breathes in the quaint but beautiful poetry of the pious Herbert :

"Poor nation! whose sweet sap and juice
Our scions have purloined, and left you dry;
Whose streams we got by the Apostle's sluice,
And use in Baptism, while ye pine and die:
Who by not keeping once became a debtor,
And now by keeping lose the letter.

O that my prayers! mine, alas!

O that some Angel might a trumpet sound,
At which the Church, falling upon her face,

Should cry so loud, until the trump were drowned,
And by that cry, from her dear Lord obtain
That your sweet sap might come again."

Rebiew of Books.

The Chronological New Testament. London: Blackadder. Every help to an intelligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures must be welcome to the studious Christian-and every Christian ought to be studious of that one book, at least-that he may be able to give forcible and convincing reasons for his attachment to the faith he professes before men. We hail, therefore, such publications as the present with much pleasure, because eminently calculated to further the design of biblical instruction. It uses the text of the authorized version, which "is newly divided into paragraphs and sections, with the dates and places of transactions marked, the marginal renderings of the translators, many parallel illustrative passages printed at length, brief introductions to each book, and a primary analysis of the Epistles." In addition to this, alphabetical signs, to which a key is given in the preface, are introduced, for the purpose of "assisting the devotional reading of the Scriptures," and as suggestive of the general character of the portion read. Although, at first sight, there is an apparent confusion in the numbering of the sections in the Gospels-because they are given in the same order in which we find them in our common Bibles a glance at the index at the end of the volumes will show the reader to which of the Evangelists, and to what portion of the Gospel, he should turn in order to peruse that part of the Scriptures chronologically. One interesting peculiarity of this volume, as already noticed in the quotation given

above from the title page, is the introduction of parallel passages printed at length. This is a great help, and constitutes one of the chief excellencies of the book. We cordially commend it to those who find pleasure in consulting the "lively oracles" of God.

The Epistle to the Hebrews, with Notes. London: Partridge and Oakey.

This is a new translation of one of the most important of the writings of the Apostle Paul; for that he is the author, although it does not bear his name, is, we believe, incontestably true. The present publication is from the pen of the late Theological Tutor of the Hebrew College, the Rev. J. A. Miller, now of Windsor—at least so we judge from the initials appended to the preface-and we, therefore, infer, that in this volume we have the results of a careful study of that portion of the New Testament, to which the attention of tutor and students in the Jewish seminary would be naturally directed. It is a very valuable addition to our expository literature. As "the purposes for which the Epistle was originally written render it peculiarly valuable as a text-book for Jews, whether their thoughts be altogether unfriendly to Christianity, whether their inquiries are being directed to its claims, or whether they have avowed their acceptance of it:" so, a more useful textbook for our missionaries cannot be conceived. It is published in a cheap form, evidently for wide circulation, which we sincerely trust it will have, and hope that means may be found for supplying each of our agents with several copies, to lend or give to the anxious inquirers after truth, who need illumination on the subject of the vital connection that exists between Christianity and Judaism.

Morning, or Darkness and Light. By the Rev. G. B. SCOTT. London Nisbett.

A series of striking and devout meditations on several passages of Scripture, illustrative of the progress of the soul from darkness to light-from "blinding darkness" to "perfect day." There is much unction and earnestness in this little book, which contains incentives to practical holiness, as well as to devout closet meditation. Heart-stirring and fervid, we think no one can read and not be profited by the perusal. It has our cordial commendation.

Intelligence.

BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY.

THE Annual Meeting of our Society will be held on the 30th instant. On that occasion, as on former ones, the Committee will report their proceedings to their constituents, and afresh seek their countenance and sympathy in the good work of attempting the evangelization of Israel. Many of our provincial friends will be unable to join, personally, in the hallowed services of that evening; but they may, and we earnestly urge upon them, that they would unite in special prayer, both previously to the day of the meeting and while the engagements are going on. Surely a baptism from on high would descend on speakers and hearers if our absent friends should thus testify their oneness of heart with us.

HOME OPERATIONS.

OUR agents need to be eminently qualified to give "a reason for the hope that is in them," and to be prepared for all kinds of difficulties and objections raised by our Jewish brethren, in opposition to the truth of the Gospel. The two following instances are worthy of record, and may be a help to others in controversy with the friends and advocates of Judaism :

:

Rabbi is a learned man, a teacher of the law. I first met with him in 1850, when I put into his hand two of my little books. He instantly recognized me, and remembered the circumstance, telling me ne kept them still among his treasures. At first, he made a great display of his knowledge in the Word of God, quoting it in Hebrew with great fluency and appropriateness, and asking me for explanations, which I gave as the Lord enabled me. At length I told him, that with all his learning, there was yet one thing that knew, but of which he was at present ignorant. This he was eager to know-what could it be? I told him, Jesus of Nazareth: He is the Anointed One. He objected that the name of the Nazarene was not yi (Jeshua), a Saviour, but 11 (Jesu)—a mistake into which many are led by the Latinized form of the name. This appeared one of the chief difficulties to his mind, in reference to the claims of Him who came "to save His people from their sins." In subsequent conversation, I have attempted to convince him of the fact, and to show also, that this very name was indicated by the prophet Zechariah (ch. iii. and vi.) when he set forth Joshua, the high-priest, and his fellows: "For they are men of sign; for behold, I am bringing my servant the Branch." That this Branch is Messiah, is proved by Jer. xxiii. and the name of Joshua, the son of Jotsadah, in the book of Ezra, c. iii., is spelt yw (Jeshua,) the exact

form in which the name of the Son of Mary is referred to by the Jewish fathers. All these and other passages were carefully noted in his Hebrew Bible, and throughout my long and important discussion with him, his constant reference was to the Word of God. He treated me with the greatest kindness; called me "brother," because I loved his Bible and his God; and both at meeting and parting, blessed me in the name of the God of Israel.

