church, may obtain a correct view of it by perusing the clear and brief account which is here supplied. But upon all other ec

clesiastical bodies in Scotland much interesting light is shed in this interesting work. We cordially recommend it to our numerous readers.

BARNABAS; a Manual for those that are cast down. By THOS. MANN, Author of "The Gift of Prayer."

T. Ward and Co.

There is a fashion in titles to books. Our old divines were gifted in a peculiar manner, in this thing, as well as in others; and some of their publications were almost enigmatical in their title, while others gave a lucid idea both of the spirit and subject of the book. We like a title which gives us some idea of the nature of the work. The one before us is of this description, and the little volume fully answers to its appropriate name. It might almost, from its scriptural character, its piety, and its tendency, be viewed as a portrait of Barnabas himself, uttering, in plain, pithy, and affectionate language, the consolations of the gospel, to those who are in trouble, either "of mind, body, or estate." It is a little volume which has been much needed, and the worthy author deserves our thanks for the "comfortable words" he has written. doubt not but some persons, after reading "Decapolis," may have been distressed in their mind, and to such we would recommend some of the chapters in "Barnabas." We hope this little volume will find its way wherever the distressed believer is, who requires the solace it affords.

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

We

1. Elements of Language and General Grammar. By GEORGE PAYNE, LL.D. Royal 18mo, pp. 236. 4. 6d. John Gladding, City-road.

A work on the niceties of grammar, embracing a full reference to the philosophy of language, from the pen of such a writer as Dr. Payne, is, to say the least, a desideratum. The volume is a most valuable addition to the literature of our country.

2. The Nestorians; or, the Lost Tribes: containing Evidence of their Identity; their Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies. With Sketches of Travel in ancient Assyria, Armenia, Media, and Mesopotamia; and Illustrations of Scripture Prophecy. By ASAHEL GRANT, M.D. Second edition, royal 18mo, pp. 320. John Murray, Albemarle

street.

Our opinion of this interesting work has already been so fully expressed, that we can only state the pleasure we feel at the sight of a second edition, in a cheaper form.

3. A Course of Lectures on Infidelity. By Ministers of the Church of Scotland, in Glasgow and neighbourhood. 12mo, pp. 364. Hamilton and

Adams.

4. The Age of Great Cities; or, Modern Society viewed in its relation to Intelligence, Morals, and Religion. By ROBERT VAUGHAN, D.D. Royal 12mo, pp. 374. Jackson and Walford.

5. Steill's Pictorial Spelling Book: or, a Series of Easy and Progressive Lessons on Facts and Objects. 12mo, pp. 126. B. Steill and G. Virtue.

This is one of the best constructed aids to the early development of mind we have yet seen.

6. Sermons. By the late EBENEZER TEMPLE, of Rochford, Essex. With a Biographical Sketch of the Author, by his Widow. 8vo, pp. 316. John Snow.

With

7. The Royal Gift Book for the Young. steel engravings of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Albert. 32mo, pp. 284. Tract Society.

8. Poetry of the Seasons, and of the Kingdom of Nature, 32mo, pp. 384. W. Oliphant, Edinburgh. A most tasteful selection, in which it would be difficult to find one exceptionable piece.

9. History of the Church of Christ, from the Diet of Augsburg, 1530, to the 18th Century. Originally designed as a Continuation of Milner's History. By HENRY STEBBING, D.D. In three volumes. Vol. III., 8vo, pp. 502. T. Cadell, Strand.

10. The Guide to Trade. I. The Confectioner, by GEORGE READ. II. The Tailor. III. The Cooper. IV. The Shoemaker. The Guide to Service. I. The Nursery Maid. II. The Groom. Royal 18mo. Charles Knight and Co., Ludgate

street.

These volumes are remarkably cheap, and will be found very useful to those parties whose occupations they faithfully delineate; but it is not on this account that we notice them; for, as we have cast our eyes carefully over them, and perceived their real character, the thought has struck us, that they would be of immense value to our missionaries, especially in Africa and the South Seas. In many instances, they are thrown upon their own resources, without having the important and useful information which these volumes would supply to them. We hope this suggestion will be taken up by our missionary boards, or by the private friends of missionaries, and that an abundant supply of the works will be sent out to them.

