Reviews

You will need heavenly teaching, that you may carefully select the wheat, and keep it free from the darnel of error. We must even winnow out of it our own thoughts and opinions, for these may not be according to the mind of God. Men are not saved by our word, but by God’s Word. We are bound to see that we know the gospel, and teach the whole of it. We shall have enough to do if we look well to the seed-basket, lest, ppi adventure, we should sow tares as well as wheat, or should cast good seed wantonly, where it can only feed evil birds. — C. H. SpurgeoNo

AS soon as our monthly “Sword and Trowel” comes to hand we first glance at the “Personal Notes,” reserving the weightier articles for leisure moments. But we somehow manage an after-dinner pause for the “Reviews.” Thousands of books pass through Mr. Spurgeon’s hands and under his sharp eye, although it cannot be expected that he personally attends to every book sent him for review. Nevertheless, the touch of his hand, the kindness of his heart, his jealousy for the truth, his great good-humor, keen wit, and terrible scalpelknife are readily discerned, according as the subject commends itself to his judgment or calls forth his righteous indignation. In his brief expositions of other men’s works we have found “a feast of reason and a flow of soul.” The subjoined specimens will prove a treat, as well as impart instruction.

Paper, Pens, and Ink: a Brief Sketch of the Principal Writing Materials

used in all ages. By Daniel Frazer.

A SMALL book upon a fruitful topic. It is conceived in an excellent spirit, but written in an execrable style. We do not like such Frazerized English. If the matter had been clothed in the ordinary language of our country, without new words, slipshod expressions, and inaccuracies, we should have heartily recommended the book. Here is a pretty sentence: “The collection of English rags gives employment to great numbers of itinerant china merchants, alias ’ bowl-women and men,’ as well as to the architects, artificers, and retailers of the gaudily-painted, but: non-grinding ’ windmills ’ that bedeck the * one-wheel carriages ’ of the ’ old iron, old brass ’ merchants who perambulate, to the infinite delight of ‘the young and rising generation,’ our urban by-lanes and retired streets, our sequestered villages and secluded hamlets.”

The History of the Teacup; with a Descriptive Account of the Potter’’ s A?’t.

By the Rev. G. R. Wedgwood.

It has seldom fallen to our lot to read a book so full of interesting details all directly bearing upon the subject in hand. It is singular that there should be a Rev. Wedgwood to write a history of the teacup, and as appropriate as it is singular. We think that this Wedgwood as much excels in writing the history as the other Wedgwood did in making the teacup itself. Old and young will be equally pleased with this book. There is no “padding” in it, no introduction of foreign themes in order to swell the size of the book. The author is never dry or prolix, he says what he has to say, says it briefly, and says it well. There may be more laborious histories of the art of pottery; we do not doubt that there are several which a man might go to sleep over; but for putting the matter in a nutshell, commend us to the present pretty little volume.

An Examination of the Doctrines of Conditional Dnnioi’tality and

Universalisin.

The doctrine of Conditional Immortality, or, as we prefer to call it, Religious Materialism, is here very thoroughly refuted. The idea that man is but a brute, as soulless as a dog or a lion, until conversion takes place, is to us unaccountably profane and absurd, and yet it is held by many preachers of the modern school. Its logical contradictions are mercilessly exposed in this short volume, and its distortion of the Scriptures made apparent. Heretichunting is sorry work, but in the hands of our author it is powerfully and thoroughly performed. May it accomplish the work it designs, in helping many who have been bewildered by strange fancies to return again to the old paths!

The Unsafe Ajtchor: or, ‘■ Eter7ial Hope’’ a False Hope. Bei?ig Strictures on Canon Farraf s WestJ/iinster Abbey Sermons.

