but surely those who profess faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures will, on the perusal of this volume, pause and bethink themselves before they deliberately make up their minds to embrace for themselves, or propagate among their fellow-creatures, a doctrine so baseless, so perilous, and so utterly at variance with the true inductions of the word of God. In a work of this description we are to look for logic rather than eloquence; and if the former is not at fault, there is little ground to complain of the absence of the Litter. In the present undertaking, however, it is difficult to say which preponderates, the logic or the eloquence. It is severely reasoned, and the argument is ofttimes so close, that the common mind is in danger of seeing no argument at all. Brevity of phrase, terseness of expression, rapidity of transition, artificial and peculiar construction, refinement of figure and classical allusion, brilliancy, pathos, sublimity, and an awful solemnity in harmony with the terrible theme: these are among the characteristics of the volume. The last discourse produced upon the audience an effect which we have never seen surpassed; and now, after the solitary perusal of it, the impression returns upon us with nearly its original forcea fact proving that the power was in the theme as it exists in the printed page; and that less than usual was owing to the time, the place, and the sympathetic multitude. Dr. Hamilton the writer is even greater than Dr. Hamilton the speaker; and this last is much the greatest and most valuable of his great and valuable performances.

The Pre-Adamite Earth: Contributions to Theological Science. By JOHN HARRIS, D.D. 8vo. pp. 360. Ward & Co. DR. HARRIS has achieved for himself a celebrity more than European by his eloquent Essays on Christian ethics, philanthropy, and missions. He is set forth on the title-page of the work before us as the author of "The Great Teacher." This is well. "The Great Teacher" was his first production, and proved its author to be a great pupil in the school of Heaven. "The Great Teacher," however, did not at first by any means command the attention that was due to it; and it was not till the appearance of" Mammon that the mind of the age was attracted to its merits,-merits which it was the honour and privilege of the Evangelical Magazine first to discover and proclaim

to the public. The judgment then pronounced has been abundantly sustained by the opinion of the Universal Church. But "The Great Teacher, Mammon,' "Britannia," "Union," and "The Great Commission," were publications of a species, and their chief characteristics were sound principles, practical ethics, wholesome lessons, distributed with order and elegance, and all arrayed in the costume of a splendid eloquence. In that one direction-and surely a most enviable direction—Dr. Harris proved himself to be without an equal, except in the solitary instance in which he was worsted by Dr. Hoppus. The world is jealous of greatness, and when compelled by truth to concede the claims of ability, it fixes a man as by a bond to that which he has actually achieved, and is slow to give credit for more than one line of excellence. It was not till the fact was placed beyond dispute that Michael Angelo was allowed a first place as painter, sculptor, and poet,-kindred arts, indeed, but arts which never before were carried to such a pitch by the same mind. So with the author of the present volume, from whom we believe nothing was less expected than such a work as the present,—a work which well befits the president of a college for the training of young men for the exercise of the Christian ministry. It is beyond doubt one of the most delightful books that has seen the light for many years. For an intelligent man, of a somewhat cultivated mind, we can hardly conceive a richer treat than that which this volume will supply him. It abounds with the facts of primary creation, and from those facts, in a manner the most simple, clear, and beautiful, it ascends to the principles of science. We are, nevertheless, not without a fear lest many readers should be discouraged at the outset, by the abstract appearance and somewhat metaphysical phrase with which the subject is necessarily introduced. But we assure our friends they have no need to be dismayed. The region of thorns and briars will soon be past, and land them in the midst of flowery meads and cultivated plains. Once over the "primary truths," and the "principles deducible from them," the enchantment begins: the subsequent portions of the work supply a banquet which would have furnished supreme delight to an Aristotle or a Plato. The chapters on Inorganic Nature," "Organic Life," and "Sentient Existence," -what discourses are these!—those who

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have the patience to peruse, and the sense to comprehend them, will be amply compensated for their toil. But assuredly those whose judgments have been enfeebled by modern fiction, and whose fancy has been corrupted by the popular trash of the present hour, are but little likely to profit from such works as these, because incapable of their perusal and yet these are just such works as are demanded for the health of the popular mind; for those who are but slightly corrupted, and yet so intellectually feeble that they are likely to be repelled by the science that surrounds the threshold, we can recommend nothing better than to proceed to the contemplation of the results as they are set forth in the sublime and beautiful descant commencing with page 333. When such is the end, it ceases, or it ought to cease, with men of sense to be a question whether the way be smooth or rugged, beset with thorns or strewed with flowers; for the task, like virtue, will prove its own reward.

A Treatise on the Physical Cause of the Death of Christ, and its relations to the Principles and Practice of Christianity. By WILLIAM STROUD, M.D. 8vo, pp. 496. Hamilton.

