were not so fortunate. The mob abused them in a most shameful and cruel manner, so that some of the poor victims did not recover of their injuries for a considerable time. At Lowestoft they had mobs and tumults constantly. Sometimes, however, the father of persecution overreached himself sadly. On one occasion, for instance, Pawson was preaching at a place called Thong. For this great crime the minister-minister, mark-of Honley sent a constable to arrest him. He happened to arrive just as Pawson was taking his text, and was so surprised to find that the preacher took a text out of the Bible that he resolved he would stay and hear him out. Whilst so doing, the convincing and converting Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and then and there he turned to the Lord, and found salvation. For a few years afterwards he lived happy in God's love, and at last died in peace.

When Pawson was fifty-six years of age he received the highest honour a Methodist minister can receive from his brethren-he was made President of Conference. He was the third president the Conference had had since Wesley's death in 1791. The Conference over which he presided was the fiftieth one, the first having been held in 1744. It was a conference in which many delicate matters were discussed, including, among other things, the question of the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper by Methodist preachers, a question which for some two years now had threatened Methodism with disruption. Pawson seems to have conducted the business with great discretion and judiciousness, and the threatened disunion was averted for another year.

He continued to travel as a preacher for twelve years after he was elected president, each year with increasing ripeness of wisdom and mellowness of thought.

His last appointment was to Wakefield. This appointment was very agreeable to him, for he felt he was growing old, and various bodily infirmities had come upon him. Besides, Wakefield was not far from Thorner, and therefore his friends would be at little trouble in taking him thither, that so he might sleep with his father—“which I greatly desire," writes he pathetically in his diary, "if the Lord should please to favour me." When first appointed to the circuit he was able to fulfil its duties. How long that would be the case he did not know; "but," says he, "I am in His hands, and at His disposal; let Him do with me as seemeth Him good, I cannot choose, and He cannot err." So he wrote soon after the conference of 1805. In October of the same year his infirmities had so increased that he began to doubt whether he would hold out to the end of the year. In January of the following year he was much worse. On the 3rd of February he preached

his last sermon. He shortly afterwards took to his bed, and never afterwards left his home alive. His death-bed experiences were most bright and happy and peaceful. No doubts overshadowed his last hours. "Doubts, gloomy doubts," said he, on one occasion," where are they? I know nothing of gloomy doubts; I have none." On the same occasion, feeling himself exceedingly weak, he said, "I am on the verge of eternity;" and, with his utmost remaining strength, exclaimed, "Victory, victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb! Let my soul now take its everlasting flight." He did not live many days after this; but with hands and eyes lifted up to heaven, and with the prayer upon his lips," Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," he calmly and quietly breathed out his spirit, and "was not, for God took him."

John Pawson died in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and the fortyfourth of his ministry. One of his modern biographers has designated him as "a model Methodist preacher," and, indeed, such he was. Earnest and unsparing in his labours for the good of souls; judicious, patient, conciliatory, and a man of peace and love; ever living as in "the great Taskmaster's eye;" grave and dignified.

"Not grave with sternness, nor with lightness free;" deeply pious and extensively useful, it is no wonder God honoured him, as Dr. Adam Clark affirms, with the highest affection and strongest confidence of his Church and people, with an unction and baptism of the Holy Ghost, and with such a victory and triumph over sin, death, and the grave, as would have been glorious even in apostolic times.

Liverpool.

HENRY SMITH (A).

Notices of New Books.

The Reality of Faith. By the Rev. NEWMAN SMYTH, D.D. London: T. F. Unwin. Price 68.

THE author commences a preface to the volume by saying that "M. Taine, in his description of the transition from the classic to the modern age of English literature, informs us that when Roland, being made a minister, presented himself before Louis XVI. in a simple dress-coat, and shoes without buckles, the master of the ceremonies raised his hands to heaven, thinking that all was lost. In fact, all was changed.'" He then goes on to say that "marked changes of late years have fallen over the modes of religious thought and speech, and some among us, too easily alarmed, like the master of the ceremonies, have thrown up their hands to heaven as though all were lost." Now, if the change to which reference is made were but a change in the mode of thought or expression, it would be welcomed rather than feared; but when, not merely the phraseology with which we have been familiar in theological disquisitions is discarded, but doctrines which we have regarded as fundamental are controverted, and a "new theology" is substituted; and when doctrines which we

have considered of primary importance are kept in the background and made to occupy a very subordinate position, though not alarmed, we may be permitted to enter our protest against a tendency which we consider both too rationalistic and latitudinarian.

