informed of what had taken place, and he readily consented that Nergis should not be taken from our house, and that Khatoon, her aunt, might go home. Thus terminated this very trying case. Many came in to see Nergis, congratulate her, and hear her story.

"Thus far from the report of Mr Rhea. The dreadful ordeal through which the poor Nestorian girl has passed has deeply moved all classes in our city and the region. The Nestorians feel that the cup of their wrongs is brimful. Many of the Mahommedans are also disgusted with the depths of corruption and wickedness to which their priesthood and rulers are so ready to descend, and the iniquity of the bloody system which nourishes them."

Critical Notices.

Journal of Discovery of the Source of the Nile. By John Hanning Speke, Captain H. M. Indian Army, &c. With Map and Portraits, and numerous Illustrations, chiefly from Drawings by Captain Grant. William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London. 1863.

THIS work is invested with peculiar interest. To the geographer and naturalist it opens a wide field for research and illustration. To the philanthropist and merchant it affords fresh enterprize, in order to emancipate debased humanity, and enrich the marts of commerce. To the missionary and the Christian it comes with a sad revelation of human debasement; while there is heard anew the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help us."

Many have been the attempts made to discover the source of the Nile, and it is not a little remarkable that a geographical problem of such interest has not long ere now been solved. It would seem, however, that, in the providence of God, the solution of this problem has been retarded until the world should be in some measure ripe for the abolition of slavery, and the Christian Church aroused to the work of missions.

Viewed simply as a book of travels, it falls short of the graphic interest pervading the pages of Livingstone. The latter, while much more comprehensive in its natural history, rises far above it in moral and spiritual reflections. But this may be easily explained.. Livingstone saw everything in the physical aspects of the country, and in the moral condition of its inhabitants, in the light of missionary enterprize. With the people his soul sympathized, and over them his heart yearned.

In the journal of Captain Speke we are not to expect such reflections as are common to the narrative of Livingstone, but we obtain a closer view of the current modes of life in Africa. We see degraded humanity in a great variety of aspects, and cannot but feel the deepest interest in every question bearing upon their mental, moral, and spiritual elevation. To see, in the courts of native chiefs and kings, degradation so deep that the nudity of attendants excites no sense of

shame, and to see, at the same time, the lives of their wives, officers, or servants sacrificed for the slightest offence, shows a depth of mental degradation truly deplorable. Nothing but the gospel can meet even the necessities of their social condition-no remedy but the word and Spirit can reach the wants of their immortal souls.

In reading Captain Speke's narrative, one can understand the vast difficulties to be encountered in exploring that moral wilderness, and in planting either missionary or mercantile establishments far inland. Yet we feel convinced, that, while the God of nations is taking vengeance upon their oppressors in America, He is also laying open the source from whence the slaves are originally drawn. Thus the streams of oppression are drying up at both ends, and the way being prepared for that gracious season of refreshing, when Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands unto God.

It is a saddening reflection that the trade with Africa has been hitherto so demoralized. Wherever there has been contact with the foreign traders, the same tales of wrong, oppression, and despotism re-echo the avarice and cruelty practised on these children of nature. But the time will come, and seems near at hand, when the power of the crescent shall wane before the power of the cross, and the souls of men, as trophies to the Redeemer, shall be sought, rather than their persons, for trade and barter, in the way to perpetual slavery.

The perilous efforts of Captains Speke and Grant will fill their place in the steps by which the God of providence and grace will open up this land of darkness. The suggestions of the former, recently matle in regard to missionary establishments, seem very judicious. If, however, the source of the Nile has been really discovered, nothing could be better than sending direct such steamboats as may be adapted to its ascent, and thus obtain a basis of operations along its fertile banks, from which communication might be opened up with the interior of the country.

We are not clear, after reading the work, that the great problem has been actually solved. The discovery of the lake out of which the Nile flows, is short of the source from which the river, as such, may be said to emanate. Until the lake itself shall be navigated, and the sources of its own waters examined, this body of water may turn out what the Lake of Merom or the Sea of Galilee is to the Jordon.

