God, by the elect church, to make" heathens, Jews, Mohammedans, and nominal Christians "acquainted with the Saviour they have never known upon earth" (p. 22). Now this author may be right,in one aspect, who does not wish that he may be right in his view? But what we want is evidence in place of dogmatism. Assuming the theory to be TRUTH, it is certainly EMBEDDED TRUTH; and until some one succeeds in exhuming it, it will deservedly remain an "unpreached gospel."

Throughout the second of the two pamphlets there runs a fearless spirit of inquiry, for which its author deserves our warmest thanks; but we cannot accept the logic of his arguments. We cannot admit that because the gospel is not preached to every creature, we have proof that God does not in this dispensation intend to "offer the gospel to every man" (p. 19). We cannot allow that "Evange lical Christians, as much as other men, are practically Universalists" (p. 19), because the clergy of one section of the church are compelled to use the words, "in sure and certain hope of the resur rection unto eternal life," promiscuously over the graves of the dead. If an author can assert that "Jonah went only to denounce" the Ninevites, and that "during the long history" of the Jewish church "not a single messenger of mercy goes forth to the world without” (p. 20), it is manifest that he has yet to learn both the design and the results of Judaism; and we have to complain that he, like the author of the preceding work, should, without the slightest attempt at proof, make such assertions as the following: The power" for which the apostles were to tarry at Jerusalem, was "simply power to think and speak in other tongues than their own" (p. 21).

།

It is a maxim among the leaders of the House of Commons to set the face against any attempt to introduce a bill which simply affirms an abuse without providing some practical remedy. It is infinitely more important to observe this sound principle in all things affecting the spiritual interests of men. To declare any religious opinion to be erroneous without giving proof, or to assert that a certain doctrine is scriptural without giving scriptural reasons, can have but one effect-a pernicious effect,-that of unsettling the minds of the illinformed. The tendency of such works as those at the head of this review is, therefore, mischievous. If received opinions in religion or anything else be wrong, let it be shown they are, and you will be hailed ere long as a public benefactor; but to employ the press to scatter far and wide crude and unintelligent views is to violate every dictate of common sense and Christian charity. M. H.

Better Days for Working People. By Rev. W. G. Blaikie, A.M., Edinburgh. London: Strahan and Co.

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THE emphatic commendation given to this work by Lord Brougham to a meeting of working men, held in Edinburgh in October, we can heartily endorse. "It is an excellent book on every part of the working man's fortune and labour." Its author is the incumbent of the Free Church, Pilrig, Edinburgh. He was

ordained to the ministry in 1842. He was the editor, during the years of its strength, 1849-53, of the Free Church Magazine, and in 1860 he was elevated to the editorial chair of the North British Review, then vacated by Professor Alex. Fraser. He is the author of several other works of worth, viz.

He is one of the most able, yet modest and retired, of the clergy of the sect to which he is attached, and seldom appears as a prominent figure in the public courts of the church, or the public meetings of the sect; but he is not the less earnest and hardworking on that account.

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The work before us contains ten chapters. The first describes "what to aim at," viz., improvement in social comfort, intelligence, in religion and morality. Chapter second, affectedly entitled Auspice Christo," Look to Christ, discusses the question, "Is Christianity really a friend to the working man ?" and maintains the affirmative by arguing that it steadies and strengthens, protects and sympathizes with, supplies help to, bestows joy upon working men, while it inspirits them with hope. The sweat of the brow" is the topic of chapter third, which treats of the dignity and educative power of labour. Chapter fourth considers the grave matters implied in "a fair day's wage for a fair day's work,' especially strikes and co-operation, on both of which subjects there is much good sense in the few pages allotted to them. "Make the most of your money" is an advice powerfully enforced in chapter fifth; in it the author deprecates drinking and debt,. commends savingness, and describes the nature and operation of savings banks, friendly societies, annuities, life insurance, cooperative stores, &c. "Health without drugs" is surely a necessity of life to the working man, and in chapter sixth this is pretty fully treated of. The beneficiality of fresh air, exercise, cleanliness, properly cooked food, due supplies of light, and abstinence from drinking, are ably enforced. Chapter seventh, on Houses versus hovels," is useful and excellent. It treats of the effects of homes on health, morals, social feelings and habits, and on religious emotions. The difficulties regarding rent and accommodation are spoken of, and their remedies are discussed. Building associations and investment societies are here explained and advocated. "Home sunshine," chapter eighth, brings us into the moral element of home-life, in excellent tone and manner. "Reading and recreation" form the themes of chapter ninth, and the observations on both these subjects are clear and sensible. Chapter tenth is entitled "Holy Rest," and it insists specially on sabbath observance. The book, though seemingly, in our concise analysis of it, dull, is by no means so; poetical quotations, anecdotes and illustrations, are interspersed judiciously among the weightier matters and the higher teachings of the author. Shrewd remarks, telling sentences, and thorough geniality characterize the book; and we do most honestly believe that the perusal of this work cannot fail largely to aid in bringing about "Better Days for Working People."

