doctrine of the incorruptibility of the resurrection body as it regards the lost, is not in Methodism an open question. It should further be stated that Mr. Olver holds that the gospel pronounces an open condemnation upon those, and those only, who have heard and rejected its message.

"What does the Scripture say of the generations who lived before the dawn of gospel light; of tribes and nations who are still left without the truth of God; and of the multitudes around us who, apparently without their own consent, are as far from Christian instruction as the far-off pagan ? What, indeed, does it say of many who, whilst they appear to us to be flooded with light, may be as effectually shut in by early prejudice or inherited tendencies as others are shut out by circumstances over which they have no control? The answer is, that it gives no definite informa tion. The gospel is a message to men, not a message about men.'

We cannot take this answer to be absolutely and comprehensively correct. If the information cannot be said to be definite, we have, we take it, some information respecting the destiny of these. At any rate it gives us pleasure to find that the lecturer does not place them among the irrecoverably and completely lost-as has been too much the orthodox fashion to do.

The Biblical Museum: a Collection of Notes, &c., on the Holy Scriptures. By JAMES COMPER GRAY. Old Testament. Vol. IV. Kings

and Chronicles. Elliot Stock. (Price 5s.)

MR. GRAY, we believe, continues his unique and valuable work at the rate of a volume a year. The one we now notice is for the year just passed. It has, as far as we can see, all the excellencies of its predecessors, and this we consider to be no mean praise. We do not know what the sale of the work may be, but if it is according to its merits it should be very great. The author says his notes are specially designed for ministers, students, and Sunday-school teachers; but, if they have a special use for these, they are admirably adapted for all who wish to read their Bibles with intelligence and profit. Nor, strictly speaking, need these notes to be read always in association with the Scriptures; of themselves they are full of interesting and useful information. We scarcely know of a more appropriate book for the occupation of those brief, spare moments which do not allow of continued or close application to reading.

Biblical Things Not Generally Known. First Series. Elliot Stock. 1879. (Price 48. 6d.)

THIS is a book very much to our liking. It consists of "facts, notes, and information concerning what is rare, quaint, curious, obscure, and little known in relation to biblical subjects." One would think such a book must be of general interest to intelligent Christian readers, and we hope it will be found to be so, that the editor may be encouraged to continue his work, and supply us with a second series. But who is the editor? This, we think, should be known, or definite reference be given to the sources whence the information is derived. With regard to a great deal that is given, authenticity is an important consideration. We give one citation which will illustrate this, and also indicate the character of the book.

"THE AGAPE, OR COMMON FEASTS, IN THE EARLY CHURCH.-Acts ii. 42.

"The custom of meeting at fixed seasons for partaking of a common meal, as brethren, should be distinguished from the observance of the Lord's Supper, which was probably connected with such feasting times. We have no description of these meals, as they were conducted by the Apostles themselves, and the name Agape was not attached to them until the close of the Apostolic age. The modes in which they were then arranged will, however, indicate their character as presided over by the Apostles, if we make some allowance for the growth of formalities and tendency to add to ceremonials.

"The Christians of a given town or district came together on a fixed day, probably the first day of the week, in some large room, either hired or lent by some wealthy Christian. The materials of the meal varied according to the feeling or wealth of the society. Bread and wine were essential, because used in that more solemn commemorative act which came at some period in the service. But they provided also meat, poultry, cheese, milk, and honey; and early paintings in the Catacombs of Rome indicate that fish was also used. If the feast was of this kind we can well understand how gluttony and drunkenness became associated with it, and called forth the indignant reproaches of the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. xi. 20–22). The cost of the meal fell chiefly on the richer members of the church, but it is probable that each person was expected to bring his contribution in money or in food. The women and men were seated at different tables, perhaps on opposite sides of the room, and all waited until the presbyter or bishop pronounced the blessing. Then they ate and drank. At some time during the meal one loaf was passed round, and one cup, the cup of blessing, and of these all partook. Then they washed their hands, and the more devotional part of the evening began. Reports from district churches were read, those having gifts expounded, collections were made for the poor, and with the kiss of charity the evening closed. Such meetings were designed to be a witness and bond of the common brotherhood of Christians; and their likeness to our modern tea-meetings will immediately appear."

