vivid and impressive. As might be supposed, military matters ever and anon present themselves; while the whole is pervaded by a strain of noble sentiment, wise counsel, and human aspiration.

Patriarchy. By J. HARRIS, D.D. Partridge and Oakey.

THIS important volume has arrived at too late a period in the month to admit of its thorough perusal, but we cannot allow this Number of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS to go forth without referring to its appearance, and the extraordinary value which we consider as attaching to it. Dr. Harris has been in the shade for some years past, but assuredly he has not been idle. Of the many previous and popular works which have issued from his pen, there is perhaps none-not even excepting "The Great Teacher -to which the public are likely to attach a higher importance than the present. We hope next month, to be able to enter into some of its principal aspects at length; and in the meantime we have much pleasure in announcing its appearance, while hesitate not to pronounce upon its essential excellence, high finish, and enduring worth.

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Expository Discourses on the Epistle to the Philippians. By THOMAS TOLLER. Snow.

"THOMAS TOLLER!" Who is this? Is it the admirable man with whose discourses the public have been favoured, together with a brilliant Sketch of his Life and Preaching, by the late Robert Hall?-or is it his worthy son, now the Pastor of Kettering? It is, we presume, the latter, which we infer from the opening sentence of the preface to the present Volume, which intimates that the Author for many years usually devoted the morning of the Lord's day to exposition, and was solicited to commit to the Press some one set of Expository Discourses, as a Memorial of those Exercises. Such language might apply to Mr. Toller the elder, but it would seem more natural in the mouth of Mr. Toller, now living and labouring to propagate the Gospel. In complying with this request, he has fixed upon the Epistle to the Philippians, partly on account of its brevity, and partly because there not, "so far as the writer knows, any separate Exposition of that Epistle in the English language." This language is curious, showing how little the ministers of one community are conversant with the proceedings of those of another. The fact is, that Mr. Riland, well known and respected for his

VOL. XII.

Church Reform Demonstrations many years ago, published an octavo volume of Expository Lectures on this very Epistle, which is now before us. Nor is this all: Mr. Riland Idid what we could have wished Mr. Toller to have done-prefixed a masterly argument on behalf of Expository Preaching, which is one of the best defences, and the most potent recommendations of it, anywhere to be found. The Discourses, which extend to nineteen, are brief, clear, impressive, and eminently calculated to be useful. They abound in strokes of common sense, and indicate a wide acquaintance with human nature, and the actual working of living society. Provision is alike made for the understanding, and for the heart; the experimental, and the practical. We trust Mr. Toller's encouragement may be such as to induce him to repeat his appearance. We do not know that he could do better service to society, than to prepare half-a-dozen volumes such as the present. Well will it be for the Church of Christ when such exercises become general in the pulpit, and when such publications shall be received with favour from the Press.

Constantinople in Connection with the Present War. By the Rev. S. FARMAN, Rector of Layer Marney. Wertheim and Co. THIS is one of the most important minor publications that have yet appeared on the subject of the War in the East. It is in all respects, by far the best informed of its class. Mr. Farman is not a mere scholar speculating in the midst of his books; for he has been for some years resident at Constantinople, and is, therefore, in a position to speak as no mere student of history, or of prophecy, can speak. It may enable the reader to form some idea of the scope and spirit of the tractate, if we state, that its avowed object is to "show the great importance of the present crisis, and the necessity and justice, on our part, of the struggle." From this, then, it will appear, that Mr. Farman is entitled to the consideration alike of the Statesman and the Divine-we may add, the Merchant and the Philanthropist. We have here a wellconsidered digest of the history of affairs in the East, more especially of the course of Russia for some centuries past. Mr. Farman, like many others, is constantly hearing the outcry, that this is an "unrighteous War;" on which he presents this his pamphlet, and says, "Sirs, there are the facts!" To all and sundry the opponents of the movements of the Western Powers, he still replies, "There are the facts;" adding, "And we cannot, therefore, but urge our soldiers on to continued deeds of valour, worthy of themselves and their country, to procure for us a speedy, safe, and durable peace, and thus preserve to us-what is dearer than life-our homes, our country, our liberties, our religious altars."

The

It will thus be seen, that the views of Mr. Farman go far beyond the Turk, and are comprehensive of the interests of civilization throughout the whole of Europe. perusal of the tractate cannot but be serviceable in the diffusion of truth, and of right sentiments on this most important question. Mr. Farman, on every ground, as a resident in the East, as an English clergyman, and a

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British patriot, a lover of liberty, and a lover of mankind, is entitled to a hearing.

