aspersed how inhumanly has she been treated! and how great is the importance of a book which celebrates the virtuous example of a woman, and thus strikes at the root of all her reproaches and her wrongs!" The writer urges that the importance of this view of the book may be further seen from the fact, that, in proportion to the degradation of women, men themselves have become degraded; whereas, when restored to her rightful position her influence for good is incalculable. If first in the transgression, she is first in the restoration; and were man as ready to follow her in doing good as he has been in doing evil, the world would long ago have been in a holier and happier state than it is at present. "Let it not be said, then," continues the writer, "that a book which celebrates the ascendency of a virtuous woman in humble life over all the blandishments of wealth and royalty, is unworthy of a place in Holy Writ." Mr. Ginsburg finally sustains the importance of his views from a consideration of the circumstances more immediately connected with the time in which it was written. "The narrative here recorded forms a contrast to the conduct of Bathsheba." Many other reasons might have been urged in proof of the importance of such an example at such a time especially. The evils of polygamy had become so great that some check was absolutely needed. The very constitution and welfare of the nation were being endangered. The influence of foreign women, so often connected with the introduction and spread of idolatry among the Jews, had now reached its height. Whether these reasons, and others that might be urged, are satisfactory or not, our readers must determine. The form and style of the book have been scarcely less debated than its substance. Mr. Ginsburg regards it as a dramatic poem of which the action and dialogue are maintained by the Shulamite, her betrothed spouse, her brethren, and King Solomon; the daughters of Jerusalem, like the chorus of the Greek play, being present throughout, though only occasionally taking part. The first seven verses he regards as a soliloquy of the Shulamite longing for her betrothed husband. She had been carried off into the palace of the king, and desires to escape from it. In the eighth verse the daughters of Jerusalem respond to her appeal. In the ninth verse the king enters and addresses her : "To my steed in the chariot of Pharaoh Do I compare thee, O my love. Beautiful is thy countenance in the circlet, Thy neck in the necklace! A golden circlet will we make thee, With studs of silver." He, however, sues in vain and retires. The scene then changes to the gardens of the palace, where she has an interview with her spouse. He exclaims : "Behold thou art beautiful, my love; Behold thou art beautiful, Thine eyes are doves."" She disclaims any pretensions to beauty. "I am a mere flower of the plain, a lily of the valley." "A lily among thorns," he replies, "so is my loved one among the damsels." This dialogue continues till the eighth verse of the second chapter, where the Shulamite is supposed to be again alone, lamenting the departure of her betrothed, and regretting the days of rustic simplicity and freedom which were now lost to her. The second soliloquy is conceived of as lasting, with occasional interruptions from the chorus, till the sixth verse of the third chapter, when a new scene commences. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, looking from their walls, see the king approaching with his court, and poetically VOL. II.-NEW SERIES. K describe the cavalcade which at first appears only as a cloud of dust on the horizon. One of the inhabit ants of Jerusalem. Š "What is that coming up from the country Perfumed with myrrh, with frankincense Another. Lo! it is the palanquin of Solomon, Around it are three score valiant men All skilled in the sword, expert in war, Each with his sword girded on his thigh A Third. A palanquin hath King Solomon made for himself Of the wood of Lebanon. Verse 6. 7 8 9 10 11 With the fourth chapter the shepherd again succeeds in gaining an interview with the Shulamite, the dialogue of which continues to the first verse of the fifth chapter. In the second verse the Shulamite commences the recital of a dream to the daughters of Jerusalem, who, in the ninth verse, ridicule her fidelity to her betrothed shepherd, and in the first verse of the following chapter taunt her with being deserted by him. In the second and third verses, she asserts her unshaken confidence in his fidelity; when the king again enters and endeavours once more to win her from her rustic spouse, but in vain. She leaves his presence, but (in the first verse of the seventh chapter) he commands her to return. All his entreaties and solicitations are, however, futile. "I belong to my beloved," is