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ago. It now appears in one, with all the advantages which the recently improved style of printing and binding can give it.

The first fifty pages are occupied with an "Essay on what Christianity has done for Woman;" in which we have a rapid survey of their position among the different nations of the world, in ancient and modern times, and an adduction of well-authenticated particulars, illustrative of their degradation and dishonour. This portion of the volume we hold to be of especial value. Within the compass of an hour and a half's reading, we have the results of many long days laborious research, presented to us in an epitomized form. Femaleswhether their hearts have yet paid that homage to Christianity which its glorious founder demands of all, or are yet insensible to the solemn obligation-by a perusal of this introductory essay, cannot but perceive how inestimable are the blessings which the religion of Christ has conferred upon them, by the contrast which their own happy position in this and other Christian lands affords to that of their sisters in Pagan and Mahommedan countries.

The biographical sketches, beginning of course with Eve, "who is the mother of us all," and ending with Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened," are admirably wrought out, evincing a deep acquaintance with the workings of the human. heart in its various moods and developments. The style is smooth and flowing, in perfect harmony with the subject, and calculated to chain the attention, and preserve it from weariness; while the ever-changing variety of circumstances and position, effectually secure a freedom from sameness, even in the illustration of similar moral excellencies in the characters of these scripture heroines. Beautiful indeed is the exhibition of piety and faith as displayed in the lives of most of the women, whose names are enshrined in the sacred volume; and nothing surely, next to the contemplation of the life of the Divine pattern, can be more likely to kindle in the female heart, a love of holy things, and to give a right direction to her naturally tender and generous susceptibilities, than a thoughtful consideration of the peculiar features of moral beauty, which the history of the women of Scripture presents to their notice. While it will ever be acknowledged, and by none more cheerfully than by the author of this volume, that nothing can equal the inimitable simplicity of the sacred narratives, and that, in a few strokes, we have the most exquisite etchings of character pourtrayed-so that the peculiarities of each person are, to the contemplative mind, distinctly visibleyet is there ample room left, and numerous favourable oppor

tunities afforded, to a practised pen, guided by an intelligent and devotional spirit, for expansive and profitable meditation. Dr. Cox has then, we think, done this in a manner that entitles him to the thanks of all who are desirous by means of biography-one of the most instructive kinds of teaching-to improve their own hearts, and to take a part in promoting the improvement of others. A more suitable present to the wives and daughters of our Christian families we do not know. We rejoice that Dr. Cox has been permitted, in the evening of life, to send forth once more, a messenger of winged words to the homes of England, to tell those who are the joy and sunshine of these homes, of "the holy women who in the old time trusted in God," and adorned themselves with ornaments which in His sight are of great price. Let the record be to the honour of the sex-the great majority of those of whom the Word of God makes mention were of this class. our fair readers help to increase their number! We cordially commend the volume.

May all

Funeral Services for the Rev. Thomas Lewis, Minister of Union Chapel, Islington. By the Revds. J. WATSON, Dr. LEIFCHILD, and HENRY ALLON. London: Snow.

A threefold testimony to the sterling worth of a much loved and honoured servant of Christ, who, after half a century of labour in the vineyard of his adorable Master, and in one portion thereof, calmly sank to his rest on Sabbath-day, Feb. 29, of the present year. No one who knew Mr. Lewis could fail to love him. His simple-hearted kindness, and generous tenderness of spirit endeared him to all; while his transparent excellence of character, which the breath of calumny never ventured to attempt to dim, made him as much to be reverenced as loved. Ân Abraham in simple and confiding piety, and a John in affectionate gentleness of soul, all bowed before his worth of character, and mourned his removal from the Church below. May his example stimulate many; and thus will it be seen, that "being dead he yet speaketh."

Of the respective excellence of this prose, "In Memoriam," there is no need to speak. To select from one of the writers and not from the other two, would be invidious. Each production bears distinctive marks of its author's mental characteristics; but, as we read, a feeling of the sacredness of the theme seemed to forbid the exercise of the critical faculty. All that we can say is, that we rose from a perusal of all the pages of this work, with our veneration for the sainted subject more enhanced, and our esteem for the writers greatly increased.

Devotions for the Daughters of Israel; a Collection of Concise Prayers for Jewish Females, for Week Days, Sabbaths, New Moons, Festivals, and Fasts. Also prayers suitable for various occasions. Translated and adapted, from a Prayer Book in general domestic use throughout Germany, by M. H. BRESSLAU. London: Vallentine, Houndsditch.

It has been with very mingled feelings we have looked over this publication, which has been sent to us by the author for review.