Lyra Germanica. Hymns for the Sundays and Chief Festivals of the Christian Year. Translated from the German. By CATHERINE WINKWORTH. Longman and Co.

THIS tasteful and beautifully got-up volume, is dedicated to Chevalier Bunsen, with propriety, forasmuch as the Hymns are selected from Bunsen's own Collection, published in 1833, a collection amounting to some 900 pieces. This Volume, of course, comprises but a portion-somewhere about 100-of this huge store. The translator states, that "it was found impossible to include all that had become classical in Germany, the home of Christian poetry;" but an endeavour has been made to select the pieces best known and most loved. The Germans are renowned for song, both secular and sacred; and the volume before us may be said to comprise the bulk of the favourite pieces. Their worship is much more made up of psalmody than is ours; the whole system, indeed, of German religion is an affair of the feelings and the imagination, rather than of the understanding. The Preface gives the history of some of the more remarkable pieces, which will be read with interest. The Volume itself, although German, and not much calculated to contribute to Gospel light, is yet unctuous and sympathetic, and may considerably minister to devotion. It comprises many noble passages of sacred verse; and the volume, upon the whole, is pervaded, more or less, with a tinge of the Gospel, although not always with the clearness of a Watts or a Wesley, a Toplady or a Swaine.

Stray Leaves; Poetry and Prose. By ADELINE. John Mason.

THE name of Adeline is one well known to the religious public. Her pen is a working one. Both in prose and verse, in point of quantity, to say nothing of the quality, she has achieved a vast amount of work. But the quality is far from inferior. There is much here both of prose and verse, that does her credit. The present volume is a mixture of both; and those who are conversant with the previous effusions of our gifted authoress, will observe that she improves as she advances in years and experience. The Spanish Exile, in two cantos, comprises much that is beautiful and affecting. The same, with increased application, may be affirmed of Leonard Roe; or, the Captive. Although that is in prose, it is prose that might easily have been turned into verse; but with increased freedom, it loses none of the effect of metre. The minor pieces, which comprise about two-thirds of the volume, are in verse, blended with articles in prose. The whole volume is interesting and pleasing.

Glimpses of Jesus; or, Christ Exalted in the Affections of His People. By W. P. BALFERN. Second Edition. F. Shaw.

WE have already had occasionally to speak well of this deeply interesting and instructive

volume, which sets forth Christ in the manger, in the arms of Simeon, among the doctors, on the Mount, in the wilderness, amid the multitude, in the fields, in the synagogue, on the Mount of Olives, in tears, eating with sinners, at Bethany, at the well, washing his disciples' feet, on the waters, in the tomb, and on the throne. It is, nevertheless, strange, that while presented in all these, and in some other attitudes, the principal of these attitudes is overlooked-Jesus on the Cross! The oversight is so remarkable, that it seems impossible to account for it. We hope in a future edition, the Author may see it meet to supply this glaring deficiency; and in the meantime, once more, we very cordially commend the volume.

The Dawn of History: the Substance of an Essay, read before a Society for Mutual Instruction. By T. G. DARTON. Longman and Co.

THE subject is clearly so vast, that little can be done in dealing with it in the space of six-and-thirty pages. It is, nevertheless, possible, even within that space, to state a multitude of great principles, and to delineate the magnificent theme. This Mr. Darton has done, and done it well-so well, indeed, that we think he might increase his benefaction, by elaborating his outline into a substantial octavo volume. He appears to have at once the taste, the talents, and the cultivation, which would fit him to do so with efficiency.

Alexander Menschikoff, the Founder of a Family. Translated from the German of Niertz. Constable and Co., Edinburgh; Hamilton and Co., London.

THIS is another of those pleasing German stories, which have already taken such a hold on the mind of the British reader. The narrative, though one of high life, is one that will interest the lowliest. The millions are never better pleased than when introduced into the society of those that move in the high places of the earth, whose grandeur they admire without envy, and whose calamities they mark without indifference. Sympathy is always to be found in unsophisticated nature. The narrative, therefore, is one that will not fail to excite interest.

Questions on the Old Testament Scriptures; arranged chronologically in Sections, to suit the Poems of Sunday Afternoons. Bagster and Co.

WHEN we first met these questions in another form, such was the pleasure they gave us, that we expressed an earnest wish for their separate publication. We have now the gratification of witnessing that pleasure realized. The pretty volume before us is by far the most comprehensive and important series of questions on every portion of the Old Testament Scriptures extant. Wisely used, it may be rendered exceedingly serviceable to the teacher, the parent, and the private student of Inspiration. It has only to be seen to be admired and to be purchased.

Selfishness; or, Seed-time and Harvest. By Mrs. TooGOOD. Longman and Co.

