The French question in Quebec is the crux of Canadian politics, but it is not so difficult as the Negro question in the South or the Irish question in the North. The relative influence of Quebec in the Dominion must steadily decline. It receives no addition by immigration and loses largely by emigration. Montreal, our

author thinks, is destined to be one of the great cities of the world. Standing at the head of ocean-navigation, nearly onehalf of the whole trade of the Dominion passes through it.

Dr. Parkin devotes an interesting chapter to our great transcontinental railway. The 7,200 miles directly owned by the C. P. R., and the 1,800 miles indirectly controlled, give it a first place among the railway systems of the world. British Columbia had less than 50,000 people when this iron highway of commerce was constructed through four ranges of gigantic mountains. The statesmen at Ottawa," he says, "who in 1867 began to look over the Rockies to continents beyond the Pacific, were not wanting in imagination; many claimed that their imagination outran their reason; but in the rapid course of events their dreams have already been more than justified. They were supplying the missing joints and fastening the rivets of empire. While they were doing this they were giving political consolidation to the older Provinces of Canada. Common aspirations and a great common task, with the stirring of enthusiasm which followed on the sudden widening of the Canadian horizon, did more than anything else to draw those provinces out of their own narrow circles and give them the sense of a larger citizenship."

The famous Douglas pine of our Pacific coast goes to England, Cape Colony, Egypt, and Australia. Already $50,000,000 of gold have been taken from the Fraser and Cariboo mines. Dr. Parkin says: "In spite of the rapid growth of Vancouver it has never known anything of the roughness of new towns across the American border. On Sunday the place has an aspect of quiet respectability like that of an English cathedral town." Vancouver is the meeting-place of the empires extreme west and east. Three million pounds of tea have been landed on its wharves in a single week.

The vast region of Northern Canada, long considered fit only for a fur preserve, contains, a committee of the Canadian Senate reports, 274,000 square miles of good arable land; wheat will ripen over 316,000 square miles, barley over 407,000, the potato over 656,000 square miles.

The area suitable for pasturage is even greater, besides 40,000 square miles of petroleum area. "About 954,000 square

miles, exclusive of the uninhabitable detached Arctic portions," says Dr. G. M. Dawson, "is for all practical purposes as yet entirely unknown." The Canadian export of furs in 1888 was over 4,000,000 skins. Great quantities of these are sold in Germany, and compete at the Novgorod Fair in Russia with the furs of Siberia. On the Saskatchewan, Athabasca and Mackenzie rivers are over 2,000 miles of steam navigation where, till recently, only the bark canoe of the voyageur conveyed the peltries of the north to the markets of civilization.

Dr. Parkin is a firm believer in the unity of the Empire. "It may be questioned," he says, 6. whether there is in Canada to-day any political passion so strong as opposition to absorption in the United States." He is enthusiastic in the praise of Canada as a home for the working-man. Its climate, though often severe, is exhilarating. "It drives men back on home life and on work; it teaches foresight; it cures or kills the shiftless and improvident. A climate which tends to produce a hardy race, a Puritan turn of mind which gives moral strenuousness, good schools, the leisure of winter for thought and study-all these tend to produce men likely to win their way by their wits."

Dr. Parkin has nothing but praise for our school and college system. McGill College in four years received donations of $1,500,000. It has now seventy-four professors and lecturers, and one thousand students. In engineering and physics it is the most perfectly equipped institution in the world. Nor does Toronto University suffer greatly by comparison, although its State aid seems to dry up the channels of private beneficence. In ten years no less than $5,000,000 have been given to the Protestant colleges of the Dominion.

The voice of Canada is heard with more and more attention on large questions of Imperial policy. Of this the Halifax and Behring Sea arbitrations are proof. "Canada," says our author, "is a country which certainly stirs the imagination of her children - which begets in them an intense love of the soil. If the front which Nature sometimes presents to them is austere, it is also noble and impressive. In the breadth of its spaces, the headlong rush of its floods, the majesty of its mountain heights and canyon depths, and the striking contrasts of its seasons in their march through the fervid

warmth of summer, the glory of autumnal colouring, and the dazzling splendour of a snow-covered land to the sudden burst of new and radiant life in spring—in all these Canada has characteristics unique among the lands under the British flag."

