of the Messiah through its successive stages, the Gospel epic exhibits the noblest unity of design, und the noblest variety of wonderful incidents. It is, indeed, the epic of epics. Its very fragments have given birth to the finest poems which have distinguished the names of Milton, Klopstock, and other religious bards." So say we. This work gives the life of Christ in a poetic paraphrase, faithful to the historic record, and tuneful in verse. Some of the pieces are exceedingly beautiful, and from the book not a few valuable hymns might be selected. A rhymed version like this is likely to convey Evangelical facts more readily to the mind, and make them more impressive to the memory of children than the prosaic narrative. The compositions are given in the old, as well as in the modern orthographic forms.

A CRITICAL ENGLISH NEW TESTAMENT: Presenting at one view the authorized version and the results of the criticism of the original text. London: Samuel Bagster & Sons, 15, Paternoster-row.

“THE design of the publishers in this edition of the English New Testament, is the employment of that version as a groundwork on which to exhibit the results of the criticism of the original text for the use of the general reader. For this purpose they have taken the following critical texts, to furnish the readings which have been thus exhibited: those, namely, of Lachmann; of Tischendorf, in his last completed edition; of the Twofold New Testament, slightly altered in some places on a careful review; of Alford, as finally given in the abridgement of his larger work; and of Tregelles, as far as it has been already published. With each variation from the common reading, those of the above named critical texts are cited in which such variation has been adopted; and, in addition, the principal documents by which it is supported, whenever such citation has been deemed material." It will be seen that this is a most useful edition of the New Testament.

FAITH'S JEWELS PRESENTED IN VERSE WITH OTHER DEVOUT VERSES. Edited by LORD KINLOCH. Edinburgh: Edmonster and Douglas. "THESE," says the noble editor," are some of the Christian's possessions, to which, not unaptly, may be given the name of Jewels of the Faith. I venture to present some of these as it were in a new setting. I have endeavoured in spirit and tone to match with these the other verses in the volume, of which perhaps, one or the other may, to use words of George Herbert, 'turn the advantage of some poor dejected soul." " There are many beautiful gems scattered throughout this volume. It is a pity the names of the authors are not attached.

THE HISTORY OF METHODISM.

By ABEL STEVENS, LL.D. London: William Tegg.

THIS history extends from the death of Wesley to the Centenary Jubilee of Methodism. Methodism has a history worth the study not only of Christians, but of philosophers and politicians. It has grown not only to

a great power in England, and in America, but a great power in heathen lands. This power is increasing. It is making history rapidly. We rejoice in its growth, and trust that as it advances, it will become more expansive in its doctrinalism, more unsectarian in its spirit, more magnanimous in its discipline, and more Christ-like in all. Not only will Methodists be interested in this history, but it has much to charm and instruct all of every Christian denomination.

CHRISTIAN REVELATION VIEWED IN CONNECTION WITH MODERN ASTRONOMY. BY THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D. London: The Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row.

WE read these discourses in our youthful days, and they were to us soulstirring and enchanting. We regret to find that their perusal now fails to reproduce the old impressions. The cause of the change, of course, is in us. We have grown familiar with the truths, and we have, rightly or wrongly, gained a distaste for redundant rhetoric. Albeit we rejoice in the republication; they will everywhere have a charm for the young, and a power to do them good. The spirit of such a man as Dr. Chalmers, whatever the character of his thinking, or the style of his expressions, cannot fail to give a quickening and a noble impulse to those who come under his influence.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY UNDERLYING THE REVELATION OF REDEMPTION. BY REV. GEORGE PATERSON. Edinburgh: W. Oliphant & Co.

THIS book is divided into three parts:-The first treats of the Old Testament, or the manifestation of the Father; the second, of the Gospel, or the manifestation of the Son; the third, of the Apostles, or the manifestation of the Holy Ghost. The book contains a treatment of nearly all the passages of the Bible in which there is a reference to the Eternal in either of these manifestations or relations. It is a thoughtful production, rigorously orthodox, and the production of a man who evidently believes in what he propounds, conscious of a power to make good the grounds of his belief.

RELIGIOUS THOUGHT IN ENGLAND. From the Reformation to the End of Last Century. A Contribution to the History of Theology. By Rev. John Hunt, M.A. Vol. I. London: Strahan and Co., 56, Ludgate Hill.

