much of the result obtained was due to the songs themselves. Offsprings of the heart rather than the head, and appealing to the emotional rather than to the mental part of man, they not only correctly and vividly interpret the feelings of the singer, but awaken similar emotions in the breast of the hearer; and, therefore, although they may not satisfy all the demands of the musical critic, yet judged according to their own standard they are worthy of the highest praise, inasmuch as they fulfil the design and attain the end for which they were called into being. Sometimes soft and sweet and low like an evening zephyr, and then in an instant loud, startling and terrific, like a sudden thunderstorm: sometimes clear, lively and sparkling, like a rippling brook, then dashing, wild, tumultuous, like a roaring, rushing cataract, they seem rather the result of natural impulse than of study and art, and produce an impression even on cultivated audiences that must be experienced in order to be understood. It would be well if the psalmody of our chapels and churches partook more of the spirit which distinguished the songs of the Jubilee Singers. If we could get out of the "dragging," lifeless, monotonous style which is so prevalent, and throw into our singing more soul, variety and spirit-stirring expression, our public services would certainly be not only more interesting and enjoyable to ourselves, but much more attractive and powerful for good to outsiders, who through the ministry of song might be drawn to the "means of grace, and led into the way of truth."

The Golden City. By ELIZA KERR. London Nisbet and Co., Berners Street.

A very pretty story, that will interest the little ones and do them good. Older people too may gather many precious and helpful lessons from it. It is told in a touching strain, but is neither prosy nor sentimental.

The Message from the Throne. A brief Memorial of Harriet Perfect. By ANNA SHIPTON. London: Morgan and Scott.

Miss Perfect was a Christian lady who, in spite of confirmed ill-health, contrived to do much service for her Lord. She counted herself a witness for Christ Jesus and by means of a Scripture-roll hung in her parlour-window, by private conversation and by letters, bore a continuous testimony. The biography is a

mere outline, the framework for some very pretty hymns and some beautiful Christian sentiment. The book is marked by a certain effusiveness of manner not easily described, an effusiveness in this case not objectionable, because manifestly sincere. To all sufferers we com. mend this small volume, especially to permanent invalids. To them it carries words of comfort, a lesson of patience and trust, and an illustration of the possibility of work for Jesus in most disadvantageous circumstances.

A Popular Commentary on the NewTestament. By D. D. WHEDON, D.D. Volume IV. 1 Corinthians to 2 Timothy. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1876.

Perhaps the highest praise that can be awarded to the present volume of Dr. Whedon's "Popular Commentary" is that it is worthy to stand side by side with the three former. The work is marked by the same thoroughness of treatment, exact yet unobtrusive scholarship, exegetical acumen, power of compression, and clearness and attractiveness of style to which we have gladly borne testimony in our notices of previous volumes. Still is Dr. Whedon reverent and honest, bold and cautious. He seems to possess an instinctive perception of the amount of help an intelligent reader needs for the understanding of the Epistles. Now he sufficiently indicates the meaning of a passage with a word or two, and, when necessary, he can discuss a question with an amplitude rarely found in com mentaries of a similar size. That he has read almost everything of importance that has been written on the Pauline Epistles is evident; that his exposition is original is no less certain. excellence, more marked in this volume than in the others, has impressed us forcibly, the ability to render secular knowledge subservient to the interpretation and illustration of the Scriptures. The freshness of Dr. Whedon's reading may be judged from the fact that he aptly quotes a paragraph from the recently published "Unseen Universe," in his notes on Ephesians iv. 9, 10. Dr. Whedon is rigidly orthodox. A loose theory of inspiration finds no countenance from him. To ascertain and to express the mind of the sacred writers is his one aim. Nevertheless he knows how to subordinate the letter to the spirit. May be, indeed, he manifests sometimes rather less than his usual prudence in

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this matter; but the fault, if fault there be, is of words, not of intention. He has a genuine love of controversy, which occasionally betrays him into too polemical a style of annotating. One, however, can hardly regret the ingenuity wherewith he deals blows at the Quakers, for example, in a good-humoured, gentlemanly way, all the more gratifying after his harshness towards Drs. Barnes and Hodge. Mr. Spurgeon is bitterly unjust to Dr. Whedon. We feel bound to add that the present volume proves that the author has not divested himself of his propensity to dogmatize. For instance, upon a disputed point of critical interpretation, he states the various solutions that have been offered, then gives his own and clenches it with the audacious assertion, as ending all dispute, "It unquestionably so lay in the Apostle's mind"! This, however, is the only serious blemish on a work admirable alike in conception and execution.

The Unseen, and Songs in Trial. By JOHN M. BAMFORD, Author of "The Disciple among the Poor." London. Published for the Author, at the Wesleyan Conference Office.

IN the life of the Christian there are times of holy musing, or sanctified affliction, when a voice, as from one of the "Living Ones," speaks to the chastened spirit, "Come and see;" and when, as through "a door opened in heaven," their faith catches a glimpse of that glorious world. In this mood and from this source the author of "The Unseen " has received his inspiration. Bright thoughts therefore sparkle in his poem. Its reverence of spirit, elevation of aim, ardour of devotion and hope-expressed generally with gracefulness, sometimes with rich beauty of poetic language-cannot fail to kindle Christian interest. Moreover, the deep sympathy of the writer with his theme is calculated to wean thoughtful minds from the love of this world, and to lead them to the contemplation of heaven. There are passages in the work which possess a high degree of tender and passionate power. But the structure and style of a poem should be in harmony with its subject. A suitable style may be cramped by an unsuitable measure. In brief, successful treatment depends, to a very great extent, upon metrical structure. We think that Mr. Bamford would have done more justice to his subject and to himself had he not adopted the peculiar measure of his poem. His

sublime theme demands the freest possible play of expression. Its natural vehicle is the "heroic verse," or at least the Spenserian stanza." Either structure, especially the former, had saved the writer from the trammels which have restrained his muse, and left room for expansion of sentiment and a grander march of rhythm. His readers had then been spared the regret that unnatural boundaries check the majestic flow of thought, and arrest the flight of imagination, as an artificial dome forbids the ascent of wings outstretched to soar.