Three excellent maps of the Dominion and its railway systems enhance the value of this volume. The review of Dr. Parkin's companion volume on "Imperial Federation" must be reserved for our next number.

WESLEYAN METHODIST.

Recent intelligence from New Zealand says that there has been no religious movement in that country since Bishop Taylor was there, thirty years ago, equal to that produced by the labours of the Rev. T. Cook, the English Methodist evangelist. Showers of blessing have descended on all the places which he visited.

The New South Wales Legislature recently offered an endowment of $100,000 to each denomination for a college, on certain conditions, to be affiliated to the Sydney University; and also a further sum of $2,500 towards the salary of the principal. The Methodist Conference in the colony has resolved to take steps towards securing the offer. The Methodist Church in other colonies is also putting forth strenuous efforts on behalf of superior education.

Mr. Smith, son of the late Rev. Gervase Smith, D.D., has received the honour of knighthood, and will henceforth be known as Sir Clarence Smith, M.P.

The name "Wesley Guild" has been selected for the Young People's Societies.

The income of the Missionary Society exceeds that of the former year by $17,975; in addition to which $22,730 was contributed towards the reduction of $150,000 debt.

Orders have been sent to London for 5,000 bibles, 5,000 hymn-books, and 5,000 catechisms, to be sold in the Fiji Islands. The Fiji Islanders gave nearly $25,000 to foreign missions last year.

Prince Ademuyiwa, who attended the last Wesleyan Conference, on his return to Lagos, Western Africa, wrote an article in the Lagos Echo protesting against the importation of rum, gin, and other “poisonous liquors" into his country. He gives a terrible account of the ruin that

He says

is wrought among the natives. there are always cases of cutting and wounding through the effects of drink. The people are daily cut down in the bloom of youth by the curse of drink.

More than half of the Wesleyan missionaries are natives of the countries in which they are working.

Out of 107,000 inhabitants of Fiji fully 100,000 are avowed Wesleyans; the vast majority are able to read and write.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

There are 14,553 preachers and 2,524,053 members. The Roman Empire never extended to SO many continents, nor voiced its edicts in so many languages. Appropriations are made for those using eleven different languages in this country. It has nine conferences and missions in Europe, besides conferences in most other parts of the world. The annual visit of one guiding mind in touch with every other bishop promotes unity and harmony.

On an average twenty churches are dedicated every week. One bishop is at the head of the Chautauqua movement ; another of the Epworth League; another of the Freedmen's Aid Society, etc.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.

Bishop Hendrix is visiting the missions in Japan and China. He is accompanied by a large batch of missionaries, male and female. At Banff the following incident occurred. The mission party visited the National Park, and the Bishop was asked by the guide to suggest a name for the mountains so admired by the party, which still remained unnamed. He suggested "The Bride's Balcony," in honour of the missionary bride, and "Mount Ida," for Miss Ida M. Worth, the first graduate of the Scarritt Bible

and Training School. This being made known to Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Prime Minister of Canada, and Hon. T. M. Daly, Minister of the Interior, who were on an official trip to those parts, they requested an interview with the bishop; and among other things said the above names of the mountains suggested by the bishop should be officially recorded, and gave the bishop cards to this effect.

A woman in Florida, recently deceased, bequeathed to the Board of Missions a ten-acre orange grove, twelve acres of rich hummock land and town lots. Two women gave $800 toward building a church in Osaka, Japan. A local preacher sent $200 for missions, and a little child ten cents. A missionary returned $250 to the treasury, proposing to meet her own

expense.

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

A Montreal court has just decided that **Methodist" is an epithet which, when applied by one French-Canadian editor to another, inflicts damages to the amount of $200.

We are glad to record the fact that the churches in London, which were destroyed by fire, are being rebuilt. The cornerstone ceremonies, at both of them, were seasons of great interest.

The Rev. Dr. Potts has been spending some weeks in the Maritime Provinces on behalf of the Education Society, in whose interests he labours so indefatigably, and has been remarkably successful. All the places which he has visited report an increase of funds, -in one instance the increase was 65 per cent. ; but Truro made the greatest stride, inasmuch as their givings were 300 per cent. ahead of last year.

During the last three years $15,000 have been added to the claims of the Superannuation Fund, hence ministers and widows' annuities will now be reduced six per cent.

