would hear no oath, nor meet an idle person." But where shall we look for such a spectacle in these days? "They ran the vessel into a creek, and waited for the natives. The visit of one of her Majesty's ships is a rare and most exciting event in these distant regions, yet not a boat came near us. We cast anchor close by the town, but not a human being was seen. It was the Sabbath; and not a creature would approach us till Mondaythen canoes surrounded the vessel in shoals.” Of a truth there is a Sabbath still kept upon the face of the earth as God would have it kept. But where? It is in a little island of the Pacific, just brought to civilisation and Christ. Our busy ports have not the glory of it.

Far otherwise. Already has the Sabbath given way in England before the lust of gain, and, if it be possible, the same will shortly be done for Scotland. Link after link of that hallowed chain, which bound us by statute and by usage-by covenant and pre-eminently as a nation to God, is broken before our eyes, and the stream of red hot covetousness urges us farther every day from that righteousness which is our only peace. We do not confound the Sabbath with Christianity-the bulwark with the citadel. But if the faith of Christ be the citadel, the Sabbath is its chiefest bulwark, and should it be forced and levelled, the whole fortress is surrendered. Against this bulwark, however, has the enemy been devising his schemes and advancing his artillery for a length of time, and should he succeed as well, during the next twelve years, as he has done during the last interval of the same extent, the Sabbath shall have passed away from these lands, ere our children have ripened into maturity. The crisis is formidable, and nothing will save us but promptitude, courage, and faith. The mine is laid; and he will deserve well indeed at the hands of his country, who bravely seizes the match which is ready to fire it, and extinguishes it for ever. May the ministers of Jesus have grace to unite hand in hand in so righteous a cause, and courage to maintain it unto the end, through good report and evil! May those who bear the chain of magistracy lend the whole weight of their personal arrangements, and official authority, to the observance of God's day, else not half so criminal will be the poor culprits who weekly stand at their bar, as those who sit upon the bench! May they who own wealth and are fond of enterprise, take heed that their capital is not given to subsidize any scheme-steam-vessels, or railways-which do to any extent, direct, collateral, or remote, bear the guilt of Sabbath desecration, otherwise there will be a moth within their garments which will turn it into rottenness! May the fathers of this generation, whose sons and daughters

VOL. XX. NO. I.

K

"The blessed homes of Britain,
How softly on their bowers

Is laid the holy quietness

That breathes from Sabbath hours!”

It was once even thus in our beloved land, for men had to be brought from England to work in our potteries and glasshouses, because our people would not enter a trade that required the breach of the Sabbath. It was even once so in London itself, for Neal declares, that "on Sabbath evening ye shall soon occupy the land which they have for ever left, bequeathe to their children the richest gift of that heritage which our fathers transmitted to us, even the Sabbath of the Lord—or a curse will rest upon their memory. After all-as the settlement of this question must lie with the children of God-let every believer place himself in the breach, and so far as his influence can extend on earth-so long as his voice can reach the heavens, let him be prepared to struggle for the immunities of the holy Sabbath! Even though we do not succeed, it will be sweet to think of the protests and prayers we have left behind, when we shall have ascended, through the blood of the Lamb, to the Sabbath that remaineth for the people of God.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

The Epistle to the Hebrews, being the substance of Three Discourses, &c. With a Preface containing a Review of Mr Newman's Theory of Development. By F. D. MAURICE, M.A. London: J. W. Parker, 1846. A thoroughly able and thoughtful book, containing much vigorous writing both in style and matter. His examination of Mr Newman's theory of development is very masterly, but it strikes us as abrupt anp incomplete. It is very calm and candid, yet not without warmth and eloquence, treating Mr N. with quite sufficient respect, but at the same time not sparing his theory. The sketch which the lectures give us of the Epistle of the Hebrews is in some respects excellent; not by any means complete, however. One is inclined to call it too philosophical. Still, as a sketch, it contains many hints, original and useful, towards the right understanding of the Epistle. With a spiritual tone a little more elevated, and an intellectual tone somewhat less German in its mould. Mr Maurice may prove a noble witness for the truth of Christ, and a successful assailant of error.

The great length of the previous articles has compelled us to abridge our Critical Notices. This must serve as an apology to authors and publishers for the brevity with which the works have been noticed, as well as for the omission of some that have been sent. We hope fully to do them justice in our next.

An Exposition of the Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah, being a Course of Six Lectures preached in Glasnevin Church. By the Rev. MOSES MARGOLIOUTH London: Hatchard & Son, 1846.

These Six Lectures contain a most minute examination of this wellknown chapter. It is not a course of practical expositions, though it embraces both the practical and the expository. It is a critical examination of each verse and clause with a running reference, in the way of foot notes to Rabinnical lore, in illustration of the prophet's meaning. There are too many quotations at length from passages of Scripture, which fill up pages of the book. But it is able learned and most profitable throughout. To the scholar, especially to the Rabinnical student, it will be found most interesting.

The Retrospect. Being an Inquiry into the Fulfilment of Prophecy for the last Twenty Years. Vol I. London: W. E. Painter, 1846.

On some points we differ widely from the author of this volume, yet we consider it able and certainly most deeply interesting. His prophetical scheme is, in its leading features, that of Frere, which, though faulty in some points, we consider by far the most thoroughly digested of any that have been since promulgated. It has nothing of the crudities, and certainly nothing of the pretensions of some more recent ones. Those that love and prize the sure word of prophecy will find a good deal in this volume to attract them. They must overlook, however, some ideas that we are persuaded are quite untenable.

The Translation, or the Changing of the Living Saints, &c. By the Rev. J. HOOPER, Rector of Albury. London: W. E. Painter, 1846. We can detect a considerable tinge of Irvingism in this pamphlet, even though the author is a minister of the Church of England. There are some very objectionable statements in it; but it contains truth also that is fitted to awaken and solemnize.

