ments upon it with extreme severity in a protest very remarkable indeed from the most Protestant of Protestant French divines. This protest, however, is singularly confirmed by the testimony of so competent a German authority as M. Geffcken, who has completely exposed the anomaly of the results of the Prussian "Culturkampf," though directed by the first political genius of the age, and the strongest will the world has ever known. In the closing portion of this very exquisite and interesting gallery of representative portraiture, we find the sketches of three eminent representatives of French Evangelical Protestantism-Adolphe Monod, Vinet, and Verney, and of the famous Robertson, of Brighton. The introduction of Robertson into the French gallery is accounted for by the singular fact that there was so very much in common in the religious features of Verney and Robertson, and that each of them illustrates a particular phase of Protestant faith, though marked with some striking differences. The chapter on Robertson, one of the most captivating in the book, denounces in no measured language the bigotry, the narrowness, of the English Evangelical party, "whose ignorance is on a par with their vehemence," and "whose organs in the religious press are violent and bitter." It was their fanatical persecution of Robertson which exasperated him beyond all hounds, and helped to drive him to extreme opinions. The virulence of the Record, as the organ of the narrowest party in the Church of England, is set forth by this Protestant writer in burning words inspired by his indignation at its persecuting spirit and the bitterness of its bigotry. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON. An Exposition for English Readers. By the Rev. A. H. DRYSDALE, M.A. London: R. T. S. This is a very complete little work on the Epistle to Philemon, the Christian groundwork for the amelioration and final abolition of slavery. It consists of a historical introduction, a new translation, a familiar paraphrase, and a body of notes and exposition. The paraphrase appears to us to be the weakest part of the performance, the scriptural form and the Apostolic tone being watered down and modernised in a most uncomfortable fashion. To the rest of the work we are able to give much praise: it is thoroughly well done. The appendix on the literature of the Epistle, though not complete (omitting e.g., Piconius), is a valuable addition. THE EXPOSITOR. Edited by the Rev. SAMUEL Cox. Vol. X. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1879. Pp. 479. Price 7s. 6d. We have already noticed from time to time those numbers of The Expositor' which this volume comprises. The book opens with a contribution from the pen of Canon Farrar on "The Rhetoric of S. Paul," in which, as in some other parts of this volume, we should have liked to have seen a little more reverence for the sacred text, and a little more diffidence in making assertions. Why does S. Paul's omission of reference, save three times, to heathen authors prove that he was defi cient in classic culture? The same writer, in his 'Life and Work of S. Paul,' says the Apostle's "soul was so entirely absorbed in the mighty moral and spiritual truths which it was his great mission to proclaim," that he does not refer to the beauties of nature by which he was surrounded. May not the same reason have prevented him from referring to classical authors, though acquainted with them? There are many articles of great interest, and displaying solid learning, in this volume of 'The Expositor,' which we have already commended to our readers, though we have not always concurred in the writers' views, and have marked some faults in phraseology. The last number of the volume contains an article, important for its evidential value, on "Nebuchadnezzar's Conquest of Egypt," in which the conquest of Egypt, foretold by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and mentioned only by Josephus, is verified by a hieroglyphic inscription on a statue in the Louvre, newly deciphered by a German Egyptologist. THE BOOK OF JOB. Translated from the Hebrew Text. With an Introduction. A Summary of Each Chapter, and Brief Notes, in Explanation of Obscure Passages. By JOHN BISHOP OF FREDERICTON, and Metropolitan of Canada. S. John N.B.: J. and A. McMillan. 1879. This little work has a pious and didactic purpose rather than a critical one. The venerable Bishop has indeed acquainted himself with the literature of his subject; and in his pious and thoughtful introduction he discusses the difficult question of the authorship. His view seems to be that Moses may probably have been the author or translator of the book, The view of many modern critics that Solomon was the author seems to him improbable. On this subject, and on the authorship, the introduction by Dr Tayler Lewis, in Lange's Commentary,' may be profitably consulted. The translation is careful and scholarly. We have compared it here and there, and find no untenable renderings; though there are, of course, many places where a shade of doubt must at best rest upon the meaning. Cf. xix. 25-27, xvii. 13-16. The selection of "Hades as a rendering of It would almost seems to suggest an anachronism. be better to retain the Hebrew (Sheol). The analyses of the chapters are calculated to be very helpful to the student; and the little book, as a whole, we have perused with much pleasure. By the Author of THE LANGDALES OF LANGDale End. 