-A contribution both interesting and useful, in reference to an important locality, towards a general history of the progress of Methodism. The narrative is likewise interspersed with brief but valuable reflections, suggested in its course. They who are in the habit of collecting these local histories, will receive Mr. Jackson's publication with thankfulness.

Discourse on the Modern Mental Philosophy, viewed in its Aspects on Christianity: with Strictures on that Exposition of it presented by Mr. J. D. Morell, in his Philosophy of Religion. By the Rev. Alfred Barrett. Foolscap 8vo. John Mason. To all persons who take pleasure in philosophical studies, and who desire to see mental and moral philosophy in particular presented in their just subordination to the ultimate standard of truth and authority, and their harmony, as forms of human teaching, with the teaching of God in revelation, we recommend this small but valuable Discourse. To the young, espe cially, we point it out, as furnishing admirable hints for their guidance, in case they should have fallen in the way of some of those modern sophists who, having bewildered themselves by mistaking the obscure for the profound, send their works into the world, and thus help to bewilder others. Mr. Barrett's discourse leads the mind to the highest philosophy, -to that which is as clear as it is deep, and which, instead of deterring the mind by an unapproachable vastitude of darkness, first attracts by its simplicity, and then expands by its greatness, the soul that receives the love of the truth for the purposes of personal salvation. It is every way a seasonable publication, and we shall be glad to learn that it is widely circulated.

A Voice from the Font. Regeneration not necessarily connected with Baptism; proved from Holy Scripture and the Articles and Formularies of the Church of England. By W. M. Farley, Curate of Haddenham, Bucks. 8vo. Wertheim and Macintosh.-We are glad to find that the pulpit of the parish next to that in which the venerable Thomas Scott so long laboured the very pulpit in which his funeral sermon was preached-gives forth no uncertain sound. Mr. Farley assumes the indisputable facts, that the Church solemnly requires her Ministers to teach according to holy Scripture, and that to assert the universal connexion of Regeneration with Baptism would not be teaching according to holy Scripture. Whatever be the meaning of certain

phrases in her formularies, it cannot, therefore, be this, especially as she clearly states other doctrines with which this is by no means compatible. The equivocal phraseology he explains on the frequently-asserted principle of "charitable judgment." The truth we believe is, that the Church uses the terin in reference to a spiritual alteration to which the Scriptures do not apply it. Tractarian baptismal regeneration, we believe, the Church does not hold; but the mistaken use of the term has led to fearful evils. The Bishop of Exeter finds the term, gives his own sense to it, and then asserts this to be the doctrine of the Church! If so, Latimer, Bishop and martyr as he was, was a heretic of such magnitude, that Mr. Gorham's name ought not to be mentioned at the same time. Which was right-Worcester or Exeter? We congratulate the good folks at Hadden. ham that their Clergyman belongs to the Latimer school,-the school of the man who looked at the blazing faggots that were to consume his own body as symbols of the inextinguishable light for England which God was then kindling.

The Treatise of Albertus Magnus, (1193—1280,) De Adherendo Deo: "Of Adhering to God." A Translation from the Latin. Square 16mo. C. Gilpin,Albertus Magnus was one of the greatest men among the many great men who flourished in what are called the middle ages. In learning he was far in advance of the times in which he lived. He was a Bishop, a public teacher and lecturer in the more active portion of his life, and afterwards resigned his offices, that he might devote the late evening of his days to the exercises of study, meditation, and piety. This little treatise shows him to have been eminently a spiritual man, with the light and piety of the Kempis school. It is marked by an elevated spirituality which could only have been exhibited as it is by one who himself experienced what he described. On the subjects to which it refers it is truly excellent, tending to stimulate the mind to a course of growing spirituality and heavenliness. But there is the common error of that mystical school of which he might almost be called the father. To the sanctification of the spirit the attention is directed exclusively. Of man's guilt, of justification by faith in the blood of Christ, and of the gift of the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of adoption, and thus of comfort, strength, and holiness, little is said. This was one of the defects of the day; and whenever and wherever it exists, it is a great defect, always

