their minds are unfurnished with the faintest rudiments of literature and science. There are cases, we believe, in which poverty necessitates parents to act in this way; but observation has convinced us, that the ignorance of parents themselves is one great cause why the education of children is so extensively neglected, and so many are allowed to grow up without any steps being taken to stimulate them to self-improvement. These remarks apply not only to institutions for juvenile education, but also to those designed to promote the cultivation of adult minds. A few, deeply impressed with the importance of mental culture, have used their influence and abilities in raising libraries for the benefit of their respective localities. Mechanics' Institutions have been set on foot for the same purpose; and they are prized by a few, and the privileges which they afford are gratefully used. But those who thus cultivate themselves are greatly in the minority. By far the greater number of our young men are more bent on sensual gratification than the improvement of their minds. And the best friends of those ex

cellent institutions frequently have the mortification of seeing that their labours are lightly esteemed, and fail of producing that amount of good which they anticipated, because men are either too ignorant or too idle to appreciate them. Whereas, if they clearly discerned and duly attended to their best interest, they would hail every means of mental culture as an angel of mercy, and the founder of every institution calculated to inform the mind as a great benefactor of his species.

It is not meant that one perusal of this essay will suffice; it will require to be read again and again—read and pondered till your minds have become engrossed by it, and till the propriety, the wisdom, the necessity, and the duty of proceeding has taken full possession of the judgment, the conscience, and the heart. We leave you, then, to this exercise, and shall prosecute the subject next month.

A Synopsis of Criticisms upon those Passages of the Old Testament in which Modern Commentators have differed from the Authorized Version. By the Rev. RICHARD BARRETT, M.A. Vol. I., Parts I. and II.; and Vol. II., Part I. London: Longman.

THE object of this work is, to exhibit the principal alterations which modern critics have proposed in the authorized version of the Old Testament, together with the reasons for or against such emendations. The plan is to give, in the following order,

The Hebrew Text;
The Septuagint Version;
The Authorized Version;

And, lastly, the explanations both of those commentators who support the present version, and also of those who consider the Hebrew text to be corrupt, or to have been misunderstood by our translators.

The importance of such a work, properly executed, is obviously very great. The undertaking, however, is clearly one of immense labour, and of no ordinary difficulty, requiring the highest scholarship and eminent sagacity; and it gives us much pleasure to testify that, in both respects, Mr. Barrett, placed in the balance of competent judges, will not be found wanting. This point may be considered settled. These three volumes, comprising

2,600 close columns, and extending to the Second Book of Samuel, supply abundant means of judging of the author's fitness; and it is but simple justice to say that he has thus far nobly done his part; and if life and health be continued till the gigantic undertaking be completed, he will erect a monument to his own talents and learning which will survive through many ages, and confer an obligation, not soon to be exceeded, upon the universal church.

The Lands of the Bible Visited and Described, in an Extensive Journey undertaken with special reference to the Promotion of Biblical Research, and the Advancement of the cause of Philanthropy. By JOHN WILSON, D.D., F.R.S. With Maps and Illustrations. In Two Volumes. Edinburgh: W. Whyte and Co.

THIS title is so expressive of the nature and object of the work as to preclude the necessity of another word on the subject. The volumes form a valuable accession to that class of works to which they belong. Very few men possess more amply the qualifications necessary to such an undertaking. The work comprises a range so wide, and such a multiplicity of particulars, that it is not easy to give anything like an analysis of it.

It communicates not a little that is new, and occasionally corrects and supplements what is already before the public. No expense has been spared in getting it up, and every part of it bespeaks learning and elaboration. It merits and will obtain great public acceptance, and cannot fail largely to augment the author's celebrity.

History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. Volumes I. to IV. in One Volume, pp. 675. London : Tract Society.

MESSRS. OLIVER and BOYD deserve great commendation for the manner in which they have conducted the publication of D'Aubigné's History. Not only have they published the complete work in four beautiful 8vo volumes, at an exceedingly moderate price, but they have permitted the Tract Society to work another of its great public literary benefactions, by issuing a One Volume copy of the work, on terms which bring it within the reach of all. This is really a great achievement in behalf of Protestantism, with all the blessings which flow in its train. Dr. D'Aubigné is so "good a hater" of the Man of Sin, and so powerful an assailant of the Citadel of Darkness, that it is exceedingly to be wished that this great work were in every family of Europe. Wherever it finds a purchaser it will find a reader. Apart from its important truth, it is pervaded by such a spirit of intellectual fire, and so clothed with the charms of a splendid eloquence, as to captivate the reader, and hurry him along as if under the spell of an enchanter.

