The Heavenly World. Views of the Future Life by eminent writers. Compiled by G. HOLDEN РІКЕ. Hodder and Stoughton.

A BEAUTIFUL book outwardly, and within replete with choice words upon that subject which has the most of charms for the weary children of the morning. Mr. Pike has made a rich collection, which will gladden thousands of hearts.

Manual of Devotion. Translated from

the Writings of Saint Augustine. Edinburgh: J. Maclaran and Son. A VERY handy edition of Augustine's little work full of sweet piety and beautiful expression; it must be helpful to every devout reader. It is a pity to have made the binding and get-up so "Anglican-ish."

Ecce Veritas; or Modern Scepticism and Revealed Religion weighed. By Rev. J. HILES HITCHENS, D.D. Haughton and Co.

A SERIES of discourses in defence of the Scriptures, given to the preacher's ordinary congregation, and now reproduced in book form. While essentially popular in style, these discourses display extensive reading, and considerable argumentative power. May they tend to strengthen faith in the word of God. We hardly knew our friend, Mr. Hitchens, when we saw D.D. dangling at the end of his name.

Holiness as Understood by the Writers of the Bible. A Bible Study. By JOSEPH AGAR BEET. Hodder and Stoughton.

MR. BEET has patiently and devoutly gathered together the expressions in the Bible relating to holiness, and deduced therefrom a somewhat novel conclusion as to its nature and consequent claims upon the Christian. The work is exceedingly valuable and interesting to students and preachers as a condensed piece of criticism, and must quicken thought in every reader, while those who hold completely different views of the subjects of Christian perfection will find but little to complain of in this skilfully worded little book. It is among the books nearest to our mind upon this much canvassed subject.

Sermons by Eugene Bersier, of Paris. Translated from the French. R. D. Dickinson.

THIS volume of sermons will repay reading by the student or preacher. Though not in very popular form, we should suppose that they must have been very powerful as delivered. Clear and beautiful, relentless in their logic, and staunch in their orthodoxy, they are an unusually good specimen of the French pulpit. May the land that gave us Voltaire long continue to furnish such antidotes as Pressensé and Bersier.

Beautiful upon the Mountains. Evening

Readings for a Month. By MARGARET STEWART SIMPSON. Nisbet and Co.

A SHORT time ago we had the pleasure of commending a little shilling book by Mrs. Simpson entitled "Steps through the Stream," and we are now glad to repeat almost without abatement the same words of praise in reference to a similar book, entitled, "Beautiful upon the Mountains," in which we have a meditation for every evening of a month of thirty-one days. Here are many new illustrations and sparkling thoughts, while texts of Scripture are arranged in a manner calculated to assist the thoughtful and inspire the devout.

Sunlight and Shadow; or Gleanings

from My Life-work. By JOHN B. GOUGH. Hodder and Stoughton. WHAT a treat it would be to hear John Gough tell all these tales in his own inimitable manner! We confess that we cannot enjoy the reading of his book because we keep on wishing for the man, the beloved man, to rise up and say and act the stories before our eyes. It was an event to us to make the acquaintance of John Gough; we have been consciously richer ever since. is a grand man, and we were going to say so is his wife. Well, she is a true helpmeet, and as lovable as her husband. But about this book-it is sure to be popular, and all its teaching is sound and good, not only as to temperance but religion, and all that is pure, and honest, and elevating. The stories sugar the pill, and the pill is good medicine. May the author's shadow never grow less.

He

JUST the book for the conductors of mothers' meetings and similar gatherings, where a half-hour's interesting reading may prevent a large amount of gossip and scandal, and perhaps convey useful lessons which would not be so well learnt in any other way.

The Non-Alcoholic Home Treatment of Disease. By Dr. J. JAMES RIDGE. National Temperance Publication Depot, 337, Strand.

THE introduction to this little book is exceedingly valuable, for in it Dr. Ridge discusses the question whether those who join the ranks of abstainers are more or less likely to be attacked by illness than they would have been if they had continued to be even "moderate drinkers." He says when a man signs the pledge "all goes on swimmingly until the pons asinorum, the first illness, is reached. It matters not how great or small this illness is, whether it makes its appearance five days, five weeks, five months, or five years after the alcohol has ceased to be taken, Job's comforters will shake their heads over the teetotal folly, and prophesy speedy dissolution if this infatuated course of conduct is not forthwith abandoned." Ridge's conclusion is "that alcohol is an agent which, so far from being a means of preserving health, actually tends to produce disease, or causes an increased liability to it." This work has been compiled in order that abstainers may not be tempted to take as a medicine that which in many cases has been continued as a beverage long after the disease for which it was prescribed has passed away.

Dr.