Three Newfoundlanders, two of them from the Methodist College, passed successfully at the London University Matriculation examinations, and one of them headed the list.

Rev. F. J. Livingstone, M.D., of Toronto Conference, has gone to Africa to enter upon mission work in connection with the South Africa General Mission. The students of Albert College, Belleville, provided the necessary funds for outfit, passage and support for the first few years.

The latest accounts from China are that a commission has been appointed to

hold an investigation of the sad occurences that have recently transpired there. Happily all our missionaries escaped death. Some of them who have come to Canada will add to the interest of the missionary anniversaries this season. It appears that four of the ringleaders of the massacre have been executed. All the missionary survivors will resume their work at the earliest possible moment.

Recently seven missionaries of the Presbyterian mission at Honan, left Toronto for the scene of their toils. Rev. Dr. Mackay, the hero of Formosa, with his family and Chinese student, also returned to their mission.

THE MISSIONARY BOARD.

The meeting this year was more than usually important. Dr. Sutherland, the General Secretary, read a most voluminous statement respecting matters in Japan from the beginning. The entire Church might be thankful that so many men of business were willing to give so much time to this important Church work without fee or reward.

The returned missionaries, Revs. Dr. Eby and F. A. Cassidy, then made their statements; Mrs. Large, of the Woman's Missionary Society, also gave her testimony. Rev. Dr. Cochrane, one of the pioneer missionaries in Japan, was present by request and gave much valuable information. When matters had been thoroughly investigated it was gratifying to find that no person concerned had been guilty of any moral delinquency. The questions in dispute largely related to administration on the part of the executive at home, and some misunderstandings among the missionaries themselves respecting their work. A full statement of the proceedings of the Board will shortly be published. The Board approved of what the executive had done in the past to restore harmony among the brethren in Japan.

In respect to the six missionaries who have asked to be recalled, the Board expressed the hope that they would reconsider their action, but should they remain in the same mind until next Conference then their wish shall be granted. Dr. Eby's furlough is protracted, and Mr. Cassidy is to be employed under the Missionary Board until the ensuing Conference. We believe that these brethren expressed themselves satisfied with the deliberations of the Board, and promised to do their utmost to promote the peace and harmony of the Society.

The Board expressed great sympathy

for the missionaries and their families in West China. Dr. Stephenson, who has returned to Canada, does not blame the people for the state of things through which the mission has had to pass so much as the petty officials, whose conduct was highly reprehensible. As soon as possible the mission will be resumed.

Taking into account the receipts from bequests, etc., the total income is in advance of last year by more than $3,000, though the annual subscriptions are considerably less than last year.

BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

There is every probability that the Bible Christian and Primitive Methodist Churches, and perhaps some others in Australia, will be united in the near future. If the minor Methodist bodies in England could be brought together they would form a strong Church.

ence.

RECENT DEATHS.

Rev. George Grundy, of the Methodist New Connexion, died soon after ConferHe entered the ministry in 1839 and was stationed in most of the important circuits. He was an intelligent preacher and a diligent pastor. During his ministry he was a diligent student and published three books. He retired from the active work in 1883.

Rev. J. Wakefield, D.D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in the ninety-seventh year of his age. He was a member of Pittsburgh Conference sixtyone years. Two of his sons are in the ministry and both have celebrated their golden weddings. The doctor and his wife walked the journey of life together seventy-two years and then she passed on before.

Rev. Stephen R. Beggs has joined the great majority at the age of ninety-four. He was the first itinerant who preached and organized the first Methodist church in Chicago, which consisted of eight members.

union Conferences, has arranged a series of excursions to Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and Greece. These excursions furnish first-class accommodation at lower rates than we think have ever been given before for such a comprehensive tour.

Dr. Lunn is able to do this by chartering the St. Sunneva on the Mediterranean for the entire season and running a series of excursions from October to May. The St. Sunnera is a fine, new steamer, with accommodation for 132 cabin passengers. It has recently been chartered by Lord Rothschild for a tour of the Mediterranean.