her steadfast reply. The king now retires, and the shepherd, accompanied by the brethren of the Shulamite, reappears, claims her as his own, and leads her away. The notes which Mr. Ginsburg has given with his translation are very valuable, and prove his thorough acquaintance with the original. The frequent reference to the grammars of Gesenius and Ewald will much assist students. We are sorry to notice several mistakes in printing. Mr. Ginsburg is a Christian Jew of a literary family. He at present represents the "British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews." We are glad to know that he has nearly finished a treatise on Ecclesiastes. We wish him health and success. B. The Israel of the Alps. A complete History of the Vaudois of Piedmont and their Colonies. By A. MUSTON, D.D. Blackie & Sons. NOWHERE has "man's inhumanity to man" been so terribly displayed as in the history of the church; and in the records of persecution those of the Waldensian Church hold a sad pre-eminence. They have been "a people scattered and peeled, a nation meted out and trodden down from their beginning hitherto." For long ages one part of the curse of Ishmael seemed to have descended upon them-" every man's hand was against them." It is scarcely possible to read their history without tears of sympathy, pity, and admiration, so manful was their steadfastness, so cruel and long-continued were their wrongs. They were "brought forth in suffering, and baptized in tears." They have been kept like the burning bush in the midst of the fire, yet unconsumed. We cannot resist the conviction that they have been preserved for some great purpose. They can scarcely have survived so many persecutions, and resisted so many temptations, but for some adequate result as yet undeveloped. We venture to hope that this may prove to be the evangelisation of Italy. They seem to be awakening to the conviction that this is their destined work, and with the remarkable revival of religion which has been going on for some years, an extraordinary zeal for missionary labour in Italy has arisen among them. It would be scarcely possible to exaggerate what would be the influence, upon Europe and the world, of their successful prosecution of that work. May the prayer of our great poet be THUS answered, "Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints whose bones lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold!" Thus did our Master avenge himself upon his murderers. Thus did the proto-martyr of Christianity pray ere he died. Thus has many a martyr prayed since. Father, forgive them; they know not what they do," found its answer on the day of Pentecost. "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," as it burst from the dying lips of Stephen, bore fruit a few days afterwards on "the way down to Damascus." Who shall say that the revival of freedom and religion in Piedmont is not due to the prayers of Waldensian martyrs imploring mercy for their murderers "Their moans The vales redoubled to the hills, and they To heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow The Waldenses have manifold claims upon us as patriots, Christians, and Protestants. Nor have our rulers always evaded those claims. Never did England occupy a nobler attitude toward surrounding nations than when Milton was despatching his eloquent missives to all the Protestant States of Europe, demanding their co-operation in behalf of our co-religionists, whilst his great master, Cromwell, refused to sign the treaty with France, so favourable to our interests, till the French Government had pledged themselves to interfere peremptorily with the Duke of Savoy to prevent a recurrence of the persecutions. A subscription was at once set on foot for the relief of the sufferers, which Cromwell headed with £2,000 from his own purse—a sum equal to three or four times the amount in the present day. It is not as widely known as it ought to be, that the arch-traitor to his country, Charles II., coolly appropriated what of this subscription remained in the treasury, and squandered it upon his strumpets. The history of such a people must be interesting to all-to us who have so much in common with them it must be doubly so. We are glad to see it so fully written. The volumes before us are the fruit of fifteen years' labour and research among the half-forgotten archives of almost every public library in Europe. Documents which have never seen the light since the day when they were first consigned to their dusty seclusions, have been ferreted out and conscientiously studied. The result is, that we have here a great store house of facts on the whole period of Waldensian history. The work reflects the highest credit on the publishers, under whose auspices it is now introduced to us. It is very well got up, the engravings of the scenery of the valleys numerous and good, the maps full and accurate, and the letter-press, though very close and compact, yet clear. It deserves a wide circulation. BIOGRAPHY. Brief Notices. asso the The latter half some ad of the Wesleyan body, beyond which he 1. The Book for every Land: Reminis- was not very widely known, save in concences of Labour and Adventure in the nection with the once famous Fly Sheets. North of Europe and in Russia. By the The first half of the volume contains a late John Paterson, D.D. Edited, with a narrative of ordinary ministerial labour, Prefatory Memoir, by W. L. Alexander, with its usual share of difficulties, disap D.D. London: J. Snow.