Forward: A monthly Magazine of Liberal Evangelical Theology and Practical Christianity. Volume I. Glasgow: T. Adamson, Cowcaddens Street. 1868.

A NOBLE Volume of fresh, vigorous, healthy, and right-hearted theology. The papers, in general, reflect the highest credit on the ability and spirit of the writers; and not a few of them are of a very superior type, and rich in suggestiveness. From beginning to ending there is,-so far as we have noticed-true loyalty to the Bible-to the Gospel-to Christ. And wherever there is such loyalty, there will be moral beauty on the one hand, and spiritual usefulness on the other,—and moral and spiritual life throughout. We trust that the able editor, and his able contributors, along with the interprising publisher, may enjoy a very large measure of success in this important undertaking. May God speed it!—that God, in the glory of whose gospel they feel so deep an interest.

Semina Rerum: or, True Words versus Good Words. By Kenneth Macqueen. Edinburgh: Maclaren. 1868.

We are not

Semina

True

THIS is, in many respects, a rather remarkable book. quite sure, indeed, about the felicity of the two-fold title. Rerum is apt to suggest assumption on the part of the writer. Words versus Good Words, again, is apt to suggest some kind of indirect antagonism to Dr. M'Leod, the editor of Good Words. This suggestion is favoured when it is known, on the one hand, that Mr. Macqueen is an old Indian, and remembered, on the other, that Dr. M'Leod has just been in India to make observations and report on its state relatively to Christian missions, and to Christianity in general. Mr. Macqueen does not, indeed, name Dr. M'Leod from beginning to ending of his volume; but he has much to say about India; and he has a way, besides, of thrusting sideways occasionally. In referring, incidentally, for instance, to the primitive Christian method of getting medical or medicinal benefit-the method referred to in the last chapter of the Epistle of James, and in expressing his conviction that, in ordinary treatment, "our cures are much to be attributed to the imagination of the patient, through which faith and hope are kept alive," he says,-"We fear that such is the weakness of our faith, a prescription of Sir James will universally be preferred by all sections of the community to the prescription of St. James, though so plain and explicit that ignorance cannot be pleaded in excuse for neglect."-p. 34.

We regret this side-thrusting. And we also regret that, pervading the whole work, there seems to be an inability of retroverting the eye of criticism upon self, and upon self's schemes and ideas. We regret, likewise, the enunciation and advocacy of some very erroneous ideas, at once in theology and in philosophy,-ideas drawn from the current Scotch theology, and from a now antiquated school of philosophy. But notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the book teems with important suggestions,-manifestly emanating from an intellect, at once highly cultivated, and, as we believe, truly dedicated and devoted to Christ. The composition, we may add, is exceedingly fine, chaste, polished, pointed, nervous.

Proposal to Stamp out Small-pox and other Contagious Diseases. By Sir J. Y. Simpson, Bart., M.D., D.C.L. Edinburgh: Edmonston. 1868.

AN invaluable paper. It seems that during the ten years extending from 1856 to 1865, small-pox destroyed 51,034 individuals in Great Britain alone. The mortality thus occasioned is the result of infection, and Sir James Simpson shows that if due care were taken, under the authorisation of Government, to isolate the first cases that occur in any particular locality, there would be no fear of the spread of the disease. The same principle applies to scarlatina, measles, and hooping-cough. There is no good reason, it seems, why in a comparatively short period of time these diseases should not be as effectually stamped out as the rinderpest has been. They live and linger in the country, in consequence of the infection being carried about and communicated to susceptible individuals. In some other countries they are unknown.

