can do it. This is done through Christ. "God who commanded the light," &c. God is able and willing to rekindle this lamp in every soul. How mad, as well as wicked, then to live in the dark. The Pulpit and its Handmaids. THE HISTORY, SCIENCE, ART. COMPLEMENTARY COLORS OF THE STARS. Jehovah is the Majestic One. "The Lord reigneth; He is clothed with majesty." Hence the universe is highly sublime. “The heavens declare the glory of God." Jehovah is the beautiful One. "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty. Sublimity, therefore, is not the only characteristic of the universe. Tints and flushes of beauty adorn it. Beautiful flowers deck the earth, beautiful rainbows span the sky, beautiful clouds enrobe the sun, and beautiful colors grace the stars One result of telescopic research in space, is the discovery of double stars. Several stars, which appear single to the naked eye, are found when looked at through a powerful telescope, to be double. The centre star in the curve of Ursa Major, is a double star; the star Rigel, in Orion, is a double star: the Pole star is a double star; so are many others. The double stars revolve round each other, and some of them present a charming aspect, being tinged with complementary colors. Rays of white light consist of three colors, red, yellow, and blue. To form white light, therefore, red rays must be mixed with green-a mixture of blue and yellow; yellow rays must be mixed with violet-a mixture of red and blue; and blue rays must be mixed with orange-a mixture of red and yellow. Hence, red and green, yellow and violet, blue and orange, are complementary colors. When one of the stars that constitute a double star is brighter than the other, the fainter star shines with the tinge that is complementary to the color of the brighter star. When the brighter star is of a red color, the fainter star is of a green tinge. When the brighter star is of a yellow color, the fainter star is of a violet tinge. When the brighter star is of a blue color, the fainter star is of an orange tinge. How wonderful are these objects! Suns revolving round suns, in massive amplitude, and with attractive glory! "The Lord made the heavens; honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." As the universe overflows with sublimity and beauty, sermons on creation, providence, and redemption, ought to be sublime and beautiful. Both mental dignity and verbal excellence should characterize `them-sublimity of thought to impress the intellect, and beauty of style to attract the heart. In the old time, "because the preacher was wise, he taught the people knowledge, yea, he gave good heed, and sought out acceptable words." Far be it from us, in these days, to be dry, and tame, and vulgar, and common place, in our ideas and language. Let us rather be able ministers of the New Testament, setting forth the gospel in the majesty of truth, and in the beauty of holiness. The complementary colors of the double stars illustrate the order God maintains in the aspects of the universe, and suggest the harmony we should preserve in our representations of Christianity. God has made every star beautiful in relation to its sister star, and we should exhibit every truth in pleasing relation to its cognate truth. Our ministrations should be harmonious. Instead of repulsive contrasts, there should be complementary colors. Preaching the sufficiency of the Bible as a rule of faith, we should not "preach for doctrines the commandments of men,' " but the oracles of God. Preaching the love of God for the human race, we should not preach that Jesus Christ died for only a select number of sinners: but that He "tasted death for every man. Preaching the atonement; should not preach human merit, but justification by faithdemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins. Preaching the depravity of man, we should not preach the form of godliness, but regeneration through the grace of the Holy Spirit. So of other doctrinal correlatives. Thus we shall be wise to win souls, and we shall behold them after death, beautiful in holiness, among the "morning stars," in the heaven of heavens. P. J. WRIGHT. EARTHLY HAPPINESS. we -re Earthly happiness is a phantom holding a golden apple; we put forth a greedy, impatient hand to seize it, when lo! it vanishes away, and instead of the fair fruit we find but tainted gas offen sive to the sense. Earthly happiness is a cup-the lips of anticipation burn to taste the nectar; but ere the hand can grasp it the sparkle dies out, and disappointment stains the dregs. Earthly happiness is a rainbow beautiful with prismatic rays-seek its smile and it melts into the cloud, and we feel it is but a delusion. Earthly happiness is a prize to be won only on one condition ;"Godliness, which has the promise of the life which now is, and that which is to come. ETERNITY. RAYALA. Ponder, O man, Eternity! How long art thou, Eternity! They who lived poor and naked, rest With God, for ever rich and blest; And love and praise the highest good, In perfect bliss and gladsome mood How long art thou, Eternity! Ponder, O Man, Eternity. Literary Notices. [WE hold it to be the duty of an Editor either to give an early notice of the books sent to him for remark, or to return them at once to the Publisher. It is unjust to praise worthless books; it is robbery to retain unnoticed ones.] THE REVIEWER'S CANON. In every work regard the author's end, Since none can compass more than they intend. THE DOCTRINE OF ATONEMENT BY THE SON OF GOD. BY HENRY SOLLY; Minister of the English Presbyterian Chapel, Lancaster. London: E. T. Whitfield. THIS book touches on the most vital elements of the gospel economy. Though we are not able to adopt some of the author's interpretations of certain passages, or endorse the whole of his conclusions; we consider his volume valuable on many accounts. It contains much sound biblical instruction, throws new light upon many disputed texts, furnishes theological disputants an example of clear reasoning, reverential truthfulness, generous candor, and Christian courtesy in every way worthy of their imitation. The orthodox student will find it teeming with such provocatives to thought as may stimulate him to reconsider some of his foregone conclusions. As the theories of what are called orthodox divines, of the atonement, are