in the first two chapters, and the book therefore needs careful reading, or much instruction may be missed; a merit which we should be very glad to see

more common.

THE HEAD AND THE HEART ENLISTED AGAINST POPERY UNDER THE BANNER OF CHRISTIAN TRUTH. A Prize Essay, designed for Sunday school teachers and scholars. Religious Tract Society.

THIS is a most useful little book. We cordially recommend it to all teachers as a valuable help, they will find in it sound Scriptural arguments against the main errors of Popery. We have been delighted in reading it. The principal texts relied upon by Papists for the support of their soul-destroying doctrines, are brought forward and fairly met, and that too in the best spirit of Christian candour. The writer of the Essay is well instructed on all points, in the Word of God, and out of this storehouse of truth, has selected the arguments to overthrow successfully the sophistry employed in support of the dogmas of the Romish church.

The book should be in the hands of every teacher and every senior scholar.

In noticing the Essay, we would add the recommendation to interweave with our Sunday teaching, warnings against the subtle attempts of Popish Priests and emissaries to beguile and lead astray our youthful charge; in the pages of this book an attentive and thoughtful teacher will learn how to warn his charge against the doctrines of Rome, while at the same time he discharges the important duty of teaching them the way of salvation.

Infidelity and Popery are the main evil agencies of the day, we should hail with pleasure a similar treatise on the former topic.

If England is to remain, under God's blessing, the "glory of all lands," her

young men and women must be thoroughly prepared to meet these two antagonists; both alike destructive of social, moral, political, and spiritual liberty.

The book before us touches on all these points, and that, too, scripturally: it will aid the prayerful teacher in his earnest endeavours to fix the minds of his scholars immovably stedfast in the truth, and secondly in inculcating that noble text in Our articles,-"The bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of this England."

SCOTT'S COMMENTARY. 6 Vols. Quarto. Wertheim & Co.

THIS well known work requires no recommendation from us; its worth has a world-wide reputation. Our object

is to direct the attention of our readers to the prospectus issued by the present proprietors of the Commentary, proposing its re-publication on the same terms as those offered about two years ago by Seeleys and other publishers. The edition now offered to the Christian public will be precisely the same as that which has been alluded to-and while we heartily recommend our readers to avail themselves of the opportunity thus offered to them, of possessing this able and judicious Commentary, we at the same time as heartily hope that the proprietors of the work will meet with that support which we think they deserve in this undertaking.

THE OFFICER-THE PRISONER. By the Rev. J. Kingsmill, M.A. Chaplain of Pentonville Prison. Reed and Pardon, Paternoster Row. Mr. Kingsmill is well known as a zealous advocate for Sunday school teaching: he proposes to publish a series of Tracts under the title of "Tracts for Prisons :" the above have already been issued, two

others are to appear, viz: "Letters from Convicts," &c., and "Thoughts on Scripture."

We recommend the Tracts as suitable for Sunday school teachers' libraries, as giving an insight into the discipline of prisons; Sunday school teachers should be well informed on this subject, they will find their use in it; especially those who come in contact with that class of children from which our prisons are likely to be filled.

The government rules laid down for the guidance of officers are admirable, their humanity amounting almost to tenderness: and they furnish an answer to those who are railers against the powers that be; this, the first Tract, contains these rules. The remarks and exhortations of the writer are full of truth, wisdom, and Christian love; it speaks well for those who are in power, that this Tract has been distributed under "autho rity," to the officers in all our prisons. "The Prisoner," is well calculated to convince and humble the criminal suffering the punishment justly awarded him for his crime; the Sunday school teacher will find it useful to him in his dealings with boys of a certain class of character.

Both Tracts are full of sound counsel, but their pre-eminent praise is, that they clearly and faithfully set forth the great truths of the Gospel; the one strives to constrain the officer to discharge his duty in a spirit of love; the other, to lead the prisoner to cry in the repentant spirit of the prodigal, "I will arise and go to my Father," &c.

THE ERICKSONS. THE CLEVER BOY. Two Stories for my young friends. By Miss Frances Brown. 12mo., pp. 144. Paton and Ritchie, Edinburgh.

THESE tales are both good, but the first is decidedly our favourite. The scene is laid in Norway, and our little friends will gather much interesting in.

formation as to the habits of the Norwegians, and their simple manner of life; whilst the story itself is sure to arrest their attention. We could have wished a more thoroughly religious tone in it, without its being necessarily made a religious tale. Pastor Henrich is a kind friend, but very silent on the best resource in times of calamity.