The Crisis of Popular Education: its Historical, Internal, Statistical, Financial, and Political Relations, &c. By JOHN HOPPUS, LL.D. 8vo, pp. 274. London: Snow.

Ar the close of the conflict, when the case may for the present be said to be completed on both sides, and after the Legislature has pronounced its decision, Dr. Hoppus comes forth and lays before his countrymen the result of his learned labours. The work is the fruit of immense research and deep reflection, elaborately written and severely reasoned. It enters copiously into the whole subject, showing much candour towards all

who have trod in the same field, and especially towards Mr. Baines, to whose transcendent merits great justice is done. It is highly interesting to learn the light in which the subject is viewed by a man of Dr. Hoppus's powers and philosophical turn. The work abounds with original views and striking thoughts; altogether apart from the controversy, it forms a treasury of truth on the general subject, and will be read with interest, and, we will add, with instruction, by men of all parties. Coming last, he has had an opportunity of observing all, and, where they have erred, correcting all; contrasting, comparing, balancing, adjusting, and reconciling, or trying to reconcile, all according to his own views of the desirable and the attainable. The

publication is one of very great general value; without offering any opinion on Dr. Hoppus's special view of the one thing, or even stating his grand conclusion, as we are anxious that friends should read the work and judge for themselves, to tempt them to this, we shall state the Contents:

Chapter I.-Importance of Popular Education as an Antidote to Crime.

Chapter II.-Statistical View of Popular Education in some Foreign Parts.

Chapter III.-State Education on the Continent of Europe and in the United States.

Chapter IV.-Brief Summary of the History of Popular Education in the Three KingdomsScotland, Ireland, England-British and Foreign School Society-National School Society-Measures of 1820, 1835, 1837-Grant System, 1833 -Committee of Council, 1839-Plan of a Normal School System-Factories' Education Bill of Sir James Graham, 1843.

Chapter V.-The Aim and Spirit to be cherished in the work of Popular Education.

Chapter VI.-Popular Education in England and Wales-Lord Kerry's Returns-Inquiries of the Manchester Statistical Society-Of the Statistical Society of London-Mr. Baines's Returns for the Manufacturing Districts, 1843Returns for West Kent, 1846-Returns from Seventy-five Places in Thirty-three Counties, 1844-General Amount and Means of Education-Deficiency in the same- -Quality of Edu

cation.

Chapter VII.-Financial Considerations.

Chapter VIII.-Crisis of Popular Education in its Relation to the Government-Question of Government Interference-Question of Necessity-Gratuitous Education-Compulsory Attendance-Kind and Form of the Agency to be exercised by the State-Centralization-Question of Religious Instruction-Secular Schools -The exclusively Voluntary System-The same System with Secular Schools-Government Aid to Voluntary Societies-Isolation of Voluntary Societies-Principles of Government Aid to Voluntary Societies-"Minutes of the Committee of Council on Education." Appendix.

The History of the Revival and Progress of Independency in England, &c. By Rev. JOSEPH FLETCHER. Vol. II. London: Snow.

MR. FLETCHER holds on his way in a manner highly satisfactory. The present volume is one of much interest and great excellence. We have noted, with much satisfaction, the very cordial and general welcome given by the Press to Vol. I., and we doubt not Vol. II. will meet with even augmented favour. It is a valuable record of the great facts of the momentous period which it embraces. Mr. Fletcher has now completed the half of his undertaking, and removed from our minds all uneasiness concerning the remainder. It is really cheering to see young ministers of this class rising up in the midst of us, standing forth with modesty, yet with promptness and with vigour, to do the work which ought to have been done before they were born. We now, without hesitation, call upon the Nonconformist Body to come forth and accord to this undertaking the encouragement which it so richly merits. Mr. Snow deserves great praise for thus embarking his capital, and must not be suffered to be a loser for his pains. The sale of the first volume has been very considerable, but it ought to be, and it will yet be, five-fold. Mr. Fletcher, too, has embarked his talents and erudition, and ought to be fairly, generously compensated for his literary toils. Ministers of the Word! Young Men ! Nonconformists! The matter devolves upon you. Take it up in a manner worthy of the cause and of yourselves, and the result, desirable, will be easily and speedily attained.

