VII.-LITERARY NOTICES.

The Unveiling of the Everlasting Gospel; with the Scripture Philosophy of Happiness, Holiness, and Spiritual Power: especially addressed to the Ministers and Church of God at the Present Crisis. London: Hamilton and Adams. 1848.

UNDER this somewhat ambitious title, the anonymous author of this volume endeavours to draw the attention of the Church of Christ to what he conceives to be the great cause of the prevailing deadness and laxity.

“There is,” says he, "a fearful amount of ignorance in regard to the perfect adaptations and simplicity of the gospel, and the privilege and responsibility of every man who hears it, to have immediate possession of everlasting life.”—p. 39.

Elsewhere, the writer gives us the idea he has formed of the "Everlasting Gospel."

"Thus, the moment the love and manifestly harmonised character of God in the plan of salvation is really seen, or believed by the sinner, in its grand bearings on himself,— and so seen as to dispose him (as the inevitable results of believing) immediately to submit to Jesus as his great Captain, exclaiming, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'and to inspire confidence (through his blood) to draw near to God as a father,—HE IS ABSOLUTELY FORGIVEN JUSTIFIED—ACCEPTED IN the Beloved.”—p. 267.

All this is true; but we cannot congratulate our author on any new discovery, nor do we think with him, that the doctrine he has stated is very little known in the modern church. Notwithstanding, we should rejoice if it were more fully preached on every hand, and be glad if the labours of our author become productive of this blessed result. We heartily concur in the following remarks:

That if there were, on the part of Christians, a more complete enjoyment of the gift of the Spirit of God, through a simple apprehension and habitual contemplation of the love of God in Christ, and a consequent enlargement of faith in prayer, that the windows of heaven would be opened for showers of blessings, the word of God would be more fully understood in all its harmonious connexions, foundation principles would more readily be perceived, and thus, doubtless, lead on to the settling of all points of difference in the Church of God.”—p. 46.

Congratulations and Counsels. A Book for Birthdays. By John Cox. London: Ward and Co.

AN elegant and useful present on the festive occasions referred to in the title of the book. It consists of short, pithy, and devout addresses, suited to the birth-day anniversaries of a variety of ages, from the child to the hoary-headed grandsire.

The Spirit of Holiness: and Sanctification through the Truth. By James Harrington Evans, Minister of John Street Chapel. Fourth Edition, revised. London: Shaw. 1848.

On the important topics of this volume, Mr. Evans has written earnestly, and under a deep sense of the necessity of the grace of the Spirit to perfect holiness in the Christian's heart. He treats, in five chapters, on the nature, necessity, and author of holiness; on the incipient principle of holiness as developed in regeneration; on the operation of the Spirit of Holiness in the

mortification of sin, and in the work of sanctification; and on sanctification through the truth. On the last subject, Mr. Evans chiefly confines his remarks to the effect produced by the doctrine of the atoning blood of Christ, which he regards as essentially holy in its tendency. We are not sure, however, that too much stress is not laid upon the reception of this simply as a doctrine, while the new moral relations produced by the atonement between the believer and the person of the Lord, are in fact the real source of sanctification. Christ is the Truth, and not merely any particular doctrine respecting his person and his work. To receive Christ is to enter into personal fellowship with him, the law of which fellowship is holiness. But that relation and fellowship have their foundation in the cross, in the sacrificial death of Christ for the guilty. The atonement therefore is the source of holiness only so far as it brings us into personal union with Jesus, and places us by his side as his disciples and friends. To the hallowed converse, therefore, of the believer with his once crucified Lord, we look for that growth in holiness which is said to result from the truth, that is, Christ Jesus, and not to belief in one, or all, of the doctrines concerning him, simply as such. It is after the tenor of our remarks that Mr. Evans says,

"A sight of Jesus dying for sin, will, through his Spirit [the Spirit of him] who died for thee, humble while it comforts, abase while it lifts thee up. It will make and keep thee low-cheer thee in the midst of the desert-gladden thee in the wilderness-preserve thee from yielding to sin, while it points to brighter and happier worlds, where sin shall be no more."-p. 188.

but then leaves this personal relation to the Lord, and urges attention to the truth in its abstract form. Our readers cannot, however, but find their affections warmed, and their attention quickened to the pursuit of that holiness, "without which no man shall see the Lord," by a perusal of this work of the estimable author.

Domestic Piety: or the Church Member at Home. An address, forming the Annual Letter to the churches of the Bucks Association. By Rev. Jesse Hobson. London: Hall and Co. 1848.

THIS address is worthy of a wide circulation among the members of churches. It is earnest in its tone, affectionate in spirit, and pious in feeling. The cultivation of domestic piety bears largely on the progress of Christ's kingdom. "Were our churches blessed with additions from the families of the saints, and if all the members of those families were to become the followers of Jesus, we should never have a reported decrease, but a perpetually increasing flock."

The Prodigal Son. London: Religious Tract Society.

