men-who opens his wonderful work with these words of conscious might, 'Thus thought Francis of Verulam'-bowed to its lessons with the ardour and docility of a child. His faith was not founded on the questioning speculations of a sage; it was the simple confidence of one who sat at the feet of Jesus. Amidst the 'knowledges' he explored, he found the chiefest' to be the knowledge of God; and his experience taught that faith was the best of tutors. Warning men against intellectual 'idols,' he was not so weak as to idolize himself, and undervalue the wisdom which cometh from above.' His 'confessions of faith' are hearty and evangelical, and his prayers are earnest, devout, and comprehensive mighty in their reach, and profound in their piety. The occasional records of his spiritual experience have a majesty blended with their humility and aspirations. Head and shoulders higher than all the people, he lay low before God, and cast himself as a penitent on the divine mercy. The Lord Chancellor of England laid aside his ermine, and went with unsandalled foot into the holiest of all, pleading for mercy through the merit of Christ. Misdemeanours were charged upon him, and Pope has barbed a couplet against him; but he appealed to the time when the 'book of hearts will be opened;' and the main accusations, while weakness and indiscretions are admitted, have never been substantiated. Glory had not dazzled him, persecution did not sour him. The feelings of his youth went with him through life, and in his last will he directs that he be buried in St Michael's Church; there,' he tenderly adds, was my mother buried.' The same document subjoins: for my name and memory, I leave it to men's charitable speeches, and to foreign nations and the next ages.'

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The Bible Thoughts are very miscellaneous, and are taken from all parts of his works. His religious sentiments are found in almost all his dissertations. His reve

rential faith in Scripture was a pervading feeling. His remarks on theology and interpretation are often very striking, and the Cross never appeared to him to be 'foolishness,' though, with Greek-like eagerness, he was ever 'seeking after wisdom.' The volume is a reprint of one published by the original compiler in America, and, besides being supplied with requisite indices, is enriched with a discriminative and appropriate preface by Dr Cairns of Berwick. We heartily commend the work, though truly it is arrogance in us to take it upon us to commend even the disjecta membra of such a thinker as Lord Bacon,

'One of those dead but sceptred sovereigns, who still rule

Our spirits from their urns.'

MEN AT THE HELM.

WILD FLOWERS AND INSECTS OF THE MONTH.

WHERE DO WE GET IT? AND HOW IS IT MADE?

LINKS IN THE CHAIN; or, Popular Chapters on the Curiosities of Animal Life. THE HELPING HAND; or, A Guide to the New Testament.

BOOKS WITH A Meaning.

London: James Hogg and Sons.

THESE books form part of the admirable series which Hogg and Sons are bringing out for the young. The first of themMen at the Helm-consists of short bio

graphies of a few of the chief statesmen of the country, all written in a manner likely to attract the young, and at the same time to instruct and stimulate them. The lives selected are those of Strafford, Hampden, Clarendon, Bolingbroke, Walpole, the two Pitts, Lord Castlereagh, Canning, Peel, and Aberdeen, and the style throughout is lively and forcible. As an improving and interesting little work, we highly recommend it to the young.

The sub

We cannot say so much of the second named book, Wild Flowers, etc. ject is interesting, but the style uninteresting, and the matter anything but original. Indeed, the author appears to have gone to the poets with a pair of scissors, and cut out all the passages bearing on his subject, and then tried, but very unsuccessfully, to unite them all together. The book is full of Saith he' and 'Saith she:' thus, in one page, there are no fewer than eight quotations, in another ten. The only part of the work likely to interest the young naturalist is the last, where a few useful practical hints on collecting and preserving specimens are collected and expanded.

