permanent provisions and promises of the Gospel (14, 15). In the catalogue of things to be brought to the Lord, disease of the body stands midway between afflictions such as bereavement, persecutions, losses, and the like, and breaches or offences between brethren; afflictions to be brought by prayer, exultations to be brought by praise, diseases by prayer, and offences by confession one to another, and by prayer one for another. Therefore, if this one provision is to be set aside as belonging exclusively to the apostolic age, all must be set aside" (p. 51). We confess that this reasoning is to us conclusive; we cannot resist it. In answer to the objection, "If it is our privilege to be healed of all our diseases, we need never die, need we?" We read, "Yes; we shall certainly die, if the Lord does not first come and take us to Himself. Healing through faith no more sets aside the truth written, that it is appointed unto men once to die, than healing by medical means does. No doubt all who were healed in the days of our Lord and His apostles afterwards died; but meanwhile they were wonderful gainers, both in being healed of their painful diseases, and also in the knowledge of Jesus which came to them in connection with their experience of His healing-power" (p. 55). The cases given are startling, and yet they seem to us to be perfectly consistent with the teaching of Scripture. Oh, what a power the Church has, if it only knew it, if it would only use it! 2s. 6d. Christ Lifted Up. By Rev. ROBERT GILCHRIST, Shotts, N.B. (Same publishers.) Plain and Scriptural, with more of the practical than the doctrinal. Mr. Gilchrist does not proclaim his doubts, the usual method of preachers and writers in our day, but he explicitly brings out his faith. "Forgiveness," he says, "is the first fruit from the tree of life. Forgiveness is the first word from the Cross. Forgiveness is on the threshold of all Christian obedience. If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquity, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared' (Psalm cxxx. 3, 4). Forgiveness is necessary in order to any true, filial, reverential service to God. We enter through the gate of forgiveness into the long line of the new obedience" (p. 15). Here is matter for reflection: "In my youth I was under a mistake as to the meaning of that word, 'Woman, behold thy son.' I thought Jesus meant Himself, and that His mother was to view His piteous case. That is to say, 'Woman, behold thy son, Myself, hanging on the cross, suffering, bleeding, dying for sin in thy room and stead.' But this view does not agree with the context. These two words are related to each other: 'Woman, behold thy son,' and this to the disciple, 'Behold thy mother.' The disciple and the woman are the son and mother. Very singular. Q Q Jesus does not say unto them, 'Look unto Me,' but 'Behold one another, as son and mother.' But they both had already beheld Him by faith as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. They are to continue looking unto Jesus,' but they are to withdraw from the sight of his physical agonies, and attend to their mutual duties in relation to one another as son and mother. There is a lesson here. It is the first duty and privilege of everyone to look by faith to Christ crucified for salvation. Then, while continuing to trust Him as all our salvation and all our desires, it is our part to attend to the relative duties, and to discharge them in the light of the cross and for the sake of the Crucified" (pp. 35-6). 2s. 6d. Ruth, the Moabitess; Bible Readings on the Book of Ruth. By HENRY MOORHOUSE. (Same publishers.) This most interesting little book is from the pen of the evangelist whose life we have noticed in this article. It opens well: "I want you to understand definitely, once for all, that I do not say those pictures we are going to look at are types, or that God intended them for types; because I should be sorry to take anything out of the Old Testament and say it was a type, or that God intended it for a type, if I were not positive from the New Testament that it was so. But there are certainly wonderful lessons for us to learn from those pictures in the Old Testament, and whether they be types or not, we can learn the lessons that God would have us learn from them" (p. 5). More cautious and discriminating words could not come from a professor's chair. They would have satisfied the late Dr. Alexander, who may be accepted as an authority on types. We cannot withhold the following passage :— "1 Cor. ix. 24-27. Many people understand this to mean that Paul, after all he had