more or less injurious to the soul in its spiritual interests. The clear light of divine teaching, placing all things in their right point of view, and making them all properly manifest, can only be fully experienced by those who take as the keystone of their system, Christ crucified, in the scriptural sense of the phrase. Still, to those who can from their own knowledge and experience supply this defect, the treatise before us cannot fail of being useful, and useful on subjects of the highest importance. In these days of outwardness, that which directly tends to strengthen the soul for its interior exercises of fellowship with God, is valuable seasonably, and not only in itself.

The State and Prospects of Jamaica; with appended Remarks on its Advantages for the Cure of Pulmonary Diseases, and Suggestions to Invalids and others going to that Colony. By the Rev. David King, LL.D., Glasgow. Foolscap 8vo. Johnstone and Hunter. To all who take an interest either in Colonial concerns or in Missionary operations, this volume affords much important information. There are geographical and historical sketches of Jamaica, with statements concerning its social condition. The pleasing features of Negro character, and its defects, are carefully pointed out, and the religious condition of the country is described. Remarks, also, judicious and discriminating, are made on the present distress of which we hear so many complaints; and while its causes are investigated, its remedies are brought forward. Taken altogether, it really is, on the subjects suggested by its title, a very useful volume; and as such we recommend it to all who are engaged in investigating them.

Memoirs of the Public and Private Life of William Penn. By Thomas Clarkson, M.A. New Edition, with a Preface in reply to the Charges against his Character made by Mr. Macaulay in his "History of England," by W. E. Forster. 12mo. C. Gilpin. In this one volume, by means of a small, but clear type, the two large octavos of Mr. Clarkson's well-known, and (in some respects) standard "Life of Penn," have been compressed; and thus, a work full of useful and interesting information is introduced to a far wider circle of readers than the one to which it was formerly unavoidably limited. We are glad to have the opportunity of announcing this convenient edition. It is sufficiently recommended by being mentioned. The preface by Mr. Forster refers to Mr. Macaulay's charges against William

Penn. In reviewing that work, when we quoted a passage in which one of them is mentioned, by omitting Penn's name, we presented the statement merely as a general one. We saw at once that the case was at least open to reply, and that therefore justice required that the charge should not be repeated till either a reply had been given, or judgment suffered to go by default. Mr. Forster now comes forward as Penn's vindicator; and, certainly, he does seem to make out a case in which the historian has drawn decisive conclusions from very imperfect premises. He may have stronger illustrations and arguments justifying his statements to which he has not yet referred, and he is therefore entitled to be heard in reply. We only say, therefore, that as the matter at present stands, Mr. Forster appears to have either proved the inapplicability of the charges, or to have deprived them of all their sting.

Windings of the River of the Water of Life, in the Development, Discipline, and Fruits of Faith. By George B. Cheever, D.D. 12mo. W. Collins.—— One of Mr. Collins's "Series of valuable and popular Works." Dr. Cheever is well known as a popular and evangelical American Divine. Some notion of the present work may be formed from the mention of the titles of the four leading divisions: "Christ in the Mind, in the Affections, in the Life, and in the Soul, the Hope of Glory." The water of life is taken as flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, and the various channels in which its streams run are traced from their source. On every point of Christian doctrine we do not see eye to eye with Dr. Cheever; but, logically speaking, if there be specific differences between us, we trust we both belong to the same genus. It is a publication on experimental and practical religion which we are glad to have to announce.

