, is seen to be a society called forth and separated to Christ by baptism"-p. 267. With such views as these we do not wonder that Mr. Briggs should hint that by many of his brethren "this description might be objected to as both too exclusive and incomplete." But fidelity to scriptural authority will not suffer him to modify his statements; he has only to do with the Church as it first existed, and with the results of "the successful ministry of Saint Paul." Thus, in a somewhat roundabout fashion, he hints that infant baptism has no support in apostolic precept or practice. The candour of this admission is fairly characteristic of the tone of the entire volume.

America The Origin of her present Conflict, &c. By J. W. Massie, D.D., LL.D. London: Snow. 1864. pp. 427. Dr. Massie was one of a deputation of two gentlemen sent to the United States, by the Emancipation Societies of Manchester and London, to assure the people of the Northern section that the sympathies of the mass of Englishmen were with them in the great struggle with the slaveholders of the South. This bulky volume contains his report. It consists of incidents that

befel him in his travels, and of a mass of documents illustrative of the origin of the conflict, and the prospects of the slave. On these grounds Dr. Massie claims for the North the anti-slavery sympathy of England. Beyond doubt the cause of this civil war now desolating the States of the South was slavery; and we think that the issue of the struggle will be its destruction. But the North did not enter on the conflict with that object in view. It has had to be coerced by events into the conviction that slavery must be overthrown. The conversion has been rapid, and we are glad to have Dr. Massie's testimony to its completeness. His book is a mine of information on these topics; but it requires a miner's patience to read it in order to bring to the light the really important facts of the case. Reports of speeches at public meetings and wearisome American addresses form the staple of the work, and seem to be inserted simply to make known how Dr. Massie spoke and was received. A book one-third the size would have sufficed to tell us all that Dr. Massie has really to say, or that his readers desire to understand.

Sunbeam Stories. A selection of the Tales by the Author of "A Trap to Catch a Sunbeam." London: Lockwood & Co. 1863. 12mo. pp. 333.-Our young friends will welcome these charming stories, and to their perusal we remit them, with a feeling something like regret that our childhood had not such volumes to read.

Something about Jesus. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co. 1864. 24mo. pp. 78. -Exquisite typography, tinted paper, and elegant binding, here set off, as worthily as such matters can, a selection from the Gospels of the words and acts of Jesus. The only additions of the compiler are a few headings and devout verses of poetry.

Horrors of the Virginian Slave Trade and of the Slave-rearing Plantations. The true Story of Diana, an escaped Virginian Slave. By JOHN HAWKINS SIMPSON. London: A. W. Bennet. 1863. 12mo. pp. 64.-A tale of horror, descriptive of slavelife in the Southern States. It bears all the marks of a truthful story.

The Child's Commentator. By INGRAM COBBIN. Part 6. London: Jackson, Walford and Hodder.-This very useful little book is beautifully printed, and is adorned with excellent pictures. Mothers will find it invaluable for the religious instruction of their children.

The Mother of the Wesleys: A Biography. By the Řev. John Kirk. London: Henry James Tresidder, Ave Maria-lane. Sold by John Mason, 66, Paternoster-row.

This is an interesting volume, although too large a portion of it relates to the family and connections rather than the mother of the Wesleys. She was truly a remarkable woman, of great strength of mind and firmness; and her treatment of her children well deserves the consideration, if not the imitation, of modern mothers. The infant-life of every one of her children was regulated by method. From their birth they had their appointed hours for the cradle and rocking, for rising and going to bed. Their diet was also under equally rigid regulation. They were allowed three meals a day, and never permitted to eat between meals. Should a child obtain food from the servants, the child was certainly whipped, and the servants were severely reprimanded. They were compelled to eat and drink whatever was placed before them, and when ill, they took readily the most unpleasant medicine, because they durst not refuse it. taught them, when infants, to fear the rod and to cry softly; and not one of them was ever heard to cry after it was a year old. She never attempted to teach them the letters of the alphabet until they had completed their fifth year; but in every instance but two, the alphabet was tho. roughly learned on the first day of instruction. The first lesson after the alphabet was the commencement of the first chapter of the Bible, which was invariably mastered without any intermediate instruction in sounds and syllables. We give no opinion respecting the wisdom of such treatment of children generally. In the Wesley family the results fully justified. it; and the obedience thus compelled was in every instance rendered with affection. It is not surprising that Methodism, with its severity of discipline, if not tyranny, should have been founded by the son of such a mother.

