rest. As is well known, one of the strongest objections to the use of ordinary wine at the Lord's Table, urged by those in favour of the socalled "unfermented wine," is, that thereby temptation is put in the way of persons who were once addicted to drink but have been reformed. It is thus "Oxos meets this objection, in the last paragraph of his pamphlet :-" Persons tempted on going to the Lord's table have no business there-they cannot possibly get benefit there, but the reverse. The same Christ who said, "Do this in remembrance of Me," also said, "Enter not into temptation." To suppose that Christ requires the presence of tempted communicants at His table, is to suppose that He requires them to violate one commandment in order to obey another. Those who know anything rightly about Christianity, know that outward obstructions can never prevent spiritual communion with Christ and His people. The Churches are not bound to mutilate and modify their ordinances to accommodate idiosyncracies of individuals." Confident that he is now on the right side of the question, "Oxos" writes strongly; but we fear the strength of his convictions and his zeal for truth have led him, unconsciously perhaps, to express himself occasionally, respecting the views he opposes, in a way not quite calculated to make speedy converts of his quondam friends. Considering that he himself was at one time with those against whom he now writes, a little more charity and moderation, here and there, in the spirit and tone of his "Confessions" would not have been out of place.

Helen Gray: or Come and See. By J. W. M., author of "Alice Lowther," "Mary M'Neil," &c. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, & Co. 1877.

THIS is an interesting little tale bearing upon the recent religious movement in Edinburgh, in which Messrs Moody and Sankey took such a prominent part. It relates how, through the influence of a cousin, Helen Gray, while thinking of joining a companion in a Roman Catholic "Sisters' Training Home" in Germany, in hope of thus finding peace to her troubled mind, was led to attend the meetings held by the American "evangelists," and so was brought to the enjoyment of that true and lasting peace which the world can neither give nor take away. By Helen's influence, again, her sister and brother-in-law, with whom she was residing for a time, were led in the same direction with apparently equally happy results. The little book, we believe, is fitted to be useful. Parts of it are very touching and impressive.

Light in Darkness, or The Miner's Tale. A true History. Edited by James Bridges, W.S. Third edition. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, & Co. We have here a thrilling little story--a true tale-telling how, thirty years ago, thirteen miners, male and female, were entombed alive in the bowels of the earth in the vicinity of Musselburgh— how they were animated and comforted by the appropriate, pious, exhortations and prayers of one of their number, Peter Hay, who

knew where to find "a stronghold in the day of trouble,”—and how, after thirty-six long hours had passed, and when all hope of escape seemed about to be cut off, they were, in the merciful providence of Him who is the prayer-hearing God, delivered and restored in safety to their distressed friends. The simple and touching narrative was written by Peter Hay himself, and though he was the chief actor, it would be difficult to gather as much from what he has written, so careful has he been modestly to conceal himself from view. It has been republished, as the preface informs us, with reference to the recent lamentable colliery disaster at Blantyre, "in the hope that it may help to lead the sorrowing relatives of those who have perished to resort to the quarter whence alone consolations can be derived in such circumstances where the help of man is vain." We would rejoice in the thought of the benevolent Christian hope thus expressed being realized. It may be added, that as furnishing a striking example of the power of religion to support the soul in the hour of dire extremity, and of the efficacy of believing fervent prayer, the little book is one that may be most profitably read by all classes; and as its price is only fourpence, it may be said to be within the reach of all.

The British Messenger; The Gospel Trumpet; Good News; Stirling : Drummond's Tract Depot.

THESE yearly parts of the three well-known and much-prized Stirling monthly periodicals are as usual full of interesting and profitable reading on religious subjects, adapted to the capacities of all-old and young and middle-aged. It is surely matter for deep thankfulness that such excellent cheap publications, full of simple gospel truth, earnestly and impressively set forth and illustrated, continue to be so widely diffused amongst the masses of the people. We have no hesitation in giving them our heartiest recommendation, and in asking our readers to do what they can to promote their circulation. Parents and masters would do well to place such periodicals, in their monthly or yearly parts, in the hands of their children and their servants. The whole three cost less than twopence a month.

