The essays are in number sixteen; and, while they include some topics which are especially suited to the name they bear, and some which are peculiarly adapted to the audience assembled to hear them, they are uniformly sound in doctrine and affectionate in tone; and exhibit that happy union of sound learning and real piety, for which we look in vain in so many of the literary works of modern theologians. These brief "notices" do not admit of any long extracts from books under review. It may be as well, however, to observe, that our authors, feeling the responsibility which is inseparable from their office as Tutors, wisely address themselves to some subjects which, as they occupy general attention, must of course be pressing on the minds of their pupils. Most of the topics, therefore, which are now before the world, find a place here; and are discussed in a manner that can hardly fail to edify the reader-though we might perhaps feel inclined to demur to some of Mr. Swainson's remarks on the song of Deborah,and to think that to a Jewish hearer the eulogy on Joel would not present the difficulties he has imagined; and that it is neither necessary nor expedient to call in question the inspiration of the text, in order to escape the apparent contradictions. We rejoice to see nothing in these volumes of that purblind dogmatism, which learning too often assumes in theological questions, and which taints more or less the whole stream of German erudition.

In concluding this brief notice of a valuable but unpretending publication, we cannot but notice the striking contrast which it presents to the extraordinary manifesto, recently sent forth by a portion at least of the Tutorial body at Oxford. That any body of men so circumstanced should commit themselves in the eyes of the world, by a declaration that they will make "Baptismal Regeneration," in the most unrestricted use of that term, the ground of the religious instruction they give, is a lamentable evidence, we think, of the want both of charity and discretion. As men of learning, at least by profession, and of some experience, they ought to have known how much error as well as truth is apt to be comprehended in general terms-how essential it is for the moral guardians of the age to tread cautiously and modestly on such ground. Giving them credit for qualities which the world at large may, we fear, be disposed to question, we must suppose that they intended by this declaration to announce this fixed determination, as to the standard of religious instruction to be henceforth set up in Oxford. If the University consents to this representation,if the Oxford tracts are to be recognized as the standards of Oxford theology, if the mind of every undergraduate is to be subjected to such influences in order to mould him to these exclusive and antiProtestant views,-then indeed the country knows what it has to expect. Parents and guardians have had their warning, and will act accordingly. Some of the authors of this protest may exult in the victory they have gained; and may be indulging dreams of a speedy occupation of all the colleges and halls in that ancient seat of learning but let them be assured that there are multitudes of the wise and good, who mourn over this exclusive and unscriptural movement; and who will prefer truth, wherever it may be found, to walls, however venerable, whence the follics and passions of

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learned doctors have expelled her. We should, however, be truly sorry to include all the signers of that protest in the same category. It is easy, as the Proverb says, to sin in haste, and to repent at leisure ; and perhaps there are those who begin, even by this time, to lament that they did not keep their vessels clear of the whirlpool, which for a time the spirit of disappointment and bigotry had raised on the hitherto quiet surface of the waters.

Sermons by H. Alford, B.P. late Hulsean Lecturer. Rivingtons.

MR. ALFORD is already known to many of our readers as the Author of Poems of no common merit; among which, we think, are to be found some of the best hymns, for use in the public services of the Church, which have been composed in recent times. He has recently given to the world the first Volume of an Edition of the Greek Testament, with copious critical and expository notes; which will claim from us at some future time more than a passing notice. We are glad to have in this volume of Sermons a guarantee for the truly Scriptural and evangelical character of his Exposition of Scripture. The Sermons appear to us singularly simple, forcible, and earnest; sometimes truly eloquent; always vigorous and healthy in their general tone and style. We have read with peculiar pleasure the second Sermon, (entitled "The Leper"); the eighth, (“ God's Real Dwelling Place"); and the third (“Our English Zion"). We think the argument in this last Sermon, on the connection between the right of Private Judgment and the duty of the Church to educate, remarkably happy, both in thought and expression. We extract a few lines in the hope of inducing some of our readers to examine the volume for themselves.

