BRIEF NOTICES OF BOOKS. historical sketch of the Evangelical Alliance, practical suggestions as to the needs and possib ties of the Dominion Branch of the Alliance. Nisbet & Co. The Christian Travellers' Continental Hand-Book. By the Rev. R. S. ASHTON, B.A. Elliot Stock. THIS is a new edition of a most valuable little guide. We strongly recommend Christian people Modern Miracles. By LEILA THOMSON. JIS who may be visiting the Continent to obtain a copy. They will find in it an index to the various societies at work on the Continent-native and foreign. The evangelistic work carried on in various countries is also clearly indicated, and a list of the churches and the religious services in connexion with the different denominations is given under the heading of each country. There is also much other useful information, and it is all compressed into a small pamphlet of about ninety pages, thus proving how easily it may become a travelling companion. A LOVELY bouquet from the Garden of the Leri The writer's soul is full of love, sympathy, poetry; and these true stories will invigorate and teach how the lost and perishing can be to Christ. The Voice of the Church. By a LATES introduction into the National Church of doctr Missionary Year-Book for 1889. Religious Tract the Church of England. Society. IN this most useful volume, of about 400 pages, containing a great mass of information and a capital index, there are historical and statistical accounts of the principal Protestant Missionary Societies in our own country, the Continent of Europe, and America. A diagram showing the magnitude of the work yet to be overtaken in Mohammedan and heathen lands is one of the most striking features of the book. Another interesting and valuable characteristic of the work is an "Introduction," of an elaborate kind, presenting one of the most complete answers to recent criticisms on missions. A Peep into Russia. By ALEXE. G. BUSHY Edinburgh: James Murray. AN interesting little book. The author tre Short Biographies for the People. Relig THIS is a capital selection from the series of John G. Paton. An autobiography. Edited by will, we trust, be legion. Christ and His People. Hodder & Stought wonderful man, and is calculated to draw forth from Christian readers praise to God for so wonderfully using His servant in this distant mission-field-published in a more permanent form. With t the New Hebrides-while even unchristian readers would find the volume one of thrilling interest. It is one of those books which are most difficult to describe, but most delightful to read. We hope it will find a place in many a home. Vital Questions. Montreal, Wm. Drysdale & Co. THIS volume is practically a report of the Great Conference of the Dominion Branch of the Evangelical Alliance, held in Montreal at the end of last October. The Editor and Publishers deserve great credit for the promptitude with which they brought out the book, for it has been on our table for some weeks. It forms a volume of nearly 300 pages, and has a capital index of subjects treated, and of speakers who took part in the discussions. There will be found the able addresses of many leading men in Canada, as well as from the United States-Sir William Dawson, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., LL.D., Principal MacVicar, preachers as Bishop Ryle, Archdeacon Ri son, Canon Hoare, and Mr. Handley Monk, naturally expect teaching of the most evangelie kind. Those who read this volume will not disappointed, and they will find that it conta the old theology. In this we greatly rejoice. Conquests of the Cross. (Part 1.) Cassell & THIS is a very promising work, and should pro to be useful in promoting interest in mission The illustrations are well executed. Friendly Letters. WE have received another packet of Miss Skinner admirable letters to persons of various “ classe Here are four published by the Stirling Society-addressed to soldiers, to deists in Indi to Japanese ladies, and to maid-servants. Another addressed to dustmen, or scavengers and cross sweepers, is published by Jarrold & Son. We Dr. John Hall, Dr. James M. King, and Dr. Josiah Strong (of New York) among many others. by Christian people in large numbers, and cannot but think that this letter might be given There is also a paper by Mr. A. J. Arnold, Secre- accompanied by a kind word, might, with God's tary of the British Branch, containing a brief blessing, do much good. J Evangelical Alliance. CHELTENHAM CONFERENCE. OCTOBER 22-24, 1889. ARRANGEMENTS are progressing for the Annual Conference, to be held (D.V.) in Cheltenham, on October 22 and two following days. It is hoped that a large number of members and friends of the Alliance will assemble from various parts of the country. Many well-known ministers have already accepted the invitation of the Council to be present and give addresses on various subjects of wide interest and importance; further details will be given in due course. At Cheltenham the local arrangements are being satisfactorily made, and a general