The third of these volumes is intended to answer two questions which often arise in everyday life. We are surrounded with objects of beauty and usefulness, some of which have been supplied directly by the bounteous hand of Providence, while others have either been made or modified by the hand of man. The young and inquiring are always prone to put the questions, 'Where does it come from? and how is it made?' The syntax may not be very good, but the questions themselves are certainly reasonable. To answer them fully is the work of large and learned treatises, but an approach to an answer is attempted in this small volume. The whole of the productions of nature and art being in imagination spread out before us, a selection is made from among the more important of those which are directly useful to man; and then the principal characteristics are described in a concise, clear, and interest

ing manner. The following topics are the headings of the different chapters:-The sources of our food and drink; the materials of our clothing; our dwellings, and their materials; our supply of fire and light; metals and metal manufactures ; minerals and chemicals. Take any of these chapters, and from merely naming the sections, it will be seen over what a wide and interesting field the author travels. For example, the first: under this are described, bread, its materials and varieties; dairy produce; tea and groceries; other colonial produce, mait liquors, and vinegar. The arrangement-most important in a work of the kind-is excellent. this volume in his hand, or carefully perused, and especially with a few visits to such places of instruction as are now supplied to the public in the Kensington Museum, or the Edinburgh Industrial Museum, the store of useful knowledge that might soon be amassed by an intelligent young person would not be small.

With

The fourth volume is a pleasant ramble among the Curiosities of Animal Life, very well written, full of ancedote, and at the same time showing quite a mastery over scientific details. With the young, the book must be a great favourite. The illustrations are passable; but why do the ladies and gentlemen in the frontispiece appear dressed in the style of our great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers in Queen Anne's days?

'The Helping Hand' is a well-intentioned work, and may fulfil the promise of the title to those who are not provided with better aids.

BEATEN OIL FOR THE LIGHT OF LIFE: Being Daily Thoughts on Bible Texts. For use in the Closet and Family. By the Rev. HUGH BAIRD, Cumbernauld. Pp. 607.

Edinburgh: William Oliphant and Co. WORKS formed on the plan of furnishing a daily theme for reflection or devout meditation are numerous, and, when well executed, have always been favourably received by the public. Among the most popular of those that have appeared in recent times, are - Duncan's Seasons,' Kitto's Bible Illustrations,' and Jay's 'Exercises.' With the latter, which it resembles in the directly religious character of all the meditations, Mr Baird's 'Beaten Oil' will bear a favourable comparison, especially in two respects. The words of Scripture selected as suggesting a topic for meditation, are seldom or never employed as a mere motto, without regard to their true meaning and reference in the passage from which they are taken; and

the distinctive fundamental principles of the Gospel, which are the food of the spiritual life, are prominently introduced, and faithfully and clearly illustrated. The remarks on each text are necessarily brief; but they are suggestive, and thus well fitted to gain their avowed object of furnishing materials for reflection which may arrest the attention of the reader, and give a right current to the train of thought. The passage of Scripture selected as the subject of illustration is divided, as in a discourse for the pulpit, the different topics embraced in it being distinctly enunciated. These are usually expressed with a brevity and terseness which can scarcely fail to fix them firmly in the memory. If occasionally, as seems to us to be the case, logical precision and completeness of view are partially sacrificed to these qualities, the facility with which they may be recalled to recollection, taken in connection with their richness in evangelical truth, imparts to these meditations a character which will make them a pleasant and profitable companion to those who have not much leisure for daily reading; and especially to the afflicted, who are incapable of perusing a lengthened discourse uninterruptedly, and therefore desire and prize such works as are adapted to suggest to their own minds suitable trains of reflection.

THE WEEKLY REVIEW OF RELIGION, POLITICS, LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND Акт.

THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST TO CHRISTIANITY. BY PETER BAYNE, M.A. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE-Social and Individual in the Present time. By PETER BAYNE, M.A. ESSAYS: Biographical, Critical, and Miscellaneous. By PETER BAYNE, M.A.

London: J. Nisbet and Co.; and Bayne and

Pickles, Bouverie Street, Fleet Street.

