The Christian's Duty, from the Sacred Scriptures. In two parts. Part 1. Exhortations to Repentance and a Holy Life. Part 2. Devotions for the Closet, in Three Offices, for Every Day in the Week. A new edition, 12mo. London: Rivington, Hatchard and Son, and Burns. Oxford: Parker. 1841.

THIS is a very elegantly executed reprint of a most admirable work, which has Tong been scarce. It contains a system of devotions so complete in its arrangement, as to be adapted for every situation, condition, and circumstance of life; every word of which, moreover, is taken from the Holy Scriptures. After stating this, it is almost unnecessary to say anything more in commendation of such a publication, since, in fact, it carries its own praise with it. It would be impossible to find a book better calculated for general distribution, particularly amongst the younger portion of the community; indeed, as a prize-book, it is especially suitable. In regard to its typographical execution also, it possesses what we consider no slight recommendation; it is printed in a large and distinct type-a circumstance which older readers will not think unworthy of notice.

Roman Fallacies and Catholic Truths. By the Rev. H. Townsend Powell, A.M., Vicar of Stretton-on-Dunsmore. London: Painter. 1841.

It is probable that our readers may have heard of the "Stretton Tracts ".

"The history of these Tracts (now collected in a volume) may be briefly told. They were elicited by the persevering efforts of the Roman Catholics in connection with St. Mary's Priory, at Princethorpe, in the parish of Stretton-on-Dunsmore, in Warwickshire ; and are, in fact, a continuation of a series of publications, put forth to meet the various attempts at proselytism which have been resorted to in that parish.

"In the summer of 1835, an establishment of Roman Catholic ladies migrated from Orrel Mount, in Lancashire, and settled themselves in a newly-erected building, which they called St. Mary's Priory. The 13th of April, 1839, was the day on which the Roman Catholics of Princethorpe boast of having made their first convert in the parish of Stretton."

This convert soon turned out to be one very hastily made; and then a strange "imbroglio" of fraud was elicited, in which the author, whoever he might be, of the Priory Tracts attempted to throw off all the credit, or all the odium, as the case might happen, on one Charles Daniel, a shoemaker! After investigating this matter with much acuteness, and in a way which

shows that the Priory authorities were anything but immaculate, in a literary point of view, Mr. Powell observes:

"We must, therefore, come to the following conclusions:

"1. That the printing the name of Charles Daniel on the title-page of these (Priory) Tracts, is nothing but a trick for the purpose of deceiving the reader.

"2. That the authorities at the Priory are parties to this deception; and that the Tracts have their sanction and approval; and, consequently, "3. That, until some further errors shall be pointed out, other than those which will be disposed of in the Appendix, 'Roman Fallacies and Catholic Truths' may be considered to contain a true representation of the religious services of the Roman Church; of the means by which they are advocated; and the arguments by which they are defended."

The Tracts themselves are on Angel Worship; Image Worship; Adoration of the Cross; Relic Worship and Saint Worship; the Adoration of the Virgin Mary, in particular; the Canonization of Saints; the Adoration of the Host; to these are added a Supplement and Appendices. The whole have been examined and revised by Mr. Thomas Hartwell Horne and Mr. Barnwell. Thus the accuracy of the Tracts may be depended upon; and though they embrace but a small portion of the fallacies of the Roman Church, they do very well what they promise to do.

A Summary View of Dr. Henderson's Commentary on the Prophet Isaiah. By the Rev. Henry Cole. London: Seeleys. 1841. WHEN We opened this book, we were much struck with the first sentence of the Preface. We give it entire :

"Puseyistic (or Papal) infidelity within the Church of England, and Gospel infidelity without it, are the two fearful signs' that mark the present times." These are Satan's mighty means, in this our day, for working the wide ruin of souls, by obliterating the truth, diminishing the spirituality, lowering the divine sanction, contracting the broad authority, and obscuring the glory of the Bible! By these two heresies are the faith and affections of the Church of Christ, in Britain, wounded and aggrieved, her apprehensive alarm excited, and her faithful testimony against them loudly demanded.

"The former of these reigning evils, and its nature and consequences, have been laid open in many publications, periodical and others; and no testimony on the subject has been more industrious and able than that of the Record.'

After this, we are told that this wonderful "Record" has been guilty of too great civility to Dr. Pusey! The truth is, Mr. Cole has an unfortunate propensity to meddle with matters beyond his depth. Dr. Henderson is occasionally wrong, very wrong-but Mr. Cole is not the person competent to set him

The History of the Hebrew Nation, from its first Origin to the Present Time. By the Rev. J. W. Brooks, Vicar of Clarebro, Retford. London Seeleys. 1841.

THE reader, who will, doubtless, have read with pleasure our account of Dr. Grant's travels among the Nestorian Christians, may seek, perhaps, some account of the earlier history of the chosen tribes. At no time has there been so strong a feeling excited in favour of the exiled and persecuted house of Israel as now; and while we are far from approving the attempts made, from time to time, to do away with prophecy, and make the Jews legislators for Christians-while we think such attempts, whether made by Whig-Radical candidates for the city of London, or by right reverend prelates in the upper house, most unholy, we yet feel that a spirit of Christian love ought ever to prevail towards the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The prospects and sentiments of the Jews of our own day are thus admirably defeated by Mr. Brooks :—

"Nevertheless, the result in Europe of the labours of Christian missionaries has been a total of actual baptisms amounting to about 4,000 in the Protestant Churches of the continent; of which number the official government returns, up to the year 1838, show that 1,888 had occurred in the Prussian dominions alone, where the cause was piously promoted by the sovereign. Among the converts are Jews of the first reputation for scientific and literary attainments, numerous rabbies, and about fifty who are now ordained clergymen, acting as missionaries to their yet benighted brethren, or as pastors of Christian congregations. The number also who have received baptism in Roman Catholic countries must, from various causes, be considerable. Besides actual baptisms, there is likewise a broad and deep under-current of conviction among the Jews. In numerous instances the study of the Talmud is laid aside for the holy Scriptures; they are dissatisfied with Judaism; and a persuasion is gaining ground among the elder Jews, that the next generation of Israelites will all become Christians.

