judiciously. There are in it many violent passages not confined to popery, but launched forth against those who happen not to entertain the same views with the translator, who, however, does not himself appear to be quite a safe guide to sound opinions. He appears to refer with great satisfaction to a letter of his to the bishop of London, in which are suggested some alterations in the liturgy, &c.; and he makes the present preface a medium of advertising his other publications, both past and future.

Days of Darkness, and Other Poems. By the Rev. James Lawson, M.A. London: Fellowes. 1838. 18mo. pp. 70.

THESE poems, eleven in number, are written for times of affliction; they are mostly addressed to the author's sister or to her husband. They are short, and one or two of them are pretty. There are also a dozen little poems upon different sacred subjects. Tastes differ so much in writings of this description, that it is scarcely possible to give an opinion upon them; though in some the sentiments are good, the versification is rather laboured. No. V., suggested by reading Matt. vii. 5, is one of the best.

Sermons. By the late Rev. Richard Moxon, Curate of Ilkestone, Derbyshire. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co. 1837. Post 8vo. pp. 260. THIS Volume consists of eighteen sermons on various subjects. They are written in a clear and impressive style. They are more practical than doctrinal, and are sufficiently plain and simple for family reading. At the commencement of Sermon IV., Mat. xi. 5-" The poor have the gospel preached to them,"-there is a very injudicious comparison of present and past times, giving out that the poor, a few years since, were looked on as mere clods of the valley, and treated as though they were of another species, and as though they had no kindred principles of immortality with those in the higher walks of life; and taking far too much praise to the better dispositions manifested of late years.

They were published by subscription, agreeably with the wish of the parishioners of Ilkestone, of which place Mr. Moxon was curate twelve or thirteen years. There is a brief memoir written by his brother, by which it appears that Mr. Moxon was originally a Wesleyan, but that he early left that persuasion, and was ordained at Bishopthorpe to a church in Hull. He died in the 44th year of his age. In this memoir, there are given one or two of his own memoranda. One of these, upon his ordination, sets forth very strikingly what ought to be the feelings of one newly entering into the ministry.

A Succinct Account of the Kaffer's Case, in a Letter to T. Fowell Buxton, Esq. M. P. By Stephen Kay, Missionary. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co. 1837. 8vo. pp. 92.

THIS pamphlet is put forth as a vindication of the Kaffers, in order to shew that they have been misrepresented and unjustly treated. Mr. Kay has been a missionary among them for eleven years, and states VOL. XIII.-April, 1838.

31

The letter is Under the first

that he has been uniformly well treated by them. divided into two heads, and these into subdivisions. he maintains, 1st, The true character of the Kaffer has been grossly misrepresented; 2ndly, as neighbours, the Kaffers have been most unkindly treated; 3rdly, that the Kaffers as a nation have been seriously injured; 4thly, their chiefs have been systematically maltreated; 5thly, their country has been again and again desolated. Under the second, which relates to the efforts of the missionaries, he maintains, 1st, the deportment of the Kaffer is manifestly altered; 2ndly, marriage has been introduced; 3rdly, their views of female character are confessedly elevated; 4thly, their heathenish cruelties have been materially checked; 5thly, war has unquestionably been prevented; 6thly, a peaceful disposition has in numerous instances been induced; 7thly, a desire for education has increased; 8thly, commerce and agriculture have been promoted; 9thly, the sabbath has been established; 10th, the rite of sepulture also is now observed.

There are many notes, containing extracts from the minutes of evidence taken before the committee of inquiry into the condition of aborigines, and other testimony to the correctness of the writer's statements. There are also frequent references to another work by the same author, "Travels and Researches in Caffraria."

The Reviewer having stated the object of this work, simply adds, that he cannot pretend to judge of its accuracy.

An Inquiry into the Doctrine of the Eternal Sonship of our Lord Jesus Christ. By Richard Treffry, jun. Mason. 1837. 8vo. pp. 508.

