cussing these important topics there is great force of thought and amplitude of views. Great truths are boldly stated and eloquently enforced; and great errors and evils, however veiled by fashion, or softened down by habit and prejudice, are laid bare and emphatically condemned.

The attentive perusal of this admirable Lecture, by the young men of the age, cannot fail to quicken them to a vivid perception of the manifold advantages and temptations by which they are surrounded. We therefore earnestly commend it to their immediate notice, convinced that each attentive reader must awake to a full appreciation of his duties, responsibilities, and perils.

The course of Lectures, as they advance, will, we are persuaded, deepen in interest, power, and impression. We had the good fortune to hear the second-"The Bible: its Conflicts and Triumphs"-which is now passing through the press; and we hesitate not to say, that a more eloquent, comprehensive, and complete vindication of the grand peculiarities and excellencies of the Bible, as an inspired book, it never has been our privilege either to hear or read. We cannot but hope that it may be scattered in myriads throughout the land. All, who seek the best interests of young men, and through them the best interests of the world, should aid in the widest possible diffusion of these Lectures.-VERITAS.

XXXIX. NOVEMBER, 1853. CONTENTS: -Life and Times of Madame de StaëlProtestantism in Italy-American Novels -Wycliffe-Language and Literature of Modern Greece-Candlemaking and Christianity- Domestic Service - Nelly Armstrong-The Royal Society of LondonReligious and Political Relations of Russia. 8vo.

Hamilton, Adams, and Co. THIS number of the North British will not disappoint expectation; it is, indeed, a fresh and vigorous sample of the critical press of the age. A more vivid sketch of "the Life and Times of Madame de Staël" has not seen the light. The writer

is evidently a fervent admirer of this most remarkable woman; but his esti mate of her genius and character, and of the events in French history with which her name and that of her family stand associated, will be found to be impartial and truthful. Though it is a most able critique, it has one defect to us; it lacks the Christian element, and does not test men and things, as it ought to do, by the great standard. But "the Protestantism of Italy" makes amends for this defect; being an article, throughout, not only vigorous and instructive in its historic details, but replete with noble sentiments worthy of Protestantism in its best day. We might point also to "Wycliffe," as doing full justice to Dr. Vaughan's mature and beautiful work on that great and apostolic man; and showing how he struck out, in a dark age, those lights which are destined to shed their radiance on the future of this world's history. But, passing over a splendid essay on "the Language and Literature of Modern Greece," written by a first-rate scholar, and omitting reference to many valuable articles of minor criticism, we must not fail to call the special attention of our readers to the masterly and seasonable disquisition on the "Religious and Political Relations of Russia." If any have doubts on the subject of the present menacing position of Russia, let them read and ponder this powerful protest.

SUNDAY READING FOR CHRISTIAN FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. Containing short Commentaries ; — Scripture Histories, Geography, Manners, and Customs, Natural History, Travels, &c.— Narratives of the Lives and Characters of Remarkable Scriptural Personages, &c., &c. Edited by JOHN KITTO, D.D., F.S.A. London: Needham.

THIS Volume contains a great variety of very valuable information. To children and persons who have not time to bestow on large and continuous treatises, it will be found peculiarly adapted. All, indeed, however extensive their knowledge, will, perhaps, be able to gather something new and profitable from this volume. Dr. Kitto's reading is so varied, that what

THE return of the season brings to our recollection these Discourses, delivered at the commencement of the present year; but which were unintentionally overlooked. They are, however, just as seasonable now as then. The excellent author does not send them forth as a development of intellectual power, or of literary acumen; but, of what is of much higher moment, as a specimen of pastoral solicitude for the best interests of the flock committed to his charge. This is done by a plain, intelligible, and faithful elucidation of their responsibilities and resources, founded on Col. i. 8, 9, and 2 Cor. iii. 5. Did our space admit, we could select passages of touching appeal to the various classes of his hearers, which could scarcely fail to produce the desired effect. The friend who desired that the Discourses should be printed, with the design of placing a copy in the hands of each member of the church,

usefulness, and has gathered so considerable a congregation under circumstances of no small difficulty, arising from the existence of a heavy debt, now much reduced, and, as we are informed, in a fair way of being shortly extinguished. We cordially wish our worthy brother "God speed," and recommend his counsels to general attention.