The Christian Serving his own Generation: A Sermon on the Death of J. J. Gurney. By JOHN ALEXANDER, Norwich. Jackson and Walford.

THIS is a beautiful tribute of wisdom to worth. Such men as Mr. Alexander and Mr. Gurney naturally draw to each other, and in this case the survivor has faithfully and feelingly performed the highest offices of friendship to the departed. The deeply-interesting account of Mr. Gurney's life, labours, and death, which appeared in the Norfolk News, was from the pen of Mr. Alexander. That account and this Sermon well deserve to be printed together, in a neat 18mo volume, which would form an attractive, instructive, and edifying manual.

A Discourse on the Death of Joseph Blower, Esq. By JOHN BLACKBURN. 8vo, pp. 32. London: Jackson and Walford.

THIS is not a common-place funeral sermon. It is a striking and solemn delineation of a character of unusual excellence. Its fabric consists of acts and deeds. Mr. Blower seems, in most respects, to have been a model deacon. His pastor has been sparing of eulogy: he has wisely judged that to state the simple truth was to pronounce the highest panegyric. And so it was; the character was clearly one of extraordinary excellency, and here it is depicted with a happy mixture of dignity, delicacy, and affection. All will read the discourse with interest and edification, but especially the numerous circle of the deceased's friends, some of whom perhaps may moisten it by a tear.

A Discourse of the Qualities and Worth of Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL D. By W. L. ALEXANDER, D.D. Pp. 50. Lowe.

IN our notice, last month, we complained that none of the Funeral Discourses for Dr. Chalmers were worthy of the occasion. We had not then received that of Dr. Alexander, which is a just, a luminous, and a noble tribute, reflecting equal honour on the writer and on his subject. It strikes us that it is such a discourse as Hall or Foster, placed in the circumstances of Dr. Alexander, would have produced. It is such as only these, or men like these, could have produced. As the subject is pre-eminently one of mental greatness, only men of transcendent powers can successfully deal with it; and the least that can be said is, that the writer has proved himself equal to his task. It may be safely affirmed that this is the most truthful, the most philosophical, the most splendid portrait that has yet been, or that will hereafter be drawn, of the greatest of orators and the most excellent of men. We reflect with some satisfaction that this incomparable production is from the pen of a Dissenter-a minister of our own communion, whose genius and generosity are alike conspicuous in this finished monument to the revered memory of his teacher and friend.

Ordination Discourses at Liskeard, Cornwall. 8vo, pp. 64. Snow.

THIS was a very interesting occasion in connection with the cause of Congregationalism in Cornwall. The free and liberal system of Independency is much calculated for the intelligent and spirited people of Cornwall, and we trust our churches there will increase and multiply. The discourses before us were preached at the ordination of the Rev. H. M'Kay: Mr. Hine, of Plymouth, delivering the Preparatory Address; Dr. Payne, the Introductory Discourse; Mr. Pyer, of Devonport, the Charge; and Mr. Jones, of Plymouth, the Sermon to the people. Where all is so excellent it is useless to specify. Since the Ordination Services of the Rev. John Kelly, of Liverpool, we have met with nothing of the sort so complete and so valuable. Mr. McKay's confession has the great merit of explicitness, clearness, correctness, and brevity. It is the best shilling's worth of the kind in existence.

Hints on Church Duties. By JOHN KELLY. Royal 18mo, pp. 32. Marples, Liverpool. THIS is a piece of great worth, containing counsels too wise, weighty, and valuable, to be confined to the church assembling in Crescent Cha pel, Everton. Provision ought to be made for London publication. It is one of those golden tractates which one could wish every member of the churches of Christ to read and ponder, with prayer, three times a year.

elaborate and instructive dissertation, and they will rise convinced their fears are groundless. It will be a good day for religion which beholds every Congregational church in the realm locally associated, and all the Local Associations combined in a general union for common objects at home and abroad.

Duty of Christian People in reference to the Present Crisis: A Sermon preached on the day appointed for the National Fast. To which is added, an Account of a Converted Jew, who was baptized on the occasion; with a Confession of his Faith. By JOHN LEIFCHILD, D.D. 12mo. Ward and Co.

CLEAR, pointed, bold, and practical,-one of the most useful of the Fast-day sermons, the run of which, so far as they have come in our way, have not been much worth. The best thing by far that we have seen, is, the Address of Mr. Mursell, assigning reasons for not falling in with the proclamation, and of which we mean to give the substance at convenience.