THIS volume is interesting on many accounts. It is an elaborate defence of a great Catholic doctrine, by one who does not belong to the church of England; and it is, besides, the work of one who says (pref. pp. viii. ix.) that his " arguments originated in no silly conceit of his abilities, but in a deeply painful process of sceptical reasoning, which at one time led as nearly as possible to the rejection of the great doctrine in question." He was, in short, nearly falling into Arianism, but being struck with the danger of the probable result of his views, he set himself, which he acknowledges should have been his first step, diligently to examine and classify every passage of scripture which seemed to pertain to the subject. In his preface, after answering some objections against his undertaking, such as the mysteriousness of the subject, and the evils of controversy, he proceeds to observe the necessity of treating upon it. He mentions an assertion triumphantly made (but it is to be hoped quite untrue,) to the effect that "that the mass of Christians out of the establishment deny that our Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God!" and fears there may be some ground for the statement. He then apologizes for selecting Professor Stuart, of Andover, for something like an uncourteous prominence in the controversial part of the volume. No apology, surely, is needed for this; Professor Stuart has a considerable name with many people, but there is much in his works which is extremely unsound-unsound in doctrine, and unsound in criticism,—and there

fore any writer who takes the requisite pains to point this out is highly deserving of praise.

The Table of Contents gives a very good outline of the work. It is divided into seven chapters, going into the following particulars :1. General statement and examination of the question.

2. Illustrations from Jewish opinions, phraseology, &c., from the personal confessions to our Lord, and from preternatural testimonies. 3. General evangelical illustrations.

4. The writings of St. John.

5. The Epistle to the Hebrews.

6. The eternal Sonship of our Lord considered in its connexion with fundamental evangelical truth.

7. The consent of the Catholic church to the doctrine of the eternal Sonship of our Lord.

Each chapter is divided into several sections, to some of which notes, containing collateral testimony, are appended.

The first division contains an inquiry into the two classes of appellations applied to the mixed nature of Christ-the purely divine, and those originated in the incarnation,—and also into the question, "to which class does the title of the Son of God belong?" In the second chapter, illustrations from the Targums, Philo, &c., are given; and there is a long section on the Jewish distinction between the Messiah and the Son of God. There are some excellent remarks in the section upon the personal confessions; and to this section there is a long note on the use of the article in phrases like Yog Oɛov. In chapter II. sect. 4, the author enters upon the preternatural testimonies to Jesus as the Son of God. In regard to the testimony of the impure spirits, and to the annunciation made to the Virgin Mary, there are some arguments which enter on very mysterious and abstruse points, which require the greatest care in handling them. Agreeing, as the reviewer does most cordially, to the doctrine maintained in this work, he cannot engage to accede to all which is there argued, nor is he prepared to dispute it. He only intimates the necessity of extreme caution in making any assertions relative to the points there touched upon; and the reader must be as cautious in admitting, as an author ought to be in mentioning, any such statements.

Chap. IV. is devoted to the consideration of St. John's writingsthe evangelical sense of the word Logos-and the epithet "only begotten." In the chapter relative to the last of these, the epithet "only begotten," there is much that is both forcible and ingenious.

Chap. V. is occupied in discussing the doctrines laid down in the Epistle to the Hebrews. One section treats of apostasy from Christ, another of his priesthood. In some of the notes to the different sections of this chapter, there are a variety of remarks to which the admirers of Professor Stuart will do well to attend.

The sixth chap. develops the principles involved in the inquiry. Mr. Treffry very properly argues that extra-scriptural tests of truth cannot be admitted, and proceeds on the principle that when an opinion is affirmed on the warrant of scripture testimony alone, and denied on grounds partially or wholly independent of revelation, there

is a strong presumption in favour of the affirmative and against the negative side of the question. Again, he argues also that scripture cannot be fairly interpreted by reasoning independent of scripture. As an illustration of the principle of explaining away passages which contain proscribed tenets, he instances Mr. Belsham's caution against what is called the natural sense of words and phrases; and he very properly exposes the object of the Improved Version of the New Testament. In the two following sections, the Deity of Christ and the Doctrine of the Trinity are brought to bear on the doctrine of the eternal Sonship. The next section considers the work of man's redemption, and argues the eternal Sonship of our Lord from the scheme of redemption.

