observation of its various parts; many of the views are original. His views generally will, I think, commend themselves to Biblical students." Dr. Smith, a still higher authority in such matters than Mr. Bickersteth, says: "I feel it a duty and a pleasure to bear my glad testimony to the learning, in particular, sacred and ecclesiastical-the indefatigable diligence, the wide research, the candour and impartiality, and the sound judgment which characterize this welcome addition to our national literature. To students for the ministry it will be of extensive usefulness, directly and indirectly; yet not to such persons only, but on many accounts in a still higher measure to the unlearned among our fellow-believers, who desire to know the certainty of those things wherein they have been instructed. I feel myself happy in being permitted to recommend this invaluable volume." Such testimonies from such men as to the general merits of the work render farther testimony on our part superfluous. We may nevertheless take the liberty to add that, like the after-mentioned volume of Dr. Greenleaf on the Testimony of the Evangelists, this work is the production of an unprofessional man-that is, of a layman, a man of genius and of letters, and to whose labours, more than to those of most other living men, the British people are indebted for moral and political instruction. Need we say more to excite public interest? Lectures on the Divine Sovereignty; Elec- Atonement; and on the Statements of WE are glad to see a third edition of this great work. The fact says something to the honour of our age and country. It shows that there are still numbers who think and are prepared to appreciate the thoughts of a thinking man. The Appendix, which forms a considerable treatise, and most richly deserves separate publication, possesses a peculiar value from its adaptation to the times which are passing over us-times in which reason reels, and men, both wise and good, are plunging into contrary extremes. The Appendix, as a piece of controversial theology on some of the highest points of revelation, marked by consummate ability, and clearly distinguishing between things that differ, separating truth from error, and the use from the abuse, is worth many times the price which is charged for the entire volume. We most earnestly commend it to our readers. The Missionary Guide-Book; or, a Key to the Protestant Missionary Map of the World: showing the Geography, Natural History, Climate, Population, and Government of the several Countries to which Missionary Efforts have been directed; with the Moral, Social, and Religious Condition of their Inhabitants; also, the Rise and Progress of Missionary Operations in each Country. Illustrated by forty-five Woodcuts, representing the Costume of each People. 8vo, pp. 472. London: Seeley. THIS title is so copious as to render much comment superfluous. We believe that with many reflecting men it has long been felt to be a desideratum, and at last it is supplied. The idea is not quite original, as several writers have already, and not without success, trod in the same path, more especially the excellent Dr. Brown in his "History of Missions;" but that idea is here developed with a fulness, a completeness, and à statistical plenitude which far outstrips all who have gone before, while it has the further immense advantage, that it brings up the history of the Missionary enterprise to the present time. To whom we are indebted for this vast and valuable treatise we cannot tell; but we have not lume which has ministered to us so much for many a day laid our hand on a vosatisfaction. It is a complete digest, a small Encyclopædia on the subject, furnishing a thoroughly practical and most impressive view of the great theme. Religion wholly apart, the book is one of incalculable value on account of its Geography, Natural History, Political and Colonial History, and accounts of social habits and religious worship. All these points are here elaborated with adequate learning and great accuracy; so much so, indeed, that were the Missionary matter wholly extracted, the remainder would form a work of extraordinary value. To ministers disposed to give their congregations a course of winter lectures on the subject of Missions, this work will supply a text-book which will greatly facilitate their labours,-—a magazine of materials which will not soon be exhausted. An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists, by the Rules of Evidence administered in Courts of Justice. With an Account of the Trial of Jesus. By SIMON GREENLEAF, LL.D., Dane Professor of Law in Harvard University. Second Edition, revised and corrected by the Author. 8vo, pp. 568. London: A. Maxwell and Son, Lincoln's-inn. THIS is in several respects a remarkable volume, and must not be confounded with the professional and common-place. "With the relative merits of modern harmonists," says the author, " and with points of controversy among theologians the writer has no concern. His business is that of a lawyer, examining the testimony of witnesses by the rules of his own profession, in order to ascertain whether, if they had thus testified on oath in a court of justice, they would be entitled to credit; and whether their narratives as we now have them would be received as ancient documents coming from the proper custody." From other sources we learn that Dr. Greenleaf is a lawyer of great eminence in his profession; acute, critical, and used to raising and meeting practical doubts. He is also author of a Treatise on the