prelats out of Scotland, and after that out of England and Ireland. Mr. Blair went and dwelt at the Stron of Belfast, others elswhere. I came back and dwelt at my mother's house, and preached each Sabbath that winter as at other times before.

Review and Criticism.

THE COMING And Reign of CHRIST.-"The kingdom of this world has become our Lord's." By DAVID N. LORD. New York. Franklin Knight, 138 Nassau Street. 1858. pp. 430.

THE Preface to this volume states, that "the object of this work is, to present a brief statement of the principles on which the prophetic Scriptures are to be interpreted; to give an outline of the great scheme of God's government over the world; to show that Christ is to come in person, and establish his throne on the earth at the introduction of the millennial dispensation; to state the great events that are to attend and follow his coming, and to indicate the point which the accomplishment of the great scheme of prophecy has reached, and the principal predictions that are yet to be fulfilled before his advent." These several topics are discussed with the author's usual ability, and with an earnestness and assurance well adapted to interest the reader. Though we have read much on this subject from the same pen, yet supposing this work to be a condensation of a series of articles contained in many successive numbers of the author's able "Quarterly," we were more than willing to peruse this volume (which we have done from beginning to end), in order to obtain, in a small compass, a brief, yet full statement of millenarian views, from one who has given special attention to the subject, and who professes to base his views entirely on Biblical exegesis.

The volume contains many things which are deeply interesting, and adapted to awaken in the minds of those who believe them, the most solemn anticipations. If true, they ought to be believed; and if taught in the Bible, they are true and important. We have no doubt of the author's sincerity in believing them to have a Scriptural basis; and with his views, we do not feel surprised at his earnestness. Who would not be earnest in the believing contemplation of such thrilling scenes, as in the judgment of Dr. Lord will, ere long, be displayed on our globe? But we are constrained to say, that neither this book, nor anything else written by him or others, has convinced us of the truth of the millenarian theory, or of the correctness of those principles of Biblical interpretation, by which this theory derives its support. We have long believed in the spiritual and not the personal reign of Christ on earth, during that period called the millennium; and we have not met, thus far, with any Scriptural argument of sufficient weight to convince us that we are in error. believe in the literal coming of Christ, but not in the time and way and for the purpose entertained by millenarians.

We

THE PRESENT Age, the Age of WOMAN.-An Address before the Literary Societies of Oxford Female College, Ohio, at their Anniversary, 1858. By the Rev. A. T. MCGILL, D.D.

WITH such a subject, and so eloquent an expounder, the Literary Societies enjoyed their anniversary. Dr. McGill characterized the present age, as woman's age, in the following particulars. 1. This is an age of peace. 2. It is an age of social power. 3. Of method. 4. Of tact. 5. Of religion. Under these heads, the Doctor contrives to bring in everything good that can be said of woman; and he does it in such a peaceful and social spirit, and with so much method, tact, and religious impression, that we wish the Address were to be found in every household throughout the land.

BITTER SWEET.-A Poem. By J. G. HOLLAND, author of "The Bay Path," "Titcomb's Letters," &c. New York. Charles Scribner, 124 Grand Street. 1858.

WE recently expressed a favourable opinion of "Titcomb's Letters;" and now find before us a pleasant volume of poetry, written with the same effective genius. The poem illustrates New England life, and interweaves incidents connected with "Thanksgiving Day." A moral tone pervades the narrative, and there is sufficient sprightliness and humour to relieve the monotony of a long poem, and to keep up the interest to the end. The following is a specimen of Mr. Holland's art of poetry:

Thus is it over all the earth!

That which we call the fairest,
And prize for its surpassing worth,
Is always rarest.

Iron is heaped in mountain piles,
And gluts the laggard forges;
But gold-flakes gleam in dim defiles
And lonely gorges.

The snowy marble flecks the land
With heaped and rounded ledges,
But diamonds hide within the sand
Their starry edges.

God gives no value unto men
Unmatched by meed of labor;
And Cost of Worth has ever been
The closest neighbour.

Wide is the gate and broad the way
That open to perdition,

And countless multitudes are they
Who seek admission.

But strait the gate, the path unkind,
That leads to life immortal;
And few the careful feet that find

The hidden portal.

All common good has common price;
Exceeding good, exceeding;
Christ bought the keys of Paradise
By cruel bleeding;

And every soul that wins a place
Upon its hills of pleasure,

Must give its all, and beg for grace
To fill the measure.

REVIEW OF A MINISTRY OF FORTY YEARS. By the Rev. JOHN MCELHENNY, D.D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, at Lewisburg, Va.

1850.

DR. MCELHENNY gives a review of a ministry of forty years. This period has been an eventful one in the history of the Church and the world. And in the mountains beyond the Alleghanies, great things have been accomplished for civilization and religion. This venerated servant of Christ has borne a modest and important part in serving his Master within the once desolate, but now thriving field of his labours. In the interesting discourse, occasioned by the fortieth anniversary of his settlement at Lewisburg, Dr. McElhenny shows, 1st. How Presbyterianism was first introduced into this part of Virginia; 2d. The means that have been used during the last fifty years to promote it; 3d. What was the state of things in the churches of this region when he commenced his ministry here; 4th. What their condition is now.

DISCOURSES ON COMMON TOPICS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND PRACTICE. BY JAMES W. ALEXANDER, D.D. New York: Charles Scribner. 1858. Svo., pp. 463. For sale at 608 Chestnut Street.