She

A History of Baptism from the Inspired and Uninspired Writings. By Isaac Taylor Hinton, of Saint Louis, United States. Revised and recommended by John Howard Hinton, M.A., with a preface and an appen dix by Frederic W. Gotch, LL.D. London: J. Heaton & Son, 42, Paternosterrow. 1864. This is the twelfth volume of the Bunyan Library for the publication and republication of standard works by eminent Baptist authors. It is a republication of a book published many years since in America. The appendix is a criti

cal examination of the rendering of the word Baptizo, published more than twenty years ago by our much-esteemed and talented brother, Dr. Gotch. The volume is edited by the brother of the author, the Rev. John Howard Hinton. We cannot do better than introduce it to our readers with a quotation from his preface—“The writer is justly entitled to the credit of diligence, carefulness, and fairness. He does not pretend to be an authority in ecclesiastical history, or to have made personal examination of original documents: but he has had the good sense, in the first place, to make faithful use of all materials within his reach: and, in the second, to pass all his thoughts under the review of men who occupy the very pinnacles of Biblical criticism in the United States. He possesses both vigour and originality; and he exhibits in this treatise even more originality than might have been deemed possible on such a subject. He often argues independently, and in these cases he attains much point, clearness, and success; while every page is characterised by a constitutional and inexhaustible vivacity, which renders the perusal of the work almost as entertaining as it is instructive."

The Crisis of Being. Six Lectures on Religious Decision. By the Rev. D. Thomas, D.D. Fourth Edition. London : Jackson, Walford & Co. 1864. Pp. 119.

The Progress of Being. Six Lectures on the True Progress of Man. By the Rev. D. Thomas, Ď.D. Third Edition. London: Jackson, Walford & Co. 1864. Pp.122.

These are cheap editions of two wellknown books. They have an attraction for many; but to us this author's writings would be more welcome were the style more simple and the thought less pretentious in its form. Too often the idea is crushed by the weight of words, or hidden by an affectation of philosophical expres

sion.

Loving Words of Caution, Counsel, and Consolation, for such as are seeking to be like their Lord. In poetry and Lonprose. don : H. J. Tresidder, 17, Ave MariaLane. 1864.-A collection of short pieces both in poetry and prose, calculated to arouse, strengthen, and comfort the people of God.

The Essenes: Their History and Doctrines. An Essay, reprinted from the transactions of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool. By Christian D. Gensburg, LL.D. London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green. 1864. In this Essay we have a statement

of the doctrines, practices, rise, progress and numbers of a sect, respecting which comparatively few have any clear notions. All that the ancients have written on the subject is given, so that the conclusions of the writer may be tested by every reader. Subjoined, also, is an account of most modern writings worthy of note, in which reference is made to the Essenes. We should like to see it published in a more substantial and permanent form.

Pleasant Hours with the Bible: or Scripture Queries on various subjects. Pleasant Hours with the Bible: or Answers to Scripture Queries. London: The Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster-row.

These Scripture Queries and Enigmas have appeared in the "Sunday at Home," and are published in a collected form, at the request of numerous readers. They are calculated to aid both instructors and pupils in teaching the Scriptures. No parent or teacher in a Sabbath or dayschool should be without a copy.

