The Sword and the trowel; ed. by C.H. Spurgeon

some strange thing happened unto them. Ministers cannot do as they would any more than others. They need, as much as others, to say, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that." Even Paul speaks of having been much hindered in his work, and yet the hindrance may have been a real assistance. Just at the time that he had planted churches in many cities and nations, and all needed his spirit and counsel to set in order the things that were wanting, and he seemed to be the life and soul of the grandest and most divine movement in his day, he was imprisoned at Cæsarea for upwards of two years. How did he look upon this great mystery? He had this consolation, that the word of God was not bound, that the things which happened unto him had fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, and that many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by his bonds, were much more bold to speak the word without fear. The history of the church from that greatest of apostles down to the present age attests that the Great Head of the Church, as he himself at times retired from observation, has laid aside his choicest instruments in the midst of their usefulness. Let us not wonder, then, nor be discouraged, when the most powerful and successful advocates of the good old gospel amongst us, at a time when they are most needed, are compelled for a season to retire from the field, knowing that the same afflictions have been accomplished in their brethren that were in the world.

Our friends in the country, who have been long anticipating a visit from Mr. Spurgeon, and made preparations for the occasion, will share not a little the disappointment of his flock, and need the same submission. Many, too, who had general promises of the same favour, must be content to hold them in abeyance. To his power, yea, and beyond his power, he has been willing to help others, insomuch, that the greatest prostrations have often resulted from unwillingness to occasion disappointment, when physically incapacitated for public service. It may be hoped that during his gradual return to his full pastoral duties, and for some time afterwards, he will receive more consideration and indulgence from his friends in this respect. We speak this not of commandment, nor by permission, but of our own judgment, as having obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

The excitement of the last Conference of the former and present students of the College had its part, we fear, among the predisposing causes of the President's severe indisposition. The period having arrived when the annual recreation was greatly needed, and nearly due, the many engagements of the Conference came upon a nearly exhausted frame; while the interest excited by the mere sight of so many young and valiant soldiers of the cross, who had imbibed his spirit, and had been trained through his instrumentality-and much more the deep and varied exercises of the mind and heart, produced by the intelligence and devotion displayed in the papers that were read, could not fail to put his strongest sensibilities to the severest test. These, under other circumstances, would have strengthened the mind, which in a nearly exhausted state, they served to overpower. One of the papers, to which allusion has been made, will be found in the present number, and two others will afterwards appear. Many of us may well wonder that we should be continued in active service when abler men are laid aside. Let us so labour that when our powers shall fail we may have the same consolation which they have, of having used them to the utmost, in dependence upon Divine assistance, in the service of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and for the eternal welfare of our fellow

men.

Reviews.

A Collection of Rare Jewels. From the | God, and quite another thing actually to
Mines of WILLIAM GURNALL (1680).
Dug up and deposited in a Casket,
by ARTHUR AUGUSTUS REES (1853).
Passmore & Alabaster, Paternoster
Row.

Or all the Puritans, Gurnall is the best adapted for quoting. He is sententious, and withal pictorial, and both in a high degree. Our beloved friend, Mr. Rees, has made his selections with a discerning eye; they are not mere clippings at random, but extracts chosen with judgment. Our publishers have made quite a handsome book of these "Rare Jewels," and we recommend our readers to order it at once. The price is two shillings.

The Physical Cause of the Death of Christ, and its Relation to the Principles and Practice of Christianity. By WM. STROUD, M.D. Hamilton & Adams.