THIS is a work of great historic and theological value. It displays great learning and immense research. "It shows," as the author says, “how cautiously, and yet how surely, the naturally Conservative English mind has been working out its own religious position. At the Reformation we awoke to a higher sense of duty. All the problems of religion, indeed, are not yet solved, but our position to-day is sufficient to convince us that truth is to be found in the path we have chosen." This work will, of course, find a place in all theological libraries.

A HOMILY

ON

Methods for Abolishing War.

"He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth."-Psa. xlvi. 9.

HE war that now rages on the Continent of Europe so possesses and agitates the soul that one can think of scarcely aught besides. Like a thunder cloud, it hangs over our heavens, throwing its dark shadows over every object in our mental sphere. We shiver under its gloom, we stand aghast

at its hideous hues and shapes. Never have we read of anything in history to equal its moral enormities-never have we conceived of anything half so fiendish even in the depravities of our race. It seems as if the gates of hell were thrown open, and the disimprisoned fiends, bounding to earth, hasten to hold their infernal riot in human souls. What adds a thousand times to the ghastly turpitude of this satanic war is, that it is waged by two of the most civilised nations; and they, too, wearing the name of Him "who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save." War is bad at all times; it is bad in its essence; even under circumstances apparently the most justifiable, it is bad. "War," says an old author, "is that miserable desolation that finds a land before it like Eden, and leaves it behind like Sodom and Gomorrah, a desolate

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and forsaken wilderness. "Dr. Johnson laughed at Lord Kaine's opinion that war was a good thing occasionally, as so much valour and virtue were exhibited in it. A fire,' said the Doctor, might as well be considered a good thing. There is the bravery of the firemen in extinguishing it. And there, too, is much humanity exerted in saving the lives and properties of the poor sufferers. Yet, after all this, who can say that a fire is a good thing?""

"Canons and firearms," said Luther, "are cruel and damnable machines, I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the devil. Against the flying ball no valour avails the soldier is dead ere he sees the means of his destruction. If Adam had seen, in a vision, the horrible instruments his children were to invent, he would have died of grief."

But it is easy and popular to give graphic descriptions of the horrors of war, and to denounce with an impassioned soul its abominations. Statesmen who sanction wars, despots who make them, popes and primates who consecrate the bloody flag, compose prayers for campaigns, and get conquerors monuments in churches and cathedrals will do this. But how few search for methods by which war can be put down; and how few even of those who, having discovered the methods, have that manly strength of moral conviction to openly advocate and honestly endeavour to work them out.

There are, we think, three methods at least adapted to crush this monster of war, and to banish it from the habitations of men. One is political, another is educational and the other is Christian. The one pertains to the science of government, the other to the science of teaching, and the other to the science of remedial mercy. The first is good, the second is better, the third is best of all-it is infallible. We shall notice each, but with the utmost brevity; and we shall do so, not to gratify any speculative tendency or political bias, but to discharge conscience of a weight that rests on it as a "burden of the Lord."

There is, I think, a form

I. THE POLITICAL METHOD. of human government adapted not only to arrest the progress of this demon, but to bind him in indissoluble chains. What is it? A cosmopolitan administration, a great federal government for the world, a government which shall bear, with some modification, the same relation to all the present kingdoms of the earth, as the Government of America to all the States with which it is united, or as the various counties and boroughs of England to the British rule; such a government as should regulate the conduct, protect the rights, and sway the destinies of all alike the world over. One great world-embracing government. I care not where its seat might be-London, St. Petersburg, New York, Paris, Berlin, or Rome. Such a government as this, I know, is visionary to the eye of platitudinarian men-men who walk after the flesh and not after the spirit. It is nevertheless possible. The immense diversities existing in the language, habits, religions, and customs of the various races of the globe, and the great distances which some would necessarily be placed from the seat of empire, will be pleaded as an objection. But the answer is, that England has overcome all these difficulties long ago. The British rule extends over men of every variety of race, habits, and customs the world over. The sceptre wielded in London extends over every zone, and men at the antipodes bow loyally to its authority. The British Government stretches out in all directions, and is becoming more and more cosmopolitan every year. Nor is such a government merely possible, it is probable, The current of human affairs is tending to this, the smaller states are constantly being absorbed into the larger. "The restoration of nationalities," were it expedient, would be impossible, it is against the resistless river of destiny. Where are the seven kingdoms that were once on this island? And where, too, are the kingdoms of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland? The English empire has absorbed them all. Poland,