Short Memorials of the Lord's Goodness. Also, on the Power and Grace of the Holy Spirit; and, Serious Thoughts for the Aged. New Edition, enlarged. 18mo., pp. iv, 488. J. F. Shaw.-We have put the number of pages into our copy of the title; but we have only made up the total by addition. There are about a dozen tracts separately paged. The narratives are pious, and so are the didactic portions; but the whole plainly issues from a strongly Calvinistic school, one of those which identifies the whole Gospel with its own peculiar views, and with its forms of expression governed by them. It is thus that, by a natural

reaction, there is a school that calls the whole evangelical system Calvinistic, and opposes it as such. When will it be felt to be of the essence of bigotry to say, "All who are right think and speak just as we do?" There is much in these tracts calculated to do good; but much, also, that unfits them for a movement beyond the circle which the writer has drawn around him. When will people be wise enough to see that provincialisms are not the standard of nationalisms, that he may talk good English, who talks neither Cornishly nor Yorkshirely?

An Historico-Critical Introduction to the Pentateuch. By H. A. Ch. Hävernick, Professor of Theology in the University of Königsberg. Translated by Alexander Thomson, A. M., Professor of Biblical Literature, Glasgow Theological Academy. Edinburgh. Clarks. In announcing this important work,- to which we regret that limits of time and space do not allow us to refer at greater length,-we avail ourselves of the descriptive remarks offered in the Translator's Preface. While the volume "is occupied almost exclusively with a discussion of the question, so much debated of late in Germany, as to the genuineness of the Pentateuch-treating both of the Mosaic authorship and of the historical credibility of the work, points that are essentially connected; it would be wrong to regard its publication as superseded by the previous appearance of Hengstenberg's valuable Dissertations on the same subject. It is at once a more complete and methodical, and also a more compact work, answering to its title of a manual. The principles also on which it is based, and of which it presents a thorough and masterly exposition in its treatment of the different sections of the Pentateuch as they come under review, are, in the translator's opinion, of the highest importance, such as alone will lead to a satisfactory and consistent apprehension of the peculiar character, spirit, and bearing of the Old-Testament writings. They will prove the surest antidote to the rationalistic and infidel spirit, which is now seeking to diffuse itself among the educated and reflecting classes in this country. We see it here encountered, on its native soil, by an able antagonist, and foiled with the right weapons."

Health, Disease, and Remedy, familiarly and practically considered, in a few of their Relations to the Blood. By George Moore, M.D., &c. Longmans. -A book which, deserving the attention

of medical students, promises also to be highly useful to the unprofessional readers. It is not designed to supersede the physician, but to second his efforts in relief of human suffering. The spirit of the author is indicated by a sentence, quoted from Jeremy Taylor: "God is He only that needs no help, and God hath created the physician for thine: therefore use him temperately, without violent confidence; and sweetly, without uncivil distrustings." Dr. Moore ably and interestingly expounds some of the leading truths in medical science.

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Lectures on Christian Baptism. By Thomas M'Crie, D.D., Author of "Life of the late Dr. M'Crie," &c.—To make converts from the ranks of Anti-pædobaptists, is not the object of the lecturer; but he seeks "to instruct and establish those who may be adhering to the truth without sufficient investigation.' has produced an excellent manual; comprehensive, yet sufficiently popular. The six lectures, when delivered in Daviestreet, Edinburgh, excited much attention; and we are glad that, in compliance with the earnest request of many who heard them, Dr. M'Crie has given them to the public in this form.

The Lighted Valley; or, The closing Scenes of the Life of Abby Bolton. By one of her Sisters. With a Preface by her Grandfather, the Rev. William Jay, of Bath. Hamilton, Adams, and Co.A beautiful record of early piety, and of triumph in death.

Family Pictures from the Bible. By Mrs. Ellet, Author of the "Women of the American Revolution." 8vo. Jackson, late Fishers. These "Scenes" are twenty in number; four of themthe Holy Family, the Family of Zacharias, the Family at Bethany, and that of Cornelius-being from the New Testament, the other sixteen from the Old. They appear to be of American composition; but, however this may be, they are well depicted, and throughout evangelically didactic. The inexpressible value and importance of the domestic constitution are evidently felt strongly by the writers, -six have been contributed by the friends of Mrs. Ellet,-and the design of the entire work is plainly to recall attention to the subject where it has been at all relaxed, and wherever it exists to render it more instructive according to the original intention of its benevolent and all-wise Author. At the present day a tide of feeling is setting in which threatens gradually, and almost imperceptibly, to undermine the whole social fabric, by sapping the very foundations of