Chap. VII. is chiefly employed in giving citations from the most ancient Fathers, and citing ancient creeds.

Upon the whole, the author of this work is entitled to great praise and thanks for having brought together so much weighty evidence, set forth in general with so much clearness of argument in favour of a most vital and important doctrine of our faith. The spirit in which it is written deserves praise also. There is nothing irrelevant to the subject introduced; nothing to offend those who may differ from the author on other points. It will prove a source of much value and instruction to those who are inquirers on this subject.

Stanley; or, the Infidel Reclaimed. And other Poems. By J. C. Tyler, Esq. London: Rivingtons. 1838. 12mo. pp. 86.

THE first of these poems is founded on one of "the traditions of Lancashire," and is treated so as to be read with interest. Some of the minor poems are also pleasing; and there is about some of them a religious turn which would almost bring them into the class of sacred poetry.

Short Sermons and Hymns for Children. By a Sunday-School Teacher. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1837. 12mo. pp. 190. THIS little volume contains fifty-four sermons, being one for each Sunday in the year and Christmas Day and Good Friday. They are written in an easy simple style, and would probably be intelligible to young people. They are very short, and to each is attached a little hymn. They are both on doctrinal and practical subjects. There are some observations in the preface addressed to those who may read these sermons to children. The reviewer would just remark that some of the hymns are in a style which does not please him.

An Earring of Gold. By the Rev. C. B. Taylor, M.A. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co. 1838. Post 8vo. pp. 28.

THIS is No. II. of" Tracts for the Rich," entitled also " Plain Words on Pride and Meekness," and published originally for the benefit of a bazaar, to which it refers at the beginning. It is an agreeable address, written in a simple and pleasing style, as they who have read the author's other works, "May you like it," &c., will easily believe.

The Matin Bell. Bath: J. A. E. Binns. 8vo. pp. 16.

A SERMON published with the hope of convincing all who profess themselves disciples of Jesus Christ, but are destitute of his spirit, that it is impossible for them to be happy in the life to come. The text is taken from Mark, ix. 43-48.

Friendly Counsel to a Dissenting Parishioner, who professes to be seeking the Salvation of his Soul. By the Author of “Dissenters recalled to their Duties and Interests." London: Burns. 1838.

In this little tract there are many excellent passages and strong arguments. In one or two cases, the expressions would have been the better for being softened. Dissent is a great practical evil, and this tract shews its evils; but, in the reviewer's opinion, one passage relative to its evils (p. 21) would be better expunged.

A History of British Reptiles. By Thomas Bell, F.R.S., F.L.S., Professor of Zoology in King's College, London. Illustrated with a woodcut of each Species, with some of the Varieties, and numerous Vignettes. Part I. London: Van Voorst. 1838. 8vo.

THIS is another of Mr. Bell's zoological works, equally beautiful with the former. It will give pleasure to every friend of natural history to know that Mr. Bell is still continuing his labours in this department of knowledge; and that he promises a work on British Crustacea, as soon as that on Reptiles is completed.

A Commentary on the Act for the Commutation of Tithes in England and Wales. By the Rev. George Burges, Vicar of Halvergate and of Moulton, in Norfolk. London: Rivingtons. Norwich: Matchett and Co. 1838. 12mo. pp. 134. MR. BURGES has written this with a view to warn all his clerical brethren against entering into voluntary agreements; and this for two reasons-first, that they will be losers by it, and secondly, that they will be sanctioning the overthrow of that right with which God and man have for so many centuries invested the church.

Mr. Burges analyzes various portions of the law to shew its injustice and iniquity. His language is occasionally somewhat strong, it must be confessed, but Mr. Burges' intentions seem good. There is certainly cause for complaint in the Bill.

Digest of the Evidence before the Committee of the Two Houses, as to the New Plan of Education in Ireland. With Notes. By the Rev. A. Irwin, A.M. Part I. Principles of the System. Dublin: Curry and Co. 1838.

It is so impossible for any one to wade through the enormous mass of evidence, that the public are much indebted to any one who, like Mr. Irwin, will give them the means of knowing the most important parts of it. In Mr. Irwin's notes there seems also to be some useful information.