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Enon Chapel, Monkwearmouth.

HE above engraving is a representation of the chapel about to be erected for the church and congregation under the pastoral care of our former student, Mr. G. S. Neale, who went to Monkwearmouth in April, 1870, and now sends us the following account of the work in which he has been engaged during the past three years:

"I found, upon coming here, a good chapel, free of debt, capable of holding 300 persons, but the church was almost extinct, eleven persons only composing both church and congregation, with a dense population all around. I accepted the invitation of this little band, not for what it was, but for what it might become; not for what there was inside the chapel, but for what there was outside. I have never regretted the step I took, but rejoiced in it. By the end of the year the place was filled, and every sitting let, which has continued to the present, and large numbers are waiting for sittings in our new chapel. We commenced a Sabbath school, which gradually increased, and, for a length of time our average attendance has been 120 scholars and 16 teachers; we might have many more, but cannot accommodate them, till we get more room. Our membership is over 70, and there are cheering prospects of regular increase. I am happy to state that our last Sunday evening text and motto for the year, which was, "Go forward," has been blessed to the decision of many, not only to be on the Lord's side, but to go forward in obedience to the Lord, in baptism; I expect in a few weeks to baptise a number of believers. We are earnest, united, loving, labouring, and liberal, and devise liberal things; hence, a year and a-half ago, we resolved to extend our place; we have ground behind to

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make it three times as large as it now is. We have counted the cost, and found it would be about £1,500; we determined to have two-thirds of the money before commencing the building, and the other third before the opening day, as we are determined not to have any debt upon it. We have now nearly £800 in hand, and by April next, when we intend to build, we hope to have £1,000; this will be principally raised in Sunderland. I trust that by an appeal to friends of the denomination at a distance, and other efforts, we shall succeed in having the building opened free of debt. We think we are warranted in this undertaking, first, because we cannot increase further till we have more room; secondly, because of our central situation, in the midst of a population of 30,000, which is constantly increasing, and ours is the only Baptist Church. On the other side of the river Wear, a few hundred yards distant, there is a population of 80,000, with only three Baptist Churches, and two of these very weak ones. Our chapel built, and our present pressure removed, we shall be able to go up at once and possess the land, the boasting and threatening Goliaths shall be slain by God's Davids and the giants, the tall sons of Anak, shall be despatched by God's Joshuas and Calebs.

Reviews.

Education: the Old Rut and the New
Road. By a Wesleyan Minister.
Elliot Stock.

CAPITAL. A most able review of the great Wesleyan debate upon national education. Everyone should read it whatever their views may be upon this difficult question. The manner in which Wm. Arthur handled the question commends itself to us right thoroughly; but the way in which some of the School Boards are profaning the Bible in their debates, renders us doubtful whether any good can come of their touching religion, except such as God can bring forth by overruling evil for good.

The Insidious

Thief; a Tale for Humble Folks. By one of themselves. Samuel Tinsley, 34, Southhampton Street.

A LIVELY tale, well wetted with seawater; it shows the sorrows which a drunkard brings upon his family, the joys of his reformation, the horrors which attend his relapses. Not only teetotallers, but all other temperance men will approve the author's design, though they may judge that the story is rather meagre, and too plentifully saturated with the sea-faring slang which is supposed to be the mothertongue of old sailors, but which we confess we have never heard from them.

The Miracle Recorded in the Tenth
Chapter of the Book of Joshua; an
Enquiry, Critical and Scientific, to
excite further Enquiries. By Rev.
EDWARD BILEY, M.A. Hatchards,
Piccadilly.

The

A CLEVER and interesting argument, in
which the author endeavours to shew
that the phenomenon of the standing
still of the sun and moon may have been
occasioned by the temporary arrest of
the earth's rotation on its axis.
hypothesis appears to have been well
ventilated in a dissertation by a French
geologist, entitled Eléments de Geologie,
par L. A. Chaubard, and, whether it
be correct or not, its discussion brings
to light many singular facts. No reader
need fear that he will be entrapped
into a sceptical pitfall, the little treatise
is written by a devout and believing
man. Perhaps we had better add that
only those of our readers who are
persons of scientific tastes will care for
this treatise.

The Biblical Treasury: a Magazine of
Scripture Illustration and Catechism,
Vol. III. Sunday-School Union.
We do not know where we could find
a more useful serial; it is full of in-
structive illustrations of Scripture. The
yearly volumes are in constant use in
our own library, and the penny num-
bers, month by month, interest us.

Minutes of the Proceedings of the Conference on Colleges summoned by the Committee of the Congregational Union. Hodder and Stoughton.

A VALUABLE record of the views and opinions of eminent men of the Independent body as to the education of students for the ministry. We shall have something to say upon the subject at a future time. The cucumber, it is said, should be carefully sliced, discreetly peppered, plentifully flavoured with vinegar, and then thrown on the dung-hill; on the same principle, the amalgamation of Colleges needs much consideration, and when well

con

sidered should be finally abandoned. The mingling of several subjects in the students' course is a wise method, though Mr. Allon judges it to be an evil. As a man can work more and more easily by changing the form of his labour and bringing various muscles into play, so can the mind endure more study if the objects presented to it are varied. We should be sorry to see our young ministry kept for three years apart from all divinity studies in order to perfect them in the classics, as well keep a child's heart without blood until the hair grows on its head.