the family. This is the more dangerous, because not only is its power, but its very existence, unsuspected. Political liberty, state secular education, and other subjects of a similar nature, always presented under plausible aspects, and often involving some valuable truths, are yet lessening the influence of the family in reference to that development of holy affection and that submission to venerable authority, which prepare the future citizen for the liberty and independence, the philanthropy, the self-governing, selfdenying observance of social restraint, without which the active energies of the full-grown man will be exercised uselessly, if not mischievously. The volume before us furnishes an antidote of great value and power.

Sermons. By Joseph Sortain, A.B., of Trinity College, Dublin, Minister of North-Street Chapel, Brighton. 8vo. Longmans. We know not why the fact should be as it is, that volumes of sermons should be among the least popular of the publications of the present day. Yet so it is. Perhaps one reason is, that, for the mere sake of gain, sermons have been taken down in short-hand, and surreptitiously published, often to the injury of the Preachers. Such editions scarcely ever are what they ought to be.

Reporters of this class are seldom accurate theologians-seldom theologians at all. The market is thus overstocked with publications whose only claim to notice is their cheapness, but whose contents are unavoidably of a very inferior character. Sermons are among the most valuable portions of old English theolo gical literature; and we believe there are Preachers at the present day able to contribute to the stock articles not at all inferior in value to those which have issued from the pens of a long line of illustrious predecessors. Occasionally, one of these ventures to come forth, and take his chance for the circulation of his volume. Mr. Sortain is one of them. He has given us a volume of earnest, eloquent, and truthful sermons, which the thoughtful Christian cannot easily peruse without instruction. There is nothing declamatory about them. They are marked by serious thought. one on Baptismal Regeneration, particularly, attracted our attention. Mr. Sortain adverts to the fact, that while the terms referring to the idea of the new birth, that is, the commencement of the spiritual life in the soul, are of frequent occurrence, and of varied forms, the word translated "regeneration" is found only twice in the New Testament. In nei

The

ther case, he thinks, does the word unquestionably refer to what is signified by the new birth. He refers to the use of the term by Josephus and Cicero as denoting restoration to a prosperous and happy condition which had been lost. He thus suggests that the word in Scripture may refer to the condition into which Christ's redeeming interposition has brought fallen man. He who acknowledges this, and openly professes his desire to avail himself of it, is received into the church by baptism, the washing of this regeneration; and as the promise is to us and our children, they, as heirs of the covenant, are entitled to its sign and seal. It becomes a token to them of blessings actually given, provided, offered, and which will be given fully when sought personally. But this is not, he intimates, the commencement of the spiritual life, personally considered. That must be sought when the subject is capable of it. He who thus seeks and finds, is born again, born of God, born into a state of holy victory over sin and the world. We give these hints to those who are studying the momentous controversy of the present day. From a variety of thoughts, the truth may at length be collected pure and entire. Between what the Scriptures of truth say on the subject of salvation by grace through faith, and what they say on the connexions and results of baptism, there must be a true harmony. Let it be honestly and prayerfully sought for, and it shall be found. We are sure that the scheme of Romanists and Tractarians does not furnish it. May not a holy jealousy for spiritual religion, so long obscured and crushed by Roman and Anglican Papalizers, have caused a too exclusive (not too great) attention to be paid to one of these subjects? Let both be examined, and both shall be understood.

Scripture Emblems; or, Gleanings in the Field of Sacred Imagery. By the Rev. James Meek, Carnoustie. Foolscap 8vo. Johnstone and Hunter.-A volume of devotional reading for the closet or the family. It is nothing like a system of typology. A selection is made from the images employed in holy writ, and these are explained with sobriety and judgment on correct and evangelical principles, and always in reference to the spiritual im. provement of the reader.

