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WINTER.

In summer we shrink from the thought that its beautiful long evenings, its flowers, fruit, and birds, its sunshine, its excursions and holidays, will soon be over, and that we shall be in the stern grasp of cold winter's iron hand once more. Still, the last rose of summer does not constitute the whole of life. If summer were perpetual we would soon degenerate. Nor is winter without compensations. The family circle round the fire is a school for the affections. We have then, too, more opportunity of forgetting ourselves in plans for the relief of the poor. And perhaps there is no better sport than rushing over the glittering ice on ringing skates while the blue sky and almost genial sunshine show that the heavens above have by no means forgotten the earth beneath. Yes, at all seasons God is near us, and sends to us such weather and other things as are most expedient for us.

SOME HELPFUL WORKS.

There are few preachers and teachers who can afford to disregard the help which is offered them in the careful volumes of "The Biblical Illustrator" (Nisbet), edited by the Rev. J. S. Exell. Three new ones are before us as we write. The second volume on the Epistle to the Hebrews completes a most difficult piece of work in a very satisfactory manner. Accompanying it are two of (apparently) three volumes on the Acts of the Apostles, a book which offers a wide field for illustrative anecdote and reference, of which Mr. Exell has availed himself to the fullest extent.--From Messrs. Isbister we have received two excellent volumes of sermons by the Archdeacons of London and Westminster. The former gives to his volume the title "Christ and Our Times," and a more direct and timely series of discourses we do not remember. Manly, outspoken utterances like these are what our times need. Archdeacon Farrar speaks very modestly in his preface of his "Sermons on the Lord's Prayer" as being

WINTER.

"of the plainest and simplest." They are not quite that, but they are near enough to it to form acceptable reading and helpful guidance for all.-"The Way into the Holiest" (Morgan and Scott) is the appropriate title which the Rev. F. B. Meyer gives to his expositions of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Our readers know and appreciate the helpful character of Mr. Meyer's work, and will, we are sure, welcome this suggestive volume.-Messrs. Nisbet send us a little collection of admirable sermons to children with the title "The Children's Pew," by the Rev. J. Reid Howatt, profitable as reading and helpful as models.“ The Concise Bible Dictionary," issued by Messrs. Isbister, fully justifies its title, but the work is full enough to meet all the requirements of ordinary readers.-Mrs. Boyd Carpenter, wife of our contributor, the Bishop of Ripon, is to be congratulated on the pretty allegories which go to form the tasteful volume which comes to us from Messrs. Isbister under the title, "Fragments in Baskets." They are at once light and deeply suggestive, and ought to do much good.

"THE HEAD" AND "THE HEART." Some of the truest of God's people-some who know and serve Him best-have but little of the intellectual power of which the world makes so much. It is well for many of us that God looks at the heart and not the head-it is well for some, but it is ill for others; for there are many who know much theology in the head, but know little of love in the heart. We cannot understand God, but we can love Him. We cannot perhaps argue for God, but we can live for Him; or, if need be, die for Him. Oh, that we loved our Saviour so that we might be like the martyred girl who said, "I can't argue for Jesus, but I can die for Him." A crowd had assembled near the prison in Rome-all were busy in preparing for the work-some gathering fagots, others making firm the stake. The prison door opens, a young girl is brought to the stake, the fagots are placed round her-but she is to be given a chance for her life. A priest steps forward and asks, "Wilt thou recant?" The answer of the girl rang out distinct and clear in the morning air, "No!" "But why," said the priest, "wilt thou persist in so great an absurdity? Thou canst not give a reason for thy belief." The face of

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Jesus, but I can die for Him." Let us not concern ourselves so much about our understanding with the head, as loving with the heart. The testimonies of love are those which will be most valued in the Great Day.

THE SECRET OF PEACE.

"Are you not afraid, mother?" asked the kindred of an old body who during the progress of an earthquake remained calm, peaceful, and in good spirits. "No," was her answer, "I rejoice to know that I have a God who can shake the world." This reminds me of the story of an old Highland shepherd, who listened one evening to the discussions of some of his friends upon threatening political matters; and when he had heard all they had to say, strode off to the mountain after his sheep, saying out aloud, "The Lord is King, be the people never so impatient." That was enough for him. To be able to say, "This God is our God for ever and ever," is the secret of power and peace.