Although the interest and excitement caused by Canon Farrar’s sermons have very largely vanished, yet it was well that the antidote here provided should be preserved in a permanent form. The poison — as we believe it to be — was presented in essentially a popular and insidious manner, and the mischief has not yet ceased to work. Hence the value of this little volume, though it comes somewhat late in the day. The author does not play with his opponent, but in his sturdy, trenchant style handles very roughly the stale fallacies and insipid sentimentalities of the Canon. His exposure of the contradictions of the preacher’s view — or, rather, position, without definite view — is exceedingly powerful. We heartily agree with his summary of the sermons when he says: ‘* I have never read a work by an Anglican divine of which the theology was so shallow, the reasoning so inconclusive, or the criticism so unsatisfactory. Certainly I never encountered one the style of which was so offensively arrogant, so passionately dogmatic.”

A New Basis of Belief in Innnortality.

Those sceptics of the present day who find in modern culture a motive for repudiating Christian faith are often grievously afflicted with unrest. Their thoughts are like the troubled sea. Gladly would they get into some port where their heads would cease to swim. This is the disease for which this book prescribes a remedy, — a remedy as bad as the disease. With a delicate pathos, such as we meet with in advertisements that describe the symptoms of sufferers, and prescribe patent medicines warranted to effect an immediate cure, Spiritualism is propounded in this treatise as a sure relief and a safe remedy for the soul sickness that is prevalent among agnostics. Modern spiritualism, we are told, was initiated by a little girl named Kate Fox, in the year 1848, at Hydersville, New York. With the phenomena of automatic writing, clairvoyance, and trance-speaking, through the interposition of what they call mediums, we have become too well acquainted, through the impostures that have been recently practised on credulous victims. There would seem, however, to be educated people on the face of this queer world who not only themselves believe in these lying wonders, but think that the Scriptures give countenance to them. ‘’Was not young Samuel a medium?” they will ask us. We shrink with horror from every species of sorcery. In the hands of some interpreters the Bible is made to teach anything they like to impute to it.

The Epoch of the Ma7mnoth, and the Apparition of Man on the Earth.

This is not a theological work, although it is evidently designed to serve a theological end. By the citation of numerous scientific facts it aims to refute certain scientific hypotheses that have too easily become popular in this age of pyrrhonism, and so to reconcile the results of scientific research with the received interpretation of Scripture. The Christian philosopher is not in fashion just now. He gets the cold shoulder in scientific circles. Such circles are very select, and the evidence they admit is rather exclusive. After pursuing their inquiry into the operations of nature with commendable patience, they perplex themselves with endless conjectures as to the explanation of the conflicting phenomena which they have observed. The balance of probabilities has then to be discussed, and when the pros and cons come to be fairly poised, we are left in doubt on which side the verdict is to be entered. Of course it is of little consequence; for whether the fossil-man is to be carried back to the glacial age or not, counsel will be sure to move for a new trial before the rising of the court. Nor is there any difficulty in showing cause. The field is large, new excavations are continually being made, the aid of stronger microscopic power is persistently sought, and a keener sense of entire disinterestedness is emulated among students. Working on his own lines, Dr. Southall has produced a highly interesting volume. Assuming that pretty nearly all that can be known is known (!) he sums up the evidence, and shows that the Scriptures have not been broken. At such an assumption the savajts may smile: but the bias from which they vaunt themselves to be pure betrays itself too palpably. They are never pleased with any confirmation of the ancient archives; nothing seems to delight them more than to detect a semblance of discrepancy between sacred testimony and modern discovery. For our own part we hail the light that streams upward from the dark places of the earth. Archaeology, geology, and physical geography are the very sciences that God has ordained to be His witnesses, to frustrate the tokens of liars, to make diviners mad, and to confirm the word of His servants the prophets.

Popular Recreation: the Theatre as it is; and the Ober-Atfunergatc Play.

By Rev. C. Bullock, B.D.

Mr. Bullock has done right well in smiting hip and thigh the modern theatre, which, by the confession even of the daily papers, which make no pretence of being religious, is growing more and more impure. How Christian men and women, above all how Christian ministers, can defend it, we cannot tell. We should like to scatter this little book broadcast by thousands, and let our rising manhood and womanhood be taught to shun these nineteenth-century lazar-houses. Well done, Mr. Bullock; more strength to your arm!

Studies in the Gospel according to St. Matthew. By Rev. J. Cynddylan

Jones.

