tural treatise on God's purpose in separating Israel from the nations. We do not concur in all the author's statements, but still we have read them with much interest and profit. May the eyes of the Church be more and more turned to these objects, and may she be led to walk more fully in the light, and under the guidance of the light which is shining in this dark place, during this, the world's midnight. and Gillies' Historical Collections, relating to remarkable periods of the success of the Gospel. Published in 1754. Now reprinted, with a preface and continuation to the present times. By the Rev. HORATIUS BONAR, Kelso. Remembering the difficulty we had some years since, in procuring a copy of the original work, we welcome a new edition, well executed as to paper typography, and with the promise of additions, bringing the interesting recital to our own day. Numbers 1 and 2 are before us, and fulfil, as far as they convey the work, the promise of the advertisement. It will be comprised in one volume of about 450 pages; the last 50 of which will contain the new material. We find, however, in No. 2 occasional passages of original matter, distinguished from the writing of Dr Gillies by an enclosure of brackets, so that the work is enriched with more extended details, without taking any liberty with the composition of the venerable writer. We have the precept of the Lord himself to gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost. But it is in a time when loaves are multiplied and thousands fed, that any fragments are to be found. It was because of "these late extraordinary dispensations of grace, with which the Lord has favoured so many different corners," that Dr Gillies undertook to collect the details. In doing so he was led backward from the days of Cambuslang to the first dispersion of the disciples, after they had been deprived of the personal presence of their glorious Head, and had received the unction from the Holy One which enabled them to set out as teachers, and from the first century down to 1754, whenever he heard of a feast of the bread of life, there did this good man delight to fill his basket with fragments. Where there is no feast, there can be no fragments. It is under the Master's table, where the children's bread is dispensed, that the crumbs are to be found. The Editor introduces the original preface by a few remarks, in which he commences his observations on the work of the Holy Spirit from the earliest times, proving that its features and characteristics are the same from the beginning down through the Gospel day. It has long been subject to anxious inquiry why there should not be consistent advancement to the meridian light of that blessed day, whose streaks gave all of loveliness that it possessed to the world's dawn;-why regions that enjoyed the beam should again fall under the cloud;-why spots, once radiant with gospel light, should now be sunk in heathen darkness. If we might venture to conjecture on the subject, which is one of the things that belong to Him whose footsteps are not known, we would say that thus is man taught his dependence. The power of the Spirit is with God. Thus is he taught his carnality-without that power he will never arise from his earthliness. Thus is he taught to look upward to Him who will awake his Zion, and put on her strength and her beautiful garments, and cause her to arise and shake herself from the dust, and arise and shine for her light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon her. Man's utter inability being proved, the glory of his awakening belongs all to God; a small remnant may be left to testify for Jehovah, but it is all in vain till He arise in his strength, as it is remarked in the introduction. "Anon he draws near once more, puts forth his hand, and the tide rises in silent majesty, like the ocean along its shores. Again barrenness prevails and came forth to show him all his love. While lodged behind a dike, from which desolation covers the land. Then he opens the windows of heaven, and the swollen torrents rush along the valleys, diffusing life on every side. Such are his dealings with the children of men, and such the plan on which the kingdom of grace is administered, having, like that of nature, its seasons and fluctuations, its winter and its spring, its draught and its flood; all to show forth more clearly God himself as the doer of the whole, to sink the creature and exalt the Creator; that thus they may not mistake the hand by whose pressure the tide rises, from whose invisible, but resistless influence, every ripple takes its form and course. All is God, and God is all; man the mere subject and spectator of the change. It is God's earth, made for his glory, and he doeth with it according to his will; manifesting at every new turn of its history, some new marvels of wisdom, love, grace, and power; alike in his dealings with a rebellious world, and in the calling in of his own chosen ones, whose names are in the Lamb's book of life." P. 1. In turning over the pages, and recognising the well known names of reformers, confessors, and martyrs, we feel that we are examining a portion of the living temple-walls great and polished, compacted together by the great Master Builder. The book is not a series of biographies, but a collection of precious stones. We do not learn the extraction or early training of those whose office it has been to gather many within the walls of salvation. They appear for their work's sake more than for their own. We hear less of where and how the great change was wrought on their own souls, than we hear how they travailed for the souls of others, and how they suffered for Christ, and how they died. The militant church is clearly shown in these Collections, a church of conflicts, of groans, of resistance to falsehood, of tears and of martyrdoms, yet armed with faith, truth, and the sword of the Spirit; sustained by the arm that giveth victory, cheered by the far-off view of the city where all