could, for the sake of a fuller treatment of the ways of sepulture in other times and other lands, have dispensed with the chapter on "Flowers," "Sanctuary," and • Ministering Spirits," as but remotely connected with the subject. As to the last,some of the speculations do not coincide with 66 BRIEF NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. FOSTERIANA: Consisting of Thoughts, Reflections, THE BOY'S BOOK OF INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION. and Criticisms of John Foster. Edited by H. G. BOHN, London. THE volume consists almost exclusively of extracts made from such of Mr. Foster's contributions to the Eclectic Review as have not already been published in the "Critical Essays." What was of mere temporary interest in such contributions is passed over, and the really substantial thoughts are selected and arranged under appropriate heads with much judgment. We value what Mr. Bohn has here accomplished, and give him our hearty thanks. This volume is to be followed by others, which will form a complete edition of the works of one of England's most original essayists. Tas ANNIVERSARIES: Poems in Commemoration of Great Men and Great Events. By THOMAS H. GILL. EVANGELICAL MEDITATIONS. By the late Rev. ALEXANDER VINET, D.D., Edinburgh. Translated by Professor MASSON. DR. VINET could not write anything that would be destitute of thoughtful eloquence, after the manner of the most illustrious French preachers. There is considerable originality in some parts of these Meditations, and a rich unction pervades all of them; but on the whole we must pronounce them inferior to those published some years ago, which we read with the warmest admiration. our views; but still in these will be found many touching allusions and useful facts and sentiments, adapted to raise the thoughts to a higher world, where deathis left behind, conquered. We cordially thank Mrs. Stone for this contribution. Illustrated. Ward and Lock. OUR HOME ISLANDS: their Productive Industry. Cambridge: Macmillan. We have read this book with rare pleasure, for it presents a noble contrast to many attempts at versification, which, sent to us for review, have ofttimes sorely tried our patience and provoked our censure. Mr. Gill has a right to publish what he has written, and to ask people to read it, because he will repay them amply for the buying and perusal of his little volume. There is a manly tone of pa triotism and Christian feeling in these effusions, PRAYERS FOR INQUIRERS OF ALL CLASSES. By full of refreshment. E. W. MYLNE. THE first of these volumes is rich in interesting descriptions of natural and manufac.. tured products-processes of art and tradetogether with apparatus, machinery, and engineering-the plates serving well to explain the letter-press. The second volume is exceedingly well written, and abounds in the results of thoughtful study. The work appears to be one of sterling merit, such as might be expected from Mr. Milner's pen, and worthy of a place in the Tract Society's catalogue. LIFE OF THE REV. S. MARSDEN, Senior Chaplain of New South Wales. By the Rev. J. B. MARS DEN. Tract Society. THE well-told story of a man of power, who, during a lifetime of remarkable incidents, held on in his appointed path of usefulness with love and firmness, through evil report and good report. This is no common book of memoirs. London: Wertheim & Co. THESE prayers are simple, thoughtful, earnest. The idea of providing prayers for dif ferent states of mind is a good one. They will who may not use them formally in private serve as devout suggestive meditations to those worship. THE LEVIATHAN; or, The Works of Man, and the Ways of God. By the Rev. T. AVELING. London: Judd and Glass. A DISCOURSE full of striking thoughts, forci bly expressed, in which one of the wonders of our age passes under review, and is turned to practical account; the author justly remarking in the introduction, that "no apology was necessary for seizing hold of prominent public vient to the purposes of solemn and lofty inincidents or objects, and making them subserstruction: for thus did the Master; and Him the servant cannot do wrong to imitate." We wish for this interesting and instructive dis course the wide circulation it so well merits. APOCALYPTIC SKETCHES. Vol. I. "Things that were." By DR. CUMMING. New Edition. London: Hall and Co. THIS Volume is a republication, " thoroughly revised, corrected, and arranged," of the first portion of Dr. Cumming's former work on the Apocalypse. It is to be followed by other two; the second, on the "THINGS THAT ARE," and the third, on the "THINGS THAT SHALL BE HEREAFTER." Our worthy friend is as confident in his views as ever. In the preface we find him "earnestly praying that God's rich blessing may descend on the study of a work which all late events, from Sebastopol to Calcutta, clearly vindicate and confirm." To