THIS is not to be confounded with common-place Theology, neither with professional prelections, with whatever eminence or originality associated. It is, as the title bears, the production of a medical man, a devout and intelligent believer in the doctrines of revelation, who has brought the science connected with his profession to illustrate certain mysterious points connected with one of the most important subjects that can occupy the human mind. Our having the honour and pleasure of Dr. Stroud's acquaintance, enables us thus to speak both of his professional and Christian character, and it is, we presume, but simple justice to give our readers the benefit of that acquaintance. When medical men combine the resources of science with the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, and when their general deportment is such as to adorn the gospel they profess, they not only earn a good degree and great boldness in the faith, but are entitled to the respectful consideration of the church of Christ. Never, probably, was this class of men more numerous than at present, and we hope they are on the increase; for never is infidelity so revolting as in those whose daily business obliges

them to be intimately conversant with the wonders of creation. Some of our readers have read the works, and many more have heard the name, of the celebrated Dr. Abercrombie, of Edinburgh, of revered and beloved memory—a high priest among the devotees of medical science, and a man in all respects fitted to have occupied the chair in one of our first schools of Theology. When the highest scientific acquirements thus combine with enlightened piety, the simple fact is itself a body of evidence in support of the truth of the gospel, and will do more to silence young men of sceptical spirit, whose pride of heart has prompted them to look with contempt upon devout men as those whose religion springs from their weakness, and upon impiety as alike the proof and the prerogative of genius.

The work of Dr. Stroud consists of two parts, the first of which is devoted to an investigation of the immediate cause of the death of Christ. Chapter iii. contains reasons for rejecting erroneous explanations of that event; and chapter iv. exhibits a demonstration of its true cause. The essence of the volume may be said to consist in these two chapters, in which the affecting subject is elaborated with great ability and solemnity. The volume constitutes a valuable contribution to our religious knowledge on this the greatest of all subjects of revealed truth. The Second Part comprises five chapters of a more strictly theological character, the bulk of which are nevertheless brought closely to bear on the general theme of the work, which, as a whole, has our very hearty commendation. It will be read especially by men of learning with interest, instruction, and edification.

Liberty of Conscience Illustrated: and the Social Relations sustained by Christians as Members of the Commonwealth Considered. By J. W. MASSIE, D.D. 8vo, pp. 202. London: Snow. THIS powerful and spirit-stirring volume comprises the subject of orations delivered by Dr. Massie, at Liverpool, Birmingham, Exeter, Bath, Bristol, Plymouth, London, Edinburgh, and in many other places, to thousands of enraptured auditors, who will now rejoice to have before them the record of the events of those days of suffering and sorrow through which the speaker conducted them. It is difficult in a brief space adequately to describe the work—the true value of which is not

to be estimated by its magnitude. It is a book of great facts, great principles, pervaded by an earnest spirit of true religion, and the highest patriotism, for which a meet motto might have been found in the memorable words of Burke

"To attend to the neglected, to remember the forgotten."

One of the best signs of the times would be a demand for at least 10,000 copies of this work, which is issued at a price so trifling, as to place it within the easy reach of individuals of the most straitened means. There is one class to whom more especially we commend it—that is, the young men of the present age; and, most of all, the Sunday-school teachers. It is of the first moment that this vast body of British instructors be themselves thoroughly grounded in the principles of civil and religious freedom. The times emphatically, alarmingly demand it. We are approaching seasons of conflict for conscience-a conflict in which truth is indispensable to victory. Right glad, therefore, should we be to find a copy of this work in every Sunday-school in our Land, not excepting the smallest, and to find that every teacher had once and again given it a thoughtful and devout perusal.

ALMANACKS.

The Congregational Calendar for 1848. Jackson and Walford.

Of this excellent Almanack four thousand five or

six hundred copies were sold last year, and we trust While that this year will bring a large increase. the price is but a trife, the matter is valuable and abundant-scientific, political, denominational, statistical, and general. We would suggest to every chapel-keeper to send for a parcel comprising a number of copies proportionate to his congregation; for sure we are, he has only to show, to dispose of them.

Protestant Dissenter's Almanack for 1848. John Snow.

Truly and properly designated. Never before in almanack-guise within the same space, and at so small a price, was such a ser ice rendered to the cause of Protestant Dissent. The idea is as happy as it is original, and it is admirably executed. Properly to estimate it, it must be examined. Taken as a whole, it is a noble contribution to the cause of popular instruction on this, the great question of our age. Mr. Cassell, the enterprising projector, deserves public thanks for the attempt, and we are not a little gratified to learn from the Publisher that the public has already set the seal of approbation, most unmistakeably, by the extraordinary demand in a week or two for no fewer than 14,000 copies. Nor is this to be wondered at-64 octavo pages for Threepence!

