are sufficient to prove one of two things, viz.,

either

1. That Deacons preached and baptized by virtue of their ordination to the diaconate; or,

2. That they preached and baptized without any ordination to the ministry at all. One of these two positions must be granted.

If these views be correct, let us not scruple to give them effect in our general policy, and we may yet find that a diaconite, enjoying more extensive functions according to Scriptural precedent, may be the means of extending our Church's usefulness in this land.

I have the honour to be,

Yours truly,

AN ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN.

THE REV. WALTER SMITH AND ST. PETER'S CONGREGATION, LIVERPOOL.

We have received a long letter from the Rev. Walter Smith, formerly minister of St. Peter's Church, Liverpool, complaining of a report of the Presbytery of Lancashire, which appeared in our columns in October, 1860, by the publication of which he "has received damage," he says, and therefore requests the insertion of a counter statement. Although this " damage" was done to Mr. Smith nearly twelve months ago, he seems to have been living in happy ignorance of the fact, until lately he was informed of the circumstance by a friend. Truly, if "ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." As for ourselves, we were as ignorant as Mr. Smith of the evil we had done him until we received his letter: and even now, we have only the light of this October minute, and his statement, to inform us upon the subject. But the facts of the case appear to be these.-About this time last year a memorial from two members of

the Presbytery of Lancashire, asking them to adjudicate upon a claim made by Mr. Smith for arrears of salary. The Presbytery declined to interfere judicially in the matter; but, considering that it might tend to the satisfaction of the parties involved," the members present volunteered to act as friendly referees in the case-in other words, to give their advice as Christian brethren-if the parties present were willing to abide by their judgment. This was agreed to; and the referees, after considering the case, gave it as their judgment "that Mr. Smith had no claim, legal or moral, to arrears of stipend." A very brief report of this, expressed in three sentences, was published as part of the Presbyteries' report in our October number, last year, and, so far as we are concerned, this is the sum and substance of Mr. Smith's griev ance. It was a simple record of facts; no opinion was expressed upon the subject.

Mr. Smith's statement is a very extraordinary production. It appears to consist of broken sentences, or jottings, as if copied from a private memorandum-book. We are unwilling to believe that it was originally written for publication in our columns. In all sincerity, if not with grief, we say, that its publication would do the writer far greater "damage" than the minute of which he complains. We cannot, therefore, afford him the opportunity which he craves of inflicting injury upon himself. We are well aware that, in the history of the St. Peter's Congregation, there are painful passages of mismanagement and misfortune, of the consequences of which Mr. Smith had to bear a heavy share; but it cannot serve the interests of truth or justice to publish such a record of these misfortunes as Mr. Smith has sent to us; nor can it be studying "the things that make for peace" to describe the conduct of members of Presbytery in epithets such as respectable men of the world would not venture to apply to one another.

[ED. E. P. M.]

The Twin Brothers.-By WILLIAM ANDERSON, Author of "Bethlehem and its Kings," ""The Clay House," &c. Sunderland: J. G. Campbell & Co. London: Partridge & Co., Paternoster Row. THIS is another effusion from the industrious pen of our literary elder. Notwith

standing the labours of an arduous calling, Mr. Anderson finds time to produce little books which cannot fail to be read with pleasure and profit by old and young. The subject of the "Twin Brothers," is the difference between the reality and the profession of religion. In a narrative ingeniously constructed, Mr. Anderson

strikingly portrays the hollowness of the one, especially at the close of life, and the grandeur and reality of the other. No reflective person can read the book without having serious thoughts presented to his mind respecting his own spiritual condition. The interest of the narrative is so well sustained, that few persons who once begin it will rest until they have finished its perusal, while this interest is not excited by any unworthy appeal to mere passion or sentiment, but by the delineation of the loftiest themes which can engage our attention as rational and religious beings.

Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible, with Notes. Vol. II. London: Cassell, Petter, & Galpin.

THE second volume of this noble edition of the Sacred Scriptures is now before us, and is every way equal to the preceding volume, to which, on a former occasion, we referred. The profuse and appropriate illustrations will make it a favourite amongst the poor; and we feel assured that if ample facilities were afforded to the members and Sunday scholars of country congregations this Bible would be subscribed for by hundreds and thousands.

have opportunity." It is especially a book for the young, and they will read it with interest and profit.

