REVIEW AND CRITICISM.

The Unsealed Prophecy; Lectures on the Revelation of St. John, By ROBERT SKEEN. London: BERGER, Holywell-street.

THE lectures contained in this volume, were delivered by a member (not in the ministry) of the Moravian Church, on the usual weekday evening services held in the Chapel, Fetter Lane, during a part of the year 1853. From a careful perusal of the whole, we are prepared to say that they are quite equal in style to some works of the same class of far loftier pretensions. They reflect credit at once on the head and heart of the author, and on the church to which he belongs.

With an amiable modesty the lecturer acknowledges his obligations to Elliott's Horæ Apocalyptica; and while it is not difficult to trace the characteristics of that gifted student of prophecy in a portion of the volume, there is abundant evidence throughout that Mr. Skeen can think for himself, and has not hesitated to differ widely from him, whenever he conceived the views of Elliott could not be fully sustained by an appeal to the sure word of the living God.

The chief points which have struck us as peculiarly interesting and original, and apparently more in the spirit of the prophecy, are the chronological arrangement of the outpouring of the vials, and the interpretation generally, of the sixth vial.

After stating the argument very clearly, he sums the whole up by the following,

"We may therefore legitimately consider the Euphrates, not as signifying the Turks, but as denoting the line of separation between Christianity and every false religion in the East. Even as it was the promised eastern boundary of the territory of God's ancient people, and in the days of David and Solomon, separated them from their idolatrous neighbours. The Euphrates may thus typically represent the many obstacles which have hitherto opposed the spread of the Gospel in the regions towards the sunrising. When they are removed-when the mystical Euphrates is dried up-the glad tidings of salvation will spread as easily and as rapidly as the troops of Cyrus spread themselves through the streets of Babylon, on that memorable night when they entered it by the dry bed of the river."

The valuable historical references, some of which we have not seen before, render the lectures full of interest. We are not willing

to endorse all Mr. Skeen's conclusions, but on a subject so involved as unfulfilled prophecy, we regard the man who is able to shed any light upon it as worthy of honour. Apart from the character of this volume, there is an interest attaching to it, as being a specimen of the typography of the island of Ceylon. The lectures having been transmitted to a relative residing in Colombo, who undertook to conduct them through the press, and it is but just to say that he has performed his duty tastefully and correctly.

The Great Redemption. By WILLIAM LEASK. London: B. GREEN, Paternoster-row.

This is an Essay on the Mediatorial System. Its object is to

present a systematic view of redemption in a popular form. The author begins with the idea of Revelation, and passes under review, first a summary of the gracious plan, and then successively, its antiquity, "sovereignty, completeness, adaptation, freeness, efficacy, and design." And he brings his subject to a point by presenting what may be supposed to be the conceptions of the redeemed concerning it, as they look back on its course of development in the present state, from that high platform which they occupy in the heavenly world. "The great Redemption" is characterised by considerable originality and depth of thought. Its style is singularly clear, and it is entitled, on the whole, to occupy a highly respectable position among the theological productions of the age.

Memoir of T. Batty. By JOHN PETTY. London: THOMAS KING, Sutton-street, Commercial Road East.

This is the record of the life and labours of one of the most indefatigable of those zealous and self-denying men, who, under God, have made Primitive Methodism one of the great powers of the nineteenth century. Its author in a calm and dispassionate manner presents the principal incidents in the history of the deceased. The volume abounds with matters of deep interest, and cannot fail of a wide circulation both among the Primitive Methodists and Christians of other denominations. We wish the author's effort to preserve the memory of this good and useful man, may exceed his most sanguine anticipations.

Gotthold's Emblems. By CHRISTIAN SCRIVER. Edinburgh: T. and J. Clark, 38, George-street. London: HAMILTON, ADAMS, and Co.

