tions. For them the sentiments and practices of the early Church have a theological importance, only so far as they serve to illustrate the sentiments and practices of the inspired writers. The study, however, of Church antiquities may be enforced on various grounds, apart altogether from religion. It reveals human nature in some of its most subtle relations and divine aspects; it tends to liberalize the mind; to crush all sentiments of bigotry in the soul; and superinduce the spirit of generous forbearance towards those who differ from us in our religious conclusions, by showing to us how potent is the influence of man's times, circumstances, and education, in the formation of his religious opinions. For men of letters, the study of Church antiquities has a special claim. It stands in intimate association with European history and with the fine arts. Its influence has mightily moulded the character of the Middle Ages, and the Middle Ages were the nursery of modern civilization the world over. For such reasons as these, which Professor Sears so well states in his admirable introduction, we heartily commend to our brother students the study of Ecclesiastical Antiquities. And because we know of no work on the subject, which for its lucidity, comprehensiveness, pith and condensation, approaches the volume before us in its merits, we cannot do other than earnestly commend it.

FARQUHAR FRANKHEART; or Incidents in the Introduction of Methodism into Yorkshire. Ward and Co.

ALTHOUGH the demand for novels, which in these days is a mania, has called forth many works of an entirely worthless and injurious character, yet the principle of fiction is divine. The Heavenly Teacher himself adopted it, and it possesses a charm and a power that other methods must lack. Therefore we rejoice to meet with a book like this, which tends to redeem "light literature," from the opprobrium it too often merits. It is moreover a very superior tale, on account of the novelty of incident, truthfulness of character, freshness of plot, forcibleness of style, and high moral aim, which distinguish it. Those who would understand something of the persecutions Wesleyan Methodism has so triumphantly weathered, and the good its introduction has so generally produced, or who would be reminded of the jealous hatred with which too often the bad assail the good, and the defeat to which evil is ever destined, should read Farquhar Frankheart.

WESTMINSTER CHAPEL PULPIT REPORTS OF SERMONS. By the REV. SAMUEL MARTIN. Being manuscripts of short-hand notes taken at the time of delivery. London: Elliott Stock. The Hearers of MR. MARTIN, who formed themselves into a Committee, to report and

on

publish the discourses of their minister as they came from his lips, acted wisely and well. Happy the people who are privileged to listen to such a preacher, and happy the preacher who has such discriminating and appreciative hearers. All the Sermons have on them the bloom of life; and some of them have rays of originality and strokes of powerful eloquence. Thanks to the committee that have preserved thoughts which will live when the tongue that uttered them will be silent in the grave!--THE SPEAKER AT HOME. Chapters on Public Speaking and Reading Aloud, by Rev. J. J. HALCOMBE, M.A. ; and on the Physiology of Speech, by W. H. STONE, M.A., M.B. Bell and Daldy. THIS little book conveys in a most unpretending manner very many useful suggestions to those who are, or those who hope to be, public speakers. Facts, and the reason of them, are presented to the reader, in a clear and interesting manner. The work too has the advantage of brevity, the authors evidently believing "verb: sap sat." THE OLIVE BRANCH. Poems Peace, Liberty, Friendship, &c. By WILLIAM STOKES. Judd and Glass. Here we have poesy of no mean order, dedicated to some of the noblest themes that can thrill the soul of man. May these poems find their way to many a home, and their spirit soon reign in every heart!-THE TWO TWILIGHTS; or the saint and the sinner, in life and death, by EVAN LEWIS. B.A., F.R.G.S, &c. Ward and Co. The conception of this little poem is good, its execution poetic, and the moral sublime.-SECTS IN SYRIA, with observations on the recent outbreak. By B. H. COWPER. H. J. Tresidder. This tractate will possess peculiar interest in consequence of the awful butcheries that are now associated with the mention of Syria.-SPECIMENS, WITH MEMOIRS, OF THE LESS KNOWN ENGLISH POETS. Vol. I. Edinboro': P. Nichol. This volume of the magnificent series of British Poets, contains in addition to the choice pieces of Sydney, Raleigh, Beaumont, Ben Johnson, and others, several by unknown authors. The brilliant editor, besides giving the usual memoirs, writes a valuable introductory essay on the origin and progress of English poetry, up to the days of Chaucer and Gower.ROUTLEDGE'S CHURCH AND HOME METRICAL PSALTER AND HYMNAL: Containing one hundred and one psalm and hymn tunes, adapted to six hundred and forty psalms and hymns. Edited by CHARLES H. PURDAY. The title so fully describes this book that we need say but little. The tunes are all of the most popular and valuable sort, and are exquisitely adapted to the words to which they are attached. The hymns and psalms are for the most good: there are a few which we do not consider at all adapted for worship. The book, however, is on the whole a very good one of its class; and its merits, "getting-up," and wonderful cheapness, must secure for it an immense circulation.-A PATRIARCHAL HANDMAID ; OR, GODLY PATIENCE AND

