the Romish doctrine of the sacrifice of the Mass, and that which is so nearly allied to it, the doctrine of the Eucharistic Sacrifice as held by the Ritualistic party in the Church of England; for he maintains that "the Church offers nothing of herself, least of all does she offer Christ; neither does Christ in the sacrament offer Himself, by means of His representative the priest, which is properly the view of the Greek and Roman Churches." But he holds the Lutheran doctrine of an actual communication of our Lord's human nature in the holy Supper. “What the Lord gives us in the sacrament is that unchangeable essence or form of His humanity which constitutes the substratum under both states or conditions of glorification and non-glorification." On this theory he founds his view of the Lord's Supper as being, in the strictest sense, a sacrificial feast. view is, that in the believing recep. tion of the Lord's Supper there is a spiritual appropriation of the acrifice of the Lord Jesus, and that such an appropriation is beautifully set forth by the symbolical acts of eating that bread and drinking that cup, which He has constituted the emblems of His own body and blood, "given" and "shed" for us.

Our

Lay Sermons, Addresses, and Recies. By T. H. Huxley, LL.D., F.R.S. London: Macmillan and Co.-Professor Huxley almost makes it a boast that he has emerged from the "theological stage" in the progress of knowledge, yet his writings have about them a theological turn and tendency. The author of the "Physical Basis of Life," of "ProtoVOL. XVII.-FIFTH SERIES.

plasm," and other biological essays, cannot help passing over ground which is held by religious theories. Besides, Professor Huxley is very sensitive to the charge of materialism, and denies the impeachment. We do not now stay to examine this question in the light of this volume, but hope to refer to it again, and more at length. Meanwhile, we can speak very openly of the literary excellence and power of these Addresses, etc. No one can read them without being struck with the command of fit words and simple illustrations which they exhibit. Besides the scientific instruction which they give, many passages might be selected full of luminous thought on some social or economic question, while the parade of technical learning is studiously set aside. We shall be glad when such interpretations of the marvels and mysteries of nature can be supplied without an appeal to religious antipathies. But when a writer commences, as Dr. Huxley does, with a genuine antipathy to the prevalent "theology," he will, most assuredly, do his best to make the facts of nature bear witness on his side. If the astute and eloquent author of this book were less "theological," we could have recommended it, without a caution, to our readers.

This Transitory Life: Seven Lectures designed to help thoughtful young Persons correctly to estimate the present World and its Affairs By the Rev. William Hudson. London: Elliot Stock. 1870.-There are books which are made out of other books. This little volume is not of that class, but is plainly the original product of a reflective mind. The nature and object of

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the work are indicated clearly enough in the title,-which is certainly not, like some others, misleading. In the prosecution of his plan, the author dwells on man's sojourn on earth; the great purpose of life; how that purpose may be accomplished, and how it may be missed; together with the relationships, troubles, and joys of this present state. In the treatment of these topics, to each of which a whole Lecture is devoted, there is a constant reference to the authority of revealed truth, and an undercurrent of evangelical sentiment. Indeed, the book may be regarded as a contribution, although brief and unpretentious, to practical theology. And yet there is a general abstinence from the technicalities and terminology of theological science; so that these Lectures are less sermonic in their style than is frequently the case in homiletical literature. In this respect they would meet the views of John Foster. At the same time, good and not infrequent use is made of quotations from Holy Scripture, with here and there an exegetical remark. Some readers will say that a sermon-text might be prefixed to each Lecture, as most of them are founded upon some important passage, of which the best use is made by the author. Thus, Lecture I., "The Sojourn," might have for its text: "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out," a saying which Mr. Hudson forcibly vindicates against the objection of triteness. Lecture III., "The Great Success," has for its appropriate motto the words of St. Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." The word motto scarcely does justice to the

author's use of the passage; for he gives so much exposition as to show that he believes the "good fight" to have reference to Paul's conversion, and the remainder of the passage to his subsequent Christian course.

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A book written for "Thoughtful Young Persons,"-a not preponderatingly numerous class,— should be thoughtful itself; and this, we can testify, "This Transitory Life" is. Its remarks and reflections are not of equal merit; but some are sufficiently striking for quotation: "Pain is easily remembered than common pleasures. A thousand hours of ordinary comfort may be utterly forgotten, while one hour of intense pain is vividly recollected." (P. 3.) "Pardon is not the extinction of facts." (P. 62.) "More have probably been ruined by joys, of the number and excess of which none ever complained, than by the troubles of which all complain." (P. 155.)

As a first effort in authorship, this volume is full of promise for the future.

Notes on Romans. By J. N. Darby. Second Edition. London: Crocker and Cooper.—In the Introduction to this work, the author says, "The following little book is composed of notes taken down from Lectures which had an entirely practical bearing. They have been corrected, as such notes generally need to be; but I have thought, as the aim was entirely practical, a short analysis of the structure of the Epistle might help the reader in understanding it." The character of the work accords with this statement, but scarcely fulfils the promise held out in the last sentence. Many

good things are said by the author; but the "Notes" are loose and fragmentary, and fail to present a comprehensive view of the great argument of St. Paul in this Epistle, or to bring out its deeper truths.

Pilgrim Songs in Cloud and Sunshine. By Newman Hall, LL.B. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. -We have read this volume of Lyrics with much pleasure. "Their dates range over a space of thirty years; " and some of them were written in classic and sacred scenes, visited in recent travel. They cannot, therefore, be expected to possess equal merit. Yet generally they breathe the spirit of true poetry; and some give evidence, in their cast and finish, both of thought and style, of the higher power of the "divine art." They evince, moreover, a fine appreciation of Nature in her various moods and aspects; beautiful and grand, placid and wild, pleasant and severe. And it is refreshing to note the spirit which appropriates and sanctifies every scene in association with the Christian life, and illustration of its growth and power.