The Family Circle. By the Rev. ANDREW MORTON, Edinburgh. Third thousand. Edinburgh: William Oliphan & Co. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1864.This little volume is intended for the fireside of "the common people," and its simple object is "to show how the humblest homes may be made happy." The first part considers the Family Circle in its constituent element, and treats of home, the husband, the wife, the father, the mother, and the child. The second part considers the Family Circle in its corrective aspect, in prosperity, in adversity, dispersed, in the

grave, and in eternity. Its teachings are beautifully simple, and Scriptural, and sweet; sweet, indeed, would be the home of both rich and poor, if thoroughly influenced by the principles therein expounded and enforced.

The Soul Gatherer. By the Author of "The Way Home for the Child of the Kingdom." London: James Nisbet & Co., 1864. -We can scarcely conceive it possible for a Christian to read this little book without being incited to efforts to gather souls into the garner of Christ. We hope it may be extensively circulated.

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What saith the Scripture concerning the Kingdom and Advent of Christ? By W. P. Lyon, B.A. Cheap edition. Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster - row, London, E. C. Whilst we do not imagine the study of the Millennium or the numerous theories respecting it. calculated to increase one's piety and influence, we think it desirable that every Christian should have some definite and intelligent opinion on a subject to which such prominency is given by some of the most popular, if not the wisest, writers of the present day. We therefore heartily recommend this volume. It contains a clear, concise, and forcible exposition of the whole question.

Instructions to the Anxious Enquirer and the Young Convert. By JNO. HEWSON. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternosterrow, 1864. Price 14d.-In this tract the enquirer is directed to Christ, and the young convert is exhorted to Baptism and Church fellowship.

Intelligence.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

The Rev. W. G. Lewis has resigned the pastorate of the church meeting in Salem Chapel, Cheltenham.-The Rev. J. Arnold, of Mr. Spurgeon's College, London, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Westgate, Rotheram.-Mr. John Jackson, of Mr. Spurgeon's College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Sevenoaks.-The Rev. C. Smith,

of Langley, Essex, has accepted the invitation of the church at Hadleigh, Suffolk.The Rev. William Leach, late of Northampton, has accepted the pastorate of the church at the Plumstead Tabernacle for twelve months.-The Rev. G. Whitehead (late of Shotley Bridge) has accepted the invitation of the Mission Committee of Union Chapel (Rev. A. Maclaren's), Man. chester, to take charge of the new cause..

West Gorton.-The Rev. R. Davies has resigned the pastorate of the English Baptist church, Bethel Chapel, Maesteg, Glamorganshire.-Mr. W. H. Knight, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church Madeley, Salop.-Mr. T. G. Hughes, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist Church, Woodstock.-Mr. B. D. John, of Haverfordwest College, has accepted the invitation of the church at St. Melons, Monmouthshire.-Mr. Jno. Harris, of Haverfordwest College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the churches at Molleston and Myrtletwy, Pembrokeshire. -Mr. Seth V. Lewis has resigned his ministry at Cothill and Fyfield after twentythree years' service, having accepted an invitation to be minister of Drayton Chapel, and afternoon preacher at the Baptist Chapel, Ock-street, Abingdon.The Rev. J. Dore has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, Pontesbury.The Rev. John R. S. Harrington has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church in Ross.- Mr. Harington, having embraced Pado-baptist views The Rev. Charles White, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, has accepted an invitation to become the minister of the English Baptist church, High-street, Methyr Tydvil. -The Rev. Ebenezer Edwards, late of Newport, has accepted the pastoral charge of the church recently organised at New Milford, Pembroke.-The Rev. John Harper, of Rawdon College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church, Horsforth, Leeds.-The Rev. J. J. Joplin, is about to remove from Chippenham to Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Mr. G. Stevens has accepted the invitation of the church at Church-street, Stoke Newington.-The Rev. T. E. Fuller has resigned the pastorate of the church at Wellington-street, Luton, and in the hope of benefiting Mrs. Fuller's health has accepted an appointment at the Cape of Good Hope.

ANNIVERSARY AND OPENING

SERVICES.

