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O my soul, what hast thou to fear? Why fear to enter upon the untried path of another year? Why fear and shrink at the thought of trials yet to come? and why tremble at the thought of death, and fear to meet God? What! fear? and know that thou art washed, justified, sanctified, redeemed by precious blood, shut in in Christ? Oh, no! When faith is given, the soul rises above these fears, and views herself as she is-complete in Him; feels that she is hid with Christ in God, for this little moment of time, until the indignation of God be poured out upon an evil world. Yes, thou shalt see it with thine eyes; but it shall not come nigh thee, for thou art shut into the chamber Christ, and God has shut thee in. Leicester.

C.

CORRECTIONS.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-Will you permit me to correct a few very glaring misprints in my little memoir of our dear departed friend, Miss Vernon Harcourt, in this month's number of your magazine, and ask your readers to make the corrections in their copies? Time, I suppose, did not allow of my seeing the proof, and I am only surprised, considering the difficulties which my friends discover in my handwriting, that many more mistakes have not been made. At p. 650, 14th line from the bottom, for "such" read "work" and transfer comma from "redemption "" to "work;" at p. 651, 5th line from the top, for "and" read "to; same page, 24th line from top, for first "and" read "to; same page, 14th line from the bottom, for "enjoyed" read "engaged;" at p. 652, 11th line from bottom, insert "to" between "nigh" and "death;" at p. 653, 12th line, for "beautifully touching" read "beautifully and touching;" at p. 654, 2nd line, for "Annie" read "Anne." Your readers will judge for 'themselves that these corrections are not unimportant, as the sense of the passages in which they occur generally demand them. Yours, dear brother, affectionately, S. A. WALKER.

December, 1870.

A NEW YEAR'S GREETING.

To the Editor, and the beloved brethren who read the GOSPEL MAGAZINE, and love the blessed Saviour whom its pages exalt; grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of His love, the Covenant Head of the Church. Amen.

When these lines meet your eye, if spared to that time, I shall have entered on the fortieth year of my ministry. While I am writing the words I can scarcely realise the fact, so rapidly have the years passed away; yet, when I call to mind the various events which have occurred, the chequered scenes through which I have passed, the dear people to whom God has blessed His Word from my unworthy lips, who have long since left this wilderness for His presence, I feel that it is so, and bless God for past encouragements, and that I am still spared to preach among my fellow-sinners "the unsearchable riches of Christ."

I must ask your forgiveness; this was not the strain I thought to write in when I took up my pen.

I am fond of pausing for a moment when I reach one of these milestones. I cannot but look back, but my desire is to look upward, and to press

onward. Here there is nothing but change; but our gracious God, the covenant of His grace, and the Word which makes it known, are all unchangeable. All my desire and aim is to bring sinners to trust in Jesus, "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever,' " and to stimulate and encourage His believing people to live on Him. He is the bread of life, the paschal lamb, and the honey from the stony rock. He is the soul's food, and, depend on it, brethren, if we are living on Him, we shall live for Him, to do His will, and to Him to show forth His praise.

By living on Him, we have fellowship with the Father, we have peace in onr own souls, and we glorify our God. This life on the Son of God, is the life of faith, it is maintained by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ; it is nurtured by the Word, "as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,"-thus the preached Gospel is a glorious privilege, and for those who are hindered, and "cannot go up to the House of the Lord," a few lines exalting the Redeemer, telling of His wondrous love, His watchful care, His all-sufficiency, are frequently owned and blessed, to the lifting up them that are fallen. May He own and bless these words to those who read them, and may unfeigned thanksgiving reach the ears of the Holy One of Israel, from their hearts and from the heart of their loving brother in the Lord, ALFRED HEWLETT, D.D.

Reviews and Notices of Books.

Sources of Joy in Seasons of Sorrow; with other Helps on the Heavenward Way. By JAMES GRANT, author of "God is Love," "Our Heavenly Home," &c. W. Macintosh, 24, Paternoster-row.

MR. GRANT, after being engaged for some years in exposing the dangerous and soul-destroying errors of the day, has returned to those subjects bearing on the practical experience of believers in Christ, which, he has more than once assured us, are incomparably more congenial to his spiritual taste than the writing of those controversial works to the production of which, notwithstanding, he has felt himself called by an imperative sense of duty. The title of Mr. Grant's present volume clearly indicates its nature. "Sources of Joy in Seasons of Sorrow; with other Helps on the Heavenward Way," is a title which will lead those who peruse it to expect a work especially devoted to the trials and troubles to which all the people of God are more or less subject in passing, as strangers and pilgrims here on earth, along the pathway which leads to their "Heavenly Home."