The Christian Treasury: a Family Miscellany. September-December. Edited by Rev. H. Bonar, D.D. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, & Co. THESE four monthly parts of the Christian Treasury, for the year now closing, are in every respect equal to the preceding ones noticed in our September number. We have great pleasure in again warmly recommending this well-conducted, sound, religious magazine, which the respected publishers hope to make still more attractive and worthy of public support during the coming year.

St. Christopher, with Psalm and Song. By Maurice Baxter. Pp. 150.
Hodder & Stoughton, London.

THIS attractive little volume consists of poetical monologues,

dialogues, and then of a number of small pieces, entitled “Psalm and Song." These are followed by short odes in reference to the morning and evening; to the principal Church holidays or festivals; and to the sacraments. The concluding part, nearly the third of the whole, presents in simple, but flowing and pleasing poetry the subject of Christian Missions, a number of our Lord's parables and miracles, and views, affecting and impressive, respecting the atonement, the Fatherhood of God, a watchful providence, the shewbread, the time of sickness, and temptation, and the hour of death. The work has considerable poetical merits. The diction is lucid, the sentiment is, in general, Scriptural, and the practical lessons are weighty and important. We would willingly dispense with the names of Church festivals, which are of mere human institution and devoid of warrant from the inspired word. In a few instances, a form of speaking about the sacraments is employed, which has, at least, the aspect of favouring High Church Ritualistic sentiments, but this may arise only from the use of poetical figures. From the brevity and simplicity of expression of the different pieces, the volume is fitted for children, while from the vivid manner in which the compassionate Saviour is constantly held forth, it will tend to promote devotional feeling, and lead to habits of believing confidence and joyful hope. As a specimen of the style, we append the last piece"For the hour of death."

"All my past belongs to Thee,
And from sin and misery
Thou hast set Thy servant free.
All my future with Thee lies,
In the compass of Thine eyes,
In Thy guidance good and wise.
Through the misty dark I go,
But the cloud begins to glow
With the glory Thou wilt show.
Soft in sleep repose I take,
Till the light of morning break,
Then beneath Thy smile awake."

The Inspiration of the Scriptures. By Rev. Professor Given, Magee's College. Londonderry.

8vo., pp. 23.

THIS pamphlet, which is the address delivered by Professor Given at the opening of the present session of Magee's College, is published by request. We rejoice sincerely in its appearance, not only on account of the great importance of the subject of inspiration, but also because of the scholarly and faithful manner in which this theme is discussed. After noticing briefly the distinction between revelation and inspiration, and defining their respective provinces, Dr. Given shows in lucid terms the divine and human element in the Bible, and then argues at some length in behalf of the doctrine of plenary verbal inspiration, adducing cogent Scripture proofs in support of it, and stating and refuting the most plausible objections that are brought forward against it.

Many of the illustrations which he gives are peculiarly

appropriate, and not a few of the criticisms on Scripture expressions display a minute acquaintance with the sacred originals, and are highly satisfactory. The objections of scientists against the Mosaic record are clearly stated and ably set aside. The author manifests throughout the most profound reverence for the Divine Word, and speaks at times in glowing and eloquent terms of the blessings which it has already conferred on mankind, and of its future universal triumph.

In the conclusion, Dr. Given thus speaks of the perpetuity and power of sacred Scripture :

"Human institutions may live their day, and die; having served their purposes they may grow old and outlive their usefulness, becoming obsolete and antiquated; but this Word of God is animated by a living imperishable principle that makes it proof against all feebleness or decrepitude of age. In all the ages that have been, it has proved the rod and staff, the stay and support of the faithful; in all the years that shall be, it will retain its strength unshorn, and its vigour shall neither know nor feel decay. The myriad angels that came down on Horeb at the giving of the law, and the angelic hosts that carolled the nativity on the plains of Bethlehem returned to the light and splendour of their native heavens; but the voices left behind, and caught up in Scripture, will reverberate round the world, awakening echo after echo in ceaseless succession that shall never die away. And though no voice from heaven may sound down to us through the blue empyrean, and no vision be vouchsafed to us as to ancient patriarch or seer, yet are we privileged to hold uninterrupted converse with prophets, apostles, and evangelists; and not only with these, but through them with Almighty God Himself, as He speaks to us by His servants, and addresses us in His Word. This Word of God may be attacked in the future as at the present and in the past-the ribaldry of Paine, the wit of Voltaire, the subtilty of Hume, the theories of scientists, and the plausibilities of criticism-all in succession or combination may be arrayed against . it, but it shall never be shaken, and can never be overthrown. This Word of God, in its stateliness and stability, may be compared to that great pyramid which stands in the Nile valley-the evidence of man's mechanical power and a wonder of the world. It has borne the brunt of earth's storms, the thunders of heaven have rolled over it, the lightnings have flashed against it, all the fierceness and fury of various elements have spent themselves upon it, the desert sands have been dashed around it, still it stands, a monument of imperishable greatness, unshaken and immovable on its solid foundation. The elements themselves shall melt with fervent heat, this earth and all the works thereof shall one day be burnt up. Scripture affirms it, science confirms it, but even then, the truths of this Bible will only be entering on a higher and grander fulfilment."