THIS is one of those innumerable stories with which the press of late years has groaned. As such, it is respectable; but it is neither among the best nor the worst. It has the merit, however, of considerable brevity, while it pervaded by pure and lofty sentiment.

Thoughts on Prayer; resulting from a View of the Beauty and Holiness of the Divine Character. Seeleys.

THIS Volume is one of a deeply meditative and devotional character. Its careful perusal cannot fail of awakening in the Christian mind emotions the most hallowed, and leaving behind it the most salutary effects.

The War and its Issues, in its Religious Aspect. By the Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D. New and Enlarged Edition. Hall, Virtue, and Co.

THIS is an improved edition of an important publication, which has been already noticed in highly commendatory terms in the pages of this Magazine. We are pleased to think that a book of such spirit and such principles has so soon appeared in a new edition.

Life's Phantoms, and other Poems; chiefly Devotional and Paraphraistical. By STEWART ALEXANDER. Collins and Co. THE present volume has decidedly considerable claims to the appellation of poetry. The sentiment is generally excellent, the spirit lofty, and the versification fluent and forcible. Both the larger and smaller pieces bear the stamp of sanctified genius, and will be read with profit and pleasure.

The Communicants' Companion; comprising a Historical Essay on the Lord's Supper, Meditations and Prayers for the Use of Communicants, and the Order of the Administration of the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion. By THOMAS HARTWELL HORNE, D.D. Longman and Co. FOR Churchmen this is a very precious Pocket Companion, and Christian people generally may find it helpful to devotion. Properly used, it is calculated to awaken spiritual emotions, to instruct, comfort, and edify.

Who is God in China,-Shin, or Shang-te? By the Rev. F. T. MALIN, M.A. Bagster, Brothers.

THERE is not much in this erudite volume to interest the general reader; but scholars, especially men addicted to Biblical studies, will find in it a rich treat. It presents a new section of the great subject of theological study. It involves, in a high degree, questions of language. None but linguists will be capable of dealing with it; and they will find in it a great deal to attract their notice, to demand their close attention, and to repay the attention thus demanded.

Index to the Holy Bible. Keay.

MR. KEAY has just issued an Index to the Holy Bible, which deserves the particular attention of the Bible Student, forasmuch as of its class, it is by far the most comprehensive, complete, and satisfactory, we have ever seen. It is of a size, also, to bind up with that class of Bibles commonly used in churches and chapels, and in Sundayschool Classes, corresponding with the admirable Bibles of the late Rev. Ingram Cobbin.

THE following is an outline of the Services by which the Jubilee of Mr. James was celebrated; and although it can give no adequate idea of the extraordinary scene-which, for interest and magnificence, far surpassed everything of the sort that has hitherto occurred in England-it will yet not be wholly without its use.

OPENING SERVICES.

On Sunday morning, Sept. 9th, the Rev. J. A. James introduced the services in connection with the Jubilee by a sermon full of deep and solemn interest, on the inscription Samuel placed upon the stone at Mizpeh, "Ebenezer." He briefly reviewed his long pastorate at Carr's-lane, and then referred to special mercies of a personal as well as of a ministerial character, for which his own thankfulness was due. He showed that his

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history should be thought of with devoutness, wonder, and adoring gratitude. An immense congregation listened the venerable preacher, for upwards of an hour, with unflagging and earnest attention. In the even. ing the chapel was again thronged, and the Rev. R. W. Dale, M.A., preached on the words, "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ."

On Monday evening upwards of 2,000 children belonging to the families and schools connected with Carr's-lane were addressed by the Rev. R. W. Dale. In the course of the address, the speaker invited the children to express their joy at their pastor's jubilee by rising; and the scene then presented was one of most pathetic, and of extraordinary interest. At the close of the address, the Rev. J. A. James presented to large numbers of the children a little book, written by himself expressly for this occasion, of which every child received a copy before

leaving the chapel. This is a very gem, one of the finest things that ever issued from the skilful pen of its celebrated Author.

EDGBASTON JUBILEE CHAPEL.

On Tuesday morning many hundreds of people wended their way to the suburban district of Edgbaston-the site of the chapel it has been resolved to erect in commemoration of the Jubilee. The chapel will seat about 1,000 persons, and is estimated to cost £4,700. It is expected to be completed by August next. The pleasing ceremony of laying the stone was arranged to be conducted at twelve o'clock. Mr. James appeared upon the ground precisely at the hour appointed, and the proceedings were commenced by

The Rev. PETER SIBREE, who gave out the 179th hymn in the Congregational Collection, beginning,

"" This stone to Thee in faith we lay;
We build a temple, Lord, to thee.
Thine eye be open night and day,

To guard this house and sanctuary."