-2. Memoir of pointments, and successes. the late A. N. Groves: containing Extracts narrates his visit to the mission stations from his Letters and Journals, compiled on the coast of Western Africa, his labours by his Widow. London: J. Nisbet and there, and his death. This part of the Co.-3. The Life and Journals of the volume has something more than a deRev. D. West, Wesleyan Minister. By nominational interest. the Rev. T. West. London: Hamilton, information as to the condition of the It gives valuable Adams and Co. John Mason.-4. The people and the progress Gloaming of Life: a Memoir of James throughout that district. This part of the of missions Stirling. By the Rev. Alexander Wallace, memoir is illustrated with Scottish Temperance League.-5. Earnest mirable engravings copied from photoChristianity Illustrated: or Selections graphs taken by Mr. West on the spot.from the Journal of the Rev. James Patriots, philanthropists, and Christians of Caughey. London: Partridge and Co. whatever name, must rejoice in the labours We have before us several volumes of of such men biography of various degrees of merit. Whether they accept the total-abstinence as James Stirling (4). First in order and in interest we place the principle or not, his work deserves the memoir of Dr. Paterson, so well known as grateful recognition of all who desire agent of the Bible and Tract Societies in Russia. That it is edited by Dr. Alexander Though the book is written mainly for promotion of human happiness. is a sufficient guarantee that it is done Scotch readers, we trust that it will find judiciously and well. The narrative is full many English ones likewise. Those who of adventure. Dr. Paterson was look at the portrait will feel a strong inciated with the Haldanes in Scotland, was clination to peruse the history of that in Copenhagen during its bombardment shrewd, kind, earnest face, and will be reby Nelson, conversed with Russian noble- warded for their pains.-Few of our readers men who were in the palace when the can have forgotten the excitement produced Emperor Paul was assassinated, lived on some years ago by the labours of Mr. terms of friendship with the Emperor Caughey, the American Revivalist. Alexander, Prince Galitzin and other have here his own narrative of those events eminent Russians, witnessed the mutiny and his judgment upon them. Whilst and revolt at the accession of the Emperor there is much from which we dissent in Nicholas, and travelled through the whole this volume, yet "a power goeth out of it " Russian Empire from Finland to Astracan. to stir the heart and stimulate the reader There is enough of incident here to make to increased earnestness. The preliminary the fortune of half-a-dozen volumes the memoir is striking. size of this.-The memoir of Mr. Groves glad to know, that all who are engaged in We should be (2), which comes next on our list, is chapel building had in their hands a copy hardly less interesting. His name will be of the appendix on that subject. known to most of our readers as the patron and friend of Dr. Kitto. The form of a journal, especially when couched in the phraseology current among the Brethren, is not that which is best adapted to a volume of this kind. But, Mr. Groves was so eminently devout a man, his life affords SO constant an earnest labour and generous self-denial, example of and the scenes through which passed were so new and interesting, that he his memoir will be perused with great interest. A large portion of the volume is wisely devoted to his labours in Persia and India. The biography of Mr. West (3) will be chiefly attractive to members PERIODICALS. We Christendom.-3. The News of the Churches. very admirable number, giving good promise tinues to publish its monthly narrative (2) their own minds in meditation on Holy of the movements of various churches Scripture, these helps may be found useful. throughout Christendom. We have always But it is only as a pis aller in such a case found the reports from France of especial that we can recommend them.