To persons who are perplexed by the doctrine of election, we direct special attention to the chapter which has for its motto "Divine Predestination." It contains a scriptural and lucid representation of the truth that God has chosen his people in Christ to everlasting life; and shows that while this truth is most precious to the believer, it relieves the sinner from none of his responsibility, and need be no stumbling stone in the way of the penitent's approach to the cross. We are not surprised to hear that while the excellent author has received from persons of all ranks, numerous letters expressive of the profit derived from a perusal of the whole work, especial reference has been made to this and the following chapter

on

"Effectual Calling." These the Spirit seems to have pre-eminently blessed.

Here and there throughout the work there are opinions expressed from which we feel called to dissent. The writer's views of our Lord's second advent, and other sentiments akin to these, are not in agreement with our own; but such views are very sparingly introduced. The volume has our hearty commendation. To thousands of God's people it cannot fail to prove a rich blessing.

We must not forget to say that it is the substance of a course of sermons preached to the author's own church at

Leamington. Expository preaching, we regret, has to a great extent fallen into disuse; partly from a false taste which our people have acquired, and partly we are convinced from the inefficient way in which some have executed the task. Every preacher who has paid any proper attention to this department of ministerial labour knows that it is vastly more difficult to expound clearly and judiciously an epistle or a chapter than it is to compose a topical discourse on some scripture motto. In the former case you have to bring out the meaning of the Divine Word. In the latter case you take a text and bring from all quarters everything to it that serves your purpose. There are two things which every expositor must avoid;— minute criticism and loose comment. There should be just criticism enough to give a correct view of the passage, and a style sufficiently easy to keep up the hearer's attention. For the good of our churches and our ministers too, we hope soon to find a larger amount of this scripture exposition. We are glad there are men who still adhere to the custom of our ancestors, and very much in their way. May Dr. Winslow long be spared, first to preach, and then to publish many more such expositions as that we have now introduced to our readers!

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look at the transactions to which they have to advert of course from the Jewish point of view, but they have treated of them candidly and with much good sense. The authorities to which they appeal are principally those to which Christian writers would resort for similar purpose. The indignation which they express at the oppressions and persecutions to which their race have been subjected from nominal Christians is no more than we feel, and they honourably distinguish between the spirit of the pretended Christian and the spirit of Jesus by whose name he is unworthily called. "Against Christianity itself as it now stands in the book called the New Testament,"" says one of them, "I have no animosity." He gives moreover a truly Pauline representation of the dislike engendered between the professors of the two creeds, when he accounts for it thus:-" On the part of the Jews, 1. Because Christianity denied them that proud and distinguished honour of being for ever the only chosen and peculiar people of God." "As concerning the gospel," said our apostle, writing to Gentile converts, "they are enemies for your sakes." We shall be glad that this book should have an extensive circulation; it is adapted to promote mutual good-will between the descendants of Abraham according to the flesh, and those who are according to our persuasion, "the children of God through faith in the Messiah, Jesus," to whom also it is said, " And if ye be Messiah's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Review of Dr. Wardlaw's Lectures on the Abrahamic Covenant and Infant Baptism, &c., &c. By ARCHIBALD M LEAN, One of the Pastors of the Baptist Church, Edinburgh, With an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. Alexander Anderson, Aberdeen. Elgin: Peter M Donald. London: Longman and Co. 1852. 12mo, pp. xlix. 408.

Students of scriptural theology are greatly indebted to Mr. M'Donald of Elgin for rendering accessible at so low a price the valuable works of Archibald M'Lean. This is the seventh volume of a series of which we have had many previous occasions to speak approvingly. Though there are statements in Mr. M'Lean's writings to which we should demur, we should find it difficult to point out a man who has written as largely in defence of evangelical truth, without mingling with his instructions an equal proportion of error. It was from the apostolic writings that he had drawn his system; in scriptural phraseology he explained it, and by scriptural arguments he was able to support its fundamental principles. We earnestly commend to all young ministers the careful perusal of these volumes. That now before us relates chiefly to the Abrahamic covenant and its supposed connexion with Christian baptism, and it is introduced by an able essay on the subject by Mr. Anderson, which will add to its usefulness. The possessors of the octavo edition will find here the chief portion of their third volume and part of the second. The present series comprehends now all the pieces published in 1823 by Mr. Jones, with the exception of four, which are not of much intrinsic value.

The Martyrs, Heroes, and Bards of the Scottish Covenant. By GEORGE GILFILLAN, MA. London: Albert Cockshaw, 41, Ludgate Hill. 1852. 12mo. pp. 256.