committee has been formed, while Executive Committees i have been appointed to carry out the details. THE monthly meeting of Council was held on Thursday, June 13; the Treasurer presiding. The Chairman read a passage of Scripture, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Allen T. Edwards. DEPUTATION WORK. General Field reported the absence of the Secretary (Mr. Arnold), who was attending meetings at Malvern and other places, and also gave a report of his own and Mr. Arnold's deputation work. NEW MEMBERS. The following persons were unanimously admitted to membership : Colonel K. F. Stevenson, Bedford. Mrs. Middlemass, Cheltenham. Palmer, Rev. H. H. Rev. T. Y. Darling, Cheltenham. Rev. W. R. Coxwell Rogers, Dowdeswell. Thos. Pidduck, Esq., Malvern. J. S. Jenkins, Esq., Malvern. Miss A. M. Williams, Malvern Wells. Miss de Palma, Malvern. Miss Gale, North Malvern. RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN SPAIN. Two letters were read from Mr. W. Greene, dated Madrid, May 20 and June 5, reporting mob violence at Criptana towards Protestants when assembled for worship at the opening of a chapel. A letter was also read from the Rev. J. Jameson, Secretary of the new Spanish Branch of the Evangelical Alliance, on the same subject. The Council, having considered the matter, were of opinion that further information on the subject should be awaited before any action could be taken. RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN PORTUGAL. The Secretary submitted two letters from the Rev. R. Moreton, dated May 10 and May 28, reporting a case of intolerance directed against a poor man, a Protestant of Ilhavo, who had been arrested and tried at Aveiro for refusing to take off his cap to a cross carried at a funeral. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, without the option of a fine, and three months more or a fine of £2. An appeal has been made to a higher tribunal, and further information is promised. CONSTANTINOPLE BRANCH. A letter was read from the Rev. Dr. Dwight, forwarding a report of the annual meeting of the Constantinople Branch of the Evangelical Alliance. [This communication appears in another column.] MONTREAL BRANCH. A letter from the Secretary of the Montreal Branch was submitted, reporting progress of the Canadian Alliance work. SALLE EVANGELIQUE. Communications were read from M Soltau, of Paris, on the subject of Gospel services in the Salle Evangelique in th Italian and Spanish languages. The Secretary reported that the Rev. D Teofilo Gay, of Rome, and Señor Carrasc), i Malaga, had already accepted the invitatie of the Council to spend a few weeks in Pari for evangelistic work among their respectin countrymen in the French capital. CHELTENHAM CONFERENCE. In regard to the arrangement for th Cheltenham Conference, the Secretary ported that the following speakers had be already secured: Revs. Dr. Culross, I Donald Fraser, Canon Fausset, C. B. S J. Hartley, Talbot Greaves, E. E. Jenking and Hubert Brooke. QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. The subject for the Quarterly Confere on July 5 was approved as follows: "Lorain to Christ and His Manifestation to the Believer." (John xiv. 21.) The Rev. Jans Douglas, M.A., will introduce the subject i a brief address. SECRETARIAL DEPUTATION WORK. them; the Deputations to Scandinavi Bohemia, Italy and Spain, and the result the revival of spiritual religion were explained. The efforts continually ba made in behalf of religious liberty in vari lands, and the deliverance of persecta Christians recently effected by the inf: ence of the Alliance in Austria, Bohen's Spain and Turkey were narrated; and address was brought to a close by an aco of efforts to counteract the advance Romanism and infidelity, special referens being made to the united testimony: fundamental truth called forth last year the Alliance in the largest halls in th Metropolis; a warm expression of thanks was given to the Deputation, and some friends came forward to join the Alliance as members GENERAL FIELD, C. B.,reported that, on May | the remarkable blessing that had accompanis 27, he had visited Bedford to meet the members and friends of the Evangelical Alliance, and to report the progress of the work both at home and in foreign countries. Colonel and Mrs. Johnstone very kindly opened their house for a drawing-room meeting, and, notwithstanding that the weather was very damp and unpropitious, there was a good attendance. The Rev. S. P. Lampen, of Tempsford Rectory, presided, and after a hymn had been sung and a portion of Scripture read, prayer was offered by the Rev. J. M. Wamsley. The Chairman then read the Basis of the Evangelical Alliance, that all might know that the fundamental truths of the Gospel were strongly held by the Society. He pointed out the value of the Alliance in the present day as a faithful witness for God, and spoke of how he had for many years warmly sympathised with its principles; he then introduced the Deputation, and General Field, before commencing his address, said that