Book Notices. THE sixth number of the great Bible Dictionary of Dr. Smith,* is now out, ending in "Egypt" at the 672 page. This number fully sustains the deservedly high reputation of its predecessors. The work is sold only by subscription, and when complete will be unquestionably the best Dictionary of the Bible in the English language. Price, seventy-five cents a No. With the modern assaults of infidelity upon the credibility of the four gospels, it is more than well to place before the public so clear, so succinct, so conclusive an argument against its attacks as is found in this neat, readable little volume.† No living man can speak from so wide a field of observation as its author. His "chief aim is to show that our inspired Gospels most certainly take their rise from apostolic times." After narrating, in a most interesting manner, how he obtained the wonderful Sinaitic manuscript, he calls up witnesses from various sources to prove the point in question. Chapter I. contains ecclesiastical testimony; II. the testimony of heretics and heathen, during the second century; III. apocryphal literature; IV. testimony of apostolic fathers, Barnabas and Papias; V. manuscripts and versions of the second century. This book is a treasure, and cannot be too widely circulated, nor carefully and generally read. We have an exceedingly interesting pamphlet of forty-eight pages before us, containing more valuable data than it often falls to our lot to discover within so limited a space. The history of the begin * American edition of Dr. Wm. Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, revised and edited by Prof. H. B. Hackett, D.D., with the cooperation of Ezra Abbot, A.M., A.A.S., Assistant Librarian of Harvard College. New York: Published by Hurd & Houghton, 1867. "When were our gospel written?" An ar gument by Constantine Tischendorf, with a narrative of the discovery of the Sinaitic manuscript. Boston: Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, Depository 13 Cornhill. 1867. 16mo. pp. 167. ning of cotton manufacturing in this country, of the rise and the progress of a village and town for fifty years, the biography of three such men as Fathers Waldo and Sewall and Rev. T. A. Taylor, the work of the world-renowned Slaters, and the life of the "mother of them all," so to speak, all in forty-eight pages, and even more than all these. The Pastor deserves abundant thanks for his patience and fidelity. The beautiful photograph likenesses of the hree men named above, are a great addition to the value of the pamphlet. A faithful history of any of our older New England Congregational churches is a monument of great value. We rejoice in their multiplicity. The second church of Greenwich have a history, and it is well told in the large pamphlet before us.§ It is ornamented with the engravings of its present and former houses of worship. The historical discourse by Dr. Linsley is one of rare merit, and of interest to others than the residents of the community in which it was delivered. We have the following from the American Tract Society, 28 Cornhill, Boston: "Bible Sketches and their Teachings, for Young People;" 2d series, by Samuel G. Green, B.A., 320 pp...." Our Summer at Hillside Farm," by Mary Barrett, 256 pp... "Ruth Derwent a Story of Duty and Love," by C. J. G., 320 pp. From the Mass. Sabbath School Society we have "Margaret Chester," 316 pp. ... Editorial. JUDGE BOURNE, of Kennebunk, Me., sent us an article in reply to Mr. Cushman's printed in our Jan. number, which we felt compelled to return, because of its "sharpness" of allusion to the writer of the paper he criticised. It appears in the July number of the Historical Magazine, with an introductory note which does injustice to this Quarterly. The article was returned, with some hesitation, from a feeling that its personal allusions to the writer of the paper he criticised were too "sharp" for our pages. When Judge Bourne thinks that "one of the material attributes of truth is its sharpness," we agree with him; but we do not consider the "sharpness" of an argument to be identical with "sharp" reflections upon the individual who defends an opposite view. Therefore the Judge's statement that the "editor takes a different view of the matter," i. e., as to the "pungency" of truth, is uncalled for and incorrect. Doubtless, also, when he said, "If he thinks that error had better go unanswered than to be corrected by the sharpness of truth," he could not have known that his article was not returned until a clergyman of Maine, whom we supposed to be his friend and who certainly espouses the Judge's views most heartily, had forwarded an article to the Quarterly on the points at issue, and to the same purport with that of the Judge, which was gladly inserted in the July Quarterly. The editors of the Quarterly have never expressed any opinion whatever on the Popham controversy. We do not propose to express any. We insert any suitable article, free from personalities, on so interesting a period of our New England Christian history. But the only point in dispute in this minor controversy hinges on the use of one word. The Judge said, in public oration," here was offered the first Christian prayer, in our own language, that ever broke from human lips on the shores of New England." Mr. Cushman showed, and the Judge admits, that such prayer had been earlier offered in vessels, and on the islands adjacent to the main land. The Judge replies that he used the term "shores "in a marine sense, in contradistinction from the islands; and as synonymous with MAIN or the CONTINENT; and every lawyer would so understand it." But tlfe oration was not addressed to lawyers. So broad a statement as we have quoted, it seems to us, must have been understood, and rightly so, by all ordinary readers, as Mr. Cushman understood it. Had the Judge said "main land, or had he alluded to the earlier worship on the islands, all ambiguity would have been avoided, and a useless controversy prevented. As the Judge now explains that he used the word in a restricted and technical sense, such as "every lawyer could understand," we suppose this little controversy to be ended. But we suppose, also, historical orators had better use terms in their ordinary signification; or if not, that they take pains to define terms which they take out of the ordinary use. WE have still on hand full sets of the Quarterly, which can be had at one dollar a volume, in numbers, or one dollar and Parts of sets will be fifty cents bound. furnished at fifty cents additional excepting volumes first and sixth, which are not for sale by themselves. We have not sent our January No. in advance of pay, usually. Some complain of this course. Others complained when we did send it. We now especially URGE all our subscribers, who wish their numbers "right along" UNTIL THEY ORDER THEM DISCONTINUED, to just say so with their next remittance, and it shall so be done, and their bill will be forwarded in each January number. To all others we will wait the renewal of their subscription. We invite particular attention to this notice, and shall hope for many an order of con TINUANCE. The American Congregational Union. THE Congregational Union is steadily endeavoring to accomplish the ends for which it was instituted. By correspondence and conference with pastors and prominent lay men it is exerting its influence to strengthen the common cause, and to aid in the formation of new churches, and the enlargement of Christian activities; and generally to promote healthful progress in the Congregational sphere. In the particular work of aiding the feeble churches in erecting houses of worship, the Union is accomplishing a vast good with a comparatively small expenditure. By the annexed list of appropriations paid since the 1st of May last, it will be seen that the Board are doing all that their means allow to meet the urgent demands made upon the Treasury. Although the undertaking is so great a one in itself and is attended with so many difficulties, yet experience is furnishing ample proof of the wisdom of prosecuting it with untiring energy. Such care is taken in the examination of each particular application, that those who give may be sure their funds are well applied. Such an amount of good is effected by a small sum given that it is difficult to conceive how money can be expended in advancing the cause of Christ to greater advantage. The Trustees are encouraged and gratified to find that the pastors and churches generally are coming to understand and feel how indispensable it is to the prosperity of our denomination that the means required for this important branch of our Home Missionary work should be regularly and adequately supplied. From assurances given. it is hoped and expected that the present year will bring liberal contributions from most of the churches, and that this, henceforward, will be the case from year to year. If the churches and pastors will give this great matter the place in their regular annual collections to which its vital connection with the extension of our doctrines and principles, and the welfare of our churches most obviously entitle it, the best results will speedily appear. In this way, too, the churches may be relieved from the embar |