suffered, and after all his labours for the Lord Jesus Christ, might be damned. But what does it mean? If any body will read the context, they will find that it is very simple. What does Paul say? We are all running a race. Who is (are?) running? Not unsaved men, but Christians. What are we running for? A prize. But eternal life is not a prize, it is a free gift. What is the prize? A crown. So run ye, that ye may obtain' a crown of life, an incorruptible crown. I therefore so run,' says Paul, 'lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.' The Greek word that is translated here castaway' 'means disapproved;' lest, when the Master comes, I shall be disapproved, and lose my crown" (pp. 40, 41). 6d. The Life of John Birchenall, M.R.C.S., F.L.S. By the Rev. A. J. FRENCH, B.A., with a Portrait and an Introduction by the Rev. J. H. RIGG, D.D. (London: Wesleyan Conference Office.) Our space will not allow us to express our views on this book as fully as we should like. It is the life of a man of culture and piety, and who was also, we are happy to say, a thorough Methodist. Dr. Rigg says: "Mr. Birchenall was the saintliest man I have known." And this testimony is fully sustained in the ably written biography. We give a few aphorisms from the pen of the departed: "Draw nigh to God;' for whatever darkness there may be in the world, there is none at the mercy seat." "Those who were the first to enter the promised land, had not the largest inheritance there." "Shallows, and narrow streams, and stagnant pools, are easily frozen." "If Mount Zion is on the other side of Jordan, Pisgah is on this." "A stone, if it serve as a landmark, is not to be despised." "Christian men who are full of business should be filled with the Spirit, if they must keep an even balance." "The brightest manifestations of the Divine presence may be made in the most unlikely places. The burning bush was seen in the desert, and the glory of the Lord in the land of Ezekiel's captivity" (pp. 249-54). 5s. Rise and Progress of Wesleyan Methodism in Jamaica. By HENRY BLAINE FOSTER. (Same publishers.) A plain record of Church-work. It would have contributed to the value of the book if there had been occasional direct reference to other religious bodies, as in pp. 37, 38. Our friends, the Wesleyans, have not the monopoly of Christian life and teaching in Jamaica. We rejoice at their great prosperity, most heartily do we rejoice, but we cannot forget that they are not alone in the island. It is well for the tribes dwelling in the same land to acknowledge each other, and, if necessary, to go out of their way to do this. What the book does contain we have read with satisfaction. 3s.-Holy Days and Holidays; or, Memories of the Calendar for Young Folks. By J. R. S. CLIFFORD. (Same publishers.) Eleven illustrations. The contents are amusing and instructive, very forcibly reminding us. of Chambers's Book of Days; but it is due to Mr. Clifford to say that he has given narratives and lessons from his own storehouse. 1s. 6d. -Hugh McNeile and Reformation Truth; "The Characteristics of Romanism and Protestantism," with a Biographical Sketch by the Rev. CHARLES BULLOCK, B.D. (London: "Home Words" Publishing Offices, 1, Paternoster-buildings.) Solid, well-timed. It reveals foundation principles. The great McNeile speaks for himself; so boldly, so eloquently. He is gone! and still he lives with us; this book is the "survival of the fittest." Who can read it without concluding, with Mr. Gladstone in his " Vaticanism": "No one can become her convert [Rome's convert] without renouncing his moral and mental freedom, and placing his civil loyalty at the mercy of another"? 2s. 6d (?).-Handbooks for Bible Classes: Judges. By Rev. Principal DOUGLAS, D.D. (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.) A cheap and most helpful book. Every difficulty is closely looked at; instances-Jael putting Sisera to death (p. 31), Jephthah's vow (p. 63). Matured thought is given in small compass. (1s. 3d.) -Freedom of the Will. By the Rev. WILLIAM TAYLOR, Professor of Theology in the Evangelical Union, Theological Hall, Glasgow. (London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.) This belongs to the Evangelical Union Doctrinal Series, and is quite equal in lucidity of exposition and force of argument to any of its predecessors. That man must have courage and ought to have transcendent ability to challenge President Edwards, who has been described by Henry Rogers as the profoundest thinker of any age. Mr. Taylor wrestles with the giant, and, we think, comes off the conqueror. When, many years ago, we