"Vast masses have grown up in ignorance, untaught and uncared for; what wonder if specious fallacies have laid hold of their judgment, and false religions have beguiled them? And even where we have by our ancient and venerable institutions, our universities and grammar-schools, imparted some culture, how inefficient in many cases, how unsuitable for its purpose, has it been! What have we had during a great part of the period above-mentioned, worthy the name of Christian education for an English gentleman? What worthy the name of spiritual training for our own clergy? How miserably has the culture of the middle classes, our trademen and farmers, been provided for! Can we wonder at the alienation of one class or the lukewarm co-operation of another? If we assert one side of the great principle of our Protestant Reformation, the right to examine and judge,—and neglect the other, the duty of the Church to instruct, that a right judgment may everywhere be found, can we wonder if a right so flattering to human independence has been exercised with insufficient powers, and to a wrong issue! on our own shewing, and to our own disparagement?"

The Life and Character of the Evangelist St. John. By the Rev. Francis Trench. Longman, 1850.

THIS is a pleasing book, written, as might be expected from the name of its Author, in a pious and reverential spirit: characterized throughout by a marked anxiety to keep close to the positive assertions of Scripture, and a cautious abstinence from supposititious, and even in some places from what appear to us legitimate, inferences. Many interesting observations of various annotators are appended in the notes. Moreover, the book is of a pleasant size, and in a good

type; and from its general character, as well as from its attractive subject and Scriptural tone, is likely to commend itself to the public. Yet, if we are to say all we think, it is doubtful to us whether its readers will find that they have derived from it any very fresh or strong impressions. It would, of course, be most painful to see such a writer on such a subject painting from the imagination, and making up a character, after the fashion of the day. But there is a way of looking at the object, as it is, in which a man catches instinctively the characteristic lines, and so places them before our eyes that we find our sympathies awakened by the appearance of reality and life; and contemplate the portrait with a strong and distinct impression of what before, perhaps, we only faintly and unconsciously felt. Something of this kind we look for in a book with such a title as this. It appears to us also that Mr. Trench has made little or no use of some of his best materials. The circumstances by which the writings of St. John shew him to have been surrounded in his latter days-the part which he took in them— and the general tone of personal character which his writings reveal, are scarcely touched in this volume. Yet here, we think, lies the chief source of that interest which the Church attaches to the name of St. John. "When Jerusalem is fallen, and that determined is poured on the desolate"-when the apostles are disap→ pearing from the scene, which is growing gloomy with strange heresies and dark shadows of Antichrist,-then the aged and solitary apostle stands up, holds forth the Word of Life, and casts "bright beams of light upon the Church." The situation in which he found himself; the characters which he had in his eye; the "nova monstra opinionum" which he confronted; the black clouds of persecution and heresy which rolled around him,—all should have been shewn, at least in the back ground, and with at least as much distinctness as they are displayed in his own writings. Something also should have been drawn from his own words of the feelings which those circumstances awakened in his mind, and the spirit in which he met them. But especially, it seems to us, that a work on the character of St. John is defective which fails to bring into prominent notice his peculiar grandeur and sublimity of mind-almost every one is impressed by his spirit of love, and by the simplicity of language in which he gives utterance to his own views and feelings. But it is to be observed that this love and simplicity are the attributes of a mind ever soaring into the region of the vast, the infinite, the unchangeable, the eternal. That singular simplicity of language belongs to one familiar, above all others, with the sublimest mysteries of godliness. The human affection of him who "leaned on Jesus' bosom" coexisted in his soul with the keenest and deepest perception perhaps ever gained by man, of the glory of the only begotten Son of God. The words," Little children, love one another,' came from the lips of Him who heard the words of God, and saw the vision of the Almighty. Not the sublimity or the love alone, but the remarkable union of these qualities, is distinctive of St. John; and he who should display that apostle's character aright, would develope the sympathy between true grandeur and true simplicity, and the secret relation between the ineffable mysteries of the Gospel and its spirit of tenderness and love.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

SINCE our last Number there is not much to record as to foreign nations.

Spain is waiting in anxious expectation for a Prince or Princess who is to be born. Massillon, in one of his sermons, refers to some fancy of the ancients, that when Princes were born, a circle of light around their heads announced the fact, and the importance of it, to surrounding nations. We do not know what may happen in this particular instance; but no Princes on the globe have for some time exercised less influence upon the rest of the world than those of Spain.

The vast Russian Empire, having growled out a note of disapprobation against Lord Palmerston, has laid itself down to rest again.

