The Reformation. By GEORGE P. FISHer, D.D. Hodder and Stoughton, 27, Paternoster Row.

WE commenced reading this volume with the impression that he must be a bold man who thinks he can make a book on this portion of church history after D'Aubigné's famous work. "What shall the man do that cometh after the king?" The author has, however, quite justified to our judgment the attempt he has made. It is a capital digest of the subject, with a good index and tables, and forms a first-class book for general readers as well as for students. We find nothing new, but are glad to have the old facts in so convenient and admirable a form.

Introduction to the knowledge of Holy Scripture. By the Rev. SAMUEL GREEN. Sunday School Union, 56, Old Bailey.

A BOOK for teachers and senior scholars in Sunday schools. A small volume after the style of Dr. Angus's "Bible Handbook," and likely to be very useful from its cheap and condensed form. We welcome it warmly, and commend it heartily.

Christ Crucified. By ADOLPHE Saphir. James Nisbet and Co., 21, Berners Street. 1873.

MR. SAPHIR is too well known to need any commendation from us. He is always found at the cross, or not far from it. Here, especially, where the subject is Christ crucified, he stands immovably; not as some would say, under the shadow of the cross, because with him the cross has no shadows, but in the midst of its glories, changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. Such teachers never need go beyond the plain meaning of Scripture for the confirmation of their views; they always speak much of their beloved brother Paul; and by looking at all Scripture doctrines in their relation to the cross, have no difficulty in perceiving their relation to each other. Their writings are both learned and simple, deep and yet clear. We rejoice in them, as most valuable, because most useful in the present age.

Vivian and His Friends; or, Turo Hundred Years Ago. By GEORGE E. SARGENT. Religious Tract Society.

A STORY of the plague of London, which has already appeared in the Sunday at Home." The name of the author is sufficient guarantee for the godly tone; the story itself possesses absorbing interest. Illustrations abound, and the binding of the book is very attractive; it would make a very handsome present,

An entirely New Series of Scripture

Texts has been issued by Messrs.
Morgan and Scott, 12, Paternoster
Buildings.

THESE texts are printed on very large sheets of paper (size 35 inches by 224 inches), and are very suitable for the walls of mission rooms, schoolrooms, refuges, &c. We are best pleased with the one entitled the A B C of the gospel of the blessed God. It contains the three texts, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world; Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden." Our specimen is mounted on canvas, varnished, with eyelet holes, and if hung upon a wall would preach the gospel for many years. It is printed in chocolate colour, and costs 1s. 6d. Other colours are the same in price. There are seventeen Here is an excellent

varieties of texts. plan of doing good.

Biblical Cyclopædia; or, Dictionary of the Old and New Testament. By WM. JONES, M.A. London: Wm. Tegg. We have no hesitation in pronouncing this to be a valuable addition to the library of all those who aspire to a correct and extensive acquaintance with the sacred writings. It is a Biblical library in itself, and is precisely adapted to those who, from necessity or choice, are seeking one book in the place of many. It is not a mere dictionary of words, but a dissertation upon their meaning, more or less extensive, according to their position in a sound theological system. We have turned to several test-words, and found them to be quite in harmony with our views. We recommend it strongly both to teachers and taught.

Wonderful Works of Christ. By a Clergyman's Daughter. Second Series. Religious Tract Society.

We do not remember having seen the first series of these most instructive conversations, but we like this second series immensely. The children talk about the miracles as we fear no children ever do, and so far the machinery of the book is rather unnatural: but the instruction given is most precious. We cannot imagine a better book for a mother who wants to give her children a holy and interesting Sabbath evening's lesson. Instead of further remarks, we subjoin an extract upon Peter's walking on the sea, which to us is the very beau idéal of suggestive commenting in simple language:

"What made him want to go?" asked Charlie. "I would rather have kept safe in the boat."

"He was influenced, no doubt, by mingled motives. Perhaps, being so impulsive, he had shown most terror at the first sight of the figure moving towards them on the waves, and now he may have wished to prove how heroic he could be. There was, we may be sure, love to the Saviour, and a desire to be near him; but mingled with these were more selfish feelings-among others, I think, a desire for pre-eminence, a wish to push himself into notice-something of the same spirit which led him at a later day to utter those boastful words, Though all shall be offended, yet will not I,' words followed by a sadder fall than the one that overtook him now.'

"I notice he says, 'bid me come,' not bid us; he was evidently only thinking of himself," said Lizzie.

"Mark the love and wisdom of the Saviour's answer. He does not chill his impulsive disciple by a refusal, though he knows the faults that lurk in Peter's desire. He permits him to learn this needful lesson. Yet it is but by a single word that he answers Peter's request a word which, while it does not refuse the trial, in no way promises success."

"Peter said, 'Bid me come unto thee,' and our Saviour only replied, Come,'" observed Herbert.

"Yes; the 'come is no command, only a permission. Peter had said unto thee,' but our Lord gives no such definite invitation. The result was now to depend entirely on the disciple's faith. How strong that faith seemed at first! He clambered down the side of the rolling vessel, his feet touched the heaving waves, and he stood upon them. With eyes fixed on the Saviour, he took the first few steps in safety; then, as the great billows rolled towards him, and he saw them rising and falling between him his Master, Peter forgot the secret source of his strength, and while gazing into the yawning gulfs of

the angry sea his heart sank with fear, his faith wavered, and he began to sink.'

