It is a work which must have occupied much time, engaged a great deal of thought, and employed much reading, calculation, and reflection. The whole Bible is, in this view, a prophetic history of "the education of the world." It is a symbolic relation of the spiritual progress of the race a shadow and type of the future-a revelation as by vision of the course of the divine dealings with men. It is the Book of Life"-of life guided and guarded by the infinite and the eternal.

It must be admitted that in this small pamphlet of a hundred pages there are many singular thoughts, many suggestions of much worth, and a consistency of interpretation which all together go to prove that the author has a theosophy before his mind which has been thoroughly thought out with much care and concentration. The view taken is not by any means a common one, but it is set forth with a power and vigour, an originality and conciseness, which should commend the work to the study of Bible inquirers. We do not pledge ourselves to its details, but we do affirm that it is worth perusal, and will repay thought. If it does not convince, it will at least lead to reflection, while incidentally it will communicate ideas which may be of much use in Bible interpretation to an intelligent reader, who thinks while he reads, and keeps the whole line of reasoning and analogy before himself, as Mr. Biden has placed it before him.

We quote a passage explanatory of Bible principles, and make a few extracts from an able section on Bible politics:

"We will enumerate the principles observed in the construction of the Bible-1. All primary narratives supply terms used as symbols for language, in which to express spiritual ideas. This principle applies to every first narrative of physical things, of seeming history and of true history. 2. A system of types is maintained to express and to foreshadow their antitypes. 3. Names are given to things and persons literally expressive of their peculiar characteristics, and of the meanings intended to be conveyed. 4. The Bible is divided into three principal sections-Patriarchal, Mosaic, Christian. All these abound in prophecy. The patriarchal supplies terms for an alphabet on which to raise a divine language. The patriarchal section is not history, but prophecy, the lives of the patriarchs presenting phases of Christianity, which are now become history. The Mosaic section commences with Abraham, and with the promises made to an exhibited faith. The divine teaching then begins. The teaching is carried on in commands, in types, in prophecies, the divine language enlarging until the Christian section, when spiritual truth is announced.

"The Bible has helped to shape the politics of nations, from the time of Moses to the present. Containing a body of divine laws, it governed the Hebrews. Its influence extended beyond them. It struck chords which vibrated to the remotest nations. In its modern form, the Old and New Testaments combined, it has influenced the policies of Eastern and Western nations. It formed the foundation of Mohammedanism, and helped to give it direction and force. It is the source of the whole history of modern Europe. Every Christian knows that the gospel is the harbinger of peace and good-will, and every Christian knows, to his shame and confution, that the gospel hitherto has been accompanied by bloodshed and

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rapine, at which the finger of scorn can point as the reproach of a spurious Christianity. The perverted Christian condition is ephemeral ani evanes. cent. Ignorance is to be displaced by knowledge, and the misrule ignorance has permitted and encouraged to be put down by the force of knowledge. The Bible, the divine text-book, supplies the needful knowledge. It has only to be rightly studied. . Christian ethics are intended for the elevation of all, and a social equality to be a result; not an equality in the possession of outward things, but an equality of rights as fellow-members of one body. Christianity has a wide scope, embracing this world and the next, and especially concerns a right policy here. The Bible regulates human affairs. It instructs with respect to them, and is so marvellously compiled that it serves all the varied conditions of society, whether results of ignorance or knowledge. To read it aright it must be viewed as a unique book, and be studied in accordance with its principles of construction. Accepted thus, it is seen to be a book which instructs in the science of a divine policy on earth, just as any other scientific work instructs in any specific science. No one will dispute the influence the Bible has exerted over human affairs. It is destined to exert a yet greater influence. Christ's labours are not to be inefficient; they will produce the results intended. There can be no doubt that the Bible, which helped to rear a past state, will conduce to the formation of a new order of social life. Instruction will reach all, mental culture be bestowed on poverty, and a free intercourse of wealth and poverty be a result, which will soften the manners of all.. Truth will be able to assert itself, and have a free course through humanity."

The Literary World. London: James Clarke.