'Valeria.' Marcus Ward. Price 5s, A capital book for young folks of about eleven or twelve years old. Nobody is perfect, neither father, mother, governess, nor clergyman; but reverence and discipline are preserved throughout; everything is kept in its right place, and we feel as if we had been visiting a very estimable and delightful family, and had shared their little puzzles and difficulties, and the small distresses they sometimes bring upon themselves The world of imagination in which these children live, founded on the most solid books of history, is, we are sure, according It is quite delightful to come on our old friends as they are in Homer and the Greek Tragedians without being tormented about their being either dawn or sunset, clouds or cows. This is as pretty a poetical book of mythology as we could wish to put into a girl's hand. The stories of Iphigineia and of Laodameia seem to us told with an especial charm. Antigone is there, we only miss our special favourite Alkestis; but the book is altogether a boon, and we hope will send many young people to make acquaintance with the translations (at least) of the great classics. PAT. BY STELLA AUSTIN Masters. Price 3s. 6d. Miss Austin has given us the very best story she has yet produced, and at last has written with careful consistency enough to do full justice to her own powers of pathos and drollery. The young mother, a colonel's widow, with her seven "army children" and the one poor little civilian, makes a centre to the picture, and the children are only less delightful than the parrot. We do not absolutely believe in all the remarkably apt sayings of that bird, but for all that, he is most amusing, and we share the family alarm when he threatens to betray the secret that has been whispered in his presence. The holiday journeys of Joe the poet, and Pat the hare-brained, are both capital; but perhaps the most original of the characters is the troublesome Mopsa, who is never in the wrong. Her interference in the purchase of the old servant's birthday present, and her own collapse when bent upon being fashionable, are both wholesome lessons to the pert. We have only two criticisms to make. The " army children" knew better than to talk of the general of a regiment, and they ought to have known better than to miss-spell Bridget as Brigit. AT THE LION. By the Author of 'An Elder Sister.' London: Bemrose and Sons, 10 Paternoster-buildings. 1879. Pp. 137. Price 18. td. This little story deals with the fortunes of a family inhabiting the village inn. It is not without a certain cleverness, and exhibits a good Church tone, but it is marred by a vulgarity which often offends against good taste. It is a pity that the author did not submit the story to the revision of some one who is better acquainted with Lindley Murray than herself. Such expressions as "only ones" and "the Miss Maynes," ought not to have remained; and such sen. tences as-"On fine Sundays, never earlier than the Psalms, and once as late as the Creed, the door used to open;""Dick had a shock head of hair, and a wonderful number of freckles, which is all I remember about him;" "it was the boast of the brothers that they could walk all round-half way up the face of it—the inn on the timbers" are, to say the least, bewildering to an ordinary reader. Nihilism,' and a reply by Mr W. H. Mallock to his various critics, American and English, which is cogent and apparently conclusive. Mr Archibald Forbes protests, in a manly article, the tone of which we like, against the new regulations for "War Correspondents" with some reason in his criticisms. Mr Alfred R. Wallace, in an interesting article on 'The Origin of Species and Genera,' apparently concedes to the opponents of Mr Darwin two important points-the independence of genera-and the mystery of Creative power, by which they are originated. And as to the modifications of species, he would derive them all from variations of climatal conditions-which is, in comparison with the original theory, a reasonable aud probable view. Cornhill is excellent, as we expect it to be in January. Besides the stories, of which there are no less than four, there is an account by Dr W. W. Hunter, of the way in which the English people have, up to this time, discharged the stewardship committed to them in India, which we should like all Englishmen to read. "Before ten years are over" so runs his assurance, and we cannot doubt that, though a little sanguine, it is substantially well founded, "the military clans of Afghanistan will pride themselves as our late enemies the Gurkhas and the Sikhs now pride themselves, on supplying the best disciplined and most loyal regiments to our Indian Army."-Blackwood has ten articles, most of them rather slight. The 'Stachelberg Symposium' seems to us in bad taste, and we hardly know how to believe in the mysterious "Turkish Effendi," who discourses in the first article on the Eastern Question;' and does us the honour to suggest "how much happier it would have been for Europe, and unquestionably for the rest of the world," if what he euphemistically terms "the faith of Islam had extended over the whole of what is now termed the civilised world." But though he is probably a Western speaking under a mask, he certainly hits a good many blots in our modern Christianity. Macmillan contains eight articles, each interesting in its Mrs Oliphant's graceful story continues to unfold, and promises to be one of her very best. Mr Maurice Kingsley (can this be one of Canon Kingsley's sons?) tells very admi way. THE BOYS OWN BOOK. Cloth, Illustrated. Pp. 714. Crosby rably, a by no means admirable Breton legend, materialistic, Lockwood and Co. Price 8s. 6d. Yet another edition of this old-established favourite. It has again undergone a thorough revision, and being considerably enlarged, forms a veritable epitome of all that a boy can want in the way of sports, games, and amusements of every kind-a capital gift-book. MAGAZINES FOR JANUARY. If any Churchmen are still inclined to doubt whether legislation about the Sale of