ther occupies just fourteen words of the sacred text. contrast these two statements.

Let us now

First, according to Dr. Todd, twenty years are a space of "so short a duration," that it is difficult to conceive fourteen words of the prophecy can have been fulfilled in them.

But, secondly, a few short years are an ample space for the fulfilment of all that is foretold. What is "difficult to conceive" in the case of fourteen words, becomes quite easy and natural in the case of twice that number of chapters. If, in this latter instance, we express any doubt or scruple, Dr. Todd does not think it needful to spend one moment in refuting our dangerous presumption and conspicuous folly!

Surely every unprejudiced mind will exactly reverse the lecturer's conclusions. It is very easy to conceive that three short clauses, scarcely amounting to a single verse, may have been fulfilled even within twenty years; and yet it must be highly improbable, and, without the strongest direct evidence, quite incredible, that the whole range of inspired prophecy in two whole books of the canon should be crushed and contracted within the same narrow bound. This would make it entirely overleap the grand outlines of God's providence upon the earth.

The words of Bossuet, slightly modified, apply strongly to such inconsistent objectors: "Their reason, which they take for their guide, offers them only conjectures and difficulties: the mistakes into which they fall, in denying the fulfilment of the sacred visions, become more intolerable than the truths whose vastness oppresses them; and, to avoid realizing the inconceivable grandeur of prophecy, they run one after the other into inconceivable absurdities."

Reviews.

A Sermon for the Times. By a Layman. London: Longmans. We know not who "the Layman" may be who has given us " A Sermon for the Times," but we are very much pleased with the sermon, and sincerely wish that those who are not laymen would take care to preach the same doctrine. The object of the sermon is to show-first, that divisions upon matters usually termed nonessential and indifferent, are not only forbidden by the text, but are also contrary to the general tenor of Scripture; secondly, that the claim to entire liberty upon such matters is inconsistent with the principles which regulate human laws; and, thirdly, that such claim is inexpedient and unwise. The first point is briefly proved thus:"But let us see what the injunction, be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect,' requires. As there is no imperfection whatever in the Deity, this precept can be satisfied with nothing short of unqualified obedience-an entire conformity of thought as well as action. No divisions can enter the perfect mind of God; and his law, which commands us to be perfect as he is, and requires us

to love him with all our mind, cannot be construed to sanction divisions, which result from imperfection of thought; but, on the contrary, must be viewed in harmony with the Divine character, and be held to forbid them; especially when we are so strongly admonished to be all of one mind. Disagreement could not exist if men were as perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect; and to this state of perfection Christ came to restore us. Though the corruption of our nature prevents us from attaining it in this world, yet we are to strive after it-to keep it ever in view, and make it the object of our hopes and unceasing desire."

And the author illustrates his position by many examples from Scripture. The second point is thus treated:

"We now proceed to show that the claim to entire liberty, with respect to matters non-essential and indifferent, is inconsistent with the principles which regulate human laws.

"The object of law is the general happiness of mankind; and public forms and ceremonies of religion are not only established as a part of our religious duty, but also as tending materially to promote the order and well-being of society. With our law Christianity is happily interwoven; and while the latter infuses into the former an increasing temper of merciful forbearance, it is fit that law should cast around its heavenly companion some protection from the rude assaults which men are so frequently induced, by their self interest and their passions, to direct against her. It should indeed be our boast (if, like St. Paul, we may glory in the Gospel), that as a highly-favoured Christian nation, we have some national monuments of our Christianity-some public ways and means of demonstrating that we are not indifferent, as a people, to the Divine Author of our faith, and the source of our comfort; that we are not unwilling publicly to testify our homage to God, and openly to profess ourselves his servants; that as such we enter our national Churches publicly to worship him, and proclaim our obedience to his laws, and our reverence for those established scriptural ordinances which are calculated to cement us in one holy bond of union, if we submit to the two commandments' in all their expansive breadth. Who that feels the glowing spark of Christianity in his breast, does not rejoice that she is part of the laws of England,' and that she has a Church in connexion with the State-that so, power may be wielded under the influence of the cross, and continually brought to the test of a most holy standard of eternal truth and justice?"