The Paragraph Bible. London: Tract Society. 1846.

A cheap and very beautiful edition of the Bible, arranged in paragraphs and parallelisms. It contains an entirely new selection of references, -also prefaces and notes to the different books. It will be found exceedingly useful.

Monthly Series of the Tract Society. Ancient Jerusalem.

We cordially repeat our commendation and recommendation of both of the above Series. They are amongst the cheapest and most useful that have been issuing from a cheap press during this past year.

Paul Gerhardt, an Historical Tale of the Lutherans and Reformed in Brandenburgh under the Great Elector. By C. A.WILDENHAM. Translated from the German by Mrs Stanley Carr. 2 vols. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1847.

Perhaps there may be somewhat of injustice done to "the Reformed," and somewhat more than justice to the Lutherans, in these two volumes; but notwithstanding this, we have read them with unabated interest from

first to last. The leading facts and characters are strictly historical, and the filling up of the scenes is admirably done. Some of these we should like to have extracted, but they are rather long, and would not admit of curtailing. The book is a superior one, powerfully written and well sustained throughout. Paul Gerhardt himself stands before us the model of a Christian minister, in faith and love, in zeal and in patience. But one must read the work throughout, before they can fully enter into its interest or its excellencies.

Margaret Waldegrave; or, The Power of Truth. By C. G. H., Author of "The Curate of Linwood." Edinburgh: W. P. Kennedy.

We took up with much pleasure a new work by the gifted authoress of "The Curate of Linwood;" nor have we been disappointed in our anticipations. A rich vein of gospel statement, and of truth bearing on some of the prominent errors of the present day, is delicately interwoven with the scenes of an interesting and richly varied narrative. Some of the characters are so beautiful, that we sigh when we close the book, to think they are not friends, except in idea. There are pictures of nature too, drawn by a true painter's hand. The conversations are well kept up, and we think clear and convincing in point of argument, without becoming tedious or prolix. While so much Tractarianism, and Popery in disguise, are widely disseminated in our day, in forms the most attractive and insidious, we rejoice to see a work, surely not inferior in attraction to the best of those we refer to, and with so decidedly counteractive a tendency. We have nowhere seen a more distinct or Scriptural definition of that sadly misapplied term "the Church." There Jesus Christ is exhibited as the head-stone, the chief corner-stone, the foundation-stone of the whole fabric. We warmly recommend it to our young friends, especially those of the Church of England—praying and expecting that the blessing of God the Spirit may accompany it.

A Companion for my Young Friend. By J. T. W. London: J. Nisbet & Co., 1846.

A very excellent "companion for our young friends," whoever these may be. It is simple and Scriptura!, yet by no means commonplace. It will form a very suitable gift for children, or rather, we should say, young people, for those for whom it is written are somewhat beyond the age of children.

Observations on the Book of Ruth, and on the word Redeemer. By the Rev. H. B. MACARTNEY, Rector of Creach. Dublin: W. Curry & Co.

There are not many commentaries on the Book of Ruth, and this may not perhaps be designated by such a name. Nevertheless it is one of the most precious little works in the way of comment that we have seen. It is evidently the work of a cultivated as well as of a Christian mind. Sharpe's London Magazine. Parts XI., XII., &c.

As usual, clever in contents, and beautiful in illustrations. altogether of the world.

But it is

Hogg's Weekly Instructor. Parts XIX., XX., &c.

Much that is useful as well as attractive here. We wish only that Mr Hogg would give a less uncertain sound in things religious.

Cura Romanae. Notes on the Epistle to the Romans, with a Revised Translation by W. WALFORD. London: Jackson and Walford, 1846.

There is no pretence or display about this work. It is the work of a scholar, yet it makes no show of scholarship beyond what is really needful. It is remarkable for its calmness and candour, aud many of its pages shew how thoroughly the author has thought for himself. Differing from him in some of his criticisms, we yet can recommend his work as an able and useful one. It is brief and condensed, which is certainly a merit by no means inconsiderable.

The Question, "was St Peter ever at Rome?" Historically considered, by AUGUSTUS SCHELER. Translated from the French, with a short Preface by the Translator. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1846. Dr Scheler puts the question, "Was St Peter ever at Rome," and he proceeds with a patient research which has exhausted the subject, to sift the whole evidence for and against. He shews that the whole evidence in favour of the apostle's residence in that city consists of two brief passages, the one from Eusebius, the other from Jerome; while the whole mass of Scriptural and other historical evidence is against the alleged fact. He demonstrates the impossibility of Peter having ever been Bishop there, or having resided there for any length of time, and that the very utmost that can be conceded on the point is, what Beza has done long ago, that he might have arrived at Rome shortly before his martyrdom. But even of this the evidence is neither strong nor positive. As a book of historical research, it is exceedingly valuable. And as a book upon the Popish controversy, it is as seasonable as it is conclusive. It shatters into fragments the very foundations of Romish pretension and priest-craft. For if Peter never was Bishop of Rome-nay, never was there at all, the whole structure falls. Let our students make themselves thoroughly masters of its contents. It will furnish them with a most powerful weapon in dealing with Popery.

Rome Judged by Herself. The United Testimony of Four Priests who have recently renounced her Communion. Translated from the French. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1845. Pp. 40.

A very complete and admirable testimony nesses well entitled to speak in the matter. interesting.

indeed; and by four witThe narratives are most

The cause of Blight and Pestilence in the Vegetable Creation, &c• By G. PARKEN, M.D. London: Hatchard & Son. 1846.

This is not a religious but a scientific pamphlet, containing much curious information and many original and striking views. It is certainly God who is visiting us in his sore displeasure, and we are called to