whatever. If this was possible, I ask the unsophisticated reader, why could He not give, on the same terms, freely and without compensation, any other smaller gift? Why not give full pardon or eternal life on condition of true repentance?

As I gave in 1862 an elaborate mathematical analysis of this theory in HOMILIST, Vol. iv., Second series, p. 102, it is not necessary to discuss it any further here. 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.

The Life and LIGHT OF MAN. An Essay. By JOHN YOUNG, LL.D. Alexander Strahan, London and New York.

We should like amazingly to see an intelligent, searching, vigorous, and thoroughly independent book on modern theological hereticsthat is, heretics in relation to the standards which the popular teachers of religion have set up. Such a book would contain not only names that have been sadly slandered by contemporary bigots, but names representing the greatest scholars, the profoundest thinkers, and the most Christ-loving men. We should have such names as Dr. Pye Smith, Dr. Arnold, Arch bishop Whately, Dr. Bushnell, Robertson, of Brighton, John Foster, Thomas Binney, F. Maurice, and many others, including the distinguished author of the work before us. And in what does the heresy of such men consist? Simply in thisin making the Scriptures of God rather than the systems of men, the standard of their faith. "My heterodoxy," says Archbishop Whately, "consists chiefly in waiving a good many subtle questions, agitated by various anes' and 'ites' and 'ists,' and in keeping clear of sundry metaphysical distinctions relative to the mode of existence of the Divine and the human mind, which are beyond my comprehension, and which I am disposed to think would have been brought down to the level of it by Scripture, had they been necessary points of a saving faith." The work before us touches the most vital questions in Christian theology, and contains views in direct antagonism to many of those set forth by the preachers and the authors who arrogate to

themselves the title of Evangelical." As Evangelical opinions are not evangelical truths, Dr. Young's conclusions are not necessarily erroneous on this account. By the Scripture he must be tried, and by its decisions he is manifestly prepared to abide. Though we cannot say we agree with all his propositions, we greatly admire the honesty, ability, and reverence with which they are presented. Wo heartily commend the work to the candid investigation of all who aspire to the work of expounding the Holy Book of God.

THE CHURCH AS ESTABLISHED IN ITS RELATIONS WITH DISSENT. By Rev. J. CLARK, M.A. London: Rivingtons, Waterloo-place. THE HOMILIST knows nothing of Church or Dissent, and takes no interest whatever in the squabbles of ecclesiastical parties. Nonconformity may, in the eye of a mere Churchman, be a very contemptible thing, but to him who studies the revelation of Christ in the light of reason and conscience, in its relations to universal man, and to that eternity which engulphs in a few short years a whole generation, with its kings, princes, generals, judges, bishops, clergymen and dissenting ministers, the " Church of England," as it is called, is rather an insignificant thing-a thing not worth battling for. We feel, therefore, but little interest in such works as the one before us. Dr. Clark is obviously an able man, a vigorous writer, and his work will not fail to awaken an interest in ecclesiastical partisans.

A SUGGESTIVE COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT, ON AN ORIGINAL PLAN. St. Luke. Vol. I. By Rev. U. H. VAN DOREN. London: R. D. Dickinson, 92, Farringdon-street.

THIS is a work very much after our own heart. It answers well to its name. Though its Greek is not always accurate, and its theological leanings are rather too strong in some cases, it is pre-eminently suggestive, and this to us is the most priceless element in any such work. Its brief critical notes, gathered from our best exegetes, are numerous, lucid, and apt. They strike their light directly on the text. The author's annotations are in the main admirable. They are all pith and point; there is not a waste word; and many of his homiletic points, expressed in a sentence or two, are suggestive of enough to bring up sermons to fertile souls. We heartily commend the book.

MEMORIALS OF CHARLES MARCH, COMMANDER, R.N. By his Nephew, SEPTIMUS MARCH, B.A. London: James Nisbet, 21, Bernersstreet.

WE once had the pleasure of an interview with Captain March some ten years ago, in the city of Gloucester. His modest bearing, frank expression, social glow, and regal head, so won our sympathies, that

memory has frequently reproduced his image to our mind. The picture in the book agrees well with the image as it has floated in our imagination, and agrees also with the masterly delineation which his talented nephew, in the opening page of this biography, has given. This work is interesting for many reasons. It records many exciting incidents and noble actions in the life of Captain March; it contains not a few wise reflections, and admirable sketches of scenes and characters. It is also written with rare ability. The author is young; it is the first time we have met him in the literary vineyard, and we give him a hearty welcome. One who can write so well, will find much to do in the world of letters, and we shall be glad to meet him soon again.

