them," by that test they will be found wanting. Prussia, with her most perfect system of means, is a lamentable example that drilling is not education, and that the mind may be trained without the development of the mental faculties. The English are a reading people, the Prussians are not; and yet in Prussia all have learned to read, while in England, according to Dr. Vaughan, full one-third are wholly unable to read. The fact is, that while English statesmen and tourists are beside themselves with admiration of the Prussian system, the Prussians are (not indeed an ignorant, but) an unintelligent and superstitious people. That perfect organization is a grand automaton without life, its teachers unthinking or irreligious men, and the whole experiment a splendid and magnificent failure which, by confounding teaching with education, the means with the end, has produced a race of disciples fit only for the civil and ecclesiastical despotism under which they live. that in proportion as government interferes, it must put an end to private benevolence. Men will have done their duty when they have paid the tax. It is a known fact that in all state-educated countries there is little or no voluntary effort. On the threshold of some new proposal on the part of our rulers, it is proper to decide whether we will allow them to seal up the fountains of spontaneous liberality, and open a new spring of their own, subject to every poisonous infusion which corrupt government channels are certain to impart. We cannot doubt what will be the decision of protestant dissenters. There is one portion of their labours too slightly treated by Dr. Vaughan, which they never can consent to forego,-the Sunday school. Yet, we are sure, that under a national system even Sunday schools could not long survive. From the manner in which they are now spoken of in some quarters we may infer, that our state educationists would not view their extinction with any very deep feelings of regret. The advocates of Sir James Graham's bill pronounced them a failure, and from the general tone of Dr. Vaughan's pamphlet, not from any particular expressions, we fear that he has become something like a convert to the opinion. For ourselves, we shall stand up in their defence, not only as nurseries of religion, but as seminaries of instruction; and to the utmost extent of our influence will resist any scheme, by whomsoever concocted or advocated, that can tend in any degree to their injury or destruction. What a lamentable picture was presented before the "Holy Coat" at Trèves. The history of this recent superstitious pilgrimage is more than a volume to the wise. Such a relic in England might have booked one or two fanatics from Oxford, but would scarcely have been worth a third class passenger to a single railway company in the land. But in Prussia it was a rich harvest to the boatmen, put every steam-vessel in requisition, thronged the roads from all quarters, and employed every kind of conveyance. Yet hundreds of thousands of these very individuals must We cannot conclude this subject have passed through the entire course without expressing again our deepest of instruction prescribed by the state. regret at the position which Dr. Vaughan Let government educationists explain has assumed. From the rank which he this stupendous fact, and reconcile it holds among nonconformists, and from with their extravagant eulogies of con- the respect which in other circles he tinental systems! It proves to us, that has achieved by his literary productions, while states can teach they cannot his opinions will be quoted, not so much educate; they may create systems, but as the opinions of an individual, but as they cannot inspire t that life representing those of the dissenters at secure large. Double caution is required of fruits men of eminence in the formation of Prussia doubtful opinions, and in the publication theory. of views hostile to those of a majority Just of among their brethren. The respected sede all doctor has committed the dissenters, and cen made weakened their hands for the inevitable voluntary struggle which is before them. We while to would not have complained had his epared for opinions displayed a freedom from preemembered judice, and had he held the balance with which i an impartial hand; but under presentence. For the attempt at interference circumstances we feel authorised to ask, we must be prepared. The combination How far has Dr. Vaughan a moral right against us will be mighty. Some will to wound voluntaryism by his incautious resist us who should be in our favour; judgments, and to use the British yet our victory over Sir James Graham Quarterly as the exponent of his views? is sufficient to prove that a vigorous There is a difference between might and opposition can baffle the most deterright; and surely literary power is not mined minister. Let us take our stand exempt from the same distinction. on right principles, and faithfully uphold them, and we shall not only save the poor of this country from a yoke of pauperism, but ourselves from the disgrace of discharging a religious and benevolent duty by compulsion. Voluntaries were the first in this work; let it be theirs to prove that the taunt of their adversaries is false, "This man began to build and was not able to finish." In the cause of education we have still two objects before us, which we have space only to name :-first, extension of the means; and secondly, the improvement of the quality, of instruction. There is still work to do in both these departments; and in proportion as we are faithfully occupied in this labour, we can plead boldly and determinately against government interfer BRIEF NOTICES. Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Romans. By Rev. ALBERT BARNES. Reprinted verbatim from the ninth American Edition, Revised and Corrected by the Author, and Edited by the Rev. Ingram Cobbin, M.A. London: Tegg and Co. 12mo. pp. 396. It is a serious thing to recommend an exposition of the Epistle to the Romans. That epistle being addressed by the writer to a people with whom he had had no previous intercourse, but in whose welfare he was deeply interested, is at once the most elementary, the most systematic, and the most comprehensive of all the writings of the apostle of the Gentiles. It is the portion of the divine volume against which the opponents of evangelical truth have most determinately set themselves, and which learned men among them have most strenuously endeavoured to explain away and pervert. It is one too, in perusing which the docile reader is peculiarly sensible of his need of guidance. It affords us therefore great pleasure that we can conscientiously recommend this cheap but valu. able volume to all who have any regard for our opinion. The design of the author has been to state what appeared to him to be "the real meaning of the epistle, without any regard," as he says, "to any existing theological system; and without any deference to the opinions of others, further than the respectful deference and candid examination, which are due to the opinions of the learned, the wise, and the good, who have made this epistle their peculiar study." The author's sentiments accord, how. ever, generally with those which are called Calvinistic, though he preserves his independence. In some things we do not agree with him; and we regret to find that he has fallen into the very common mistake of speaking of the epistle as addressed to the church at Rome, whereas it was addressed to all the residents at Rome who were saints, and there is no evidence The Works of Josephus: a New Translation; The pleasing anticipations of this work which we expressed in November, are, as far as the first portion of it is concerned, fully realized. The translation is as elegant, the illustrations as appropriate, and the whole aspect as beautiful, as the prospectus and the high character of the parties engaged in the enterprise led us to expect. The contents of this part are the Life of Josephus, written by himself; a judicious introductory dissertation on his personal character and credibility; and some notices of the princes and governors whom he has occasion to mention. Fine medallion portraits of two of these are given; the Empress Poppea and the Emperor Domitian, both engraved from coins in the British Museum. Three wel-executed engravings give views of the Hot Baths of Tiberias and the sites of Tarichæa and Sepphoris in Galilee, from drawings taken recently for the work; with sketches of interesting ruins as seen from the brow of Mount Zion. This is the first of twelve parts, which are to include the Life, the Wars of the Jews, and the two Books against Appion, and to be embellished with one hundred engravings, including maps, plans, and elevations of architectural remains. The work may be safely recommended to all who can afford to indulge themselves with so great a luxury, combining as it does, in no com- Additional Remains of the Rev. ROBERT VOL. X.-FOURTH SERIES. of the sermons and lectures of one whose amiable character and evangelical ministry have secured him the praise of all the churches of Christ in Scotland, and whose early decease has excited their deepest sympathy. By those who were personally acquainted with the author, the book, as bearing a striking impress of his own character, will be highly valued; to others it is calculated to do real good. It supplies us with specimens of sermons which, without being distinguished by profoundness of thought, great power of reasoning, or brilliancy of illustration, commend themselves to every man's conscience, and cannot fail to awaken the holiest emotions of the devout mind. Mr. M'Cheyne was one who evidently spoke from the fulness of his own heart, whose appeals were addressed with much directness and affection to the hearts of his hearers, and who did honour to the language of scripture by introducing it very largely in all his pulpit exercises. His ministry being thus characterized, it is not surprising that it should have proved singularly successful. Should the publication of these "Remains" stimulate to its imitation, both the church and the world will have occasion to rejoice. The True End of Education, and the Means adapted to it; in a Series of Familiar Letters to a Lady entering on the Duties of her Pro. fession as Private Governess. By MARGARET THORNLEY. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. 18mo. pp. 342. Any work bearing on education can scarcely fail to derive an interest at the present time, from the excited state of public feeling on that subject. Whether the chief ground of dissatisfaction in relation to it is to be found in the extent of the provision made, or in the character of the agency employed, it is not necessary here to determine. All will admit that the means at present in operation are capable of improvement. This applies as well to the education supplied by private tuition to the middle classes as to that furnished in our public schools. On this account it gives us great pleasure to introduce to our readers the work now before us. It appears to be the result of the extensive observation and long experience of an intelligent Christian lady, who participates in those views both in religion and politics which are generally described as liberal. We deem it impossible that any one to whom is committed the instruction of youth should rise from its perusal without benefit. The subjects treated of are various and the suggestions thrown out respecting them are all well worthy of attentive consideration. In the hope that a second edition of the book may speedily be called for, we suggest the desirableness of more carefully revising the proof-sheets. From the neglect of this, there are many typographical errors in this edition, and the table of contents is rendered entirely useless. My Sunday-school Class; twelve Lessons, designed to assist Junior Teachers in the Communication of Religious Instruction to the Young. By JOHN F. SERJEANT. London: Nisbet and Co. 24mo. pp. 212. Precisely such a book as was needed by the persons for whom it is designed. The lessons P an impartial hand circumstances we How far has Dr. V to wound voluntary judgments, and Quarterly as the e There is a differen right; and surely exempt from thes In the cause o still two objects have space only t sion of the mear improvement of t tion. There is these departmen we are faithfull bour, we can pl minately against Notes, Explanator It is a serious t position of the Ep epistle being address with whom he had but in whose welfar is at once the n systematic, and the the writings of the is the portion of the the opponents of e determinately set th men among them deavoured to expla one too, in perusing peculiarly sensible affords us therefore conscientiously reco able volume to al our opinion. The been to state what real meaning of the as he says, "to any and without any d others, further tha and candid examina opinions of the lear who have made study." The autho ever, generally wi Calvinistic, though dence. In some tl him; and we regre into the very comm the epistle as addres whereas it was addr |