Songs in Trial" were written "during the period in which the author was laid aside from active ministerial work." They breathe, in plaint and prayer, the spirit of a faith which, after a severe struggle, is tenderly submissive to the gracious, though mysterious, will of God. To a minister, devoted in pure love to the MASTER and His work, separation from active service, especially in the morning of his day, is most afflictive. In the "Disabled Labourer's Dream" there is touching significance in the picture of a stricken workman leaning on the gate, a tear in his eye, and his strengthless hand upon his breast, watching the robust and cheery reapers at their toil; the swing of the arm, the sweep of the sickle, and the binding of the sheaves. "Active and Passive Duty" conveys a similar sentiment. There is exquisite beauty in the thought that the brave tar, who no longer has strength to grasp the oar and pull through the seething billows to the wreck, may watch and trim the light which warns a gallant vessel from the breaker and the shoal. "The Wounded Soldier's Outlook" is painted with the same colours. The smitten warrior, unable to march abreast of his comrades and wield his weapons in the fight, is laid where he can watch the battle; and with sympathy which links him to the ranks, and prayer for the blessing of God upon their arms, his spirit kindles at the sight of their valour, urges on their resistless charge, and echoes the shout of their victory. These are vivid representations. "Battle" is a fine specimen of spirited and vigorous writing. It excels in descriptive power; its thoughts march along in rhythm which combines harmony and force, and ring out their music with a resonance sweet as the melody of chimes. The imperfection of metrical structure which may occasionally be traced in the volume will, we trust, be rectified in its next edition. The writer of "Battle" has su ficient mastery of language to mould its capabilities into

a rhythmical composition which will please the most delicate and practised ear. Our limits forbid distinct notices of other poems which will be read with pleasure. "Sunset at Sea," "The Dying Child," "O, Light is Sweet," "The Disappointed Sower," and "The Angel of Hope" are examples of bright thought in graceful verse. The devotional songs are redolent of Faith, Hope, Charity. The last piece in the volume, "Work," has a clear and healthy ring. It speaks the heart and will of a true worker, laid aside for a time, but now strong to open the furrow, scatter the seed, and reap the grain.

We congratulate Mr. Bamford upon the recovery of his health; and trust that the GREAT MASTER will long spare him to pursue a course of active service; and, amid the labours of the field, to cheer the sower and the reaper by songs which shall tell of golden sheaves and the HARVEST HOME.

Reunion in the Heavenly Kingdom, and

other Discourses. Third Series. By the Rev. WM. ANDERSON, LL.D., Glasgow. With an Introductory Sketch by the Rev, George Clark Hutton, D.D., Paisley. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1876.

THE late Dr. William Anderson, author of a well-known book on "Regeneration" and other able works, needs no introduction to our readers. His ministry in Glasgow, began in 1821, was continued for more than fifty years. During all that period he was "one of the most prominent figures of the pulpit and the platform in the commercial metropolis of Scotland. His name has been familiar in his own country for two generations, and he must always have an honourable place in the annals of Scottish Dissent.

The present volume consists chiefly of discourses left by the author in manuscript, some of which were prepared for the press by himself. Though not of equal merit, they all bear the characteristics of their author, being marked by freshness of treatment, vigour of style, and directness of practical aim, with a few Scottish peculiarities of language.

They are not formally theological, and in this respect deserve the careful study of those who desire to practise the best methods of preaching the Gospel to the busy men of this generation. Neither are they properly expository; and here we think them gravely defective. We

have for instance, a discourse on John xii. 43, entitled "Praise of Man," which is simply a sagacious essay on that interesting subject, showing how natural, how strong and how enduring the love of human approbation is, with some account of (the different classes who yield themselves to the influence of that love. But the discourse contains nothing about the text," or the occasion of its utterance. As ignorance of the Bible is still prevalent, every preacher ought to endeavour to "give the sense of any portion of Scripture on which he may "found" a public discourse. To some parts of the volume this criticism does not equally apply.

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In general, Dr. Anderson's Calvinistic "orthodoxy" has only incidental expression; and in one or two instances he deals somewhat freely with the dogmatic teaching of the Westminster Divines but we doubt not he was able very conscientiously to subscribe the theological "standards" of his Church. We, however, part company with him when he shows himself altogether a disciple of Edwards. According to Dr. Anderson the primary faculties of the human mind are only two, and when he sums up the total of "humanity" he mentions only "the affections of its will, the faculties of its intellect, and the members of its body." (P. 172.)

In a thoroughly healthy tone these discourses denounce the sins of the age, and warn busy men of the dangers to which they are exposed. Here and there the preacher gives himself to speculation, and is much more entertaining than convincing. We cannot discuss his millenarian views or his opinions about reunion in the heavenly kingdom; but we make room for one brief illustrative quotation, which may prove what we have said: "As for Lazarus, he must have grown up to man's estate, for Christ calls him "friend Lazarus,' which He could scarcely have done had he been a child or mere boy. From this we conclude that he was weakly in body, possibly weakly in mind; for otherwise he would have been made an apostle.' (P. 192.)

Notwithstanding its defects we deem this volume a fitting memorial of an eloquent and excellent preacher, a truly sympathetic pastor, and a controversialist of noble spirit. Lovers of sermons will find it a book "eminently deserving the study of their graver hours."