ZEAL SECURING A RIGHTEOUS RECOMPENSE OF REWARD. A Sermon occasioned by the death of MRS. HILL; preached in Woburn Independent Chapel, April 1st, 1860. By the REV. J. ANDREWS. Published by request. London: Jackson and Walford. When we say that this sermon was decidedly worth preaching, and will repay a perusal, the thoughtful will regard it as no mean commendation.— EVENTIDE. A devotional diary. Nisbet and Co. SHORT ESSAYS ON SHORT TEXTS. Wertheim and Co.-BIBLE DIFFICULTIES EXPLAINED. Rev. Dr. HEWLETT. H. J. Tressidder. The first of these consists of eminently practical meditations, arranged for every evening of the year. There are a quietness and simplicity, and withal a thoughtfulness, about the book that will charm a superior class of readers. The second by a layman of the Church of England, contains interesting reflections on well chosen texts. Its author writes often with an experience that gives pathos, and always with an intelligence that gives interest to the essays. Dr. Hewlett's aim is to satisfy that spirit of enquiry, which, he says, is the characteristic of the present age. There are in the scriptures many common apparent contradictions, with the most general of these, this little work carefully and candidly deals. RUNNING A THOUSAND MILES FOR FREEDOM; OR, THE ESCAPE OF WILLIAM AND ELLEN CRAFT FROM SLAVERY. London: William Tweedie. This book reveals the abominations of slavery. The facts it records, of which the following is a specimen, heat the blood to a boiling point of righteous indignation against the iniquitous and infamous system of slavery. My poor sister was sold first: she was knocked down to a planter who resided at some distance in the country. Then I was called upon the stand While the auctioneer was crying the bids, I saw the man that had purchased my sister getting her into a cart, to take her to his home. I at once asked a slave friend who was standing near the platform, to run and ask the gentleman if he would please wait till I was sold, in order that I might have an opportunity of bidding her goodbye. He sent me word back that he had some distance to go, and could not wait. I then turned to the auctioneer, fell upon my knees, and humbly prayed him to let me just step down and bid my last sister farewell. But, instead of granting me this request, he grasped me by the neck, and in a commanding tone of voice, and with a violent oath, exclaimed, 'Get up! You can do the wench no good; therefore there is no use in your seeing her.'" The heroic adventures recorded in this little book shake the whole soul with intense emotion. Eternal Justice speedily interpose, free the poor slave from the tyranny of devils in human flesh,-devils, who sad to say, often garb themselves in the costume of religion!

66

A HOMILY

ON

A Popular Fallacy

Exposed.

"For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."-Psalm 1xxiii. 3.

HO was the au

thor of this Psalm?

when, where, and

on what occasion was it composed? These questions appear but of little importance when we look deeply into its principles. It seems to have little of the local and temporary about it. It presents society to us as it has appeared in all times, and unfolds those perplexing subjects with which the good in every age have been harassed. We feel in relation to such a Psalm as we do in relation to a book of mathematical reasoning, little or no anxiety either to ascertain its author, or the circumstances of its origination, simply because it reveals what is common to human nature;-the unfolding of the human soul as it goes on in all lands and under all suns.

The few words of our text contain the substance of the whole Psalm, which presents with impressive prominence two things to our view :

First: Bad men in good circumstances. The bad men are here described as the "foolish" and "wicked." Folly and

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wickedness are convertible terms. Sin is folly. Man sinning, is man violating all the laws of reason, all the principles of true policy. He barters away the sublime interests of eternity for the evanescent gratifications of an hour. He resists the hand stretched forth to bless him. He battles against forces that can crush him in a moment. He breasts those billows of holy influence which roll to bear humanity to the peaceful haven of the good. Such are the bad characters before us, and they are found in good circumstances;—they are in "prosperity." The material heavens shine on them, the earth yields up her fruit to gratify their every taste and to supply their every want. The unconscious beast springs with alacrity to bear them whithersoever they please. Men await their orders and hurry to fulfil their behests. Providence pours into their lap those gifts which it denied the Son of God Himself. Such are the good circumstances in which bad men are often to be found. I say good circumstances. Those who say that wealth is not a blessing often exhibit more envy than wisdom. Such an assertion clashes with the universal sentiment of mankind, for do not all consider wealth a thing to be desired for man's happiness? It is true, men often convert it into a curse, convert it into all the elements that minister to sin and add strength to vice. Albeit they may, and ought, and sometimes do, convert riches into that which aids in the cultivation of intellect, the refinement of taste, the extension of truth, the education of conscience and the well-being of souls. Wealth is a good thing in itself.

Secondly: A good man in a bad temper. Asaph, the supposed writer of this psalm, acknowledges that he was “envious" of these bad men who were living in good circumstances. Now envy is ever a bad thing. It is a plant that springs from depravity, it can find no soil in a truly pure heart. It is ever the attribute of selfishness, and selfishness is the essence of sin. The more generous and benevolent a man is, the more free is he from this the characteristic sin of little souls." The coal that comes hissing hot from hell." Still, I presume, the author of this psalm must be considered