our minds, the same events most clearly contradict and confute Dr. Cumming's anticipations. But it is vain to reason with one who, e'en though vanquished, yet can argue still;" or, if unable to argue, can yet so confidently maintain that he is right. We hope Dr. Cumming may live long enough to be convinced, by the course of events, that his fancy and imagination have led him astray. This first volume of the three, on the "THINGS THAT WERE," will be found to contain less erroneous matter than the other two. Even those who cannot accept the views which it propounds will find much in it that cannot fail to interest, instruct, and profit them. MEMORIAL OF AN ONLY DAUGHTER. By her MOTHER, the Authoress of " Shady Side." London: Sampson, Low, Son, & Co. THIS memoir is from the pen of the authoress of" Shady Side," which many of our readers, doubtless, will remember having read. It is stated in the preface, that after having com. menced this work, failing health "obliged the writer to relinquish it for a while, but she still cherished the hope that sufficient strength would be given her to complete it. To this hope she clung until near the end of her pilgrimage. When she heard the summons hence, and knew that she must leave the task unfinished, she committed it, and a few other objects very dear to her heart, in earnest prayer, to the disposal of Infinite Wisdom, and calmly laid herself down to rest." The work, therefore, has been finished by another hand, we presume by that of her hus band. As the point of interruption, however, is distinctly marked in the progress of the narrative, no injustice is done to the gifted writer whose name it bears. The memoir is one of great interest, and we can most heartily recommend it for the perusal of the young. THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF GOD, AS RE VEALED IN THE APOCALYPSE. Part Second. Edinburgh. We do not think that this work throws any fresh light on the meaning of the apocalyptic enigmas. The anxiety of the writer to find his views confirmed by events leads him to pen the following queries regarding the last twelve months of English history. Among what people, or at what time in the history of any nation, has there been a year of such great dis tress and perplexity to a kingdom as has marked the experience of Britain in the year 1857-8? May it not be said, with strict and literal truth, that this is a "time of trouble so great as has not been since there was a nation, even to this same time?" (p. 305). Few, if any, of the readers of this work will agree here with its writer. We do not find other portions of it to be more satisfactory. APOSTOLIC MISSIONS; or, The Sacred History amplified and combined with the Apostsical Epistles and contemporary Secular History By the Rev. J. H. BARKER, M. A., of St. John's College, Cambridge. London: Groombridge & Sons. Ax intelligent acquaintance with the sacred Scriptures is a most necessary part of the education of our youth. This is equally true of the historical ac of the doctrinal and praetical portions of the Bible, the former being the groundwork and foundation of the latter. The author of this volume has endeavoured to condense the apostolic records into a cannected whole. He aims to present "a enntinuous history under the form of a paraphrase of the Acts of the Apostles, combined with, and illustrated by, the epistles of Paul and also contemporaneous secular history." We think he has succeeded well in his desi This work cannot fail to be useful to youthfel students of the Word of God, and will be found very helpful in the conducting of Bible classes. A HALF CENTURY OF THE UNITARIAN CONTROVERSY, with particular Reference to its Origin, its Course, and its prominent Subjects among the Congregationalists of Massachusetts. By GEORGE E. ELLIS, of Harvard University, Boston, United States. London: E. Whitefield. THIS is a Unitarian publication. Had it contained, along with a history of the controversy, a history of Unitarian churches, it must have exhibited them everywhere in a state of de cline; some of their members, we trust, relinquishing Unitarian error for Bible truth, but most of them, we fear, moving towards Pantheism with Ralph, Waldo Emerson, and Theodore Parker. Second GOD IN HIS WORKS; or, Redemption in Creation. