It was further observed, that the more diligent a teacher is in his private studies, the more interest he will feel in his work, and the more likely is he to be preserved from the danger of giving a wrong interpretation to God's truth.

It was also thought desirable that the scholars themselves should know a week beforehand what the lesson should be on the next Sunday, that they might be able to give it some previous consideration.

II. The books which are considered the most useful for this most important object are, 1. A Reference Bible, which must ever be the chief book in the private study of a Sunday school teacher.

2. Cruden's Concordance, paying particular attention to the meanings of words as given in it.

3. The Prayer Book, and selected Homilies, were also considered useful in this point of view; and it was remarked that the Liturgy is not sufficiently explained in many of our Sunday schools, an omission which is to be regretted on several accounts, especially as one way of making the elder scholars attend Church, and take an interest in the services, is to make them well understand the Book of Common Prayer.

4. A book published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, called "The Liturgy Compared with the Bible," was mentioned as a useful book for a Sunday school teacher.

5. "Nicholls' Help to the Reading of the Scriptures," and works of a similar character, were thought highly advantageous.

6. Among Commentaries adapted to Sunday school teaching, "Barnes' Notes" were considered to hold the first place.

7. A book of arranged Texts, in two parts, published by the Irish Religious Tract Society, was also alluded to as a valuable book of its kind; and also Calmet's Biblical Dictionary, abridged.

8. Such books as the Notes on Scripture Lessons, and the Quarterly Magazine, published by the Church of England Sunday School Institute; the Rev. J. M. Randall's Scripture Outlines, and others, were very highly spoken of as helps in the preparation of a lesson.

We hope in our next Magazine to report that the endeavour to raise a sum of at least £200 has been success. ful. We would, however, press upon our friends the advantage of obtaining annual subscribers. A large increase is needed to enable the Committee to carry out with vigour those plans of usefulness yet undeveloped for want of means, which would tend most materially to render effectual that teaching which it is the object of the Church of England Sunday School Institute to extend and improve.

On Wednesday evening, the 23rd of June, was held

THE SUPERINTENDENTS' MEETING. Mr. Lamb, of St. Peter's Sunday school, Islington, occupied the chair, and opened the question for discussion, viz:

'Assuming that corporal punishment is abolished, what are the best means of enforcing order ?"

Having dwelt upon the necessity and importance of order in a Sunday school. Mr. L. then went on to point out the occasions and causes of disorder in a Sunday school. Speaking from his own experience, the principal occasions were at the opening of the school; a negligence in the observance of the word of command to rise, kneel, sit, &c., at the

time for prayer, during the teaching, and at the dismission. The causes of disorder arose from a want of rules, or a fixity of purpose in enforcing them; unpunctuality of teachers, or a lack of efficiency in those who taught.

He had visited the Highbury Training School, and found the following rule in force, and would ask how far it could be carried out in a Sunday school, viz: If a scholar had ten bad marks he was reported to the master; if this happened three times, he was reported to the Principal, and he was subject to a flogging; on a second report to the Principal, expulsion followed; the rule had worked well.

At the conclusion of the Chairman's remarks, the conversation became gene

ral; among other practical topics

started, the query was put as to the manner in which truants should be dealt with? The disorder arising from want of attention to small matters, such as proper accommodation for the caps and hats of scholars, was dwelt upon.

The proper mode of dealing with classes whose teachers were not present. A Superintendent stated, that the

following regulation had worked well: After prayers (during which time the doors were closed), such scholars were admitted who had assembled during the time for this exercise of devotion; if any came after that, they were not let in.

At nine o'clock the Meeting separated after singing the Doxology.

The Meetings for the ensuing quarter are, DEVOTIONAL,

Wednesday evening, the 14th of July, at eight o'clock.

TEACHERS' CONVERSATIONAL, Wednesday evening, August 18th, at eight o'clock. Subject, "The impor tance of explaining the Liturgy to our Sunday Scholars.”

SUPERINTENDENTS'.

This Meeting, on Wednesday, the 15th of September, at half-past seven o'clock. All at the Rooms of the Institute, 169, Fleet Street.

LECTURES.

The Winter Course will commence in the month of October.

A MANUAL OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY, on the Basis of Ethnography, with Ethnographical Chart. By J. B. Wright. Fcp. 8vo. pp. 220. Binns and Goodwin, Bath.

