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.

COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.
MORISON, D.D. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

By JAMES

A HOMILETIC ANALYSIS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. By JOSEPH PARKER. Vol. I. The Gospel by Matthew. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 27, Paternoster Row.

We put these volumes together because both are the productions of men of rare ability, both are on the same Gospel, possess intrinsic merits of a high order, and both are admirably suited to assist all preachers of the Gospel in the discharge of their important mission. Dr. Morison as an expositor of the sacred record, stands without a rival. His multifarious reading, his philological learning, his intellectual vigour, his philospholical acumen, his chastened imagination, his freedom from dogmatism and platitudes, and withal his reverence for the Holy Word pre-eminently qualify him for the high work of sacred exegesis. We have expressed in previous numbers our high estimate of parts of this volume as they have appeared, and now looking through it as a whole our appreciation has considerably heightened. The introduction is elaborate and exhaustive, scattering darkness, and solving difficulties in every page. We need not say we heartily recommend it.

Dr. Parker's work consists of a series of papers on Matthew, that appeared in "The Pulpit Analyst." As they are almost entirely homiletical rather than critical or exegetic, they do not display the philological or archaeological learning which appears in every paragraph of Dr. Morison's volume. Results rather than the process of scholarship appear. His Introductory Essay is a masterly production, indicating great reach of mind and command of language. His homiletical remarks on the various paragraphs of this Gospel, whilst they are generally very brief, are in the main faithful to the text, always fresh and never weak. We rejoice that such thoughts as are scattered thick as morning dew on every page of this volume, should command so large a week day audience in the heart of this money-loving London.

THE MARTYR CHURCH: A NARRATIVE OF CHRISTIANITY IN MADAGASCAR. By Rev. WILLIAM ELLIS. London: John Snow and Co. "THE present volume," says the author, "is offered to the Christian public, more especially to the friends of missions, in the hope that it may gratify a desire, which it is believed is at the present time very generally

felt for a more complete account than has been hitherto given of the Martyr Church of Madagascar, including the progress of Christianity in that country, from its introduction to its recent and marvellous extension among the people. The present work is confined chiefly to an account of the growth of Christianity among the inhabitants of the capital and the central provinces, its reception by the sovereign, many of the Government officers, civilians, and general population, as well as its extension to more distant races. The narrative is brought down to the present time." This book, whilst it will be especially interesting to the supporters of the London Missionary Society, on account of the many “Special Appeals' they have responded to on its behalf, will be welcomed by Christians of all denominations. For ourselves we should more heartily rejoice in the conversions of heathens, if the Christianity that is preached to them was of a higher and Diviner type; the truth, not as it is in the theology of sects, but as it is in Jesus, disinterested, generous and morally heroic. We do not care much about making men Christians after the style of Bunyan's Christian, whose grand idea was to get into the Celestial City, but rather after the type of St. Paul, who would brave damnation itself if he could save others. We need scarcely recommend this book. The history it contains is fraught with important information and stirring incident.

ECCLESIA: Church Problems Considered in a Series of Essays. Edited by HENRY ROBERT REYNOLDS, D.D. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 27, Paternoster Row.

THE contents and the authors of this book are:-Primitive Ecclesia: by John Stoughton, D.D. The Idea of the Church regarded in its Historical Development: by Radford Thomson, M.A. The Religious Life and Christian Society: by J. Baldwin Brown, B.A. The Relation of the Church to the State: by Eustace Rogers Conder, M.A. The Forgiveness and Absolution of Sins: by the Editor. The Doctrine of the Real Presence of the Lord's Supper: by R. W. Dale, M.A. The Worship of the Church: by Henry Allon. The Congregationalism of the Future: by J. Guimess Rogers, B.A. Modern Missions and their Results: by Joseph Mullens, D.D. We have read so much about "Ecclesia" and seen so much of "Congregationalism," which we suppose the writers of this volume consider to be synonymous, that the subject has lost its charm for us long ago. We believe in the fellowship of disinterested, unsectarian, and Christ-inspired souls, and not in any fellowship organised upon logical formulas. Such followships are pools to be exhaled, not rivers, rolling to the ocean. Albeit this work has great merits, and may serve important purposes. Whilst all the articles indicate an extensive acquaintance with the subjects discussed, and a considerable amount of mental force and literary ability, some are far more to our liking and judgment than others, less wordy, pedantic, and pretentious. As a whole, the volume does credit to Nonconformist intellect and learning, and, we may add, credit to Nonconformist publishers, for its "get up" is all that can be desired. The editor especially deserves thanks not only for his admirable paper, but for superintending and giving unity to the whole.

A CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. By PATON J. GLOAG, D.D. Vol. I and II. Edinburgh: T. & T.

Clark, 38, George Street.