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. THE idea of this work is a good one, and Mr. Hemphill has worked it out well. Lɔɔk ing at things seen as types of things unseen, he endeavours to lead the mind from the phe nomena of the outward world to reflection on spiritual truths. From "the fog" he illastrates "the Christian's course;" from "light, the love of Gol;" from "the growth of plants, the resurrection of the body;" from "the moon, the church of Christ;" from "fruit-trees, the patience of faith;" from "the dew, God's teaching," &c. We do not always agree with Mr. Hemphill. We should dissent from many of his observations regarding the Jewish nation and the second advent. The volume, however, is an exceedingly interesting one, and will be read with pleasure. EARLY AT THE TEMPLE; or, Reverence for the London: Judd and Glass. THE design of these seventy pages is to promote the habit of early attendance at the sanetuary. M. Gill treats his subject under the following heads: "The Holy Place-The As. sembled Congregation-The Late Worshippers -The Kind Rebake-Wise Conusels-The Upper Sanctuary." This little volume may be placed, with great advantage, in the hands of persons guilty of a late attendance at the house of Gol. This unseemly practice is indicative of great irreverence, and prevails but too extensively. HOURS OF DEVOTION: A Meditation for every Day in the Month, translated and abridged from the German of DR. A. THOLUCK. By ANN and CATHARINE H. DUNN. Second Edition. London: Hamilton, Adains, and Co. THIS is a charming little book, which we are not surprised to find has reached a second edition. As may be seen from the title, it is from the German of Dr. Tholuck, who is not only a learned commentator and an able divine, but a poet as well. We find occasionally, indeed, in this work, a shade of sentiment to which we should object, and which reminds us that divine truth is here flowing through the channel of a human mind. But we trust that the readers will only be stimulated, by anything of this kind, to further thought and inquiry. With slight exceptions, however, there is so much of the true and the good, in union with the beautiful, in this volume, that we heartily recommend it to our readers. WANDERINGS AND MUSINGS IN THE VALLEYS OF THE WALDENSES. By J. A. WYLIE, LL.D. London: Nisbet. We have read this book with deep interest and great pleasure. The sketches of scenery are very graphic, and the local historical associations are admirably introduced. POEMS. By EDWARD CHARLES Mogridge. THE author of these poems is the youngest son of "Old Humphrey." We are glad to find that the parent stem has sent forth so vigorous and promising a shoot. There is great merit volume. Some, doubtless, will read the work in many of the pieces contained in this little however, will find it recommended by sterling of the son for the sake of the father. Such, qualities of its own. THE SIGNS OF THE SECOND ADVENT OF OUR BLESSED LORD. In Twelve Sermons. preached in the Church of St. James, West-end, Southampton. By JAMES WILLIAMS HATHERELL, D.D., Incumbent. London: T. Hatchard. THIS volume abounds with the loose reasoning and erroneous Scripture interpretation usually found in Millenarian publications. We regret to find such views in union with so much apparent piety, and taught from such a position as that occupied by Dr. Hatherell. SERMONS PREACHED IN THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH, GORDON-SQUARE. By the Rev. NICHOLAS ARMSTRONG. London: Bosworth & Harrison. THE Source from which these sermons have ficiently indicative of their character. The emanated will be, to most of our readers, suf small amount of truth contained in them is more than neutralised by the very serious error with which they abound. THE MOTHER'S FRIEND. Edited by ANN JANE. London: Ward and Co., Paternoster-row. Vol. X. THIS little serial is rightly named. It is well fitted to be useful to mothers, especially of the humbler classes. We are glad to learn that its circulation increases, and can most heartily recommend it. WILLIAM AND JAMES; or, The Revolution_of 1688. An Historical Tale. By J. M. M. K. London: Wertheim and Macintosh. In this work the leading events of the Revolution of 1688 are wrought into a tale, the writer of which solicits, as a young beginner, appeal disarms our critical faculty. It had the kind indulgence of the reader. This gentle been well, however, that the tale had been but half the length the young beginner has given to it. Still it may, with advantage, be put into the hands of young persons, on whose minds it cannot fail to impress the historical events it aims to illustrate. Chronicle. THE MEN OF THE MONTH. 3. SIR EDWARD COKE, died 1633. Coke was one of the most eminent lawyers this country ever produced, but he was at the same time a conscientious, Christian man, and the friend and patron of evangelical divines. At his death he was upwards of 90 years of age. 5. EDMUND BONNER, Bishop of London, aged 52. died 1569. This haughty, unprincipled, founder of St. Paul's School, died 1519, and cruel man commenced as a reformer, but became one of the bitterest persecutors of Protestantism. He died in 16. DR. JAMES FOSTER, an eminent preacher and writer, but imbued with the principles of negative theology, was born at Exeter, 1697; his death took place in 1753. prison. 5. JOHN JORTIN, D.D., a learned and accomplished but somewhat eccentric writer on Church History and other subjects, died, at the age of 72, in 1770. 