Benefices can much longer be post poned, we would suggest to them to look at the current month's number of the Nineteenth Century. There they will find Mr John Martineau discoursing with virtuous indignation upon the recent Report of the Royal Commission as a text, and really with too much reason. Something must be done, and that speedily, for it is intolerable that Nonconformists should be able to assume to treat any Church matter from a higher moral ground than ourselves. Other noticeable articles are a painfully interesting exposé by Mr F. CunliffeOwen, of the unlovely thing which calls itself Russian horrible, and cruel, as most of these traditions of the loupgarou are wont to be. Then Dr B. W. Richardson writes an amusing account of Sir Walter Trevelyan's Wine Cellar,' of which the contents were, it will be remembered, left to him by the owner's will. He appears puzzled, as well he may be, with the bequest; for he is a teetotaller, and so cannot drink it; and to empty the bottles into the Thames, as has been proposed to him. would be the act of a madman. He had better sell it, and apply the proceeds in some way for the promotion of temperance interests. There would not be much difficulty in that, one would suppose ! The Monthly Packet begins the New Year with an entirely new outfit of stories. An English Squire,' by C. R. Coleridge, The Blue Lady of Mildenhall,' and a somewhat naive Italian story, 'The Angel of Viareggio,' by Linda Villari; the first of which promises particularly well. Out of a number of (for the most part) grave and solid articles which make up this month's Contemporary, we can mention only Mr Robert Buchanan's striking and painful poem "Justinian." He imagines a child brought up from infancy in an Atheistic belief by a father of a scientific fame, bft a disbeliever in GOD. In it he appears to acquiesce completely, nor does the poet represent that this negation of faith leaves any blank whatever, or any part of the emotional-if we do not say spiritual-nature unsatisfied. Here we think the representation is misleading. But when the son dies, still in early manhood, the instinctive revulsion in the minds of each from the blank nothingness of the extinction which they had held all their lives as a speculative tenet, and the momentary reversion to a better Faith, is finely described. The poem is a beautiful statement in dramatic form of the ultimate issue of Life according to the Atheistic scheme of things; and should be read. MYRA'S JOURNAL OF DRESS AND NEEDLEwork. The first number of Vol. VII. is well calculated to maintain its popularity and usefulness among the ladies. Mr Heywood, of Manchester, the well-known educational publisher, has sent us No. 1 of The Educational Chronicle, a Newspaper and Keview for the Teaching Profession; and after examining it, it strikes us as being well edited, and carefully adapted to the wants of the teachers of primary schools. It is, if one may hint such a thing, somewhat oracular and doctrinaire; and hits out all round with surprising vigour at opponents of its clients, all and sundry. Probably that is exactly what is required in a class-organ, and the vivacity displayed will please its readers. A little more of the "literature, science, and art " element would, perhaps, improve the paper. Parochial Column DISTRICT VISITORS, PART I.-IN TOWN. without his sanction. He may find his parish mapped out into districts and a number of ladies, calling themselves a District Visiting Society, either inviting him, as a privilege, to take the chair at their meetings, or in some cases taking no notice of him as the head of the parish. To obviate the danger, one of the first things he has to do is to invite a few persons, in whom he can place confidence, to visit under his direction a few families of the poor. He will generally find those best suited for such a work, least willing to undertake it. They should in every case be communicants, and, if possible, worshippers at the Parish Church. This last condition must not be absolute, as there may, in very poor parishes, be sometimes a difficulty in finding really suitable visitors among the actual parishioners. There are a few districts where men will best discharge this duty. But, in most cases, Christian ladies will more readily win the confidence of the women, who are more often to be found at home than the men; and will be able to give them, from their own experience, much valuable sympathy and encouragement. A district should be small, and if possible in one street or row, that there may be but little running about. Visitors will make it their duty to become acquainted with the families placed under their visitation, whom they will visit only under the acknowledged authority of the clergyman. They will, in every case, respect the feelings of those whom they visit, and never intrude at inconvenient seasons. They will gather information incidentally, rather than directly, as to the circumstances of each family, their habits and their wants. Whether the parents are married, whether the children have been baptized or confirmed, whether they have Prayer-books and Bibles, whether they attend church, or receive the Holy Communion; on all these points, Visitors will gradually gather information, of which they will make notes afterwards, being careful never to show a note-book or register while visiting. If the clergyman has established a Provident Society, his Visitors will do well to suggest the making of regular deposits, and offer to receive them, taking care not only to enter them at the time, but also to fill up the depositors' card with ink, or with an indelible pencil. They will give information about the day and Sunday schools, and induce the children of the families visited to