To find the way, however, to the heart of Africa, is of far more importance than to gaze upon the primary fountain of the Nile. As civilization follows in the train of the gospel, the geography and natural history of the land will become fully known.

We regret that so much of the mere details of the journey have been inserted, as the space occupied by the repetition of the same or similar events, might have been employed to good purpose in general reflections upon the social and moral condition of the inhabitants, and a more comprehensive view of its physical features and natural history. The burden of details sometimes renders the connection of the narrative obscure, and tends to confound the reader in regard to places and parties. In proceeding from the dominions of one chief or king to another, the differences between their customs and laws might

have been pointed out, rather than the recital of the same details of deception, cruelty, and wrong.

To look at the condition of the peoples visited, as a whole, is deeply humiliating. With many there seems no idea of religion of any kind, except the superstitions which spring from an evil conscience. The power of the native kings over their wives and subjects sadly illustrates that the dark places of the earth are indeed the habitations of cruelty. For the most trifling offence a wife is executed without remorse, and neither officers nor subjects have security of their lives for an hour.

We trust that the travels of Livingstone and Speke will arouse the sympathies of England, so that some philanthropic efforts, on a gigantic scale, may be made to send the gospel to these benighted heathens.

The Foundations of History: A Series of First Things. By Samuel B. Schieffin. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph. 1863.

We regret that we could not sooner notice this deeply interesting work. It has long been our conviction that great injustice has been done to history by the non-recognition of the plan of redemption, as associated with, and rising above, all other events in our world. By means of history without God, and without any regard to the revelation of His will and the accomplishment of His purposes, a species of practical atheism, in regard to events, has been fostered in the minds of our Christian youth. Not only has this been the case, but Jesuitism is now modelling the pages of history, so as to ensnare the young in the meshes of Popery. We have frequently expressed the conviction that the Reformation Churches have erred in not employing the press more effectively on the side of truth; and especially in not furnishing sound information on all religious and historical subjects to the Christian community. Even religious literature has been left to commercial speculation, which has, consequently, tempered and coloured it so as to enlist popular opinion. In this matter the American churches have set an example worthy of imitation.

The work now before us springs out of the desire of the Church to furnish sound views of history, and historical events and subjects. From the preface we learn that "The Board of Publication of the Reformed Dutch Church have recently commenced publishing a series of Christian school-books, designed to restore Christianity to its proper place in education." This is certainly a desideratum much required in our own country. The plan of the series embraced, among other works, "A History of the World on Christian Principles;" and this the author, whose work is under notice, has attempted, and, considering the space occupied, has in a large measure succeeded in effecting. He is certainly in the right track, and may yet achieve great results in the cultivation of this special field. His aim is thus expressed—as a "desire that the student of history might learn that the Creator had a purpose in view when He created the world; that the history of the world, in connection with divine revelation, is a development of that

purpose; that everything that happens, from the minutest providence to the overthrow of empires, is subservient to that purpose, and is part of it; and that all inventions, and all knowledge, imparted to man, are for the same end, and that is, the revelation of Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the manifestation of His glory through His Church."

