the Crown to have accepted of this voluntary substitute? Would the death of that innocent child beneath the gallows have been an act of justice, or rather of villany? Would the Government which accepted of such a substitute have been honoured by it or disgraced? Suffice it to say, that there are many men whose consciences could no more justify such an act of substitution than a positive act of murder. The acceptance of Christ, the innocent, as a substi

tute for man, the criminal, is a case in every way parallel.

When we speak of God punishing sin, we begin at the wrong end. It is the sinner that justice seeks to punish, and therefore it is blasphemy against the government of God-against God as the Governor of the universe, to suppose that He would agree that the innocent should be punished in place of the guilty.

GALILEO.

(To be continued.)

Literary Notices.

[We hold it to be the duty of an Editor either to give an early notice of the books sent to him for remark, or to return them at once to the Publisher. It is unjust to praise worthless books; it is robbery to retain unnoticed ones.]

THE REVIEWER'S CANON.

In every work regard the author's end,
Since none can compass more than they intend.

OUR FATHER'S BUSINESS. BY THOMAS GUTHRIE, D.D. Alexander Strahan, 56, Ludgate-hill.

THIS volume is an eloquent and practical discourse, founded on the words, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" The leading doctrines, animating spirit, and general style of the distinguished author are too well known to require explanation, and too much valued to require our commending. This we consider one of the most useful of his many useful works. It teems with very noble thoughts; it beats with a manly heart: it has many strokes of mighty eloquence; and abounds with characteristic illustrations.

DISCOURSES BY THE LATE REV. DAVID DUNCAN. With a Memoir of his Life. Edinburgh: William Oliphant & Co. THIS is a volume of posthumous sermons, edited by the brothers of the departed author, and are selected, we are told, from those preached in the ordinary course of his ministry. The discourses, though destitute of any great originality, striking illustrations, or eloquent passages, are well thought out, clearly and vigorously expressed, and, in all, stiffly orthodox. They will be prized not only by the intelligent members of his bereaved congregation, but by all who wish to see Calvinian doctrines presented with fervour and force.

LIFE'S WORK AS IT IS. By a COLONIST. London: Sampson Low and Co., Milton House, Ludgate-hill.

THIS book is written in order to correct the false impressions concerning Australia. The views it gives of Australian civilization, resources, and life are most tempting to those whom poverty crushes in Old England. It is a book full of interest and information.

THE NATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA: A DICTIONARY OF UNIVERSAL KNOWLEDGE. By WRITERS of EMINENCE in Literature, Science, and Art. Vol. IX. METHODISM-PEDUNCLE. London and Glasgow: Wm. Mackenzie.

We have from time to time recorded our hearty commendation of the "National Encyclopædia." The nine volumes which are now before our readers quite justify what we have said, and embody our best anticipations. We have subjected them to examination, and are bound to say that they are beyond impeachment on the ground of careful accuracy and literary excellence. The treatment of the different subjects evinces unflagging diligence, a proper acquaintance with the bearing of the last discoveries upon them, and a good, lucid, terse, expository style. The mechanical details are also unexceptionable. The paper, printing, binding, are all of the highest class. The type is extremely neat and legible. The exceeding cheapness of the work has not been used as an excuse for a meagre or careless execution. It will bear inspection from every point of view; and the verdict which even a fastidious critic will pronounce will be, that it is an ornament and a treasure to his library shelves. We have already taken occasion to remark on the great value, particularly to students and young ministers, of works of this class. We need, therefore, add nothing on that head. It only remains for us to suggest that those to whom we offered those observations would do well to avail themselves of the very eligible opportunity which they now possess of carrying them into effect.

HANDY BOOK ON THE LAW AND PRACTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS.

By JAMES WALTER SMITH, LL.D. Effingham Wilson, Royal
Exchange.

THE erudite barrister who is the compiler of this little work, is well known as having given to the public a series of legal "Handy Books," that are most valuable, and have become deservedly popular. This one, treating of the "law and practice of public meetings," has already had a very large sale, and both from its subject and the lucid and authoritative treatment of it, is destined to a wide and lasting circulation. Few men have more to do with public meetings than ministers, and therefore we especially recommend to our readers this only, and at the same time amply sufficient, manual on the subject.

RITUALISM, AND ITS RELATED DOGMAS. By the REV. E. MELLOR, M.A. London: John Snow and Co., 2, Ivy-lane, Paternosterrow. 1867.

IDOLATRIES, OLD AND NEW, THEIR CAUSE AND CURE. By JAMES BALDWIN BROWN, B.A. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder, 27, Paternoster-row.

SPIRITUAL WORSHIP VERSUS CEREMONIALISMS. An Address. By REV. H. D. BOWEN. Brentwood: W. Carden.

