degree, by the correction of his former views, or by the addition of new and interesting matter, to keep the work up to the requirements of the present day-to bring it more nearly into that condition which those on whom rest the responsibilities of the undertaking might wish to regard as establishing its claim to a permanent value-and so to produce what this professes to be, a STANDARD EDITION. The general result will be best stated in his own words:

The final results will be shown in a considerable body of fresh matter, exhibited in some thousands of new notes, and in additions to, and improvements of, a large number of the notes contained in the original work. Space for this has been provided, by an actual increase of the letter press; by the omission of one class of woodcuts; by the careful excision from the original work of such matters as might, it was judged, be spared not only without loss, but with advantage, and by the pruning and condensation of many notes which remain without essential alteration. The effect of all this may be seen in the fact, that in the Pentateuch alone, besides introductions occupying several pages, between 400 and 500 new notes have been introduced, without the sacrifice of any valuable matter contained in the original work, and with the addition of a large number of really illustrative engravings, which did not appear in that publication.

The general result may thus be stated :That the matter of the original work has undergone a most careful and elaborate revision; that nothing of interest or value in the original work is wanting in the new edition; and that large additions will be made, equal altogether, probably, to above one-third of the whole work, of the same kinds of accurate and interesting information which have secured for the "Pictorial Bible" the high consideration with which it has been favoured both in this country and abroad.

Allusion has been made to the omission of historical woodcuts, admirable, no doubt, as works of art, but imperfect as representations of manners and costume. In an edition of the Bible which aimed at the accurate illustration of such particulars, this class of engravings was considered by many objectionable. The place of such woodcuts will be supplied by a large addition of real landscapes and objects of natural history and antiquities. But the claims of the higher branches of art will not be neglected. Each Part will contain a beautifully executed engraving on steel, from subjects selected from the finest specimens of the ancient and modern schools, and especially from those masters who have combined accuracy of detail with high invention.

The original work was published in Twentyseven and a-half Parts, at 28. each. The Standard Edition will contain three or four hundred pages more than the early edition. The new woodcuts will be numerous, and the engravings on steel of the highest quality of art. At the original price, the work, as now announced, would have cost 31. 10s. It will now cost 21. 128.

Evangelical Synopsis: The Holy Bible, with Marginal Readings and parallel passages, and Notes explanatory and practical, selected from the Writings of the most esteemed Divines, and Biblical Critics of various Denominations, interspersed with Original Remarks. By INGRAM COBBIN, M.A. 3 vols. small folio. George Berger.

WE have long looked for the completion of this work, and are glad, at length, to behold it. It forms not only a valuable addition to the previous labours of Mr. Cobbin in the same field, but also to the labours of his predecessors. The term Synopsis, to those who understand it, distinctly indicates the object of the undertaking, but to many of our honest readers it is unintelligible. Let them know, then, that it signifies a general view: a view, combined and harmonized, of all the parts of a subject. We have here, therefore, an epitome of Biblical literature on evangelical principles, so that the man who can command only this book has therein the essence of the largest libraries. Commentators of all sects and parties have been rendered tributaries to the undertaking. Of these we have an alphabetical list of twelve columns, appended to the third volumea circumstance which will show the value of such a work to the family, the teacher, the village preacher, the Home Missionary, and the poor pastor. It was said of Manton that he was "by far the best collector of sense of his age," which may seem a doubtful compliment to men who aspire to originality, and whom nothing will satisfy but something new, even if it should be something wrong. For, as a rule in such matters, to deviate is to blunder. It is now too late to make dis

coveries in gospel doctrine. It may therefore be safely held, that whatever is new is false. The power of "collecting sense," if not a splendid, is assuredly a precious gift; and he who has it, in an eminent degree, must be classed among the highest benefactors of the church of God. This gift, in that degree, unquestionably belongs to Ingram Cobbin, who, beyond any other who has walked in the same sphere, has displayed an application, a candour, a sagacity, a penetration, a tact in simplifying what is complex, a skill in reconciling things apparently antagonist, with all the other qualities necessary to his vocation, which mark him out for special service to his day and generation. In the present instance