We have headed the above list with Mr Bayne's least known, but not least valuable work,-the Weekly Review,—because we are anxious to draw the attention of our readers to a specimen of the metropolitan press fully worthy of their support. Mr Bayne, the editor, is already well known to the literary and religious worlds by his other publications; and we have no doubt he is destined ere long to receive the reward and repute due to his unpretending but unmistakeably high merits. As the successor of Hugh Miller in the editorship of the Witness, he was just making his power as a writer to be felt throughout Scotland, when he joined issue with the proprietors of the London Dial. Having renounced his connection with the Dial,

he started the Weekly Review about eight months ago, and has been manfully ever since striving to gain for it a public patronage. Amid the numerous claimants of a like class, it is no easy thing to get the eye and the ear of the public. Nevertheless, we are glad to hear that there is a fair prospect of his success. Our object in calling attention to the Weekly Review is, to inform our readers throughout the United Presbyterian Church,' that one of Mr Bayne's great aims in his paper is to give due prominence to the progress and workings of the Presbyterian Church in England, and especially in London. Presbyterianism in England has only been misrepresented, never represented, in the public journals; and Mr Bayne is fully entitled to the support of all zealous Presbyterians for the generous and admirable manner in which he brings our Church, and the other Presbyterian churches in the south, before the public eye. Hitherto, we, as a Church, have been well-nigh ignored by the public journals. Now, we have a learned, cordial, and catholic man, who has come to the rescue; and it shall be our own fault if we are not fairly and forcibly represented by the Press. It is evident that we are at the beginning of a new chapter of our history as a Church in England; and it must be of great consequence to our influence and success, that we have at least one powerful organ to act as our advocate and exponent. We therefore warmly recommend the Review, and hope the friends of the United Presbyterian Church in Scotland will come quickly forward and give their support to the only periodical that avows itself as the friend of their peculiar church polity. Already the Review has rendered most important services to our Synod's new churches in London, by giving faithful reports of their recent movements, and calling public attention to their existence and claims. It will not lessen interest in the accomplished editor, to tell our readers that he is a member of our church in Clapham, and a decided friend of its minister.

At some future time we may call attention to Mr Bayne's other works. He occupies a high place in literary circles. The Christian Spectator has pronounced him to be 'a master in style,'-that on the side of social and religious philosophy he has no living equal,-and that he deserves to be reckoned in the same class of ability with Jules Simon, Henry Rogers, and Professor Scott.' The late Hugh Miller said of some of the biographies in the Christian Life, that they condensed, in comparatively brief space, the thinking of ordinary volumes; and we recently

heard Dr Vaughan pronounce Mr Bayne's 'Preface' to the 'Papers connected with the Bicentenary celebration' to be, without exception, one of the best pieces of writing called forth by the occasion. On all these accounts we offer our hearty support to him, and trust that our Presbyterian friends throughout the country will rally around the first man of power and principle who has as generously as gallantly come forward to fight on our side, at a time and in circumstances when such aid is greatly needed, and must be productive of immense good to our Presbyterian cause. We may just add, that the Weekly Review is in all other respects one of the most useful of our London papers. It answers every requirement of a first-class family journal, and, in its politics and ethics, views all subjects from the Christian standpoint. In this respect it has no rivalcertainly no superior.

PRAYERS FOR THE CLOSET AND THE FAMILY. By GEORGE BURNS, D.D., Minister at Corstorphine.

Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, and Co. 1862. WE Confess to no great liking for prayerbooks. They always remind us of crutches. But crutches are sometimes needed. Let the lame use them, rather than not walk at all. Let men have prayer-books both in the family and the closet, rather than never pray. If a help of this kind is needed, here is a very good one-containing a series of morning and evening prayers for two weeks, together with prayers for the young, occasional prayers, and graces before and after meat. Unlike some starched and sapless 'handbooks of devotion' which it has been our fortune to look into, these prayers are characterized by unction, scripturalness, variety, and dignity. The worthy and venerable author has prefixed to his work a short, but comprehensive, able, and beautiful essay on the duty of prayer.

NOTES ON MATTHEW-Critical and Explanatory. By MELANCTHON W. JACOBUS, Professor of Biblical Literature in the Western Theological Seminary, Alleghany City, Pennsylvania.