Evans' Temperance Annual. 1881. National Temperance Publication Depôt, 337, Strand.

A CAPITAL threepennyworth of temperance poetry, puns, stories, and statistics. Teetotal orators will find many feathers for their arrows here, especially in "Old Ebony's brown study in black and white, which the author hopes will be read." Here is one of his quaint sayings-"If de drinking habits of dis country are to be put down, de pen can

sign de pledge and de work am done at once."

The Methodist Temperance Annual. Vol. XIII. Elliot Stock.

A THOROUGHLY lively little monthly, which must help to set Methodists right with regard to the temperance question. We should like to see improvement in the paper and illustrations, which are hardly worthy of the good cause. The National Temperance League's Annual for 1881. Edited by ROBERT RAE. 337, Strand.

WHAT can the most ardent teetotaller want in addition to what is here given upon the historical, literary, national, medical, religious, educational, family, legislative, judicial, sanitary, pecuniary, and other aspects of the temperance question? Many who are not total abstainers would do well to get this little book and read it; some of them might be surprised to find how much can be said against their practice.

The Tempter Behind. By JOHN SAUNNational Temperance Publi

DERS.

cation Depôt, 337, Strand. A HIGH-CLASS temperance tale, describing the struggles of a young man who had inherited from his parents the craving for intoxicants, but who, largely through the judicious treatment of an eccentric but sensible doctor, was enabled ultimately to put "the tempter behind him, and to rise to a position of great usefulness and happiness.

Picnics and Parties; or, Aunt Sally's Experiences. By KATE NEELY HILL. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society.

THIS would have been an interesting and useful story if it had not been spoiled by the horrible slang which appears on almost every page. If American schoolgirls who have scarcely entered their teens really talk in the style used in this book we hope it will be a very long while before John Bull's merry maidens imitate the manners and customs of Brother Jonathan's children. Of whom did our little cousins across the water learn the foolish and coarse expressions to which we object? Certainly not from the men of the Mayflower.

Meyer's Commentary on the New Testament, Ephesians, and Philemon, by Dr. MEYER. Thessalonians, by Dr. LUENEMANN. T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh.

MEYER'S commentaries are for scholars, and by universal consent they hold the highest place for accuracy of criticism and exegesis. When we find such men as Ellicott expressing deep obligations to Meyer, we may be sure that his scholarship is of the highest class. The Messrs. Clark have now published sixteen volumes of the series, and those of our ministerial readers who delight to study the original, and go at once to the fountain-head by the aid of the ablest criticism, will find in the "Meyer series " a grand addition to their libraries.

Scripture Text Cards, etc.-Tiny Texts for Children; Texts for Little Pilgrims; Floral Birthday Cards; Birthday Wreaths. 6d. per Packet. The Christian's Armour. 1s. 6d. Sunny Links in Shadowed Chains. 2s. The Ministry of Flowers. 2s. 6d. Hidden Manna. 5s. B. Ollendorff, 53, Jewin Street.

TASTES differ, but in their own special way these cards of varying sizes and differing degrees of elaboration have a great charm about them. Many of them are real works of art, and all of them are choice. The Tiny texts make delightful Sunday School Reward Tickets, while the Hidden Manna Series are large embossed cards fit for framing. Mr. Ollendorff deserves large patronage.

The

The Truth of Scripture in connection with Revelation, Inspiration, and the Canon. By JOHN JAMES GIVEN, PH.D. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. A NOBLE Volume. An armoury of weapons of defence against sceptical objections-weapons which intelligent men may handle to purpose. learned author not only furnishes arrows for the bow, but directs the reader to sources whence more may be gathered; and he does this in a brave, confident spirit, assuring all tremblers that modern assaults upon Scripture are not a whit more formidable than those of former times, nor likely to prove in the least more successful. The work will

be most useful to ministers and to educated believers. It is a masterly piece of apologetics, and we have had the utmost pleasure in its perusal. We anticipate increased satisfaction as we still further study the work, for it is plainly worthy of no ordinary reading. Apparent discrepancies are removed, and difficulties overcome; and thus faith is made to laugh at ber assailants, and grow rich on their spoils.

Pleasant

The Children's Sunbeam.
Stories for the Young Folks. F. E.
LONGLEY, 39, Warwick-lane.

MANY of these short stories and anecdotes are likely to interest and profit the youngsters. We saluted certain of them as old stagers whom we had met with before in a serial which contained the same hideous woodcuts which disfigure the little book before us.

The River of Life; or, Salvation full and free. By the Rev. GEORGE EVERARD, M.A. Nisbet and Co. A VERY little book, full of gospel truth, simply and sweetly set forth. Its earnest and pointed appeals render it especially seeking for salvation, and to the unsuitable for presentation to such as are

converted.

