Review of Books.

PRACTICAL REMARKS ON INFANT EDUCATION: for the Use of Schools and Private Families. By the Rev. Dr. Mayo and Miss Mayo, Seeley and Burnside.

We have perused this useful book with no ordinary degree of satisfaction, concurring most heartily in all that it sets forth on a subject which we cannot suppose indifferent to any Christian mind. Too long has the great enemy been permitted to sow his tares without interruption—at least without the only interruption that he needs-in the minds of our infant population. It was not so in the days of primitive Christianity, nor in the era of the glorious reformation. In the former we read of martyrs who, at the age of five years, preferred a cruel death in Christ's cause, to life and worldly enjoyment without him. In the latter period we are told, among other touching things, that when a priest named Laurence was brought to the stake, little children surrounded the kindling flames, crying out, as well as they could

lisp the words, "Lord, strengthen thy servant, and keep thy promise: Lord, strengthen thy servant, and keep thy promise!"

We regard the Home and Colonial Infant School Society as a star of striking lustre in our galaxy of Christian institutions; and the small volume that Dr. and Miss Mayo have produced is well suited to present the subject in its true light to doubting minds, if any pious minds are still in doubt, concerning the eligibility of the system; while to such as desire its spread and success, the book affords a mass of valuable information and assistance. We recommend both it and the society to the fostering patronage of every Christian lady, who desires that out of the mouths of babes and sucklings God's praise should be perfected.

SCENES OF DEATH. By John Thwaites, M. D. Religious Tract and Book Society for Ireland.

We have frequently thought, what a volume might be produced, if Christians in the medical profession were to preserve and to select memoranda of striking cases coming under their observation, whether of judgment or of mercy. The little book before us affords a proof of this: it is intensely interesting, true to nature, and redounding to the glory of sovereign grace. There are seven pieces, each of which comes recommended by the assurance of being 'a narrative of facts;' while the sobriety of style and expression heighten the effect of what would be less profitable if it were rendered more exciting. From a physician, this is a valuable gift to a world whose

universal character it is that the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint: while from a patient who knows the plague within, to a physician whose attention has never been drawn to his own spiritual disease, or that of others, we think a copy of this little work would promise, under the divine blessing, to be eminently useful.

DISCOURSES on the application of Christianity to the commercial and ordinary affairs of life. By Thomas Chalmers, D. D. Professor of Theology in the University of Edinburgh, and corresponding Member of the Royal Institute of France. Collins, Glasgow; Hamilton and Adams, London.

THIS forms the sixth volume of an edition of Dr. Chalmers' works, now publishing under his own eye. To the former series of these discourses are now added seven others, of which we suppose it will be sufficient to say, that they are worthy of Dr. Chalmers' name. In our day, the spirit of enterprize is carried to such an excess, and the inducements to engage in speculations are so strong, that the Christian has need to be doubly guarded on all sides, lest in the hurrying pursuit where he is perpetually tempted to join, he lose a prize of infinitely higher value than any that can be proposed for his acquisition in the field of busy excitement. He, on the other hand, in whose heart the love of this present evil world predominates, requires a warning note of no common power to reach him amid the incessant din, where he delights to lose the remembrance of all but his

darling schemes for acquiring that which profiteth not. Philosophy, truly so called, is the feature of this book; and philosophy in her right place, the humble, docile handmaiden of Christianity, is a very lovely thing.

THE SPARE MINUTES OF A MINISTER. Millikens, Dublin: Fellowes, London.

THERE are more rhymers than poets in the world; and a volume of rhymes is no rarity. In fact, we seldom open a neat-looking little book, like the one before us, without being sensible of a certain tintillation in the throat, indicating a pre-disposition to yawn. In this case, we were agreeably disappointed. It is no yawning matter, but an assemblage of original, elegant and pious thoughts, expressed in pleasing, often very graceful verse. A devoted minişter of the gospel in Ireland has perforce many spare minutes," while traversing the spacious district over which his especial flock lie thinly scattered. Such minutes have not been misemployed in this instance.

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SACRED PHILOSOPHY OF THE SEASONS; illustrating the perfections of God in the phenomena of the year. By the Rev. Henry Duncan, D. D. Summer. Oliphant.

HORTICULTURE and natural history are the principal subjects of this volume; the third in the series.

Much information and entertainment are combined. The anecdotes are, as usual, well chosen, and apposite. We consider this series as a pleasing acquisition in the domestic circle.

ON REJOICING IN THE LORD JESUS IN ALL CASES AND CONDITIONS: to which are added, Freedom from condemnation in Christ; and a Christian's hope in heaven. By Robert Asty of Norwich. First printed in 1683. Religious Tract Society.

THIS is an additional prize, rescued from the rich treasury of old books, to which we often refer as peculiarly suited to the especial need of these times. A wide, and rather lax profession of gospel truth, accompanied with too little of that "looking unto Jesus," which is at once the root and the evidence of true spirituality, is not often met, as it ought to be, by a bold, simple setting forth of "Jesus and the resurrection." A multitude of considerations are suggested, a crowd of objects presented to the believer's mind, with too little reference to the person and office of Christ, as being made of God, unto his people, wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Now, in this very point, where our weakness is manifest, lay the peculiar strength of the earlier divines. Theirs was the fresh and vigorous morning following close upon the dreary night of popery. To them the Sun of Righteousness having newly risen above the horizon, all eyes were turned to him; all hearts rejoiced in his revivifying beam. Whe