he has completely succeeded in his object, in giving to the world a real Poor Man's Commentary; a term which has been often desecrated in designating miserable twaddle, and which reached its climax in its application to that mass of mud and childishness given to the world by Dr. Hawker. Here assuredly there is no twaddle; there are no crotchets; none of the peculiarities of Gill, none of the whims of Clarke; while it concentrates the excellencies of Scott and Henry; reducing them to a price which suits the poor man's pocket, and a magnitude which suits the busy man's time. The only thing that remains is, to compare Cobbin with himself. The Condensed Commentary, then, widely differs from the Synopsis; that is more critical and condensed; this, more expository. That hints at an argument, this elaborates it. The reader is there furnished with materials for thought, here with the thoughts themselves. Such is the character both of the Notes and the Reflections. One thing merits special notice; that "the greatest pains have been taken throughout the Synopsis, to explain, at some length, all the hard texts of Scripture;" and, from the nature of the work, they have been discussed with considerable advantage. One very peculiar superiority of the Evangelical Synopsis is, that its reflections are by many writers. This is a unique feature of these volumes, and the great advantage thence resulting is, that it furnishes the reader with a variety of thought and expression to be found in no one writer. After these statements it were superfluous to say how cordially we recommend the work.

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the New Testament. By ALBERT BARNES. Vols. 1-9. Edinburgh: Blackie and Son.

ALBERT BARNES is clearly the American of his class and age whom the Christian public of England delight to honour. There are two cheap and excellent editions of his Notes now issuing by Metropolitan publishers; the one under the editorship of Mr. Cobbin, and the other of Dr. Cumming; which, when we shall have received complete, will be further noticed. The edition before us, of Messrs. Blackie, in regard to workmanship, leaves nothing to be added or desired. It is everyway perfect; as to typography, maps, engravings, &c., it does the highest credit to the printers, and full justice

to the author, whom no expense or pains has been spared to present to Europe in the most advantageous manner. There is, however, a peculiarity in this Edition which deserves to be noticed; viz. the additional Annotations of the Glasgow edition; these are more especially to be found in vol. 4., on the Romans, in which the views of Mr. Barnes on certain matters, somewhat differ from those which generally obtain among the Evangelical churches of Britain. To remedy what was deemed, and we think justly, the deficiencies of the original Notes, Supplementary Notes have been added in several places throughout the volume, but in a smaller type, to distinguish them from those of the author. The points corrected, however, are those on which the wisest of men have not been agreed; on the great points of unconditional election, and the perseverance of the saints, he is thoroughly sound, and has written with great force and clearThe volume on the Romans, as a whole, is invaluable,-a treasury of vital truth,- -a mass of solid gold, worth the price ten times over of the whole nine volumes. Mr. Barnes has established claims to the grateful esteem of every section of the church of God, who will unite with us in the hope that, if life and health are spared to him, he will go on to increase that obligation, till his enlightened and useful labours have circumscribed the whole field of inspiration. With very hearty thanks to Messrs. Blackie for their excellent service, and in the hope that they will follow up their past labours by giving us what remains of his Notes on other portions of Scripture already before the public, in the same form of exquisite workmanship, we commend these nine volumes to the Christian public.

ness.

Cobbin's Quarto Edition of Barnes'

Notes on the New Testament. London: Aylott and Jones.

We have been here anticipated in the very thing we meant to have urged on some of our enterprising London publishers; and in all respects the parts before us, four in number, completely meet our views. The name of Cobbin guarantees accuracy; indeed, he has corrected some hundreds of misprints of the American press. He has, moreover, added new descriptive headings to each page, to aid the eye in turning to any particular portions: and, besides the in

sertion of Marginal References in a centre column, he has also given a number of improved readings, which, however, in no degree interfere with the original work of Barnes. The work will be further enriched by three beautiful maps, in addition to all the engravings used by the author. The whole of the New Testament will be completed in about Fifty Parts, forming a volume of the greatest beauty and value. There is one point which experience has taught the public to look at in respect to publication in Parts-certainty of completion. Into this matter we have made inquiries, and have to report that more than half the work is already stereotyped, and that, from other circumstances, we have perfect confidence of its ultimate and early completion.