THIS book is the first of a series on the above subject, being devoted to the Primæval period. Even for that limited time however, an universal history can scarcely be compressed into 220 small pages. Nevertheless we are bound to speak highly of the work, as evincing ability and information, and affording very useful outlines which the student can proceed to fill up from other sources.

We believe that the author is on the

only satisfactory track in his ethnographical researches when he draws especial attention to the mythology and religious rites of nations. This subject has never yet received the attention which it deserves; for although the mythology of nations, as distinct from each other, has been often amply treated, authors and antiquaries have too frequently abstained from the slightest attempt to shew the points of resemblance between the traditions and rites of different races of men.

Much is involved in this; for by demonstrating that the mythology of one nation is in its main features akin to

that of another, we effect a threefold object-we assist the learner, by reducing elements apparently innumerable and confused, to a certain degree of simplicity and order-we arrive at a much clearer knowledge of the truths overlaid by all this mass of superstition -and we furnish another grand argument for the doctrine so clearly laid down in Scripture, but so ceaselessly assailed by sceptical philosophers-that mankind sprang originally from one

source.

There are many interesting passages on this topic in the book before us; and we should be glad to see many more instances of this strong analogy introduced.

Our author evidently holds the doctrine of the single origin of the human race; he will forgive us then for observing that the only passage in the book which offended us, was a note on page 166, in which, after alluding to the arguments in favour of that truth, he states, "Without in this place assuming the absolute truth of this theory, it is recommended as worthy of deep consideration." Now unless the meaning of the words of Scripture be disputed, there ought to be no such hesitation, or even the appearance of it, as to merely recommend that the theory be deeply considered.

This volume is to be followed by three others, on the Classic, Medieval, and Modern Periods, and we shall be very glad to meet the author again on these fields, which may indeed lack the fresh simplicity of the Primeval period, and may entail a large amount of labour to produce anything like a concise and well arranged treatment, but which, on the other hand, have each points of great interest of their own.

PORTIONS OF THE MORNING AND EVENING SERVICES OF THE LITURGY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Cate

chetically Explained, Compared with Scripture, and briefly Commented upon, &c.; for the Use of Sunday Schools. By the Rev. Charles Miller, A.B. 18mo. pp. 38. Dublin: Curry. London: Longman, and Seeleys.

WE notice this book principally for the purpose of calling the attention of Sunday school teachers to a subject not merely neglected, but, as we believe, almost entirely overlooked, and that is, the instructing of their children in the right meaning of the services of our Church. The book before us goes somewhat towards helping teachers in this matter. We would desire briefly to enforce the necessity of attending to this interesting subject.

Sunday is fully occupied in Scripture and other lessons, but we think that teachers would find their own profit in forming week evening classes for the purpose of teaching their scholars the extent and meaning of our most admirable form of worship, as contained in the Prayer Book;—it would certainly, under the Divine blessing, help to a more spiritual worshipping of Him who is Lord of all.

We hope to recur to this subject; in the meanwhile we recommend this little work as an aid, and (if in print) to some sermons, published we believe by Wertheim, on this very subject, by the Rev. W. W. Champneys: they were addressed to his parishoners as explanatory of the various parts of our Sunday service; and from our recollection of them, we should say they were calculated to do great good.

HARTMAN (as we are informed) was a native of Swabia, born of respectable parents, who became schoolmaster of the Orphan Asylum at Ludwigsburg. He lived in the early part of the eighteenth century.

The narrative is compiled from his diary and letters, and we have before us a simple, unaffected, and unambitious character; yet truly interesting from his sincere piety, earnest devotedness to his labours, and warm-heartedness. Although but a schoolmaster, moreover, he mingled with several honoured names of that time; and altogether, the work cannot fail to interest and improve its readers. One noble sentiment we must transcribe. When forced by persecution to abandon a meeting for prayer, which he had carried on for fifty years, he says:

"My Christianity is founded neither upon holding prayer meetings, nor going to prayer meetings, however greatly I may have felt myself strengthened by both. I now hold alone by Him who is the immoveable foundation of my faith."

WAYSIDE FRAGMENTS; or, Wonders in Common Things. 12mo., pp. 176. Religious Tract Society. THIS little book is especially adapted for boys and girls from the ages of eight to ten or twelve, who are beginning to look around them with observant eyes, and note the many wonders that lie on their daily path. As its name implies, it goes no further; but a large amount of interesting and useful information

Р

about such common objects as straws, dust, flies, glass, fungus, spiders' webs, &c., will be found in these pages, conveyed in an easy and attractive manner.