Dr. Smyth will be considered one of the "liberals" in theology, and was brought into prominence a while ago by two books he published-"Old Faiths in New Lights" and "Orthodox Christianity." The present volume will sustain the reputation he then gained of being a forceful and fearless thinker: we cannot but admire the ability and originality displayed in the treatment of every subject dealt with; and the chaste literary style makes every discourse fascinating.

The author's avowed object is to "Christianise Christianity." In our opinion he would have succeeded more thoroughly had he given greater prominence to the distinctive Christian doctrines of the atonement, repentance, faith, and the work of the Holy Spirit-doctrines which also lie at the threshold of Christian discipleship. These, however, are rarely referred to, and when he does touch on doctrinal topics he is generally mystical. In his dealing with subjects that have to do with life and practice, there is much that is suggestive and inspiring; but even then there is an undercurrent of teaching that is inimical to evangelical Christianity. For example, we cannot go with Dr. Smyth in his denunciation of "creeds,” which he represents as "small images of Christianity, set up for all the rest of the Church to bow down to and worship." If there be any reality in faith, creeds we must have; not to bind down the spirit of investigation and prevent all further progress, but to mark the advance the Church has made, and to preserve it from retrogression.

And again, though Dr. Smyth does not employ the language, he seems to adopt the principle contained in Pope's lines-a principle false and pernicious as it is plausible:

"He can't be wrong Whose life is in the right."

He says, "Men are never atheists when they are struggling to do some good deed for their fellow-men." He would not "allow our Christian faith to make us colour-blind to natural virtues," but we can readily understand men being philanthropists, and at the same time practical and even avowed atheists. It may be the teaching of the new school that the "passing from darkness into light must always be through right conduct and character; "' but we are oldfashioned enough to believe that "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ," effect that change, and [that "right conduct and character" follow as proofs of it.

Perhaps Dr. Smyth is right when he says that "every interrogation point that can be raised, has a right to stand up before our pulpit; " and it may be desirable that the younger members of our congregations should become acquainted with current controversies from their Christian, rather than from their sceptical side. But there is danger lest by continually controverting this point and the other, the evil spirit of unbelief should be aroused within many minds that would never have been disturbed by it, had we contented ourselves with preaching "a simple Christ to simple men.'

Such are some of the strictures we would make on the general teaching of these sermons. While they are not sufficiently heterodox to receive the unstinted praise of some of our contemporaries, they are not sufficiently orthodox to meet with our unqualified approval; and, probably, this vid media is the position Dr. Smyth would choose to occupy. To what it may lead, and in what it may eventuate, who can say?

First Principles of Faith. By Rev. MARSHALL RANDLES. London: Holder & Stoughton. 6s.

THOUGH there are in the English language many able treatises dealing with the topics here discussed, there is still ample room for any well-constructed and well-written book that will serve to liberate or allay the fears of those who are struggling in the toils of modern unbelief; and the volume under notice is such a book.

The method in which the Author deals with his subject is excellent. After a brief introduction, which indicates his position and purpose, he goes on, in Part I., to give a description of the various kinds of theistic evidence, which description is admirable for its clearness and conciseness. Then, after thoroughly investigating and elucidating, in Part II., the doctrine of causality, in Part III he proceeds in a series of propositions to build up an irrefragable argument for a great First Cause of all things. In Part IV. he shows how the theistic argument is affected by the advances of both science and philosophy; and makes it clear that they do not really disturb any fundamental principle of our faith. The concluding section of the book, Part V., deals in an able manner with the relation of natural to revealed theology, and shows how they act and re-act upon each other, and mutually confirm and support each other.

We would warmly commend this volume to our young ministers generally, and especially to those in the fourth year of their probation; for we think they would find it helpful in studying the various arguments for the existence of God, in preparation for their district meeting examinations. All who read this excellent book will be better fortified against the assaults of the rationalistic philosophy and scientific scepticism of modern times.