A UNIVERSAL NEED.

When the present Empress of Austria chose a tutor for her daughter she sent for a certain bishop, and told him that she had decided to entrust the Archduchess's education to him. "Teach her," she said, "to be a true Christian. We are all in sore need of religious support to go through this life.”

CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

The phrase is used to cover a variety of works issued to meet the manifold demands of the winter season, but is, after all, employed most frequently with regard to books for young people. In "The Outdoor World" (Longmans), Mr. W. Furneaux, F.R.G.S., has certainly provided us with one of the must suggestive and instructive books for young people that we have seen this season; in its coloured plates, its hundreds of black-and-white illustrations, and its homely, easily understood notes on the natural history and botany of our own country, it presents in one handsome volume a perfect mine of information in a pleasant and interesting manner.-A prime favourite among writers of stories for young people is Mr. G. A. Henty, whose wide range of subjects surprises one more and more as each fresh season reveals a further development.- Messrs. Blackie and Son send us three new stories of his, the titles of which indicate sufficiently the widely different sources to which their author has gone; first is " 'Saint Bartholomew's Eve," an excellent story of the Huguenot wars, with twelve illustrations, and a map of France that serves to impress upon the young readers of the tale the fact that its setting is historically true.

Then we take up "Through the Sikh War" and "A Jacobite Exile" in turn, and find in cach case that our author is equally au fait with the material which these far-separated periods present. -To Dr. Gordon Stables Messrs. Blackie owe another stirring book for boys, under the title of "Westward

with Columbus," in which the pathetic story of the old mariner is wonderfully well told.-J. M. Callwell takes us back to the days of Prince Hal and the Lollards for the setting of his story, “A Champion

of the Faith," which ought to prove equally interesting to readers of either sex; and from this work, which seems to us to appeal to both boys and girls of healthy taste, let us pass to two others of Messrs. Blackie's stories that appeal more particularly to girl readers. "A Fair Claimant," the first of the two, by Frances Armstrong, is a story at once strong and sympathetic, a quality rightly esteemed at a high value by girl readers; and the other, “The Clever Miss Follett," by J. K. H. Denny, is of such sustained interest that it would suit the tastes of lady-readers who would ordinarily not look at a story equally suitable to girls of no great experience. One word more about all Messrs. Blackie's stories: they are all strongly and tastefully bound, a quality which all buyers at this season will appreciate.

GRATITUDE.

One evening at a fashionable seaside place (says a friend), I was listening to some open-air preaching. After the service was over a man came up to me, and, thinking that I was one of those who had conducted it, shook me warmly by the hand, and with tears in his eyes thanked me for the benefit he had obtained. How I wished that I had been one of those who had benefited him and had deserved his gratitude! The incident impressed upon me the fact that people are not as a rule as ungrateful as they are supposed to be to those who try to improve their moral and spiritual condition. They feel that charity to the soul is the soul of charity.

A CAT THAT WON'T PURR.

There are people who do not mean to be and who perhaps are not ungrateful for kindness, but who never respond to it. You may do everything in your power to benefit them, and try to surprise them with kindness, but their dull cold natures make no sign. A boy of this description known to me was said by his schoolmaster to be like a cat that would not purr. Still, we must not cease trying to help people because they are undemonstrative and seem to have no feelings. Every creature is after its kind. You pity a man whose bodily eyes and ears are blind and deaf; why not extend the same pity to those who are blind and deaf of soul?

RIDICULOUS PURSUITS.

Nearly all the thoughts, words and deeds of some people are more or less connected with fox-hunting, which has been defined as "riding after a lot of dogs running after a smell." Philanthropy when taken up as a mere pastime or as a pursuit that has become fashionable is sometimes responsible for acts that are foolish enough, but the most foolish kind is more sensible and even more pleasurable than are some of our so-called amusements.

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teaching value of illustrations can never be overestimated. From the Clarendon Press we have received a copy of "The Thumb Prayer Book ; tiny as are its pages, the type is very readable, and the paper is so fine that the book weighs less than three-quarters of an ounce.-Messrs. Isbister are

"ENTERTAINING A STRANGER."

EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPT.