We accord to this able and admirable address our warmest commendation, expressing our fervent desire that it may have a wide circulation, and be blessed for establishing many in the faith once delivered to the saints.

Notes on Public Events.

THE PAST YEAR.-The year 1877 is likely to be a somewhat memorable one. During its course, events have transpired well calculated to cause it to be remem bered not only in this country, but throughout the world. A rapid glance at some of the more striking and important of these events, will not be out of place as the year closes over us; and as we mark the hand of Him who is "wonderful

The

in counsel, and excellent in working," let us "be still and know" that verily "He is a God that judgeth in the earth." On the first day of the year, the Queen of Great Britain was proclaimed Empress of India, with a great display of "barbaric splendour;" and long ere the arrival of the last day of the year, came the heart-rending tidings of the death, from starvation and disease as the result of famine, of well nigh a million of her Indian subjects. Of course there was no connection between these two very different events, but we place them side by side to give emphasis to the truth so often and impressively taught, that it is from the Lord alone, the King of Kings, that all national prosperity comes. mightiest and most generous-hearted potentates of earth can do nothing effectually to ward off from themselves or their subjects such overwhelming calamities as that from which so many of our fellow-subjects in India have been suffering; and from what has occurred, we may see how easily the omnipotent Ruler of the universe could bring speedy destruction upon the nations by His righteous judgments. While one land has been partially stricken by famine, others have been ravaged by war of the most sanguinary description, which has already issued in the frightful loss to the two countries engaged in it of nearly 150,000 men. With the fall of 'levna, which has at length taken place, after a most heroic defence, has arisen the hope of peace being soon concluded through the friendly intervention of other powers. Whether this hope be immediately realized is doubtful; but whatever be the course of events, it becomes us earnestly to seek that the terrible conflict may be followed by salutary results-that it may be made to subserve the interests of justice and humanity, and of the kingdom of Christ—that the longoppressed may be freed from tyranny, and their oppressors taught to do justly and to love mercy, and that all may be speedily visited with, and brought under the benign influences of the gospel of love, and purity, and peace. In continental countries, as well as in our own, the astute and persevering emissaries of the Vatican have been busily and successfully at work during the past year. Upon poor benighted Spain, for which no deliverance seems yet to be at hand, Rome has succeeded in re-strengthening her fatal hold; while in Republican atheistic France, another struggle between Jesuitism and the friends of liberty has been going on for some time—a struggle which there is too much reason to fear will ultimately issue in the triumph of the former. For nothing but gospel truth permeating a land, and firmly grasped, can enable a people to resist the encroachments of Rome, and to this, alas, France as a nation, has long been and is still a stranger. Nominally Roman Catholic, but largely infidel, she is certain sooner or later to fall again a prey to Jesuitical influences put forth everywhere, through an ultramontane priesthood. When will the continental lands, enslaved by Popery, and benighted by infidelity, be enlightened and made free with the liberty which the

truth alone imparts?

Looking now nearer home, the past year presents itself as one that has been full of disaster, on sea and land. The loss of precious lives and valuable property through shipwreck has been great, and this has probably been equalled if not surpassed by that caused by railway and other daily accidents, and such mournful occurrences as the Blantyre Colliery explosion. But what are all the lives that have been thus sacrificed, in the prosecution of worldly callings and in the eager race for riches, and what is all the domestic distress produced by such sad events in providence, compared with the number of the victims of intemperance that have sunk into the drunkard's grave during the past twelvemonths, and with the amount of domestic misery caused by the frightful ravages of this appalling national vice, which is threatening the destruction of the social fabric in our midst?