Law of Evidence, which has already become a classic in the hands of the profession which he adorns. The North American Review characterizes him as 66 an able and profound lawyer; a man who has grown grey in the halls of justice and the schools of jurisprudence; a writer of the highest authority on legal subjects, whose life has been spent in weighing testimony and sifting evidence, and whose published opinions on the rules of evidence are received as authoritative in all the English and American tribunals; for fourteen years the highly-respected colleague of the late Mr. Justice Storey, and now the honoured head of the most distinguished and prosperous school of English law in the world." These facts are enough to show that such a work from such a man must be a valuable contribution to the literature of Christian Evidence. The account of the Trial of Jesus, appended to the volume, is by another hand, although the title-page is so framed as to represent Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the New Testament. By ALBERT BARNES. Reprinted verbatim from the latest American Editions, revised by the Author. Edited, with Headings, improved Readings, and Biographical Sketch, by Rev. INGRAM COBBIN, M.A. 4to. Matthew-Corinthians. London: Partridge and Oakey. MR. BARNES, beyond all foreign commentators on the Sacred Scriptures, has been honoured in England by republications of his work, which has now appeared in five or six different editions, varying in price and form, but all cheap and all excellent. All the sizes in their own way are good; but the edition before us was absolutely indispensable, to place the American on a level with the British commentators, Henry, Whitby, Scott, and others; and now, through the zealous enterprise of the present publishers, this is in a fair way of accomplishment. The volume is in every respect so complete, that it leaves nothing farther to be desired. The paper is first-rate, and the printing is exquisite, while the price is the lowest that can be expected to remunerate. It is enough to state these facts. Criticism and commendation of the work are now alike superfluous, if not impertinent. The facts set forth in the prefatory note by the commentator himself, dated September, 1840, settled the question of public approval. He there states, that the first edition of the Notes on the Gospels was published in 1832, and that since that time sixteen editions of two thousand each have been sold, making thirty-two thousand copies, or sixty-four thousand volumes. If such was the American circulation during the first seven years, when the work was scarcely known in England, it is probably within the truth to say, that the united circulation of both countries since that time is at least fourfold. We wish all success for the present edition, and predict for it a very extensive circulation. CONFERENCE AT DERBY. Education. IN the present article we lay before our readers the main substance of the proceedings of the Educational Conference, held at Derby, commencing on Tuesday, December 14th, together with the resolutions adopted. A large number of speakers, besides those mentioned, took part in the proceedings, giving utterance to much that was interesting in fact, and important in opinion, which we are reluctantly compelled to omit. Great praise is due to the Derby and Chesterfield Reporter, for its correct, copious, and business-like report of the Meetings; and all the more, since it does not itself hold with the great principle of the Conference. Dr. HAMILTON, the Chairman, in the course of his opening address, said, that the present meeting was one of a practical bearing. The business of Conference would be to consider what measure could be adopted for the promotion of education, that did not involve the principle upon which they had taken their stand. It was not necessary that they should only act denominationally. Various opinions obtained on this point; it would be their duty to see if they could adjust them. Would they act in this matter of education with other bodies, and throw down some of the fences set up by the Denominational Board; always keeping this principle in view, so with others, so with ourselves, we will accept nothing from the State? Or would they act denominationally? He believed it was not quite logical to speak of three alternatives, though he knew not why it might not be so; but at any rate there were three points which might be brought under the consideration of Conference: First, would they educate by themselves? Secondly, would they unite with other bodies? or, Thirdly, would they adopt a system based on a somewhat different or local -foundation than the one in operation? It might appear to some that it would be better to have County Boards, or local associations, rather than maintain the existing Board. Whatever the amount of our religious educational apparatus, or general educational apparatus, the question is, are we as a sisterhood of churches doing enough for that education? Are we guiding, controlling, influencing it? Grant that the general educational apparatus has gone as far as it can-that the wants of the people are met by it-are we as a body doing our duty by education to the people? We cannot do all; have we done enough? I think we shall come to the conclusion that we must take a more decided part in education than we have done; and that, whenever we find the ground covered by a spurious or unsound system, it will be our duty to endeavour to supersede it by one established upon a correct basis. However, it will be