Edinburgh: W. Oliphant and Co. 1862. THESE Notes are admirably adapted to the purpose contemplated by their author; for they are meant to aid Sabbath-school teachers and scholars in their weekly lessons.' They are not prolix and learned, but are short, simple, and to the point. They deal not so much with practical reflections as those of Barnes, but are really explanatory of the text, and bring out its

meaning with clearness and brevity. Their fault is that they are too concise, and their merit is that they shun no difficulty. Teachers may consult them with confidence, for the author is orthodox as well as learned; and in the construction of his commentary he has divined the wants of teachers, and set himself skilfully to supply them. We need not enlarge. That the

book has supplied a felt need among the class it was designed for, and has been heartily appreciated by them, is evident from the fact that this volume is a reprint of the thirty-third American edition. We hope that the publishers will add his other volumes on the Gospels, as his notes on Mark and Luke are not inferior to those on Matthew.

Annandale.-This presbytery met at Gretna on the 2d ult.-the Rev. Robert Gardner, moderator pro tem. Half-yearly schedules from Langholm South, Chapelknowe, and Wamphray, were examined and approved. A homily on John iii. 16 was prescribed to Mr William Morison, student. A letter was read from the Rev. James C. Meiklejohn, intimating his ability to resume ministerial duty, and thanking the presbytery for the supply of his pulpit while he was in affliction. After various routine business had been disposed of, the presbytery adjourned, to meet in the same place, on the last Tuesday of February.

Berwick. This presbytery met on the 2d December-the Rev. James Anderson, moderator. Mr Holmes delivered a lecture and sermon, which were sustained as part of trials for license. The report of committee on the cost of obtaining duplicates of minutes was called for, and the clerk reported the number of pages, and an estimate of the expense. Considerable difference of opinion was expressed as to whether this expense should be borne by the Synod, or in part by the presbytery, and whether the object contemplated deserved so much trouble and expense. At length it was unanimously resolved that, considering the want of unanimity on this subject in this presbytery and throughout the Church, the presbytery agree to delay procedure in this matter till after next meeting of Synod.' A communication regarding the National Bible Society was delayed till next meeting. The Rev. J. Hunter read a report on evangelistic work in Holy Island, for which he received the cordial thanks of the presbytery. The

Rev. James M'Leish was appointed superintendent of this mission for next year. The subject of a Board of Examination for Students was considered; and it was agreed to express approval of such Board for students before admission to the Hall. The presbytery were of opinion that the examination of students should still be left in the hands of presbyteries. Next meeting to be held on February 3..

Cupar.-This presbytery met in Burnside Church Session-house on 9th December -Mr M'Swaine, moderator. Mr Johnston, student of divinity, appeared for examination, and his diligence was approved of. The Committee on Statistics was appointed -Mr Borwick, convener. Agreed that in future the meetings of presbytery be bimonthly, and on the Tuesday after the second Sabbath of the month. Agreed that at next meeting the presbytery consider the various matters remitted by the Synod. Several sessions reported anent the formation of an English Provincial Synod. Appointed the next meeting to be held in the same place on the Tuesday after the second Sabbath of February 1863.

Dumfries.-This presbytery met on the 3d December-the Rev. Thomas Fullarton, moderator pro tem.-present, eight ministers and three elders. Mr Torrance conducted the usual devotional exercises. The rules on the recognition of each other's discipline were considered. It was resolved to agree with the suggestions of the Synod's Committee, except in regard to the clause, Rule 4, beginning, 'Should the refusal be on the ground of existing scandal, the application is refused till the same is purged.' The presbytery decided that the session applied to deal with the matter as they think fit. Half-yearly returns were received from the congregations of CastleDouglas and Mainsriddell. Reports from sessions having been received, after consideration it was agreed that the presbytery approve of the proposal to establish a Provincial Synod in England under proper subordination to the general Synod. On a letter being read regarding supplements of stipend to the congregations of Lochmaben and Dunscore, deputies were appointed to visit and report. It was agreed to take up overtures and report on Board for Examination of Students next meeting. After an interesting conversation, the presbytery recommended each congregation to make a collection on an early day, or give a contribution in any way they please, for the distressed operatives in Lancashire and elsewhere. Borthwick was appointed to conduct the

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devotional exercises next meeting, which is to be held at Dumfries on the first Wednesday of February 1863.

