membered. No Hebraist has ever approached his erudition in Oriental and Rabbinical lore, and it would be difficult to say who has surpassed him as a Greek and Latin scholar. Erasmus was in this respect his equal-we reckon not his superior. But it is for higher merits and services than these that the name of Reuchlin ought to be enshrined in our recollections. He was the father of the Reformation, born in 1454, several years before Erasmus, and Luther and Melancthon. He was expressly recognised and revered by these great men, as their precursor, and to him they regarded Protestantism as owing its most vigorous impulse. It is surprising, therefore, that for the most part our notices of him are so meagre-our acquaintance with his life and times so scanty. D'Aubigné has to a considerable extent done away with this reproach. But even his information regarding him is more limited than it should be, considering the part that Reuchlin acted, and above all, the materials that exist for a more ample biography. Maius, a native of Pforzheim, wrote his life in admirable Latin. Schnurrer and Meiner have done the same ably. But the most important work relating to this great man and his era, is Mayerhoff's German Treatise on Reuchlin and his Times;-and it is this that Mr Barham has translated, and incorporated in the present volume. We do not know who Mr Barham is, and we cannot speak highly of him as a writer. He is ambitious-even bombastic in style, and has far too great an affection for the middle ages for our taste. But as a translator, he has done very good service to the Church, and he has furnished us with a volume, which, though small in size, is replete with the most interesting information.

"The Faith once Delivered to the Saints;" considered in its Distinctive Principles and Sure Results; in Six Discourses. By the Rev. JOSEPH RIDGEWAY, Rector of High Roding, Essex. London: Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley. 1843.

These sermons are of a very superior order. No common place declamation -no patchwork of sentences and sentiments from other writers,-no vague and general statements of the truth. They are full of Scripture, full of the gospel, full of Christ from beginning to end. They are also composed in a most vigorous style, fitted to attract and impress. Would that there were hundreds such as Mr Ridgeway in the Church of England. We add two extracts:—

"The conscience-stricken sinner, in the vain hope that his works and suffer. ings will recommend him to the mercy that he needs, labours in the very fire, and wearies himself for very vanity.' The same subtile principle insinuates itself under the profession of a purer creed, and induces much of the external show of piety; and there are many who, while they admit the indispensableness of Christ's interposition on their behalf, nevertheless confide in their punctual observance of religious ordinances, their propriety of conduct, their alms-deeds and fastings, as investing them with a suitableness for pardon. They come to buy the wine and milk of the gospel, but not in the character of those that have no money.' It is not on the free love of God revealed in Christ, that they exclusively rely, as Paul did, when he said, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.' They hope to furnish themselves with something which, elevating them above the common mass of sinners, shall prefer them to the mercy which they seek. The conscience conflicting with a sense of guilt, and yet not fully humbled, originates this delusion, in which the hope of obtaining mercy is reconciled with the self-righteousness of fallen man. How many who are influenced by it! How many who, acknowledging that the blood of Christ can alone expunge the guilt of sin, yet think that in some subordinate sense our own works must intervene to qualify for

pardon! who persuade themselves there is something of our own which must be interposed, as warranting our reliance on the Saviour's work, and without which, the expectation that his blood will be applied to the remission of our sins, is presumptuous and unauthorized! The extent of qualification supposed to be necessary is indefinite, and varies according to the temperament and peculiar views of individuals. Some think that the obedience of the life must intervene before they can venture in their dying hour, to read in the wounds of Christ, the pardon of their sins. Some hope to shorten the probationary period by augmented strictness in religious observances, and self-inflicted acts of fasting and mortification. But every thing that is done, is looked upon as helping to qualify. It is in this spirit that individuals rely on the prayers they have repeated, and the meditations they have read with scrupulous punctuality during the preceding week, as their warrant to approach the sacramental table, instead of resting on God's promise, through Christ, as their sole encouragement, and drawing nigh with broken and contrite hearts to receive that spiritual food of which they know themselves to be undeserving, but which they believe the Lord is willing to bestow. But wherever the opinion prevails that there must be something recommendatory on our part, some interposition of work or suffering as distinguishing us from others, and fitting us for pardon, a subtle principle exists within the mind, which only needs occasion to unfold itself in all the monstrous errors of the Popish system, until at last, instead of being made nigh by the blood of Christ, there shall be introduced between the sinner and the Saviour, a lengthened train of subordinate intercessors, and multiplied ordinances of man's invention, behind which the great peace-maker shall be fearfully concealed." Pp. 144-7.