Birds of the Bible. By JAMES BOWKER, F.R.G.S.I. London: Morgan & Scott. Price 28.

THIS elegant and entertaining book contains chats with children about Bible birds, and cannot fail to interest and instruct them. It embraces ten chapters, written in a lively and attractive style upon swallows, sea-gulls, peacocks, cuckoos, sparrows, pelicans, ravens, eagles and doves, each teaching lessons of wisdom and piety. There are also fifteen superior illustrations, with a coloured frontispiece of great beauty. It is just the volume to suit and profit the children.

Good News for Children. By Rev. JOHN COLWELL. London: T. Woolmer. Price 2s. 6d.

SWEETLY does the author discourse of God's love to the little ones, and his able, chatty, anecdotal, and descriptive chapters will ensure for his book a warm welcome in many a pious household. Mr. Colwell rightly recognises the need of direct religious teaching in our families; and Christian parents, as well as Sunday-school teachers, will here find lessons and illustrations that will greatly help them in supplying that pressing need. The volume is beautifully printed and bound, and profusely illustrated. We have entire sympathy with its purpose, and equal confidence in the adaptation of its striking and stirring contents to produce the end desired.

A Bright Sunset. With introduction by J. H. WILSON. London: Hodder & Stoughton. Price le. 6d.

RECOLLECTIONS of the last days of a young football player are there recorded, and the record is a truly affecting one, calculated, however, to be of spiritual service to the young men of our time who are so enthusiastically devoted to a

game now fairly called national. Injuries in the football field are not rare, but we hope fatal accidents like the one described in this book will seldom be repeated. Proof is here given that bravery and piety may co-exist in the same young heart, and that he who is most energetic and manly in sport can be gloriously calm, patient and hopeful in suffering, and joyous in the immediate prospect of death.

Memoirs and Recent Deaths.

BENJAMIN COLLENETTE, M.D., OF GUERNSEY,

66

"CEASED at once to work and live" on Monday, November 24, 1884, in the seventieth year of his age. 'Occupy until I come are words which were literally illustrated and obeyed in the case of our departed brother. While working, he was watching to the last; in many respects he will be greatly missed, and in many things he might be wisely imitated.

He was the son of Mr. Nicholas Collenette, and was born in the parish of St. Marie de Castro, the family subsequently removing to the estate La Heronière, St. Sampson's parish. Both father and mother were members of the French Wesleyan Church, and for them the deceased had a very high regard. On the day of his death, speaking of his mother, he said, "She was a good woman.” Their religious influence was not exerted in vain.

Having made choice of the medical profession as the sphere in which to labour, he devoted himself with great industry and success to medical studies, and having completed the same he settled down in Guernsey. From a professional point of view no gentleman was more widely known in the island. He had a large practice, and his long experience and wellestablished ability rendered him much sought after as medical officer to some of the provident institutions founded locally during the last forty years. In his own sphere of life it cannot be said that he was without honour among his own countrymen. In addition to an extensive private practice, he was very energetic in connection with the Hospital affairs. He was the surgeon, too, of the Vale Granite Club, the St. Andrew's Oddfellows, senior and junior branches; the Loyal Guernsey Oddfellows, and the Rechabites, adult and junior branches. In 1866 he was gazetted surgeon of the North Regiment Royal Guernsey Militia. Nor can we overlook the fact that in local, parochial, and political affairs of the island he took an active part. "Many years ago he was elected a member of the Douzaine of Canton No. 1, and was its Dean at the time of his death. Occasionally he represented his Douzaine at States' meetings, while at parish meetings his calm argumentative manner always gained him the respectful hearing of the ratepayers, and often carried conviction to their minds. He was also a very staunch friend of the Guernsey Working Men's Institution until its final dissolution, and his efforts did much to prolong its existence."

The Guernsey Advertiser correctly remarks: "His connection with the Temperance cause is well known. He was one of it first adherents in this island, and in those early days drew down upon himself no small amount of obloquy by his earnest advocacy of its then unpopular principles. It