English Medieval Romanism. By the Rev. HENRY J. ALCOCK, M.A. James Miller, Berners Street.

THE design of this book is to show what Romanism now is by what it once was. This would be an unfair argument but for the fact that Romanism everywhere and at all times is essentially the same. It can put on different appearances, indeed, according to times and circumstances, but that is one of its essential characteristics. Its claims are unaltered, and it has never disavowed any of its former principles and decrees. Its portrait is here taken from its full-grown age, prior to the Reformation, and chiefly in the light of its own documents, by which the greatest fidelity of description is secured. It is a moral likeness, rather than doctrinal or political, and that in which Romanism is least known. Nor is it the moral, or rather immoral, influence of its teaching upon the people, so much as upon the teachers themselves, that is here exposed to view. And if it be now what it ever was, and the same effects may be expected from the same causes, what a fearful insight is given into the innermost recesses of the whole system. "By their fruits ye shall know them." There is no need for Romanism to be tried by any other test than this. As moral truth advances, it inust decline. We have no fear, therefore, of its gaining a second empire. We agree with our author when he says:-"I do not hold the gloomy views of many men infinitely wiser than myself respecting the present state of things. The Bible Society has done its glorious work too effectually to permit the return of a national Romanism, whatever may be the oversights of men in power. The snug little talks of Dr. Manning and his button-holing members of the aristocracy, who never had the advantage of a scriptural education in their youth, has produced, and yet may produce, great evil. But the heart of the middle classes, the true strength of the country, is sound, and in my opinion the middle classes will take care that matters do not pass a certain limit." Certainly, if Romanism, which has always grown better in darkness than in light, can rise to its former dimensions with the Bible in the hands

Jesus, his Life and Work, as narrated by the Four Evangelists. By HOWARD CROSBY. Henry Heath, No. 110, William-street, New York.

THIS is an elegant volume, with good type, and well-executed engravings. The principal incidents in the life of Jesus are carefully arranged, and faithfully narrated. It is more, however, a life of Jesus of Nazareth than of the Christ of God. It is more moral than doctrinal, more sentimental than spiritual. There is less of his teaching than of the circumstances by which it was suggested. Many find their highest religious exercises in the contemplation of the life of Christ; we prefer to view it as part of the great scheme of redemption, and preparatory to the great central truth of his atoning death. The facts of the life of Christ should not be considered, we think, apart from their design. They are recorded, not as mere matters of history, but as vital and unchangeable truths. We should like to have seen more of this, amidst much that is devout, instructive and good.

Ethel's Strange Legacy. By Mrs. CLARA

LUCAS BALFOUR. S. S. Society. A VERY improbable story, of which we fail to see the moral. It is the old affair of a queer lodger turning out to be a rich uncle, and saving a distressed family.

Little Books by John Bunyan. Grace

abounding to the chief of sinners. Blackie and Sons.

MANY times have we read this remark able autobiography of John Bunyan It is calculated to be a great blessing to those who are sorely tempted, especially while they are seeking peace by Jesus Christ. The charming simplicity and deep sincerity of the narrative hold you bound as in a spell, and to those who have been in the same distress it will be eminently consolatory.

The Holy Bible, with Explanatory | Notes, References, and a condensed Concordance. Illustrated with more than Nine Hundred highly-finished Engravings. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, London and New York.

A MARVELLOus book, crowded with illustrations, and those of the best kind. It bears the palm as a Family Bible. The artistic talent displayed in the engravings must have cost the spirited publishers an immense sum, and we wonder how they can afford to sell the work at the price at which they offer it. There are notes to it, but the illustrations are the grand feature, and they are incomparable. This is the Bible which we select to give as a present to newly-married couples, and we would give every wedded pair a copy if our purse were but long enough.

Matthew Henry's Commentary: in Nine handsome Volumes. Nisbet and Co. THIS is a noble edition of Matthew Henry, in large type, and beautifully bound. It is out of sight the cheapest edition published. No words are needed from us as to the value of Matthew Henry's work; it is still the best commentary in the English language for general readers, and he who studies it will see new beauties in the sacred word. If every other book must be taken from us but one, we would hold on to Matthew Henry's Bible to the last. Students who apply to us and send a stamped envelope for reply, shall Ibe put in the way of getting it at the lowest rates.