-The same interest and value, though it seems in- remarks will to a great extent apply to vidious to particularise where all is so the second work in our list. It is very excellent. "Evangelical Christendom" needs good, very orthodox-but very dull. Indeed no commendation of ours.-Some months it is difficult to understand how a devout ago we spoke in language of high and tolerably clever man as the writer of commendation of the "News of the this work evidently is, could have written Churches" as being a most useful publi- such a quantity of commonplace verbiage cation. We are glad to renew our attesta- on so grand a theme. Of a very different tion of its merits. It covers a rather wider character is the volume to which we next range than "Evangelical Christendom," come (3). We gave a very hearty greeting and gives more intelligence. We shall be to the first series of these expositions on the glad to find that our mention of this very Book of Proverbs. We are no less glad to interesting and profitable publication has welcome its successor. The present volume led many of our readers to procure it. strikes us as being somewhat less sparkling -The Religious Tract Society have more and brilliant than the former, but it is quite than succeeded in maintaining the character equal to it in solid excellence. We trust of their periodicals (4). The "Leisure that it will have an equal success.-Whilst Hour" is quite equal to what it ever was, Glasgow sends us these admirable discourses and the" Sunday at Home" has acquired on the Book of Proverbs, we have received more of that spirit and vivacity which were from Edinburgh (4) one of the very few lacking in it. For distribution among the sermons "published by request" of which class to which it is addressed, we know of the publication seems to us desirable. Mr. no publication to approach the "British Martin, whose admirable translation of Workman" (5). The pictures are of first- Bertheau on the Chronicles we noticed in rate character. Many of them are indeed our last number, has printed a sermon perfect gems of wood engraving. The delivered in Charlotte Chapel, on Rom. letter-press is always sound and sensible. viii. 16, 17, which is an able exposition of Total abstinence, though not offensively the text and an eloquent enforcement of it. obtruded, is always steadily advocated. The discourse deserves to be known beyond Cleanliness, thrift, industry, good temper, the limits of the congregation to which it and mutual kindness, have their due place, was addressed. and godliness is acknowledged as best of all. -We have frequently called attention to the "Bibliotheca Sacra" (6), and enriched our pages with quotations from it. The last number is equal to any former one, and is full of interesting and suggestive matter. SERMONS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. 1. Devotional Retirement: Scriptural Admonitions for every day in the year. By Thomas Wallace. Griffin and Co. -2. God is Love; or, Glimpses of the Father's Infinite Affection for his People. By the Author of the "Brother born for Adversity." Darton and Co.-3. Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth: Illustrations of the Book of Proverbs. By the Rev. W. Arnot-Second series. Nelson and Sons. -4. The Heirs of God, a Sermon. By the Rev. J. Martin, B.A. Edinburgh: R. R. Nelson. MISCELLANEOUS. 1. Sophia; a Tale. By James L. Hillocks. Respectfully dedicated to George Gilfillan. Partridge and Co.-2. ChapelBy an town; or, the Fellow Students. English Congregational Minister. Ward. We As far as we have observed, Mr. Hillocks spells correctly, but there our commendation must stop. He is far less successful in his grammar, and is addicted to writing nonsense both in prose and verse, the latter possessing neither rhyme nor reason. wonder that Mr. Gilfillan did not strangle this bantling in the cradle rather than stand godfather to it. We write this reluctantly, since Mr. Hillocks evidently belongs to the artisan class, and has, therefore, a right to lenient judgment. But this is his fourth offence. And we are bound to say that he writes the very worst English we ever read. Chapeltown" (2), "by an English CongreMr. Wallace, known to many of our gational Minister," is a tale of considerable readers as the author of a prize essay on merit, describing the career of three fellowthe Christian Ministry, and one or two students who leave college together, of other books, has published a volume (1) of whom one is earnest, unaffected, and devout, short religious meditations on texts of another bustling and ambitious, the third Scripture for daily use. They are good mystical and germanising. Their histories and devout, but commonplace. Where are cleverly told, and the narrative is inpersons either cannot or will not exercise structive both to preachers and people. |