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"But there is likewise an unfavourable side of the picture. The contagion of infidelity among the nominal Christians of the continent has extended to the Jews. Since the more recent revolution in France, or the glorious days of 1830,' (as they are called) their character in that country has manifestly altered for the worse. Religion is now generally despised by them; so that those who attempt to speak to them even of Moses and the prophets are insulted. The same remark applies to the Jews of Alsace, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Rotterdam, and the parts of Germany chiefly infected with neology, who, since the current of avowed infidelity has set in from France, have been drawn into its vortex."

The persecutions to which this unhappy people are exposed in the East are then feelingly described; but the reader will be surprised to find, that even in Europe their condition is, in some parts, not much better.

It matters not-Protestant and Papist alike are banded against this once glorious, but now outcast nation.

"In Poland the privileges which were granted to them in the time of Casimir the Great have long since been withdrawn, and they are now everywhere insulted and maltreated. The Polish children are from the cradle taught to spit upon and curse them; and they are robbed and defrauded by the older inhabitants without being able to obtain redress.

"They have been banished from Norway; in which country not a single Jew is now to be found.

"In Italy, so late as the year 1824, the imposition of the badge was revived; and in 1827, Leo XII. directed the provisions of an edict of 1775 to be enforced, whereby the Jews were forbidden to have Christian servants, and Christians were forbidden to have converse with Jews. They are not allowed to quit the Ghetto for the purpose of attending fairs, without a special licence; and if a licence be granted, it may be refused by the bishop, inquisitor, or vicar, of the town to which it is directed (which it is sure to be, unless the said bishop, inquisitor, &c., be suitably bribed); and when permitted to remain, the term of residence is limited to three days, during which the poor Jew is obliged to attend to numerous frivolous and vexatious regulations, for the breach of any one of which he is liable to a fine of thirty crowns, imprisonment, and other punishment, at discretion.

"In Spain the Jews dare not even now reside avowedly as Jews; and those who assume Christianity as a mask are often jealously watched. So recently as in the year 1827, a person, who had neglected to attend confession, was tried for the heresy of Judaism, and put to death. Dissimulation has nevertheless been carried on by the Jews in that country to an incredible extent; instances being on record of their taking holy orders, and even becoming judges of the inquisitorial courts, and yet practising Judaism in secret.'

The volume is concluded by some interesting and pertinent remarks on the use to be made by the Christian of the Jewish history:

"It remains to be observed, that Israel is not only destined to be restored, and to have a glory and dominion in the world such as never yet has been enjoyed by the most powerful of the rulers of what have been called universal empires; but that they are to inflict a terrible retribution on those nations which have persecuted and afflicted them, who will be broken in pieces and destroyed. The wisdom, both of nations and of individuals, is therefore to endeavour in the meanwhile to avert the just indignation of the Almighty, by speaking comfortably to Jerusalem, and promoting by all lawful means their spiritual welfare; for the Scripture concerning Israel will presently be found to be yet in force, as it has ever been in time past: Blessed is he that blesseth thee; and cursed is he that curseth thee.' (Numb. xxiv. 9). It is a book which we can heartily recommend.

THEOLOGY.

The Gospel Narrative of our Lord's Passion harmonized, with Reflections. By the Rev. Isaac Williams, B.D., Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. London: Rivingtons.

1841.

To introduce somewhat of the depth and devotional thought of ancient commentaries, has been the object of Mr. Williams in this beautiful work. Those who have read "The Cathedral," and "Thoughts in Latter Years," may best anticipate how well the amiable and excellent author has performed his task. To make extracts would hardly give the reader any better idea of the book, than the brick which, as Hierocles tells us, was once carried about as a specimen of the house. We recommend "The Gospel Narrative" to all who wish to feel as well as to understand what the ancient Church felt and theologized on this most important subject.

The Books of the Old Testament. Translated by the Rev. Alfred Jenour, Rector of Pilton. Vol. 2. Part 1. The Book of Job, London: Seeleys. 1841.

VALUABLE chiefly on account of the comparison with other versions which it contains.

Oxford Divinity compared with that of the Romish and Anglican Churches. By the Right Rev. Charles P. M'Ilvaine, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio. London: Seeleys. 1841.

THIS excellent work is too important to be passed over with a brief notice, and we, therefore, mention it here only to say, that in our next it shall be examined at length. We feel it necessary, however, to lose no time in announcing it.

The Expediency of Preaching against the Amusements of the World, considered in a Letter to a Clerical Friend. By the Rev. Henry Woodward, A.M., Rector of Fethard. London: Duncan and Malcolm. 1841.

A POWERFULLY written letter, and well calculated to effect its purpose; but some of the author's positions astonish us not a little.

The Moral Influence, Dangers, and Duties connected with great Cities. By John Todd. London: Ward. 1841.

THIS little book was first published in America, where it was, we believe, extensively useful. We trust it may be made so here.