THE DRAYTONS And the DavenanTS. A Story of the Civil Wars. By the Author of "Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family." London: T. Nelson and Sons.

THIS is a story of English life in the seventeenth century. The two families, who are the subjects of it, are respectively partisans of Oliver Cromwell and that poor foolish king Charles I. The social life and the effects of the contests of the time are revealed in the incidents of the tale: and an insight is afforded into the characters of the Royalist and Independent. Those who know the former works of this writer will not require our assurance that this, like those, is very well performed. Those who have not that knowledge, and are interested in this subject, and in its fiction, may take our assurance that they will find profitable entertainment in "The Draytons and the Davenants."

THE STORY OF JESUS IN VERSE. BY EDWIN HODDER. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.

RHYMES of all compositions are the most rememberable; hence he who has the faculty of putting divine facts and ideas in good rhyme has one of the highest qualifications for scriptural instruction. The biography of Christ is the history of histories; it is the Bible of man. It reveals, begets, nurtures, and perfects the highest life. The author has essayed to throw this wondrous life into rhymthical sentences. The conception is good, the aim ambitious, and the result is far more satisfactory than we anticipated when we first took the work in our hands. In sooth we deem it a success. Whilst the wondrous facts are told with historic accuracy, they pass before the eye in forms of much poetic beauty, and fall on the ear in sounds of melody that will long ring in memory.

THE GRIMSHAW STREET CHAPEL PULPIT. By the Rev. EVAN LEWIS, B.A. THE preacher in large towns whose sermons will bear printing, may preach to thousands, instead of hundreds, and we sincerely wish that

numbers who have the qualification (would they were more numerous) would do so. Mr. Lewis is qualified for this in a very high degree. He has rich stores of information, a great power of vigorous and independent thought, and an imagination ever ready to bring his facts into new combinations, and paint them in new colours. He knows also how to use his pen. He can transfer to paper the rare things of his intellect and heart. These are two admirable sermons.

CITY LIFE. A Sermon. By Rev. THOMAS STEPHENSON. London Printed by John King and Co., 63, Queen Street, Cheapside. THIS is in every way a beautiful discourse: thoughts, style, paper, and type all extremely good.

Short Notices.

THE MIRACLE OF THE CRUCIFIXION. By the Rev. George Cron, Belfast. Glasgow: T. D. Monson, 6, Bath-street. A very telling discourse on a most stirring subject by an able man.—' -THE REAL PRESENCE. By T. Wilson Coombs, B.A. London: Jackson, Walford. A very sensible lecture, truthful, pithy, and pointed.- -SOOTHING THOUGHTS. By the Rev. N. T. Langridge. London: Elliot Stock, Paternoster-row. A sermon admirably suited to quiet the troubled thoughts of those whom death has bereaved of beloved friends.PRAYING TO CHRIST. A Reply to Bishop Colenso. By C. Schwartz, D.D. London: Elliot Stock, Paternoster-row. An able and, as we think, a satisfactory reply to a modern heresy.- -HUMAN IMMORTALITY. By William Mellon. London: J. Burns. Progressive Library. Here we have many beautiful thoughts mixed up with much nonsense. COME AND SEE. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co., Paternoster-row. This is a very little volume, big with great truths.- -THE WORD OF LIFE. John Macmillan, Glasgow. These tracts are a collection of Scripture passages illustrative of leading Gospel truths. We like the idea much. A telling page of Scripture put into the hands of a thoughtless man is perhaps more likely to be read than any other tract, and, we think, more likely to be useful.THE MINER'S WELCOME. By Albert Barnes. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co., Paternoster-row. Admirable tracts for distribution.

A HOMILY

ON

Simeon, an Old Model for Modern Men.

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”—Luke ii. 25-32.

N the life of man, the religious element is by far the most important. It gives to his history, worth, unity, loveliness, and immortality. Of the general history of Simeon we know little or nothing; but of his religious one there is a full, pathetic, and an instructive description given in the narrative which I have just read. Its presiding principles and its chief aspects are here beautifully unfolded.

The text gives a brief but comprehensive account of Simeon, his personal piety; his public spirit, and the glory of his latter end.

VOL. XX.

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