DR. JAMES W. ALEXANDER is so well known as a faithful, eloquent, and effective preacher of the Gospel, that it is unnecessary to do more than to call the attention of our readers to this volume. It owes its origin, so far as its publication is concerned, to the wise and faithful importunity of the author's friend, the publisher; and the reward of his much asking is seen in this edifying and attractive work. As this is a religious period in the history of the world, there will undoubtedly be more than a usual demand for such a series of discourses; and, as a gift to a friend or a household, nothing could be more valuable.

ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN PULPIT. Vol. V. By WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, D.D. Carter & Brothers, New York. 1858.

DR. SPRAGUE is the autocrat of the biographical table. Every one who owns his volumes has an inward sense of new dignity which the possession of a treasure inspires. The present volume relates to the Episcopal Church; and we are right glad that our brethren of that communion have found an impartial and diligent preserver of their rich historical materials. No man of that denomination could have done the arduous work so well as the bishop of the Second Presbyterian Church,

in Albany. Not even Dr. Hawkes would have produced so straightfor ward, reliable, and acceptable a volume; nor is there any other man in our own Church who possesses the various traits of intellect and of life, necessary to inspire confidence among our Episcopal brethren. As might be expected, this volume contains every variety of characters, from whig to tory in the political world, and from evangelical to high church in the religious world. But the general impression is highly favourable to this branch of the universal Catholic Church. Indeed, we think that one of the results of Dr. Sprague's labours, which have been performed in the spirit and letter of the charity of the Gospel, will be to cultivate kind feeling among different denominations. The reader of biographical sketches is involuntarily attracted to the good traits brought to view. No man can come in contact with such characters as Bishops White, Hobart, Griswold, and a host of worthy Presbyters introduced to him, without rejoicing to find the true spirit of Christ, and the genial impressions of humanity and religious life.

We question the propriety of including Whitefield among Episcopalians; but if this classification is acceptable to our brethren of that branch, we make no objection. Whitefield, in fact, can scarcely be said to have belonged to any sect. The practical tendency of his life was a strong condemnation of Episcopacy; and he was more of an apostle even than a bishop. He seldom preached in an Episcopal Church on this side of the waters. As a friend of the Tennents and the revivalists of the Presbyterian and New England Churches, his works were made manifest in the land, and his sepulchre is with us to this day.

Dr. Sprague's Annals attract more and more interest, as volume after volume makes its stately appearance. Unlike the Sibylline leaves, which rose in value as they became fewer in number, the work of our Albany oracle magnifies the riches of its inspirations by their extent. The three concluding volumes, we doubt not, will be an effective conclusion to this great series of "Annals of the American Pulpit."

THE HEIGHTS OF EIDELBURG. By HELEN HAZLETT. Philadelphia: William S. and Alfred Martien, No. 608 Chestnut Street. 1858.

THIS interesting narrative aims at impressing divine truth on the heart. The virtues and graces of Christianity are exhibited in their true light, especially in contrast with the demands of Popery; and those who are attracted by a religious story, well contrived and narrated, will here find a book to their taste.

GERMAN CONFESSION OF FAITH. Presbyterian Board of Publication.

A CONFESSION of Faith in the German language has long been wanted. We have always sympathized with the earnest efforts of DR. PHELPS, of Dubuque, in arguing for this in the General Assembly. We presume the translation is a good one.

Che Religious World.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. Theological Students.-Resolved, That Synod regret to hear that so few of the students complete the course of study at the Seminary; they deplore the practice of preaching before licensure, except as an exercise in the Seminary under the direction of the Professors; they regret, as of evil influence, the act of premature licensure, as tending to fill the Church with unqualified ministers, and respectfully recommend to the Presbyteries composing this Synod, the adoption of such action as in their judgment may be best adapted to remedy the evil suggested.

Resolved, That the Professors in our Seminary be requested to dissuade our students who are not licentiates, from encroaching on official ground, in taking a text and preaching a regular sermon, and pronouncing the apostolic benediction. And if they continue to transgress in this respect, they are requested to report them to their respective Presbyteries, if they are candidates under the care of any of the Presbyteries of Synod. The ministers and sessions of our churches are also urged not to encourage such irregularities.

SYNOD OF KENTUCKY. Examination Rule.-Dr. Breckinridge said, "The Presbyteries of the Church had a divine right to make such a rule. And in the exercise of that right, they had made it, and it must be lived up to by all coming into their Church. Yet he had voted against the rule, whenever an opportunity offered for him to do so. And he would vote against it again, if ever the question was discussed. If he were travelling on a steamboat, and had a conviction that A. B. had stolen his pocket-book, he did not think he ought to have every gentleman on board searched for the pocket-book, but that he would collar A. B. and demand the pocket-book. He then playfully remarked, that he had been examined several times himself, and he believed his brethren made the rule a pretext to draw out of him all the theological information they needed! He added, that Dr. Humphrey was soon to be examined by Transylvania Presbytery, on his dismission from Louisville Presbytery, and he hoped he would get safely through."

Union with New School.-Dr. Breckinridge then read a paper, which was afterwards reported to the Synod and adopted, the purport of which was, that the Synod has no right to receive ecclesiastical bodies as an integral part of the Presbyterian Church; that the ministers of the United Presbytery of Kentucky, on application to Presbyteries within whose bounds they severally reside, will be received "if, upon being examined, they give satisfaction to the Presbyteries;" the churches will be received with no other restriction than the geographical one above mentioned.

Dr. R. J. Breckinridge, the Chairman of the Committee of Synod, in presenting the Report to Synod, stated, that a full and free conference