Festival Hymns: a series of suitable original and selected Hymns and Tunes for School Anniversaries, and other festival occasions. By ALFRED H. MILES. Sunday School Union. THE object of the compiler is to comprise on a single quarto leaflet the words and music of a sufficient number of pieces for an anniversary service. One page contains an original or selected piece for the anthem, and on the other page half-a-dozen hymns, with a melody. The idea is a good one, and as the leaflets are published at the cheap rate of 2s. per 100, it is sure to commend itself to superintendents and others responsible for the arrangement of anniversaries.

Almanack for 1881. By JOSEPH WHIT

AKER, F.S.A. 12, Warwick Lane. Our of sight the best almanack published for general use. We do not know how it could be improved. It is a mine of information: a wonderful shilling'sworth.

Reedyford; or Creed and Character.

By SILAS K. HOCKING, F.R.H.S.
Ward, Lock, and Co.

To describe this work as a very cleverly written, but highly sensational, novel would be the truth; but the author might complain that it was not all the truth, and that he had a worthy object in view in writing, namely, that of holding up to scorn those professors of religion with whom a rigid orthodoxy is everything, and character nothing;

and, further, that he would demonstrate that a man may revolt against the doctrinal teachings of evangelical Christianity and yet afford to the world and to the church an example of all that is lovely and of good report. While we would accord to the author full credit for his good intentions, we are forced to the conclusion that the book would delight a scoffer or an infidel, and foster a vicious taste for three-volume novels in youthful readers.

THIS month our notes are few, for more wearisome days have been appointed us, but yet the Lord has been very gracious, and we have good hope of permanent recovery when frosts and damps become fewer. Our evercareful church officers have urged us to go away for a month's rest; but, with overflowing gratitude for their kindness and the greatest deference for their judgment, we mean to try and be at our post as much and as often as strength permits; for where can we go in this land of damp, and what rest is there for us while such a charge is upon us? We should only lose home comforts, and like a snail carry our load on our back wherever we might crawl. Work gets sadly behind, and while it is undone where could we rest? Even if the Garden of Eden could be found on earth the Serpent would be at us till our arrears are pulled up, and till we see the Lord's work going on again with its usual vigour.

On Tuesday Evening, Feb. 8, the Annual Church Meeting was held at the Tabernacle. It was a very joyous occasion, though the senior Pastor was disabled in both arms. The warm love of his attached people cheered his heart, and though another season of suffering awaited him, it was a sunny oasis in the desert of pain. The statistics presented at the meeting were as follows: -Increase, by baptism, 314; by letter, 101; by profession, 38; total, 453. Decrease, by dismission, 147; by dismission to form new church at Tooting, 5; by joining other churches with letters, 50; emigrated, 12; died, 74; excluded for non-attendance, 106; removed for other causes, 5; total, 399– leaving a net increase of 54, and making the number of members on the books 5,284. An error was made in the total announced last year; this has been corrected in the present returns. A happy meeting was held, and the reports showed that the hardness of the times and the illness of the pastor had not materially damaged the finances. As to spiritual progress, it was hoped that, in earnestness, unity, and prayerfulness, the Church was never in a healthier state.

COLLEGE.-Mr. J. C. Brett, late of Wellington, expects shortly to sail for Australia, where he will be glad to hear of a Church needing a pastor. Mr. W. H. Burton, pastor of the church at Dalston Junction, also hopes soon to go to the Antipodes, his church having given him a year's leave of absence in the hope that during that time his health will be sufficiently restored for him to return to his work in England.

Mr. H. Rylands Brown also sails early this month for Darjeeling in company with Mr. J. Gelson Gregson, who is once more returning to India. May this brother be the precursor of many others; but as yet we have no funds forthcoming. To evangelize among the English-speaking population of India seems to us to be a good life-work for any man. If we could send out a few men soon, we should be glad.

Mr. J. Stubbs, whose health gave way in Allahabad, has reached England in safety. He will be glad to get to work again as soon as possible. Mr. D. Lyall has also returned from the Cameroons, invalided. These are sad blows; but men are not made of iron, and the climate is trying.

We learn from Australia that Mr. F. G. Buckingham has settled at Emerald Hill, Melbourne; and that Mr. E. G. Ince has removed from Echuca to Stawell.

Mr. Jas. Smith has removed from York Road, Leeds, to Tunbridge Wells. May he there build up the Church of God!

Another of our brethren, Pastor T. Colville, of Diss, has fallen asleep in Jesus.

The Annual Conference will (D.V.) be held in the week commencing Monday, May 2nd. Dear readers, pray that we may enjoy the Divine presence, and that every minister may return to his people filled anew with the Spirit.