THIS is now recognised as the standard work upon its own deep and solemn subject. We are happy to see this second edition, and we have, in order to excite in our readers a desire for the whole volume, printed elsewhere the appendix, consisting of a letter from our dear friend, the late Sir James Simpson. The Lost Blessing. By ANNA SHIP

TON. Morgan, Chase, & Scott. WERE it only for the charming sonnets of this book, it would be a precious gain to the church of God; but the various chapters are mines of richest experience. The authoress lives at the feet of Jesus, or rather in his bosom, and she receives intimations of guidance which none but such can know. At the same time there is far too much of the fanciful and impulsive in some of the chapters, rendering caution necessary in the reader. If nine out of ten of Anna Shipton's readers were to follow their impressions, they would go wrong, perhaps very wrong, for they would mistake their own day-dreams for the voice of the Holy Spirit. The book is hardly a safe one for babes in grace on this account, but to those who really dwell in the nner circle it will be very dear. It is ne thing to fancy that you live near to

do so. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him," but strangers must beware of intermeddling. We spoke of our authoress's sweet poetry; will not our readers agree with us as they read the following ?

"Lord, I would be nigh thee,
Looking in thy face,
Listening for thy whisper,
Feeling thine embrace.
From all other refuge

To thine arms I flee;
Spirit, soul, and body,

Consecrate to thee.

Lord, I would be like thee,
I would walk in white,
Choose the thing thou lovest,
Serving in thy sight.
Blood is on the altar,

Incense mounts for me;
Spirit, soul, and body,
Consecrate to thee.
'Wouldst thou follow me, child?
Mark the way I came;
Thon must meet the mocking,
Wilt thou share the shame?
Canst thou bear rejection.

When thou long st to bless;
For thy true affection

Only loved the less?'
Lord, it little moves me

Where my steps must tread,
With the sweet assurance,

Christ this way hath led.' If through tribulation

This alone can be,
Spirit, soul, and body,
Consecrate to thee.

Wouldst thou walk beside me?
Thou my voice must learn;
Thou must trust my silence,
And my will discern;
Lose thy life in living,

Nor bewail it lost.
For thy soul's desire

Dost thou count the cost?" Jesus! Lord! Jehovah! I would onward press; Every woe will whisper

Of thy faithfulness. From each snare beguiling Thou wilt set me free; Spirit, soul, and body, Consecrate to thee. Take thy cross daily, Seek the path I trod, Nearer than a brother To the living God. For a little season Fierce thy foes may be, Go in this thy powerFellowship with me.'"

Scriptural Baptism: its Mode and Sub- | jects; as Opposed to the Views of the Anabaptists. By Rev. T. WITHEROW. Hamilton & Adams.

IF Mr. Witherow means by Anabaptists the Baptists, his insolence is beneath our contempt, and his book shall remain unopened by us. We are not, and never were Anabaptists, but some Pædobaptists are such, beyond all doubt. At an elder's meeting at the Tabernacle, the other day, we asked our elders how many of them had been sprinkled in infancy, and to our surprise, found one who had been rhantised twice, and another who had suffered the ceremony three times. The first had received the ordinance from a Congregational minister, but as his parents wished to have him admitted into a public school which only acknowledged Episcopal rites, a clergy man did the dear babe again. Our brother does not appear to have been much the better for the double dose. The other friend was a sickly infant, and so was half-christened at home, whatever that may be. He was in due time taken to the parish church, where the parson attempted to complete the business, but being half-seas-over, the reverend gentleman hiccoughed out one name, and wrote another in the register -we half think one of the names was a female one; and to prevent future trouble, and make sure of the ecclesiastical benediction, the child was carried to another successor of the apostles, who managed the matter in a satisfactory style. Next time you write the word Anabaptists, be sure, Mr.Witherow, that you apply it to the right persons: and when you want to argue with Christian people, do not begin by calling them by a name which is as unjust as it is opprobrious.

The Pilgrim's Progress. By JOHN BUNYAN. The Book Society, 28,

Paternoster Row.

The Story of a Working-man's Life. By FRANCIS MASON, D.D. Trübner & Co., 60, Paternoster Row. A BOOK the literary merits of which are below par. It is, however, interesting as giving the views of one who has travelled much and done good work for the Master in the mission field. The quiet talk of a veteran in the evening sunshine will ever have an interest to the circle of friends who are attached either to the champion himself, or to the good cause in which he has spent his life. suitable book to lend to a senior youths' class. B.