Yes, these sermons will do. They are far above the average of such productions, and have a dew upon them which sparkles and refreshes. We like everything in this worthy Welshman’s book, although we cannot pronounce his name.

What is Truth? As it is ?nanifested by considering the Creator Creation

Revelation ., and Man.

We do not see how the author answers the question of the title. After trying in vain to read and understand this limp, yellowcovered emanation, we give it up in despair, and say: “How we wdsh writers would have mercy upon readers, and at least put their nonsense in language that can be understood.” Some styles of writing could fairly be described as “pea-soup” styles, — cloudy, thick, muddy; but for ourselves we prefer clear, honest, downright Saxon.

The Fatherhood of God.

One of the most poetic, beautiful, pseudo-philosophic, but altogether erroneous books on the Fatherhood of God which we ever read. As insidious and attractive as it can be, but altogether subversive of the very fundamental truths of the gospel concerning man’s ruin, regeneration, and redemption. Our advice concerning it would be the same as given with respect to the proper way of preparing cucumber. ‘* Carefully peel and slice it, flavor with pepper, salt, and vinegar, and then — eat it? Oh, no; throw it on the dunghill!”

A Man every Inch of Him: or, The Story of Frank Fullerton’’s School-days.

By J. Jackson Wray.

Capital! first-rate! and every other adjective that will express our unmingled admiration of this book of books for English boys. Once let it be seen and dipped into, and no boy will be able to rest until he has read to the end; and then he ’11 want more. Why, it kept us up long after bedtime, made us laugh and cry just as it liked, and, when we left off, set us longing to be young again, took the wrinkles out of our face, and almost made our creaking limbs to grow supple! Well done, Mr. Wray! you have given young and old boys alike a treat, and in the name of boydom in general we vote you “a brick.” It ’s just the book for a Christmas-box, a birthday present, or a prize gift; and we hope will be as plentifully scattered as snowflakes in January.

Poor Papa.

We have had enough of this kind of literature. Helen’s Babies “was clever and amusing, but one such book is quite enough for a generation: this poor and strained imitation of it might have been spared us. Are American children of the character here depicted? Is the law of God, which bids children honor and obey their parents, regarded as an obsolete rule? We are sorry, indeed, if this be the case! The rule of the household is the root and foundation of all government; and where it is neglected boys will not grow up to be good citizens, nor will girls become gracious wives. There are cases around us where children are allowed to be the tyrants of the family, but they are not so many as to be the rule, nor so glaring as to suggest a parallel case to that of “Poor Papa.” We should be very hard up for fun before we should waste an hour over such a poor affair as this.

Everlasting Pii7iish7nent not Everlasting Pain.

If assumption is as good as argument, and dogmatism as good as demonstration in proof of the truth of a position, then this pamphlet is unassailable, for it is full of dogmatic assumption. Instead of the infallible standard of Scripture we are constantly referred to the “instincts of humanity,” and thus a kind of religious rationalism is substituted in place of devout faith in the Bible and its declarations. We should fear the results of the publication of this pamphlet were it not as feeble as it is fallacious, — which is saying a great deal. Materialism, under the guise of annihilation, will need to get more manly and more powerful to win many converts; and even then we shall prefer the manliness and power of Jesus Christ.

Gous’li’s Portrait.

A FIXE lithographed portrait of John B. Gough for one shilling. Seldom have we seen so striking a likeness; you can almost hear him say, ‘* Water for me!”

Christianity and the Science of Religion. By Rev. J. S. Banks.

It has become fashionable in certain quarters to assert that the Christian religion is only a development of man’s genius. The Hibbert Lectures of Max Müller and Renan have made this theory popular and plausible, and now, in place of a Word of God, the Scriptures are turned into a human evolution. Mr. Banks, whose knowledge of the Hindoo mind gained as a missionary gives him peculiar qualifications for the task, sets himself to disprove this from the facts of the Hindoo religion. And very powerful is the result. Ninety-nine Christians out of a hundred have never been troubled on the question; but the hundredth, and Biblical students in general, will be greatly helped by this lecture.