SOUTH-PARADE CHAPEL, LEEDS.-This building, which has been closed since the 1st of Feb., for alterations and repairs, was again opened on April 10th, when sermons were preached, in the morning by the Rev. J. Makepeace, of Bradford, and in the evening by the Rev. Robert N. Young. The services were continued on April 14th, when the Rev. W. Landels, of London, preached; and on the following Sun

day, sermons were preached by the Revs. W. Best, B.A. (pastor), and E. Conder, M.A.

WALWORTH-ROAD, LONDON.-The new chapel intended for the church and congregation, recently worshipping at Lion-street Chapel, was opened on April 19th. The first service was a devotional meeting, presided over by the pastor. At noon the same day, the sermon was preached by the Rev. F. Tucker, of Camden-road Chapel. The friends adjourned after the sermon, to the Clayton school-room, York-street, to partake of a cold collation. W. M'Arthur, Esq., presided, and Mr. J. E. Tresidder, hon. sec. to the building committee, Mr. J. Burgess, Mr. W. H. Watson, Mr. G.Bayley, and other friends addressed the assembly. A sermon was preached in the new chapel in the evening, by the Rev. J. P. Chown, of Bradford. On the following evening a public meeting was held, presided over by W. H. Watson, Esq. Mr. J. E. Tresidder read an interesting account of the progress of the efforts which had led to the building of the new chapel. The Revs. R. Robinson, H. S. Brown, S. G. Green, B.A., C. Vince, N. Haycroft, M.A., C. H. Spurgeon, and P. J. Turquand, delivered addresses. On the evening of April 21st, the Rev. J. Stoughton, of Kensington, preached; and on April 22nd, a communion service, presided over by the Rev. Dr. Steane, was held, when above 500 members of Christian churches were present. We are glad to add that through the liberality of friends, the whole cost of the erection, amounting to £5,900, has been defrayed.

UXBRIDGE, April 19.-The anniversary of the Baptist Chapel, Uxbridge, was held. The Rev. A. McMillan, of Craven-hill Chapel, and the Rev. W. G. Lewis, of Westbourne-grove, preached.

DUNCAN-STREET, NEWINGTON, EDIN. BURGH.-The church under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Tulloch, until recently worshipping at The Tabernacle, has entered upon possession of a neat, comfortable, and comodious chapel in Duncanstreet, Newington. The opening services commenced on Lord's day, the 10th, when the Rev. J. Paterson, D.D., of Glasgow, preached morning and evening, and the Rev. W. L. Alexander, D.D., in the afternoon. On the 17th, the Revs. T. W. Medhurst, J. Robertson, J. Pirie, Ninian Wright, James E. Dovey, Francis Johnston, and Daniel Kemp and F. Naylor, Esq., delivered addresses.

THETFORD, NORFOLK.-A new chapel was opened on April 5th, when the Revs.

George Gould, of Norwich, and John Keed, of Cambridge, preached. The Revs. J. Sage, of Kenninghall; J. P. Lewis, of Diss; and W. Lloyd, of Barton-mills, united in the services. On the following Sabbath, April 10th, the Rev. C. Elven, of Bury, preached. The chapel at Thetford is the fourth which the Suffolk Mission has been the means of erecting during its brief existence, and it assists in sustaining the ministry in seven important stations.

ABBEY-ROAD CHAPEL, ST. JOHN'S-WOOD. A most interesting series of opening services, has just been held in the new Baptist chapel, St. John's-wood, commenced by a united communion on May 5th, which was well attended, and conducted by Dr. Angus. On the following morning, the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel preached. After the service some 250 friends sat down to a collation, at the close of which a very interesting report was read by Mr. J. C. Bowser, the hon. secretary, followed by addresses from the Revs. Newman Hall, J. Stratten, Dr. Angus, F. Trestrail, W. Stott, and Mr. Nicholson, of Bristol. The chapel will hold 1,100 persons, with extensive schoolrooms and baptistry. The first stone was laid April 27, 1863. Already the outlay has been not less than £7,800 towards which about £2,000 have been given or promised, leaving a debt of £6,000; but, as £2,000 of that sum is in part covered by holding the freehold and by residences on the ground, £4,000 has yet to be raised. Contributions will be thankfully received by Mr. J. C Bowser, 1, Queen's Terrace, St. John's Wood, London, N.W.