The soul and charm of these 'Songs" is their evangelism. Adoring love to the blessed Redeemer is the glow of their inspiration. The pieces on pp. 137-9, written in Athens, afford a fine example of the supreme influence of this spirit. Amid names and memories which kindle a poet's fire, Paul and his visit to Athens are a nobler name and a brighter memory: the rugged Areopagus has a sublimer historic interest than any other spot, because on that "hill of Mars" the Apostle preached the Gospel of Christ.

A Sermon. By the Rev. William Tranter. London: Sold at 66, Paternoster Row. Internal evidence suggests that the substance of this discourse was composed when our Foreign Missions as a distinct organization were new. Mr. Tranter had been in the ministry ten years when the Wesleyan Missionary Society was formed. His sermon reflects the zeal of those early days. The old spirit, with the appliances which our Connexional prosperity has given to the children, but which were things coveted rather than possessed by the fathers, would work wonders.-New Cyclopædia of Illustrations, adapted to Christian Teaching. By the Rev. Elon Foster. London: Dickenson and Higham. The "illustrations" number upwards of six thousand, and facility of reference is promoted by a copious index. The aim of the work is "to furnish a treasury so complete, that the preacher or teacher need not look in vain for some apt analogy, fable, simile, proverb, or anecdote, with which to make clear or impress any subject he may wish to discuss." Such as know themselves unready at a figure or story, with which to point a moral, will find this collection of tit-bits useful.-Missionary Anecdotes. With twelve Illustrations. London: Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday. These "Anecdotes" consist of short narratives, illustrative of "the working of the grace of God in various heathen countries." They are taken from recognized authorities on the subject of Evangelical Missions.Power in Weakness. By Charles Stanford. London: Hodder and Stoughton. The third edition of Memoirs of a beautiful character, by one who is himself, we believe,

an eminent example of the truth of the paradox expressed in the title. The Spiritual Garland, being Extracts from English Sacred Writers, illustrative of the Truths of Christianity. Selected and ar

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ranged by J. G. Pilkington. M.A., Clerical Secretary of the Bishop of London's Fund. London: Dickenson and Higham. This is more than the common-place book of a diligent theological reader. The selections are made in a catholic spirit, and the arrangement is excellent. Whoever has an eye for putting together such a 'garland," is capable of producing something original. Perhaps this is a first essay at book-making: the next attempt ought to aim higher. From Messrs. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, we have received some specimens of books suitable for presentation to children; Love and Duty, or the Happy Life; Tommy and his Broom; Brave Lisette; all illustrated in a style attractive to young eyes.— What shall we read? or, The Oracle Consulted, (By William R. Lyth. London: Longmans,) is a manual of reference for Bible-readers. The compiler believes that he "has broken a mine of inexhaustible profit to earnest explorers of revealed truth." The systematic use of Scripture is of great importance, and the plan here sketched will help to promote it. The requirements both of the closet and the family-altar are consulted.The Signs of the Times, and Where are We? By James Johnstone. Edinburgh: James Thin. This pamphlet is of a class of which there are already too many. "Take the holy Word of God in one hand," says Mr. Johnstone, "and the newspaper in the other; and if you have a believing mind,

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you will have no difficulty in getting an answer to the above question." If all "believing minds" who constantly do this have no further difficulty about the "two witnesses," etc., (Rev. xi. 3-15,) the inquiry," Where are we?" is surely superfluous. The "witnesses" are here taken to be "two principles, — Christ's Headship over the Church, and His Headship over the nations." If we "turn to the newspapers of the day," we shall see that these two "principles" are dead," are "deprived of their political influence in the world;" they "still remain," we are told, however, "in the most public manner to be seen or believed in,"-" their carcases are not "put into a sepulchre," (see v. 9,)—their "friends in each nation will not suffer them to be buried;" they hope "that they will again receive life, or political power." A "Scottish member of Parliament," speaking lately in reference to the disestablishment and disendowment of the Irish Church, has even gone so far as to state that "religion is everywhere becoming more personal, less political!" The seer tells us to look at the "British Government," the "Irish Church," "Maynooth," the "Papacy," so deeply involved in "the judgment of war from God on France and Prussia; " and opines

"it is probable that future events will show that it is from the date, 20th September, 1870, that the three years and a half state of death of the two witnesses is to be calcu lated." The end of it all, therefore, is that, in little more than three years, the "witnesses" are to stand "upon their feet," and are to ascend up to heaven, "there being no longer any necessity for such witnesses," the "two principles," among the governments of the world," seeing Christ is about to establish a theocracy on earth." As for Britain we learn, "our legislature have passed the rubicon of guilt: there is nothing for us but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation.""

Some matters there are with regard to which no difficulty can be felt in giving a reply to the question, "Where are we?" We once heard a British Admiral open a Bible-meeting, of which he was the chairman, in a speech which closed with the following words: "Well, the trade of the town is improving; the ladies are learning music; and the end of all things is at hand!" Equally incoherent are the "vain babblings" of numberless interpreters of the Apocalypse, whose wresting of Scripture is itself a" sagn of the times," well worth a serious study.

THE POPE AND THE ITALIAN

GOVERNMENT.

THE people appear likely to be mistaken who imagine the Pope will die easily. The Premier's letter to Mr. Dease may be passed over for the moment, as may also

the doings of the "fire-eaters" in St. James's Hall, under the leadership of Archbishop Manning; what chiefly concerns us is the attitude assumed by the Italian Government towards the Holy Father, of whose territory it has taken pos