Clear logic and relentless argument make the ghostly theories to fly before our author’s piercing analysis; and after the mists and fogs are dissipated, there stands the Word of God as immovable a rock as ever. Well done, Mr. Banks!

The Christian’’ s Plea against Modern Unbelief.

The argument, the author, and the auspices under which this treatise is brought out, all combine to bespeak for it a favorable consideration. As a manual, prepared at the request of ‘’ The Christian Evidence Society,” it deals mainly with the outworks of the Church’s citadel. In discussing first principles — such as the existence of God, the possibility of revelation, the credibility of miracles, the fulfilment of prophecy, or the canon of Scripture — with professed sceptics and positive opponents of the gospel, those who plead for truth are often awkwardly apologetic. Too much deference is shown to the doubter, and if he has an academical degree, it is supposed to impart authority to his dogged disbelief. Mr. Redford has acquitted himself well in furnishing the Christian advocate with a systematic view, on the one hand, of the various phases of infidelity, skilfully focussed; and, on the other hand, of the facts, historic or rational, which bear witness to those truths that cannot be shaken however much they may be assailed. But what about those individuals whose proclivities are in a greater or lesser degree atheistic? Have we an essay here that is likely to reclaim them? Our author imagines that simple theism may become an adytum to the inner sanctuary of more select evidences. “Like travellers passing through various regions [of desert land and cloudy atmosphere !], and being variously affected on the way; having reached the end of the journey, the retrospect is an unbroken and restful assurance.” We are not so sanguine. Such pilgrims to the promised land have never crossed our path. We have never witnessed any real converting power till we could get people within those lines that he scrupulously avoids. To his idea it is not only permissible, but helpful, to separate the theism of Christianity from the doctrines of the Christian faith; and the authority of Scripture from the interpretation of its contents; in a word, by reasoning, to break down their negations without instructing them in any positives in Heu thereof. This is a curious experiment; but let a lady, who had studied more philosophy, ancient and modern, than the most of us, relate her experience in better words than we can aspire to: —

“I read books bad and good — some bad and good
At once; (good aims not always make good books;
Well-tempered spades turn up ill-smelling soils
In digging vineyards even) books that prove
God’s being so definitely, that man’s doubt
Grows self-defined the other side the line,
Made atheist by suggestion.”

For other reasons than Mrs. Barrett Browning would assign, we are convinced that the cold logic of Christian evidences is a poor specific that has seldom or never proved a cure for unbelief That department of polite literature called Natural Religion leads nowhere and profiteth nothing, so far as we could ever ascertain. It fills the air with volatile sentiment, and expresses itself in lackadaisical phrases about “the benevolence of the Creator,” “the beauty of His works,” or “the traces of design that are scattered through the universe.” Simple theism is a paltry subterfuge. What these poor souls need is saving faith. Why should we dally with their prejudices? The first postulate is this: “He that Cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” The second postulate is: “He that believeth in God must accept Christ as a mediator.” And the third postulate is: “He that accepteth the one Mediator between God and men must receive the atonement.” Or otherwise, should the honest sceptic be persuaded to acknowledge a Deity, he cannot possibly rejoice in God or sing praises unto the Lord with the spirit and the understanding. For a Christian minister to plead with an infidel to become a theist sounds preposterous to us. If it is only an initiative, yet it is such an initiative as one might use in attempting gradually to reform criminals by entreating burglars not to carry firearms. The ministry of the Holy Spirit knows no half measures.

On the works of fiction sent him for review, Mr. Spurgeon writes: We confess that the heaps of tale-books are not personally perused by us; we would sooner break stones. As folks will have these religious fictions, we do our best to let them know which of them are well-intentioned, but we do not advise the reading of them to any great extent. A little pastry may be all very well (our slow digestion suggests that the less the better), but to live upon it would be to generate dyspepsia and all sorts of ills; even so, an interesting story now and again may be a relief and a pleasure, but a constant course of such reading must injure both mind and heart. From the quantity of fiction which we have lately received we should think that its perusal needs no encouraging, and a little repression might be healthy.

Holy-Days and Holidays.