THE author of these two volumes informs us that this Commentary occupied his attention for several years, and that he did not venture on its publication before a careful consultation of all the authorities both English and German within his reach. Having recently, ourselves, gone with some amount of critical attention, though with a homiletical view, through this book, we can endorse the author's statement that there are but few works in this country which profess to be criticisms on the Acts of the Apostles. And for the same reason, we feel ourselves in a position to give a strong and conscientious testimony to the high merits of this production.

Dr. Gloag has gone most critically into every verse, and has scarcely left one difficult expression unexplained. He imports no theology or sentiment, or sermonic suggestions into his work. All is rigorously critical and exegetic. His Introduction, discussing the authorship of the book, the sources from which Luke derived his information, the readers for whom the history was intended, and its design, the time and place of its composition, the language, text, arrangement and chronology of the book is very valuable. Such a work as this is sure to find its way into the best. theological libraries of our country.

THE MARTYRS OF SPAIN, AND THE LIBERATORS OF HOLLAND, AND THE REFORMATION OF ITALY. By the Author of " Schonberg-Cotta Family." London: T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row.

The

THIS Volume contains sketches of the "Martyrs of Spain," the "Liberators of Holland," and the "Reformation in Italy." The resurrection, from the graves of centuries, of religious liberty in Spain gives at the present moment a special interest to the martyrdoms recorded in these pages. The facts on which the sketches are founded are drawn from Llorente's "Historia de la Inquisicion de España," Dr. M'Crie's "Reformation in Spain," and De Castro's "Spanish Protestants." volume contains also a sketch of the "Liberators of Holland," The authorities which the author has consulted, and from which information has been drawn on this subject are Brandt's "Reformation in and about the Low Countries," Van Braght's "Martyrology cf the Baptists," Prescott's "History of the Reign of Philip the Second," Motley's "Dutch Republic," and his "Netherlands." "The Reformation in Italy" being also one of the startling events of this age will command attention to the short sketches contained in this book. On the whole the volume will not only interest but impart much useful information concerning Spain, Holland, and Italy.

SERMONS PREACHED AT AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. BY SAMUEL EDGER, B.A. London: Yates and Alexander, Symonds Inn, Chancery-lane. THE clergy of the present day may be divided into three sections: those who are ignorant, and speak out crudities with boundless assurance;

those who know, but are afraid to give full utterance to their convictions; and those who know and bravely proclaim their conclusions. Mr Edger belongs to the last class. He is a man that has risen above the sects, broke through the shell of religious conventionalisms, and learnt to study divine truth in the broad light of nature, common sense, and universal consciousness. These sermons are not mere compositions, not compilations from books, for the author tells us that the fire which consumed his residence in Port Talbot, in 1866, destroyed his library and nearly every word that he had ever written. These sermons are the outgrowths of a truly great mind, enriched by the scholarly study and the living experience of thirty years. We thank the friends in England, to whose care they were entrusted, for giving them to the public. Their work in this matter reflects great credit both on their judgment and their heart. These discourses are at once living and life-giving.

CHIMES FROM HEAVEN'S BELFRY. BY HUNT JACKSON. London: Richard

Dickinson.

This volume consists of thirty-six sermons, the subjects of which are entitled-Branches that Run over the Wall, Lessons of the Night, Unnaturalness, The Stone of Stumbling, Seeing the Unseen, The Worm, Made Straight, Ephphatha, Christ on Ritualism, Christ on Self, Four Seasons, Heart Revelations, Thoughts about Christ, The Circle Rainbow, Sin and Sins, The World's Teacher, Religious Esthetics, The Token of Friendship, The Three Graces, Zaccheus, The Divine Verdict, Almost, Go up Higher, The Divine Autograph, Names, Church Music, Moral Forces, Who did Hinder You? Who shall Roll away the Stone? The Temptation of Christ, The Voice of the Past, Soul Culture, What is your Age? The Voyage, the Pole Star, The Radiant Shore. It will be seen that the subjects are varied and vital. The treatment of those subjects is intelligent, serious, and calmly reflective. There are many fine thoughts in each discourse, expressed in elegant language, and often in chaste metaphor. The title is a grand one, perhaps too much so; this, however, is a matter of taste. The chimes, if not startling, are tender and melodious, and suited to charm the truly thoughtful into the spirit of devotion.

CHRIST AND HIS WORK. An Exposition of Psalm xl. By JAMES FRAME. London: John Snow and Co., 2, Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row. THIS book is based upon an assumption which we cannot accept, namely, that Psalm xl. is Messianic. Because certain things in certain portions of the Old Testament apply to Christ, the conclusion reached by some is that they are Messianic. Why not for the same reason say that there are some portions of heathen literature that are Messianic? We cannot think that any honour is done to Holy Scripture, or to the Son of God Himself by such applications of Hebrew Writ.