Translation of Hermann Venema's inedited Institutes of Theology. By the Rev. Alexander W. Brown, Minister of Free St. Bernard's Church, Edinburgh. 8vo. Edinburgh: T. and T.

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Clark. London: Hamiltons.-Venema was a learned and godly Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church; and on the death of Vitringa, (1722,) succeeded him as Professor of Theology in the University of Franequer, in Friesland. therto, he has been chiefly known by his published theological treatises, and his ecclesiastical history; and by these his erudition, deep research, sound judgment, orthodoxy, and piety, have been clearly exhibited. These "Institutes," however, have by some means remained in manuscript; but coming a few years ago into the hands of the translator, with sufficient evidence of their genuineness, he has believed it to be his duty to give them to the public in this English form. In doing so, he has performed an acceptable service, and has presented a valuable contribution to the stock of theological literature for students both old and young. The whole manuscript, it seems, could not be contained in a single volume. The translator promises, should this meet with an encouraging reception, to complete the work, appending to it some account both of the author and of his works. We trust that he will be enabled to do this. The specimen before us is calculated to raise our expectations highly. We do not think on all points with the writer; still, no one can read the work in a right spirit without being profited by it. The subjects it contains are complete as far as they go; but they are so treated, that we shall be disappointed if Mr. Brown should find himself compelled, even with the encouragement which we know he will receive from his spirited publishers, (who have done much good service to the cause of theological science,) to withhold the remainder. They, therefore, who desire to have the whole, will do well not to delay procuring the already published part.

The Life and Epistles of St. Paul, &c. By Rev. W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson. Parts 5 and 6. 4to. Longmans. Each succeeding part confirms us in the opinion we first entertained, that, besides being one of the most interesting, this will be one of the most valuable works ever published on the subject.

The National Cyclopædia of Useful Knowledge. Parts XL, XLI. Seamen-Sisymbrium. Charles Knight. The work progresses regularly, and has hitherto shown no signs of falling off.

First Class-Book of Physical Geography: embracing Description of the Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean, and Distri

By

bution of Plants and Animals. William Rhind. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox.

Memorials of Worth: or, Sketches of Pious Persons lately deceased. By Rev. Robert Simpson, Sanquhar, Author of the "Traditions of the Covenanters," &c. Edinburgh: James Hogg.

Letters on Happiness, addressed to a Friend. By the Author of "Letters to my unknown Friends." Longmans.

The complete Works of John M. Mason, D. D., of the Presbyterian Church in North America. Edited by his Son, Ebenezer Mason. Four Vols., δυο.

London: Putnam.

The Tourist's Flora. A descriptive Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns of the British Islands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Italian Islands. By Joseph Woods, F.A.S., L.S., and G.S. Reeve and Co.

Report of the Nineteenth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Birmingham in September, 1849. John Murray.

Nineveh and Persepolis: an Historical Sketch of ancient Assyria and Persia. With an Account of the recent Researches in those Countries. By W. S. W. Vaux, M.A., of the British Museum. London: Arthur Hall, Virtue and Co.

An Elementary Course of Geology, Mineralogy, and Physical Geography. By David T. Ansted, M.A., F.R.S., &c. J. Van Voorst.

PROPOSED OR ANNOUNCED FOR

PUBLICATION.

Wordsworth's unpublished Poem and Biography. Wordsworth has left a poem, consisting of fourteen cantos, descriptive of his life and opinions, with directions that it should be published after his decease, together with such biographical notices as may be requisite to illustrate his writings, under the edi torial care of his nephew, the Rev. Christopher Wordsworth, D.D., Canon of Westminster. The poem is more than once referred to, in his published works, under the name of "The Recluse," of which, as the poet himself tells us, the "Excursion" is a part.

The Poems of King Alfred the Great; now first translated from the original Anglo-Saxon into English Metres, by Martin F. Tupper, D.C.L., F.R.S. Hatchard.

Heroines of the Missionary Enterprise; or, Sketches of Female Missionaries. Bentley.