The work before us is a production of the German mind, to which the bibliography of the age, is so much indebted. German contributions to our literature have, however, been mostly in the department of scientific theology; and some of those contributions have been of questionable value. In another department, for which the German intellect is eminently adapted, we have had fewer re-publications in this country from the German press we allude to that of devotional literature. With the exception of Bogatzky's "Golden Treasury" and "the Emblems," we remember scarcely any other works in this department. This is to be regretted, for we understand the literature of Germany is rich in a class of works kindred with "the Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul,"-" the Saints' Everlasting Rest," and "Hervey's Meditations." The translation of a few such works into English would do vastly more to promote the interests of vital godliness, than many of their muddy speculations in the department of Criticism. The publication of the beautiful work before us is a step in the right direction. Gotthold brings the genius of an Esop to the illustration and enforcement of the principles of Divine truth. This work which has charmed the German people of six generations, is destined, we doubt not, by the aid of this translation, to interest the English people for generations and ages to come. The "Emblems" is one of those works which cannot perish.

Upward and Onward. By S. W. PARTRIDGE. London: PARTRIDGE and Co., Paternoster-row.

This is a poetical production by the Author of "Voices from the Garden," "An Idea of a Christian," &c. The following passage will convey some notion of the spirit and power of the author :

THE SABBATH.

Oh day of happy meetings, kindly nurse
Of holiest charities and purest joys!
Oh day of glad domestic gatherings !

The sister, from the neighbouring village now
Th' family circle joins, and cheers the heart
Of her fond father, and awakes his pride,
Observant of her budding womanhood.
Th' apprentice trudges from the distant town
Big with commercial duties, laden too
With a huge hard-earned present,—all for her,
His fond indulgent mother. With kind hand
The loving gentle Sabbath gathers those
Whom labour had dispersed, unites again
The social fragments round the homely hearth,
And makes the circle once again complete.
Ev'n the brick floor, ruddy every day,
To-day is clean and red beyond its wont,
The hearth is whitened worthy "the best day;"
There is a larger joint upon the board,
A bigger pie i' th' cupboard; and around,
The pure thankoffering of a gladdened heart
Beams manifest from every brightened eye.

We wish we had space for more passages from this excellent work.

Motives to Holiness. By BENJAMIN GLAZEBROOK. London: M. BAXTER, 5, Horseshoe-court, Ludgate Hill.

This is a suit

A new work from the pen of Mr. Glazebrook. able sequel to those other excellent works from his racy pen, entitled, "Motives to Piety" and "Motives to Faith." The style and spirit in the "Motives to Holiness" is the same as in the excellent and well known works just alluded to. We wish an extensive circulation to this little work.

WICKLIFFE'S BIBLE AND HIS COLPORTEURS.

As has been remarked before, no book before the invention of printing ever had such advantages for becoming widely known. Wickliffe, the great practical reformer, with his thorough knowledge of all classes of English society, had not urged through this gigantic task [his version of the Scriptures] as a mere experiment. He had his eye on a definite, practicable result, the means for accomplishing which were in his own hands. Aside from the demand for the Scriptures excited by his general influence during a public career, he had at command one of the most effective agencies of modern publication. The active, hardy, itinerant

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preachers whom he had sent out to proclaim, by word of mouth, glad tidings to the poor, who had threaded every part of England, and become intimately acquainted with the character and wants of its population, now formed a band of COLPORTEURS for the written Word. They knew in what far-off hamlets pious souls were counting the days to the return of their missionary and pining for the bread of life; what thinking merchants and tradesmen in the great towns, what honourable men and women among the country gentry, were eager to search the Scriptures whether these things were so. Several copyists, no doubt, had kept pace with the progress of the translation; and as fast as a few chapters or a book was completed, these faithful agents would make known the priceless treasure in the homes of the people. Many a touching scene might be imagined, of rustic groups by the wayside, in the churchyard, or around the peat fire at evening, listening for the first time to the words of the Bible in their mother tongue. Then how would the beautifully written manuscript be passed round, from hand to hand, to be admired and wondered at; and not seldom to be wet with tears from eyes that beheld for the first time, in English characters, the name of Jesus! Nor would the missionary be suffered to depart before a copy, of at least some portion, had been obtained. If no professional copyist was to be found, hands all unused to the labour of the pen would scrawl painfully a rude transcript of a plasm, of the ten commandments, a few chapters of the Gospels, or of Paul's Epistles, to remain as a lamp of heavenly light, when the living preacher had departed. It is a fact of intensest interest and significance, that numerous fragments of this kind were subsequently found among the Lollards. True, a large majority of the middle and lower ranks must have depended for their knowledge of the holy oracles on the ear alone; but when the memory is little occupied, and the heart writes the lesson on its tablets, much of the very language of Scripture may even thus be handed down, unimpaired, through successive generations. The truth of this is abun dantly verified in the history of Wickliffe's later followers.-Mrs. Conant's English Bible.