"The purpose of this volume is to present a succinct and impartial account of the history of the Scottish Covenant, an unbiassed estimate of the character of its principal actors, and some general deductions applicable to the great questions of the present day." The writer has accomplished his purpose and produced a book which does justice to his theme, reflects credit to himself, and cannot fail to do good service to the cause of religious freedom. He has introduced to this age a race of men, and women too, who with all their errors and extravagancies were some of the noblest specimens of humanity-who followed the Lamb through evil report as well as good-and who now walk with him in white, having been counted worthy. Such a book as this before us has long been required. Woodrow's pages, "Naphtali," and The Cloud of Witnesses possess few attractions for the Howie's "Scottish majority of readers. Worthies" is delightful reading, but it blends too much fiction with its facts. Pollock's tales are meagre. The poetry of Scotland has never risen to the height of this great argument. Here, however, we have at last (thanks to the AntiState Church Association and Mr. Gilfillan) a history written in a style which must secure a general perusal, with a candour which all must admire, and a truthfulness on which all may rely. We trust the book will circulate by thousands among the youth of our country; and hope its success may induce the author to attempt a similar undertaking on a larger scale. The religious history of Scotland is a noble subject. We think Mr. Gilfillan could paint it with a master-hand; and from a hint given in the present volume expect on some future day to see the picture.

The Foreign Evangelical Review, November, 1852. No. III. Contents: I. Life and Writings of John Foster. II. Ecolampadius-The Reformation at Basle. III. The Theology of the Intellect and that of the Feelings. IV. The Origin and Progress of Mormonism. V. Trench on the Study of Words. VI. Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord; A Gospel Harmony. VII J. Gould's Edition of Owen, VIII. Strauss's Life of Jesus. IX. Sources of the American Popu lation. Title and Contents for Vol. Ì., with names of Writers, &c. Price 2s. 6d. London and Edinburgh. 8vo. pp. xii. 214.

This busy month it is impossible for us to indulge our appetite among these tempting luxuries, but we can see at a glance that if we could afford time to do so we should be highly gratified. It is evident that the provision spread out this quarter is, to say the least, quite equal to that furnished in May and August. An alteration of the plan is however announced; which we must mention, though we are not sure that is an improvement. Succeeding numbers are to contain original matter in addition to the articles derived from American and Continental sources, and the price of each portion is to be raised from half a

crown to three shillings and sixpence. The next number is not to appear till the first of March, so that the future issues will be in March, June, September, and December. We cordially wish this undertaking great success.

Hora Biblica Sabbatica. Sabbath Scripture Readings, by the late THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., LL.D. In Two Volumes. Vol. I. Edinburgh: Constable and Co. 12mo. Pp. xxxiii. 356.

A cheap but respectable reprint of a volume which was characterized and commended to the attention of the readers of the Baptist Magazine in September, 1848. It includes devoat and experimental meditations on every chapter in the New Testament, written by the justly celebrated author in his last days for his own private use.

Four Months in England. By a West Indian, the Rev. JOHN HORSFORD, Wesleyan Missionary, St. Vincent's. London: Partridge and Oakey. 1852. Pp. 232.

Amusing gossip by one, every hair of whose head and every joint of whose toes is thoroughly Wesleyan.

Visit to the Holy Land, Egypt, and Italy, by MADAME IDA PFEIFFER, Author of "A Woman's Journey Round the World," " Visit to Iceland," &c. Translated from the German by H. W. Dulcken. With Eight Tinted Engravings. London: Ingram, Cooke, and Co. 12mo. Pp. xvi. 336.

A pleasing simplicity pervades this lady's narrative, but her remarks do not indicate much familiarity with scripture.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS,

Approved.

[It should be understood that insertion in this list is not a mere announcement: it expresses approbation of the works enumerated,—not of course extending to every particular, but an approbation of their general character and tendency.]

The Scripture Pocket Book for 1853: containing an Almanack; also a Passage of Scripture for every Day, with an arrangement by which the Bible may be read in the course of the Year; and a Variety of Useful Information. London: R. T. S. Price 2s. Roun tuck.

The Christian Almanack for the Year 1853. London: R. T. S. Price 18. Pp. 76.

The Baptist Almanack for 1853: containing, be sides all the useful Almanack Statistics and Information, Baptist Directory, a Guide to all the Baptist Chapels in London, with the Minister's Name and Address; also Chronological Record of Recent Events, and a List of the Metropolitan Independent and Congregational Ministers, and the Chapels where they officiate. London: Price 1d.