be regular in attendance. In cases of age and It is a common saying at present that the Parochial System is crumbling away, and that the next generation will scarcely be able to recognise its existence. Were this the case, it would be deeply to be deplored; but to admit the assertion without inquiry would be a great mistake. The fact is, that London parishes and manufacturing towns have become so populous that it has become almost impossible for a Parish Priest to gain the individual knowledge of his people which he would desire to possess; but he may still, by judicious means, maintain the reality of his parish. He must work in harmony with the neighbour-infirmity, they will read passages from Scripture or from ing clergy, and induce them to respect his territorial limits, while he also respects theirs. His endowments or offertories may not be sufficient to enable him to secure the aid of Priests or Deacons in his pastoral work. He must therefore secure the co-operation of the Laity. And happily there is a spirit of earnestness on their part, which makes it easy for a clergyman to obtain their assistance; and the field in which this is most available is DISTRICT VISITING. Indeed, unless he is willing to employ his parishioners in this work, it is not unlikely that zealous persons, ignorant of Church principles, may undertake it books recommended by the clergyman, and let him know when a visit from him will be desirable. When there is danger of infection they will suggest suitable precautions, and do all they can to encourage cleanliness and sobriety. On the occurrence of severe temporary distress, the Visitor may be empowered by the clergyman to give assistance from the offertory or any charitable fund at his disposal. This, however, should be done rather in the form of orders on tradesmen in the parish than in money, and such orders should be paid immediately. About once in a month, or in some cases even weekly, it will be well for "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the Stars which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him ?" Among all the voices of nature which are ever calling humanity to GOD, there are none sweeter or more eloquent than those which may be heard in the stillness of the night. When the curtain falls over the earth, as the shades of evening begin to deepen, the map of the mighty heavens is unfolded, and we become sensible of the fact that our world is but one solitary unit among the countless creations of almighty Love: "By night an atheist half believes a GOD." We are told it in His Word, and we have not far to go to see it in His Works, that our Gon is a Lover of Beauty. All His creations are masterpieces that no human skill can imitate, of which no human learning can discover the secret. What little we know of the wonders of nature is sufficient to entrance us with their beauty, and compel us to reverence the Creator. Look at the sweet flowers that bloom; the grand old trees striking their roots far down into the earth, and bursting upwards into lovely and graceful foliage; the rivers running like crystal streams onward to the restless ocean, which, in wonderful and ceaseless music, speaks to us of Him who stilled its stormy waters into a peaceful calm. There is beauty when, in the summer time, the grass and the leaves are green, and when, in winter, the earth is covered with a soft carpet of snow, and the trees are fringed with a pure white; and there is a grand and solemn beauty in the night, when the heaveus are illumined by a countless army of shining worlds-"the sleepless watchers of a slumbering creation." As we behold, with reverent gaze, these worlds of living light, let us listen to their voices, for they are many: they speak of their mighty Creator, and summon us to worship and obey. As we stand at night beneath the vault of heaven, do we not feel drawn towards "the things above?" Does there not spring up within the heart a longing for peace and purity, and a loathing for all that defiles and kills the spiritual life? This attraction of the stars, lifting up the heart in holy longing, is one of the sweetest and strongest of their many voices. Perhaps we have selected one among the myriads that The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on as I pass through this troublesome world, as a pilgrim of the night; then shall be banished all darkness and terror from the valley of the shadow of Death. Or, perhaps, we may be lost in the contemplation of the number of the heavenly bodies, which seems infinite as the number of the sands on the shores of the sea. Their mighty multitude is as great a cause for reverent wonder as the unfading brightness of their shining. Our thoughts may then gently be lifted up to the countless multitude of those who shall wave in their hands the palm branch of victory, and wear upon their heads the crown which JESUS has won for them. GOD brought Abraham forth and said "Look now toward heaven and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them; and HE said unto him, so shall thy seed be." All the children of living faith are the seed of Abraham, the father of the faithful; for them are the promises of light and life. "And after this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation unto our GoD which sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb.' Glory be to JESUS for the revelation of the many mansions in His father's house! We know now there is room for all who have died in the faith, in the far-off ages of the past; for all who are living now and walking in the Light; and for all yet to be born, who, like the wise men of old shall gaze upon the star in the east and worship the Divine Babe, presenting their gifts. Or our thoughts, as we behold the