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THE PICTURE TESTAMENT for the YOUNG: Containing a harmony of the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. Illustrated by engravings. Religious Tract Society.

MORE than seven months ago, we laid this book out, for notice and approval, and regret the omission, for which we cannot account. It is a useful and attractive book, divided into short portions, well arranged and beautifully illustrated, both by superior steel engravings on tinted paper, and numerous wood-cuts scattered throughout its pages. It contains the word of God, pure and unmixed, excepting that about half a dozen very brief foot notes explain some references to the Old Testament, and to Jewish customs. We are exceedingly careful what books we recommend, on scriptural subjects; and we do not scruple to speak favourably of this elegant volume.

THE COTTAGER'S GUIDE to the NEW TESTAMENT: That is the Life and Doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, plainly set forth. Nisbet & Co.

IT has frequently been remarked, that the great majority of religious tracts, and all our standard commentaries, are written in a style greatly above the comprehension of the very humble classes of society; and we, in common with very many others, have frequently longed to find something that we could put into the hands of this interesting and important division of our vast population. Nothing, we are per

suaded, would more directly tend to check the progress of false and ruinous principles; nothing could be better adapted to promote the increase of that righteousness which exalteth a nation, than to place in every cottage such a simple devotional practical comment on the word of God, as we have now the unfeigned satisfaction of presenting to our readers. We will give a sketch of the plan, to show how carefully and methodically the writer, whom we understand to be a clergyman of the Church of England, sets about his benevolent undertaking.

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In an Introduction, most simply worded, he explains his plan; and then proceeds to give Instructions how to read the Cottager's Guide to the New Testament,' which are repeated in every number. Then comes a very short aspiration for divine assistance, to understand and profit by the portion. Next, that portion is directed to be read; then follows a rendering of all difficult words into very easy ones. After this, we have a very good summary and explanation of the portion, with frequent references to other scriptures; and then the reader is advised to re-peruse his chapter, or portion. A short, close application follows, with a few close questions for the humble student to put to himself every now and then, as he goes on. A few heads of prayer, founded on the preceding subject, are then given; and, lastly, a regular brief prayer, in case the reader should prefer it to using his own words. Each number contains sixteen pages, in very large type; and is published monthly, at the cost of twopence each, or one shilling and ninepence a dozen, or fourteen shillings a hundred.

We have six numbers, and consider them admir

able, beautiful. We pray our Christian readers to encourage the work, assured that it is calculated widely to disperse over our land, the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. Who would grudge the sum of seventeen shillings in a year, to bring twelve poor families under such teaching as we have described?

SERMONS: By the late Rev. Henry Gauntlett, Vicar of Olney, Bucks. With a Memoir of the author. In two volumes. Seeley and Burnside. OLNEY is a word fraught with sweet, sacred, and touching recollections, beyond, perhaps, any other in the nomenclature of English parishes, to the minds of the generation. We learn to love it for Cowper's sake, when fascinated by the grace of his poetic pages; it may be, long before we have discovered the Pearl of great price, and thereby become enabled to appreciate the actual worth of his spiritualized effusions. When thus divinely taught, we are soon brought acquainted with the works of John Newton, as among the best elementary books for a young Christian to peruse; and who has ever travelled through the history of Newton, without feeling every fibre of his heart attuned to sympathy with that singular monument of converting grace? Olney becomes doubly endeared, for Newton's sake; trebly so, for that of Thomas Scott, whose name is likewise connected with it; and the frequent recurrence that we are tempted to make to the dear little volume of Olney hymns, completes the charm.

So, the very title page of this work bespeaks a tenderness of feeling, as we turn to the subsequent

pages; and there we find the hand of filial love reverently pourtraying the life and labours of a venerable parent, over whom the earth has recently closed, leaving to his bereaved daughter the melancholy solace of shewing to us all the value of what she has lost. If any combination of circumstances could utterly disarm the hand of criticism, here is enough to do it: but happily this is not needful: from the Christian critic our amiable biographer has as little to apprehend, as had her excellent father when he arranged the discourses which form the bulk of these volumes. There is, in both, much to interest and to instruct; and we do not doubt of the work becoming a favorite in Christian families.

THE GARLAND. By Mrs. Sherwood. Melrose, Berwick.

A COLLECTION, or rather series, of pretty stories, illustrated by pretty engravings, good in their tendency, as addressed to the understandings of children, and very young persons, but marked by that redundancy of imagination which characterizes this popular writer. A short, scriptural, preface appears at the head of each story, explaining the moral intended to be conveyed by it. Whether the tales have, separately, appeared in print before, we do not know: there is nothing to indicate that they have done so; and here they form a handsome volume, neatly embellished. We must add that the doctrine of Christ's personal reign on earth, during the millennium is frequently brought forward, though not obtrusively; and that on this point, we do not agree with the author.

POLITICS.

HEY DAY!' said my uncle, who had just returned from making a fortnight's tour with Mr. M'Carthy, and took up the Record of August 20,‘What have we got here? Our lady editor rampant in the columns of a newspaper-how fine!'

'Now don't laugh about it, dear uncle, but listen to what I shall tell you.'

'I see,' proceeded the old gentleman, that you have been publishing the documents referred to in our last conversation. This is well-I am rejoiced at it; but how came they to be brought forward here, rather than in the Magazine?'

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Just after you set out, dear uncle, I was surprised at seeing in the Record a letter bearing the signature of the Rev. Mr. Bull of Yorkshire, who is altogether unknown to me, except by name and his highly estimable character. He quoted the statement made by our friend, in regard to the attendance of Protestant children at the celebration of the mass, in schools under the direction of the Irish Board of Education; and referring to the footnote, which alludes to the documents that you know we saw, he called on the Editor to substantiate the fact, hoping it might be made the ground-work of a petition to Parliament.'

And were you not frightened at being so called out, with unkey at a distance?'.

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