11. The Gathering of Fifty Years; Poems, &c. By RICHARD HERNE SHEPHERD, Minister of Ranelagh Chapel, Chelsea, and Secretary of the London Annuity Society for the Widows of Members. Royal 18mo, pp. 152. Hatchard and Son.

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

1. Anglo-Catholicism not Apostolical. Being an Inquiry into the Scriptural Authority of the leading Doctrines advocated in the "Tracts for the Times." By W. LINDSAY ALEXANDER, M.A.

2. Memoir of the late Greville Ewing, Minister of the Gospel, Glasgow. By his Daughter. In one volume 8vo, with a portrait.

MRS. MARY ANN HARRIS,

Of Cheshunt.

It is with feelings of deep sympathy for our esteemed and honoured friend, the Rev. Dr. Harris, of Cheshunt College, that we announce the distressing event of the death of his beloved wife. The mournful bereavement overtook him about one o'clock, on the morning of Monday, the 12th of Dec. At eight o'clock, on the evening of the 11th, she had given birth to a fine little girl, and no apprehensions were entertained for her safety, as her labour had exhibited no unfavourable symptom. An affecting change, however, was perceived, in Mrs. Harris's state, by the nurse, some hours after the event. She immediately ran to the room where Dr. Harris and the accoucheur were sitting, and requested their attendance; but before they could reach Mrs. Harris's apartment, she had ceased to breathe. shock was so sudden that it has plunged the afflicted and bereaved husband into the depth of mental suffering; though he bows with profound submission to the will of God.

The

On Friday, the 16th, Mrs. Harris's remains were deposited in a vault adjoining the College Chapel, amidst a large concourse of deeply penetrated spectators. The Rev. Mr. Sortain, of Brighton, read suitable portions of Scripture, and delivered a funeral oration characterised by sublimity of thought, and by its melting pathos. The Rev. Mr. Smith, the Classical Tutor of the College, offered up a prayer, which was felt by all to be most appropriate to the mournful occasion; and the Rev. J. Sherman, of Surrey Chapel, poured out his heart in affectionate supplication, for the mourners and for all parties present, at the place of sepul

ture.

On the morning of Lord's-day, the 18th, the Rev. Dr. Morison, of Chelsea, the friend, for twenty years, of Dr. Harris, preached a funeral discourse for Mrs. Harris, in the College Chapel, to a numerous audience, who indicated by their solemn attention and by their tears, how profoundly they sympa thised with the President of the College. In the course of his sermon, while delineating the sweet and gentle character of the deceased, Dr. Morison introduced a sketch of her brief but touching history, from the pen of Dr. Harris, which we are truly happy to be able, by permission of the writer, to lay before our readers :

"Mrs. Mary Ann Harris, born July 19th, 1815, was the daughter of W. Wrangham, Esq., of Epsom, Surrey. Characterized

from childhood by great docility and affectionateness of disposition, and attending the public means of grace, she early became the subject of that Divine teaching which maketh wise unto salvation. As soon as her great self-diffidence would permit, she became a member of the congregational church at Epsom, then under the pastoral care of him, who in July, 1838, had the happiness of becoming her husband.

"Up to the period of her marriage she had been, for a considerable time, the devoted teacher of a class of children in the Epsom chapel Sunday-school; meeting them regularly and punctually twice every Lord's-day. Her love for the young induced her to take a lively interest in every thing which related to their welfare; and, on her removal to Cheshunt, gladly would she have resumed, had circumstances permitted, her favourite occupation in the duties of a Sunday-school.

"The quiet and even tenor of her wedded life, and the cheerful equanimity of her temper, prevented the occurrence of any thing calculated to move and to strike by the recital; but, for the same reason, her sudden departure will be felt most deeply and permanently by those who knew her best. Her presence was ever felt like that of the quiet dew and the cheerful light-simply by the sunny enjoyment which it diffused around. Entirely unconscious of her own attractiveness, she was content simply with not having wounded or offended, where at the very time she was exciting the strongest esteem; and yet was she ever ready to point out and enlarge on the excellences of those with whom she mingled; in lowliness of mind esteeming others better than herself.' Transparent as the day, she was conIfided in as soon as seen; for to see her was to know her; and warm in her affections, she lived and moved in the happy little circle of which she formed a part, only to love and to be loved.

