SUSANNAH, widow of Mr. John Tilston, formerly of Liverpool, calmly fell asleep in Jesus on Sunday, April 22, aged seventy-three years. MARY JANE, the beloved and devoted wife of Mr. C. H. Stembridge, of Sheffield, died at Southport, April 27, aged thirty-six years. On Monday, April 9, Mr. GERVASE ROWBOTTOM, of Hill Top, Nottingham Circuit, died suddenly in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He was a good man, and a firm and faithful friend to our Connexion. At Herrington Burn, Sunderland Circuit, April 30, ELIZABETH MARY, the beloved wife of Mr. S. Robson, and mother-in-law of Rev. W. Mills. Her end was peace. On March 18, SAMUEL WILLETTS, of Dudley, entered into rest at the age of eighty-five years. "An old disciple." On March 28, Mrs. BILLINGHAM, wife of Joseph Billingham, M.R.C.S., of Dudley, passed away very suddenly, in her thirty-first year. Meyer's Commentaries on the New Testament. (1) The Epistle to the Hebrews. By Dr. GOTTLIEB LUMMAN. Translated by the Rev. M. J. EVANS, B.A. (2) The Epistles of Peter and Jude. By Dr. HUTHER. Translated by D. R. CROOM, M.A., and Dr. GLOAG. (3) The Epistles of James and John. By Dr. HUTHER. Translated by Dr. GLOAG and the Rev. C. H. IRWIN, M.A. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. THESE volumes complete Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Dr. Dusterdieck on "The Revelation of St. John" not being added to the series, as the publishers intended, the subscribers not giving sufficient encouragement for its publication. The great work of Meyer is worthily carried out in these commentaries. They discuss subjects which closely touch the vitality of the Christian faith; and, by those whose scholarly acquisitions render them competent to profitably use the works, they will be highly appreciated. The Methodist Hymn Book, illustrated with Biography, History, Incident, and Anecdote. By GEO. JOHN STEVENSON, M.A. London: S. W. Partridge & Co., 9, Paternoster-row. Price 78. 6d. THE author has issued this handsome and entertaining volume of 630 pages "from a conviction that the historical, biographical, and explanatory information which the work contains will be found useful, not only to Methodists, but to the religious public generally; and that the book will be especially welcome for Sunday reading, and as a suitable work for presentation;" and he also "commends it to all lovers of Wesley's Hymns, in the hope that it may be deemed in some respects a not unworthy companion to those invaluable compositions." In both the conviction and commendation we fully share. To those friends who can join in public worship, it will suggest, in the service of song in the house of the Lord, many inspiring and profitable thoughts; while those who are deprived of Lord's day ordinances may obtain, through its tender, touching, instructive records, varied and valuable information, and large and lasting profit. Although its title-page professes to deal only with the "Methodist " Hymn Book, by which "Wesleyan" is really meant, yet our own and all other "Methodist" Hymn Books contain so large a number of the hymns of the Wesleys, and so many other hymns which now appear in the Wesleyan collection, that the author may be said to include all Methodist hymns and to be writing for all Methodist people; so our own friends may, in common with the Wesleyans, find pleasure and profit on almost every page. It is an auspicious omen that hymnology is receiving, in modern Methodism, revived and earnest attention; and so excellent a work as Mr. Stevenson's cannot fail to deepen and improve it. We trust it will find a ready way and a cordial welcome to thousands of Methodist homes. It has delighted us; we have found in the perusal of it a true means of grace. David Easterbrook: An Oxford Story. By TREGELLES POLKINGHORNE. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 27, Paternoster-row. THIS is a story worth reading, and which, once begun, cannot be put aside until it has been finished, and, when finished, will leave in the mind and heart noble sentiments and godly influences. Its style is pure, its tone healthy, and its moral eminently catholic and Christian. The characters introduced are Cornish, and furnish types of beauty and strength. Their life at Oxford is depicted in glowing and instructive fashion; adventure, discovery, wonderful change, fierce temptation, noble resistance, glorious conquest, and ultimate reward, all lend enchantment to the narrative; while "church" and "chapel" are brought to know each other more perfectly, and are linked at length in close union and blissful work for the one God and Father of all. The work is intended and calculated to destroy sectarian bigotry, and to "bring together the too-sadly separated adherents of the Christian faith;" therefore it has our warmest commendation. It is splendidly printed, bound, and illustrated, and can be usefully presented to the young, who will not fail to peruse and prize it, and cannot but be made wiser, nobler, and better by it. Influence of Mind on Mind. By JOHN BATF. London: T. Woolmer, 2, Castlestreet. Price 12s. 6d. THERE are 700 