he would confine his account chiefly to the progress made during the past ten years. The extension of the Universal Week of Prayer and the increase of brotherly love and union were the first points enlarged upon; then followed International Conferences and Mr. Arnold reported to the Council that, on May 17, he had attended a drawing-roo meeting, kindly convened by Major-Genera and Mrs. Green, at Upper Norwood, whe he had the opportunity of speaking up the recent work of the Evangelical Alliance. The Secretary, Mr. Arnold, visited Cheltenham for the purpose of conferring with the friends there, regarding the local Thomas, Esq., President of the Bristol and Clifton Branch, presided, and he was supported by C. B. Ker, Esq., and the Rev. A. Wilson, the secretaries, as well as by other ministers and lay friends. The attendance at this meeting was not so large as had been expected, owing to various other gatherings being held at the same time, but Mr. Arnold's address on the work of the Alliance at home and abroad, and especially the account he gave of his recent mission to Spain, evoked many expressions of warm sympathy and interest. arrangements for the Conference to be held | kind permission of Miss Charles. Benjamin (D.V.) in the autumn. On Friday, May 24, a drawing-room meeting was held at the residence of Mr. Nurse, Lansdowne Terrace. The Secretary's address on the principles and work of the Alliance awakened much sympathy, and special interest was evinced in the account of his recent mission to Spain. On Sunday, May 26, as previously arranged, Mr. Arnold occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church (Rev. J. More's) in the morning, and that of the Congregational Church (Rev. J. M. Blackie's) in the evening. At both these services, Mr. Arnold was able to introduce the principles of the Alliance and make special reference to the approaching Conference. On Monday evening, May 27, a public meeting was held in the mission-room of St. Paul's Church, for the purpose of hearing an address from the Secretary on the relation of the Evangelical Alliance to the spread of the Gospel in various lands. The Rev. A. R. Cavalier, the Vicar, presided, and there was a large attendance. On Tuesday, May 28, a meeting convened by special circular, was held at the Bible Society's depôt in Cheltenham, under the presidency of the Rev. Canon Bell, D.D. (the Rector). The was a good attendance of clergy, ministers, and lay friends. This meeting was held for the purpose of forming a local committee to carry out the arrangements for the Conference, but Mr. Arnold was also asked to give an address on the work of the Alliance, after which the special business of the day was considered, and a committee and officers duly appointed. On Wednesday, May 29, Mr. Arnold proceeded to Bristol, where meetings on behalf of the Alliance had been arranged. In the evening of that day he gave an address at a service in the Stapleton Mission Hall, conducted by Benjamin Thomas, Esq. On Friday, May 30, a drawing-room meeting was held at Worcester Lodge, Clifton, by On Monday, June 3, a public meeting of the Croydon Branch of the Evangelical Alliance was held, at which Mr. Arnold gave an account of his recent deputation visit to Spain. On Wednesday, June 12, a drawing-room meeting, kindly convened by R. M. Brocklebank, Esq., and Mrs. Brocklebank, was held at The Slopes, Malvern. This was the first occasion on which a meeting on behalf of the Alliance had taken place in this town, and Mr. Arnold gave a full account of the principles and world-wide work of the Alliance. He was followed by the Rev. John Jones, of Maré, who spoke as to the great value of the efforts of the Alliance on behalf of the persecuted. He could testify to this from personal experience during thirty-six years' mission-work in the New Caledonian group of islands. Much interest was awakened by these addresses, and many of those present gave their names for enrolment as members of the Alliance. Mr. Arnold then proceeded to Gloucester, where he had promised to attend the Christian Convention held in that city and to give an address. On Friday, June 14, he had the opportunity of giving an account of the various ways in which God has blessed the efforts of the Alliance in promoting Christian Union, and in the defence of the persecuted. He also called special attention to the approaching conference at Cheltenham. CONSTANTINOPLE BRANCH. A GENERAL meeting of the Constantinople Branch of the Evangelical Alliance was held at the Chapel of the Dutch Legation, in Pera, on the 6th of June 1889, at which were present a good number of Christians of various denominations, both native and foreign. After singing a hymn, and prayer by the Rev. Dr. Long, of Robert College, M. Sellar, Esq., of the British and Foreign Bible Society's Agency, and Chairman of the meeting, introduced the Rev. Dr. Washburn, President of Robert College, who spoke on the fundamental idea of the Alliance. Dr. Washburn referred to the early history of the British organisation