In France, the "Electoral" Bill has been carried; all parties, except the Mountain, having united to beat down the Mountain to a plain. The House of Assembly are now busy on the "Dotation Bill," by which it is proposed to confer such a yearly income on the President of the Republic as would raise him above the level of some of the sovereign princes of Europe. And why not? The enemies to the measure talk about the example of the President of the "United States." But Parisians are not Americans. And it is not to be expected that a nation educated in the gorgeous courts of Louis XIV. and XV., will be satisfied with the simplicity of taste and habit which prevails in what has been called, in common with ourselves, a "nation of shopkeepers"—on the other side of the Atlantic. The President is expected to "entertain "—and to entertain in the costly style of Parisian expenditure.-Besides this, every President of France must have a thousand expences which are rather to be surmized than stated; for which a liberal income ought to be provided.

The King of Prussia is rapidly recovering from the wound inflicted upon him by an insane disbanded soldier, who imagined some wrong against himself. The King designs to celebrate his recovery upon an approaching Sunday. If such celebrations were confined to religious services, no day of the week could be so desirable. But, considering all the festivities which are apt to desecrate the Lord's Day on the Continent, such a choice is most unfavourable to religion and morals. How much do the Continental Protestant Churches lose by their abuse of the Sacred Day?

In our Houses of Parliament several debates of importance have taken place during the month.

On Monday, June 3rd, the Bishop of London moved the second reading of his Bill for a Synod of Bishops, on matters of heresy and doctrine. His Lordship could scarcely do less in compliance with the wish of a large number of the Clergy, than make some effort to secure such a tribunal as would be satisfactory to them. And what he undertook to do, he did with all his heart; with much ability and CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 151. 3 Y

strong apparent feeling. He was supported in the measure by Lords Redesdale and Stanley, and by the Bishop of Oxford, who gave great offence to many members of the House by what was assumed, falsely we think, to mean a threat of the establishment of a Free Church, if the Bill were not accepted. We have already briefly delivered our mind upon the subject of this measure; and, feeling as we do the desirableness of additional Episcopal counsel and influence for the present Judicial Committee, we nevertheless confidently believe that the adoption of the Bishop of London's Bill would be a passage from bad to worse; that it would lead to contention between the Bishops; to Ecclesiastical tyranny over the Clergy; to the multiplication of heresies by a multiplication of the trials for that offence; to the wider separation of extreme parties in the Church; to the depreciation of the Episcopal authority and power; and in short, to the dismemberment of our already distracted and dislocated Church. While Bishops are the nominees of the existing Government-while they are fallible-while they are disagreedwhile they are chosen and appointed, in a large number of instances, chiefly because they have taken a strong part on one side or the other, and therefore come, the least of all men, unprejudiced and unshackled, to the adjudication of any controverted question, we are afraid to accept them as sole arbiters. We are persuaded that neither will the interests of truth be secure, nor the mind of the public satisfied, unless bishops and lawyers shall be brought together upon the judgment seat, where the honour, the property, the ministry of thousands of clergy are at stake. We cannot possibly understand how the Bishop of London could imagine that the decision of the Bishops would not, according to his Bill, have been binding upon both the Queen and upon the Privy Council. It seems to us that it would have transformed the Privy Council into a sort of "Post Office" to the Bench of Bishops; merely to receive and to transmit their authoritative judg

ment.

Early in the month, also, Sir E. N. Buxton brought on his motion against the equalization of duties on Slave and Free-grown Sugar; that great blot on the political character of Lord John Russell and the Whig Ministry. It is delightful to see the name of Buxton still intimately allied to this great cause. Sir Edward is winning, by his integrity, manliness, wise religious principle, and very considerable talents, a high place in the House of Commons, and in the country; and a minority of 234, allows us to hope that he will not long advocate the cause of "free sugar" in vain.-During the month, also, the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to Savings Banks has been brought forward. The question is of so much importance, to many of our country readers especially, that it is well they should see clearly what is intended. In the Bill now introduced, it is intended (which we hold to be a most desirable measure) to restore the liabilities of the Trustees to the subscribers: which was removed from them only in 1844; to limit the amount of deposits, (also a reasonable measure) to £100; and moreover, to reduce the interest paid by the Government to the depositor. A saving under £50,000. would thus be secured to the Treasury; but the expenses of management already, in country places, press so heavily upon the Savings Banks, that, with increased expenditure, and probably with