the days of Maimonides,-i.e., in the 12th century. It is somewhat singular that Mr. Bandinel inserts a quotation in p. 399 from Hartwell Horne, in which the following words occur: "The Law was divided into fifty-three, according to the Masorets, or, according to others, fifty-four Paraschioth or sections." We have dwelt at greater length than we otherwise should have done on a point of no great importance, as affording one amongst the numerous illustrations with which our theological literature abounds of the careless manner in which all subjects are treated which involve any acquaintance with Hebrew literature. Many of Mr. Bandinel's notes, as well as those of other writers with which these volumes are enriched, will be found to add, in no inconsiderable degree, to the value of the original work. We heartily thank Messrs. Clark for placing it within the reach of theological students in so acceptable a form. CHRISTMAS BOOKS. WE must endeavour as best we can to fulfil our promise of bringing to notice some more of the pleasant volumes which at this season of the year prefer their various claims upon our attention. So uniform, upon the whole, are they in merit, that of those which have come under our notice there are scarcely any deserving of censure; with hardly an exception they deserve some commendation, and as we survey them we feel much tempted to apply to them the words in which Æneas addressed the competitors in his games "Nemo ex hoc numero mihi non donatus abibit." With such few words of general approval we now proceed to remark upon some of them more particularly. We take them up almost at random. Conspicuous among the publications of the Religious Tract Society are two handsome volumes, "The Leisure Hour" and the "Sunday at Home." We do not profess to have read them through, but we have examined them sufficiently to be able to assure those who may not have already made acquaintance with them, that while they form part of a line apparently as long as that of Banquo, we gladly see more of them." The contents are varied and profitable; distinguished men of high reputation have, in many instances, contributed valuable papers on subjects upon which they have a claim to be heard; and the illustrations are quite equal to those in the volumes of former years. Both volumes are an admirable addi tion to our domestic literature. The "Divine Glory of Christ" is a well-timed little treatise in these rationalistic days, when men prefer dwelling on the human rather than on the Divine character of our Blessed Lord. Dr. Brown alleges the indirect or incidental testimony of Scripture to the Divinity of Christ, and also puts forward some valuable thoughts "on the bearing of the unity of God, as taught in Scripture, on the proof of the Saviour's divinity." We commend the book. "Vivian and his Friends" ought to have been noticed before. It is a reprint from the "Sunday at Home." The scene is laid in the times of Charles II., and the story is well told. "The Heavens and the Earth" is a popular handbook of astronomy, which has been carefully revised, and in its present form will be found both interesting and profitable to young folk, and indeed to children of a larger growth who would seek for some information about this fascinating science. The contents of "City Sparrows, and Who fed them," may almost be guessed from its title. It contains many very touching tales of struggling poverty which will be read, we hope, not without edification. "Wonderful Works of Christ" are a second series of conversations between a mother and her children, by a Clergyman's Daughter. They seem well adapted to interest young people in the lessons which may be gathered from the manifestations of Divine Power which our Blessed Lord displayed. A most exquisite volume among the recent issues of the Society will be found in "Oxford and Cambridge: their Colleges, Memories, and Associations," by the Rev. F. Arnold. It is a reprint of papers which have appeared in the "Leisure Hour," and now forms a most choice book, which will be especially welcome in all homes which have links connecting them with the Universities. "Mrs. Mainwaring's Journal" is from Messrs. Seeley. It is a book written on a plan which evidently commends itself to the public taste. If in a somewhat affected style, nevertheless the quaintness attracts, and when cleverly managed it affords opportunity for passages of pathetic interest. We incline to the opinion that the earlier portion of the volume will be found the favourite part; it certainly commends itself most to ourselves; we may be perhaps somewhat over fastidious, but the love-making, in the latter half of the volume, is not quite to our taste. "Little Laddie" is a capital child's book, with illustrations by L. Frölich. There is no end to his adventures; we hope all his experiences will not be in vain, or without some substantial benefit to the small folk who will listen to them with delight. "Maggie's Mistake" is similarly illustrated, but is intended for damsels of a somewhat more mature age, and is related in a connected story. It will be full of interest to young ladies who are not above being amused and interested in childish tales. Messrs. Nisbet have forwarded an exceedingly valuable book by Miss Lehrer, "The Soldiers and Servants of Christ; or Chapters on Church History," which we are glad to see has reached a second edition. It is pleasant to be able with confidence to recommend a book upon this most important but much abused topic. The narratives embrace chief names from the first to the sixteenth century, and are so told that they will interest young people: they were written for Miss Lehrer's pupils. "The Healing Waters of Syria" is the story of Naaman, told. by Dr. Macduff with all his vigorous power of enforcing Scripture truth, and bringing