Prior to its being sung, Mr. Sibree remarked: It will gratify the present assembly to know, and I am requested to inform you, that this hymn was composed by the celebrated poet, James Montgomery, on the laying of the foundation-stone of Carr's-lane Chapel.

The Rev. J. TAYLER read the Psalm commencing, "Open to me the gates of righteousness, and I will go into them, and praise the Lord;" and also 1 Cor. iii. from the eleventh verse" Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, Jesus Christ."

The Rev. THOMAS SWAN then offered prayer.

Mr. Councillor MANTON next stood up to present the Address of the Jubilee Committee to Mr. James, who also rose, and remained uncovered while it was being read:

"Rev. and dear Sir,-As a Committee appointed to express the deep interest taken by very many beyond the circle of your own congregation, and in all sections of the Christian Church, on the completion of the fiftieth year of your ministry in this large and important town, and to carry into effect a testimonial commemorative of that event, in which all your friends everywhere should be invited to participate, we beg on our own behalf, and on behalf of the wide constituency whom it is our honour to represent, to offer this expression of public respect for your character, gratitude for your abundant labours as a preacher and author, and congratulation to yourself, combined with thanksgiving to your Divine Master, on the attainment of this signal era, and on the auspicious circumstances of health, comfort, and blessing, that attend its celebration. It is our privilege to witness the laying of the foundation-stone of a new Congregational Chapel in Edgbaston, and it is with peculiar pleasure that we see this act performed by yourself, and in connection with these public services. It is our intention and hope yet to attain the erection of another chapel, in some other part of the town; and our pleasure will be renewed and increased should the foundation of the second edifice be also laid

by your hand. We cannot imagine a higher honour or satisfaction to you, than the association of such transactions with your Jubilee. These structures will remain as substantial tokens, not only of esteem and gratitude to yourself, but also, and more especially, of reverence for those Divine truths and principles, to the proclamation of which your life has been devoted, and of desire more widely to diffuse their influence over the present and succeeding generations.

"While we would thus acknowledge your services in the Christian Church during the last half-century with gratitude to Him who has enabled you to discharge them, permit us to indulge the hope, that future years of usefulness and honour may yet be added to you; and that your success in those which remain may be still more abundant than in those which are gone; and when at length the labours of earth are ended, may they be exchanged for the repose of heaven, and for all the felicities and honours of a glorious immortality."

Mr. JAMES, in responding to the Address, said: I shall first address myself to you, Sir, as the representative of the Committee, and I say that I feel deeply indebted to you, to the Committee, and to the body of friends, here and elsewhere, which you represent, and on whose behalf you have spoken, for this kind, Christian, and respectful Address, and for the substantial token of regard to which it refers, and of which it is the exponent. I am utterly unworthy of this honour; but since you have determined to confer upon me some mark of esteem on this occasion, and to join with others in the celebration of my ministerial jubilee, you could not have devised a method for accomplishing this more consonant with my views and feelings, as a preacher of Christ's glorious Gospel, than the erection of a place of worship, where the word of life shall be continually proclaimed. Mr. James went on, and in the course of a copious and pertinent address said, "Without unduly magnifying my office as a minister of the Gospel, I may boldly, and without fear of contradiction, affirm, that one truly faithful and zealous preacher of God's word, to whatever section of Christ's Church he may belong, does more to check the progress of vice and crime, to promote obedience to law, to aid the advancement of individual virtue, and to maintain social order, than a hundred political, moral, and philosophical essays, or than the utterance of the strictest views of justice or the severest inflictions of judgment. It is thus that the beautiful imagery of the Prophet is realized, 'Instead of the thorn shall come up the firtree;' and those who were once their country's terror and disgrace, become its ornaments and defence. Blind is that country, and wretched must it be, where the worth of a faithful preacher is not known till the want of this, the friend of humanity, is proclaimed by the aboundings of iniquity, the prevalence of strife, confusion, and every evil work. The pulpit-and let it not be considered as a vain boast-next to the Bible, which it is intended to explain and enforce, is the strongest pillar of human society; it is the great breakwater that keeps back the mighty

surgings of ungodliness, and preserves the land from an inundation of ruin; it is that which alone can be depended upon amid the revolutions of human affairs and the clash of human passions, to preserve to the monarch his crown, to the noble his honours, to the rich man the enjoyment of his wealth, and to the workman the reward of his labour. What lover of his species, then, must not uphold the ministry of the word?-an institution which, for eighteen centuries, has taught the poor to suffer want, the afflicted in patience to possess their souls, the anxious to be careful for nothing, and the fearful to hope in God. If such be the result of our Gospel, how momentous an event is the erection of a building whereby God's grace will thus be proclaimed for years and centuries to come, and to generations yet unborn." Mr. James then proceeded to lay the foundation stone.