for you to decide upon the best course to pursue. The CHAIRMAN then called upon the Rev. ROBERT AINSLIE to read a memorial from the Congregational Board of Education to the Conference, from which we extract the following: "The time has arrived when vigorous action must be taken by the friends of voluntary education. "The two days to be devoted to discussion and conference in this town will form an im portant period in our denominational history. We cannot recede. We may merge our denominational action to work with others, but our country-our denominational honour-the new government element in the instruction of the country-and the increased power of the State, with the increased power and wealth of the Established Church, ought to urge us forward to take and retain the advanced position marked out by our principles. "It is not for the Board of Education to direct the course to be taken by this Conference. On the other hand, it would not have been respectful to this assembly, if the Board had allowed the Meeting to proceed without some expression of the sentiments at which it has arrived, after looking at the whole question in its serious aspects, and in its denominational and general bearings. "The question of the character of the Education to be given by us, has been settled and established by various and solemn decisions. It must be religious. The question of taking help from the State for such an education has been. settled with equal deliberation and solemnity, and confirmed at the large Autumnal Meeting: of the Union recently held at York. "The open questions are principally the two following:-First, that of merging in a general society. The advantages of it would probably be-Union of many of the friends of voluntary education; and a common voluntary treasury, presenting something like the total amount of voluntary contributions for education by those who oppose Government interference. The disadvantages would be, "1. An imperfect Union-many not joining because of their own denominational action; such as the Wesleyans and the Free Church. "2. The compromise necessary for Union, both as to what may be taught and done—such as teaching or not teaching certain doctrines; and the offering of prayer in day-schools, Normak schools, and in public meetings; besides the constraint of neutrality in local and general management. "The second open question is, that of denominational action as to management, but the most catholic action as to the education of all classes of children. The advantages would be, "1. Combined and well-regulated denominational movements as to education in day, Sunday, infant, and Normal schools. "2. Unfettered teaching in evening schools of whatever is considered to be for the present and future well-being of the children. "3. Restoration of combined movements, founded on the great and commonly recognised principles among us, which have already been stated. "4. Accurate knowledge of the discharge of the duties of our churches with reference to the rising generation. "5. A deputational or representative connection with any general society, founded on the principle of not receiving Government money. "These are some of the results of the various discussions at the Board of Education." Mr. E. BAINES said, the first strong reason for denominational action was, that it would be their best security that the education would continue to be a religious education. Connect it with their Congregational Board, and you have an open, above-board, religious education. The second reason was, that the denominational principle would give them more power than any other kind of management. It was manifest that for what they considered their own in action-their own property in perpetuitywith which they were so fully satisfied-they would make greater exertions than for anything that was general. Look, for instance, at the small support given among them over the whole country to the British and Foreign School Society. Something like £2000: with the Queen at the head, with her subscription of £100; with the Duke of Bedford (patron), with his £100; with Lord Morpeth and a number of affluent persons upon the Central Committee-all sincere friends of education, undoubtedly; but some of them most determined Churchmen, others most determined Unitarians, and many of them most determined infidels. When such a Society as that had received from them so small a modicum of support, that was a strong argument against any confederation such as Mr. Reed proposed. The denominational principle was not a selfish principle. They acted with those with whom they were accustomed to act; and if they wanted power they must have it by denominational action. It was an error-a fallacyto talk about unsectarian action. If they must have religious education, it must be sectarian. What were their Sunday-schools but sectarian institutions? What all their charities? Therefore it would be absurd to say that what they did was done upon a narrow and selfish principle. His third reason was, the extreme importance in the present position of affairs, to secure the voluntary principle to their churches which were in danger of being undermined by the Government taking them on the flank. Fourthly, they ought to maintain the position they had occupied. They should not undervalue what they had done. Fifthly, the example of other religious bodies. It was admitted on all hands that it was in vain to propound any general measure of education; and that the only thing which Government could do was to aid education in the channels in which