"And yet his faith did not altogether leave him, said Herbert, thoughtfully, "for even in that terrible moment he believed in Christ's power and love-he cried at once, 'Lord, save

me.

"But could he not swim?" asked Charlie, "He was a fisherman, you know."

"He could swim; in the twenty-first chapter of St. John's Gospel we have proof of that. One writer on this miracle remarks, that Peter, in his terror, forgot his usual resource; while another says, In this his peril, his fisher's art profits him nothing; for there is no mingling of nature and grace in this way.' Probably some sense of his sin and presumption may have flashed on Peter's mind, and made him feel that he would honour Christ by seeking help only from him."

"How graciously Christ rebuked him," said Lizzie. The Lord recognised his faith, weak as it was, He did not call Peter unbe lieving but of little faith.""

"And the Saviour says also, 'Wherefore didst thou doubt?' not wherefore didst thou come?" added Herbert. "And then you forgot one thing," said Charles, "The Saviour helped Peter first, and rebuked him when he was safe. I do think that was the kindest part of it. Yesterday, when I rolled down that hollow and fell among the brambles, nurse kept on scolding me all the time that she was helping me out, and I didn't feel half so much obliged to her as I should have done. But Jesus saved Peter immediately,

and then after that he told him of his fault."

It

A Book to give a newly-married couple, and if it should lead them both to be teetotallers so much the better. aims, however, at something higher, even at their conversion. The sad tale thrills the reader, and leaves, perhaps, too melancholy a feeling upon the mind; but there are some who will never be made to fly from sin unless they see the horrible results which it may produce. Bad temper in the wife in this story drove the husband to the publichouse, and led on to the ruin of the family. God grant that such a scene may never occur in actual life to any of our young readers; but, alas! it may do if sin be not conquered by the grace of God.

WE laid the first stone of the new buildings for the Pastors' College on Tuesday, October 14, and the day will ever be one of the brightest recollections of our heart. Our loving people from seven in the morning to ten at night never ceased to pour in their offerings, each one saying a kind word to the pastor as the money was given. Happy is the minister who has such a people. Mainly by small sums the amount was made up to £1,000, and the ministers and students brought in another £300. We began the day with prayer, and the students continued the devotions right on. The day was fine, the people enthusiastic, the speakers in good trim, and all was as we could desire it, best of all the Lord was there. Our enterprise is now going on to completion, and if all our readers were now to send in their help we should soon crown the edifice. This will be done, and again we shall have to magnify the God of grace. Never before was any work in our hands carried out with so little trouble.

It is delightful to read the account of the meetings of the Baptist Union at Nottingham; evidently the divine presence was enjoyed. The address of Dr. Landels on Ritualism was a splendid deliverance. "There is a future for you Baptists," said Neander, and we mean to realise it by the Lord's gracious help.

Like many of our readers, we were amazed to find the Christian World charging us with believing in the damnation of infants. Never did we give any man an excuse for such a calumny; we loathe the notion as we detest murder. The newspaper writer must have very sore withers, or he would not kick out so wildly at the touch of our hand. We accept his handful of mud as the evidence that his conscience pricked him. As to the editor of the Christian World, much as we dislike his theology, we cannot believe that he approves of such an assault; we have always found him a gentleman, and therefore we expect the amende honorable at his hands before this reaches our readers.

A new Baptist interest is to be raised in Aldershot. One of our College men is to commence in a few days.

The friends who have met at Palmerston Hall, Wimbledon, have bought the hall, and made it their permanent place of worship. We have apportioned them £200, but they greatly need further aid.

It was a great joy to us to journey to Bradford to assist in the opening services of the new chapel of our brother, Mr. J. P. Chown. We had a good season in St. George's Hall, and the Lord was there. It is interesting to record that before we reached Bradford Mr. Chown's friends had cleared the new chapel of all debt, and therefore the collections were divided between the Bradford Infirmary and the Stockwell Orphanage. Our share is to be £125, and we are truly grateful for it; it cheers us at a time when subscriptions come in but slowly.

At Bedford, on October the 22nd, we preached in Mr. Howard's great implement house to three or four thousand people. The collections were divided between the Baptist and Wesleyan churches. We are coming nearer, for we both hate Ritualism and neology. Both denominations have definite views on the great gospel doctrines, and abhor the looseness of modern thought."

The Sunday-school teachers at Tabernacle have had a very gracious season of special prayer, and are looking for a great blessing. The setting apart of a time for intercession by the Sunday School Union was a most wise and holy thought, we feel sure that throughout all Sabbath schools which duly observed the occasion the largest blessings will follow. O for living teaching, and the quickening of youthful hearts into immediate conversion to God!

We are requested to state in connection with the China Mission that a letter awaits J. J. S. at 422, Holloway Road Postoffice, from T. P. H., 82, Dempsey Street. We may add that we hope the papers upon China will lead friends to help Mr. Hudson Taylor's Inland Mission, and any sums sent to us will be punctually forwarded.

Baptisms at Metropolitan Tabernacle, by Mr. J. T. Wigner:-September 29th, fifteen. By Mr. J. A. Spurgeon:-October 2nd, fourteen.