Bible Readings on the Progressive Development of Truth and Experience in the Old Testament. By H. W. S. Elliot Stock. (Price 5s.) WE can scarcely characterise this book in a few words. The author says it is not in any sense meant to be a commentary on the Old Testament, but simply an attempt to give the deep inner sense of its books in their progressive development of truth and experience. In other words, the Old Testament Scriptures are spiritualised, and in that way made to minister to the comfort and growth of our Christian life. The author is a disciple of the Rev. Andrew Jukes, the views he propounds having been opened to him chiefly through his teaching. This symbolical interpretation, he contends, is not without large warrant from the usage of St. Paul in the New Testament. There is a fascination about this mystic sense given to Old Testament records, and when done with sobriety we cannot see how it can do other than minister to our special profit. Some of Charles Wesley's finest hymns are written on this principle; indeed, more or ess, it is adopted by all Christian teachers.

The Homiletic Quarterly. Vol. II. Richard D. Dickinson. 1878. (Price 10s.)

WE have in a previous notice of the numbers of this periodical stated its plan, and described its several departments. Ministers who do not take it as it is issued in parts, should certainly purchase the volume. To speak our honest conviction, it is for preachers and expounders of God's Word the best and most useful publication that we are acquainted with. Ministerial novitiates especially do themselves—and indirectly their congregations also a wrong by not availing themselves of the valuable help it affords to make full proof of their ministry.

Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton's publications are always good, but this season they have issued many books of unusual excellence. Some are especially suited for New Year's gifts to the young. For our girl readers, Theodora Cameron: A Home Story, would be a capital present. It is charmingly written, and beautifully got up. The writer, Phebe F. McKeen, is, we presume, an American author; the subject of the story being a minister's family settled in New England, the parents of which are of Scottish descent. The home training of the children, their outgoing into the wide, wide world, their various fortunes in life, how they fought its battles, and achieved victory or suffered defeat, is described in a way that will keep every reader from tiring over the narrative. The period of the story embraces the great war between North and South, and the description of its sad incidents is not the least interesting part of the book. We may add that it is embellished with five full-page illustrations.

Those of our ministerial readers who have in previous years used The Minister's Diary and Pocket-Book, published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton, will certainly have obtained the one issued for the present year. We commend it to the notice of those who are not acquainted with it. They will find it exceedingly useful, and when once used by most it will be deemed indispensable. It is adapted to ministers of all denominations. This year it comes out with many improvements. With the usual information of an almanack, and suitably ruled pages for a diary, there are pages for the record of Church-members, with various particulars respecting them; pages for cash accounts, for registering of baptisms, marriages, deaths; for sermons preached, texts for sermons, Bible class members, Church workers, and the sick; also for church business, books to be purchased, with addresses of friends and general memoranda. The contents of the volume include more than thirty items. Its price, with flap and pocket, is two shillings, or in roan, gilt, three shillings.

At Conference once, when ministerial probationers were brought forward for consideration, a quaint brother, but one well endowed with good common sense, asked of the first-named, “Does he preach to the point?' The singular and effective way in which the question was asked at first startled the Conference, and threw it into a hilarious mood. But the question stuck. It appropriateness and importance were at once admitted by the entire Conference, and the probationers of whom the testimon

could be borne that they preached to the point the soonest passed through their ordeal. Well, speaking to the point is very desirable, whether the speaking be done in the pulpit or in a book. Platitudes and bathos are not of any one's liking. Dr. Cuyler is not guilty of either of these sins, as those acquainted with his little volumes, Heart Life, Heart Thoughts, and Heart Culture, will testify. He now gives us another of his telling books, under the title of Pointed Papers for the Christian Life. He calls them a series of practical papers on the Christian life-from the soul's first step toward Jesus Christ, clear onward to its final home-coming into heaven. The papers are brief, a few minutes will suffice for the reading of one; but brevity is not their chief excellence. In many instances we are confident they will fulfil the author's desire; that is, they will bring light to the bewildered, strength to the feeble-hearted, relief to the overloaded, and joy to the sorrowing. On another page will be found one of these papers-"The Everlasting Arms"-from which may be learned the character of the whole volume. New Coins from Old Gold; or, Homely Hints from Holy Writ, by Thomas Champness, is another elegant little volume from the same publishers, worthy to be placed by the side of Pointed Papers.