read Edwards on the will, we felt as if we had no will: powerless, helpless, drifting we knew not whither. And we could not understand where lay our responsibility. This was the great puzzle. Theologians on the Calvinistic side made the puzzle greater. Mr. Tayler gives us reasons in support of what we feel, and all men feel, and on which all rational creatures act, namely, that we are free. An explicit, powerful, conclusive treatise. (2s. 6d)-Consumption, and other Chest Diseases. By GEORGE THOMAS CONGREVE. (London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row.) In a most popular style, perhaps too much so to be scientifically accurate, this and that diagnostic or the characteristics of diseases are plainly shown. About the cases and testimonials given we cannot dispute; to do so would be to cast doubt upon the veracity and good sense of the persons concerned. Besides, we have no professional knowledge. The subjects are beyond our range. Therefore we must leave our readers, without a single word of guidance from us, to judge for themselves. We may add that we know no men more veracious and humane than authorised medical practitioners; we would rather be in their hands than in those of men outside the profession. At the same time we have seen cases where it appeared to us Mr. Congreve's treatment had rendered effectual relief. Assisted by his son-in-law, Mr. Brown, M.R.C.S, he will, no doubt, continue to benefit many sufferers. (1s.)-Poets, Painters and Players. By GEORGE WILSON MCCREE. (London National Temperance Publication Depôt, 337, Strand.) So much genius with so much dissipation So much light witn so much gloom! Our highlyesteemed friend, Mr. McCree, has given terrible facts and friendly warnings. The book ought to be read by the intelligent young. IVY. BY SILAS K. HOCKING, F.R.H.S. AUTHOR OF "REEDYFORD," "HER BENNY," "HIS FATHER," "ALEC GREEN," &c., &c. CHAPTER XIX. IN WHICH IVY DISCOVERS HER MISSION AND FULFILS IT. "I bave seen angels by the sick one's pillow- IVY never knew what a precious thing life was until she stood in the path of the destroying angel, and knew not but that she might be the next to fall. During the last few weeks, while death had seemed receding further and further away and health and strength were surely coming back to her, she had felt as if she did not care to live-as if life were destitute of all joy and hope. Now that Ned was gone, what had she to live for ? 'Surely," she thought, "death will be a release, and the grave a refuge from the worry and care of life." Yet, when the tide of returning health had reached its flood, and she was called again to stand upon the river's brink, she drew back with fear, and prayed that if it were God's will her life might be spared a little longer. She had answered Mrs. Squibbles readily enough, "I will go." And though she never regretted her words, or wavered for a moment in her resolution, no one ever knew how much it cost her to carry her resolve into effect. To the young life is generally sweet, especially when the body is in perfect health. Sickness mercifully prepares the way for the last struggle, and death to the worn-out sufferer seems more a friend than a foe. But Ivy was convalescent now; health had come back with all its charm of buoyancy and hope. And though when death seemed far in the distance she did not fear it, and when life seemed assured to her she did not value it, it was different now, when life might be snatched from her at any hour, and death stood upon the very threshold of her door. Falling upon her knees in her room she offered herself to God, and yet she asked for life if it were His will; and though she received no assurance that her life should be spared, yet there came into her heart the promise that has been a sheet-anchor to many a storm-tossed soul, "My grace shall be sufficient for thee." And when she rose from her knees her heart was at peace. She believed that God had shown her her duty, and she believed that He would give her grace to do it. Perhaps it was for this that her life had been spared, while Ned was taken home. She did not know. One thing only seemed clear to her just then, that her work lay among the sick and dying of Northhaven; and if it was only to go and suffer and die amongst them, she was ready for the sacrifice. "You surely are not going?" said Mrs. Squibbles, when Ivy came out of her room ready for the journey. Yes, I am," said Ivy; "I feel that it is my duty." "Well, I never in all my life--" and Mrs. Squibbles dropped in her chair in speechless astonishment. When Ivy had gone, however, she rose from her chair |