But, instead of giving our own analyzation of the character of Mr. Grant's new work, we shall do as we have on many previous occasions in relation to other books from his prolific pen, namely, quote his preface, as enabling the reader to judge of the character of the book. His preface is as follows:-"The title of this volume indicates the character of its contents. The subject to which it relates is one of deep and universal interest. The present world is fitly called "a vale of tears; " and all mankind, whatever may be their position or circumstances in life, can bear their testimony, from personal experience, to the truth of the statement. But the people of God have, as a rule, greater and more numerous troubles than the

people of the world. He who was Himself "The Man of Sorrows," said to His disciples when He was a Sojourner on earth-and He still speaks to us in the same language from off His throne in heaven-"In the world ye shall have tribulation." But it is the blessedness of believers to know, that what Jesus then graciously added to that warring to his followers, He now adds, with the view of comforting their hearts in the anticipation of their coming tribulation: "But, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." In the victory which he then as their Head achieved over the world, there was to them, as there is to us, an earnest and a pledge of the final triumph of all who are His. The conflict with our spiritual foes may be severe and prolonged, our afflictions may be many and hard to bear; but we shall not fall in the battle, nor be completely crushed under the load, however heavy it may be. In the one case we shall come off more than conquerors; in the other we shall, through the Divine help, rise superior to all our troubles. With the shout of victory on our lips, and with songs of thanksgiving and praise in our hearts, we shall pass away from earth to heaven-from a state of turmoil and sorrow in this world, to a state of perfect rest and joy in the world to

come.

"My object in this work is to bring before believers in Christ, some of the many sources of solace in their sufferings and sorrows which God has, in the greatness of His grace, provided for them. It is my fervent hope and earnest prayer, that the volume may be abundantly blessed to this end, to all who may, in the providence of God, be led to peruse its pages. I know of no pleasure that could be greater, nor any honour that could be higher, than to be made a helper of one's fellow-travellers on the heavenward road. It is much to be desired, that every Christian were duly alive to the obligations under which his Lord has laid him, in relation to this duty. If we were all faithful in this matter, we might minister largely to the comfort of many a fellow believer in Jesus who is called by Divine Providence to realize, as he passes along the journey of life to his celestial home, how true are the words of the first preachers of the Gospel of Christ when they said: 'We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

"It is right I should mention that some portions of Scripture are quoted or referred to more than once in the work; but it will be found that in every instance in which this is the case, the citations so made are intended to illustrate new phases of the truth as it is in Jesus."

In addition to Mr. Grant's preface to his new work, we now subjoin the contents of the volume; they are these: Afflictions Come from God; Benefits of Afflictions to Believers; The Purifying Tendencies of Afflictions; Special Purposes to be Answered by Afflictions; The same subject, continued; The same subject, concluded; The Means Whereby God Comforts His People; Prayer as a Means of Comfort in Affliction; The Sorrow and Sufferings of Christ a Source of Comfort to the Afflicted; The Sympathy of the Saviour as a Source of Comfort in Trouble; The same subject, concluded; Submission to the Divine Will as a Source of Bliss; The Promises of God to His Afflicted People; The Believer's Relationship to the Triune Jehovah; Various Sources of Comfort to Afflicted Saints; God's Purposes as Fulfilled in the Afflictions of His Saints; What We shall Know Hereafter; Thoughts of Death as a Means to Dispel its Fear; The same subject, concluded; The World to Come.

It will be seen from the above list of contents in what various aspects Mr. Grant has viewed a subject which is of the deepest interest to all the people of God.

We purpose returning to this work next month.

The Boy Missionary: A Tale for the young. By Mrs. J. M. PARKER. London Sampson Low, Son, and Marston.

WE had just been asked to recommend some work for young people when this little book fell into our hands. There was so much of village life about it, and the characters so vividly drawn, that we read it throughout, on purpose, if possible, to commend it for the use of the young in question. But, interested as we have been in the perusal, we are compelled to greatly qualify our recommendation, because it lacks the setting forth the true nature of conversion or real spiritual life. It lays (to say the least) a suspicious stress upon the mere act of baptism; and, with respect to the Lord's Supper, it substitutes-at any rate as far as words go-the substance for the sign. Here is our proof: "The missionary had looked over that Sunday-school of more than fifty smart, intelligent boys, most of whom were children of God by baptism" (p. 6). "It is communion Sunday, and see who kneels at the chancel, receiving, with tearful gratitude, the body and blood of Christ!" (p. 179.)