"But it was, as it ought to be, in the sphere of domestic life that she appeared to the greatest advantage; finding in its ordinary duties scope for the practice of many virtues, and in its ever-recurring scenes a variety and freshness of pleasure which promised never to be exhausted. If, like Martha, she was ever careful (not troubled) about many things, it was only that afterwards, like Mary, she might sit in quiet at the feet of Christ. Most truly might it be said that the Bible was her favourite book. Often would she sit perusing it by the hour together; and, on the Lord's-day, for hours;

breaking silence only to ask a question on the subject of her reading, or rising only to consult a commentary.

"For some months previous to the event which occasioned her death, she had entertained the apprehension of its fatal termination. Her habitual cheerfulness, however, was but little, if at all, affected by the anticipation. In patience she possessed her soul. The principal effect appeared to be, the more rapid development of her character, intellectual and religious. Especially was this apparent in her deepening concern for the welfare of those around her; a concern which showed itself at times, when in conversation respecting them, in tears, lest they should be neglecting the great salvation. In the prospective usefulness of the newlyformed society of which she was treasurer, she felt much delight. Her last act, on the evening prior to her dissolution, was to arrange the little details of her office. Whatsoever of this kind her hands found to do, she did it with all her might.

"On the Lord's-day morning she was occupied in the perusal of the Word of God, and of a volume of discourses by Mr. Binney, on The Practical Power of Faith,' by which she expressed herself unusually pleased and benefited. About six o'clock in the evening, though the hour of 'travail' evidently approached, she begged me not to absent myself from the house of God, on her account; but desired, that if an interval offered, I would read the Scriptures and offer prayer with her after my return. By a little after eight, however, she had given birth to a fine little girl; and on my approaching her at her request, and saying, God has been very good, my love, in bringing you through the crisis, so quickly and safely;' 'oh, yes,' said she, 'never shall I be able to be sufficiently grateful for his goodness.' Little, at that moment, did she herself, or any one around her, expect that she was so soon to be transported to that blessed state where gratitude finds the harp and the voice which on earth it had wanted to pour itself forth in an adequate song of praise. Between three and four hours after -hours of agony-agony borne with uncomplaining patience-but agony which exhausted her vital powers-she suddenly and peacefully, with a smile on her face, sunk into the sleep of death. So,' in the language of a hymn which she was admiring the Lord's-day evening before

'So fades a summer cloud away;

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er; So gently shuts the eye of day; So dies a wave along the shore.' "Numerous and affecting are the lessons which this divine dispensation conveys. But it is not for the hand which has traced these lines, to point out those lessons to

MISS EDNA PRISCILLA CAMPBELL.

Died, at Croydon, on the 10th of October last, Edna Priscilla, the beloved daughter of the Rev. W. Campbell, late of Bangalore.

She was born in India, on the 14th of August, 1826, and was baptized by the Rev. D. Tyerman, while on his visit there, as one of the deputation of the Missionary Society. As she was naturally gay, lively, and thoughtless, the change that she underwent was the more striking to those who knew her, and the more satisfying and comforting to her parents and relatives who mourn over her early death. The following account of her experience, both in health and in her last illness, is from the funeral sermon preached by her father on the Sunday evening after her interment, and may be read with interest and with profit by our young friends at this season of the year. On the same evening, the Rev. Charles Gilbert, of Barnsbury Chapel, Islington, improved her death to the young people of his charge; and the words, "God is love," having afforded her often great peace and comfort during her affliction, they were made the subject of both sermons.

"Two years ago," says Mr. C., "had a messenger from the invisible world given us the intimation that death would soon enter our circle, and would seize upon one of our children, what would have been the imploring language that I should have used? Must it be so! Then, spare this little one. Let the stroke alight almost any where, rather than upon her. Spare her till she becomes more thoughtful and serious, and give her more time for repentance unto life.' But God's thoughts are not as our thoughts, and his ways are not as our ways. He selected that little one to endure the stroke; he prepared her by his rich and sovereign grace for his service, and has transplanted her early from this cold and barren region to bloom and flourish in the paradise above. He has done all things well, and we desire, with humble submission, to adore and magnify his name.

