CRITIC'S

Commentary on the Gospel according to Matthew. By JAMES MORISON, D.D. (pp. 698, 8vo.)

London: Hamilton and Adams.

THIS is a work of rare merit. From beginning to end, it bespeaks the scholar and the philosopher, the critic and the expositor, the metaphysician and the divine. Dr. Morison is happily free from the prejudices and the phraseologies of the schools. He is a man of independent mind and thought, and is not afraid to give unfettered expression to his convictions and conclusions. While he expatiates, almost revels, in the great field of Revealed Truth, he is yet ever forward to take the sandal from off his foot, remembering that the ground on which he stands is truly holy. His every step bespeaks reverence, humility, and dependence on supernatural light and guidance. The result is, that he has produced a work in Biblical interpretation which cannot be but invaluable to every student of Scripture.

We have examined most of the critical and difficult passages to be found in the narrative of the first Evangelist, and can therefore speak with confidence as to the fulness and the fidelity of the exposition. Did our space permit, we could give several quotations to show with what thoroughness Dr. Morison deals with every question and every topic. We select one founded on the words of our Lord in the institution of His own Supper-"THIS IS MY BODY.

Dr. Morison says "Almost a worldful of super-refined absurdities has unhappily been heaped on this simple affirmation. And if Christianity had not been really divine, its life would have long ago been utterly crushed out of it under the immen

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sity of the load. Rhetoric, as Selden remarks, has been mistaken for logic, and the is has been insisted upon as demonstration that the thing given by the Lord into the hands of His disciples was not bread at all, butliterally-His own body. Hence the doctrine of Transubstantiation. Others have insisted that if the thing given was really bread, it was also at one and the same time the literal body of the Lord. This is the doctrine of Consubstantiation. The substantive verb, 'is,' it has been contended, must be taken as the copula of substantive existence. All this is sad, for it would hence follow: (1) That one substance is another; (2) that a thing is not itself - Christ's body, for instance. At the time that He uttered the words of the institution, He was in His body; and therefore He did not hand it, in His hand, to the disciples. It would follow (3) that a part of the whole is yet the whole of which it is a part. If the whole cake is the body, and the broken cake is the broken body, and if yet every morsel of the broken cake is also the body, then a part of the body is the whole of the body. It would follow (4) that a thing which is one, and but one, is yet more than one; for if the cake be the one body, and yet each morsel of the cake be also the one body, then Christ's one body is many bodies. It would follow (5) that a thing which is, by its very essence, limited to a certain spot in space, is yet not limited to that spot; Christ's body, for instance, when with His own hand He gave it into the hands of His disciples, while yet it remained where it was before, at an appreciable distance from His disciples' hands. It would follow (6) that the percipiency of the soul, operating through the senses of the body, while these senses are

perfectly awake and perfectly sound, may yet be absolutely and hopelessly deceived. If the percipiency of the soul, operating through sight, touch, and taste, and equipped too with all the adjuncts of scientific analysis, finds bread, and bread only, in the morsel of the sacramental cake, and if yet that morsel be physically transubstantiated into, or consubstantiated with, the living body of Christ, then all the senses appealed to must be liars, and everything that we see and hear, and touch and taste, may be a lie. The culminating act of religion would thus be the copestone of universal and insuperable scepticism. But this will not do. We must take a different view of the words of the institution. The is in the expression ' is my body,' must be understood not as the copula of substantive existence, but as the copula of symbolical or representative relationship. Why not? Compare, for instance, Matt. xiii. 38, 39. 'The field is the world: the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one, the enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels.' bolism, or symbolism, or representativism of some kind must be admitted. Indeed, the parabolic element in the Lord's Supper is the true key to its interpretation. The Supper is a parable to the eye, the touch, the taste. And when our Saviour said of the morsel of bread, 'This is my body,' he but interpreted the figurative or representative significance of one of the elements of the parable. If we would get the spiritual blessing when we communicate, we must mentally transfigure the figure. Accepting for ourselves, and appropriating to ourselves, all that is involved in the great work that was consummated by

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the breaking of the body of our Lord, we must allow the process of inward assimilation to proceed. In that process the elements of the work that is appropriated will be found to be meat indeed, and strength, and life."

The work is rich in profound, vigorous, manly thought, and challenges the study and attention of every one who would really appreciate its contents. It is not a book for the superficial or the sentimental—not to be skimmed or cursorily looked into, as a bird might dip the tip of his wing in the waters of the flowing stream-but to be carefully read and studied, so as clearly to understand and appreciate its contents. Its aim is, to enlighten the mind and impress the heart by setting forth God's living truth in its harmony, beauty, and power.

The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments, with References, numerous Critical and Explanatory Notes, and a Condensed Concordance. Illustrated with above 900 highly-finished Engravings. Part I., 4to, pp. 32; toned paper. London: Cassell, Petter, and Galpin.

THIS promises to be a very superior Family Bible. Not only is the text printed in a fine clear type, and on beautifully toned paper, but the work is enriched with marginal references, short yet pertinent notes, both critical and exegetical; shedding light over some of the more difficult passages, exhibiting the vital truths of our Faith in their integrity, and pressing home on the heart the lessons of a practical godliness.

