of

Readers in all parts of our country, and not a few beyond its bounds, will welcome a volume of Sermons (9) from the pen Dr. Dykes. It is no infrequent thing to hear the complaint that this is not an age of great preachers, and, indeed, as we look round us, it does occur to us that many of the men who are most prominent in the various Churches to-day do not owe their prominence specially to their preaching power; one is a profound theologian, another a good administrator, a third an ecclesiastical lawyer, and so on. But whilst the minister of Regent Square has many other claims to the high place which he holds in his own Church, it becomes increasingly evident

of which let these Sermons be witness-that he is pre-eminently a preacher. We do not think that we are extravagant in saying that within past years we have come across very few volumes of sermons of such a high order. There is a depth of thought, a power of spiritual analysis, and a dignity of style and tone rarely to be met with in combination in times when the narrowing of the distance between pulpit and pew, locally and otherwise, has introduced -at least in England-a certain ease in pulpit address, not always accompanied by either high thought or refined utterance. We have indeed been reminded several times, in our perusal of this volume, of the style of the great Anglican preacher, Canon Liddon, whose sermons-as sermons-rank higher than those of any living preacher of his Church; there is a similar penetration and insight, a similar habit of building the thought of a sermon from the text upwards, until you are left with a sense of massiveness and completeness at the close; and there is common to both a certain mode of thought and expression which bespeaks a mind which instinctively regards the object of its study at some distance, and thinks by itself. We do not, indeed, profess to say that these sermons of Dr. Dykes's are uniform in their merit; their strength and their weakness lie, we think, in this, that they are sermons for strong men and women. We have felt before, in reading works from Dr. Dykes's pen, and we feel again here, that the lowlier class of hearers would scarcely keep pace with the preacher, and also that, even in treating consolatory subjects, his style

(9) Sermons by J. Oswald Dykes, M.A., D.D. London: James Nisbet and Co.

Malleson's Acts and Epistles of Paul.

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ministers almost too strong a tonic to those who are borne down under the burden of sorrow. We can fancy such turning aside to such sermons as those of the Master of the Temple, or of Thomas Guthrie, or of John Ker, and finding in them. the healing they are seeking. But we repeat that these sermons will claim a place in the very first rank of present-day palpit literature; and we commend them not only as a companion to devout thought, but as a lesson-worthy of special study from students and ministers entering upon their workin the sacred art of preaching.

Mr. Malleson's work on The Acts and Epistles of St. Paul (10) is written for the ordinary reader; and it is likely to take no unimportant place in our popular religious literature. So far as we have been able to judge of it, we should not expect that it would ever be regarded as a reference-book for students upon the Great Apostle; and hence it will not take the place of, or even claim comparison with, such works as "Conybeare and Howson." But it will probably be read where the latter would be found too scholarly and elaborate; and we may safely say that Mr. Malleson throughout shows the marks of such careful and ardent study of his subject, as to inspire confidence in the reader who is not able to go back to his authorities. If we were, again, to compare Mr. Malleson's work with that of Canon Farrar, we should certainly not give the palm to the former in the matter of style; but while the Canon wields a more graceful pen, Mr. Malleson conveys always an impression of walking upon firmer theological ground, and his book will therefore be more gladly accepted by many evangelical readers. The book seems to us to fail chiefly in the apparent temptation to fine writing, which the writer indulges, sometimes provoking comparison with the rounded and polished periods of Canon Farrar. But what we have in this work-and this is much -is a study of the life of St. Paul and of his work, from a Pauline standpoint-sympathetic, clear, and interesting; and recommend it as, apart from general reading, a volume which would form an admirable companion in any continuous treatment of the history of St. Paul, in Bible-classes or at

(10) The Acts and Epistles of St. Paul. By the Rev. F. A. Malleson, M.A. London: Hodder and Stoughton.

Bible-readings. The map of St. Paul's journeys-prepared by Messrs. W. and A. K. Johnston-will be found of great service.

A new edition of Mr. Edward White's little book on Certainties in Religion (11) has just been issued, and its appearance gives us an opportunity of repeating the high estimate which was expressed regarding it in a recent number of this Review. It is a compact, able, and fresh contribution to popular apologetics; and if we may be allowed a play upon the word, it is all the more a satisfactory apologia that it conveys no impression of Christianity as needing to be apologised for. A treatment of the subject so clear and decided, yet with no trace of dogmatism, as we have here, cannot fail to gain a hearing from the fair-minded reader; and we again commend the volume specially to the study of young men, who will find it eminently helpful.