pages in this massive volume, and not one that we would wish left out; for it is seldom, indeed, that a works original, important, instructive, and useful comes into our hands. In an exhaustive and compendious introduction the author remarks that "the two grand divisions of mind which I shall comprehend are the divine and the human. In surveying the influences reciprocally, passing from one to the other between these, I shall adopt the following order: (1) The Influence of the Human Mind on the Human Mind. (2) The Influence of the Divine Mind on the Human Mind. (3) The Influence of the Human Mind on the Divine Mind." Our readers will at a glance thus see how extensive is the range of subjects this book must discuss-how wide and interesting a field of inquiry, observation, argument, privilege, and duty it must survey and open up. This it does with a vigour, a penetration, a keenness of perception, a masculine energy, a quickness of apprehension, a wealth of illustration, a cogency and connectedness of argumentation, and an unswerving fidelity to conviction and to Christ, which are most refreshing and delightful. We shall be much mistaken if the volume does not become a great favourite with thoughtful young men; and there can be no mistake that it must be productive of immense good, by whomsoever read. Mr. Bate has produced several excellent books aforetime; this, however, excelleth them all. We cordially counsel our junior ministers, local preachers, and teachers to obtain it, while to the members of our circuit libraries it will be simply invaluable. Studies in Anthropology. By Rev. JAMES WOOLCOCK. Bible Christian Bookroom; and S. W. Partridge. THESE lectures on "The Science of Man" were delivered before the Jersey Young Men's Christian Association, and their author, a minister, we believe, of the Bible Christian Denomination, has published them with the same motive as that which led to their delivery, viz., “to guard young men against the scepticism of the day, and to strengthen them in the Christian faith." Their subjects are (1) Man: Whence came he? (2) What is he? (3) His relation to the Unseen. (4) His World. (5) His Work. On all these topics the author has much that is guiding and good to say; and it is all said with a clearness, a modesty, and a thoroughness of conviction which might well produce great good at the time of their oral delivery, and which cannot fail of good in their printed and permanent form. We hope for them a wide circulation among the young men of our time. SWEET PRAYER. WHEN torn is the bosom by sorrow or care, Be it ever so simple, there's nothing like prayer. When forced from the friend we hold dearest to part, Be it ever so simple, there's nothing like prayer. When pleasure would woo us from piety's arms, Be it ever so simple, there's nothing like prayer. While strangers to prayer we are strangers to bliss, Heaven pours its first stream through no medium but this, Our chalice of joy must be guarded by prayer. Prayer, sweet prayer! Be it ever so simple, there's nothing like prayer. ANNE LUTTON. Our Connexional Outlook. PRESENTATION TO THE REV. W. COCKER, D.D. Ox Thursday, April 16, the students of Ranmoor College presented the Rev. Dr. Cocker with a very handsome card tray. This gift was quietly handed to the Doctor in the College dining-room by the students without show or ceremony; just a few words, and all outward demonstration was over. But amongst that little group were hearts tender and true, beating with love and gratitude. Several of the students expecting to be called to the grand work for which they have been preparing at the coming Conference, wished to leave behind some token of their appreciation of the faithful and valuable services tendered to them during their sojourn in college. Considering the importance of the Christian ministry upon our Churches, and the influence which early training produces on the minds of our young men, it is always pleasing to find mutual affection existing between Principal and Students. This is certainly shown in the present testimonial, for we know it is a gift silently telling of affection and goodwill. DESCRIPTION OF THE GIFT. The waiter, or card tray, is oblong, being twelve inches by nine inches, with octagonal ends and supported by four feet. Stretching lengthwise across the tray is an elaborately engraved representation of the College, executed by Mr. A. T. Fox, of Eyrestreet, Sheffield. Faithful as is the representation of the College, the effect is greatly enhanced by the various colours ingeniously employed by the electro-plater. The waiter itself is in frosted silver. The body of the College building is in frosted gold, whilst the prominent parts are of a pale salmon colour. The roof, together with all the slating, is oxydised and burnished, being a near approach to the colour of the slates. The windows are burnished silver, which gives the appearance of transparent glass. The trees and shrubs are a combination of gilding, oxydising, and a pale green colour, producing a very pleasing effect. The terraces and lawn are of a pale frosted green. The following inscription, which