Missionary First Fruits. 32mo. pp. 128. London: Religious Tract Society. A very interesting, useful little work for all young persons. The Young Women of the Factory. 24mo. pp. 176. London: Religious Tract Society. We cannot too strongly recommend this little book as showing, on the one hand, how human misery is occasioned and aggravated by thoughtlessness and folly; and, on the other hand, as illustrating the truth of the Scripture declaration, "Godliness is profitable for all things." The Pharisee turned Publican; or, the History of Old Jenny. London: Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley. This tract cannot be too generally circulated. It illustrates the deep-rooted evil of self-righteousness in the human heart, as well as the power and riches of sovereign grace in overcoming it. The Decision of Ruth an Example to the Young. By the REV. G COLE, B.A. London: Nisbet. A valuable present for young persons at Confirmation. 1. The Duty of the Young Men of England to aid in the Missionary Work. By the REV. W. CADMAN, M. A. Svo. stitched. 2. The Apostles and Early Christians Examples of Missionary Zeal. By the REV. E. AURIOL, M. A. 3. China-the Condition of the People, and the Openings for Missionary Labour among them. By the HON. AND REV. B. W. NOEL, M. A. 4. The Introduction of Christianity into Britain, &c. By the REV. THOMAS WARD. London: Nisbet and Co.; and B. Wertheim. There has recently been formed in London a Society called, "The Church of England Young Men's Society for aiding Missions at home and abroad." It proceeds on the principle of appealing to the Religious community in classes; and it is a principle which has worked very effectively. We have had Ladies' Associations, and Children's Missionary Societies; but the young men have in general scarcely partaken of the classification movement. Now, however, (and it is not quite for the first time, for there have been two similar, but more limited, associations in London before,) now we rejoice to see so useful a Society as the one above named, in vigorous and healthy operation. It has already two or more branch associations in the Metropolis; and under the superintendence of one of these auxiliaries, the able Lectures mentioned above were delivered. The Society embraces the claims of the Church Missionary, the Jews, the Pastoral-Aid, and the Colonial Church Society. The committee are desirous of forming branches throughout the country; and we cannot do better than urge upon Sunday-school Teachers the propriety of co-operating with the Parent Society, by forming Auxiliaries in their respective localities. They will thus be taking means for keeping alive in their own hearts an ardent missionary spirit, and their united prayers will not fail to draw down the divine blessing on missionary labours. Why should not such an auxiliary exist in every town? Its machinery is very simple, and we are sure that our clerical brethren would gladly do all in their power, by occasional lectures on topics akin to missions, &c., to promote so praiseworthy a combination. We would suggest to those Teachers desirous of forming such Associations, that they had better communicate with the Committee of the Parent Society, and obtain the regulations of the London Auxiliaries. The Self-Instructor's Assistant in the Study of the Common Subjects taught in English Schools, and also in Classics and Mathematics. By a Teacher-a Member of the Church of England. London: Simpkin and Marshall. The Student will not fail to find this little manua useful for the purpose for which it is designed. NOTES OF CATECHETICAL LECTURES ON THE APOSTLES' CREED. (Concluded from page 271.) "I believe in the Communion of Saints." What does this mean? That there is a oneness of feeling and of state betwixt Christ and all his people. Prove this from Scripture. John xvii. 21, 22. This teaches us that all Christ's people are one, because Christ and each of them are one. In how many things are Christ and his people one? In two things in feeling and in state. : 1st. Christ's people are one with him in feeling or mind. (Phil. ii. 5.) What is the meaning of the word, "mind," in this verse? Temper. This teaches us we should have the same temper as Jesus had, and so become one with him in feeling. 