Although most of these holy-days and holidays are the offspring of sheer superstition, yet we may as well know the ways and follies of our neighbors, and this book sets them forth in a pleasant manner. It is clear that our forefathers in the days of “merrie England” went very earnestly into the work of making fools of themselves.

The Doctrines of Annihilation and Universalism viezued in the Light of

Reason Analogy and Revelatio7i.

This is a second edition of a work which we favorably reviewed some two years ago. It is now furnished with additional notes on “Salvator Mundi.” It is a good antidote to the pernicious assumptions of the Universalist school, and therefore it deserves a large sale; but we are sick of the whole controversy. It is a remarkable thing to note the limited range of heresy, and how it is obliged to dish up its old, old fragments, and palm them off as novelties labelled “Modern Thought.”

John Plo7ighman’’s Talk. By C. H. Spurgeon. Three Hundred and Tenth

Thousand.

The sale of our book has amazed its author. It has been said that it is not original, but only a number of proverbs strung together: this is strictly true, and no one is more ready to own it than John Ploughman; but why did not some one else carry out the idea of putting proverbs together? Any one can make an egg stand on its end when once he has seen it done. Our book is simphcity itself, and quite devoid of genius, and yet here it is, in a new edition, selhng still after three hundred thousand have gone forth. We thought it time to improve the shape of the book and throw in a few engravings, and now we hope that John Ploughman will take a new lease and run on to half a million. Its strength lies in the wholesome proverbs which are floating about everywhere, but have here been diligently collected and congenially dovetailed so as to make up lively, continuous reading, intended to convey good morals to the myriads of working men who will never read that which is dull and dreary, however profound may be the instruction contained therein.

Th Unwelcome Baby, and what became of Him.

*’ The Unwelcome Baby “is the Rev. John Todd, and this book commences with his life. The title looks to us a little like a dodge for selling the book, for “The Unwelcome Baby” only occupies a third part of it, and the rest is made up of the lives of John Coleridge Patteson, Mary Fletcher, -Alfred Cookman, Fidelia Fiske, and Emile Cook. We shall never cease to protest against this radically false method of naming a book from one of its articles. In this case, should anybody be led to buy the book by the title he will be able to put it into the hand of a youngster without fear, or rather with the full hope that it will do him good.

Crocker, the Clown.

If any young gentleman should be inspired with the ambition of figuring in a travelling show, he will probably be delivered from the infatuation by reading this amusing history of Jameson’s Grand American Circus. We believe that such books as this answer a real and practical purpose by dispelling the false charms which surround theatrical performances. If somebody would write a book to take the glory out of “Robinson Crusoe,” it would be one of the best works of our generation, for multitudes of lads are no doubt led astray and ruined for practical business purposes by that masterpiece of fiction.

The Masque Torn Off. By T. DE Witt Talmage, D. D.

With Mr. Talmage in preaching the gospel we are heartily at one, but* from Mr. Talmage as an amateur detective we part company. It may not only be right to enter the dens of New York in order to expose their evils, but it may even be heroic to do so: it is not, however, a work which we would undertake for any consideration, nor one from which, according to our judgment, any great benefit can arise. Mr. Talmage seems to us to make small progress in depth of spirituality and fulness of divine experience, but to be straining himself to say striking things. This is not a state of things to be commended, and we hope that the preacher will grow out of it; at the same time we are sure that his sermons have charms for many minds, and that they do not deserve the savage condemnation which critics have poured upon them.

Infidelity Refuted: or, The Christian Safeguard against its Errors.

Externally this book is singularly unattractive, for the paper cover does not bear a line or word of title; but within there is much to commend. Persons in -doubt as to vital truths will be helped by the clear, logical arguments here put in order; and those who seek the conversion of the sceptic will find in this treatise a powerful weapon for defence and attack. The form of question and answer spoils a book for consecutive reading, but it has its advantages when the object is controversy. If any of our readers are driven into contact with Atheists, and desire a handy book which may aid them in defending the truth, we would urge them to purchase Mr. Preston’s little work.

Companion to the Revised Version of the English New Testament.