it at present ran. That was a settled point. Then they should follow the example of the Church, the Wesleyans, the Quakers, and the Free Church, by carrying on a denominational action. He did not think they would have anything like the amount of power from a junction with other bodies as from a denominational effort; and he was sure they would do far less when combined than if they acted by and for themselves. He would be happy to act with their friends the Baptists in holding public meetings, or petitioning Parliament against the principle of granting Government aid in the promotion of education; but he believed that the Baptists were the most denominational in their spirit and mode of action of any body in the country. Would they have raised so much money for the Baptist Missionary Society but for this denominational action? For himself, he considered that he had been the most catholic of men in acting without regard to denominational peculiarities. After the most mature reflection, however, he had abandoned his former views; and everything that had since taken place in reference to this question, had tended to confirm his belief that denominational action was the most calculated to promote the glory of God and the well-being of man. Mr. HADFIELD expressed his sincere admiration of the efforts of those gentlemen in Yorkshire-particularly of one gentleman (Mr. Baines) for the noble stand they made in defence of their principles. They were at a point of the utmost danger, when their friend (Mr. Baines) sounded the tocsin of alarm to the whole body. They had been called blockheads for not accepting the golden bribe, and it was said they had never made so great a mistake; but they knew the value of principles, and would adhere to them. No man was so well calculated to take them in successfully as one who, like Dr. Kay Shuttleworth, had belonged to their own body-(hear, hear)-who was actually baptized by their friend, Mr. Roby. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. J. CONDER: And educated by our friend, Mr. Pridie? (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. HADFIELD: And Dr. Kay Shuttleworth was the man who, when Poulett Thomson's health was drank, turned his glass and would not drink the toast, because Mr. Thomson was not Radical enough for him. (Laughter and cheers.) That was the man who was attempting to place them in a wrong position before the country. They were greatly obliged to Mr. Baines, who, in the course he had taken, had exposed himself to some risk; but let him hold up his head, and if he lived as long as he (Mr. H.) wished him, he would yet see the triumph of those glorious principles of which he had been the undaunted champion. (Applause.) In reply to a question, the Rev. R. AINSLIE stated, that his calculation of expenses for the new Normal school, and the extension of the present, was about £2,500, or £3,000. The principle they intended to act upon was to charge female pupil-teachers 3s. a week, and males 3s. 6d., which would bring in £500 or £600 a year. This principle was considered far better than giving the education and maintenance gratuitously, and was calculated to insure a better class of teachers. Mr. BAINES stated that many gentlemen were not in a position to give largely, as very great efforts had recently been made in various localities, and princely sums given by some gentlemen in the building of schools. He instanced the liberality of the Mayor of Bradford and other gentlemen, in proof that whilst the agitation against the Government proposal was proceeding Nonconformists were actually expending large sums in extending education. Many instances of this kind were given by Mr. Baines and other gentlemen; and it was considered only fair to the Congregationalists that the Secretary should collect all the facts connected with this liberal conduct, and make them known when the subscription-list is published. Notwithstanding this, however, some handsome donations and annual subscriptions were given. Amongst them were the following: -Mr. Carter, £50 donation, and annual subscription of one guinea; Mr. Salt, £50 donation, £5 annually; Mr. Milligan (who has built one large school, and subscribed liberally towards another), £25 donation, and £10 annually; E. Baines and Sons, £20 donation, and £5 annually; Mr. Forbes, £20 donation, and £5 annually. THE PUBLIC MEETING. THE proceedings of Conference terminated with a public meeting held in the Victoria-street Chapel, on Wednesday evening. The meeting was numerously attended-H. Forbes, Esq., in the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in the course of an excellent speech, said-If they, as Nonconformists-as men who adhered to the principles of their forefathers were to take the Government money, how could they refuse pecuniary assistance from Government for the support of their ministers ? (Hear.) They could not accept such aid if they adhered to those principles of Independency and Nonconformity, which were ever dear to them, and which they believed were best calculated to promote the cause of God and His Christ in the world, and to promote the extension of His kingdom. If they were to take the proffered assistance, they would place themselves in as bound and fettered a condition as was the Church of England. (Applause.) EDWARD BAINES, jun., Esq., of Leeds, in the course of a highly instructive speech, said— About 70 years ago, the number of newspapers was extremely small, and those newspapers themselves were little more in size than the sheet he held in his hand (a sheet