Memoirs and Recent Deaths.

MR. JOHN BLENKINSOP.

GATESHEAD CIRCUIT.

JOHN BLENKINSOP was born at Dunston on May 11th, 1836. He enjoyed the inestimable blessing of having pious parents, whose earnest endeavours to train him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord were very early rewarded by witnessing the loving, pious disposition which characterised him even from infancy. When quite a child he would often go to his mother with the request, "Pray for me, mamma," and that loving mother's hand would be placed on his head whilst she lifted up her heart in prayer that God would bless her darling boy.

His attachment to his brothers and sisters was very great; showing itself in the care which he exercised over them, and the anxiety he manifested at all times to shield them from punishment, so that at school he has even offered to bear in their stead the punishment they had drawn on themselves by some neglect of duty.

Of a cheerful, elastic temperament, he entered heartily into all the innocent sports of youth; and then, as in later years, he contributed in no small degree to the enjoyment of others; whilst in the social gatherings of the neighbourhood his sunny smiles and merry ringing laugh were always welcome.

At the age of twelve years he commenced his business life on Newcastle Quay, as an apprentice, with Messrs. Nelson, Donkin, & Co., ship brokers;

and during a period of thirty years, he, by his steadiness and perseverance, rose step by step, until he became a partner in the firm of Hall, Blenkinsop, & Co. (of which he was a member until his death); while, by his uniformly upright and honourable conduct, he gained the esteem and. regard of all who became acquainted with him.

In the year 1854 or 1855 he attended some special services which were being conducted in Bethesda New Connexion Chapel, Gateshead, by the Rev. W. Booth, under whose ministry he was led to give his heart to God, and to join the New Connexion Society at Dunston.

He at once commenced to labour in the cause of God, and entered most heartily into the work. From a teacher in the Sabbath-school he became superintendent, which office he held for a number of years, and was beloved and respected by both teachers and scholars. One of his fellow-teachers writes thus:-"I remember him as a teacher who would never pass his scholars in the streets without a kind word or a smile, and I believe that by thus acknowledging them he gained their warmest affection; whilst the fact that his lessons were always carefully studied and prepared, together with the interesting manner in which he explained those lessons, caused him to wield a most powerful influence over them, and to retain them in his class for an extraordinary length of time; in fact, I have known married men go as scholars. I cannot say (would to God I could) that all the young men who passed through his class found their way into the church, but, thank God, every now and again a band of young men have been brought to the Saviour through his instrumentality, some of whom are now in heaven, whilst others are still engaged in helping forward the ark of the Lord.

At anniversaries, tea-parties, or school trips, the children were quite at home with "John," as he was familiarly called by them, and his appearance amongst them on any of these occasions was always the signal for a hearty clapping of hands or a ringing cheer.

To his fellow-teachers he was always kind, doing his best at all times to stimulate them by counsel and example, so that they might not become weary in well doing.

I shall never forget the scene in the school on the first Sunday after his death. During the reading lesson the girls in the different classes were weeping, and the boys' hearts seemed so full that they could scarcely refrain from weeping also. After the lesson, the superintendent gave out the beautiful hymn, "We sing of the realms of the blest." The first verse was got through with some difficulty, but in the second they fairly broke down; whilst in attempting to give out the third verse, the feelings of the superintendent so completely overcame him that he could not proceed, and the whole school, both teachers and scholars, burst into tears, and wept for a considerable time.

He became a class leader in the Dunston Society on the death of his father, the late Joseph Blenkinsop (which took place on the 21st October, 1864), and continued to act in that capacity until the close of his life. As a leader, he took great interest in the welfare of his members, and was always ready to help them, not only in spiritual, but also in temporal matters. He was always humble, never considering himself above any