"Some time before our removal from Islington, and under the ministry of my friend, the Rev. Charles Gilbert, deep impressions were made upon her mind, and she had several conversations with that devoted minister about her immortal soul. What a change became manifest in her temper and in her conduct. She who was once so gay and unconcerned, now became devout, prayerful, and serious; the realities of eter

nity seemed to occupy her attention; the death of one and another young person, whom she knew, produced the impression upon her, that an early death might be her lot; and we could not but rejoice in the grace of God that was so perceptible and so striking in her whole demeanor.

"After our settlement in Croydon, these convictions became more solemn and pungent. Last autumn was a time for great searchings of heart. What tears! what prayers! what lamentations over sin! what deep waters of spiritual affliction did I not witness! She cried mightily to God for deliverance, and delighted in the ordinances of the sanctuary; and, with intense anxiety, she attended the prayer-meetings, and laboured as a teacher in the Sunday-school, till the excitement was evidently too much for her spirit and her frame. While in this state of mind, she read James's Anxious Inquirer,' with solemn application to her own heart, and with great spiritual profit; and a sermon delivered on the fifth sabbath of October, and which was useful to another young friends, who has since joined the church, from the words, 'The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,' seemed to set her spirit free; she came to the conclusion that night that she was a Christian, that God had made her a partaker of his grace, and numbered her amongst his people. Yes! He brought her through fire and through water, into a wealthy place, and enabled her to say, 'O Lord! I will praise thee; for though thou wast angry with me, yet now thine anger is turned away, and thou dost comfort me.' In the midst of great weakness, and while she was unable to collect her thoughts, and keep them fixed, as she was once able to do, she used often to say, 'Life is the time to serve the Lord. How grateful I am that I was led to seek the Lord while he was to be found, and to call upon him while he was near. If I had not, how miserable should I have been now!' And nothing was to her a subject of greater thankfulness and praise, than this, that she was enabled to seek the Divine mercy and favour when she was well, and was not driven to do so by the approach of sickness and of death. Ah, my young friends, listen to her counsels and her admonitions, as they come to you from her death-bed, and from her early tomb. Seek the Lord in the days of childhood and youth. Put not off this momentous concern till the evil day. The season of sickness and of death is the very worst that could be chosen for serious thought and solemn consideration. Cry mightily to God now, My Father, be thou the guide of my youth;' 'Oh, satisfy me early with thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days;' that, should an early death be your inheritance, you may be

enabled, like our beloved Edna, to rejoice in the grace and mercy of better and more vigorous days.

"The deep anxiety of mind, and the great travail of spirit, to which I have alluded, appeared seriously to affect her health, and while there can be no doubt that the disease of which she ultimately died had made some progress in her constitution, no fears upon this point had as yet entered her own mind or the minds of her parents. It was our joy to observe her growing sanctification. The Lord seemed to be rapidly preparing her for some great and important event. Her tenderness of spirit; her deep sense of her own unworthiness; her devotional frame of mind; and her wrestlings in prayer-all showed that the Spirit of God was carrying on his work in her soul. Many an hour of regret and sorrow did it give her, when, as the winter advanced, the state of her health obliged her to remain at home, and prevented her from attending on ordinances. But her Bible was very sweet to her, and at the cross and at the throne she refreshed

her spirit. So well acquainted were we with the history of her experience, that even after the fact was announced to us that her case was dangerous, we did not think it necessary to alarm her fears, and thus increase the violence of disease. But when at Southampton, in the spring, to try what change of air would effect, a circumstance occurred which gave to us the most delightful and satisfactory evidence of her state. Having heard that an old friend was residing in the neighbourhood, and the mother-in-law of one of our beloved missionaries, I went to call upon her, and staid till about eight o'clock. Our darling had been upon the couch, and was become rather weary. Well, my dear,' said her mamma to her, 'papa does not seem to come to pray with you, perhaps you will pray yourself.' The child burst forth in vocal prayer, and poured forth supplications of the most pious and delightful strain, using scriptural phraseology in the most simple and striking way, thanking God that she had her mamma to support her and to be with her in this affliction, and that he had given comfort to her papa. Her mamma was perfectly astonished, and such a prayer gave great delight and satisfaction to us both, as it was the voluntary effusion of her heart, and was far better to us than any testimony which could have been drawn forth by a hundred questions. During the summer, (I have learned since her death,) and while she was still unable to attend the ordinances, she had a most serious conversation with her sister about joining the church, and when they came to the conclusion that it was impossible, in her state of weakness, to pass through the various forms of admission, she wept bitterly, and

expressed her deep sorrow that she could not thus publicly subscribe with her hand to the Lord, and avow openly amongst his people her determination to be his for ever.