THE ANSYREEH AND ISHMAELEEH. A Visit to the Secret Sects of Northern Syria, with a view to the Establishment of Schools. By the Rev. SAMuel Lyde, B.A., Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge; late Chaplain (pro tem.) of the Anglican Church at Beyrout. Post 8vo. pp. 314.

Hurst and Blackett.

THE Secret Sects of Northern Syria, called in derision by the Mohammedans, the Ansyreeh, are a somewhat numerous class, amounting probably to about two hundred thousand souls. For ages past they have been sunk in a most miserable condition of ignorance and oppression, partly by the influence of a secret and effete religion, and partly by the adverse political relations which bear upon them. Their religious system appears to be a horrible medley of Christianity and Mohammedanism, associated with some secret rite bordering on the obscene.

Mr. Lyde's narrative will much interest our readers. Delicate health drove him to the lands of the Bible, and compassion for souls led him to think of the poor neglected Ansyreeh, for whom neither the churches in England nor in America have done anything to promote their evangelization. Mr. Lyde proposes to establish Christian schools, in which the Koran shall be excluded and the Bible introduced. His volume will repay a careful perusal, and will show how little, after all our modern travel, the Christian Church is acquainted with vast masses of the Syrian population.

PURITAN PEARLS; selected from the Writings of Stephen Charnock, B.D. By JOHN ADEY, Editor of "Puritan Gems;" Author of "The Night Cometh," &c.

Ward and Co.

THIS very beautiful little volume, containing some of the choice sayings of one of the most eloquent of the Puritan Divines, is obtaining a deservedly wide circulation. It will prove a valuable companion in the hours of private devotion; and will, on all occasions, suggest thoughts to the mind equally pure and elevating. As a pocket volume, it will be found very refreshing, on a journey, in the intervals of business, and in the circles of friendship. Mr. Adey cannot do a better service to the church, than to endeavour to revive the love of Puritan theology.

NEW AND CHEAP ISSUE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LECTURES. V. Holy Scripture Verified; or, the Divine Authority of the Bible Confirmed by an Appeal to Facts of Science, History, and Human Consciousness. By GEORGE REDFORD, D.D., LL.D.-VII. The Connexion and Harmony of the Old and New Testaments: being an Inquiry into the Relation -Literary and Doctrinal in which these two Parts of the Sacred Volume stand to each other. By WILLIAM LINDSAY ALEXANDER, D.D.-IX. The Existence of Evil Spirits Proved; and their Agency, particularly in relation to the Human Race, explained and illustrated. By WALTER SCOTT, President and Theological Tutor of Airedale College, Bradford, Yorkshire.-XII, The Revealed Doctrine of Rewards and Punishments. By RICHARD WINTER HAMILTON, LL.D., D.D. Small 8vo.

Jackson and Walford.

THESE Compact and beautiful volumes, which have all been revised by their several authors, except dear Hamilton's8long since in the grave-only just reached us on the eve of publication-day. But we cannot deny ourselves the satisfaction of announcing the fact, that four more volumes of this standard work are now on sale, at a charge little exceeding that of one volume of the first edition. Dr.

Alexander has considerably improved his able work, re-casting some parts of it, and adding many valuable notes.

We adhere to our original estimate of the Congregational Lectures, that they are among the best contributions to our theological literature the age has produced. We hope there will be spirit sufficient among Protestant Dissenters to cover the risk which the enterprising booksellers have incurred in publishing these four volumes at Twelve Shillings.

THE JOURNAL OF SACRED LITERATUre. New Series. Edited by the Rev. H. BURGESS, PH.D. No. IX. OCTOBER,

1853.

