NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. By M. K. M. London: Nelson & Sons. A LITTLE BOOK for little readers, describing the principal of the birds and quadrupeds mentioned in the pages of the Scriptures. The title of "Natural History" is, therefore, somewhat too large for the real scope of this unpretending compilation. Mr. Wood's book on "Bible Animals" is, of course, too big for small students, and short descriptions of this kind cannot fail to gratify such readers. We believe the information given to be accurate, the style is certainly clear and straightforward, and this production adds to the writer's existing reputation. STORIES OF MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT DOMESTIC TALKS WITH UNCLE RICHARD ABOUT WILD ANIMALS. By Mrs. George Cupples. Same publishers. These three books are all characterised by great gorgeousness of exterior; they are, indeed, very fine specimens of binding. The three so supplement each other that the possessor of one is happy in the positive, the owner of two advances to the comparative degree of satisfaction, and the infant proprietor of all three must needs be in a superlative condition of bliss. We find it impossible to say too much in favour of these skilful and beautiful stories. There is no doubt that elementary natural history in pleasant form is a very desirable form of literature for children of tender years. Those who learn such lessons of animals grow up naturally humane and tenderhearted, and such are the best men and women. Now no form of such lessons can be better than that put forward by Mrs. Cupples and Mrs. Miller. The conversational style adopted makes the little books very readable, and attention is further secured by a liberal allowance of pictures. We are glad that we are not called upon to say which is the best of the three; all are excellent, and the degree of excellence in each is high and equal. TWICE LOST: A Tale for Boys. Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York. With a reputation unrivalled in his own style of literature, Mr. W. H. G. Kingston has only to publish a book, and the boys know now to look for new stirring incident of travel and adventure. New perils and new heroism may reasonably be expected when the favourite name is seen on the title page. Especially charming are episodes of the marine kind, and we know Mr. Kingston will not stint such. The shipwreck and rescue, the island settlement and forest adventure, the noble savage and truculent pirate-all these are depicted with a fascination of touch which none from twelve to sixteen can resist. Those who have such preconceived notions of Mr. Kingston's book will not be disappointed, for in delineating the adven tures of some youthful castaways in Australia, enough of exciting incident. is produced for the most active imagination. We have no fault to find with fiction healthy in tone and sound in statement, and we hope many young readers may through "Twice Lost renew acquaintance with its skilful author. We ought not to omit to mention that the book is well and plentifully illustrated. THE HUGUENOTS. By SAMUEL SMILES. A New and Revised Edition. London: John Murray, Albemarle Street. 1876. WE have already commended this work to the attention of our readers, and feel glad to see an edition so portable and attainable for its moderate price as this of one of the most attractive books in our language. THE YOUNG RAJAH. By W. H. G. Kingston. London: Nelson aad Sons. Price 5s. This is a story of Indian life and adventure; and adventure and Mr. Kingston are always well together. This keeps up to the standard of his his own making, by which he must expect to be judged, and is as full of interest as any of this author's books. Among other exciting details, it may be said that the young Rajah attains his eminence largely owing to the alliance of a tame tiger, whose demonstrative services present much scope for the artist's as well as for the author's peculiar talent. Having had occasion elsewhere in this number to speak generally of Mr. Kingston's power, we need do no more here than compliment him on his productions for Christmas. MIMI'S CHARITY, by S. de K.; and FAIRY, by Lizzie J. Tomlinson. London: E. Marlborough & Co., 51, Old Bailey, E.C. One shilling each. MESSRS. MARLBOROUGH & Co. have sent us under these titles two charming little stories for little people, who will say more in their praise than space permits us to write. We congratulate the publishers on the taste displayed in the general get-up and appearance of these low-priced volumes. THE CHILD'S COMPANION, 1876. Religious Tract Society. Price Two Shillings. HAPPY children who have such a companion. "The Clever Cats are distractingly delightful. The "Drawing Lessons" are good and useful. Intelligence. ANNUAL WEEK OF UNITED AND UNIVERSAL PRAYER AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR.-JANUARY 7-14, 1877. THE following topics have been agreed upon by the British and Foreign Branches of the EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE, as suitable for united exhortation and intercession on the successive days : - SUNDAY, January 7th. SERMONS :-Christian Fellowship. 1 John i. 7. MONDAY, January 8th. THANKSGIVING AND CONFESSION,-in the review of the past year. TUESDAY, January 9th. PRAYER:-For the Holy Spirit on the Universal Church, Joel ii. 28:-for its deliverance from error and corruption, and its increase of faith, activity, holiness, and Christian charity. WEDNESDAY, January 10th. For Families:-for the uncoverted; for sons and daughters at school and college; and for those abroad; for any in sickness, trouble, or temptation; and for those who have recently been "added to the Church." THURSDAY, January 11th. For Nations:-for rulers, magistrates, and statesmen; for philanthropic and benevolent institutions; for a pure literature, the spread of sound education among the people, and the maintenance of peace. FRIDAY, January 12th. For Christian Missions to the Jews and Gentiles, Luke xxiv. 47; for Sunday Schools; and for the CONVERSION OF THE WORLD TO CHRIST. SATURDAY, January 13th. For the observance of the Christian Sabbath; for the promotion of temperance, and for the safety of those "who go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters." SUNDAY, January 14th. SERMONS:-One Lord, one faith one baptism, one God and Father of all.— Ephes. iv. 5, 6. News of the Churches. NEW CHAPEL OPENED. Huncote, Leicester, December 11th. INVITATIONS ACCEPTED. Baillie, Rev. J. (Bristol College), Bath. Barr, Rev. G. (Rawdon College), Middleton-in-Teesdale. THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1877. Contemporary Preachers. II. THE REV. HUGH STOWELL BROWN. NEW names are more familiar to our readers than that of the Rev. FEW Hugh Stowell Brown, of Liverpool. Not only have his writings had an exceptionally wide circulation, but his fame as a lecturer has penetrated to the remotest hamlets of Great Britain, and in very many of them, as well as in our cities and large towns, his presence has been frequently welcomed. He occupies a position of great influence in the social and religious life of the north-west of England, and although he has been invested with no ecclesiastical authority by the State, there is not a "bishop on the bench" who wields more real power than he. A minister of Christ can wish for no finer field of labour than the great sea-port on the banks of the Mersey with its population of 450,000. This vast community has been drawn from all parts of the United Kingdom, and contains more than an ordinary sprinkling of foreigners, who have been attracted to the town by its "gigantic trade" and the advantages it offers for the pursuits of commerce. A more motley population it would be hard to conceive. We may see in Liverpool, as truly as in London, the most grotesque and appalling contrasts; wealth which to our forefathers would have seemed fabulous, existing side by side with the most abject poverty; the success and ease of some bringing into stronger relief the wretched failure of others. There are multitudes in Liverpool who can claim the highest credit in respect to their intelligence and culture, their morality and religion, but they live in close contact with crass ignorance and superstition, they are surrounded by scenes of squalid vice and misery, which as yet all our educational and religious agencies have failed to reach. Mr. Brown entered on his |