The Clever Boy is a very good illustration of the folly and usual downfall of self-conceitedness.

THE JUSTIFIED BELIEVER. Rev. W. B. Mackenzie, Incumbent of St. James' Holloway. Religious Tract Society.

This is an excellent book; it begins with a clear delineation and able defence of the great Protestant doctrine of Justification by Faith. Its fruits are there exhibited in all their freshness and beauty.

The "perfect peace" which follows the reception of this truth is simply and beautifully defined. The distinguishing characteristics of a "false peace" are seriously set forth; the warnings against it are solemn, earnest, and must lead the Christian to selfexamination. Our limits forbid a lengthened notice of the contents of this valuable book; but the "Believer in sorrow," will find comfort and consolation in the affectionate and wise counsels addressed to him in the chapter bearing this title.

The style is simple, there is great "plainness of speech," but it is eloquent with the sincerity of truth; it is a a book that can be read and understood, there is no obscurity of language, and it abounds with illustrations which come home to every man's feelings.

The Sunday school teacher will find it a most valuable help to him in teaching that doctrine to which Luther owed his conversion, and which our beloved Church has enrolled among her unrivalled articles of religion.

THE LEISURE HOUR; a Weekly Sheet, 4to. also in Monthly Parts, with Wrapper. Published by the Religious Tract Society.

Do our readers feel somewhat puzzled at the idea of ever having a Leisure Hour? So do we, working probably as hard as most of them. Nevertheless, the clever series of illustrations on the wrapper of the monthly part of this new periodical soon dissipated the doubt; and espying there sundry scenes of Railway, or Omnibus, or Steam-boat travelling-Artisans at their Dinner Hour-Ladies at work-Fathers by the Fire-side, with little folks wanting a story, we soon came to the conclusion, that even in this busy day, when almost everything goes by steam, we have, each and all, an occasional Leisure Hour.

There are many efforts made to occupy that time, and we need hardly remind travellers of the swarms of novels, and other light literature, down to the veriest trash, which are arrayed at most railway termini, in tempting relief to a solitary journey. The Committee of the Tract Society have wisely come forward to try the effect of a superior element in this class of literature, and so far, the execution has been highly judicious, and (we are rejoiced to hear) most successful.

The Leisure Hour will supply recreation for the cheerful, instruction for the enquiring, wisdom for the young philosopher; and the beneficial light of true religion illumines all, without eclipsing any.

ALLERTON AND DREUX; or, the War of Opinion. By the Author of a Rhyming Chronicle. 2 vols., Fcp. 8vo. Wertheim and Macintosh.

If our readers expect any great amount of argument or information in these volumes, they will be disappointed. Many of the opinions which agitate society are indeed introduced, but the author

appears chiefly to have aimed at an interesting story, in which he has certainly succeeded. But we cannot say that we are advocates for religious novels, even when they contain as much sober common sense as Allerton and Dreux.

THE INFANT CLASS IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. A Prize Essay, by Charles Reed, 12mo., pp. 136. Sunday School Union.

THE subject of this Essay is one of very high importance, and we gladly hail any fresh effort to arouse teachers to a sense of the value of infant classes, the nursery to the school, as the school is to the Church.

There is nothing striking in the work before us, but it contains much advice that bears the impress of experience, and which will be found valuable. We trust that the author's opinion as to the general deficiency of such classes is an exaggerated one; but be it so or not, there is yet ample room for improvement.

Most cordially do we agree in the remarks on infant piety, and the way to treat the early indications of it. Why should so many of us practically declare that we do not expect children to be religious ?

NEW BIBLICAL ATLAS, AND SCRIPTURE GAZETTEER; with descriptive notices of the Tabernacle and the Temple. p. p. 96. Religious Tract Society.

This is a thoroughly useful publication, especially adapted for use in Teachers' classes for the study of Scripture. Gladly would we urge on our young friends the practice of mastering the geography of their Scripture Lessons; a point which has been far too lightly esteemed. We speak from experience, of the interest excited by a small portable Atlas exhibited to a class,

EVANGELICAL CATHOLIC. No. V. to X.

For the Use of Children,

THE VOICE IN RAMA HUSHED. 24mo., pp. 60.

THE SLEEPER AROUSED.