AN affectionate exposition and application to the stricken conscience, of the well-known parable of our Lord. It may with great advantage be put into the hands of the "weary and heavy laden," to whom the author has dedicated its pages.

Retrospection and Rejoicing: A Companion for Mothers during the Season of Maternal Seclusion. London: Ward and Co.

A SMALL collection of original poems and reflections, adapted to edify, console, and refresh a mother during the period of retirement. They breathe a sweet spirit of piety and tenderness, though not remarkable for their poetical excellence.

Faith and its Counterfeits. London: Collingridge.

HOWEVER great the simplicity of the question, “What is faith?" and however much "it would puzzle multitudes of professors to give a clear answer to it," the writer of this tract has not helped them out of the difficulty; nor do we think he has arrived at much greater clearness in his conception of the nature of faith, than the "multitudes" of whom he thinks so meanly.

Progressive Reform, True Conservatism. An Appeal to the Common Sense of Men of all Parties. By J. H. Tillett. London: Jarrold and Sons. By references to past and present occurrences, and by the authority of the Whigs themselves, the present obstructives in the path of reform, Mr. Tillett has ably established the principle which forms the subject of the lecture before us.

Sanctified Intellect its Character, Works, and Reward. A Sermon suggested by the death of the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, LL.D., D.D. By William

Leask. London: Ward & Co. 1848.

"A PROFOUND thinker, an enlightened philosopher, an accomplished scholar, a patriotic citizen, a benevolent man, a devout Christian, and an able minister of the glorious Gospel has fallen asleep in Christ." Such was Dr. Hamilton. Mr. Leask has offered a worthy tribute to the memory of this departed servant of God, characterised by his usual effective thought and vigour of expression.

Separate Services for Sunday School Children. A Lecture, by the Rev. Samuel Martin. London: Sunday School Union.

As we entirely concur in the object of this lecture, we strongly recommend its perusal to Sunday School Teachers and Ministers. We are convinced that a vast amount of dislike to public worship has been planted in the minds of children, by their forced attendance on services wherein there is nothing whatever to interest or benefit them. Every Sunday School ought, in our opinion, to have at least once on the Sabbath a special service, conducted by a competent person, in which the sermon, prayers, and hymns should have an especial reference to the mental habitudes and capacities of the children.

VIII.-LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

THE Hanserd Knollys Society has published its fourth volume, consisting of Roger Williams' Bloudy Tenent of Persecution discussed;' the volumes for 1848 will immediately be put to press.

We learn that the Rev. Dr. Sears, is engaged on a work relating to the German Anabaptists. He will prove beyond controversy, that the furious Anabaptists of the Munster affair were sprinklers.

Dr. Wayland has in the press a volume of 'Recent Discourses,' which will add to his already world-wide fame.

Rev. Mr. Turnbull has recently published two very popular works, one on Scotland, the other on the preachers of France and Switzerland; and the Rev. Mr. Magoon, of Cincinnati, has in the press a work on American Orators, and another entitled Proverbs for the People.'

The Rev. O. S. Steanes, of Massachusetts, has in the press a Translation of Sartorius's popular work on the Person and Glory of Christ;' likewise an original work on Chaldee Synonymes.'

A work on Welsh Nonconformity: its history, character, and present condition, is preparing for the press by the Rev. D. Rhys Stephen, of Manchester.

IX.-HOME AND FOREIGN RECORD.

GERMANY.-Rev. Dr. Sears of Massachusetts wished to direct the attention of the Board to the present state of things in Germany. He spoke of the manner in which the mission had from the beginning been conducted; so apostolical. The great success that had attended it is an assurance of still greater. Our missionaries have been persecuted; the heel of power has been placed on their necks; they have been imprisoned; their lips have been sealed. But great success has attended their efforts among the common people. And from this time forth the same success may attend religious effort among the educated, who have hitherto been kept back by the bayonet. They durst not declare themselves.

The principle which lies at the bottom of the present movements in Germany, which have issued in a revolution that is spreading, with power and rapidity, over the continent, is a Baptist principle. It is called the Baptist question, in the highest literary magazines and periodicals in Germany, in which the subject has been discussed. And in order to stay the revolutionary movement, monarchists have attempted to identify Baptists with the Anabaptists of a former century. The great battle for religious liberty in Germany has been fought over the bodies of our Baptist missionaries.

Rev. Mr. Oncken, in a late letter, says, that whatever may be the form of civil government settled down upon, it is certain that freedom of the press, and separation of church and state, are irreversibly fixed. I think much of the establishment of Baptist church polity, more, probably, than many of my brethren. I feel that Providence is calling on Baptists in America to do something more for the guidance of opinion in Germany, collateral to the work of our missionaries. If we had a hundred such men as Oncken in the field, they would have their hands full, and then there would be before and around them unoccupied fields. Dr. Sears concluded his exceedingly interesting and eloquent address, a very imperfect idea of which we have given, with an appeal to the Board that the German mission should be prosecuted with vigour, feeling confident that it would very soon be determined whether the Baptists would co-operate with the manifest Providence of God, in laying broad and deep the basis for an extended prosperity in Germany.-Am. Baptist Miss. Union.