BRITISH COLONIZATION.

The warlike legions that go forth to conquer remote regions-however dazzling their achievements-exercise a far less enduring influence, and maintain their territories by a far feebler hold than do the peaceful missionaries of commerce who quit their native land to colonise. The national genius of the Goths, and especially of the Anglo-Saxon family, is pacific. The Norman invasion introduced into these islands an infusion of that martial spirit which characterises the Frankish races. But still the Anglo-Saxon blood predominates, and retains its indigenous virtue. If Great Britain have created, as undoubtedly she has created, an empire far wider than that "of Greek or Roman fame," it has been less by the power of her arms than by the sway of her intellect. Her progress in truth, has often been stained with blood; but comparatively less so than that of the other European nations who have invaded the American, African, or Australian territories.

It were indeed easy in the records of our colonial history to fix upon foul deeds, and to brand with infamy many a distinguished actor; but if our system of colonization has been on the whole more prosperous than that of our neighbours, it is because it has been on the whole more peaceful and benevolent. Contrast the inroads of Spain in Central and Southern America, with the progress of England in the Northern part of that great continent. The sole instrument by which the Spaniards established, and

sought to consolidate their authority was that of violence, and when, in progress of time, it was wrested from their hands by their descendants, aided to a small extent by the native tribes, violence is still found to be the foundation on which the revolutionary governments seek to erect themselves, and confusion and anarchy follow in its train. Not so were our American plantations founded. The soldier did not precede, or make way for the citizen. The sword was not the precursor of the plough. Peaceful menpilgrims of liberty-pastoral families who tilled the field, and levelled the forest, were the most successful and the most honoured settlers; and the great North American race still preserves the stamp of its origin. To me nothing appears so unnatural, so unnational,-so wholly out of keeping with all the antecedents of American history, as this warlike cry which has lately broken out in the United States for Texas, and Oregon, and Mexico, and California. I know it has been loud-but it must have been hollow. The very instinct of America must respond to the admirable advice addressed to them by Dr. Mackay

If we do desire the land

Bide your hour-'twill not be long;
Clear it-plant it—send a band,
Peaceful, enterprising, strong,
Who will people all the clime,
Spreading commerce as they go.
Free to answer in their time,

When you ask them, “Yes, or No!"

And who will dare refuse to ratify a "Yes, or No!" so uttered? Look at Algeria! It represents the attempts of a nation renowned for military prowess to establish a colonial empire by force of arms. It is a most disappointing and disastrous exhibition. The warrior there was to make way for the settler. It would be difficult to estimate what multitudes of men, and what amounts of money have been sacrificed by the French in their determination to make Algeria their own. The Arabs have been extirpated with the most reckless barbarity. Razzias-a horrible wordimplying general devastation and destruction, have been adopted against the natives, not as a dire and dreadful necessity, but as part of a system. The colonization of the European just progresses with the flight or the annihilation of the children of the desert. A succession of what are called victories mark the progress of French aggression. But never was a land held by a more unsatisfactory tenure. The man who sows, and the man who reaps the harvest, requires the protection of the soldiery. Beyond the spots occupied by military legions there is everywhere peril to the traveller. Violence is the only sceptre-the only authority. It is not an auxiliary to aid the decrees of law and equity; there is no law or equity but that of force. Government is war, and being war brings with it all war's demoralisation-crime and calamity. Would that France, having so completely failed in her schemes of coercion and conquest, were persuaded to try. whether civilisation and kindness-whether a pacific instead of a belligerent policy might not better advance her objects!-From a Lecture on the Political and Commercial Importance of Peace, delivered in the London Hall of Commerce, and published by the Peace Society.

THE CASKET.

THE LAST ONE REMEMBERED.

It is a mark of grace, that the believer in his progress heavenward, grows more and more alive to the claims of Jesus. If you "know the love of