The argument is strengthened by its being shown that the laws of England sanction no such principle as that of entire liberty with regard to things indifferent, and points out the sinfulness of schism, as an offence against human society. The third position of our author is defined with equal success :

"We now proceed to suggest, that the claim to entire liberty, in relation to things usually termed non-essential and indifferent, is inexpedient and unwise.

"Here it may be objected, that expediency is not a rule by which men ought to regulate their conduct. We grant that it is not the

chief rule or test to which their actions are to be brought; still it may be asserted to be a subordinate rule, and as such it is recognized by St. Paul- All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient.'

*

"St. Paul exhibits expediency as a motive of restraint, and we all submit to restraints in minor matters without controversy. All the habits and customs which regulate our intercourse with each other, and form the rules of politeness and gentlemanly demeanour, are matters of expediency. It may be lawful to be rude or eccentric -to affect indifference, and adopt a line of conduct which neither agrees with the feelings, nor contributes to the comfort, of those with whom we come in contact. All this may be lawful, so far as human laws apply to it; but is it expedient, or is it consistent with the social spirit of the Gospel? Certainly not; the general voice echoes the answer. Myriads bow to the customs of society in things indifferent yea, and too often in something more. All the public acts of social bodies require to be regulated by certain forms and established rules, which are as essential to preserve decency and order in the performance of such acts, as the habits of politeness are to the promotion of comfort and delight in social intercourse. A man has a natural right to the free use of speech; but if he enter a public assembly, such right is immediately controlled by the rules of the assembly. He is at liberty to speak only at certain times, and on certain questions, and he acquiesces because he feels such regulations to be expedient. And is not a far higher degree of respect due to the assemblies of the Church? for there the essential doctrines of the pure word of God are taught and cherished; there the Most High is worshipped in certain simple, yet cloquent and suitable forms of prayer, sanctioned by the most pious and learned of her spiritual rulers, and adopted by the clergy, and an immense majority of the laity, according to the injunction, Let all things be done decently and in order.' Does not the Church of England afford the best sanctuary in which to gather all men under one head, that Christ may be the head over all things to the Church, which is his body? Is it not expedient to forego our unhappy divisions about non-essentials, and to adopt the best means of preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?'"

Altogether we have rarely perused a sermon more sound and more well judged than this. Coming from a layman, it may be read by some who would not deign to cast their eyes on a sermon composed by a minister of the sanctuary. It will doubtlessly be examined by many, who, judging from its title, will expect a violent tirade against Dr. Pusey. Such, however, will be disappointed; for the layman is a Christian, and therefore uses no harsh language.

A Help to Catechizing. For the use of Clergymen, Schools, and Private Families. By James Beaven, M.A., Vicar of Welford. Second edition. London: Burns. 1842.

WE have already given our opinion of this truly excellent work, and shall therefore here only express our delight at seeing a second edition.

1. Adoration, Aspiration, and Belief. By Eliza Flower. Cramer, and Chas. Fox.

2. Six Melodies for the Pianoforte. By Charles E. Horsley. Ewer and Co.

We heartily welcome the concluding numbers of Miss Flower's work. They abundantly fulfil the expectations excited by the first. Her mental affinity with Coleridge is again shown by the exquisite manner in which she has treated his "Dark the faith of days of yore." This, with "Beneath the stony arch," and "Now pray we for our country," are perhaps our favourites, but we could name many more of great merit. Miss Flower does not take words, and stick notes to them by the help of a musical grammar and foot-rule, but really thinks and feels her subject in the language of music— herein is great praise.