8. JOHN MACLAURIN, an eloquent Scottish preacher and an elegant essayist, died 1754, aged 61. 9. GILBERT WAKEFIELD, the learned translator of the New Testament, a man of great merit and attainments, died 1801, in his 46th year. THOMAS COKE, LL.D., the friend, coadjutor, and biographer of Wesley, and one of the most active promoters of his system, born 1747. He died in May, 1814, on a voyage to India. 11. COLONEL JOHN HUTCHINSON, was a good man in bad times. He took a prominent part in the civil wars, on the side of the parliament, and was in consequence pursued with unrelenting hostility after the Restoration. He died in 1664, at the age of 48. WILLIAM LOWTH, an erudite and accomplished scholar and divine of the Church of England, born 1661. He died in 1732. 18. DR. JOHNSON, author of the English Dictionary, and of many other important works, born 1709. He died Dec. 13th, 1784. 22. BISHOP JEWELL, died 1571, in his 50th year. He was an excellent and pious man, and the great defender of the English church against the papacy. 23. THOMAS HALYBURTON, a celebrated and an able Scottish divine, died in 1712, at the age of 38. JAMES ABBADIE, who was once distinguished as a theological writer, died in London, 1727. He was of Swiss origin, and was born in 1658. 25. W. ROMAINE, a useful and popular minister of the Church of England in the last century: born 1714. He died July 28th, 1795. and pious lady, and author of a number of charming letters, died 1722, at the age of 86. born at Gloucester in 1714, and was one of the most eloquent, earnest, and successful preachers this country has ever 30. WHITEFIELD, died 1770. He was produced. Home. ABBEY CHAPEL, ROMSEY. SERVICES were held in the Abbey Chapel, Romsey, on Sunday, June 27th, and Monday, June 28th, in connexion with the laying of the foundation-stone of the People's Hall, in which the children of the Abbey Chapel Sabbathschool will be taught, and in which meetings and classes of various kinds will be held for the benefit of the working people of the town and neighbourhood, after sermons on Sunday, by the Rev. H. R. Reynolds, of Leeds, the Rev. J. Fowler, of Leeds, and the Rev. W. Crosbie, minister of the chapel. On Monday morning, at half-past ten o'clock, a public meeting was held, over which the Rev. W. Crosbie presided. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Fowler, and addresses delivered by Dr. Beddome, mayor of Romsey, and senior deacon at the Abbey Chapel, and by the Rev. W. Roberts, of Southampton, and the Rev. T. Morris, of Romsey. purpose of recognising the settlement of the Rev. W. Young, B.A. The Rev. W. Roberts read suitable portions of Scripture, and invoked the Divine blessing on the proceedings of the day. The Rev. H. Allon delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. T. Cousins proposed the usual questions. The Rev. J. Woodwark offered the designation prayer, and the Rev. T. Adkins closed the morning service. In the evening, the Rev. Dr. Ferguson preached to the people. KENT CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION. THE sixty sixth Annual Meeting of this Association was held at Marden, on 6th and 7th July. Sermons were preached by the Rev. J. B. Lister, of Lewisham, and the Rev. J. Spence, D.D., of London. During the session, it was reported that new chapels had been opened in the course of the year at Folkestone, Cranbrook, and Lewisham, and that two were about to be built at Woolwich and Erith; the districts were re-arranged, and grants were voted to different places. The Rev. J. Ross read a paper on the "Weekly Offering," which was followed by an interesting discussion on the subject. At twelve o'clock, the Rev. H. R. Reynolds formally laid the corner-stone, after which the rev. gentleman delivered an address to upwards of a thousand people assembled around the spot. This series of most interesting services was concluded by a tea-meeting, held on the afternoon of Monday, in a grove belong-presented ing to S. Bartlett, Esq. ALBANY CHAPEL, REGENT'S-PARK, THE Rev. Thos. Jones, of Morriston, Glamorganshire, having accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the church and congregation to become their pastor, purposes (D.V.) to commence his labours the first Sabbath in October. HIGHBURY CHAPEL, PORTSMOUTH. On Wednesday, the 2nd June, services were held at the above chapel, for the At the public meeting, reports were by the district secretaries, showing the healthy and prosperous condition of some of the churches in the county. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. P. Lyon, the Rev. J. Pulling, and others. The attendance of ministers and friends was large, and the services and meetings gratifying and profitable. RUGELEY. AN interesting service was recently held in connexion with the settlement of the Rev. John Baker, late of Chorley, Lan |