The Bible Almanack and Protestant Reformer's Calendar, for 1818. Partridge & Oakey.

Instructive, beautiful, useful, and in all respects such as might be expected from the practised hand of Mr. Cobbin; as was intended, a powerful antidote to the poison of popery.

The Christian Almanack, for 1848. Tract Society.

This excellent annual reeds not to be characterised. It is, as usual, crammed with all sorts of excellent matter, and with much wholesome instruction, both spiritual and temporal.

The Scripture Pocket Book, for 1848. Tract Society. This is our own favourite, and we suppose the favourite of everybody. As a production, it is perfect in its kind.

The Text-Book, or Sanctuary Remembrancer, for 1848. Partridge & Oakey.

This is the most useful book of its class. To sce will be to procure.

CHRISTIAN WITNESS AND EVAN-
GELICAL MAGAZINE.

WE are old enough to remember when the Evangelical was the Magazine; and of all the days of each successive month, by far the most joyous was that which brought it to our outstretched hands, from which it rarely escaped till, from the first page to the last, it was thoroughly scanned; and even now, notwithstanding that the name is Legion, when on what the Row people call pub ication-day comes rond, and the huge pile, of many colours, stands forth in all the pride of a first appearance, the good old Evangelical is very generally the first to command our homage. It is, therefore, with the utmost satisfaction we learn, from time to time, from one and another of our zealous correspond

ents, that in beating up for the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN'S PENNY, they are not forgetful of the claims of the mother of us all; and it is our earnest hope that this will not only continue, but greatly increase. In fact, we very much wish the canvass to proceed jointly.

Rightly understood, in whatever light the subject be viewed, the interests of the one are the interests of the other. There is incalculably more unison, as to doctrine, and ordinance, and polity, and all subjects affecting public measures and public men, between the Evangelical and the WITNESS, than between either of them and any other Magazine in England. While we naturally think the establishment of the WITNESS has added somewhat to the means by

which the great work of true religion and scriptural Nonconformity is being advanced, we sincerely consider that the withdrawment of the Evangelical from the array of those means would be an irretrievable loss, a most serious calamity. While catholic in principle, and not less catholic in spirit, it is yet virtually a thorough Nonconformist Journal,— -an instrument of great power in advancing the best interests of true piety and religious liberty, through feeding and nourishing the souls of the faithful with the proper aliment of the immortal mind, its bearings on the interests of pure and undefiled religion are such as to entitle it to the deep and reverential gratitude of every Christian community in the British Empire; while its services during that long period to general humanity, and the cause of Missions, both Home and Foreign, can hardly be estimated. As an instrument for the advancement of these paramount objects, it was never in so high a state of efficiency as at this present hour. The volume for the year just closing will admit of advantageous comparison with that of any of its earlier years, when the powerful hands of Fuller, Bogue, and others, their great contemporaries, were employed to enrich and adorn almost every number. We feel this assertion to be but simple justice; and we have only to wish that some thousands of our friends who can afford it, by procuring the Work for the year to come, would put our assertion to the proof. It is our wish, as far as practicable, that the Evangelical and the WITNESS should travel throughout the earth together, and be welcomed as monthly visitors by all the Nonconformist families in the land. It will be found by all those who make the experiment, that they will constantly leave a blessing behind them. Together, they will go far to meet the varied tastes of every member of every household. Those of milder mood will repose in the refreshing shade of the Evangelical, and those of sterner mould may gather animation in the more fervent atmosphere of the WITNESS. The elder Journal will more particularly administer the Peace, and the younger will conduct the War department of the Church of Christ: each, at the same time, aiding the other, as exigences may arise and circumstances may require. In speaking of the claims of the Evangelical, we have taken the higher view; but there is another, which is very far from being a subject of inferior consideration. We need scarcely say we refer to the signal temporal benefit it confers on a large number of the honoured w'dows of our ministers, who, but for this, would in most cases VOL. IV.

be hard bestead. Were the Evangelical purely an affair of secular commerce, producing property to the extent of fourteen or fifteen hundred pounds a year, for a purpose so pressing and paramount as that of the support of these widows, it would be a consideration of no small moment, and entitle its conductor and friends to no small thanks and praise. On all these grounds, then, we say-Long life, and stillextending empire, to the Evangelical Magazine! and, in order to this, we earnestly call on our devoted friends, in their canvass for 1848, while they speak two words for the WITNESS and PENNY, everywhere to add a third for the Evangelical.

NONCONFORMIST PERIODICAL

LITERATURE.

