of observation strengthened by contact with men, nature and art, and a constant effort to do and be at his best wherever his lot was cast, or whatever the work to which he devoted his energies. A good man, in his unflinching loyalty to purity and duty, his helpfulness to others, his Christian spirit and temper. Such a man was Sumner Ellis. The story of his life put fairly on record must act like an inspiration and a stimulant to others. Rev. Mr. Moor has done well in bringing into small compass the essential features of the mortal career of his friend, and a discriminating and just analysis of his mental and spiritual powers. The Memorial is not made up of mere details of private or of professional life, necessarily largely marked by repetitions; but of comprehensive statements which disclose the peculiarities of youth, studentlife, manhood in its freshness and in its maturity, the preacher's and the pastor's plans in his several fields of labor, the thinker in his study, the quick observer in his travels, the scholar in his publications. The biographer has put the best of his own mind and heart into his record, and well deserves, and we doubt not will receive, the commendation of the Church for the fitting monument which he has thus raised to one whose abilities, character and spiritual worth were so wholly consecrated to its service.

Quite a large part of the book contains a selection from Dr. Ellis's Sermons, made with discriminating care, by Rev. Dr. Cantwell. There are thirteen, arranged under the general heading: "Faith and Righteousness," bearing the following titles: The Universal Intuition, The Incarnation a Necessity, The Christ Consciousness, The Fallacy of Disbelief, Inferences Based on Gift and Growth, Faith Confirmed by Progress, Righteousness, The Law of Service, Current Tendencies in Thought and Life, The Law of the Christian Spirit, The Song of Mercy and Judgment, The Fulfilling Principle, Religion the Vital Bond. Through these he, being dead, yet speaketh. They are his noblest Memorial, the best commentary on, and the best vindication of what his biographer has said concerning him. They have been judiciously selected, and give in their variety a satisfactory showing of the manifold ability of the preacher. Sound in theology, simple in arrangement, excellent in literary execution, they are sermons which must have made a profound impression as they fell from the living lips, and will certainly prove helpful now to those who may read them.

The Memorial is embellished with an excellent portrait of Dr. Ellis, which cannot fail to be gratifying to all who ever knew him; and the mechanical work on the book is of the best, and reflects great credit on the Publishing House.

10. Vexed Questions in Theology. A Series of Essays. By James Freeman Clarke. Boston: Geo. H. Ellis. 1886. 12mo. pp. 249.

This is a collection of Essays new and old, we judge, as one of them was confessedly written in 1861; but for the most part they are recent productions, and have to do with present problems in theology. The subjects discussed are: The Five Points of Calvinism and the Five Points of the New Theology, The Sin against the Holy Ghost, Christ and his Antichrists, The Introduction to the Gospel of John, Old and New Ideas Concerning the Divinity of Jesus, Is Probation or Education the End of Life? The Sabbath - Sunday-or the Lord's Day-which? Old and New Views Concerning the Bible, The True Coming of Christ, Agnosticism vs. Positivism, The Hercules and Wagoner of To-day, or State Help vs. Self-Help, Recent Discussions Concerning Conscience

and its Development, The Scientific Bases of Prayer, The Meaning and Value of the Lord's Supper at this time, Some Reasons for Believing in a Future Life, in all fifteen topics. They are discussed in the broad and catholic spirit which is such a marked characteristic of Dr. Clarke's treatment of the themes on which he writes. We should not be able to agree with some of his principles of interpretation of the Sacred Word, nor with all the so-called liberal tendencies of his thought; but we are often greatly refreshed by the vigor of his utterances as he deals with error, and charmed by his admirable way of lighting up by a touch of common sense New Testament doctrines which traditional interpretations mystify, if they do not make them absurd. Of this character is his admirable treatment of the doctrine of the Logos, in the chapter on "The Introduction to the Gospel of John;" as is also the chapter, "Is Probation or Education the End of Life ?" Mixed, indeed, with some extreme notions of inspiration as manifest in the so-called sacred writings of all people, are many historical facts touching the origin of the theory of the plenary inspiration of the books of the Old and New Testaments, in the essay on "Old and New Views Concerning the Bible." Very suggestive, too, is the essay on "The True Coming of Christ," taking the ground now occupied by many in all sects, but for nearly three-quarters of a century taught and defended by Universalists, that the so-called second coming is spiritual and not physical, not bodily. We heartily commend these essays as worthy of a place among the books which ought to be read to-day.