A second new case is that of a merchant, the son of a German rabbi, and he was first introduced to me by Rabbi above named. His great objection to the Gospel narrative was the quotation of Isaiah vii., by the Evangelist Matthew, ch. i. 23, "Behold a virgin conceiving and bearing a son, &c." This is one of the subjects for an essay, for which a prize was offered some time ago, but none has yet appeared. In reply to my objector, I quoted the whole passage, shewing that when King Ahaz feared the confederated kings of Syria and Samaria, God promised that their counsel should not stand, nor the house of David fail, till the Anointed One, the inheritor of the whole land should come; that God offered to seal this promise with a sign, but Ahaz refused to take God at His word. Therefore, the Lord of Hosts himself gave a sign-not to Ahaz, but to the house of David; and like the lamp and smoking furnace to Abraham (Gen. xv.), a token of what should happen long after; it was to show that until a virgin should be found thus bringing forth a son, there should "not fail to David a man to sit upon his throne." This sign has been verified exactly, for the royal line, though poor, was never lost till Mary brought forth her first-born, and called his name Jesus! The critical import of the word ny (Almah,) was easily agreed on, and my new friend lent an attentive ear to the simple testimony which I gave concerning Jesus and His salvation.

THE PROVINCES.

HULL.

W. L.

In summing up the labours of the past year, Mr. Schönberg writes thus::

Some came to my house every evening, others every other evening, and others again twice a week. I read with them the New Testament, and sometimes a portion of the Old Testament. Now of all these I had very good hopes, for they manifested a good spirit, though not all alike, in all I had to do with them. But the circumstances of some did not permit them to stay, and they had to leave either for Hamburg, or America, or London, &c., from whom I have not heard anything as yet; but I hope that the seed I was permitted to sow in their hearts, will, by the blessing of God, spring up some day. Some of the rest have grown cold. When the Jews came to know that they were in connection with me, they used all their influence to draw them away; and as the fear of man was yet greater in their hearts than the fear of God, they went back, and walked no longer with Jesus. But I have yet greater mercies to acknowledge before God. I have not lost them all. There are some who come to my house now, desiring to read the Scriptures together with me. Mr. D, a decent young man, a tailor by trade, sent to me by a clergyman, is anxiously inquiring the way to Zion. Mr. W has read through the whole of the New Testament, in Judeo-Polish, and numbers of tracts: both he and his wife are on our side. Mr. W.

is anxious to know English, so as to be able to understand a sermon. I am reading with him the New Testament in English. Mr. Gprofesses to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He goes to chapel, although he has given up meeting in class. His wife I believe is a great obstacle in his way. Mr. N very regularly attends the house of God, and also his class, and professes to love the Lord Jesus. Mr. His evidently growing in grace; I have conversed and read with him very frequently, and watched his movements closely. I could see the progress he made, although it was slow; but during the last few weeks, he has shown decided proofs of a change of heart. Some time ago he spoke of Jesus and his religion freely, but I could not make him understand that he is a sinner, and is under the curse of the law. Still I have great hopes of him.

BIRMINGHAM.

Light appears to be breaking in upon the minds of some of the Israelites of this town, while the admirable adaptation of Christianity to the wants aud woes of men awakes the amazement and delight of those who give attention to the merciful message of the Gospel. Mr. Jaffé says:

Mr. H., in company with Mr. K., called upon me one Saturday morning with the intention of having some conversation with me about the all-important truths of the Gospel. We soon entered into a lengthened discussion on those topics which more particularly relate to the coming and work of the Messiah, and very minutely examined those parts of Holy Writ which have special reference to His humiliation and sufferings; and, as we proceeded in our inquiry, Mr. K. observed, “I must honestly confess that the more I investigate these points the stronger do my convictions grow that Christianity is not what we have been taught to believe-a mere human invention,' an 'imposition upon mankind'-but a divine reality, which is likely to meet the exigencies of a depraved world." Upon this, Mr. H. observed, that “though he could not, as yet, go the whole length with Mr. K. in his belief, yet, that his views had undergone considerable change of late, and that he was beginning to see that Christianity possesses a glory, beauty, and loveliness which he had never been able to discover before; and that he attributed to the instruction which I had imparted unto him, and to his own perseverance in the search after truth." I also read to them the Saviour's Sermon on the Mount, and several portions of the Epistles, to which they listened, not only with the profoundest attention, but also with the deepest amazement and wonder. Before they left, Mr. K. asked me for a German New Testament, which I gladly gave him, and earnestly urged upon them both to search after the truth with a humble and prayerful mind, and in dependance on the Spirit of God.

One Lord's Day morning, when coming from the house of God, I met with two young Israelites, and after I had saluted them and inquired after their well-being, I introduced the subject of religion, and asked them whether they had ever seriously reflected on their depraved and forlorn state, and how they could possibly think of being reconciled to God, whilst they continued in that state? To this, one of the young men replied, "Sir, this is a knot which I have often endeavoured to untie, but without success. I feel conscious of my guilt and depravity,