Review of Books.

THE FOUR PROPHETIC EMPIRES, and the kingdom of Messiah: being an exposition of the first two visions of Daniel. By the Rev. T. R. Birks, M.A. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.-Seeleys.

If we were to select two or three chief characteristics of this delightful writer we might specify that his Essays are remarkable for their sobriety of style, for the absence of dogmatical assumption, and for the spirit of patient research always manifested. To this we may add the searchingly practical tendency of his disquisitions. When reading his descriptions of blessedness to come, the question perpetually forces itself on the mind, "What part and lot have I in these glorious things?" This renders all Mr. Birks' publications very valuable ; and in the present we trace any thing rather than a falling-off. Our Author has an assigned post to occupy: certain

writers on prophetic subjects have been led to adopt views directly tending to neutralize the effect that those very predictions were evidently meant to produce. Instead of placing us on an elevated watchtower, with our faces towards the east, to catch the earliest streak of dawn, they conduct us into a room artificially lighted, there to pore over sundry horoscopes and curious hieroglyphics, to the manifest danger of being overtaken by "that day" unawares. Mr. Birks holds a conspicuous place among the opposers of this system, and, with open Bible ever in his hand, invites us to occupy the post where we may and must "Watch." His "Elements of Prophecy" was a timely and a valuable work: this dissertation on Daniel's first visions which follows it up, is neither less valuable nor less timely. Three objects are described as having been kept in view, while preparing it :-" First, in the skeleton of the interpretation, to give the results of a mature and careful judgment, after a review of the best previous authors; with a tacit reference to the most plausible objections, and a concise outline of the evidence by which the interpretation here adopted has its truth clearly established. Secondly, to develope the history with sufficient fulness of detail to produce the effect of leavening the mind with the deep and solemn sense of God's prescient wisdom, and the intense reality of His overruling providence. And lastly, to unfold some of those practical and spiritual lessons which lie scattered, in such a rich profession, over this wide and interesting field of Divine truth."

We heartily wish that we could prevail on some of our clerical friends to read this and similar books. They often close their eyes to parts of God's word

which it behoves them at this time especially, to study with diligent care, as a portion of meat reserved by the Lord to be divided in due season to the flock. The due season is come, yet the portion is withheld, and who is to answer for the consequences?

THEOPNEUSTY, or the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, By S. R. L. Gaussen, Professor of Theology in Geneva. Translated by E. N. Kirk.Taylor, New York.

WE are indebted to our transatlantic friends for a copy of this valuable book, which we had not beforc seen. The translator has, judiciously we think, retained the original Greek title, a term, the Author says, that " expresses the mysterious power which the Divine Spirit exercises over the Authors of the writings of the Old and New Testaments, to make them compose them, just as the church has received them from their hands.

said, is theopneustic.'

All Scripture,' an Apostle The design of the book is,

By the help of God, and the alone authority of His word, to expound, defend and establish the christian doctrine of inspiration."

The work is beautiful, convincing, and every way worthy of the spot whence it came forth-our sister church, Geneva.

LUCILLA HARTLEY: or discipline illustrated; a narrative founded on occurrences in real life. By the Authoress of "Happy hours with Mamma.”Dublin, Hardys.

A PLEASING little story, intermingled with various sorts of information, as conveyed to some young ladies by their teacher. The characters are fictitious, but many of the incidents and anecdotes real.

NO PEACE WITH ROME; wherein is proved that as terms now stand there can be no reconciliation, &c. Together with THE PEACE OF ROME, proclaimed to the world by Cardinal Bellarmine, &c. By Bishop Hall. With prefatory remarks, by the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, Rector of Watton, Herts.-Dalton.

ANOTHER of the Protestant Association's series. We are obliged to abridge the title-page. It is the reprint of a fine old burst of Protestantism, prefaced by some of Mr. Bickersteth's stirring remarks, and well worthy a place in every library.

The Association has also published a very nice little thick volume, entitled, "The Child's Book of Martyrs," compiled from Foxe and other authorities, by Alfred Victor Allen. It is well calculated to bring before the mind of childhood truths in which it behoves us well to ground the rising generation; for their faith will be assailed, and woe to them and to us if they be found unprepared for the attack!

SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS, for improvement in references to their charities, education, and general government. By a Jew.-Wertheim.

An Address on the position ליהדיס היתה אורה :

of the Jews in Britain, with reference to their literary, political, civil, and religious condition. By Moses Samuel, of Liverpool.-Hatchards.

IT has been our lot, in these days, to see a marvellous thing. Suddenly, and without any apparent external pressure, the body of English Jews appears among us as a real, united, tangible, moving body. This is indeed, but a part of the general movement taking place all over the world whithersoever they have been (and where are they not?) scattered. These dry bones of Israel, seen in mysterious vision many, many, centuries since, by their own Prophet, in the valley where the Spirit of the Lord placed him, are dry and bare no longer: they have made greater progress towards the glorious consummation of their hopes than most people surmise: it is not merely the preliminary noise and shaking; bone has come to his bone; and the flesh grows, and the sinews strengthen daily. We watch, with breathless expectation, for the word that will suddenly come, bidding the vast army breathe, and rise up, and march to their own land.

Meanwhile, in reference to this very thing, their language, or rather the secret thought of their heart seems to be precisely what the word of God describes it as being on the very eve of their restoration. "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost; we are cut off for our parts." Ezekiel xxxvii. 11. At some future