PRESENTATIONS.

GLASGOW, April 12th.-The Rev. J. Boulding, a purse of sovereigns and Smith's "Dictionary of the Bible," from the church and congregation of Bath-street Chapel.

EDENBRIDGE, April 12th.-The Rev. B. Dickens, a purse of sovereigns, a token of esteem and attachment from the church and congregation.

TRURO, April 22nd.—The Rev. J. Lewis, a purse of sovereigns, from the church and congregation, on the occasion of his leaving Truro.

ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION SERVICES.

MANORBIER, PEMBROKESHIRE.-On the 19th April, Mr. T. Pryce, of Haverfordwest College, was publicly recognised pastor of the churches at Manorbier and Cold-inn, in the neighbourhood of Tenby. The Revs. J. Griffiths, St. Florence; E. Davies, of

Pembroke-dock; M. Morgan, of New-wells, Montgomeryshire; H. J. Morgan, Pembroke-dock; T. Davies, D.D.; T. Birdett, M.A.; D. Davies, Pembroke; B. Havard; J. Williams, B.A.; and M. Morgan, conducted the services.

PUTNEY.-April 19th, a meeting was held, for the purpose of welcoming the newlyelected pastor, the Rev. J. T. Gale. The chair was taken by the Rev. J. Hardcastle, Esq., and interesting and appropriate addresses were delivered by the pastor, the Revs. Dr. Angus, I. M. Soule, J. Byrnes, of Kingston; J. W. Genders, of Wandsworth; D. Jones, B. A., of Brixton; S. G. Green, B. A., W. H. Tetley, of Rawdon College; J. Gurney, Esq., and D. King, Esq.

STRETFORD, MANCHESTER.-May 4th, a meeting was held in the Town Hall, to welcome the Rev. Fitzherbert Bugby, as J. pastor of the new Union Church. Ryland, Esq., of Langford Hall, in the chair. The Revs. A. McLaren, B.A., of Manchester; G. W. Clapham, of Preston; W. F. Burchell, of Blackpool; and A. Mursell, of Manchester, gave addresses.

MISCELLANEOUS.

HARROW.-The foundation-stone of the new chapel, Harrow, was laid on April 23, by Sir Morton Peto, Bart., M.P. After the Rev. C. Bailhache had read the Scriptures and prayed, the pastor gave a deeplyinteresting sketch of the history of the church, and the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon delivered an address, as did also the Rev. Dr. Steane. The Revs. W. W. Evans, Joseph Simpson, of Edgeware W. Fisk. of Chipperfield, and other ministers and friends, took part in the service.

EWIAS HAROLD, HEREFORDSHIRE.--On April 11, the foundation-stone of the chapel, which is about to be built in the village, was laid. The Rev. J. Bullock, M.A., of Abergavenny; Mr. T. Pearce, Rev. R. Johns, of Llanwenarth; the Rev. C. Burleigh, of Orcop; Rev. T. French, of Hereford; the Rev. E. Sinclair, of Peterchurch; the Rev. E. Compton, of Llanvihangel; the Rev. J. Beard, of Garway; and the Rev. T. Williams spoke.

GOSPEL OAK FIELDS, LONDON.-The services of the church were removed on Sunday, April 19th, from the temporary chapel to the New Temperance Hall in Winchester-street, Malden-road, and designated Albert Hall. The Rev. W. Trotman, of Blackmore, Essex, and the Rev. J. Pells, of Soho Chapel, Oxford street, preached. On the 19th, a meeting was held to commemorate the entrance of the

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