Nature

carries on her processes simultaneously, and the way of wisdom is to follow her track, and train the whole mental manhood at the same time. We are glad to see Mr. Groser advocating free evening classes for young men aspiring to preach the gospel, and that our College subscribers may see that their generous gifts are not bestowed in vain, we quote a paragraph from his paper, read at the Conference.

"Mr. Spurgeon, with characteristic acuteness, and a promptitude which one could have wished to see imitated elsewhere, has organized Evening Classes, in connection with his Pastor's College, in which young men receive elementary instruction gratuitously; passing thence into the College, if duly qualified, and desirous of entering the ministry; if otherwise, engaging in other departments of Christian effort. There are no denominational restrictions; and it is not many months since the pastor of an Independent Church expressed to me, in the warmest terms, his sense of obligation to Mr. Spurgeon for the timely and valuable help thus afforded. From these classes, which were commenced in 1862, young men are constantly passing into the College, many of them becoming (according

to the report of their tutor, the Rev. George Rogers) both apt scholars and successful preachers. We consider,' he adds, 'that the Evening Classes furnish the 'missing link;' for they bring the abilities of young men of earnest piety under the immediate notice of the tutor, and thus we have an additional guarantee of their suitableness for the work of the ministry."

A New Cyclopædia of Illustrative Anecdote; religious and moral, original and selected. Elliot Stock.

A NEW Cyclopædia of illustrations, but not a Cyclopædia of new illustrations by any means. It will be of great use to those who have no other, but those who possess either Arvine, or Mr. Dickinson's "Dictionary of Illustrations," need not purchase this. Having been issued in monthly parts it will reach many who otherwise would have had no store of anecdotes to fly to, and thus it will answer a most excellent purpose; but we wish the work had been a little newer, and together with the antique and venerable stories of our great grandfathers, had presented us with a few more fresh gathered clusters. No authors' names are given, and it is as well, for nobody now knows who first wore these "old shoes and clouted;" the mercy is that the material affords the best proof of its intrinsic quality by having endured the wear and tear of time. We have great reverence for oratorical illustrations which have "braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze," as these have done, and we shall not be ashamed to wave some of them in conflicts yet unwaged. old things may be better than new; certainly old, pithy, sententious, and forcible things are better than flimsy, vapid, frothy novelties.

Good

Life Thoughts. By T. DE WITT TALMAGE. Bemrose and Sons, 10, Paternoster Buildings.

WHAT was long ago done for Mr. Beecher is here performed for Mr. Talmage. The extracts are not only "life thoughts" (we have no idea what that means) but live thoughts, all alive; "all a growing and a blowing" as our flowersellers are wont to cry. The preacher is full of mental electricity, a man charged like a Leyden jar: we do not know his like. May he win thousands to Christ.

Feathers for Arrows, a book of Illustrations. By C. H. SPURGEON. Passmore and Alabaster.

OUR book of illustrations, mostly original, has had a fair sale, so that our publishers have printed the twentieth thousand. They want a fresh notice in The Sword and the Trowel, and we would therefore inform our new readers that the book is prettily got up and is very cheap, being only half-a-crown. It is as good as we knew how to make it, and the reviewers have without exception given it a good word.

The Father of Methodism: a Sketch of the Life and Labours of the Rev. John Wesley. By EDITH WADDY. Wesleyan Book Room, 66, Paternoster Row.

We thought there were lives enough of John Wesley, but assuredly this is not one too many. Teeming with illustrations and prettily written, it will do more to make Wesley known to the many than any other dozen biographies of him. Methodists will buy it by the thousand, and Christians of other denominations will purchase it too. For a lady's first essay it augurs well; we shall hear more of Edith Waddy.

The Resurrection of the Dead. By WM. HANNA, D.D. Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas.

THERE are so very few works upon the resurrection, that we the more heartily welcome this exposition of the memorable fifteeth chapter of the first epistle of the Corinthians. Dr. Hanna writes flowingly, yet discreetly. We do not in all things see with him, but we have read his work with instruction and benefit, especially that portion which deals with verses 23 to 28, which in a future number we hope to give to our readers. There are mysteries connected with a future state which only the event can clear up, and the prophecies concerning the second advent are especially perplexing to some of us; but the glorious hopes which Jesus brings are none the lest bright because we cannot altogether decipher them, it is in fact their excessive glory which overpowers our limited understanding. The work before us is tastefully produced by the publishers, and is altogether admirable.

An Earnest Question; or, Why Baptize an Infant? By A. M. STALKER, Southport.

Rejoinder by A. M. STALKER to "The Analogy between Circumcision and Baptism," by a Layman of the Church of England.