11. Educational Psychology. A Treatise for Parents and Educators. By Louisa Parsons Hopkins. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1886. 16mo. pp. 96.

Grammar for Common Schools. By B. F. Tweed, A.M. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1886. 16mo. pp. 113.

Physiology for Little Folks. The Child's Book of Health, in Easy Lessons for Schools. By Albert F. Blaisdell. M.D. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1886. 16mo. pp. 117.

The first of these text-books is by a practical educator of large experience, the Teacher of Normal Methods in the Swain Free School, New Bedford. It is the digest of a course of lectures given to her pupils, and, as she tells us, "is the result of long and attentive observation of mental phenomena and development, carefully selected reading, and such original thought and organizing power as I could bring to a subject in which, as parent and teacher, I have been deeply interested." The themes of the several chapters: Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Sense Perception, Memory, Imagination, Judgment and Reason, and Taste, or the Sense for Beauty, are discussed in an interesting manner and the book will prove profitable reading to all, and especially to the class for whom it is particularly intended.

r;

Prof. Tweed's Grammar is one of the most simple and common sense text-books on the construction of the English language that we have ever seen. The rules are put in few words; the examples are copious; the analysis is an excellent showing of the relation of subject, predicate and modifiers, in simple, compound and complex sentences; while the appendix conveys valuable information concerning the use of forms of speech by some of the best writers, which are in conflict with what have heretofore been regarded as the only allowable modes. For some of these innovations there seems to be good reason; but we confess to not being convinced that it is in good form or true to fact to use the expression, the two first, or the three last.

Dr. Blaisdell's little book is one of a series of text-books on Physiology and Hygiene, intended for use in the Common Schools, with special reference to the Effects of Stimulants and Narcotics on the Human System. The book before us is the first in the series, and is intended to be used by the youngest pupils. It is, therefore, simple in its wording, familiar and suggestive in style, and admirable in its illustrations. The blackboard is frequently brought into use, and the main idea of each lesson is placed thereon in some simple but comprehensive sentence. The evils of the use of Alcohol are faithfully portrayed. The book seems to be just the one to interest and instruct the younger children.

12. Universalism in America. A History. By Richard Eddy, D.D., President of the Universalist Historieal Society, etc., etc. Vol. II. 1801-1886. Bibliography. Boston: Universalist Publishing House. 1886. 12mo. pp. 634. $2.00.

This volume completes the published story of the rise and progress of Universalism in America. It especially deals with our Church history during the present century, including the origin and cause of the Winchester Profession of Faith, the development of Church Polity, experiments and successes in founding Academies, Colleges and Theological Schoolr, and the famous Restorationist Controversy. Appended to all is a Catalogue of the literature of Universalism in this country from 1753 to 1886, including one hundred and eighty-two titles of Universalist periodicals. Doubtless a more full notice of this work will appear in these pages before long, and therefore we only add that the mechanical make-up of the book is the very best.

13. The Universalist Register: Giving the Statistics of the Universalist Church, and other Denominational Information, etc. For 1887. Edited by Richard Eddy, D.D. Boston: Universalist Publishing House. pp. 104. 25 cents.

This is the fifty-second annual issue of our Church Year Book, and no pains have been spared to make it complete and accurate. The editor solicits criticism and corrections, and especially desires that the clergy will realize that the perfection of a work of this kind depends on their co-operation with his efforts. The Register should be in every Universalist family. It will be sent post-paid on receipt of the price.