tears are wiped, terminating in joy unspeakable and full of glory. Traditions of the Covenanters. Third Series. By the REV. R. SIMPSON. Edinburgh: J. Johnstone, 1843. We are glad to find a third volume of most interesting traditionary fragments, which had it not been for the judicious industry of Mr Simpson, might soon have become indistinct or lost. The simplicity and absence of the marvellous, exhibited in all these narratives, while the glory is given to the gracious Providence which ruled over deliverances, and suggested ingenious methods of concealment, renders these rustic details very affecting. What a contrast do they form to the Popish marvels of the feats and miracles of their saints! Here no stone boats swim, no houses take wing and carry their inhabitants into places of safety. It is often by long privations, by hard labour, and strong effort, that the faithful covenanter is delivered-while the simplicity of method which the Father of all at times employs to rescue his children, discloses the same power which of old confounded the language of the throng at Babel, and struck the antagonist host with blindness, till they were led into the centre of their enemies. Among the traditionary lore here collected, we are inclined to rest on the life of George Hepburn, as one of the most touching. He was the child of many prayers, for his father was a man of God. But the battle of Pentland rendered George an orphan; and the stripling, hating the cause which deprived him of his father, not only joined the ungodly, but did still more wickedly, for he became a spy and informer. Were his father's petitions forgotten? Was the son to perish in the ranks of Satan? Impossible that the child of so many prayers could perish. Our God is faithful. He suffered the poor youth to taste the bitterness of sin, and as he looked to observe who they were that attended a conventicle in a wood, he was affected at observing that those who met in a snow-storm to worship at night-fall, looked calm and even happy. He mused on his own bitter spirit. He listened to the tidings of peace and reconciliation, and his heart smote him. He waited till the storm should be over under the trees, and there heard himself mentioned by some who waited there for the same purpose. Words of wonder and pity that his father's son should be the man he was, were followed by prayer on the part of those to whom he listened, and he heard that himself, their foe, was made a subject of their supplications. We refer our readers to the book for the next part of the narrative. It is enough to say, that when his turn came to flee, and to lodge in dens, and caves, George Hepburn had his feet planted on the Rock, which no such storm could move. Much as our author has collected, still more remains, and recent events have awakened many a slumbering memory, which brings forth afresh, circumstances that show how dear in the sight of Scotland, is the blood that has flowed by means of the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. The humble stone over the remains of Andrew Hislop was last year made the gathering place for a multitude who came to listen to Dr Candlish; and so lively was the picture of his martyrdom in the minds of many, that when two of the horses broke loose from their fastenings, and galloped around the congregation, they felt as if Claverhouse and his troopers were about to drive through them. Wodrow's account of the death of this young and courageous martyr differs from the tradition still existing among the Langholm hills. It is believed that Claverhouse's heart was faint in comparison to its usual state of hardness, since he had slain John Brown of Priesthill, whom his dragoons declined to fire at, after hearing his prayer. When the brother Hislop who was mounted escaped by means of his fleet steed, a transient sentiment of mercy crossed the bloody commander, and he would have let Andrew go. Johnstone of Westerhall, took the office of executioner, and shot his brave cottar, who, with his Bible in the right hand, and his lifted bonnet in the left, on his knees awaited his dismissal to the presence of the Redeemer. From that time, there has been a watchful observation of the conduct of the Lords of Westerhall. It is related that one coming on the grey stone that marks the lowly grave on the moor, ordered his followers to take the stone away in anger. His factor ventured to suggest that the spot was held in such veneration, that he had better let it rest. The man was advised, and revoked his order, but was regarded with cold suspicion for life. Another descendant, on riding to the spot, dismounted, and raising his hat, stood for some time in mute contemplation of the martyr's grave. This token of respect won for him golden opinions from all the neighbourhood. We were affected to learn that the blanket in which his body was lifted, retaining all its sanguine stains, was within a few years handed from one branch of the family to another. The last trace we had of it, was in possession of a man in the village of Eaglesfield; but none of the name of Hislop being now found there, it is reported that this memorial has been stolen, or, at all events, has disappeared. We thus give a hint to our author, that his work of gleaning is not concluded, and that the interest the subject excites, must encourage him to go on. The Divine Commendation of Abraham; or, Parental Duties. By the Rev. G. HOUSTON, Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Knockbracken. Edinburgh: Whyte & Co., 1844. The subject of this little volume is one whose importance cannot easily be overrated, and in the present day demands special attention, as we are persuaded most of the evils that are now overflowing the land may be traced to the neglect of parental duties. The volume itself is very scriptural and excellent. It does not contain much that is new, but it brings before us the different topics of discussion in a very clear and intelligible style, dwelling upon each at considerable