Lives made Sublime by Faith and Works. By the Rev. ROBERT STEEL, Cheltenham, Author of "Samuel the Prophet," "Doing Good," &c. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

IN this little volume Mr. Steel presents us with brief biographical sketches of fourteen eminent men, most of whom were but the other day adorning the doctrine of Christ in the Church on earth, but who have all passed away into the enjoyment of the "rest that remaineth." Here are a few of the subjects:-"] "Dudley A. Tyng, the Child of Prayer;" "Ensign Marcus Cheek, the Young Confessor;" "James Maitland Hog, the Christian Gentleman;" "Jonas Sugden, the Christian Manufacturer;" ." "William Allen, the Christian Chemist;" "Hugh Miller, the Christian Geologist," &c. &c. The narratives are beautifully and faithfully written, and they will be read with delight by many whose time and means alike deprive them of the power of perusing the original biographies. It is an admirable book for boys, full of stirring thoughts and precious lessons.

Biblical Interpretation.

Miracles: What they are, what they prove, and how to prove them.

THESE are the titles of three of a series of "Theological Tracts for the Times," published by Mr. Tresidder, of Ave Maria Lane. Written in a free style, they are popularised so far as such subjects can be made popular; and as they have very direct reference in their teachings to the Essays and Reviews," we hail their appearance with pleasure, feeling assured they will be extensively circulated and productive of good.

of little Children. Edited by WILLIAM LOGAN. With an Introduction by the Rev. WILLIAM ANDERSON, LL.D, Glasgow. London: James Nisbet and Co. 1861.

THERE are many books for the consolation and comfort of the sorrowful; some of them are very beautiful and very precious, but few are specially applicable to those who are bereaved of little children. Here we have one, to our mind, just the book to be read and appreciated by a disconsolate bereaved parent. A treatise on such a subject would be ill adapted, however well conceived and written, to the wants of a bruised, sorrowing heart. Thoughts, anecpassed through the same deep waters would dotes, and heart-sighs of others who have be more appropriate; and in making a collection of such we think Mr. Logan has been very successful. In the poetical department there is not so much of the Gospel as we could have wished to see; for after all, mere poetry and sentiment, however beautiful, afford but poor consolation in the vacant chamber, or at the new-made grave. There is more poetry and true consolation for the heart of a bereaved Christian mother, in the "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live," than in all the sweet and beautiful sentiments about "innocence," and "angels," and "heaven" that such.

authors as Dickens, Burns, Tennyson, and Thomas Moore ever wrote.

But the volume contains some pieces possessing great power and beauty, of which we would not like to deprive it. Many a parent will read his own experience in the following picture of a father's anguish, by James Hedderwick, extracted from his "Lays of Middle age."

"I never thought of him and death, so far apart they seem'd

The love that would have died to save, of danger scarcely dream'd;

Too late the fear that prompted help-too late the yearning care;

Yet who that saw his lustrous face could doubt that death would spare?

wild heart and mine

claimed his own!

tured dust how dear!

"There was no loveliness in flowers; in human eyes, or books;

Dear household faces flitted round with pain'd and ghastly looks;

A shadow mufled like a mist the splendours of the day,

And sorrow speaking to the night took all its stars away.

"No more might fair hands fondly smooth the pillow for his head;

The joyless task was now all mine to lay him in his bed:

I laid him in his earth-cold bed, and buried with him there

The hope that trembling on its knees expired 'mid broken prayer.'

The Pleading Saviour; or, the Wondrous Love of Christ as displayed in His Intercessory Prayer. By the Rev. JAMES SMITH, Cheltenham. London: T. Nelson and Sons.

THERE are few more industrious labourers in the Master's vineyard than the author of this little volume. He furnishes to a greater extent than most men a practical illustra tion of the text, "Freely ye have received, freely give." We believe his pen runs freely, and we know he has willingly placed it at the service of many a good, but needy object, as his generous contributions to the devotional periodical literature of the day abundantly testify. He always chooses suitable subjects, and his earnest, devout, impressive tracts and papers have been useful to thousands of readers. Of this brief exposition of the 17th chapter of John, he says there is no attempt to be profound, or to pry into the secrets of God, but a simple endeavour to comprehend something of the Saviour's meaning, in order that we may understand and enjoy more of his love. It is a book for believers, rich with comforting assurances and elevating truths.

The "Essays and Reviews" Examined. By the Rev. JAMES BUCHANAN, D.D. Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter, London: Nisbet and Co.

"Another Gospel" Examined: or, a Popu lar Criticism of each of the Seven "Essays and Reviews." London: W. Walker and Co.

Observations on the Rev. Dr. Temple's Essay on the Education of the World. By the Rev. R. BLAKELOCK. London: Nisbet and Co.

WE need not inform our readers how numerous are the publications which have issued, and still continue to issue, from the press, in reply to the Oxford "Essays The excitement caused by and Reviews." the "Essays" has been very great, perhaps too great, and it is not likely soon to subside, for the production of one of the writers has brought him into the Ecclesiastical Courts, and it is reported that another (Dr.