14. A Boston Girl's Ambitions. By Virginia F Townsend. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1887. 12mo. pp. 895. $1.50.

Six in All. By Virginia F. Townsend. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1886. 12mo. pp. 447. $1.00.

The Little Master. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1887. 16mo. pp. 230.

Three wholesome books for young people. The stories well told, and the lessons illustrated by them of great importance to the ambitious but inexperienced youth of our land. We recommend them to our Book Commission as eminently worthy of being added to the list of books suitable for Sunday School libraries.

Several notices omitted here for want of room will appear in the April number.

All books noticed under the head of "Contemporary Literature" will be found on sale at our Publishing House.

The New Covenant:

A TRANSLATION AND

COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

BY J. W. HANSON, D.D.

It is a New and Improved Version of the New Testament.

Vol. I. THE FOUR GOSPELS.

358 pages.

Dr. Hanson's "New Covenant" is a notable addition to Universalist literature. It contains, beside other features, an accurate, faithful, and idiomatic translation based ou Westcott and Hort's Greek Text, a Harmony of the Gospels, a chronology and a brief commentary. In the Harmony the passages that belong together are placed in connection so that the reader can see at a glance all that two or more of the New Testament writers relate of the same occurrence or discourse. In the chronology the entire New Testament is put in chronological order, thus giving an unbroken narrative of the life of Lord, while in the notes we have brief expositions of all passages relating to human destiny. The work is thus made particularly useful to its readers.

Vol. II. ACTS, EPISTLES AND REVELATION. 408 pages.

In this volume the Epistles of Paul are interspersed through the Acts in chronological order. The other books are placed according to their dates, the epistles of John being last. The notes are somewhat more extended than in the first volume, and embrace important matters relating to the beginnings of Christianity, particularly in Revelation.

tament.

The two volumes furnish a complete Commentary on the New Tes

PRICE, A VOLUME, ONE DOLLAR NET, POSTAGE PAID.

UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE,

PUBLISHERS.

WESTERN BRANCH, CHICAGO, ILL.

Though containing 634 pages, it will be sold at the very low price of TWO DOLLARS!

We can also supply copies of

Volume, No. I. at $1.50.

The two Volumes, bound in uniform style, $3.50, including postage.

VOLUME II,

Completes the History of our Church in this country to the close of the year 1885.

Like the first volume it gives a detailed statement of the early growth of Universalism during the period covered in it. and a general survey of its progress since the advent of our periodicals, in 1819.

The earlier views of Rev. Hosea Ballou, the changes in his opinions, their influence and spread, and the various shades of opinions entertained by other leaders, are plainly set forth.

Changes in church polity are also brought to notice, with the reasons therefor, and the gradual growth of our present ecclesiastical organization is described and accounted for.

The story concerning the adoption of the Winchester Profession of Belief is told in full, including an examination of the traditions relating thereto, the facts in the case, the records of the Courts, the consequences of the adoption, and the place which the Profession at once took and has since held in the Church. All the facts in the case of Christopher Erskine, associated in tradition with the adoption of the Profession, are given as gleaned from the original records of the Courts and the manuscript of the Judge's decisions.

The story of the Restorationist Controversy is told in full, from the incipient movement in 1817, to the culmination of the controversy by the disbanding of the Restorationist Association in 1841.

Efforts in the Church for the establishment of Educational Institutions, from 1814 to 1886, are described in detail.

Appended to the History is a Bibliography, embracing 2278 titles of books and pamphlets published in America, either in favor of or opposed to Universalism, including the titles of nearly 200 papers and other periodicals published in defence and illustration of Universalism. Copious indexes are added, and the volume is the result of long-continued, patient, and successfui effort to tell the story of the rise, progress and present condition of the Universalist Church.

Orders are solicited, and will be promptly filled,

PUBLISHED BY

UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE,

BOSTON, MASS.