Henry's Commentary. Partridge and Oakey's Edition. Being the original Penny Illustrated Edition of Arnold continued.

IN a former Number will be found our opinion of this incomparably beautiful Edition, which now, we rejoice to state, holds on its way in the hands of men who are every way competent to make good their engagements, and who deserve general encouragement in their laudable enterprise.

The Revealed Doctrine of Rewards and Punishments. By RICHARD WINTER HAMILTON, LL.D., D.D. 8vo, pp. 557. London: Jackson and Walford.

THE period of the month at which this work has arrived precludes the possibility of a thorough examination. Under these circumstances, then, all we can do this month is, to announce the work. The delivery of the Lectures produced a great sensation among the circles of Nonconformists in London. It became necessary to adjourn from the Congregational Library to Broad-street Chapel, which continued crowded to the last; and now that the work is before the public, we doubt not it will be read universally-read much, and read long. We hesitate not to pronounce it a large advance even upon the most splendid of the previous performances of its author. Here, we think, he may be said to have done himself justice. The work is a prodigious exhibition of intellectual opulence, nerved throughout with iron power, and adorned, not oppressed, by the drapery of a gorgeous eloquence.

The Congregational Year- Book for 1846, containing the Proceedings of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. With supplementary information. London: Jackson and Walford. HERE, then, at length, is Vol. I. of our YEAR-BOOK, comprising nearly 200 closely printed pages, at the price of One Shilling! This we consider another great step in advance in matters of Congregational Literature, and we cannot doubt that the sale will be such as to show that the body properly appreciate it. The sale ought, at least, within the year, to reach 20,000; and if the leaders in all good works take it up heartily, it will be the privilege of the Committee to announce this fact in May, 1848. Here, at one view, we have a comprehensive survey of the entire denomination.

The History of the Revival and Progress of Independency in England, since the period of the Reformation. By JoSEPH FLETCHER. Vol. I. London:

Snow.

A volume of up

A GOOD beginning! wards of 300 pages for 1s. 6d., while the getting up is in every respect worthy of Mr. Snow, and the matter, of the biographer of Dr. Fletcher. The affair, as a whole, entirely meets our views. Nowhere can we point to a body of matter on this subject equal in quantity and quality, at the same price. When the work is finished, it will be a great public service to British Nonconformity. Four volumes,—a full embodiment of the great facts of a People's History, for six shillings! When the publisher shall apprise us of the sale of the first 10,000, we shall inform our readers.

Wanderings of a Pilgrim in the shadow

of Mont Blanc, and the Jungfrau Alp. By G. B. CHEEVER, D.D. London: Collins.

HAD space permitted this month, we meant to have brought specially forward the claims of Mr. Collins. His present "Series" is above all praise. The large volume before us, comprising seventy-one chapters,-from an author whose name is guarantee for all that genius, eloquence, and true philosophy, can supply, will be read by all with intense delight; and all may have it, since it costs only one shilling and sixpence ! Mr. Collins well merits the aid of the English Press, and the gratitude of the English People. We tender him special thanks for his eminent services in the cause of sound literature.

SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES, ΤΟ BE HOLDEN IN CROSBY-HALL, BISHOPSGATE-STREET, MAY, 1817.

PROPOSED ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS.

MONDAY, the 10th of May, at four o'clock in the afternoon, the meeting of the distributors of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE Fund, in aid of aged ministers, will be held in the Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, Finsbury.

TUESDAY, the 11th of May, the first session of the Assembly will be held in Crosby-hall, Bishopsgate-street; chair to be taken by the Rev. R W. Hamilton, D.D, LL,D., of Leeds, at half-past nine o'clock A.M.; and the meeting to adjourn at half-past two o'clock P.M. precisely.

Opening worship-Chairman's address-presentation of Report.