Life of Rev. John Williams, Missionary. By E. PROUT. Royal 8vo, double columns, pp. 172. London: Snow.

THIS excellent work is now brought within the reach of the common mechanic and day-labourer, and has already found its way to thousands of hands from which the price of the large type volume excluded it. The "Enterprises" and "Life" may now be bound up together, forming unitedly a volume full of fact, incident, and enchantment, to which there is no parallel in the realms of truth, and which scatters to the winds the entire empire of nonsense called Fiction.

The Spirit admitted to the Heavenly House, and the Body refused a Grave: Two Sermons preached on the occasion of the Death of the Rev. T. S. Guyer, of Ryde, Isle of Wight. With Notes by T. BINNEY. Svo, pp. 104. Jackson and Walford.

THE Occasion of these sermons will be long remembered. They are two massive and noble discourses, such as every way become the occasion, and as will sustain the reputation of the eminent man to whose lot it fell to deliver them. Some great questions, affecting the Episcopacy of the Scriptures, and that of the English church, are here discussed in a manner which well deserves the consideration of more than one party.

A Funeral Address on the Death of Rev. T. R. Matthews, of Bedford, with Biographical Notes, &c. By J. FITZGERALD, M.A. 8vo, pp. 140. London.

THIS is an unusually full, and a very interesting account of a singular, but valuable man, in some respects a sort of John Berridge. He has found in Mr. Fitzgerald an able and a generous eulogist, apologist, and defender, and Bishops Blomfield, Thirlwall, Sumner, Philpots, and Co, a very enlightened and powerful antagonist. How such a man can remain in the Establishment is to us a mystery. Surely, a man of such intelligence and learning will not end his days in Egypt. We trust he will yet live to wonder he could have written as he has in page 95 of the

Appendix: "It is one thing to be a minister, and another to be a mere men.ber of a church like that established by law in England. By becoming its minister, you represent its whole system; you take oath upon oath, declaratory of your unfeigned assent and consent' to ALL the Prayer Book, and the king's unlimited supremacy in church matters, as therein contained. Not so the Layman." Let this principle be carried to its legitimate issue, and society will be overthrown.

Letters on the Psalms, &c. By G. STOddart, A.M., of Queen's College, Oxford, Editor of the "Englishman's Greek Concordance to the New Testament." Hatchard.

AN interesting publication, comprising a large amount of useful critical knowledge in a brief space and a popular style.

Immanuel: Lectures on the Divinity of the Son of God, and on Socinianism. By ROBERT GRACE. TEN good, substantial discourses, taking a large view of a momentous subject, and enriched by a mass of valuable Notes.

The Christian's Spiritual Song Book, containing upwards of 500 Spiritual Songs, designed for Revival Meetings, Open Air Services, Infant and Sabbath-schools, Teetotal Meetings, &c. By JOHN STAMP. Third Edition. 18mo. Brittain.

MR. STAMP is clearly a man of great energy and zeal. There is no mistake either about himself or his books. He dedicates this volume "To the Rev. J. Cliffe, late of America, whose spiritual and lively singing has been blessed to the salvation of thousands." The italics are ours; we greatly question the fact. This is certainly not the Divine plan of converting the world. But Mr. Cliffe is not alone in his views: in a note, on another page, it is said, "Rev. W. C. Miller, Wesleyan Minister, converted thousands with his lively singing; and all his hymns go in song tunes." Believing this, it is no marvel that it is Mr. Stamp's "settled intention to send companies of Christian men and women to all parts of the nation, to sing these Spiritual Songs, and sell the book." Mr. Stamp is not alone in his hope; he cites a brother who says, "I have known the Ranters enter a town at a time when the place has been nearly flooded with political and infidel excitement-and with their lively singing sweep the whole place." Well, there are certainly worse things than this; but we think there is a more excellent way. Mr. Stamp is, we have no doubt, a very worthy, sincere, and zealous man; but were we to judge from this book and its accompaniments, we should be inclined to think that his character would be improved by the infusion of a considerable admixture of prudence.

P.S. Since the above was written Mr. Stamp has departed this life.

The Daily Monitor: a Portion of Scripture, an Anecdote, and a Verse of a Hymn for every Day in the Year. By JOHN ALLEN. 32mo. Hamilton.

To both young and old we recommend this book. The mere anecdotes are worth the money ten times over.

CHRONICLE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES: OF THE THREE SOCIETIES FOR BRITISH MISSIONS: AND OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL EDUCATION, IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNION.