so conflicting, there is a strong reason why they should look upon the question from such points of observation, as that which Mr. SOLLY occupies. Whether the idea of Bishop Butler, Archdeacon Hare, Swainson, and others, is correct that the God-ward aspect of the atonement is a fact whose theory is inexplicable, it is clear that the apostles never attempted such an explanation, and that all who have subsequently essayed to do so have most signally failed. For ourselves we are content with the fact as stated in Apostolic language; "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." We recommend this book to the independent student of God's word. Let him study it with the Greek Testament in his hand, testing every quoted passage, and he will not fail to get good from it. THE CONGREGATIONAL PSALMIST. Edited by the Rev. HENRY ALLON, and H. J. GAUNTLETT, Mus. Doc. London: Ward and Co. WE have already noticed at some length, the first and second parts of this work :-the volume complete is now before us. Psalmody, performed in a devout and cheerful manner, should be the desire of every Christian, and this collection of tunes in which our readers will find much to admire, is admirably adapted to promote that object. It abounds with choice specimens of choral music, and a good selection of other tunes, generally in use, both ancient, and modern, all harmonized in an easy flowing strain, and suitable for congregational singing. The sacred musician of the pure German school may take exception to some as too florid for the present day; and we must express our opinion that a few might have been dispensed with ;although we should be sorry to see the Anglican School of Church Psalmody entirely superseded. We have great pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to the very chaste and elegant harmonies of that sublime tune "Rockingham" by Dr. Miller :-and many others equally fine enrich this volume. The biographical notices of the principal composers whose sacred music has so much gratified the Christian world are exceedingly valuable and interesting. We cordially recommend this very valuable work, and trust an extensive sale will compensate Mr. Allon for the great trouble and labor, he and his friend Dr. Gauntlett have taken in its production. We much, however, regret the multiplication of names for the same tune, not only in this selection, but elsewhere. It is excessively inconvenient and confusing. PENTECOST AND THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. By FREDERICK W. BRIGGS. London: John Mason. THIS is a work on one of the fontal epochs in the history of the Church, the Pentecost. It discusses several points connected with this event as they are suggested in the 2nd chapter of Acts. The author's object has been to represent the meaning of the narrative, faithfully and clearly, in a popular and practical form; yet with strict regard to the requirements of a sound exegesis. The author makes no effort to controvert the opinions of others; his grand aim being faithfully to elicit the meaning of the sacred record. We think he has admirably succeeded in his object. Nowhere else have we this great subject brought into such a small compass, and discussed with so much philosophic acumen, scholarly ability, and evangelic force. The work reflects great credit upon the author's head and heart. THE HISTORY AND LIFE OF THE REV. DR. JOHN TAULER OF STRASBOURG; with Twenty-five of his Sermons. A Preface by the Rev. CHARLES KINGSLEY. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. THESE are the Sermons of a German Dominican monk of the fourteenth century. They are upwards of five hundred years old. They are translated by an accomplished lady, on whose mind they had exerted devout and elevating influence in early life. The sermons themselves are valuable, not merely on the ground of antiquity, but on account of the far-reaching insight they afford into spiritual realities, and of the spirit of self-sacrificing, God-absorbing, devotion, they breathe through every page. The translator's preface throws considerable light upon the history of the author and his works. The introductory article by the Rev. Charles Kingsley is in his best style, and is worth the price of this elegant volume. As THEOLOGICAL AND HOMILETICAL COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW. Specially designed and adapted for the use of Ministers and Students. From the German of J. P. Lange, D.D. By the Rev. A. EDERSHEIM, Ph. D. Vol. I. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. IN looking through this work we have the impression that it is one of the most valuable in "Clark's Foreign Theological Library." an exposition of Matthew, it has many advantages over Olshausen's, and also over Stier's; it excels in its clearness, succinctness, and suggestive force. The doctrinal reflections and Homiletic hints are generally very sensible, and sometimes remarkably striking; they bring the various sections of the gospel within such an easy grasp of the preacher, as wonderfully to facilitate him in the composition of his sermons. We await with impatience the other volumes which complete this admirable work. you THE INFLUENCE AND POWER OF WOMAN. A Lecture delivered by the Rev. PETER FEATHERSTONE. Published by request. London: J. Mason, 66, Paternoster Row. This is a homily to the fair sex which they would do well to mark, learn, and inwardly digest. Women of England carry out the practical lessons of this lecture, and will become far more captivating in your aspect and commanding in your influence RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUNG MEN FOR MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE. A Lecture delivered by the Rev. PETER FEATHERSTONE. Fourth Thousand. London: J. Mason, 66, Paternoster Row. A good, healthy, popular, lecture, by the same author. We cannot agree with the author, however, in holding up the "Successful Merchant" as an example for young men. For the life of us we have never been able to discover one spark of Divine heroism in that man. A RELIGIOUS REVIVAL. Its nature and desirableness. By the Rev. PETER M'LACHLAN. West Hillhead Free Church, Jordon Hill. Glasgow and London: W. R. M'Phun, 84, Argyle Street. A glow. ing Religious Discourse upon an important religious subject. The godly will read it with interest. |