of letter paper). He saw one the other day, printed in the year 1780: it was not much larger than he had described, contained no editorial comment, but little foreign or domestic news, with a few paragraphs about the "mildness of the season," a cuckoo having laid eggs, or a bird's nest being found at Christmas;-(much laughter)-in short, it was a miserable combination of incidents of the most insignificant kind. As to anything calculated to advance the interests of the public, there was nothing whatever of the kind. From that time to the present, that paper-and it was the same with all other newspapers-had increased a dozen or twenty fold in actual size-in quantity of contents; and it must be a dozen or twenty fold as useful as it could be at that time. (Hear, hear.) But if they had been under Government management, the strong probability was, that the form of all newspapers would have been, as it were, stereotyped at a point perhaps a little higher than they had attained in 1780, and would have kept so from that time to the present, instead of the mighty improvement which had taken place. (Hear, hear.) If he were to say that the power of the press had increased fifty or a hundred fold within the last hundred years, he would be speaking below the mark; but that power, he maintained, would not have been increased more than five or ten fold if the press had been under Government subjection. (Hear, hear.) It would be well to note what the people could do for themselves. There were many who did not know what the people could do, or had done. The first magazine published in this country was in the year 1730. In 1844, the number of magazines, monthly and quarterly, published in London alone, was 265. So mighty had been the increase of scientific, and literary, and general information. (Cheers.) In 1743, the people of this country were expending at the rate of £100,000 a year in books and newspapers, and all other sources of information. It had been calculated by Mr. Charles Knight, that in 1843, £2,085,000 were devoted to these sources of knowledge. This had been done without any aid from Government, and showed that the people were able to carry on their own advancement without assistance from those who assumed to be so much wiser than themselves. (Cheers.) Twenty-five years ago, there were no mechanics' institutions in Yorkshire. He saw the first established in London; and from that time he began to do his best to establish similar institutions in Yorkshire; and now, without having received a sixpence from Government, they had 88 institutions in that county, containing 16,000 members. (Cheers.) In Great Britain, he believed, the number of members of mechanics' institutions was not less than 100,000. And all this had been done by the people themselves, and for the people, without the slightest assistance from Government. (Cheers renewed.) He would now take the question of religion. What had the people of this country done in behalf of the Voluntary principle? He had lately published some carefully computed figures, founded upon the official statements of the various dissenting bodies-the Wesleyan Association, the New Connexion Methodists, Unitarians, Quakers, Baptists, Independents, Free Church of Scotland, Irish Presbyterians, and so on;-and from these it appeared that the number of their places of worship in the United Kingdom amounted to nearly 18,000; and all these had been built without Government aid. (Cheers.) He had heard people say, however, that this voluntary principle might be sufficient for the sustentation of religion, but that it was not sufficient for the support of education. He thought the facts mentioned respecting the progress of literature, and of mechanics' and other institutions would lead to a contrary belief. (Hear, hear.) What had the voluntary principle done for education in this country? It was not Government that devised and carried out Sunday-schools. (Hear, hear.) They were begun by a benevolent individual, and were carried on by benevolent and religious zeal; and they had thus, without one single act of assistance, been in time multiplied, until we had 2,000,000 scholars in England and Wales alone in our Sunday-schools, taught by from 300,000 to 400,000 gratuitous teachers. (Loud cheers.) This was a splendid proof of the power and efficiency of the voluntary principle. (Hear, hear.) It was said, however, that this was religious instruction. Then he came to dayschools; and what was the number of scholars in England, according to official documents, in 1818? It was 674,000. The number now was stated to be 2,000,000. And this increase had been accomplished in 28 years with a very small amount of Government aid, which was not began until 1833. In 1818, the proportion which the day-scholars bore to the whole population of the country, men, women, and children, was 1 to 17; in 1846 the proportion was 1 day-scholar to every 8 of the population. (Cheers.) Towards this result Government had done exceedingly little by far the greatest increase took place before the year 1833, which was the date of the first small grant made by the Government in aid of building schools. (Cheers.) Sometimes, however, if we went to a particular locality, and looked at the circumstances there, the facts would be impressed more strongly upon the mind than by taking a wider circuit. He would take the town of Manchester. There were there 139 places of worship 39 of these were churches of the Establishment, and 100 were chapels belonging to various dissenting sects. Of the whole number, |