Dundee. This presbytery met on Tuesday, the 18th November-the Rev. George Gilfillan, moderator. Read the transference of Mr Kerr, student of the second year, from the Dumfries to the Dundee Presbytery. Assigned Mr Kerr exercises. Appointed as a committee to superintend the studies of the students in the bounds, Messrs Borwick, Baxter, Miller, Wilson, and Howat-the Rev. James Wilson, convener. Dr M'Gavin (according to previous notice) made the following motion :-That the presbytery, maintaining the right of every man to the rest of the holy Sabbath, expresses its cordial sympathy with the movement begun among the sailors of this and other ports to prevent vessels from leaving harbour on Sabbath; approves of the conduct of the shipowners who have acceded to the request of those in their service in this matter, by forbidding their vessels to sail from port on Sabbath; and strongly recommends to all shipowners to co-operate with this movement in favour of the unbroken Sabbath of sailors on shore, so as to render its observance universal;—which motion was seconded by Mr Charles Smith, elder. The presbytery cordially approved of and adopted said motion. Read the remits of Synod anent Examination Boards for Students entering the Hall, and an English Synod. The presbytery delayed the consideration of these remits till next meeting. Read a document from the National Bible Society, requesting that the objects of the society be recommended to the congregations in the bounds, to which request the presbytery cordially agreed. This presbytery meets on Tuesday, the 23d December.

Edinburgh. This presbytery met at 5, Queen Street, on the 2d December-Rev. William Bruce, moderator. Several students on trials for license delivered discourses, which were sustained. The Rev. Dr Harper then intimated to the presbytery that it was his wish to be relieved from the active duty of his pastoral charge. He believed his brethren would consider him justified in taking this step when he mentioned the circumstances which had led him to it. A few weeks ago, whilst in his pulpit, he was seized with an illness, of which he had again and again had premonitory symptoms. In consequence of this, his elders very kindly asked him to retire from all active work for six months.

He felt very grateful for this sympathy; but upon considering all the circumstances, he thought the time was come when he ought to propose a permanent arrangement for the supply of his pulpit. After

a ministry of forty-three years, and not possessing the strength that he once had, he thought this a desirable opportunity for retiring, all the more so that the congregation was in a most efficient state-just in the state in which he would like to hand it over to his successor. He had thought it desirable to leave the field entirely free to his successor; but he found that the eldership and members of his congregation were much averse to his ceasing altogether from his pastoral charge, and in various ways that feeling had been expressed. He was inclined to give weight to these wishes, and he would give weight to them, in so far as their wishes had been expressed, on the understanding that, while he should of ficiate occasionally as circumstances might suggest, he should be relieved from the performance of the active duties of the ministry. He thought it right to intimate this matter to the presbytery, so that the steps usual on such occasions might be taken. After several members had expressed their views and feelings on this communication, the following minute was agreed to:-The presbytery heard this statement with regret, and expressed to Dr Harper their cordial feelings of respect and sympathy; and being necessitated to accord with his wish, agree to give notice of the same to his congregation, and to cite them to attend by commissioners for their interest at next ordinary meeting, in the hour of cause. At the same time, the presbytery congratulated themselves and the Church on the pleasing prospect of having Dr Harper's continued presence in this and other ecclesiastical courts, and his valued assistance and counsel in the same, as in years past.' There was then laid upon the table a call addressed to the Rev. T. M'Ewan, Potterrow congregation, from the Everton congregation, Liverpool, of which due intimation had been sent to the parties. The Rev. W. M. Taylor, Bootle, and Mr John Mason, appeared as commissioners from Everton; and Mr Fox and Rev. David Croom as commissioners from Potterrow. The parties having been heard, and reasons of translation, with the answers, read, the presbytery agreed to hold a meeting in Nicolson Street Church, on the 23d December, at half-past five P.M., at which Mr M'Ewan should give his decision in this case. It was further resolved to meet, same day, at half-past six, in Nicolson Street Church, for the ordination of Mr J. Mills as a missionary to the South Seas in connection with the London Missionary Society; the Rev. Andrew Morton to preach, the Rev. Dr Johnston to ordain, and Rev. Dr Turner, from Samoa, to give the charge. The Rev. D. Williamson reported that he had presided in the East Calder congrega