"On the evening before my departure for a missionary tour in Devonshire, she held a most solemn and serious conversation with me, unfolding all her heart, and telling me, in the most childlike manner, the state of her mind. She lamented that she could not now fix her thoughts in prayer, as she had been accustomed to do; that she did not therefore experience so much enjoyment; and that this occasioned her often great uneasiness of mind. But I know, papa, in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to his hands against that day.' The progress of her disease easily accounted for her wanderings in devotion, while grace alone could account for her assurance.

One

"After my hurried return from Cornwall, and while she was evidently dying, I had many sacred and delightful interviews with her. Sweet, and hallowed, and refreshing, will their remembrance be for ever. evening, she recounted to me all the way in which the Lord had led her, and remarking upon the medical opinion, that if there were any tendencies to consumption, Croydon air would be sure to develope them in three months, I said, 'Well, my dear, you had the opportunity of returning to Islington, if you liked, even before you had been here that time.' 'Yes,' said she, papa, that is very true. But you know the obstacles which there are in public schools to prayer and to piety. Suppose I had gone to Islington, and had lost the convictions and impressions that were made upon my mind, would it not have been worse with me in such a case than it is now? and you know that these were the grounds of my refusal.' Yes, I knew it, but it was very delightful to hear from her own lips, in the sight of the eternal world, that she still preferred sickness and death to life and all its enjoyments, when such a step might have injured her piety. On another occasion, she said, ' O papa, I am so weak and sinful. I see that in me, there is no good thing. I cannot think a good thought; and when I try it, evil ones come in to infest my mind. I feel I must cast all my burdens on Christ, who careth for me.' I was reminding her of God's love and watchfulness over her in former days. Yes,' said she

'Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He to save my soul from danger, Interposed his precious blood.' "But I hasten to the closing scene. One day, while resting on the bed with her mamma,* she said, 'I am a great sinner; but I

Mrs Campbell was so ill for more than three weeks before the death of our child, that she could not leave her bed.

know that Christ has forgiven me; and, therefore, I am not afraid to die.' She gave books to her brothers and sisters as presents, writing their names in them, and presenting them, with the greatest composure, as her parting gifts. Last sabbath day, she was very ill, and it was evident to all that the last enemy was approaching. Her message to her mamma was, 'Tell mamma that I am not well yet, but I shall soon be quite well. Mamma knows what I mean.' She intended to say that she would soon be beyond the reach of pain, and be numbered with the blessed. I could not retire to rest that night, for I felt assured that the hour of her departure was at hand. Just as the sabbath closed its sacred hours, she complained that something gave way about the region of the heart. She was thrown into the greatest agonies; but her spirit was strong; the sting of death was taken away; she feared not the approach of the enemy. As I held her hand, and was encouraging her with the assurance that Jesus would be with her, and that she must not, therefore, be afraid, she replied, with great emphasis, 'No, papa, I am not afraid,' and very shortly after, exclaimed,--

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside.'

A distressing cough prevented her from finishing the verse. These were her last words, and she very soon yielded up her spirit into the hands of her Saviour and her God. I thank my heavenly Father for the triumph which he gave to my child; I thank him for the rich grace and mercy that were so manifest in her, and that she could say, with peculiar propriety, 'God is love.' Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers. Her remains now repose in the Norwood Cemetery; but her spirit has joined the assembly of the blessed, and is supremely happy in the mansions above. May all my dear young friends remember the experience of my beloved Edna; may they be made partakers of the same grace, and in their early days be enabled to give themselves to their Redeemer; and may the death of this child be the life of not a few amongst us, and lead them to reflection and prayer, to faith, repentance, and devotedness. Amen."

MRS. DAVID TODMAN.

Died, at Petersfield, Hants, on Saturday, the 5th of November, after a severe illness of ten years' duration, borne with Christian fortitude and exemplary patience, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. David Todman, and mother of the Rev. W. Todman, of Yardley Hastings, Northampton. The deceased had been for upwards of thirty years a consistent member of the Independent chapel in Petersfield, and in her long affliction derived