Again

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How beautiful faith in its simplicity! How does it not enlarge our views of the love of God in the gift of his Son; that it is a gift brought within our reach; that it is for sinners such as we are to lay hold on, when we most need it, when we are most undeserving of it! How many a mourning sinner sighs within himself, and says, 'Oh! that I might venture to appropriate the peace, and hope, and consolation of the gospel!-when lo! its blessings are freely given to him of God, and the gracious invitation,-come, for all things are now ready,' encourages him to apprehend them, and rejoice in their possession! Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift! It is ours, whenever or wherever, amidst the wanderings and miseries of unhappy sinners, it meets them on their downward path-at any moment, at any instant-if they have the disposition, theirs is the privilege to receive it! How many a brand has thus been snatched out of the burning! How many a perishing sinner rescued at the very crisis of his fate, by being permitted instantaueously to ap. prehend it! And alas! how many who have been lost because they despaired!— because they thought that something recommendatory must be interposed on their part before they could be brought under the influence of its redeeming power, and the hopelessness of being able to effect this, has so wrought upon the human soul, in the moment of its bitter agony, that the unhappy sinner has rashly plunged himself into all the recklessness of unclean living! How many who at this moment are vainly struggling with the galling chains and fetters of their sins, and know not that it is Christ's office to break away every yoke; that he is the deliverer who turns away ungodliness from Jacob, and that it is their privilege, although vile and wretched, to claim his gracious aid on their behalf! Oh! let the hope of the gospel be cast far and wide over that sea of human misery in which many an unhappy culprit is perishing. It is expansive enough to reach to those who are farthest from the shore, unless by our timidity we obstruct and hold it back; and as it goes forth over the dark and stormy deep, many a struggling and almost despairing sinner will lay hold on it, and find it to be the power of God unto salvation."

Exposition of Hebrews X1.; as setting forth the Nature, Discoveries, and Effects of Faith. By an INDIAN LAYMAN. London: Seeley. 1843.

Rather diffuse, but truly excellent. We should have liked had there been more of simple exposition, or opening up of the Word of God clause by clause, in order to bring out the full mind of the Spirit; but the volume is a most spiritual one, the composition of a Christian layman. Our readers will find in it many valuable illustrations of this wonderful chapter.

Our Lord's Miracles of Healing Demonstrative of the Truth and Illustrative of the Character of His Religion; a Discourse delivered in St George's Church on the Evening of October 25, 1843, on behalf of the Edinburgh Destitute Sick Society. By WILLIAM LINDSAY ALEXANDER, M. A., Minister of Argyle Square Chapel. Edinburgh: W. Whyte & Co.

We have seldom seen the evidence from miracles in support of the Gospel set in such an advantageous light, and in such a small compass, as in this discourse. The writer throughout has kept his arguments free from metaphysical obscurity. Any man of ordinary capacity can follow them, understand them, and, we should think, most, if not all, will appreciate them and be convinced.

Hume's famous argument against miracles is ably refuted. Without expressing any opinion as to the necessity, or even the propriety, of discussing the value of human testimony with Hume, after he has been so often and so successfully refuted, we should rejoice to see Mr Alexander's sermon in the hands of any of Hume's followers. If they are impartial readers and thinkers, we believe a diligent perusal would not be in vain.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

REVIVALS. On this head we call the attention of our readers to the following interesting account of a good work which has been going on in Lewis, Skye, &c. We give them from the Free Church Missionary Record for March, and though doubtless many of our readers have seen them, yet it is useful to put upon record such narratives as these. The accounts are from the Report of the Gaelic School Society.

"It will justly be expected of us that we make some reference to these revivals which formed so interesting a feature in the Report of last We year. believe that the awakening extended beyond the districts which could be mentioned in that Report, and intimations have but recently arrived, that in some places it has not yet subsided. The character of the results is the point to which we feel it to be of chief importance to advert. Upon good authority, we are assured that the revival has not been a passing excitement, of which every trace has subsequently been exhaled as the dew of the morning! The converts have furnished, in characters of growing holiness, striking evidence of the birth from above. Instances, too, have been communicated, in which the blessed influence of the awakening has reached individuals in a rank of life considerably above that class of society among whom the blessings of your schools are distributed. In the schools themselves, the work of grace has been visible, and the spirit has made known his power. It was the result of an awakening to eternal realities, to which we formerly referred the case of the

adults who were receiving instruction in one of your schools in Lewis. In Harris, where also some drops of the spiritual shower had been experienced, the results have been equally satisfactory in the confirmed and advanc ing piety of the converts. In Shieldac and Applecross, your inspector says he was exceedingly refreshed with the conversations he had with the children. They evinced a lively concern about their spiritual interests. In Eig, where the revival continued for the greatest length of time, many adults, from forty to fifty years of age, were induced to go to the school; and of those who were brought to spiritual anxiety regarding their eternal welfare, many show in their life and conversation the preciousness and the permanence of the impressions which the Holy Spirit had produced in their minds. At Lochcarron, the awakening began towards the close of April. Scenes of deep emotion ensued whenever a person would address the children. His own voice would sometimes be drowned in the general sob of anguish and contrition that pervaded the whole meeting. There was evidence that this was not merely the excitement of sympathy working upon the susceptible feelings of youth. The Spirit of God was in the movement. The heart was touched. The Spirit of grace and of supplication was poured out from on high, and many a streaming eye seems to have been directed in faith to a pierced and crucified Redeemer. Some boys built a small hut in a retired spot that they might hold regular meetings for prayer in it. They col lected their scanty pence, and expended them in the purchase of candles, when the shades of evening darkened on their little meeting. One is here reminded of a similar incident in the life of President Edwards. May that little hut become to these pious youths the Bethel of many a holy vow, and many a gracious manifestation! We can hardly help addressing them in the language of Jacob, The God which fed me all my life long, unto this day, the angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads.'