Interesting, therefore, and practical, as in some sense the book may be, how can we place it in the hands of young people approvingly? We can by no means do so, for whilst it contains much that is calculated to instil kindly, self-denying, practical service, there is, at the same time, the deadly poison infused into the cup, namely, baptismal regeneration and the equally deadly ingredient of the real presence, and this is the kind of captivating reading so rife among the young people of our day and generation. Nothing can be more disastrous.

The Valiant Men and Women of Israel. By W. GARRARD, "A Watchman on the Walls." Leicester. To be had of the Author, 14, Newton Street.

THE foregoing is a very graphic sketch, in quaint language, of both living and departed ministers, as well as Spirit-taught women. The Author (now past his threescore years and ten) exhibits in these pages a clear insight into the diversity of gift of those about whom he writes. The work (which may be had of the Author for 8d.) will furnish the reader with much that is deeply interesting in reference to the special gifts of the servants of God. The City Diary and Almanack. London: W. H. and L. Collingridge, City Press, 117 to 120, Aldersgate Street.

THIS work maintains its high character for utility in making memoranda, and for its diversity of important city statistics and information. By the way, speaking of the City Diary, we happen to have seen a specimen page of the City Directory; and such are the variety of its details and such the low price at which it is announced to be published, that we unhesitatingly pronounce it to be among the most useful and cheapest literary undertakings of the day.

Edited by

The London Almanack and Christian Remembrancer for 1871.
C. R. H. London: J. F. Shaw, Paternoster Row.
THIS little gem is greatly enriched by a rich variety of what are termed
"Latter-rain Leaflets."

Jesus Knows. A Reflection for the Year 1871. By OCTAVIUS WINSLOW, D.D. London: J. F. Shaw, Paternoster Row.

ONE of Dr. WINSLOW's pithy annual addresses grounded upon that precious Scripture declaration, "Lord, Thou knowest all things! Thou knowest that I love Thee."

Mary Lyon. Recollections of a Noble Woman. By FIDELIA FISK. London: Morgan, Chase, and Scott, 38, Ludgate Hill.

A SPECIAL interest attaches itself to this book, inasmuch as both the writer and the one written upon are gone to their rest. The youthful reader will do well to keep this fact before him, in proof of our common mortality.

Plain Words for the Sick and Aged. By G. W. MYLNE. Fourth Series. London: W. Macintosh.

A MOST suitable book for the sick and aged, being printed in large type, and containing many pleasing illustrations of Bible truths.

By the Rev. CHARLES London: W. Hunt and

The Way in the Wilderness, and other Poems. By E. C. C. B., Author of "The Protoplast." London: William Macintosh, Paternoster Row. THIS work contains some most precious pieces, the product of a Spirittaught, well-disciplined mind. Wilderness-teaching is manifest throughout these pages. Gladly would we give extracts, in proof, did space permit. In lieu thereof, we would strongly recommend the book itself. The Pastor Remembered, and the Brethren Entreated. BULLOCK, Rector of St. Nicholas, Worcester. Co., Holles Street. THIS is a striking memorial of departed worth, consisting of a sermon and numerous deeply-interesting particulars touching the ministry and death of the late Rev. W. H. ĤAVERGAL, M.A., formerly Rector of St. Nicholas, Worcester. This memorial will be highly prized by those to whose memory such a pastor must be very greatly endeared. The Sunday School Teacher's Pocket Book and Diary for 1871. London: Sunday School Union, 56, Old Bailey.

A MOST useful book for Sunday School Teachers, containing class register, almanack, much useful information and valuable statistics, with ample space for private remarks.

Essays on Biblical Subjects. By a Sunday School Teacher. London: F. Warne and Co., Bedford Street, Covent Garden.

A GLANCE at the contents of this book, and the manner in which the subjects are handled, cannot but give us a favourable impression of the work generally. It commends itself to the attention of Sunday School Teachers especially.

One Hundred Choice Large-Type Hymns.
One Hundred Large-Type Precious Hymns.

31, Castle Street.

Edinburgh: James Taylor,

THESE are two of the best Selections of hymns with which we are acquainted. They contain the very pith and marrow of our sound and sacred hymn-writers; and, being printed in large clear type, are so much the more suitable for the sick and aged. There is one who writes in these pages under the signature of "Č. H. I.," whose pieces indicate a chastened spirit indeed; and whose productions in consequence are so much the more valuable, as speaking from a meekened and mellowed heart to kindred minds.

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