The wants of humanity are felt by the Jew as well as the Christian; and there is this in common with both, that they alike look to the Lord God of Abraham, as the source of their mercies, and the hearer of their prayers. But to the question “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God?" they gave very diverse replies. There is before the eye of every one, who still clings to the ritual of Judaism, a yawning chasm between him and Jehovah, which he cannot pass; because from the doctrine of the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," which the Christian receives with all humility and gladness, and by which that dark and deep gulf is at length bridged, our Jewish brother resolvedly Through the labours of prophets and holy men of old, an arch is gradually spanning the fathomless abyss, but the Israelite rejects the key stone that is to give adherence and stability to the structure. As long as he does this, his work must ever remain imperfect; his labour meet with no return: without Christ he can do nothing. Hence, in reading these prayers for the daughters of Israel, one is painfully conscious of the absence of that which gives efficacy to the plea and encouragement to intercession. There is no daysman between the Father and the rebellious child. The hope of acceptance, so far as these prayers are to be received in evidence of the nature of Jewish anticipations, rests upon repentance and good deeds. Thus in page 26, we read of "the hope that, as a loving father of all men, thou forgivest their sins as soon as thou perceivest repentance and improvement." Alas! a sandy foundation, on which Abraham and David refused to build.

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So in the prayer for departed souls,"-which, by-thebye, is a great misnomer: instead of a prayer for them, it is a meditation on pious ancestors-we are startled with these words-" And when I shall once enter the field of the departed, leaving the rough road of this life behind me, then

may my virtues be my conducting angels,* and become a perpetual estate and inheritance, which, as we are taught by our sages, will remain imperishable to eternity. Verily, Father of all! whoever dedicates his life unto Thee, whoever walks in the path of virtue towards the land of the immortal, whoever dis tinguishes his earthly career by charity and benevolence, will follow joyfully from the misty dawn of earthly life to the morning of eternity, when Thou, all just God, beckonest him to complete his course. Whoever has lived virtuously may meet death as a friend, as it will but summon him to the harvest of his good deeds."

Several of these prayers are no prayers at all. Indeed, we have been puzzled to know what designation to give some of them. Thus the one, (pp. 48-50) "on the ninth day of Ab, the anniversary of the destruction of Jerusalem," contains such minute historical statements, that a sense of the ludicrous prevails over that solemnity with which one should read or breathe a prayer.

Again and again, while bending over this little manual, have our hearts sighed-because of the blindness that has happened unto Israel-and yearned to lead Judah's sons and daughters to Him whom their fathers denied, and shew "the Holy One and the Just, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood." "How long, O Lord, holy and true!" "O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!"

Bible Fruits for Little Children. Gathered by the Rev. E. MANNERING. London: Snow.

One of the most exquisite books of the kind ever written. Our little friends, for whose especial benefit it has been prepared, will find here fruit that will not pall upon the taste, but minister to their highest gratification. This little volume has that simplicity of language and beauty of illustration, which will make it a most captivating book for the nursery and the fireside; while it is utterly freed from babyishness of expression or thought. The author understands the difference between the sincere milk of the Gospel, and that very diluted preparation of it with which one sometimes meets, and in which there appears more of another liquid mingling with it, than is very desirable for taste or nourishment. We shall be glad to know that Mr. Mannering is so encouraged by the sale

The Italics are ours.

of this little work, as to make preparations for presenting to his young friends fresh fruit with each returning season.

BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW.

Weiss on the Psalms.

Pearce's Voice in Rama hushed.

BAPTISMS OF M. HENRICH GABRIEL FLEXNER AND MR. JANSON.

AN interesting service was held on Sunday evening, April 11, at Artillery-street Chapel, Bishopsgate. Mr. J. J. Steinitz, the minister of the place, preached a sermon on Isaiah liii. 6, to a large congregation, amongst whom there were more than 50 converted Israelites, and a great number of unconverted Jews out of the immediate neighbourhood. After the sermon, Mr. Steinitz read a translation of a paper written by Mr. H. G. Flexner; asked the young convert the usual questions, and baptised him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Mr. G. Yonge, the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Jews, offered up prayer; and Mr. Steinitz having admonished and counselled Mr. F., and all believers in the Lamb of God, concluded by commending the convert and all his brethren to the mercy and care of God. The following is the paper referred to:

:

"I am a native of Poland, and enjoyed while at home, all the comforts and blessings that parental care could bestow. My beloved parents being strict Jews, I was brought up in the same tenets, and began very early to observe the ritual of the law. When only eleven years of age, I was sent to a rabbi to continue my studies; and although I paid attention to the great commentaries, still my time was chiefly taken up with the Talmud. Having made considerable progress at Ostrowo, my dear parents resolved to send me to Prague, the capital of Bohemia, where Talmudical studies then flourished, and continue to do so, under the Chief Rabbi Rapperport. But my desire was to acquire a perfect knowledge of the German and French language. In these I took lessons, while I continued to attend the lectures of Professor R. Meanwhile, I began to study the tenets held by my brethren, and was not unfrequently staggered, when I found that a great part of the Jews adhered closely to the Talmud-which is a composition of Rabbinical sayings-but set almost aside the sacred Scriptures, or at least far undervalued them, in comparison with the Talmud; that another part of the Jews, the so-called rationalists,

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