THE return of the present month reminds us of the duty of calling the attention of our readers to the subject of our denominational literature. As a people, nothing can give us strength but unity of action, nothing can produce unity of action but unity of opinion, and unity of opinion can only result from the general operation of those causes by which opinion is produced. The organs of party both reflect and form the opinions of party; by such organs converts are made and built up in the facts or fallacies, the truths or errors of the system, and hence it will be found, to an extent not easily to be credited, that the power of a party is just the power of its literary organs. On these grounds it is of the highest moment that Nonconformist periodical literature should extend to the utmost confines of the Nonconformist body. Even the smallest community should have at least one copy of the newspapers, the Eclectic and British Quarterly Review, and to accomplish this, it is only needful that the minister, deacons, and principal men form themselves into a society. To accomplish this will require but a simple arrangement and a small contribution, while it will be fraught with the greatest benefit to the cause of true religion and ecclesiastical unity. In this way the leading minds of the body will come into regular and uniform contact with the organs and guides of opinion, whence there will arise a beneficial action and reaction, which in the end cannot but conduce to moral health and mental harmony.

We should egregiously fail of our duty to the public, and to an individual who has deserved well of his country, did we not call attention to the Christian Record, a Jersey paper, as large as many of the English five-penny papers, which, from the advantage of being post free, is sold for 2 a

twopence. That journal, with respect to matter, need shrink from comparison with none of its contemporaries. It has from the first been conducted with great spirit and the best of temper. It is doing excellent service to the cause of Nonconformity and sound New Testament religion. Thus a newspaper, on the best principles, abounding in wholesome matter, and conducted with great vigour, is placed within the reach of the poorest householder in the country. Considering it a great accession to the means of popular instruction, we have much pleasure in bearing this our honest and wholly disinterested testimony. This we think will scarcely be disputed by those who reflect that we are so soon to become candidates for public favour in the same field: but assuredly our ambition is not to displace, but to invigorate existing agency for good; not to undermine, but to fortify our pre-existing contemporaries.

THE ENGLISH PRESS.

We have now finished our survey of the British Press, and specially commend the article in our present Number to the serious attention of our

readers. It will, we believe, in the main, be found correct; and to reflecting men it will serve as a glass through which to gaze into the very heart of British society. We have endeavoured to guide the whole to a practical concluclusion.

Our article on the Scottish Press has been excepted to only in two particulars: we have, it seems, spoken too favourably of an Aberdeen paper, and referred to another in Greenock which has ceased to exist. If this be all, it were difficult to bring a more substantial proof of the general accuracy of our information.

With respect to our Irish survey, we have received an eloquent letter from an able friend, attempting to impeach our accuracy as to the character of some of the Dublin papers; but, as usual with everything Irish, the logic limps, and lags far in the rear of the eloquence. It only contends for what we never disputed-that the liberality of the Freeman, Pilot, and Register, is Popish, and as such little worth, that the Post and World, while professedly Protestant, are decidedly Popish in their tendency; and that the Nation is honest, and the Warder a friend to evangelical religion.

PRESS ON!

"Whatsoever thou findest to do, do it with thy might."

PRESS on! the Master needeth

Thine arm of youthful strength; For mighty ones are falling, All powerless, at length; For mighty heads are bowing; And souls that never quail'd With fear, at peril knowing, In feebleness have fail'd. Arise! gird on their armour; Their fallen weapons raise; And, in the love of Heaven,

Go forth-His name to praise.

Darkens thy path before thee?
Press on still, undismay'd;
Heaven shines resplendent o'er thee,
Though earth is wrapp'd in shade;
And He thy Trust, hath given,
With word from swerving free,
The angels of high heaven

A charge concerning thee

That though thy feet may falter,
E'en in thy being's morn,
And from Hope's burning altar
Thy light may seem withdrawn,
Thou yet shalt bless, in sorrow,
The chastenings of the rod,-

Proving thy sure adoption
As the beloved of God.
For from thy self-prostration
Thou shalt awake in power,
From tears and lamentation,
To conquest every hour.
Strong in thy perfect weakness,
Thy strength shall never fail;
Mighty in holy meekness,

Thine arm shall e'er prevail.
From Pisgah's lofty summit,

Behold the promised throne;
Press on till thou hast won it,
With its rejoicing crown.
Press on though earth allure thee,
Till all its brightness gone,
It may by pain inure thee,

"There's rest in heaven"-press on!

God bless thy youth's bright promise.
God grant that on thy head
Gifts glorious and enduring
May evermore be shed.
God be thy succour given,
Thy soul from gloom to raise,
Till earth shall liken heaven,
In holy works and ways,→→
Till, with seraphic feeling,

Thy path, in weakness trod,
Should view its close revealing
The paradise of God!