The tourists will go from London to Marseilles and there take ship. The steamer calls at Naples and Malta, giving an opportunity to visit both of these places, also to make the excursion to Pompeii. The steamer remains six days at Alexandria to give time for an excursion to Cairo and the pyramids and then goes to Jaffa. Thence the tourists proceed to Jerusalem, Jericho, the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Hebron. The St. Sunneva proceeds to Smyrna, Constantinople and Athens, giving time to visit the historic sites of these famous cities, and returns to Marseilles.

The cost for this trip as arranged by Dr. Lunn is thirty-five guineas for six weeks' excursion from London back to London-about $180. From Toronto to London and back, by either Canadian steamship line, first-class travel can be given for $140. About $60 in addition to these amounts should cover all necessary expenses. Of the several winter excursions our personal experience leads us to recommend that leaving London on February 21st. There are a few places still vacant in an excursion leaving London December 20th. This is five days shorter and costs only thirty guineas. An excursion also leaves London on March 30th: this is also thirty guineas, but we recommend the one giving longer time. Dr. Farrar, Dr. Cunningham Geikie, Dr. Lunn, Sir John Leng and many others are already booked for these excellent excursions.

We had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Lunn at the Grindelwald Conference, and were greatly impressed with the masterly manner in which he arranged for these great representative gatherings of the leaders of social reform and religious movements. Dr. Lunn has sent to our office for distribution a number of his Palestine tour pamphlets which we will be happy to send to anyone wishing a copy.-W. H. WITHROW.

The Christ of To-Day. By GEORGE A. GORDON, Minister of the Old South Church, Boston. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Toronto: William Briggs. Gilt top. Price, $1.50.

We had the pleasure of reviewing in these pages some months ago Dr. Gordon's Witness to Immortality in Literature, Philosophy and Life"-one of the best books we have ever read. We find in this volume the same elevation of thought, the same depth of insight, the same clearcut form of expression. His book might well have been called "The Larger Christ." It shows how "the thoughts of men have widened with the process of the suns." Astronomy is no longer geocentric, as before the days of Copernicus, but heleocentric ; and theology to-day is Christocentric as it never was before.

The enlarged conceptions of the universe of matter and the universe of mind of the present day demand a larger Christ than that which the new Christians, emerging from the limitations of Judaism, were able to conceive. In the Divine Man, whose teachings were not for an age but for all time, the loftiest aspirations of the soul find ample fulfilment.

Mankind," says our author, "have been brought out into a large place, and the daily vision is of broad rivers and streams. But unless Christ shall be installed over this new world, it will simply be a larger and more splendid corpse than the old. Over the total worlds of space, and time, and present humanity, and the spirit, He must be recognized as supreme; and these kingdoms, with all their glory, if that glory is not to fade into a dream and the highest hope of mankind is not to be blasted, must become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ."

In a chapter on "Christ in the Faith of To-Day," our author discusses the gains manward and Godward in current thought of Christ, the interpretation of the final meaning of nature and certain defects in current thought on this august subject. He points out the significance of a supreme Christology in relation to the higher criticisin, in reference theological theory, in its bearing upon the social problem and as a force against materialism; and he eloquently argues that the fortune of humanity is bound up with the deity of Christ.

to

The final chapter is on the "Place of

This admirable book will be found of great service, not only for theological students, for whom it is principally prepared, but for all thoughtful readers, especially for the young people in our Epworth Leagues. It gives an exceedingly able digest of the doctrines of Methodism, and quotes from Wesley's Notes and Sermons the illustrative and cor

roborative passages. In an early number of this magazine we will print, by permission of the author, the chapter on "Last Things," which is a concise and judicious treatment of a most important subject. The closing chapter on the "Principal Creeds of Christendom" shows the substantial harmony, with minor differences, of these historic symbols of the Christian faith. We congratulate the learned Principal of the Wesleyan Theclogical College upon the important service which he has rendered to our Church.

The Age and Authorship of the Pentateuch. By REV. WILLIAM SPIERS, M. A. London: Charles H. Kelly. Toronto: William Briggs.

We have had more than sufficient recently of books attacking the Mosaic age and authorship of the Pentateuch. In this field the higher critics have found a happy hunting-ground for their often mutually destructive theories. Hence, the timeliness of this apposite rejoinder from a conservative and orthodox point of view. Mr. Spiers is well equipped for the task he has undertaken. It is gratifying to find that the testimony of the monuments, the cuneiform clay tablets of Babylon, the ancient monuments of Egypt,