One word for Mr. Horsley: he successfully imitates the style of his master, Mendelsohn, and displays originality at the same time. He gives promise of better things in future by giving us good ones for a commencement. We can recommend these six melodies to pianoforte players, with the consolation for many, that they avoid the difficulties.

The Teacher's Campanion. Designed to exhibit the Principles of Sunday School Instruction and Discipline. By R. N. Collins, Superintendent of St. Bride's Sunday School, London. With an Introductory Essay by the Rev. Daniel Moore, B.A., Minister of Christ's Chapel, St. John's Wood. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 1842.

We are glad to see so careful a production as this one, which proceeds from the pen of one who has had ample experience in the practice of teaching. The whole book bears tokens of prudence and thorough knowledge; nor can we let it pass without commending the admirable introductory essay by Mr. Moore. "The Teacher's Companion" is appropriately dedicated to one of the best of parish priests-the Rev. Thomas Dale.

The Millennium. A Poem. With copious Notes. By a Millennarian. London: Simpkin and Marshall. 1842.

THIS publication professes to prove from Scripture authority the doctrine of the personal reign of "God Man Christ Jesus" during a thousand years of blessedness on the earth. The first words of the preface are, that "the author of the following verses freely admits that they lay no claim to merit as poetry." This acknowledgment very greatly simplifies our duty towards the writer, for we have no inclination to deal theologically just now with his subject; and certainly he is right not to lay any claim to poetical merit-the book is little better than doggerel.

Polynesia; or, an Historical Account of the Principal Islands in the South Sea, including New Zealand. By the Rt. Rev. Michael Russell, LL.D. and D.C.L., of St. John's College, Oxford. Edinburgh Oliver and Boyd. 1843.

:

WERE We simply to call this book an interesting book, we should be doing it but scanty justice-it is everything that a book should be; it combines amusement and instruction; it is elegant, learned, pious, and charitable; and it is, in one word, worthy of the reputation of the Bishop of Glasgow. The following passage admirably displays the effects of Christianity on the savage state:" The most ardent patrons of missions to Polynesia will not maintain that in no instance has zeal overstepped the bounds of prudence, or that pearls have not occasionally been thrown before swine, who tried to turn again and rend their benefactors. But to justify the use of the means which have been employed, they point with satisfaction, and even some degree of triumph, to the effects which are already produced. They can assert, that wherever Christianity has been received, however imperfectly, the habits of the natives are improved, their fierce tempers have been mollified, and a respect for human life has suc'ceeded to that thirst for blood which formerly occasioned the most deplorable catastrophes. In all the islands where the missionaries have succeeded in establishing a settlement, security is now afforded to the mariner of every nation, who either seeks refuge from misfortune, the intercourse of trade, or the gratification of a liberal curiosity. At other places, on the contrary, where the mild spirit of the gospel has not yet been felt, scarcely a year passes in which we do not hear of murderous quarrels between the inhabitants and those by whom they are visited. At some of the Marquesas, till very lately, a trading vessel scarcely dared to anchor. In the Friendly Islands, according to the statement of a recent author, while the chiefs were manifesting the strongest attachment to Captain Cook, they planned the assassination of himself and all his officers, and with this view invited them to an entertainment by torch-light. Even on the shore of Otaheite, when Bligh's vessel arrived, the people cut the cables, in order that, being drifted on the beach, she might fall into their hands as plunder. Some years afterwards, the Society Islanders seized an English brig, murdered the officers, killed or disabled the crew, and took possession of her; but since the lessons of the Christian teachers have been given, every ship that has touched there, or at any other in the adjacent groups, has been as safe as in the Thames or the Weser."

The prospects of the South Sea Islands are now widely different from that which they once presented; and it is a very interesting topic to regard the steps by which they have attained to their present position: the first rude attempts at commerce, the first dawnings of Christian civilization, moving hand in hand together, and gradually expanding into a condition which bids fair to be soon highly advantageous. Bishop Russell observes, speaking of the trade of the Sandwich Islands :-"The success in the Sandwich