Eda May; or, the Twin Roses. By A. D. BINFIELD. Sunday School Union. A NICE book for little girls. The contrast between a spoilt and selfish child, and a dear, self-denying little maiden, is forcibly shown, but it is a pity that the excellence commended is made to appear more as a natural amiability than as the work of the Spirit of God in the heart.

Four Lectures delivered at the Town Hall, Folkestone, by Rev. William Sampson, upon the Ritualistic Controversy. Simpkin, Marshall and Co. Price 3d.

THESE lectures are trenchant blows from a well-wielded hammer. If there were a Sampson in every town, there would soon be wailing in the temples of the Philistines. The Folkestone priest will need to invoke the help of Saint Michael and all angels, especially those from below; for his hold upon the same part of the population must be terribly shaken. Mr. Sampson's lectures are remarkable for the absence of all bitterness, and the presence of great earnestness he is at once courteous and courageous; he smites terribly but not unfairly. We can hardly wish more power to his arm," but we congratulate and thank him most heartily. "May his shadow never be less." We have made an extract, which will be found on another page of this month's magazine.

Arthur's Victory. By A. E. WARD. Sunday School Union.

A VERY good and pleasant story. Arthur passes through the vexations and annoyances of school life into the greater trials and temptations of the world of business; and, though these last are many, and very bitter, he is sustained by faith in Christ, and at last is more than conqueror through him that loved him.

Loser and Gainer. By SARAH DOUDNEY. Sunday School Union.

A VERY pleasant tale, full of good teaching. That all "sin brings sorrow," is proved beyond a doubt in the sad experience of the hero and heroine of this story. They sin and suffer, but happily they repent and are forgiven. young reader is never for a moment left in doubt as to where he must look for help to walk in the "more excellent way."

THE Annual Meeting of the Orphanage was a joyful occasion, and the amounts brought in sufficed to float the Institution, nor into very deep water or large funds,

The

but into a sufficiency for a few weeks. For the rest, the Lord will provide. We owe many thanks to donors of goods and books, and if any are omitted from the

list, we offer hearty apologies, and trust they will excuse a very busy man.

The foundations of the College Buildings are being dug out, and the concrete is being put in: we hope to lay the founda. tion stone before the issue of next month's magazine.

The presentation to Mr. Rogers, upon the fiftieth anniversary of his wedding, was a delightful occasion. We do not know that we ever more thoroughly enjoyed a meeting. The hearty love of the students and friends, and the placid grandeur of "the old man eloquent," were equally striking. We have before us copious notes of the meeting and the speeches, but being unusually pressed for time we are forced to let them go down the stream of time, as many precious things have gone before. At the close of the meeting a gold watch was presented to Mr. Rogers, and a silver urn to his excellent lady.

The Colportage Society now employs nineteen colporteurs. This is growth; but if good people knew the worth of the agency they would soon increase the number to ninety or more. No better work

is done under heaven.

John Ploughman's Sheet Almanack for 1874 will be ready by the middle of this month, price one penny.

The Sunday School Union have proposed that on Lord's day morning, October 19th, between seven and eight, all teachers should engage in private prayer for God's blessing on their labours, that

the afternoon of that day should be made a special service, and that in the evening teachers should meet for prayer. On Menday evening the churches are requested to offer prayer for the Sabbath-schools. Copies of the circular can be had on application to 56, Old Bailey, London. We earnestly hope that all Christians will join in this union of prayer, and that a large blessing will be the consequence.

As elections are very numerous just now, it is to be hoped that no Nonconformist will vote for any man who will not aid in the disestablishment of the Anglican church. Liberal and Tory alike are useless to us if they will not do this much for us. When evangelic truth was preached from her pulpits we might be quiet, but now that on all sides images are set up in her churches, and full-blown Popery is restored to her pulpits, we are bound to demand that this shall no longer be the national church. Let those who approve of Ritualistic mummeries pay for them themselves, and have the credit of them; but to lay this synagogue of heresies at the door of us all, as our own national church, is abominable. Let any Christian churchman go into a Ritualistic church and see the idols and the fineries for himself, and he will not think it possible for any man to speak too strongly upon the subject. The Romish church itself now falls short of many of the Tractarian superstitions. O Lord, how long!

Baptisms at Metropolitan Tabernacle by Mr. J. A. Spurgeon :-September, 4th 22.