to develop this idea: the possibility of union among Christians on the basis of loyalty to Christ. then referred to the weak beginnings of the He Evangelical Alliance, and its enormous growth; the progress in religious freedom in the world; the progress in harmony between the various Christian bodies alluding to changes personally observed by himself in America, from a condition where the different Christian sects in a town were once as hostile to each other as are Islam and Christianity, but are now working together with heart and soul for Christ. This progress is not due simply to the force of the Evangelical Alliance as an organisation, but to the power of a heaven-born idea which Jesus Christ himself taught, and which the Alliance has made a chief object to disseminate in all the world. This idea, that consecration to Christ, forms the only test to citizenship in His kingdom, is what has brought so many denominations together in this meeting; and when it is seen in actual practice, wonder ceases that so great a work has been accomplished by the Evangelical Alliance. The Rev. Marcellus Bowen, Agent of the American Bible Society, then spoke on his impressions of Evangelical Christianity as he had seen it in a tour of four months in Asiatic Turkey. Mr. Bowen spoke first of his impressions of the educational work of the Evangelicals. Besides the number of common schools, he noticed, with pleasure, the fine colleges for men and for women at Marsovan, at Harpoot, at Mardin, and at Aintab, where a high order of instruction is being given, and whence the graduates are going forth every year, not necessarily all Christians, but all taught under truly Christian influences, and many becoming centres of light in the places in which they establish themselves. Especially had he noticed the effect of these schools in raising the condition of the women. He went into a village in Kourdistan, of some 2,000 inhabitants, and was received by a fine looking young man, the chief man among the Protestants of the village, and a graduate of the college at Harpoot. In his house he was surprised to find a bright and intelligent young woman, entirely different in bearing and manner from the other village women, who received him in a lady-like manner, and could converse in English or Turkish, or Armenian, or Kourdish. He found that this young woman, a graduate of the girl's college at Harpoot, was revered by the whole village, and her influence was constant in the direction of improving the condition of the women of her village. In another Kourdish village was a woman who had been taught only in a primary school, and had learned but little more than to read and write when she was taken out of school and married to a m who was not a Protestant. She made it condition, however, that she should b liberty to read her Bible. Little by li the neighbours would come in to hear be read, and now in that village, where there not a single Protestant, she has a congregatio of fifty or sixty men and women who co together regularly to hear while she reads de Bible to them. The second point noted was the preser condition of Evangelical Christianity in t places passed through in going from th Black Sea coast at Samsoun to Diarber, Mesopotamia, and then across to the Mediar ranean at Alexandretta. Mr. Bowen struck with the devotion and the high itellectual character of the native preacher which he found in the places visited. Th are men who can be trusted to do good vai for Christ. He was also impressed with t evidence of life in the fine congregatin which came together for Sabbath work One hundred people at Samsoun on the Ex Sea, 1,000 at Marsovan, all sitting on th floor in Eastern fashion; 800 at Harport a congregation of from 30 to 100 in of some 30 Armenian villages on t Harpoot plain; congregations of 100 or in different places in Kourdistan; 300 Mardin; 600 at Diarbekir; 600 at fi (Edessa), and 1,500 or more at Ainta Then there were the Sunday-schools at a these places, drawing in Bible study re many non-Protestant children, who carry the hymns into hundreds of families where the Gospel truth will penetrate in no other Another evidence of life among the Erngelicals was the number of Christian Associa tions, benevolent societies, and tempera societies seen in the chief places along the route. And, finally, the good and comodious churches and chapels which the Evangelicals have built (with some aid from abroad) were evidence of their life. He d scribed the building of one church, Haine, in Kourdistan, where the Muslims and Armenians united to boycott the Pretestants by prohibiting builders from working on the Protestant Church. The men of the congregation quarried the stone, and the women and children draggel it down the mountain to the site, and so the whole con gregation had a hand in building a church that would do credit to any town. As to the future prospects of evangelical Christianity in the region visited, Mr. Bowen sail that there is a growing cordiality to ward the Protestants on the part of the |