NINTH AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE UNION. AN Advertisement on the Cover of our present Number sets forth full particulars of the order, time, and place of the various proceedings connected with the Ninth Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, which will be held in York, on the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th days of October next. It will therefore be sufficient, in this place, to invite attention to the importance of the occasion, and to the topics requiring the best attention of the three morning sessions devoted to conference and deliberation.

With respect to the importance of the occasion it is not easy to make exaggerated statements. That the pastors, deacons, and delegates of the Independent churches should meet for conference, worship, and fraternal communion, is indispensable. The idea is not that they should meet to govern-to invade the liberties of others, or to surrender their own-but that they should assemble to promote mutual sympathy and help; to arrive at wise views and judgments of passing events, and of their own and the churches' duties in reference thereto; to gather first, and then to diffuse, augmented and purified, the love and confidence of the associated brotherhood; to devise and execute many practical efforts for the common good of the whole denomination.

Now the Annual Assemblies are held in this great city of crowd and hurry, at a time when the strength and attention of brethren are overtaxed by a multiplicity of objects and meetings, and when, in addition, the annual political movements in which our interests are principally involved, reach their most anxious point of struggle. Hence that occasion, so interesting and important on many accounts, is less favourable for calm and devout conference. This renders the more tranquil season of an Autumnal Meeting so eminently desirable, beneficial, and pleasant. To maintain and improve these Autumnal Meetings-to increase the numbers attending them, and the interest of their proceedings-is a good and necessary work for the well-being of our denomination.

1. The morning session of the Tuesday it is proposed to devote to conference on the religious state of our denomination-free, fraternal, and devout. Such conferences have been proposed on former occasions, but have failed of the full benefit and pleasure they might otherwise have yielded, from want of time and scope. They have been placed after other business. That preceding business has been prolonged beyond expectation. Then the conference has been brief and hurried. This year, therefore, it is proposed to place it first-to appropriate for it an entire morning session-to make for it no other preparation, on the part of the Committee, except probably a paper, and some proposals for influencing favourably the first entrance of our young brethren on college studies for the ministry, and the ordination services by which they

commence and solemnize their full discharge of pastoral labours. Brethren, therefore, should come prepared by previous thought and devotion for this Meeting, as by them must be supplied the materials of its discussions and advantages.

2. The morning session of the Wednesday it is proposed to occupy with a full consideration of British Missions, their claims, wants, and interests. The evening meeting of that day is for the public promotion of the three Societies for British Missions; and the discussions of the morning on the same subject may greatly promote the efficiency of its proceedings. The importance of those institutions-their present inadequacy to their object—the vast consequence to our churches themselves of vigorous efforts therein the intimate connection of those Missions with all our distinctive principles and interests ―their share in promoting the great cause of Protestant and evangelical truth, no one can doubt or overlook. A morning devoted to counsels for the promotion of British Missions will be well spent.

3. The morning session of the Thursday it is proposed to assign to Education, Sunday-school and daily education. The position of the Independent churches in respect to this great work and interest is peculiar. It has become pressingly needful that we should now ascertain, and bring into plain view, both our agreement and our differences on this question as now presented to the public mind; otherwise it will be impossible to decide what testimony to bear, what course to pursue. This is no time or cause for mutual criminations or bitterness; but it is a time and cause for decided opinions and energetic action. This morning will not be the first in which this great question has been debated among us. It will be well that it should be the last, and end in decision and action.

BRITISH MISSIONS.

THE plan for uniting the Executive of the three Societies included in the general designation of "British Missions," approved and adopted at the General Meetings of those Institutions, has been carried into effect, and promises great advantage to the cause, to promote which it was devised. It is expected to produce greater unity of action, to facilitate the labour of the office, and to lessen the expenditure involved. The Directors wish it to be distinctly observed, that the identity of the Societies is unaffected by the change. They are still three distinct Institutions, each having its own Treasurer, and Secretary or Secretaries, who will be responsible to their constituents as heretofore. Contributions may be made to either of them, as in times past; and legacies may be bequeathed by those of their friends who may be disposed thus to benefit the cause, when they themselves are removed to their rest. The change effected applies exclusively to the management of the Societies. In all other respects they are as distinct and separate as they have always been. The office of the Irish Evangelical Society will be shortly removed to the Congregational Library, which will be a convenience not only to the Secretaries, who will be in attendance at the office, but to