part more information, but at the risk of stunting the intellect. The age seems to have lost sight of the old maxim,-" Melius est discere quam doceri." Again: how many of the religious books for the young are a mere compound of party opinions and mawkish sentimentality; treating children as dwarf men and women; childish rather than child-like. Within a few years, indeed, a better class has sprung up, the professed object of which is to train children up as members of the Church; but many of these are improvements rather in subject than in tone. There is little in them to cultivate the imagination or to invigorate the mind. They, too, seem to be always aiming at immediate results, and for the most part in the form of something producible on demand. There was more of sound religious training when there was less religion taught— when the doctrinal instruction was for the most part confined to the catechism. Even in the old grammar-school system, there was something which, if not quite so marketable a commodity, tended somehow to give a manly vigour of sentiment, that made the pupil a better man, and in the long run not worse informed Christian.

On such grounds as these, we hail with pleasure a volume of selections from classical Greek, Latin, and English writers, lately put forth by the Rev. W. Sewell, with the appropriate title, "The New Speaker, and Holiday Task Book. The design and we think it a happy conception to

blend in one volume our own classics with those of the Greeks and Romans-is thus stated in the preface :-" The object of the present compilation is to supply a collection of passages for the purpose of recitation in schools. By recitation is meant, not acting, or the assumption of a character, but a grave, becoming, emphatic, and varied delivery, which is the best practice for a sober and useful oratory in after life. The assumption of character is scarcely to be expected in boys. It may be doubted whether it should ever be encouraged,-whether it be not full of serious mischief. But the power of adding expression to our thoughts by the intonations and management of the voice, is of inestimable importance, and ought to be carefully cultivated."

The 66 New Speaker" contains selections, both in prose and verse, in each of the three languages named, rather more than half the volume being in English. The compiler has throughout confined himself to old and acknowledged standard writers. The English prose is chiefly from Burke and Barrow. Altogether the English portion is a vast improvement upon the old "Speaker." With regard to the learned languages, the boy must be well grounded and pretty far advanced, to enter with spirit into the passages given from Thucydides and Plato; but this is rather an argument in its favour. It is a new feature, that there are a few extracts from St. Chrysostom, but none (we wish there had been a few) from the Latin Fathers. The moral aim of the book is excellent. The compiler has in his choice restricted himself to "passages which contain, not merely exhibitions of passion or eloquence, but those kinds of sentiments which might be easily felt and appreciated by a young mind properly cultivated, and those truths which are most required to be impressed upon the young, without touching immediately upon religion, or descending into the ordinary conventional teaching of morality, which too often encourages a kind of cant." Upon the whole, we beg to recommend this as a manly and scholarlike book, happily selected, carefully edited, and well printed. One word upon the second title. We do not mean the remark as an objection to the book before us; but we beg to submit for consideration whether there is upon the whole more gain or more loss from holiday tasks.”

LANETON PARSONAGE: A TALE FOR CHILDREN, ON THE PRACTICAL USE OF A PORTION OF THE CHURCH CATECHISM. BY THE AUTHOR OF AMY

HERBERT," &c. 12mo. pp. 248. (Longman & Co.)

66

It is dangerous work to write a tale to illustrate the catechism; but the author of Amy Herbert" may be trusted to do this, if any living writer may. This little volume may, we think, be put with safety and some degree of profit into the hands of young persons in the absence of pastoral catechising, and in many cases as a supplement to it; but not exactly as 'their more serious reading." The suggestion in the preface, that in order to obviate the danger of the longer and graver conversations being skipped," the book should be read aloud, is applicable to most books of the kind. The volume is so interesting, and leaves the reader so desirous to know how the chief characters turned out in after life, that we hope the promise in the last page will not be forgotten.

66

LYRA INNOCENTIUM-THOUGHTS IN VERSE ON CHRISTIAN CHILDREN, THEIR WAYS, AND THEIR PRIVILEGES. 24mo. pp. 286. (Rivingtons.)

It is not for us to praise, still less to criticise Lyra Innocentium, from which we have already more than once or twice enriched our pages. Our principal object in naming it on the present occasion, is to announce the publication of a cheaper edition, which brings it within the reach of all the readers of this Journal. It would be well if our schoolmasters and schoolmistresses were deeply imbued with its spirit. That, like its predecessor 'The Christian Year,' it needs in many parts to be studied rather than perused, does not render it the less fit for their use, or even in some cases for the children in their schools. Indeed, in our humble opinion, young persons should seldom learn by heart any portion but what is beyond their years; easy verse they will read for themselves. Many of the poems in this volume, with the help of a little questioning, would be intelligible enough to the elder scholars, even in our country schools, and they would catch the spirit often none the worse for not being able to explain the meaning. The idea of committing to memory implies a storing for the future.

"Oh! wherefore in such haste to have our work appear?
The cedar yields no fruit until its fiftieth year."