MUCH better than former issues, but still inaccurate. This fault lies mainly with the pastors who will not correct their church-rolls, and even in many cases send no replies to enquiries. There is surely "something rotten in the state of Denmark," when a truthful census cannot be obtained. The drawings of new chapels are interesting, but we do not see why Congregational chapels are among them. Why not Primitive Methodist chapels, or Presbyterian buildings? Let the Hand-Book attend to its own business: it has enough

to do to do that well.

Father Hyacinthe: Orations, with a

Sketch of his Life, and Portrait on steel. Morgan, Chase, & Scott. FOR a shilling the reader here obtains a fair view of Hyacinthe in person, work, language, and thought. He is undoubtedly a representative man, but we have small hope of his achieving much till he breaks the last link between himself and Rome. "Come out of her my people" is the command. We do not, as the editor does, "see the hand of God" in keeping this man in that apostate church; we think a very different hand is mainly concerned in that business.

Annie; or, Heavenly Wisdom. Edited by ELIZA RICHARDSON. Morgan, Chase, & Scott.

A NEW, cheap, and good edition of the incomparable dreamer's great work. We cannot have too many editions of this book. Most heartily do we wish it "God speed." To commend it would be an impertinence. The printer and THE Life of a holy child. It has been artist have done their best, and for half-made useful in conversions; and, therea-crown our readers will have a beauti-fore, having the seal of divine approval ful volume of choicest reading. upon it, it is beyond our criticism.

Shall we Know One Another? and other | A fourth acknowledged his dislike of

Papers. By Rev. J. C. RYLE, M.A. Cassell, Petter, & Galpin. WE have been taken in. We looked for a book on the pleasing question which forms the title, and we find only a short paper on the subject. We wish this foolish and deceptive way of giving titles would go out of fashion; it is not truthful. We do not in special censure this instance, but mean it to apply to all cases. This is a very tasteful, useful, good little book, and deserves a large sale. We suppose it to be a shilling; and if so, it is a very pretty little bijou for the price.

that

The

preaching, by calling Sabbath the 'hang-
ing day.' Another apologised to his
audience for having once used
offensive and unpolite expression, HELL.'
Several of these pastors were famous
for their skill in agriculture; but while
they kept a well-stocked farmyard, their
scanty supply of sermons grew more
dry and mouldy year by year.
preaching was no more likely to awaken
a slumbering congregation than was the
chirping of the sparrows in the hedge to
arouse the still sad sleepers in the
neighbouring kirkyard. A clear, full
statement of the finished work' of
Jesus as the one only and all-sufficient
substitute and sin-bearer, was seldom
heard. As for the grace of the Holy
Spirit, the people were no more taught
than from the wind howling among the
to expect comfort from his fellowship
forest trees. In a certain parish con-
tiguous to the district in which our
missionary laboured, the minister was
one day catechising the people, and put
to a woman, noted for the then rare
qualities of earnestness and zeal, the
question, How many persons are there
in the Godhead ?' To the astonishment
of all present, she replied, 'There are
Two persons in the Godhead-the Father
and the Son.' Again the minister put
the question, and this time with a
caution. The same answer was given.

Frank Spence's Rule of Life; and How it led to his Prosperity. (Founded on fact.) By J.W.KIRTON. Partridge & Co. FATHERS, give this attractive book to your big boys. Young men, you will do well to read, and, better still, to practise its lessons. The binding and engravings deserve a special word of praise. Life and Labours of Duncan Matheson, the Scottish Evangelist. By Rev. J. MACPHERSON. Morgan, Chase, & Co. THE life of a real man consecrated in life and full of zeal for the Lord. This biography will not only interest, but benefit a wide circle of readers. We had the happiness of frequent correspondence with Duncan Matheson. We valued him as a successful soul-winner, and especially for his soundness of doc-You see,' said the parson, turning trine and innocence of cant. We are right glad to see so worthy a memorial of so worthy a man. We shall give an outline of this useful life-story in our magazine. The following sketch of the Moderates of Scotland is worth quoting, as showing what England will soon come to if the old-fashioned gospel be neglected among us:-"Strange doctrines were given forth from the pulpit of many a parish church. One taught the people that if they paid their debts and lived a quiet life they were sure of reaching heaven. His brother in the neighbouring parish declared, on the other hand, that nobody can attain to assurance of salvation until the day of judgment, and that the children of God generally die under a cloud—a doctrine he clenched with the Scripture, Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.' A third publicly stigmatised praying people as hypocrites.