it home to the heart and conscience. It teaches in a striking manner many most useful lessons. "Good Tidings of Great Joy to all People" is a fruitful volume, from an old and scarce work by a Scotch minister, Mr. James Fraser of Brae, "while he was a prisoner in the Bass for the Gospel of Jesus Christ." It well deserved reprinting. "The Day of Days," edited by the Rev. Charles Bullock, is well known to many. The present volume is quite equal to its predecessors. We can heartily extend similar commendation to "Our Own Fireside," by the same editor, which has only just come to hand. From Messrs. Hatchard we have a very choice little volume, "Apostles Preaching to Jews and Gentiles; or the Acts explained to Children," by the author of "Peep of Day." It is a continuation of her well-known publications, which are so familiar in all Christian homes. The present volume deserves, and we doubt not will receive, as hearty a welcome as any of its predecessors. The scene of "Eighty Years Ago" is laid at Ottery St. Mary; but the tale, which is a pleasant one, mostly relates to the horrors of the French Revolution, and to the questions at issue between Protestants and Papists: the relative value of monarchical and democratical institutions is also sensibly discussed. It will be found useful and reliable in these days of great unsettlement of opinion, religious and political. We welcome also, from the same publisher, Bishop Oxenden's second volume of his Exposition of the Psalms, completing the work. The expositions are very brief, but will be found profitable by those who seek edification from this most precious portion of the Word of God. "Thoughts for Lent," by the same author, ought not to find its place under Christmas books; but we can cordially recommend it as useful for its own appropriate season. POETRY. A WORD FOR THE NEW YEAR. "The will of the Lord be done." 'Mid all the bustling scenes of life, Let others delve for golden ore, The things around us which appear, To those, whose eyes are heavenwards bent, Commend thy soul to God in prayer, Vex not thyself with curious eye The clouds, that o'er thy heavens are cast, NOTICES OF BOOKS. Sermons on Old Testament Subjects. By the late Rev. Edw. Walker, D.C.L., Rector of Cheltenham. 1873.-The Lord's Prayer: Lectures by the Rev. Adolph Saphir. 1870.-The Church in the House: Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles. By W. Arnot, Minister of the Free Church in Edinburgh. 1873.-Comfort ye! Comfort ye! or, The Harp taken from the Willows. By J. R. Macduff, D.D. London: Nisbet. 1872. -There is one object common to all these volumes, which has induced us to group them together in the brief notice which we can afford to them. The aim of all alike is to set the glory of God forth before His people by a careful and reverent exposition of His Word. Variety will be found in the manner in which this is done, according to the gifts which the Holy Spirit has severally vouchsafed to each of the writers. But in all the same grand essential truths are promulgated with singular identity of doctrine, and with the same eager yearning for the salvation of souls. The loss to the Church of Dr. Walker, of Cheltenham, is recent: it has been deeply and widely felt. Those who knew and valued his ministry will gladly receive these sermons, wherein he, being dead, yet speaketh to them. They are introduced by a kindly and judicious preface, proceeding from Dr. Boultbee, of St. John's College, Highbury. The sermons contain much valuable Gospel truth and many timely warnings effectively stated.-Mr. Saphir's volume ought, from its intrinsic merit, to have received much earlier notice from us. We would gladly make amends by calling the attention of our readers to these lectures, which contain a fruitful exposition of the Prayer of Prayers. They are highly creditable, not only to the writer's intellectual power, but also to his spiritual perception of heavenly things." The Church in the House" is a series of brief comments, almost continuous, upon the Acts of the Apostles, and intended by the author for Sunday evening reading in families. They are sensible and practical, well adapted for the purpose for which they are designed. Sometimes a verse, sometimes several verses, are dwelt upon. can recommend the book with much confidence.-" Comfort ye! Comfort ye!" is also divided into portions for daily or family reading. It is an exposition of the last twenty-seven chapters of the book of Isaiah. The author intends it to be expository as well as practical. It would not be very easy for a person without gifts of imagination to deal with such a portion of Scripture in a dull and tame manner. Those who are familiar with Dr. Macduff's writings know that to such a charge he is not liable, and there are ample evidences of the sympathy with which he has entered into the glowing and impassioned utterances of the prophet. The book will be perused with pleasure and profit. We Prophecies and the Prophetic Spirit in the Christian Era. By J. J. Ign. Von Dollinger. Translated by Alf. Plummer, Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, Oxford. London: Rivingtons. 1873.-It is a very remarkable fact, which is brought out by this essay of Dr. Von Döllinger, that, as the whole history of the Medieval and Roman Church teems with lying miracles, forged documents, and corrupt perversions of Christianity, so also the prophecies and prophetic spirit which, from time to time, found acceptance during that period were delusions of a most childish character. "From the prophet even unto the priest every one dealt falsely." It is curious, however, in the midst of it all, how many of them prophesied against Rome, and were willing to fasten upon the Pope the title of AntiChrist. It could not, however, be said of any of them that the Lord |