Blackader and Co.

THIS number of "The Journal of Sacred Literature" contains many elaborate and ingenious articles on subjects vitally connected with the Inspiration and Truth of the Sacred Volume. The paper entitled, "The Inspired Character of the Four Gospels," is replete with sound and enlightened criticism, which cannot be too extensively made known in these times. "Clerical Education,” "Syriac Literature," "Egyptian Chronology," "Characteristics of Angels," "The Study of Hebrew," "Fulfilment of Prophecy in the Betrayal of Christ," "The Death of Judas," are all articles worthy of most careful perusal. We cannot but hope that the circulation of this work will be greatly increased. It deserves every encouragement.

ALMANACKS.

WE cordially commend the following Almanacks to our numerous readers :1. The Protestant Dissenter's Illustrated Almanack for the Year 1854; being the second after Bissextile, or Leap Year. With Twelve Portraits of the Fathers of British Protestantism and Nonconformity. Price 6d. John Cassell.

2. The Christian Almanack for the Year 1854. 12mo. Price 6d. Religious Tract Society.

3. The Tract Society's Penny Almanack for 1854.

4. The Pocket-Book Almanack for 1854. 2d. Religious Tract Society

Her piety was deeply experimental, and eminently consistent. She was a close and devotional student of the word of God, and an extensive reader of the best divinity-hence she was an intelligent Christian. She spent much time in secret communion with God, and was constant in her attendance at the house of God, which she loved to frequent-hence her

deep spirituality of mind. She was watchful and prayerful in her whole deportment—and hence through the grace of God she maintained an unblemished profession for forty-four years. It may indeed be said of her, that she was a living epistle of Christ, known and read of all around.

Throughout life she was favoured with good health, and was seldom laid aside by illness, though she was called to pass through some severe and bitter trials, which pressed much upon her spirits. On the evening of the day in which she was seized with her fatal illness, she appeared to be unusually well and cheerful, but shortly after retiring to rest she had a stroke of apoplexy. For a short time hopes were entertained that she would rally, though her own conviction from the first was that she would not recover. Her last illness was of a character to prevent much conversation with her, but the little that she was capable of holding, evinced for the most part the happy state of her mind. Her best earthly friend on one occasion had remarked to her, "Christ is precious to them that believe; I hope you find him near and precious unto you;" she replied, "I do." On his asking, "Do you think you will recover,"

you have a glorious prospect before you, an inheritance that is incorruptible, &c. You have no abiding doubts but that you are going there?" she replied, "No, yet I want more clear evidence." He said, "We have spent many happy seasons together, partly in the house of God, and partly as we have conversed together on Divine things by our own fire-side, but we shall soon join in the song, 'Unto him that loved us and gave himself for us;'" being much exhausted she made no reply. On the Sabbath evening preceding her death, in one of her lucid moments she said to him, "I do not fear but I shall go to heaven." He asked, "Why do you not fear?” she replied, “Because I have always hated sin; gather not my soul with sinners.'' This was her last expression. During the night she appeared to sleep, but towards morning her breathing became oppressed, and shortly after, without a struggle or a groan, in the arms of her beloved husband, her emancipated spirit took its flight from earth to heaven, where she is now chanting the praises of Immanuel, and casting her crown at his feet. This solemn event took place August 29, 1853, in the 74th year of her age. Her funeral sermon was preached to a crowded auditory by the Rev. J. Hammond, of Handsworth, from Prov. iv. 18, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." It is the prayer of survivors that the solemn service may be blessed to the saving conversion of those who listened, that they may meet her in that world of joy where "there shall be no more death."

THE ordination of the Rev. Henry Hooper, late of the Lancashire Independent College, Manchester, took place on

John Davies read the Scriptures and offered prayer; the Rev. J. C. Gallaway, M.A., delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Robert Philip asked the questions; the Rev. Wm. Miall offered the ordination