"With scarcely an exception, the 14 schools in Skye all shared in the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. We have received the same assurances of stability and stedfastness of the character, moulded anew to God and holiness, under the late awakening in this extensive island. We may quote a few extracts from the Journal of the inspector in reference to these facts. Speaking of the school at Culnacnoc, he observes, I was highly pleased with the appearance which the children made in this school, both with the correctness with which they read and spelt, and also with the amount of scriptural knowledge which they have acquired since your teacher came among them. You will be happy to hear that your teacher (as this has been his first station) has given, not only satisfaction to me, but also to the people among whom he labours. Some of his scholars have been awakened to know and understand that they have immortal souls. About 300 adults attended to see and hear the children examined. When addressing them, there were some, bathed in tears, rejoicing; others crying out, being distressed in mind, having not as yet attained to that liberty that is in Christ Jesus, so that a person would be reminded of the noise of the shout of joy, and the noise of the shout of weeping which was among the children of Israel when the temple was rebuilt.”

The following extracts from a letter from the Rev. Norman M'Leod, dated Trumisgarry Cottage, North Uist, 26th January 1814, will be read with in

terest:

"In reply to your letter of the 8th current, I have pleasure to be able to give a favourable report of your school in this parish. It was never in more nor in such active operation, nor a more efficient means of conveying religious instruction. Your teacher, whose character is so well known to your Society as to require no encomium from me, is most assiduously engaged, Sabbath and week days; and the attendance, especially on Sabbath, far exceeds that of

any former years in his present station. Can any thing be more gratifying, than to see about 120 of the youth of that district solemnly engaged in reading the Word of God, and in similar religious exercises? Yet such a gratifying exhibition may be seen every Sabbath morning in your school at Malaclite; and I have every reason to believe a peculiar blessing from on high attends the labours of your teacher. Besides teaching, Mr M'Leod, by my special request, meets occasionally with the people of the district in which he labours, for the purpose of prayer and reading the Scriptures. Perhaps you are not aware, that since the disruption, I have had the charge of another parish besides Trumisgarry, which obliges me to be absent from the latter every alternate Sabbath, and oftener. In my absence, Mr M'Leod meets with the people for the purposes above-mentioned; and I trust this, as it does not interfere with his other duties, so far from being displeasing to his constituents, will meet with their entire approbation, especially when I mention that on such occasions striking manifestations of the Divine presence and blessing are observable.

"It is quite true, that a remarkable revival of religion is at present going on in North Uist. It would occupy too much time and space to trace minutely the origin and progress of this work. My notice of it must be therefore brief. "It was in the beginning of last year the attendance on the means of grace began to improve in this parish, and though no individual cases of revival were observed, the preaching of the word was listened to with growing attention, by daily increasing numbers, till the month of May, when I went to Edinburgh. Before that time I seldom preached beyond the limits of my own parish. After the disruption, however, when parochial boundaries no longer interfered with our liberty as preachers of the Gospel, several clergymen made preaching tours through North Uist, and every evening, except in the district of Carnish, the word was heard on Sabbath and week days by hundreds of attentive auditors. Yet till the month of September last, though on many occasions, especially in the district of Paible, much silent weeping could be noticed, nothing like a general or permanent revival occurred. At that time, Mr Norman McLeod, from Skye, an old disciple,' once in the employment of your Society, and now employed as catechist and exhorter, commenced labouring in the populous district just mentioned, and he had scarcely set his hand to the work, when several, especially among the young, became sensibly distressed at his meetings, under a conviction of sin, and their lost condition. From this, as a centre point, the revival has been since spreading south and north. There is hardly a sermon, or prayer-meeting, but some person is newly affected, and there is every appearance of the work spreading more extensively. The external means in this remarkable work is the plain and earnest declaration of divine truth, such as man's sinful, guilty, and dangerous condition, by nature and practice, and his need of regeneration, faith, and repentance. No doubt the Holy Spirit is the great and efficient agent. Persons of all ages and sexes are affected; but the majority of them are within the period called the prime of life. In this parish particularly, numbers of children, from 8 to 14 years of age, are impressed; and it would be an affecting sight to see their parents, as I have more than once seen them, carrying them out of the meeting-house, apparently lifeless with exhaustion from overpowered feelings. Respecting the bodily emotions exhibited by the impressed, I would only observe, that they are similar to those of such as were visible subjects of revival lately in Skye, and in several other parts of Scotland, in recent as well as in more re mote periods. We have every reason to hope that many, besides those visibly impressed, are partakers of the spiritual benefits of this merciful visitation. There is reason to fear, however, as has often been the case in times past, that numbers of those who now seem promising will yet fall away; yet the practical and moral effects of the work are hitherto highly gratifying, and unques tionably evidential of its heavenly origin. Gross sins are abandoned-carnal