H. CHRISTIAN, Esq., then handed a massive silver trowel to Mr. James, which bore upon it the following inscription:

"Edgbaston Congregational Chapel.Erected in commemoration of the Jubilee of the Rev. J. A. James. Foundation-stone laid by him, September 11, 1855.

"H. R. YEOVILLE, Architect." Previous to placing the mortar upon the stone, Mr. JAMES held up the bottle containing the usual records, and said: I am now to deposit beneath this stone the Address which you have just heard, containing the names of the Trustees, and an account of the proceedings of the Jubilee Committee.

Mr. JAMES mounted on to its top, and said: And now may the work, so happily commenced, proceed without hindrance and with all prosperity. May no accident happen to any of the workmen to be employed! May the top-stone be brought forth with the proclamation of Grace, grace! May God's smile rest upon the undertaking, and, when complete, may his presence fill the house! May a flourishing and perpetual church be gathered here, of which its walls shall be called Salvation, and its gates Praise! and when the Lord shall write up the people, may it be said of this and that man, They were born here! Let thy work, O God, appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; O God, establish thou it!

Mr. JAMES next introduced Dr. Patton to the assembly.

Dr. PATTON then stood forward, and after a few words said: And now, my dear brethren, those of you who are associated in this enterprise, I have got a word to say to you, or rather a privilege to ask, and it is thisWill you allow me to send a quarto Bible, printed by the American Bible Society, to place upon the desk of the pulpit of this chapel when it is finished? Then you shall have it; and if the first sermon shall be preached from that Bible, I will say, Amen.

The Rev. R. W. DALE having offered prayer, the Rev. C. VINCE announced the 118th Psalm, which was sung, and the Rev. I. NEW dismissed the people with the benediction.

DEVOTIONAL SERVICES.

On Thursday evening a meeting for prayer and thanksgiving was held in Carr's-lane Chapel, and was attended by some fifteen hundred persons. The Rev. J. Percy, of Warwick; Dr. Urwick; the Rev. J. Gawthorne, of Derby; and Mr. Phipson, one of the deacons, offered prayer, and addresses were delivered by the pastors, Mr. James and Mr. Dale. It was felt to be a very hallowed occasion.

The next morning, at eleven o'clock, Carr'slane Chapel was again the scene of much interest. That spacious building, which will seat 2,000 persons, was crowded, to hear a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Bennett. The devotional portion of the service, which was conducted by the Rev. John Sibree, of Coventry, having closed, the Rev. J. A. James led the aged preacher up the pulpit stairs, and addressing the congregation, said: I rejoice, my dear friends, to introduce to you this morning the venerable man who, three and fifty years ago, introduced me to the work of the ministry; and if I have been of any service to you or to the Church of God, I owe it, therefore, in no small measure to him. And it is one of the most precious blessings of this happy occasion, that he is associated with me in enjoying and conducting these services; and I do bless God for the grace which has so far kept me, that he is not ashamed this day to own me as his friend, and to be thus united with me in these proceedings. And I now publicly, my dear venerable friend, thank you, under God, for all that I owe you, and rejoice that your hoary head is a crown of glory in the way of righteousness, and that you are here this day to extend to the termination of this fifty years the happiness you afforded to me at their commencement.

The DOCTOR then proceeded to deliver a very graphic and touching discourse from 2 Peter i. 12-15: "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you in remembrance," etc. After dwelling upon the wonderful faculty of memory, the Doctor proceeded to the divisions of his discourse, and considered, first, the call by grace; second, the call to the ministry; and thirdly, the call to the pastoral office. In the call by grace began the operation of eternal love. Men were by nature children of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins. In proof of this he appealed to the consciences of his audience; and if this was the fact, then a mighty change was clearly necessary, that they might become holy, and made fit for the society of heaven. Who, then, could suppose that a man in his natural condition of heart was in a suitable state to undertake the office of the Christian ministry? Must he not be transformed, and become a new creature, before he was fitted to be a religious teacher? "What!" said Dr. Bennett, "make the pulpit a coffin to exhibit a corpse!" What, then, should be said to those who asserted that a man might be a bad man, and yet a true minister? Instead of preaching, "Ye must be born again," would he not be far more likely to say, "How can these things be?" And was such a man likely to declare and insist upon the fact, that Christianity is not an affair of cold