We must confess to feeling indebted, ourselves, to the author for many fresh and pleasing ideas, on matters which seemed almost too familiar to excite attention, or court inquiry.

We need not add, that nature is rightly viewed but as the manifestation of the Great Unseen Creator and Provider of all.

MONEY AND ITS INFLUENCE. A Tale translated from the German. Fep. 8vo., pp. 126. Wertheim & Macintosh.

THE object of the author of this tale seems to have been to shew how money may be a curse or a blessing to its possessor, and to all around him, according to its different influence upon his heart. A poor man, tasting the dregs of poverty, murmuring against the rich, and boasting of the great good which he would effect for others were he wealthy, is put to the test by an unexpected overflow of money. Like all boasters in their own strength, he fails in the time of temptation, and falls under the curse of avarice, which is made to bring about the loss of his mis-used wealth. He emerges from the wreck a wiser and a better man.

It is a pleasing tale, not without its moral for every one; and as, moreover, any profits from the work go to a charitable purpose, we hope the sale may be a good one.

A BOOK ABOUT ANIMALS. Square 12mo., pp.64,with Six coloured Engravings. Religious Tract Society. THIS is a capital book for a present to little folks, whose eyes will be highly gratified with excellent engravings of many of their favourite animals, whilst they gather also interesting instruction upon their habits and instincts.

To say that the right bias is given to these details, and the evidence of Almighty Power and Infinite Wisdom simply and unaffectedly displayed, is to say nothing new of the works of the Religious Tract Society.

REALITY; or, Life's Inner Circle. By Mrs. Savill Shepherd. Fep. 8vo., pp. 282. J. F. Shaw, Southampton Row, and Paternoster Row. SHOULD fiction be employed as a medium for conveying religious truth? Let the authoress of "Reality" plead for herself:

"If, on the contrary, the imagination simply holds the place of handmaid to the judgment,— if it be employed only tastefully to array the otherwise unadorned efforts of the understanding, then does it appear to the writer, that it exercises its proper office, in its own legitimate sphere of usefulness. She does not contend that fiction is in itself the highest, or even the preferable mode of imparting instruction, but she pleads for it as one, among other lawful means, by which truth may be conveyed to the mind, even during the hours devoted to pure recreation."

If these premises are granted, we are bound to say that the authoress has produced a work of great usefulness, as well as interest. Her object appears to be to shew the danger of occupying that neutral ground between the Church and the world which is now so popular, when a certain amount of a certain sort of religion is not only allowed, but fashionable; and she delineates, accordingly, the evil influence exercised by a family of this character upon the young and inexperienced members of a truly Christian household, from whom death had removed their natural head and guide. With the privilege of a writer of fiction she lets us behind the scenes, and contrasts the Reality of true spiritual religion with the false and transient appearance of this too frequent counterfeit.

Albert Barnes. Fcp. 8vo., pp. 608. Knight and Son, Clerkenwell Close. THE Commentaries of this well known and esteemed writer are probably scattered over the whole kingdom, and enjoy a richly deserved popularity. No mere copyist, he has studied diligently, but he has laboured with equal zeal in the assaying (if we may use the image) of the products of other men's minds, and separated much dross from the pure metal, whilst at the same time he has contributed abundant stores of his own.

We have had occasion before this to recommend his other Scripture Notes, and now we gladly introduce to our readers the volume before us, which concludes the Notes on the New Testament.

The use to be made by our readers of this book will, of course, be chiefly personal. There are a few chapters in Revelations which supply admirable Lessons for a Bible class, but the book as a whole is for the study and the closet; and here Mr. Barnes will be found an admirable guide. Those conversant with the usual arrangement of his Notes will understand the advantages to be derived therefrom; and that which strikes us as peculiarly valuable in this work is his analysis of each chapter a broad outline of its main features, and its (supposed) design.

Of course we must disclaim endorsing all Mr. Barnes' opinions or interpretations. (He is not one of the Pre-Millenial School, a point on which there is probably a great diversity of opinion amongst our readers.) But we can warmly recommend the general tone of the book-its sober, practical, and argumentative spirit-and the admirable use made of the various topics, as designed to warn, instruct, and encourage the Church.