CHINA. The Rev. William Dean has communicated to us the following curious letter, which we are quite certain will minister to the entertainment of our readers :— (A Letter from a Chinese Assistant.)

"Your servant, a sinful man, having felt the great mercy of Jesus in the pardon of sin, and having learned a little of the true doctrine, is truly thankful to God the Father, whose benevolence is exhaustless. Therefore, within the last few years, have formed the fixed purpose to serve Jesus till my dying day, and, with a sincere heart, assist in publishing the true doctrine. In removing to this station in the central kingdom, I have not the wish or the hope to become a rich man; but my first object is to assist in publishing the truth to my countrymen, trusting to the assistance of Jesus, and sitting at the sacred apostle's feet. As a secondary object, I desire to find and marry a wife, with the hope that she may aid me, and together with me obtain the endless glory of Christ; and that I may also have some one to wait on your servant when he becomes old in years. At present, I receive from the sacred society, each month, ten dollars. Now, it is not that your servant is not satisfied or well pleased; but, coming to this place, he has not clothing for the approaching cold season; and should the sacred teacher become the agent of God's favour, and so think of the words of the humble disciple as to bestow upon him an increase of three dollars each month, to enable him to procure clothing for the approaching cold season, and each month to lay aside a little by which to procure a wife,* the favour would be great.

"Presented before the sacred teacher, Dean,

66

By the humble disciple

bowing."

-New York Recorder.

*Wives in China cost money.

PROPHECIES.-Philip Olivarius, a monk of Orval, in the year 1544 predicted, it is said, all the remarkable events of the present century. The following lines have long been current in Germany: "I would not be a king in 1848; I would not be a soldier in 1849; I would not be a grave-digger in 1850. But I would be whatever you please in 1851."

THE DEAD SEA.-The Bibliotheca Sacra for the present month has an interesting article from the pen of Professor Robinson, on the depression of the Dead Sea below the Mediterranean. Of this depression several estimates are given, varying from 500 feet to 1337. There are different estimates also of the depression of Lake Tiberius below the Mediterranean, varying from 84 to 759 feet. The flow of the Jordan from Tiberius to the Dead Sea is about 60 miles. It has no cataract; its current is rapid and silent, yet there is room in the 984 feet of its descent for three cataracts, each equal to Niagara in height, still leaving to the river an average fall equal to the swiftest portion of the Rhine, including the cataract of Schaffhausen.-Dr. Robinson calls the attention of European Governments and geographical societies to this remarkable phenomenon, and recommends more accurate surveys, with new efforts to solve the problem.

The

TYNDALE."Why, Sir, what thorough-going Bible men those old Reformers were! I have imagined the eye of Tyndal falling on your vignette and motto. An open Bible! he well understood its value. The Bible translated! he would take its meaning, Sir, nor would his faith have staggered. His principle was yours; in vain did the king proclaim it is inexpedient for the people to have the Scriptures in English '—and in vain did the clergy echo, by this translation shall we lose all those aunciente Christen wordes, penannce, charitye, confession, grace, priest, church, &c.' Scriptures in English was just what Tyndal purposed in his heart to give to the people; and therefore out must go the good old Christen wordes--because they were not English. (would to heaven, Sir, he had made a cleaner sweep !) And what was his support under censures and persecutions, civil and ecclesiastical, to which his faithfulness subjected him? Hear him, Sir,-'I calle God to record, agaynst the day we shall appeare before our Lord Jesus Christ to give reckenynge of our doings, that I never altered one syllable of Godes Worde nor wold this day, if all that is in earth might be given me.' Ah! Sir, to this man 'the Bible translated' would be sacred words. God give to all who love his memory the same mind.”—Professor Raymond.

CHIPPERFIELD.— -On the last day in July a social party, numbering about 200, met and partook of tea, &c., at the chapel and school-room, Chipperfield. The party then took a range on the beautiful common, after which they returned to the chapel, and were addressed by the pastor of the church on christian sociality; by Mr. Wise, on nonconformity; by Mr. Chater, on sustaining the ministry; and by G. H. Betts, Esq., on the progress of musical taste.

The singers of the Baptist Chapel, Watford, attended, and performed one chaunt and other pieces from the Family Choir' correctly, and with much taste.

The last farthing of the debt on the chapel and school-room was removed.
The friends separated highly delighted and profited.

EARLS COLNE.-On Tuesday, July 11th, 1848, services were held in connexion with the settlement of the Rev. Charles Short, A.M., as pastor of the church at Earls Colne. At two o'clock in the afternoon the Rev. J. Acworth, LL.D., delivered an able and interesting introductory discourse on the nature of a christian church. After the usual questions had been asked, and satisfactory replies had been returned, the Rev. C. Rust, of Colchester, offered the ordination prayer. The charge to the minister was then delivered by the Rev. M. Jones, of Leominster, Mr. Short's