Three of the subjects to be brought before the attention of the Assembly are very important, and involve various matters of detail. It is therefore necessary that the most complete information as to the precise form of proceedings to be submitted thereon, should be previously made public; otherwise, in so numerous a meeting, discussions of such a nature will be entered on under great disadvantages. These three subjects are-first, "The proposed new arrangements for conducting the business of the Annual Assemblies"-second, "The proposed changes in the constitution of the Union"-third, "The regulations for the management of the Deferred Annuities branch of the Fund in aid of Aged Ministers." The proceedings to be submitted on these three subjects are therefore here given in their complete and precise form.

The following proposals, approved by the last Autumnal Meeting, at Plymouth, for new arrangements of the Annual Meetings of this Union, and of its affiliated societies for British Missions, will be next laid before the meeting:

1. That a preliminary meeting of the Annual Assembly be held on the Monday of the Missionary week, to which shall be submitted a statement of all business to be brought under the consideration of the ensuing sessions, whether by the Committee of the Union or by any other party; and the meeting shall thereupon nominate, as it may deem necessary, a committee on each several matter of business, to consider and report thereon to the Assembly.

2. That in particular a committee shall always be appointed at this meeting, to consist of five members of the Committee of the Union, and seven brethren from the country; which committee shall advise the Annual Assembly in the choice of officers and committee for the year, and of chairman and place of Autumnal Meeting for the next following year.

3 That the Tuesday being henceforth yielded to the British Missions for their public meetings, and opportunities on that and the intervening days being obtained for the committees to prepare the business for the Annual Assembly, its

sessions be held on the morning and evening of the Friday, and on the morning of the Saturday. Resolution to be proposed thereon-" That this Union will concur with the Societies for British Missions in the new arrangements for their respective Annual Meetings, now reported and considered as recommendations from the last Autumnal Meeting."

That the proposed changes in the constitution be embodied therein as follows, if adopted:

The following clauses in the present constitution of the Union, numbered respectively 2 and 4, to be omitted.

2. That this Union consist of County and District Associations, together with any Ministers and Churches of the Congregational order recognised by an Association.

4. To promote the accomplishment of these objects, and the general interests of the Union, an Annual Meeting shall be held, consisting, if practicable, of an equal number of ministers and laymen, and that each Association may appoint such a number of representatives as it may deem necessary; that the Annual Meeting be held in London, or such other town or city as may, from time to time, be appointed; and that at the Annual Meeting of Delegates every minister and officer connected with any Association united in the general body, shall be eligible to attend and vote.

These to be substituted in their place:

2. This Union shall consist of Congregational Churches severally adhering thereto. The qualification of a church for membership, in this Union, shall be previous connection with the Association within the bounds of which it is located. Any church thus qualified shall constitute itself a member of this Union, by payment of an annual subscription of not less than ten shillings. The tutors of the Theological Colleges of the Independents, and the officers of their general public societies, being members of Congregational Churches; also ministers connected with Associations who may have ceased to be pastors, or whose churches decline connection with the Union, may become personal members of the Union by payment of an annual subscription of not less than five shillings.

4. To promote the accomplishment of these objects, and the general interests of the Union, an annual meeting shall be held, and such adjournments of the same as may from time to time be deemed expedient, in London, or some other principal city or town; and these Assemblies of the Union shall consist of the pastors of churches connected therewith-of delegates deputed by those churches, of whom each church may depute two; and any church consisting of more than one hundred members, three; or one additional delegate for every additional hundred member and of personal members of the Union. No persons not belonging to one of these three classes have right to attend and vote at the assemblies of this Union.

Resolution to be submitted for present conditional adoption of the proposed changes:

Resolved-That these changes in the constitution of the Union be submitted, by letter, to all the Congregational Churches in England

and Wales, and that their adoption depend on the amount of approval of them thus ascertained. Also, that in this respect progress be reported to the next Autumnal Meeting; but that the final adoption or rejection of the altered constitution be reserved for the Annual Assembly of 1848.

The brief papers on British Missions to be next presented, followed by resolutions responding thereto.

FRIDAY, May 14th-Morning Session.-The chair will be resumed by Dr. Hamilton, in Crosby-hall, at half-past nine o'clock, and the proceedings will be opened with worship.

