THE ESSEX MARTYRS; carefully compiled without abridgement, from Fox's Book of Martyrs, by Abishai James Green, author of the "Suffolk Martyrs." London: Wertheim and Co. Sudbury: Fulcher, jun.

The county of Essex has been singularly honoured with a noble army of martyrs. No less than seventytwo persons gave themselves up to death for the cause and name of Christ, during the cruel reigns of Henry VIII., and his daughter, Mary. The struggles of these servants of God, in maintaining the rights and doctrines of his church, deserve to be held in everlasting remembrance, and continually set before the eyes of their children and sucHappily for them, they live in better times; but it is well often to look back and see what those had to bear who fought for the very liberties they now possess.

cessors.

The present work is an attempt to rescue from oblivion the memories of these holy men, and so to set them forth as to stir up the present generation to holy indignation against the monstrous cruelties inflicted upon them, and show them the real spirit and doings of Popery wherever it can show itself in its true character. The work is well fitted to do good, and should be largely read not only by the youth of Essex, but by others in these days of false charity towards the man of sin. In the language of the worthy editor, "Popery is just

the same unalterable, persecuting religion now, as it was in the days of Queen Mary," but people are loath to believe it. Here the curtain is lifted from the past, and the doings of Rome in Tuscany, and elsewhere of late, may suffice to show in how far she is changed from what she was.

THE GREEK AND EASTERN CHURCHES: their History, Faith, and Worship. London: Religious Tract Society. Monthly Series. VENICE, PAST AND PRESENT. London Religious Tract Society. Monthly Series.

THE INQUISITION IN SPAIN. London: Religious Tract Society. Monthly Series.

Three admirably written books, containing very much in little space, and condensing into sixpenny volumes information that might have filled and has filled many much larger books. "The Inquisition in Spain and other Countries," is a true and fearful picture of the horrible doings of that master court of iniquity and cruelty, and should be largely circulated amongst our youth.

GRACE AND GLORY: a Memorial of

Caroline Clark, and Hannah Johnson. By J. Wood. Leith: E. Hallows.

Two brief but interesting memoirs of young disciples, giving their final experience to the value and blessedness of an interest in Christ. The book should do good to all young

persons who may read it, and especially the young women attending our senior classes.

SIN AND GRACE; or, The Earthly Life and Closing Days of a Waterloo Soldier. By Colin A. Mackenzie. With an Introduction, by Rev. W. M. Hetherington, L.L.D. Edinburgh: J. Greig and Son. London: J. Nisbet and Co.

A very striking and deeply interesting story, setting forth the triumphs of Divine grace in converting, sanctifying, and raising to much usefulness, one of the most profligate of men. The view here given of the labours of a class of religious teachers in the highlands, called "The Men," of which the subject of this memoir was one, is very pleasing, and well fitted to remove a deal of prejudice and misapprehension which has grown up respecting

before us the leading features of his character are set forth before young men, as example and incentive to a holy and devoted life. The attempt is good, and the lecture well adapted to the end it seeks. We hope it may be extensively read.

THE CHESTER CONFERENCE: The Present State of the Churches of the Ministry, and the Means of their Revival. In a series of papers. By the Revs. J. A. James, Thomas Stratten, James Spence, and C. H. Bateman. London: John Snow.

A few months ago a deeply interesting conference of ministers was held at Chester. It rose out of the felt wants of the churches at the present time, and the anxiety of their ministers to see them in a higher state of efficiency and piety. The brethren assembled met to pray over the churches, review their state, and take counsel of each other as to how they could best act to advance their best and truest interests, and with them the general cause of God throughout their several spheres. Their meetings were singularly owned of God by delightful manifestations of his presence, and by the revival and refreshment of the spirits of all who attended them. The work before us is a report of the services, and the papers that were read at them. That by Mr. James, is on "The State of the Ministry;" that by Mr. Stratten, on "The State of the Churches;" that by Mr. Spence, "The Religious State of the Working Classes round us;" and that by Mr. Bateman on "The Employment of Special Services for the Re

on

vival of God's Work in our midst." It seems hardly possible that these reports and papers can be read and rightly pondered without producing some good to the churches. The very fact that forty-five ministers felt the present state of vital religion to be such as to induce them to leave their homes for several days, and unite in fervent prayer and anxious conference upon the subject, should

prove a telling fact; while the report of their proceedings, and the papers of Mr. James and Mr. Stratten deserve at their hands the most serious and prayerful thoughts. Would that this little work might be read by every church member as well as minister throughout the land, prayed over, and turned at once to some good practical account for the revival of God's work!

NOTHING LOST BY PRAYER.

We know not the secret history of this world's mightiest transactions, and its proudest monuments; but from the little that we know, we can affirm that the men who have prospered best are the men who have taken time to pray. It was to prayer that Henry IV. of France ascribed his crown, and Gustavus owed his victories. The father of the modern fine arts was wont, before he began any new composition, to invoke His inspiration who in other days taught Aholiab; and the Goliath of English Hiterature felt that he had studied successfully when he had prayed earnestly. And what Michael Angelo, and Milton, and Johnson, found so kopeful to their mighty genius, cannot hinder us. You have read in our own history of that hero who, when an overwhelming force was in full pursuit, and all his followers were urging him to more rapid flight, coolly dismounted in order to repair a flaw in his horse's harness. While busied

with the broken buckle, the distant cloud swept down in nearer thunder; but just as the prancing hoofs and eager spears were ready to dash down on him, the flaw was mended, the clasp was fastened, the steed was mounted, and like a swooping falcon he had vanished from their view. The broken buckle would have left him on the field a dismounted and inglorious prisoner. The timely delay sent him back to his huzzaing comrades. There is in daily life the same luckless precipitancy and the same profitable delay. The man who, from his prayerless walking, bounces off into the business of the day, however good his talents and great his diligence, is only gallop. ing on a steed harnessed with a broken buckle, and must not marvel if in his hottest haste, or most hazardous leap, he be left inglorious in the dust; and though it may occasion some little delay beforehand, his neighbour is wiser who sets all in order before the march begins.— Hamilton.