length, and interspersing apt illustrations. The Free Church Pulpit. Part I. Perth: J. Dewar, 1844. This is the first part of a publication intended to be the vehicle for circulating through Scotland sermons of our Free Church ministers. We commend it warmly to our readers. May it carry the "glad tidings of great joy" into many a soul, so that through it the word of the Lord may run and be glorified! Monastic and Social Life in the Twelfth Century, as exemplified in the Chronicles of Jocelin of Brakelond. Translated, with Notes, Introduction, &c. By T. E. TOMLINS, Esq. London: Whittaker & Co., 1844. This is really a curious work. It is one of the completest pictures of monastic life in the dark ages that we have read. Being an original and authentic document, it possesses great value and interest in this respect, though perhaps the narrative itself may not be over-edifying. It is well worth a reading, even were it nothing but a literary curiosity. Family Prayers for every Morning and Evening in the Month. By the Rev. T. RAVEN, M.A., Minister of Trinity Church, Preston. Our dislike to written prayers is well known, and we would never advise any to use them. The best help to devotion is "the Spirit that helpeth our infirmities." This little volume before us has nothing particularly attractive. There is a dullness about it which is perhaps common to all prayer-books, and though it is written in a sound and evangelical strain, it is certainly awanting in the real fervour of prayer. It is, however, unpretending, and aims at simplicity, which is perhaps the most taking feature of the work. The Young Man's Great Inquiry. By the Rev. PETER MACINDOE, A.M. Kilmarnock: J. Davie. 1843. Good enough, but nothing very remarkable. We rejoice, however, to see the growing interest taken in our young men. Oh! for a voice to reach the ears of the thousands and tens of thousands of British youth, who are now plunged in profligacy, and fast settling down into dark infidelity and atheism! The Past History and Future Destiny of Israel. By the late ROBERT WODROW, Esq. With a Preliminary Essay, by the Rev. JOHN G. LORIMer, of St. David's Free Church, Glasgow. Blackie and Son, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London. The work before us demands a more extended notice than we can now bestow upon it, and we intend to return to it before long. In the mean time we may glance at the Introductory Essay, by the Rev. Mr Lorimer. It opens with a touching and well deserved tribute to the memory of the author, describing him " as not only a Christian, but an eminent Christian-eminent for his meekness and gentleness, combined with unbending integrity, for modesty and humility, the warmth of his friendship, and his deep and catholic philanthropy." He was one of the originators of the movement in behalf of the conversion of the Jews, which has already been so owned of God, and has drawn down so many blessings upon our Church. His deep and well-matured views on this subject are evinced, not only by the work before us, but by the General Assembly's "Letter to the scattered children of the House of Israel," of which he was the author, and which has been translated into various languages both of the East and of the West. The remainder of the Essay is employed in urging upon the Church the duty of studying unfulfilled prophecy, and from this portion of it we shall make one or two extracts. "That the investigation of prophetic periods may be useful though we cannot condescend certainly upon dates, may be made apparent by a parallel illustration. The Jews did not know the precise year of Messiah's coming. We may wonder at their blindness, the date seems so clear to us, now that the event has come, that all might have known. But were their inquiries into the days of Messiah therefore useless? No. Though there was not enough of light to fix the day or the year, there was enough to awaken an interest and universal expectation which seriously affected the conduct of the Jews, and led the devout among them to wait at the temple day and night for the manifestation of the consolation of Israel. And so it may be of the prophetic dates of Daniel. There may be enough of clearness about the period to stimulate vigilance and care, and to render indifference inexcusable; in short, to secure the grand moral ends of prophecy, which is the chief point." P. xxi. "It is well known, indeed it seems to be the growing conviction of intelligent men, whether they have studied prophecy or not, that a dark night is at hand; and this should give fresh force to the call for the study of prophetic Scripture, as furnishing at once warning and hope..... Why does antichrist rise, except more conspicuously to fall? And can such a monster as the prophetic beast be expected to fall without such throes and convulsions as shall proclaim its native malignity and strength? No. Interpreters of prophecy may have imagined, from the zeal and liberality of modern times in diffusing the word of the Lord in all languages, and sending missionaries of the Gospel to all people, that the glory of the latter days was to be ushered in peacefully, and that all opposition was gradually and quietly to expire; but older interpreters held a different opinion, and the aspect of the times indicates a different progress, while the result will be the same; these teach that the Church's glory is to be won through a sea of trouble. This is God's usual procedure with his Church, and satisfactory reasons can be assigned for it. 'Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the dry land, and I will shake all nations. And the desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.' The shaking preceded the coming, and prepared the way for it, by the removal of obstacles, the overthrow of enemies, and the quickening and confirmation of friends." P. xxvii. Eight Sermons, being reflective discourses on some important texts. By the Mr Montgomery has been so lavishly commended and discommended by dif |