Charles Knight's Imperial Cyclopædia Dedicated by Permission to Her Majesty. The Cyclopædia of the British Empire. Part XIII. Partick-Sligo. London. 4to., pp. 221. Price 2s. 6d.

Principles of Elocution; containing Numerous Rules, Observations, and Exercises on Prenata tion, Pauses, Inflections, Accent, and Emphasis ; also Copious Extracts in Prose and Poetry, cele lated to Assist the Teacher, and to improve the EWING, Author of "A System of Geography," &c., &c. Pupil in Reading and Recitation. BY THOMAS Thoroughly Revised and greatly Improved. By F. B. Calvert, A. M., of the New College, Edabad, &c. Thirtieth Edition. Edinburgh; Oliver and Boy, 12mo., pp. 412.

AMERICA.

THE AMERICAN BIBLE UNION.

At the annual meeting, held in the beginning of October, in the first baptist church, New York, the officers and managers were elected. They are the same as last year, except two or three of the Board who had removed. The treasurer's report exhibited the receipt of 16,527·73 dollars; and the expenditure of 16,597-62 dollars; leaving the balance in the treasury about the same as last year. Not quite 8000 dollars of the disbursements were for the machinery of the society, leaving a very little more than half the receipts to be applied to the avowed objects of the Union. This is however somewhat better than last year, when the expenses were nearly three-fourths of the receipts.

The annual address was read by Dr. Cone. The report was read by the Secretary, Mr. W. H. Wyckoff. It states that considerable progress has been made in the revision of the Spanish, French, and English Scriptures. Some portions are ready for stereotyping, but are delayed for further revision.

At the close of this meeting a conciliation meeting, composed of members of the Bible Union and of the American and Foreign Bible Society, took place. As this was a somewhat remarkable meeting for the circumstances of this case, we shall here give a full account of it as furnished by the correspondent of the Tribune.

The preceding paragraphs are taken from the Philadelphia Christian Chronicle. For our readers it will suffice if we give the conclusion to which the meeting came, after much discussion.

Rev. Mr. Armitage observed that the feeling which appeared to pervade the Convention would do more to effect substantial unity than all the resolutions they could put upon paper. It was a step toward a glorious cementing of the two societies. They would go home from the meeting feeling that they are nearer the consummation than they were in the morning, even if they did not strike a single blow. He moved the following resolution :

"Resolved, That in view of the difficulties attending the deliberations of this body, a judicious committee of seven be appointed to take charge of all the documents presented to this meeting to day, to be reported upon by them at a meeting to be held at a year from this time."

At the suggestion of the Moderator, Mr. Armitage amended his resolution so that the meeting might take place" within a year." This having passed,

Rev. Mr. Judd moved that the committee consist of three friends of the American Bible Uniou, and three of the American and Foreign Bible Society, and that the Moderator appoint the seventh.

Rev. Mr. Armitage then, on behalf of the American Bible Union, nominated Dr. Cone, Rev. Mr. Judd, and Dr. Eaton. Deacon Hill declined the appointment on the part of Dr. Cone. The name of Mr. Armitage was substituted instead.

Rev. Mr. Corey, for the American and Foreign Bible Society, nominated Professor Anderson, Revs. Wescott and Taylor of Brooklyn.

It was then agreed that the six committeemen appoint the seventh. The name of Dr. Taylor was withdrawn and that of Mr. Lathrop substituted. A resolution was then adopted empowering each party in the Committee to fill any vacancy that might occur.

The Moderator then briefly returned thanks for the courtesy shown him while discharging the onerous duties of the chair, and after singing and prayer by Rev. Mr. Galusha,

The Convention adjourned sine die.

AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY.

At the meeting of this institution, recently held in connection with the Philadelphia Baptist Association, the Rev. T. S. Malcom read a letter from a gentleman in Missouri, ordering twenty-five copies of the Works of Andrew Fuller, now sold in three volumes for five dollars, to give to poor ministers, and closed his address by calling on the Rev. Dr. Belcher, the editor of Fuller's Works, to address the meeting in reference to it.

Dr. Belcher ascended the platform, and said that he should confine himself to a few facts illustrative of the providence of God in connection with books.

Somewhat more than a century ago, an eminent minister in Massachusetts was persecuted by his people at Northampton and driven from them. He settled at the small town of Stockbridge, where he wrote a book, which has influenced the minds of many thousands of divines, and in not a few instances corrected their theology. He referred to Jonathan Edwards, and his