Following out this idea, he adds in the introduction-"Our bird'seye view, taking in the whole at a glance, will enable us to see everywhere the controlling hand of God, and His providence, like a golden thread, running through all time, and interwoven in all the affairs of men. Let us follow this thread, or else we shall be lost in a labyrinth." In following this golden thread, the object of the writer is to grasp "first things;" rather to give the key which, by generalization, may unlock the treasuries of history, than review in detail the great events of bygone ages. In dealing with the foundations of history, our author passes in graphic review the creation of the world-its ends and age. Then, having glanced at the creation of angels, he reviews the creation of man-his abode, relationship, language, work, religion, &c.; succeeded by a chapter on the devil, demons, and familiar spirits in connection with the fall, and its effects. Then we have the first promise, succeeded by a reference to the first birth, first persecution, first death, first city, first inventions, first gathering of the Church, &c. &c. Then the length of life, state of the world, and the Deluge are rapidly surveyed. From this great epoch we have traced the development of the Church and the kingdoms of the world. The history of the various kingdoms is connected with the descendents of Ham, Japheth, and Shem. Then the Church, in the line of Abraham, is placed in contrast with the heathen world. This is followed by a reference to the doctrinal truths retained by the heathen-ancient oracles, mysteries, &c. First, heathen poets and philosophers, &c.; then, in connection with many collateral "first things," we are brought down to the fulness of time, and the event of all history-the incarnation of the Son of God,-and, as springing from this event, the development of the kingdom of Christ. We trace throughout the eye of the Christian philosopher; and we trust that the course indicated will yet be maturely and extensively filled up. We think that, in several cases, the arrangements might be simplified by retaining the strictly natural order; and we regret that we must entirely dissent from the view of slavery here presented. Though predicted as the curse upon Ham, there is no justification of the retention of man in bondage, more than there is of the enslavement of the Israelites by the Egyptians, also predicted, or the oppression of the captives in Babylon by the Assyrian, also set forth in prophecy. We absolutely deny that the bond-service of Abraham had at all the evil elements of modern slavery, and, consequently, that any defence or countenance of existing slavery, drawn therefrom, is a misconception. We cannot here discuss the subject, and refer to our views as presented at page 433 of this Magazine. We think that the chapter on the Deluge would require to be reconsidered, especially regarding the fossil remains adduced as evidences of the universality of the Flood. It seems to have been overlooked that the design of God was not to blot out the creatures from the field of crea

tion; but as He preserved man in the ark, so the progenitors of the contemporary creatures were to be preserved with him. The specimens of extinct animals adduced must be referred to another era than that of the Deluge.

With these and other minor abatements, we cannot but express our admiration of this original work, the value of which is greatly enhanced by the style in which it is printed, and the valuable plates and historical illustrations by which the notice of events is accompanied. With slight emendations, a British edition would be a desideratum.

The Practical Works of David Clarkson, B.D., Fellow and Tutor of Clare Hall, Cambridge. Vol. I. Edinburgh: James Nichol. London: James Nisbet and Co. Dublin: W. Robertson.

THIS Volume completes the third year's issue of Mr Nichol's series of the standard Puritan Divines. It is a worthy successor to those by which it has been preceded, and gives high promise in regard to its successors. It is rare to find so extensive a series so well sustained. In looking at the present aspect of Cambridge and Oxford, one is forcibly reminded of the change that has come over these distinguished seats of learning. "How is the gold become dim; how is the most fine gold changed!" There seems to be no conception of the departure from the faith of the gospel, now so manifest in the writings and teachings of modern divines. If the works of the tractarian and sceptical schools, represented by Pusey and Colenso, are taken as evidence, how little remains associated with the Puritan era! National apostacy from the truth is far deeper, and more widely spread, than even the most sagacious friends of the Reformation cause seem to imagine. The comparison of the Puritan works with the theology of modern writers, in the same or similar positions, proves a perfect chasm between the divines of that era and the present. We talk vainly of modern light and progress, whereas multitudes of modern popular divines have never seen the light in which the Puritans lived and walked. From such works as are now being issued by Mr Nichol, we can see what the people, as well as the preachers, must have been. The fact is, that we are becoming so effeminate in modern times, that mere intellectual dessert, sipped amidst the fragrance of rhetorical flowers, is the only species of gospel that will obtain popularity. Many modern preachers seem to feel as if Paradise were restored, and that nothing was requisite but to walk among its flowers, without danger from the old serpent, or much reference to the traces of his work in the Paradise already blighted. It is therefore the more refreshing to take up one of these noble Puritan volumes, where the whole scope of sin and salvation is presented in broad and definite outline. There you find both the moral malady of our nature and the divine remedy duly unfolded. There the doctrines of grace are clearly expounded and faithfully applied.

In this respect Clarkson is like his contemporaries-deeply read in theology and mighty in the Scriptures. The present volume is composed of sermons; and we admire alike the mental capacity of the