The work is profusely illustrated, though some of the engravings might be improved; and with Part I. the publishers have presented to the subscribers a large, beautiful engraving,

A RATHER fanciful title to what is otherwise a good and meritorious work. The author tells us, that—

"Besides giving all the explanatory information usually found in a Biblical Commentary, this work is intended to supply the Bible Student with the results of the latest criticism in condensed and suggestive explana tory notes; the Preacher with subjects and outlines of sermons; the Sunday-school Teacher with illustrations in the form of anecdote and quotation; and the general reader with a practical commentary on the Holy Scriptures. No work has yet appeared which presents in so compact and comprehensive a form the many essential features which constitute a complete commentary."

If it be a commentary, then why call it a "Museum,” which conveys no idea of the author's purpose and design? The omission of the received text as introductory to the exposition, is a grand mistake. Notwithstanding, the work promises to be one of great practical value to every Biblical student, and has our hearty recommendation.

The Real Objective Presence:-Questions suggested by the Judgment

delivered by the Right Hon. Sir Robert Phillimore, D.C.L., in the case of office of the Judge promoted by G. Sheppard v. Bennett. By AN ENGLISH PRESBYTER. Both Sides of the Question; or, Discussions with a Friend upon various Points of Ritualistic Doctrine and Practice. By the REV. OCTAVIUS ELLIS, M.A., Author of "Some Time among Ritualists." London : William Macintosh and Co.

tractates both to the laity and the WE very earnestly commend these her present transition state from clergy of the National Church, in a spiritual and living Protestantism to a degrading and superstitious Romanism. The Anglican Communion must either undergo a second and more thorough Reformation, or lapse into the darkness and bondage of the Middle Ages. The voice of her true children, the voice of the nation, is for reform, as essential to her continued existence and influence. Let her faithful ministers and members at once choose their side, and resolve rather to die than to yield.

Addresses for the People. By FRED.

HARPER (pp. 108). London: W.
Macintosh and Co.

IF sound and nutritious food be essential to the health of the body,

we must much more have sound

knowledge for the mind—Divine instruction for the heart. The press is prolific in the production of a light and frivolous literature. A great deal of what now appears in the form of pamphlet, periodical, and volume, is positively deleterious-prejudicial to the intellectual health and moral life of the people. We, therefore, hail the [appearance of these short, pointed evangelical "Addresses," as adapted to bear directly, and with salutary effect, on the higher spiri

tual nature of man, and on those mighty issues which are involved in his life of probation in this lower world. Their circulation cannot fail

to do good.

Tracts. By the Weekly Tract Society, for the Religious Instruction of the Labouring Classes. London : Elliott, Stock, and Co.

THE avowed object of this Society is to diffuse Christian truth among the working men of our favoured land, by pressing home the claims and requirements of the Gospel on their hearts and consciences. For this purpose they publish every week one carefully written tract, suited to the capacity, intelligence, and moral condition of those whose salvation they contemplate. The Tracts, a few of which are now upon our table, are short, simple, and interesting, rich in Evangelical truth, free from everything sectarian, and well adapted for universal circulation.

The Hour of Prayer:-The Christian Life: A Pilgrimage.-The Great White Throne': Heavenly Guidance to Heavenly Glory: A New Year's Address. By J. G. CARPENTER. London: W. Macintosh and Co. FOUR little books on four practical subjects-treated with equal judgment and taste-with which a Christian might fill his pocket, and any or all of which he might put into the hands of those with whom he comes into daily contact. While they are addressed principally to believers in Christ, they have their words of life and salvation to those who have not yet accepted the overtures of grace. They have our hearty recommendation, and we predict for them a wide circulation.

Notes and Incidents of Home Missionary Life and Work; with Re

marks on divers Facts, Principles, and Errors. By WILLIAM O'NEIL. Crown 8vo., pp. 430. London: John Snow and Co.

WE have here a stirring record of Home Missionary work by one of the most energetic and devoted of agents. More than thirty years ago, Mr.

O'Neil was stationed in a district of North Devon, in the midst of a population whom he found to be deplorably ignorant, and practically irreligious. But this only inspired him with a holier zeal, till his soul was on fire in pursuit of his object-the salvation of men. His labours were crowned with signal success. What he sowed in tears, he reaped in joy; and here we have the record of his toils and trials, his conflicts and conquests. Its facts and incidents cannot fail to interest the reader, while it will leave upon his conscience the painful impression that the out-lying population of our country is in that moral or spiritual condition which calls aloud for the most united and concentrated efforts of the Christian Church on their behalf.

Satanic Influence (pp. 16). A Rolling Stone gathers no Moss; or, the Evils of Change (pp. 8). The Eye Servant and the Servant of Christ: A Word to Servants (pp. 16). London : William Macintosh and Co. THREE little tractates, on three different subjects, yet each adapted to the end in view. They embody sound practical instruction.

The Food Journal: A Review of Social and Sanitary Economy. Nos. IX.-X. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

THIS invaluable periodical holds on its way prosperously. It should be in the hands of every one who is at the head of our domestic establishments, or has anything to do with the management of them, or who has any interest in the sanitary condition of the people.