me o great importance. The question with which they deal in diverse application, is the great question of contemporary thought, in comparison with which all other questions are of little moment. Is there a spiritual world? Is there a metaphysical as well as a physical basis of life? Is reason, or soul, in other words, an entity, and not a mere manifestation of nervous force-a life behind all other life, and not merely the highest and most complex phase of natural life. All the naturalistic systems of thought so prevalent at the present time, assume a negative answer to these questions. They speak of mind, or spirit, or consciousness-they cannot help doing so, but they mean by such language merely a phenomenon-a phase of natural being-never a Spiritual entity or reality, distinct by itself, and essentially belonging to another and a higher state of being. Metaphysic is flouted as mere verbalism. Religion is discarded along with metaphysic, or at best, religion in the old sense." The contents of this book are:-"August Comte and Positivism (the author of Thorndale and Modern Scepticism); Modern Scientific Materialism; Pessimism; Morality without Metaphysic; Religion without Metaphysic; Natural Religion— God; Professor Ferrier and the Higher Philosophy; Back to Kant, or Immanuel Kant and the Kantian Revival." The subjects discussed comprise the most profound in philosophy, science, and religion. The author is one of the very few men of the age possessing the qualifications, both natural and acquired, for doing anything like justice to the Scientists and theories here discussed. Our readers who aspire to be abreast of the age by making themselves acquainted with the mental character and speculative enquiries of the great leaders of the world of thought, will, of course, procure and peruse this work of remarkable merit.

THE LEGENDS AND THEORIES OF THE BUDDHISTS COMPARED WITH HISTORY AND SCIENCE. By R. SPENCE HARDY, M.R.A.S. London: Frederic Norgate, Covent Garden.

The system attributed to Johama Buddha is one of the oldest beliefs in the world. It demands, therefore, a place among the records of religious opinions if for its antiquity alone. But it has other claims upon our attention. There is in it the germ of many of the speculations that are the most prominent in the shifting philosophies of the present day; and it is now professed at the lowest computation by three hundred millions of the human race. The information presented in this work has a further importance as the Dharmma is comparatively unknown in England. Of

this we have evidence in the singular fact that the name of Johama Buddha is not found in any work in our language that is exclusively biographical, although no uninspired man has exercised a greater influence upon the social and religious interests of the world. The object of this very interesting and instructive book is to expose some of the most notable defects and errors of Buddhism, the prevailing religion in Thibet, Nepal, Siam, Burmah, Japan, South Ceylon, and China. Our readers will find much in this volume that will expand their conceptions of religion, widen their realm of thought, and intensify their desire to get at the truth for themselves and diffuse it in the world.

JOHN WYCLIFFE. A QUINCENTENARY TRIBUTE. By JACKSON Wray. London: James Nisbet, Berners Street.

JOHN WICKLIF. By REV. W. ATKINSON. London: T. Woolmer, Castle Street, City Road.

Here are two little volumes, by different authors, upon one life, and that life an ornament not merely to our own country but to the world. With the life of Wycliffe most students of Ecclesiastical history are familiar. As contact with such a life is quickening and elevating, the oftener the contact is felt the better. It would be invidious to draw any comparison between these two works on the same subjects. Both have particular merits.

THE CHRIST OF HISTORY. BY ROBERT YOUNG, LL.D. London: Fisher Unwin, Paternoster Square.

This is the seventh edition of a work which we studied with the most intense interest when it was published several years ago. Although since then many Lives of Christ have appeared, and some ten times the size of this, they have not superseded the necessity, or by their merits dimmed the merits of this work. The author was not only an intimate friend, but an intellectual admirer and a loyal disciple of the late Caleb Morris, one of the greatest preachers that have appeared in London during the last half century. This book, though vigorously logical, is wondrously lucid and condensed, pulsating throughout with emotions of the most elevated and elevating kinds.

Old Notation

BEACH & BARNICOTT, Bridport. Tonic Sol-Fa

JUST PUBLISHED, THIRD EDITION.

PRICE 1/6.

A MANUAL FOR MINISTERS AND DEACONS:

OR

Practical Hints on the Constitution, Discipline, and Services of Congregational or Independent Churches.

REV.

BY

SAMUEL MCALL,
Late Principal of Hackney College.

INDEX.

I.-The Church. II.-Intercourse Proper to Church Membership. III.Pastors. IV.-Deacons. V.-Deaconesses. VI.-Ordination of Ministers. VII.-Church Discipline. VIII.-Church Meetings. IX.-Baptism. X.-The Lord's Supper. XI.-Marriage. XII.-Pulpit Preparation and Preaching. XIII. Conduct of Public Service. XIV.-Pastoral Visitation. XV.-Funerals and Funeral Sermons. XVI.-Concluding Hints & Topics for Consideration.

LONDON: W. MACK, 28, PATERNOSTER ROW; and 38, Park Street, Bristol.