is a beautiful specimen of heraldic work, is represented as on a scrap of paper dropped loosely on the lawn, and this, being in frosted silver with gilt edges, forms an agreeable contrast to the green grass : PRESENTED TO THE REV. W. COCKER, D.D., Principal of Ranmoor College, BY THE STUDENTS; ON HIS 67TH BIRTHDAY, JAN. 18, 1883; IN APPRECIATION OF HIS VALUED INSTRUCTION AND UNIFORM KINDNESS. LEEDS FIRST CIRCUIT. WOODHOUSE LANE SABBATH SCHOOL: PRESENTATION TO MR. G. J. TIFFANY. ON Monday, May 7, a meeting of the officers and teachers was held in the schoolroom of Woodhouse-lane Chapel, when an address, beautifully illuminated on vellum by the Rev. J. W. Ogden, and richly bound in the form of a volume, was presented to Mr. George John Tiffany, who has resigned the office of secretary to the above school. After tea had been served, the chair was taken by the Rev. W. B. Wilshaw, who, in a few introductory remarks, called upon the secretary to read the address, which was as follows: "To Mr. George John Tiffany. "We, the officers and teachers of the Methodist New Connexion Sabbathschool, Woodhouse-lane, Leeds, beg to express our regret that the change of residence compels you to relinquish your office as one of the secretaries of our school. While we reluctantly accept your resignation, we cannot allow you to sever your active connection with the school-a connection which you have honourably sustained since the school was opened twenty-four years ago without placing upon record our high respect for your personal character, our appreciation of the valuable services you have rendered, and our admiration for the ability, perseverance, and urbanity by which your relations with us have ever been characterised. "We are not unmindful of the fact that, prior to entering upon the duties of the office which you now vacate, you had for many years been interested and engaged in Sunday-school work. "We trust that, as you pass into a position of comparative retirement, the memory of your long connection with us, and this slight memorial of our affectionate regard, may often give you satisfaction and joy; and we earnestly pray that you may have that higher felicity which springs from a consciousness of the Divine approval and smile." The Chairman expressed his pleasure at having been called upon to perform such a pleasing and gratifying duty; and in presenting the address to Mr. Tiffany, expressed his high esteem for his personal character, and the sense of the obligations under which he (Mr. Tiffany) had laid the school, by the devotion and patient labour with which he had so long exercised the office of secretary; and asked him to accept the address as an emblem of hearts' love, and Christian desire for his future welfare and happi ness. Mr. Tiffany, in reply, said that this recognition of his services was totally unexpected, and consequently he appreciated it the more. He acknowledged the regard and affection which prompted the presentation, and also the reference which had been made to his labours. He expressed the pleasure it had given him to be associated with a body of teachers who manifested upon all occasions such kindly and Christian feeling toward each other, and predicted a happy and successful future for the school. While life lasted he should take great pleasure in looking upon the address, which would always afford him much joy. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr. J. G. Heaps, Rev. J. W. Ogden, Mr. William Wildblood (Superintendent), Mr. J. Hepworth, Mr. J. T. Hampshire, and other teachers, who all spoke of Mr. Tiffany's long and faithful services in the highest terms of praise. THOS. HY. WARD, HUGH NETTLETON, Secretaries. ADELAIDE, SOUTH DEAR MR. EDITOR,-I hope to hear before you receive this of your safe arrival in London, and trust that you will be all the better for your visit to Australia. I am only sorry, in common with our Adelaide friends, that you could not stay longer in our midst, that we might have had the pleasure and profit of your company and valued ministrations for a longer period than the month you gave to us. Since you left us we have held our Sunday-school anniversary. The pulpit was occupied by myself and the Rev. J. Goodwin (Prim. Methodist), known to some of our English friends in the Hanley Circuit. The children sang hymns from our Methodist Hymn and Tune Books in an excellent manner. Considerable time and trouble were given to the training of the scholars by Mr. James Hooley, jun., late of Macclesfield, who, since his arrival in Adelaide, has been identified with our Church and school. The collections were satisfactory, and the teachers and officers will not be hampered for want of necessary funds to carry on their important work. The total income of the school for the year will be about £40. For the first time in the history of our cause here we shall raise this quarter the whole amount required to pay the minister's stipend and the working expenses, with the exception of the interest on the mortgage. In reference to the last-named item, we hope the Conference will adopt your recommendation. The raisings this |