stars, may dwell upon | the palest star is like the body of our degradation which, the splendid mission of those who seek for the lost sheep hereafter, is to be exalted after the pattern of the Glorious to bring them back to the fold of the Divine Shepherd. Body of CHRIST Himself, which is like the most brilliant of The Light revealed in CHRIST must be brought to illu- the mighty constellations which fill all the heavens with mine the dark places of the earth. It will not do to rest their glory. May God grant us faith so to labour in love content with the banishment of darkness from our own that we may be summoned to the resurrection of the just, souls; the Light must shine out thence upon the souls of and be partakers, in however small a degree, of the neverothers. As we fight against infidelity and impurity in changing brightness of the Son of GOD and the Son of the midst of a wicked world and are often sorely dis- Man, "the Morning Star." couraged and weary, the bright promise of reward is distinct and clear, with power to inspire with lively hope and to renew our failing strength. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Courage, lonely heart, toiling for CHRIST with the martyr spirit in some far-off country, separated from kith and kin, among strangers in a strange land! Thy GoD is with thee and hath written thy reward in the heavens; look up with uncovered head and thou shalt read among the glittering stars, written in golden letters, the brightness of the coming glory of those who shall continue faithful unto death. The lesson of the text, too, is one well to be pondered over within the human heart. The voices of the stars teach humility before God. Amid the splendid creations of the Almighty, man is to bow the head and bend the knee. Alas! for the pride of human intellect which refuses to accept the revelation of GOD in the works of His hands. The swift upraising of the thoughts from nature unto nature's GOD is meant to fill the heart with adoration; and as we adore, our lips must breathe forth the prayer of the penitent publican, "God be merciful to me a sinner." The inspired Psalmist points with humility and meekness to the result of his devout contemplation of the heavenly beauties. "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" In that wonderful Chapter on the Resurrection, chosen by the Church to convey the sweet assurance of hope to those whose hearts are heavy with mourning for the dead they love, S. Paul illustrates his argument by an appeal to the stars. "One star differeth from another star in glory." Some stars dimly shine with a sickly light; some seem to dart forth fire in their brilliant glow. "So also is the resurrection of the dead." This mortal body is weak and subject to disease; its powers wane as the years roll on and at last vanish into nothing; at the best it is limited in its ability to move, and at last is forced to lie still; but on the resurrection morning the star that was weak and sickly in its light shall burst into glorious brightness; the natural body shall leave its imperfection behind it in the dust, and spring at the summons of its Redeemer into the full perfection of spiritual power and beauty. Humanity is directed to look upon the stars and read there the lesson of its exaltation. The quivering light of But from the voices of the stars come also the deep solemn notes of warning. I have seen a falling star. “It seemed as if one of the brightest jewels in yonder crown of night had been suddenly struck from the diadem, and cast headlong to the earth. It shot from the height of heaven through the clear expanse; and though its light was as brilliant as ever while it fell, in an instant it seemed to be put out for ever." Babylon of old fell with a mighty crash and her light was extinguished for ever. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Mighty empires, since then, have been hurled from their glory, and have sunk for ever in the darkness of night. And if GOD spared not the angels that sinned, who were once glorious in their brightness as the brightest stars, but whose glory is now extinguished for ever, we must watch, like "those sleepless watchers," lest what little brightness may be ours, in the mercy of GoD, be tarnished and deadened by sin. We must be jealous of the truth as it is in JESUS, foretold by the prophets, lest we become like the false teachers whom S. Jude calls "wandering stars,” to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. We may seek the light now in the written word and find it there in rich abundance. In God's own good time the clouds which sometimes hide the light shall melt away, and the day star shall arise, never again to set, within the loving and faithful heart. May He who is able to keep us from falling present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy ! WM. E. COGHLAN. The Church's Fortnight. From Sunday, January 18, to Friday, [The Fortnight has to be reckoned from the Sunday week following the Saturday when most of our Readers receive their copies. The fortnight thus begins eight days ahead.] The period includes Second Sunday after EPIPHANY, and SEPTUAGESIMA Sunday which occurs with Festival of the CONVERSION of S. PAUL. SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. If we bear in mind the principle of arrangement of subjects under this season, referred to in last number, we shall see that, as the Gospel for the preceding Sunday points to the first Theophany or Manifestation of Deity in CHRIST before the Ministry began, so the GOSPEL for to-day is the account from S. John's Gospel of the first corresponding exercise or showing forth of His power after that Ministry had begun. A farther dogmatic use may be made of this Miracle to illustrate the |