The

By

1868. This

Before

The Simplicity of the Gospel. A Sermon. By the Rev. John Whitson. A delightful handling of a delightful theme. Christian Hero: A Sketch of the Life of Robert Annan. the Rev. I. Macpherson. London: Morgan and Chase. Robert Annan had been a truly noble soul. He died sublimely in an effort to save a drowning boy. For the whole period that succeeded his conversion, he lived consistently, devotedly, and self-sacrificingly, under the mighty impulse of an intense desire to save souls. his conversion he had been one of the wickedest of the wicked, and the most unmanageable of men.- Stories of the Carubber's Close Mission, with Narratives and Anecdotes, showing how every Christian may be useful. Edinburgh: Gall & Inglis. 1867. A graphic record of most interesting and successful efforts to win sinners to the Saviour. Notwithstanding Mr. Gall's ungracious, unjust, and extremely illogical attack upon the doctrines that are vindicated in the Evangelical Repository, we heartily appreciate the value of his active efforts in the way of seeking to bring sinners to the Saviour.A Sketch of God's Dis-pensational Dealings. By A. R. D. Glasgow: Allan. 1866. A reverent effort to understand a great reality. It would have been well had it been more reverent still. There would then have been less liability of being satisfied with small thoughts on vast themes. It is one thing to see a picture: it is another thing to be able to interpret the fulness of its meaning,-more especially if it has reference to things that are vast, and vastly complex, as well as future.

What is the

Talmud? A Reply to the Article in the Quarterly Review. By the Rev. C. Schwartz, D.D. Editor of "The Scattered Nation." London: Stock. 1868. An effort to put the Talmud in its proper place, and that a place very far beneath the level of the New Testament.

QUERIES.

1. ORIGINAL SIN.

Query. "Original sin is not a scripture-expression, and seems not to convey an intelligible meaning:-for sin is the transgression of the law. But unless every created spirit be a new creation, may there not be some mysterious connection by which, in some sense, souls may be said to be propagated, and so partake of a sinful nature ?"-D. B.

Answer. This question has reference to an old and long-agitated controversy, regarding the origin of the soul. The two opinions are represented by the two words Creationism and Traducianism. The Traducianists contend that the soul is propagated like the body. The Creationists contend that it is imparted by direct creation. The great body of Christians, at least since the days of Descartes, hold by Creationism. The great objection to Traducianism is simply this, that it would land us in materialism. It would relieve from some difficulties; but it would plunge us into others that are greater still.

2. AS LITTLE CHILDREN.

Query. "When Jesus says, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, does he simply refer to child-like humility, docility, &c. Or, does he mean that we must have our sins washed away, so as to begin a new life, like little children?"-D. B.

Answer. The Saviour seems to indicate, in the verse immediately following, (Mat. xviii. 4.) what it is to which he specially refers :"whosoever therefore shall humble himself, as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." He seems to point,- -no doubt in a representative manner,-to one of the chief features of that holiness or personal righteousness, which constitutes moral meetness for the enjoyment of the peculiar privileges and glory of the kingdom of heaven.

3 WHEN SHALL THE WORLD BE CONVERTED?

Query. There is the little village of O—, where the gospel has been faithfully preached during two hundred years, and yet there are as many unconverted persons in it now as there were then. At this rate when is the world to be converted?"—D. B.

Answer. Millions upon millions of years hence: or, rather,- -never. No. It is not thus that the world will be converted. There must be a total revolutionising of the ways and means of applying the gospel to men, before very much progress be made in the direction of the world's conversion. There must be a revolutionising of ecclesiastical organisations. There must be a revolutionising of men's ideas regarding what it is that fits a man to be a preacher, and regarding what it is that is to be preached, and regarding the fittest methods and places and circumstances of preaching, and regarding what it is that constitutes a church, and why it is that churches exist, and regarding men's responsibilities and privileges and duties. There must be a total revolutionising regarding multitudes of other things. But as yet, neither the converted nor the unconverted are prepared for the revolution. It will come nevertheless, just as certainly as the sun will rise to-morrow.

INDEX TO VOLUME II.

FOURTH SERIES.

Baptism, and the Washing away of sins, Faith, what? 233.

Gilfillan's Remoter Stars, 152.
God, his existence, attributes, and per-
sonal distinctions, 215.

Buchanan's Doctrine of Justification, 209. Green's Spiritual Philosophy, 138.

Myles's Union between the Established and Unbelief, what? 237.