Another of his hymns is also civilization that criminology has familiar: 66 Jesus, the very thought of Thee, With sweetness fills my breast, But sweeter far Thy face to see, As And in Thy presence rest." But he had wider claims for the lasting reverence of mankind. an eloquent preacher, a later chrysostom, he confronted kings with a message from the King of kings, and was for his time a great statesman, and a great social reformer and organizer. The following is Dr. Storrs' summary of his character: "In times of tumult and peril he followed those of the earlier day, who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, in weakness was made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Taking him for all in all, he stands before us, I am sure, by no means the supreme philosopher of his time, or its most untiring acquisitive scholar, but as noble an example as that time offers, or any time, of the power which intensity of spiritual force imparts to speech; of the power of that speech, as thus vitalized and glorified, to control and exalt the souls of men. I think of him in his physical frailty and his tender humility, refusing office, and spurning all enticements of station, yet confronting kings, cardi nals, and popes, ruling and inspiring vast assemblies, raising armies, subdu ing rebellious minds and wills, sweeping in fact the nations before him with his impetuous and passionate discourse, over which brooded eternal shadows, through which streamed celestial lights, and which shot to its purpose from a soul full charged with heroic energyand I see, and I say, that the noblest opportunity God gives to men is that of testifying, with lips which He Him. self has touched, to the glory of His character, to the majestic grace of His plans, to the work which men of a consecrated spirit may do for Him in the world!" Criminology. By ARTHUR MACDONALD. Large 12mo, cloth, 416 pp., with Bibliography of Crime, etc., 82.00. New York, London, and Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company. It is a sad comment on our modern become an elaborate science, and yet it is to the credit of humanity that criminals are being treated, not with a fierce avengefulness, but in the effort to reform and restore. This is not a dry-as-dust treatise of prisons and reformatories, but it is a philosophical study of the criminal type, of the evolution of crime, its criminal and psychological side, criminal contagion, and hypnotism, recidivation, etc. The book is an important contribution towards the science of crime and criminals. Heretofore, the works upon this branch of science have been in the main such as only students would appreciate; but, while we have in this work a scholarly treatment of the subject, as the result of years of expert study and research, we have also a popular treatment by which the subject is brought within the comprehension of those who are not specialists. Dr. MacDonald's, we judge, will take rank as the text book in the English language on criminology. His plans included special visits to the principal prisons and charitable institutions in England, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and America. He passed two entire summers with criminals in the best institutions at Rochester, Elmira, Auburn, and at other points. He was locked in cells with criminals in order to become more fully learned concerning them. An The main work closes with some general practicable conclusions, which are worthy of close attention. extensive Bibliography of crime, of the best books and articles, in the several languages, follow. Memorial Remains of the Rev. Murray McCheyne, Minister of St. Peter's Church, Dundee. By REV. ANDREW BONAR, D.D. Edinburgh Anderson, Oliphant & Ferrier. Toronto: Wm. Briggs. New ed. Pp., 648. Illustrated. : For two generations the name of McCheyne has been the synonym of saintly consecration and of seraphic zeal. Of him, as of another saint of God, it may be said, "He was a burning and a shining light." Like the pious Rutherford of an earlier generation, he is enshrined forever in the hearts of those who knew the man, as one of the noblest incarnations of Christian manhood that the world has ever seen. to In a life three years less than that of the Lord whom he loved and served, he accomplished great good and left a sacred influence that is fragrant in the world to-day. Dr. Bonar gives an account of McCheyne's interesting mission Palestine and the Jews, but leaves him to tell his own story in the interesting letters and extracts from his journals which are given. We can easily imagine the intensity of spiritual interest with which he visited the place made sacred evermore by the life and labours of our Lord. Although fifty years have passed since then, yet, in the sweet hymns which he wrote "by cool Siloam's shady rill," and "by the deep blue waves of Galilee,' seem to feel the spell of his spirit breathing in the place to-day. A selection of his poetical writings are given with portraits and fac-simile of his writing. His biographer has recently passed the veil and joined the choir invisible. This volume contains, as Milton says, "the quintessence of a noble spirit." It is a remarkably cheap book for its size and excellence. we Bible Lands Illustrated. A complete handbook of antiquities and modern life of all the sacred countries. By HENRY C. FISH, This is an exceedingly well written and useful book. It has several marked features of value. First, its comprehensiveness, embracing Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Persia, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, and other lands of Bible incident and story. It is also very copiously illustrated, having 600 engravings and maps, 1,000 elucidated Scripture texts, and 2,000 indexed subjects. Some of the engravings, however, while fairly illustrating the subject, do not possess the artistic merit a book of this sort should have. It is not a mere book of travel, although it is the result of wide journeying and close study of the sacred sites and scenes. It furnishes recent identifications and other results of explorations of Bible lands, and it focuses upon the sacred page a world of information derived from many sources. For Sunday-school teachers and preachers, it will be a very valuable help for the study and comprehension of the Word of God. The classified indices of the subjects and texts are very complete. Annals of the Disruption of 1843, with Extracts from the Narratives of the Ministers who left the Scottish Establishment. By REV. THOMAS BROWN, D.D., F.R.S.C. Edinburgh Macniven & Wallace. Toronto: Wm. Briggs. Pp., 841. This volume gives a full and graphic account of one of the most important re'igious movements of modern times. Seldom has such an act of self-sacrifice been exhibited as that of the five hundred Presbyterian ministers, who, at the command of conscience, abandoned their churches and manses, and like Abraham, went forth, not knowing whither they went. It is a tale of lofty heroism and of noble trust in God. This story of the origin of a great Church is well told, and admirable illustrations are given of the procession down the high street, of the signing of the deed of demission and of the first assembly; "leaving the manse," and many other touching incidents. Excellent portraits are also given of Chalmers, Dr. Cunningham, Hugh Miller, and other actors in this great drama. Our friend, Rev. Professor Wallace, of Victoria College, himself a son of the manse and son of one of the founders of the Free Church of Scotland in this land, has kindly promised to prepare for this magazine an article discussing this important movement. THE Methodist Magazine. APRIL, 1893. WHAT EGYPT CAN TEACH US. BY THE EDITOR. IV. It seems strange to hear the snort of the iron horse at Assouan, 800 miles up the Nile.. Yet there is a well-worked stretch of railway around the great cataract, and there will soon be unbroken connection all the way from the Mediterranean to far beyond Philaæ. Our Canadian party, however, were too late for the daily train from Assouan, so we had to take donkeys for the six miles' ride through the desert. The popular idea of a desert is that it is a level and limitless stretch of barren sands. A glance at the picture on the following page will show that that is not correct. in many cases there are out-cropping rocks and ruin mounds. The essential characteristic, however, is its sterility and desolation. Anything more desolate than the verdureless, hot and arid expanse is difficult to conceive. Notwithstanding, the air is so dry and clear that a sense of exhilaration is felt that goes far to overcome the feeling of heat and fatigue. We pass near Assouan, a dreary Arab cemetery utterly neglected and ruinous, many of whose crumbling brick tombs are over one thousand years old. The road passes through a savage defile bordered by granite rocks on either side, and strewn with flint shards and granite boulders in wildest confusion. As soon as we strike the river again, all is verdure and fertility. The shore is populous with native villages fairly swarming with children, even the youngest of whom, if they can say no other word, will lisp out "'sheesh," and hold out their little hands and beg still more ardently with their beautiful dark eyes. We embarked in a cumbrous river boat rowed by about a dozen coal-black Nubians, who seemed all the darker by contrast VOL. XXXVII. No. 4. |