Review of Books.

THE LIFE OF WILLIAM BEDELL, D.D. Lord Bishop of Kilmore. By H. I. Monck Mason, L.L.D. M.R.I.A. Librarian to the King's Inns, Dublin.Seeley and Burnside. 1843.

OFTEN have we longed to see this work committed to hands duly qualified for the task, and abundantly are we satisfied. The name of Henry Monck Mason is as familiar to the lovers of Ireland as that of Bedell himself; and the oneness of feeling distinguishing them proves that it is the self-same Spirit working in both; two centuries, indeed, intervening, but what are they in the sight of Him, with whom a thousand years are but as one day.

Bishop Bedell was English: his Biographer is an Irishman, a Christian patriot, who has devoted his life to the promotion of the good work so long, so bitterly opposed the adoption of the Irish language FEBRUARY, 1843.

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as a means of instructing the native race. We cannot but rejoice when looking back on the surmounted obstacles that impeded the path, even from the first, and until within a year or two, when the opposition seemed to be laid aside as a hopeless undertaking, and the cause prospered; for the word of the Lord had free course, and was glorified. This is but the dawn of a broad and glorious light, rising upon dear Ireland never more to set.

The "Prefatory Remarks" which occupy the first fifty pages of this delightful work, are written with great spirit and truth. There is no false colouring, no softening down, no sacrificing the weaker to the stronger party. Things as they are, fearlessly traced to things as they were, in a rapid retrospective glance over seven centuries, open a scene that England ought to contemplate with deep thought. Dr. Mason's

fidelity to the cause of his poor people, is in keeping with his zeal for their best interests. The Memoir itself is written with all the feeling, discrimination, and care that we were prepared to expect. We rose from its perusal with a full heart-full of thankfulness for what God wrought in, and by that blessed man; full of anticipation, as to the sure, though long-deferred harvest of his toil; and full of joy at the near approach of the hour, when Babylon the Great must fall, and when the sower and the reaper shall together rejoice over the finished work to which, at far distant periods, they have set their hands, in the firm assurance that their labour should not-could not-be in vain in the Lord.

GENEVA AND OXFORD, a Discourse delivered at the Opening Meeting of the Theological School of Geneva, Oct. 3, 1842. By J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, President. Author of "The history of the Great Reformation," &c. With an Introduction by the Rev. E. Bickersteth, M.A. Rector of Watton, Herts. -Seeley and Burnside.

WE were just able, in our last, to name this book, which reached us too late for a regular notice. The readers of the work on the Reformation, would be prepared for something remarkable from the pen of its Author; but vivid and energetic as he is in his masterly production, we will match this brief corruscation against the finest portion of it that can be singled out. Extreme simplicity of arrangement, close adherence to his original propositions, and a most triumphant completion of the argument, mark the piece. He has placed in most marvellously clear contrast, the falsehood of the system which is, as it glories in avowing itself, pre-eminently anti-Protestant; and which is indeed only a more mean, perfidious and mocking form of Popery, than the original thing at Rome. We never saw Puseyism in so wretchedly contemptible a character of wickedness, as when reading this noble little treatise by a foreigner. Looking the other day into a work of great repute among the Tractarians, Wheatley on the Common Prayer, we were struck by the continual lamentations of that semi-popish divine on the many mischievous interferences of Martin Bucer, but for whom, it should seem, we should now be praying for the dead, and equalling if not exceeding the enor

mities of the Scottish Mass-book. We recognized the merciful hand of God in bringing his servants from other lands to the rescue of our most holy faith, in former days: and we praise Him now, that while treachery abounds to a fearful extent among the sworn ministers of his word, who are labouring to bring their native country again under the accursed yoke of Rome, faithful pastors from afar are raised up to the comfort of His betrayed flock, and they will be gathered and fed, despite of the utmost efforts of the enemy; while the hands of faithful pastors at home will be so strengthened, that neither hopes of earthly advancement and gain, nor apprehension of anything that man can do against them, will discourage them in the narrow, but safe and happy path, of zealous fidelity to their people and to their God.

LETTERS AND

BIOGRAPHY OF FELIX NEFF, Protestant Missionary in Switzerland, the department of Isere, and the High Alps. Translated from the French of M. Bost; by Margaret Anne Wyatt, Author of a translation from the German of a Memoir of John Huss.-Seeley and Burnside.

FELIX NEFF died in 1829, in the very bloom of life, having done more in the cause of the Gospel than many a Missionary has opportunity of attempting in three or four times the same number of years that he devoted to the work. His labours were indeed abundant; his perils and sufferings such as are not often encountered, even by the most devoted of the

Lord's servants. Entering the ranks of the army, attaining only to a serjeantcy, and preserving to the last the simplicity of speech, and plain manliness of deportment that one naturally associates with the idea of such a person, he comes before us recommended on grounds most truly apostolic, although opposed at his outset, and often hindered on his shining path, as a schismatical layman, intruding into another man's office. It is a most engaging, interesting, encouraging book; and could never be more valuable than at this juncture.

SACRED LYRICS. By Richard Huie, M. D.— Johnstone.

MOMENTS intervening between the arduous duties of a most important profession, devoted to God in some of the sweetest lays imaginable. The spirit breathing through them is lovely, and many of them may claim a high rank as poetical compositions. What a contrast is presented to the mind, when contemplating the Christian Physician in juxta-position with the wretched materialist in the same calling! We have been greatly privileged in friendship with several of the former class; and we hesitate not to say that their light shines with a brilliancy and effect not easily attained to in other walks of life. Indeed, they are called to look upon so much black darkness, and to administer consolation under such poignant sorrows, that we may believe the oeconomy of grace makes special provision to gift them accordingly. Personally we do not know Dr. Huie; but