THERE is a certain number of ministers in all denominations, and of all mental types, from the least to the greatest, who feel that they must have a say upon every question, little or great, that excites some amount of popular interest. Colenso writes a book, and their pulpits ring with denunciations-Renan comes into the field of literature, and makes a deliverance, and ministers, some of whom understood not the language he wrote, and were utterly incapable of appreciating his argument, fulminated at him without mercy. Brother Ignatius appears on the scene, and excites a stir among the old women of both sexes, by his ritualistic nonsense, and men, some of whom are amongst the ablest of English preachers, feel it their duty to take up the question of Ritualism. Thus from time to time reviewers have their tables loaded with discourses on these questions of the hour. We do not say all this is wrong-far from it; but we do think that there is a far higher work for Christian ministers to do than this. To prove that certain men and sects are erroneous in doctrine, or ceremony, is not preaching that Gospel which is "spirit and life." As to ritualism, what is it but the costume with which religious people clothe their religious ideas and feelings, and costume is a simple matter of taste, and what argument can change taste the sensuousness in thought and feeling will have the sensuous in form. If the Baptist will express his faith by going under the water, the Pædobaptist by sprinkling, the Quaker by his broad-brim, and some Churchmen by certain genuflections, robements, candles, and such things, why should I quarrel with their ritualism? It is a matter of taste, and taste is a matter of organization, and organization cannot be changed by discussion. We have all our ritualism, and we cannot get on without it. These remarks are suggested by the works before us, and many others on the same question now on our table, which we cannot notice. Mr. Mellor's book is decidedly the best we have seen on the subject. The subjects he discusses are-the Christian ministry not a priesthood, nor an apostolic succession-baptism not regeneration, nor the Lord's table an altar. These are confessedly vital points, and are here handled with great discrimination and ability. The work of Mr. Brown is on the same subject, under a more taking title. It will repay perusal. Mr. Bowen's address is also an able one, and touches the heart of the question.

MINISTERS, WORKERS TOGETHER WITH GOD. A Sermon, Preached before the Bible Christian Conference, in Stamford-street Chapel, Landport, Portsmouth. London: G. Y. Stevenson, 54, Paternos

ter-row.

THIS is a discourse of no ordinary merit. There are but few men in any church that could produce its equal. The author is well versed in the science of man, and takes a wide view of the Gospel of Christ. His thoughts are philosophic; his spirit reverent and catholic; his language clear, terse, and telling.

THE SCHOOL SINGING BOOK; arranged and compiled by F. WEBER, Resident Organist of the German Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

THIS Convenient little work contains thirty-three two-part songs, of various origin and character, with an ad libitum, accompaniment for the piano or harmonium, which in most of the pieces may also be sung by tenor and bass voices, so as to change them into four-part songs. It is prefaced by seven introductory elementary exercises. Mr. Weber is of opinion that singing at an early age is not only harmless, but actually promotes health, by gently exercising and strengthening the lungs; also, that it furthers discipline and address. This work has been prepared by him for the use of young pupils and schools. He has selected those songs which will charm, and cannot fail to be retained by the memory; and his task generally has been performed in a very skilful and creditable manner.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CHORAL BOOK. By F. WEBER. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

THIS selection contains eighty-three new and seventeen popular old tunes, adapted to the psalm and hymn books of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. They form a very excellent collection. Many of the very best hymn tunes have been harmonised by Mr. Weber, and are here given, together with some pleasing and useful tunes composed by him. In this, as in the other book by Mr. Weber, to which we have directed attention, we recognise the services of a careful teacher and a highly cultured musician.

COMING WONDERS, Expected between 1867 and 1875. London: S.W. Partridge, Paternoster-row.

THIS Volume belongs to a class of works which we regard, in the main, as unscriptural in doctrine, presumptuous in spirit, perverse in logic, Judaizing and pernicious in tendency. We have tried to read this book, but cannot. The rubbish is revolting.

GOD

A HOMILY

ON

Biblical Monotheism.

"I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God."-Isa. xliv. 6.

N the service in "The Biblical Liturgy,”* which we have read together this morning, we met with the doctrine of monotheism. We are taught in the

clearest way not only that there is one God, and one God only, but who that one God really is. As to this, the sublimest utterance of Scripture, we offer three preliminary remarks

First: It is supported by the structure and order of nature. So far as the universe has come within the sweep of scientific observation and research, it appears as one complete whole. All its parts are beautifully harmonised; all its forces are nicely balanced. Nature has no contradiction in her utterances, no jarring in her orchestra, no deviations from her original habits and ways; her march is stately and unswerving. The same causes, under the same circumstances, produce evermore the same effects. Nature, as a temple, has endless

This work contains upwards of twenty services, each of which contains a collection of scriptures upon the leading doctrines of Christian theology, didactically and devotionally arranged. It is used every Sunday morning in Stockwell Congregational Church.

VOL. XX.

Y