BOTH of these tractates may be had of Mr. Stock, of Paternoster Row, for One Penny, and are in spirit and in matter models of controversial reasoning. Surely the Circumcision theory only needs to be carefully thought over to be for ever renounced by spiritual men, and, indeed, by all rational people. It is one of the weakest of the various defences of Infant Baptism which the ingeniuty of error has devised. It is a web scarcely strong enough to retain a fly. The countless evils which daily arise from the departure from the primitive ordinances should drive all Christians to their Bibles for plain warrants for every article of faith and practice. Happy will that day be for the church, but it will usher in the downfall of many a cherished idol, and Podobaptism will perish with the rest. Meanwhile, the wide circulation of such pamphlets as these before us will be a means to the much desired end.

Across the Sea; some Thoughts on the

Voyage of Life. By BENJAMIN CLARKE. Sunday School Union. VERY good thoughts very well put. Earnest use is made of the appliances of vessels, and the incidents of voyages, and important truths are brought forward in a form in which they are likely both to strike and stick. The book is well rigged without, and well stored within; young people will find Mr Clarke a first-rate steersman.

The Sower, Vol. XI., and The Little Gleaner, a Monthly Magazine for the Young, Vol. XIX., both published by Houlston and Sons, are thoroughly gracious and sound publications. Whatever may be their artistic and literary merits, one thing can be said of them, without contradiction, viz., that they are full of most precious gospel truth, undiluted and unadulterated. The highest Calvinist will be content with them, or else he is good for nothing himself.

Dublin Addresses, as delivered at several of the half-yearly Believers' Meetings in Dublin from 1862 to 1872. Edited by C.R. H. Shaw and Co.

ADDRESSES varying much in worth, so far as edification is concerned. When heard, we have no doubt they were all impressive, and under the Spirit's blessing were rendered graciously helpful to the hearers; but, as read in our own quietude, we must confess that some of them seem to be devoid of depth, and indeed of anything like teaching. The volume will be a very pleasing memorial of happy meetings to those who united in them.

The Experimental Guides. By Robert PHILIP, D.D., of Maberly Chapel. Wm. Nimmo, Edinburgh.

THESE "guides" are a series of eight excellent devotional books, which in former years enjoyed a large circulation, both in England and America. The subjects treated of are all of practical importance, the style is simple and earnest, and the matter is calculated to be of much service to the young Christian and the seeker. In all probability, we should differ from the author in some of his modes of utterance, but we none the less heartily acknowledge the value of his books, which are akin to the Rise and Progress of Doddridge and the Anxious Enquirer of J. A. James. The good man has gone to his reward, but he still speaks. His useful books had become almost unknown to this generation, and Mr. Nimmo has done well to give them a resurrection. After forty years of usefulness in the past, it is not presumptuous to prophesy that they will have a blessing resting upon them in the future.

Memorials of Lucy Maria Holy. Partridge and Co.

A LOVELY child, an amiable girl, a holy woman is here photographed, as was most meet. She lived a choice life, interspersed with suffering but full of holiest peace and love. She has fallen asleep early. It is well. The king has one more of "his honourable women to behold him in his glory. To those who knew her this memoir will have great value.

Helps for the Untrod Way; or Illustrative Sketches for Youth. By Rev. MATTHEW BROWN, Hightae. John Menzies and Co., Edinburgh. EARNEST addresses to young people upon personal religion, and the life which grows out of it. Mr. Brown adapts himself to his readers, and presses home his teaching both pleasantly and forcibly. His book deserves a better binding; our copy has lost all form and comeliness, merely in coming to hand. Publishers should not send out books in covers which will be ruined in a day or two; it injures their sales.

Tales of Heroes and Great Men of Old. Religious Tract Society.

THIS is the very best way to teach boys the old Greek mythologies. What common sewers we waded through in connection with Lemprière's Dictionary, and its delicate classical explanations! Holywell Street is nothing to it. It was a dipping in the Styx, or something worse, and might have been our ruin for time and eternity. In this book all is pure and clean, and as far as possible the venerable rubbish is put to practical use in fact, it is an interesting, instructive, and improving book for the juveniles.

Book of Texts.

Arranged by MAY VISCOUNTESS HOOD. Hatchards, Piccadilly.

ONE hundred and thirty-seven texts in red, with verses of poetry in black, appropriate thereto; that's all.

A Handbook of Revealed Theology. By JOHN STOCK, LL.D., with a Recommendatory Preface by C. H. SpurGEON. Elliot Stock.

THIS is a third and enlarged edition of a work which was produced by Mr. Stock at our urgent request. It has certainly grown a great deal, and we hardly knew the child again when we put eyes upon it in its third stage of existence. May our young men study this and similar compendiums of sound divinity, and by God's grace escape those horrible swamps of misbelief, nonbelief, and sham-belief which are now engulfing thousands. Albeit that the anythingarians are just now riding the high horse we must never despair for the truth, nor even grow low in

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