2nd. Christ's people are one with him in state and condition. (John xiv. 3.) Where is the Lord Jesus? In heaven. If, then, we have a oneness of feeling with Christ on earth, we shall have a oneness of condition with him in heaven. Prove from Scripture that Christ's people are one with each other. Eph. iv. 4-6. God's people are one with each other, because they have all the same blessings. What are these blessings? 1st. "One body." What is meant by "body" here? The Church; all who belong to the Holy Catholic Church. 2nd. "One Spirit." Who is this Spirit? 3rd. "One Hope." 5th. "One Faith." 6th. "One Baptism." 7th. "One God and Father of all." These seven blessings are common to all God's people. Who are the "Saints"? Holy persons, sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Does "the Communion of Saints" mean saints on earth only, or in heaven? It means both. All God's people on earth and all God's people in heaven make one family. (Heb. xii. 22, 23.) What is the meaning of the words, "Ye are come"? "Ye are related." To teach us the relationship between saints and angels in heaven, and God's people on earth. Who are the relatives of God's people on earth? Angels, the spirits of just men made perfect, and all holy beings in heaven. If, then, I say that I believe in "the Communion of Saints," how should it rule my heart and my life? 1st. I shall pray that I may have the mind of Christ now, that when I die I may have the glory of Christ. 2nd. I shall value and seek the blessings which Christ's people enjoy. 3rd. I shall endeavour to lead others to share them with me. The religion of Jesus is not a selfish religion. He might have remained in heaven without us, but died that we might share his glory. (John xvii. 22.) If I belong to Jesus, his joy will be my joy; I shall not be content to go to heaven alone, but I shall seek the salvation of all men. "The Forgiveness of Sins." If we do not believe "in the forgiveness of sins," it is foolish to think we shall ever go to heaven. What is sin? The breaking of God's commands. (1 John iii. 4.) Who can forgive sins? God only. (Mark ii. 7.) How does God pardon sin? Through the blood of Jesus. (1 John i. 7.) Whose sins does God forgive? The sins of those who repent, confess, and believe in Jesus. What is it to repent of sin? It is not only to be sorry for sin, but to forsake it. (Ezek. xxxiii. 9, 11.) Many weep over their sins who yet do not forsake them; this shows that the love of sin is still in their hearts, and that they have not truly repented. Who only can give true repentance? Jesus. (Acts v. 31.) What is it to confess? It is to own our sins to God with humility of heart and selfabasement. (Ps. xxxviii. 18.) In whom must we believe, if we would have our sins forgiven? In the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts xvi. 30.) It is not confession of sin, or the tears of repentance, which can take away our guilt; but only the precious blood of Jesus. (Eph. i. 7.) Find some promises that God will forgive the sins of those who repent, and believe in Jesus? Is. lv. 27. 1 John i. 9. Acts x. 43. What is it to be saved? It is to have the forgiveness of sins. If, then, I say that I believe" in the forgiveness of sins," how should it rule my heart and my life? 1st. I shall come to Jesus to have my sins pardoned. 2nd. I shall have peace in my soul, through his blood, while I live, and not be afraid to die. (1 Cor. xv. 55—57.) 66 'The Resurrection of the Body." What is meant by saying, "I believe in the resurrection of the body"? 1st. That after death we shall rise again in the same bodies we have now. This is a wonderful thing; why do I believe it? Chiefly because God has said it, and that is enough. (Job xix. 25-27.) 2nd. That these risen bodies shall never die again. (1 Cor. xv. 52.) What is the meaning of the word, "incorruptible"? Never to die again. 3rd. That our bodies will be perfectly holy. (Phil. iii. 21.) The bodies of Christians, after the resurrection, will be like whose body? The Lord Jesus Christ's. (Ps. xvii. 15.) What is his body called? "Glorious." The Lord Jesus has many glories, but his holiness is the glory meant here. If, then, I say that I believe "in the resurrection of the body," how should it rule my heart and my life? 1st. I shall live looking for it. 2nd. I shall bear very patiently all the pains I have in my body now. No pain, no sickness in heaven! 3rd. I shall not weep much over dying Christian friends. 4th. I shall give now my body to God. |