A Handbook of Phonography; or, a New and Improved Method of Writing Words according to their Sounds; being a Complete System of Phonic Shorthand, adapted for Correspondence, Verbatim Reporting, &c. By EDWARD JAMES JONES. London: S. W. Partridge, 9, Paternoster Row.

THIS is an attempted improvement upon Pitman's system of phonography; but, however laudable the writer's object may be, we cannot say that we admire the way in which he has sought to realize it. We are no blind admirers of Pitman, for we think the changes he is so frequently introducing to his system most detrimental to its value and usefulness. We must, however, condemn the piratical imitation of his Manual" which characterizes the book before us.

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Price 1s. 4d.;

The Teacher's Pocket-Book and Diary for 1864. roan tuck, 23. Annual Addresses for 1864:-The Teacher's Tools. By the Rev. JOHN CURWEN. Why? An Address to Scholars. Our Home Plants. By the Rev. T. LESSEY. List of Lessons for 1864. London: Sunday School Union, 56, Old Bailey.

WE have much pleasure in drawing the attention of our readers to these new and excellent publications, and trust we shall thus induce some teachers to purchase and examine them who have not hitherto done so.

Nature's Secrets; or, Psychometric Researches. By WILLIAM DENTON and Mrs. ELIZABETH DENTON. Edited, with an Introduction, by a Clergyman of the Church of England. London: Houlston and Wright.

Not

THIS singular book is the reprint of an American work, and contains many curious facts and more startling statements. It seeks to lay the foundation of a new science, to be called Psychometry, by means of which Mrs. Denton "professes to be able, by putting a piece of matter, whatever be its nature, to her forehead, to see, either with her eyes closed or open, all that that piece of matter, figuratively speaking, ever saw, heard, or experienced. always, indeed, in the order of time, or to the full extent of that experience, but generally so." We quite agree with our friend, the clergyman, that " none can dispute the wonderful nature of this statement;" and we can assure him that he is not wrong in supposing that some will be "inclined to question its truthfulness.” Freemasonry-What is it? The Question truthfully Answered, for the Benefit of Masons. London: J. Fittall, Ivy Lane.

THE writer of this tractate says, "Let it be understood, there is no purpose of raising any question, in these pages, on the abstract merits or demerits of Masonry, other than as they affect Christian faith. The high standing of the order, and the general moral worth of its members, may be admitted. But it occupies religious ground, and on that ground it must be judged. Masonry is not a

mere matter of dressing in aprons and collars, and enjoying a certain number of good dinners in the course of the year, as the world imagines. It is essentially a religious order.

"Every lodge room, though only an ordinary tavern apartment, must be consecrated, i. e., religious rites (chiefly Judaistic) are performed in it, with many solemn prayers, and it is then spoken of as holy ground. A lodge cannot assemble or work without frequent prayer. God is indeed invoked upon all occasions, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and in His name most serious oaths are taken by every Mason. These proceedings, and many others of very solemn character, are usually gone through with great decorum that is not disputed. But it is all anti-Christian!" That is the charge which the writer brings against Freemasonry; but we feel bound to say that, so far as the evidence is concerned which he places before his readers, the charge is "not proven."

The Evangelic Theory; or, Christianity—not Theism—most in accordance with Moral Development. London: Henry J. Tresidder.

THIS is a thoughtfully written tractate on an important subject. For Ever! or, the Final State of the Redeemed considered, as to its Gradations of Rank and Blessedness. London: John F. Shaw and Co.

THE object of this work is to prove that there are no "gradations" in the spiritual world; and we may mention, without endorsing, a hope that has been expressed that the author has established his position to his own satisfaction!

Martin Luther: a Monograph on the Life and Times of "The Solitary Monk who Shook the World." By SAMUEL NEIL. London: Houlston and Wright.

THIS is a revised reprint of the papers furnished to our pages in the latter part of 1862. Our readers, therefore, know the ability which characterizes the work. If any one desires to make a good, useful present to a thinking friend, he will find this shilling volume highly suitable. Mr. Neil thus explains his purpose in his preface:

"It has been the aim of the author to sketch the Life of Luther, not merely as a Theologian or a Reformer, but, as far as the writer could comprehend it, in the entireness of his being-as a Man. The pictorial and dramatic portion of the biography of the monk who roused the energies of Europe, wrestled roughhandedly with sovereigns and pontiffs, braved civic and ecclesiastical outlawry, and set the tenets of his heart into the better part of civilization, have often been written, and are of course incorporated in every history of the Church or the world. His life, too, has been laid before the reading public in innumerable forms as that of a theological hero. The purpose of the present tractate differs from that of the historian of the Church, the ecclesiastical writer, or the critic of sects, doctrines, or revolutions; and does not therefore enter into competition with any other composition on the subject."

The Topic.

IS IT PRUDENT TO ALLOW THE FREE EXPORTATION OF COAL?