Since the publication of Deutsch's ingenious vindication of the Talmud in the pages of the Quarterly, there has been an intelligible desire for a fuller and more exact acquaintance with the contents of this vast repository of Jewish thought. Not content with such traces of wisdom as its admirers succeed in discovering and demonstrating, inquirers are rather concerned to know what is its general drift and value. Mr. Paul Isaac Hershon undertakes (12) to furnish fitting materials for the formation of a correct opinion. We have examined his volume with some care, and we unhesitatingly commend it as a most valuable contribution to our knowledge of the subject. It is eminently characterised by a judicial fairness in the selection of specimen passages. In addition to a very full index of topics discussed, there is a specially interesting and helpful index whereby the reader is enabled to compare Talmudic teaching with the teaching of Scripture. This volume justifies Milman's description of the Talmud:"That wonderful monument of human industry, human wisdom, and human folly."

(11) On Certainties in Religion. Second Edition. London: Elliot Stock. (12) Treasures of the Talmud, by Paul Isaac Hershon. London: James Nisbet and Co.

The Vedic Religion, etc.

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Among the so-called "Faiths of the World," the creed of our Aryan ancestors has been much studied, and, in certain quarters, greatly lauded. Through the zeal and industry of Max Müller and his coadjutors, opportunities are now afforded for the study of its earliest records. Perhaps the first feeling of one who makes acquaintance with the Rig-Veda by a perusal of selected extracts, is a feeling of surprise and pleasure on finding so much that is comparatively pure and wholesome in its ancient hymns. But the satisfaction is not likely to grow with increasing knowledge. Modern praises of the Vedic religion can only spring from partiality or ignorance. A tolerable familiarity with its literature reveals its hollowness and selfishness. Within a reasonable compass Mr. Macdonald (13) furnishes us with sufficient information on which to found a definite and defensible judgment. His book is eminently satisfactory. It is worthy of wide circulation and careful study.

Notwithstanding the many excellent manuals on Eastern customs already existing, Mr. Neill has produced a volume (14) which is certainly not lacking in freshness and interest. During a three years' residence in Palestine, and by a continuous habit of keen observation, he has gleaned, from well-reaped fields, sheaves that are not to be despised in our estimation of the harvest.

Nothing more is needed to justify this reprint of Sir Richard Baker's Meditations and Disquisitions on the Psalms (15) than Mr. Spurgeon's testimony in his valuable Commentary and Commentaries: "O rare Sir Richard Baker! knight of the flowing pen. His meditations and disquisitions are altogether marrow and fatness. We have often tried to quote from him. and have found ourselves so embarrassed that we have been inclined to copy the whole book." The reprint is excellent,

(13) The Vedic Religion, or the Creed and Practice of the Indo-Aryans three thousand years ago. By the Rev. K. S. Macdonald, M.A., Missionary of the Free Church of Scotland, Calcutta. 2d Edition. London: James Nisbet and Co.

(14) Palestine Explored. By Rev. James Neill, M.A. London: James Nisbet and Co.

(15) Meditations and Disquisitions upon certain Psalms. By Sir Richard Baker. London: Charles Higham, 27a Farringdon Street.

and it is enriched by a characteristic introduction from the pen of Dr. Grosart. The volume itself is a storehouse of quaint, spiritual, and suggestive sayings.

We have much pleasure in calling attention to a very handy and useful epitome (16) of facts that ought to be generally known in connection with the Revised Version of the New Testament. Mr. Carter tells the "story" of the New Testament in a manner at once simple, scholarly, and reverent.

What can we say of those attractive-looking volumes (17), except that year by year they are increasingly welcome? The engravings, especially the coloured ones, are very good, and the literary matter is excellent and varied.

A charming story of child-life (18). Now, as we read it by our winter fire, the little ones are carried away in imagination to the daisy-clad meadows and breezy hills, as they follow the footsteps of "Bobby" and "Rosie," and their faithful German nurse.

Whatever Dr. Macduff writes is sure to be worth reading, and this volume (19) will be especially welcome to parents, who are so often at a loss for a really interesting as well as instructive book for Sunday afternoons or evenings. These sermons possess the advantage of having been spoken to children, and they have a freshness and simplicity of style which is very attractive. They are intensely practical, and well fitted, by the cheerful tone which pervades them, to commend the Gospel to the consciences and hearts of the young.

(16) The Story of the New Testament told in connection with the Revised Version. By Rev. Andrew Carter, M. A. London: Whittaker and Co. (17) Leisure Hour, 1881. Sunday at Home, 1881. London: Religious Tract Society, 56 Paternoster Row.

(18) A Summer in the Life of two little Children. By the Author of "Lilies of the Valley and other Stories." London: J. Nisbet and Co.

(19) Hosannas of the Children, and other Short Sermons for Young Worshippers; or, a Chime of Bells from the Little Sanctuary. By J. R. Macduff, D.D. London: J. Nisbet and Co.