By A. Roberts, D. D.

Every student of the Bible who can afford half-a-crown should get this most useful and entertaining volume. It contains the sort of reading which has the most charm for us, for it deals with the Scriptures themselves and their meaning in a most pleasant manner. Reading this “Companion,” the alterations of the Revised Version become vastly more intelligible; for one sees the why and the wherefore for each of them. Sitting down to these pages with the two versions before us we forget all the worries of life, and beguile the hour in a manner which leaves substantial profit behind. Even if the reader should be innocent of Greek, Dr. Roberts will give him abundant instruction; but if he has a thorough acquaintance with the sacred tongue he will not find the work superfluous. We take the utmost pleasure in commending the little book to all Christian people, especially to those who are teachers of others.

A Reason for the Hope that is in You ’ or. What the Baptists Believe, and

Why, By Revp W. Hanson.

This Is a well-written manual, very instructive and convincing. It deserves to be studied by all our Baptist Bible-classes, that our young people may know what their fathers believe, and why. There is a remarkable clearness and completeness about the work for so small a book, and its tone is all that could be desired. It deserves to be bought by every Baptist, and then lent or given to those who as yet have not entered Into our liberty. We might differ from the writer here and there, but we much prefer to take off our hat and say, “Mr. Hanson, we are all obliged to you.”

The Philosophy of Scierice Experience and Revelation.

We have heard of metaphysics being defined as ‘’ an attempt to tell another what -ou do not understand yourself; “and such a description would well apply to the philosophy which the author of this work tries to expound. Everything in heaven and In earth is dabbled in; and, where confusion already existed, it Is worse confounded by this attempt at explanation. The climax of absurdity is reached when we are told that for man to be renewed in the divine image, all that is needed Is the study of the example of Jesus Christ. For “to redeem man the Invisible God manifests Himself as man, and by His life In Jesus Christ shows to men a perfect example of how they ought to live, and to teach them that since God has found a means of being gracious to them, they ought also to be gracious and forgiving towards each other,” — a mixture of diluted Soclnianism and metaphysical muddle.

Ser77ions. By the Rev. Phillips Brooks.

These sermons would never have been brought under public notice if they had not come from a rector of an Episcopal church at Boston, in America, — and had they not possessed the modern attraction of originality of thought struggling for expression in a loose and irregular style. They are more rational than evangelical, more intellectual than rational, and more emotional than intellectual. How far the two extremes of this book and the New Testament are apart may be judged by one brief quotation: ‘* Such, then, is the story of Christ’s crucifixion, in and with and for humanity. It is no fantastic conception of the imputation to Him of a sinfulness which was not His, of God’s counting Him guilty of wickedness which He had never done. It is something infinitely,, awfully more real than that.” If we Inquire what that something is, we are told it is an example of self-sacrifice, or dying unto sin. Such sermons, and their name is legion, remind us of those words of the far-seeing Isaiah: “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” “This verse,” a certain commentator observes, “is addressed to the Pharisees and Sadducees, and such as refuse the light of the Divine Word, but kindle a fire of their own, compassing themselves about with false doctrines and corrupting the truth. The power of Christ shall extinguish all such, and envelop them with darkness and despair.” It is not surely with unrighteous indignation that we thus speak, when we see those in high places of the Church on both sides of the Atlantic who, when for the time they ought to be teachers, have need that one teach them again which be the first principles of the oracles of God.

Social Purity: an Address. By Josephine E. Butler.

We are sorry that there should be need for a lady to deliver such an address, but as there is such a need we rejoice that the woman is forthcoming who is not ashamed to vindicate her sex. We live in a wretched age, when princes and peers have thought it an honor to enjoy the society of a strumpet, and Christian newspapers advocate the theatre. Contagious diseases acts are passed to make it safe for men to sin, and Hcenses are issued for the torturing of dumb animals. It is enough to make the stones to speak, and we wonder not that women, bursting through their natural retirement, rush forward to plead for chastity and humanity while there is yet a relic of it left. May the Social Purity Alliance prosper so greatly that its lady members may yet be able to hold their tongues, and keep clear consciences too.