EVANGELISTS. During the past month Messrs. Smith and Fullerton have been holding a series of services at Annan, in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association of that town. A local paper states that the services have been well attended.

From Sheepshed we learn that Mr. Burnham's services have again been highly appreciated. Crowded meetings were held alternately in the two chapels, and on the last evening about 900 persons, or nearly one-fourth of the whole population, were present. The spiritual results of the meetings are very encouraging, many having been led to decision, and great numbers to ask what they must do to be saved. On the 13th ult., Mr. Burnham commenced his engagement in Yorkshire, to which we referred last month.

Mr. Welton, of Driffield, asks us to correct the statement that was made in our last number with respect to the new chapel at Cranswick. He says that half the cost of the building had been raised before Mr. Burnham's previous visit, and that the new chapel is the result of four years' hard work. The Evangelist's services helped to secure the desired end, and we meant to say no more than that.

ORPHANAGE.-Another dear lad has "gone home" from the Orphanage during the past month. Mr. Charlesworth has written an account of his life and experience while in the institution, which will probably appear in the next number of the magazine.

A Collectors' Meeting will be held on March 23rd at the Orphanage, when specially interesting matters will be attended to, and the President hopes to be in the chair. Will all Collectors make a note of this?

The following note came one morning when the President was very ill, and its contents greatly comforted him :-"Dear Sir, I have been wishing for some time to send you a donation for the Stockwell Orphanage, and I now ask you to accept the enclosed cheque for £500. Will you kindly enter it In Memoriam' without name? I have much pleasure in sending this gift as I believe the dear children are trained in the best possible way for their present and future welfare."

There is no truth in the statement that an anonymous donation of £1,000 has been sent, but we have received during the month the amount (£1,000) promised by W. R. Rickett, Esq., for "The Limes," and since the lists were made up the lady and gentleman mentioned in the last magazine have sent us a cheque for £1,000 for the new hall which will be needed for the girls. This is a noble beginning.

COLPORTAGE.-During the past month one of our most devoted and successful Colporteurs has been called from the labours of the field to his eternal rest. A local paper notices his work as follows:

"DEATH OF MR. W. MATTHEWS, THE COLPORTEUR.-During the week there has passed away from our midst a worker in a humble, but most important department of Christian labour. We allude to Mr. W. Matthews, the local colporteur from Mr. Spurgeon's Colportage Association, whose death occurred, at the Cottage Hospital,

He

early on Sunday morning. The deceased will be remembered by many persons in the scattered villages and hamlets around Evesham as one who, at times of sickness or sorrow, would be ever ready with a word of religious counsel and Christian sympathy and to many he has been the means of leading them to decide to pursue a new, moral, and spiritual life; while at the side of many a death-bed he has been able to offer true comfort to the departing one. His proper work was to sell and give away books and other kinds of literature, selected for him by the society as being of a moral or religious character. In following this employment, Mr. Matthews had to visit 74 villages, lying within a radius of seven miles from Evesham. During the course of the rather more than six years since his appointment he has sold about £1,000 worth of books, besides distributing to purchasers over 1,000 periodicals monthly. To accomplish this work many long and weary journeys had to be undertaken; and the deceased cheerfully continued his work with scarcely an intermission from week to week, weather rarely deterring him. mapped out his district so as to traverse the whole within the month; and when sometimes persuaded to give himself a little rest, he would always excuse himself by stating his earnest wish that not one of his rounds should be omitted, even for a month. Besides the houses of the poor, the colporteur with his pack of books was welcomed at some of the country parsonages, the clergy showing thereby their appreciation of the value of his work. The strength and bodily health of Mr. Matthews visibly declined towards the close of the last year, and at the urgent entreaty of his friends, and of Mr. Thomas White, the local superintendent of the Colportage Association, he temporarily gave up his work the week before Christmas, and another agent-who now remains to continue the work-came to relieve him. Mr. Matthews then went to Matlock, hoping by the change and rest, and with skilful medical treatment, to recover his strength. After remaining at Matlock a short time, he found himself worse, and anticipating the event which has taken place, expressed his desire to return to Evesham, where he arrived on Thursday week. The long journey during such inclement weather, it is feared, proved too much for his strength, and he died on Sunday morning."

The last entry made in the Journal of Mr. Matthews shows his confidence in the good being accomplished by his labours, and his unwavering trust in God amid failing strength. He says:-"The work is doing all classes good, the books sold and tracts given are good seed. It cannot die, for it is God word, and it must and shall prevail. A few here and there express their thanks for my visits; and they miss me very much if I do not go on the expected day. It is with much trouble I have gone