That this volume is applicable to educational purposes will be evident from the headings given to the several divisions :-I. Holy Baptism-II. Cradle Songs-III. Early Encouragements-IV. Early Warnings-V. Children's Troubles-VI. Children's Sports-VII. Lessons of NatureVIII. Lessons of Grace-IX. Holy Places and Things-X. Holy Seasons and Ways. Education carried on in the spirit of Lyra Innocentium would be religious education indeed.

VERSES FOR HOLY SEASONS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION.

C. F. H. 12mo. pp. 232. (Rivingtons.)

BY

Should, however, any of our readers shrink from the labour of teaching their pupils the volume named in the next precedent paragraph, (and some pains on the teacher's part would certainly be required, before it could be made greatly available in our national and sunday schools), we commend to their favourable notice the small volume named at the head of this paragraph, "with questions for examination," written expressly "with a view of adapting the principle observed in The Christian Year to the capacities of the young and uneducated;" and particularly, as stated in the dedication, "to the exigencies of the school room." The object being "to provide

the young with verses which they may readily understand and easily learn, the most simple metres have been adopted, and what may appear to some to be a kind of sing-song style of versification." That no apology, however, was needed for this unpretending and highly useful book-one suggestive of right thoughts at the right season, will be evident from the specimens given in another part of this number (pp. 31-2), which have been selected chiefly on account of their being among the shortest.

FRANK'S FIRST TRIP TO THE CONTINENT, 12mo. pp. 310. (Burns.)

We are glad to see that this book has reached a second edition, the only fault we could find with it on its first appearance being that the title is too juvenile; no one, for instance, would infer from seeing it advertised among the publications of the day, that the hero is a thoughtful, intelligent, wellprincipled young man who has been "at college." Upon opening the volume, however, it will be found to contain in every page much useful knowledge, as well as pleasant reading, well adapted to the times we live in. The tendency of the whole is to foster an enlightened attachment to our church and country; and, what is particularly valuable at the present crisis, to fortify the mind against the insidious attacks of Romanism by the steady inculcation of true Catholic principles. An interesting extract and fair specimen of the book may be found at page 242 of our third volume.

THE DEVOTIONAL LIBRAKY. EDITED BY THE REV. W. F. HOOK, D.D.

24mo. (Bell.)

It would certainly be a disgrace to the Church, if this series of devotional works, of which the tone is as good as the price is low (and this is saying a great deal, for we have 320 closely printed pages for a shilling), should not command an extraordinarily large circulation.

Each publication is complete in itself: they vary in size, from a mere tract (and that entitled, "Helps to Self-examination," is one of the most practical we ever met with), to a large volume brought into a small compass. Some are reprints, and some are original works. As to the former, the titles and authors' names are commendation enough :—such as "The Retired Christian, by Bishop Ken;" and, "The Crucified Jesus, by Dr. Horneck." The longer of the two original publications which have yet appeared, especially claims our attention, as being "affectionately inscribed to" the author's children and godchildren, with the earnest hope that the words of their mouths and the meditation of their hearts may be always acceptable in the sight of HIM, their strength and their Redeemer." It is a series of " Short Meditations for every day in the Year. Part I, Advent to Lent," edited by W. F. Hook, D.D. Books with this sort of title are common enough; but in most of them the reflections have often no more to do with the day to which they are assigned, than with any other. The book before us, however, is of a different kind,-the object being to train the mind, more particularly of young people, to regular habits of meditation as a part of daily devotion, and that, too, under the guidance of the Church. There is a short and able preface, explaining the necessity and usefulness of a systematic course of meditation, and containing some valuable hints on the best method of training one's self to it. In these days, in which there is so much religious teaching

"That plays round the head, but comes not near the heart,"

a thoroughly practical devotional book like this, the tendency of which is

to make religion the main business of every day, is doubly valuable. The following specimen, being one of the meditations for the day on which this number will come into the hands of most of our readers, will not be deemed out of place in a Journal of Education :—

"Assist me, O Lord, I humbly entreat Thee, in this most solemn duty, at this most solemn season; of myself I am nothing, and can do nothing; but send me Thy Holy Spirit to direct and guide this and all my doings in the way of Thy truth, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

While the Church guides and directs us to seek the true circumcision of the spirit, it is my duty to meditate upon how I have performed my part, and how I intend to improve in my progress for the time to come.

I stand as it were between the two years: the old year, with all its events, and cares, and joys, is vanishing into the distance of eternity, and the new year is coming on. I have entered upon it with confidence and overboldness, never considering that it may be fraught with events of woe to me, and those I love best, and, it may be, that its progress may see me laid in my grave. (Here pause, and remember the particular circumstances.) But my business is with the past. I look back on the old year; I remember in how many things during its course I have been peculiarly blest (pause); many family circumstances ought to be to me subjects of peculiar thankfulness; and privileges and opportunities for the improvement and advancement of my soul, have been granted to me above what is the ordinary lot of persons in these days. But, also, I must not shrink from what makes the retrospect a sad but still a most solemn duty; I see opportunities lost which passed by me, and are now sunk into unfathomable eternity; I see neglects of duty, * faults of temper, * pride of spirit,* wanderings in prayer. These, and many, many other things, * show that I have not yet attained that true circumcision of spirit, which is the only way by which I can reach true obedience. (*After naming these things, pause, and devoutly remember the particular instances.)