•

Thoicght BJo:>so7ns, gathered at Richuiond. By J. Hunt Cooke.

Real poetry! A rare thing to find much of that article among the rhymes which come to us in bewildering profusion. But this little, limp, thin affair is not of the common order after all. We groaned as we picked it up, “Poetry again!” or did we say Poor try? However, we groan no longer, for we have been rewarded for our pains by finding amid the ore far more numerous traces of precious metal than we are wont to discover. ‘llr. Cooke does not rival Cowper or Young, but he sings very sweetly, and strikes out many living thoughts. Here are voices from among the trees, well rendered into the language of mortals: —

THE VOICES OF THE WIND. “Diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” — i Cor. xii. 4.

I lay in a grove one noonday clear,

And listened, the language of trees to hear.

The selfsame wind that gave them speech
A different message spoke through each.

The elm, that towered in majestic height,
Told of a rushing, unseen might.

The willow, that stood the river by,

Said, “life was sad,” with a long-drawn sigh.

The poplar, whose head so high was reared,
Shrieked with alarm, for he danger feared.

The birch, with whispering long and low,
Hinted at mystery none might know.

The oak upreared a noble form,

But solemnly spoke of the power of storm.

to

The beech clapt together its thousand hands,
And seemed to rejoice in the wind’s commands.

The firs in deep low thunder tones

Declared that the breeze came laden with moans.

The linden in whispers seemed to tell,
Though life was mystery all was well.

To each the wind had revealed the same,
But from each a different utterance came.

So does a rumor to men appear, — To some it brings joy, to others fear.

Some, dark spots on the sun will find;
Some, that each cloud is silver-lined.

Thus the Spirit of God, in various ways,
By men declares His glorious praise.

In each some diverse gift we see,
And learn a lesson of charity.

For harmony only beautifies,
When different sounds together rise.

0)1 a Book on Cookery.

From our domestic department comes the verdict, “Very good.” If we cotild multiply Mrs. Warren, in fact, have a warren of Warrens, what a blessing it would be! Cleanliness is next to godliness, and cookery is next to cleanliness. How many times a man is made to sin by seeing good meat spoiled, and excellent food served up in a dirty, sickening manner. Surel’ it was a grievous temptation to wrath when a hungry traveller ordered chops at an inn within a hundred miles of London, and had them served up swimming in greasy, watery gravy — fried! He had been hoping to have them fresh from a clear fire, — but he was assured that they did not cook chops in that way in this part of the country. It is time that missionaries should be sent into such a benighted region. Half the food that is eaten in England is spoiled before it comes to table. Working men’s wives, many of them, need to learn to cook; and to teach them this science would go far towards making their homes comfortable and their husbands sober. It is a pity that the animal, man, should be so much governed by his food, but it is so, and therefore those who would keep a man good-tempered, especially an Englishman, should know how to cook his victuals for him. There is more religion in making home comfortable and cooking food properly than in all the millinery and horticulture of High-Church ceremonials.

Mrs. Warren’s book is a valuable help to housewives.

A Book of Remembrance in Relation to the Mystery of God,

We give it up. The author, probably, had some meaning upon his mind when he wrote his book, but he has concealed it by his words. We have tried a friend or two, getting them to read a page or so, but, like ourselves, they were dead beaten before long, and declared that they could neither make top nor tail of it. Distant approximations to sense occur, but they only tempt the reader onward into some sentences so obscure that he finds himself utterly lost. If anybody wishes to be completely confused and bewildered, let him read this book.

PSALM LXXXII.

The kings of earth are in the hands

Of God who reigns on high,
He in their council -chamber stands,

And sees with watchful eye.

Though fooHsh princes tyrants prove,

And tread the godly down,
Though earth’s foundations all remove,

He weareth still the crown.

They proudly boast a godlike birth,

In death, like men, they fall.
Arise, O God, and judge the earth,

And rule the nations all.

When shall Thy Son, the Prince of Peace,

Descend with glorious power?
Then only shall oppression cease:

Oh, haste the welcome hour.

C. H. Spurgeon.