THE Literary World was commenced about two years ago as a supplement to the Christian World, and was continued monthly for some time. Its aim when projected was to "help its readers to form a just estimate of books," as one means of aiding in the moral and religious improvement of its readers, and of cultivating in them high, pure, and spiritual longings. In November, 1868, it was altered and remodelled, and became an independent serial, issued in weekly numbers at a penny, and in monthly parts at sixpence, for which sum it presents "choice readings from the best new books, and critical reviews of some of them." At the time of our writing we have seen six numbers, and we feel bound to state that these contain a well-varied and pretty careful digest of current literature. And though we could easily conceive it to be improved, both in plan and execution, it appears to us to deserve a handsome word of encouragement from us as an agent in self-culture, if properly used. As a guide to the books of the day for reading clubs, young men's societies, working men's institutions, &c., we think it would be very serviceable. We certainly would not like to see it degenerate into an index to Mudie, or a provider of a soupçon to members of lending libraries, though even for these purposes it would be useful. The Spirit Controversy. By DANIEL BIDDLE. London: Williams and Norgate.

THOSE of our readers who have been interested in the controversy on "the natural immortality of the soul," will read these Let

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ters and dissertations on the human spirit and soul, their nature and their condition, both here and hereafter, with remarks on future rewards and punishments," with eagerness, and reflect on them with candour. We have here fourteen letters, of which a concise abstract is given in the contents. This is followed by a disquisition on the human soul and its destiny in a future world, in two parts; to which there is added, as an appendix, a republication of a very interesting pamphlet, entitled "A Post-mortem Examination; or, What is the Condition of the Disembodied Human Spirit?" The author is a member of the English Royal College of Surgeons, and was formerly House Surgeon in St. Thomas's Hospital in the Borough of Southwark, London. In the Reviewer department it is usual to avoid strong recommendations of books bearing on disputable topics, because it may be supposed that these notices indicate the feelings, inclinations, or opinions of the conductors. As, however, the topic has been discussed in these pages recently, we may here safely enough, though occupying only the subordinate place of a contributor, note that the writer is clearly on the nega tive side of the question, as he affirms that "the doctrine of the soul's immortality is in no way countenanced by Holy Writ, which teaches us that a resurrection is to be looked for as a necessity of our fallen nature." Yet the author does not deny a future life, but goes "to the full length of the orthodox in regard to the eter nity of future rewards and punishments." It will be seen that he has a word to say which concerns thinkers on both sides. The idea is striking, and the mode in which it is treated is able and sug. gestive. We commend it to thinkers.

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How to Retain our Elder Scholars, and Regain some who have Left us. By J. A. COOPER, F.R.S.L. London: Hodder and Stoughton. THIS is a wise and worthy pamphlet. It is a revised reprint of a paper read at the autumnal meeting of the Congregational Union, held at Wolverhampton, October, 1869." Its author is an earnest labourer in the cause of human elevation, and his name is a heartword among those who are employed in schemes of Christian usefulness; and there is probably no Sabbath school teacher in the three kingdoms who does not feel that he is an elder brother, whom to reverence and imitate is advisable. Sound discretion, careful thought, apt phrase, eminent suggestiveness, characterize all that he writes; while there is a suffusion of the whole with the very effluence of Christian grace, that charms and captivates those even who do not themselves feel the call of duty pressingly upon their souls. Those of our intelligent and thoughtful readers who desire to undertake a needful labour in an open field, would do well to read the pamphlet now spoken of. If the advices of the author be fol lowed, there can be little doubt that many elder scholars would be retained in our Sunday schools, and that many would be regained, both to school and church. The pamphlet met with a warm welcome when read, and has been earnestly longed for in type by many thoughtful, earnest Christian men.

THE INQUIrer.

868. To my simple taste it seems less correct to say "equally as," &c., than "equally with," &c. Am I right? A friendly answer to each query will be esteemed a favour byO. D.

869. Whether is Mill or Hamilton at the head of modern philosophy?-WALTER SHERRINGTON.

870. Has Ireland any philosophy or philosophers of its own?-WALTER SHERRINGTON.

871. Had the ancient Egyptians any poetry ?-WALTER SHERRING