*

O! my soul, thou art verily guilty in these matters; but thou must resolve and fix in what manner thou canst improve thy condition, so as to make the new year a period of greater advancement, and that thou mayst be ready to meet thy Lord whenever He shall see fit to call thee to Himself. The point thou hast to aim at is, the true circumcision of the spirit: on the way to attain this, thou must meditate at a future opportunity ; but, in the meantime, thou must humble thyself, and take revenge upon thy senses for all the evil of the past year. Thou, who didst deign that Thy glorious head should be wounded; forgive thereby whatever by the senses of my head I have sinned.

That Thy holy hands should be pierced; forgive thereby whatever I have done amiss by unlawful touch or illicit operation.

That Thy precious side should be opened; forgive thereby whatever I have offended by lawless thoughts in the ardour of passion.

That Thy blessed feet should be riven; forgive thereby whatever I have done by feet swift to evil.

That Thy whole body should be distended; forgive thereby whatever iniquity I have committed by the intervention of all my members. And I too, O Lord, am wounded in soul: behold the multitude, the length, the breadth, the depth of my wounds, and by Thine, heal mine!"

METROPOLIS SCHOOLS FOR THE POOR. A LETTER TO THE LORD BISHOP OF

LONDON. BY THE REV. R. BURGESS. 8vo. pp. 16. (Rivingtons.) Those who are disposed to assist in a good work, are recommended to peruse the above-named letter, to which is appended his Lordship's anIt contains a scheme for erecting and maintaining 50 additional schools in the metropolis, containing 250 children each. The money required will be an original outlay of £20,000, and an annual supply of £2,000. The Bishop of London gives £500, and continues his annual

swer.

subscription of £25. That this, or rather, a far greater number of schools is needed, is evident from the statistics given by Mr. Burgess, which will be found at page 34 of this Journal.

Extracts from Charges.

SCHOOLS WANTED AS WELL AS CHURCHES, OR SCHOOLS BEFORE CHURCHES

BEFORE I dismiss this important subject, I think it right to notice what I consider to be an invidious and unfair objection, which has been urged against the scheme for building additional churches in the metropolis, on the ground of its alleged failure. We are told, that the new churches are not more than half filled; and that the spiritually destitute, for whose good they have been erected, refuse to avail themselves of the remedy provided for them. Now I would observe, in the first place, that the statement is by no means generally true; that many of our new churches are extremely well attended; and that where this is not the case, it may be accounted for, without supposing either that the scheme itself is faulty, or that the agents, by whom it is carried out, are incompetent, or unfaithful. For I would remark, in the second place, that the promoters of this plan were not so unreasonable as to expect, that the good effect, which they confidently anticipated as likely to result from it, would be every where, or indeed any where, all at once, perceptible. In neighbourhoods where there existed a comparatively educated and well informed population, feeling the want of the church's teaching and ordinances, and desiring to have that want supplied, it was to be expected that, when a church should have been built, it would be well attended. And such has been the case. But in these great and populous parishes, where the mass of the people had been left almost entirely without the benefits of pastoral superintendence, or religious instruction of any kind, their physical and social condition being mostly on a level with their spiritual, it would have been perfectly marvellous if our new churches had been all at once, or even within a few years, filled with worshippers. In such districts as these, the work to be done by the church is of a strictly missionary kind. The people are to be taught the very first rudiments of christianity; and before even that can be done, they must be brought to a knowledge of christianity itself as a fact. The religious sense is to be awakened in them; and the obstacles which oppose themselves to the efforts of the clergy in such a work, are even greater, in some respects, than those which are encountered by the missionary in heathen lands. The change to be effected in this case must be gradual, and will be wrought chiefly through the medium of the rising generation. The school must train up a congregation for the Church; while at the same time the influence of religious instruction will in many instances find its way through the children to the parents. We have therefore been especially careful, in such, to provide schools as well as churches, and schools before churches, where both could not be reared at one and the same time; and the good resulting from our efforts, is to be measured by the effect of this joint provision, and not merely by the number of persons who have, up to the present time, availed themselves of the increased facilities of attending public worship.

But even in this respect the fruits of this charitable work are sufficiently abundant and palpable, to satisfy us that our labour has not been in vain in the Lord, and to encourage us to persevere in our undertaking. In the seven new churches already erected in the parish of Bethnal Green, the spot where it is said that we have sown our seed in vain, the average aggregate number of persons who form the congregations, has exceeded 1,500 in the morning, and 2,000 in the evening: the number of communicants is above 460; that of the children attending the national and Sunday schools, is 3,254: Now, since the number of worshippers in the old parish church, and of the scholars in the parochial schools, has not diminished, we may consider the numbers above mentioned as gained to the Church, and to the cause of their own salvation: and this, even if the progress of the work be slow, would be a matter of thankfulness and hope. In this single parish of