The early martyrs were often condemned to this hideous death: tied firmly to a dead body, they were left till corruption destroyed life. May not something even more horrible take place when we unite ourselves in marriage or some other kind of very close intimacy with one who is spiritually dead?

BOOKS NEW AND OLD.

In many respects the most popular set of illustrations to the Bible is that by Gustave Doré. Much has been heard of late of the success which has attended the circulation of various versions of the Scriptures on the Continent, and we in Protestant England are not to be behind in that respect. So Messrs. Cassell have sent forth a cheap but wellprinted edition of the Bible with the whole of Doré's plates, and now all who will may possess it. The

responsible for a pleasant little work on "Our English Minsters," in which seven of our best known cathedrals are described by

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thorities, and splendidly illustrated. When we say that the paper on Westminster is contributed by Archdeacon Farrar, and that

Mr. Herbert Railton is responsible for many of the illustrations, we have said enough to indicate the high character of the volume. Mr. Fisher Unwin sends us a useful volume from the pen of Mr. Leopold Wagner, entitled "More About Names," the

names explained being those of various articles, bodies, places, and institutions, with the result that a very useful reference book is provided for us. Many of our readers must be familiar with Backhouse and Tylor's "Early Church History," and all who are will thank us for drawing their attention to Mr. Charles Tylor's "The Camisards" (Simpkin, Marshall and Co.), a valuable contribution to the religious history of France.-What a wealth of encouragement and suggestive thought there is in Dr. A. J. Gordon's "The Holy Spirit in Missions," published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton. Every worker in or for the mission-field, at home and abroad, should not only see but carefully study this most admirable work, as high in tone as it is lofty in purpose.-From the same publishers we have received an excellent Scotch story, "Michael Lamont," and have also to acknowledge the receipt of

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"THE QUIVER" BIBLE CLASS.

(A NEW SERIES OF QUESTIONS, BASED ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCRIPTURE LESSONS.)

QUESTIONS.

13. Where is the island of Patmos, and with what event is it chiefly associated?

14. By what title does St. John speak of the first day of the week?

15. To whom was the Book of the Revelation addressed?

16. What lesson may we learn from the conduct of the Wise Men who came to seek for our Lord?

17. In what words does St. Paul set before the Ephesians the duty of circumspection in their daily life?

18. Where do we find notice of the first institution of the Sabbath as a day of rest!

19. Wherein did the creation of Man differ from the rest of created things?

20. In what way did God seek to test the obedience of man?

21. In what did the power of the first temptation chiefly consist?

22. St. Paul calls the Word of God the sword of the Spirit;" in what place does St. John use the same simile?

23. What two words are used by St. John to signify the eternity of God?

24. How long before the birth of Jesus did Micah prophesy of His birth at Bethlehem?

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON PAGE 80.

1. In his Epistle to the Ephesians. (Eph. iv. 25-32.)

2. By "Old man" the Apostle means "the flesh, with its affections and lust"; by "New man," the

life-giving influence of the Holy Spirit. (Eph. iv. 22-24; Gal. v. 24.)

3. Truthfulness. (Eph. iv. 25.)

4. "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord." (Prov. xii. 22.)

5. Ephesus, which is now only a ruin, was once the metropolis of Asia Minor, and situated at the mouth of the river Cayster. It was famous for the " Temple of Diana," reputed to be one of the seven wonders of the world. (Eph. i. 1; Rev. ii. 1.)

6. Not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God." (Col. iii. 22.)

7. Colosse was situated in Asia Minor, between Laodicea and Hierapolis, and was famous in connection with the wars of Xerxes. It afterwards came into the hands of the Romans, and was destroyed by an earthquake about one year after St. Paul had written his Epistle to the Colossians. (Col. i. 2.)

8. "If any man seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, this man's religion is vain." (James i. 26.)

9. By their diligent study of the Scriptures to ascertain the truth of St. Paul's preaching. (Acts xvii. 10, 11.)

10. It was written to the Gentile converts scattered throughout Asia and Asia Minor. (1 Pet. i. 14, 20, 21, ii. 9. 10, and iv. 3.)

11. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that passeth not away." (1 Pet. i. 3, 4; St. Matt. xxv. 34.)

12. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you." (1 Pet. i. 10-12.)

THE NEW YORK 1UPLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX

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