pompously to his elders, and glancing round upon the people, you see what comes of highflown zeal and hypocritical pretence. This woman thinks to teach others, and herself is more ignorant than a child. What gross ignorance! Woman, don't you know that the correct answer is, There are THREE persons in the Godhead-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, &c.? 'Sir,' replied the woman, ‘I ken verra weel that the catechism says sae, but whether am I to believe, the catechism or yerself? We heard you name the Father, an' sometimes, but nae often, ye mak mention o' the Son, but wha ever heard you speak aboot the Holy Ghost. 'Deed, sir, ye never sae muckle as tould us whether there be ony Holy Ghost, lat alone oor need o' his grace.' The minister stood rebuked, and the people went away home to discuss and think."

Memoranda,

NEW WIMBLEDON.-Palmerston Hall, which for some months past has been occupied by cur Independent brethren as a preaching station, has just been taken by our friend, Mr. J. L. Keys, with the view to raising a Baptist church in this rising neighbourhood. We commend the effort to the sympathy and co-operation of our friends in the locality.

Mr. Wm. Acomb, of our College, has accepted the call of the second Baptist church, Chippenham, to become their pastor.

Mr. J. M'Alster has accepted the pastorate of the church at Cranfield, Beds.

Mr. Wm. McKinny, late student at our College, has become the pastor of the Baptist Church, Port Jarvis, near New York, U. S. Mr. James Smith, of Redhill, has accepted the invitation of the church at Haddenham, Cambridgshire, to become their pastor.

Recognition Services have been held at the Baptist Chapel, Bushy, to welcome Mr. T. R. H. Sturges, of the Pastors' College, as its minister. Mr. D. Gracey presided, and addresses were delivered by Mr. G. Rogers and other ministers.

Mr. Fletcher has accepted the invitation to become pastor of the Baptist Church at Potter Street, Harlow, Essex.

On Wednesday, March 15, a meeting was held at the Baptist Tabernacle, Enfield, in connection with the recognition of Mr. G. W. White (student of the College) as

Elgin

pastor of the church.
by Mr. S. J. Smith,
minister of Enfield

The chair was taken B.A., Congregational Appropriate selections of Scripture having been read by Pastor J. Cobb, of Stradbroke, the Deacon stated the circumstances which led to the choice of Mr. White. Mr. White then gave an outline of his Christian experience and theological views. He was then commended to God in prayer by the chairman. Mr. G. Rogers delivered the charge to the Pastor; and Pastors A. G. Brown and J. T. Wigner also took part in the service. The proceedings of the evening were rendered especially interesting by the presentation of a purse, containing £10, to Mr. White, as an expression of the attachment of the people. The following ministers also took part in the service, viz.: Messrs. J. Such (Wesleyan), D. Russell, W. J. Mayers, and D. D. Bird.

On Sunday, 14th May last, the church worshipping in Ebenezer Chapel, Leeds, held its first anniversary, when Mr. T. W. Adey, of Burley Road Chapel, preached in the morning, and Mr. J. Jack in the evening, to good congregations. The church, which was formed in Ann Carr's Chapelnow in the possession of the Roman Catholics -in May, 1870, of forty baptised belivers, now numbers fifty-seven. There are six candidates for baptism and three other to be added from other churches.

Baptisms at Metropolitan Tabernacle, by J. A. Spurgeon, April 27th-twenty-four.

Pastors' College, Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Statement of Receipts from April 19th, 1871, to May 19th, 1871.