The distributors of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE Fund, in aid of Aged Ministers, will present their Annual Report; and afterwards submit the proposed regulations for the management of the Deferred Annuity branch of the general fund entrusted to their care, pursuant to instructions given by the last Autumnal Meeting.

Proposed regulations of the Deferred Annuities branch of the Fund in aid of Aged Ministers :1. The object of this branch of the fund is to assist accredited Congregational ministers to effect insurances, in the Government offices only, for deferred annuities, of not less than fifty pounds per annum each, to commence on the completion, by the insured minister, of his sixtieth year.

2. The sources of this fund shall be whatever sums may remain of the yearly profits of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, after each annual distribution of grants therefrom to aged brethren; it being hereby provided, that in no year shall such grants to aged brethren exceed one half of that clear annual profit of the magazines from which the distribution is made. Also, whatever donations, bequests, or other contributions, can be obtained in addition thereto. All monies devoted to the purposes of this fund, from whatever source obtained, shall be invested, in the names of trustees, in the public funds of Great Britain; and the dividends or interest thereon shall alone be employed annually for the objects of the fund.

3. The ministers qualified to receive the benefits of this fund shall be accredited Congregational ministers, ordained at least one year prior to the first payment from the fund on their behalf, whose income from all sources does not exceed two hundred pounds a year, and who are recommended by the officers of that association within the bounds of which they labour.

If, after a minister has been received as a beneficiary of the fund, he shall retire from the ministry, except on account of failure of health; or shall enter on any trade or profession, education excepted, for profit; or shall have his income in any way increased to more than two hundred pounds a year; or shall forfeit ministerial character by immorality or false doctrine; the yearly payments from this fund on his behalf shall be discontinued.

4. The annual payment from this fund in aid of each insurance for a deferred annuity shall be uniformly six pounds.

5. The distributors of grants for aged brethren from the profits of the magazines, shall also administer this branch of the same fund. There shall be annual election of brethren to the bene

fits of this fund, and an annual report thereof, in connection with every Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. If in any year the number of approved candidates for the benefits of this fund are greater than can be then received, seniority in age shall be the rule of prior reception. And those approved applicants who cannot be then received shall stand first for acceptance at the next election.

Resolution to be proposed for consideration of the foregoing regulations:

That the rules for forming and distributing the Deferred Annuities branch of the Aged Ministers' Fund, now read, be received for consideration seriatim.

Resolution for adoption of the same:

That the regulations for the Deferred Annuities branch of the Fund in aid of Aged Ministers, as now amended and approved, be adopted.

The Directors of the "Christian Mutual Provident Society"-which institution was conducted to its formation under the sanction of successive Assemblies of the Union-will report progress, and a resolution responding to this report will be proposed.

A conference on the state of the churches, and on that of the denomination generally, will occupy the remaining time of the session.

SATURDAY, May 15th-Morning SessionChair to be taken at ten o'clock, in the Congregational Library. The all-absorbing and allimportant subject of the course to be adopted by the Union on popular Education will alone be considered.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting will be held (D. V.) at Exeter Hall, on Tuesday, the 18th of the present month. The Chair will be taken at Six o'clock. As the Society extends its labours over a great part of the country, the Directors hope that some gentleman of influence from the provinces will be induced to preside on the occasion. So soon as they have secured the services of a suitable individual for the purpose, it will be announced in the usual way.

The Directors anticipate their Annual Meeting with considerable anxiety. Another year's attention to the operations of the Society has deepened their conviction of its great importance. In many rural districts, and in some cities and towns, the Society has been the honoured instrument of introducing and sustaining the faithful administration of the gospel. But for the zealous and persevering efforts of the agents, not a ray of light would have penetrated the moral darkness which had settled upon extensive portions of our beloved country. It is true, a church and a resident clergyman are found in every parish; but this is not, in all cases, an indication that the pure gospel of Christ is dispensed, or its truths proclaimed. If it were, though we should still regard the principle of an Establishment opposed to the spirituality of Christ's kingdom, there would be less necessity for the existence and efforts of such an institution as the Home Missionary Society. But in too many instances the contrary is the true state of the case. There is no evangelical instruction afforded, no exhibition of scriptural