Christianity, Science, and Infidelity; a Series of Letters Vindicating the Received Truths of our Common Faith, showing the Follies and Absurdities of Atheism. By DR. HILLIER. With a Prefatory Recommendation by the Rev. HENRY VARLEY. R. D. Dickinson.

HIS long title-page explains the object of the author. In our view he has successfully realized it. His popular style will help to win favour for his book, and its circulation cannot fail to do good.

Wonders of Redeeming Grace; as displayed in the Conversion, and subsequent Life and Labours of JOHN WOOLDRIDGE, of London, Evangelist. By Rev. JOHN HAMMOND. Fourteenth Thousand. W. Moffat, 287, Oxford Strcet, Stepney, E.

A THRILLING record. It is, indeed, so excellent, and so likely to be useful, in exciting gratitude and in stimulating effort, that we regret it has not been better printed, and a little more carefully edited.

The Primitive Methodist Quarterly Review and Christian Ambassador. October. Primitive Methodist Book Depot. (Price 2s.)

ANOTHER capital number, its writing being for the most part as vigorous as its

contents are varied.

Holy Days and Holidays; or, Memories of the Calendar for Young Folks. By J. R. S. CLIFFORD. Wesleyan Conference Office. (Price 1s. 6d.) INSTRUCTIVE and interesting.

A Voice from the Sea; or, The Wreck of the "Eglantine." BY RUTH ELLIOTT, Author of "John Lyon," &c. Wesleyan Conference Office.

RUTH ELLIOTT is widely known as an attractive and powerful writer, and this volume, charged with a great purpose, is worthy of her reputation.

On Consumption of the Lungs, or Decline; and its Successful Treatment: showing that Formidable Disease to be Curable in all its Stages. By GEORGE THOMAS CONGREVE. New and Enlarged Edition. Elliot Stock.

To many persons, on account of the prevalence of Consumption, this book will prove to be of absorbing interest, and the announcement on the Title Page that this disease is curable seems sustained by irrefragable facts.

By ROBERT

The Doctrines of Predestination, Reprobation, and Election. WALLACE. Hamilton, Adams & Co. (Price 2s. 6d.) THIS is one of the Evangelical Union Doctrinal Series. Some of the volumes therein have hardly fulfilled our expectations, but many crucial and critical points which necessarily arise in considering such high questions as are debated in this volume, Mr. Wallace has dealt with in a calm, convincing, masterly manner. Let us furnish just one specimen.

"Calvinists sometimes entrench themselves behind God's foreknowledge as behind a rampart of granite, but it gives in reality no support to their system. That God knows the possible, and the contingent, was illustrated in the case of David at Keilah. He had taken up his temporary residence in this town. Saul was out on the war-path, and David wished to know if he would visit Keilah, and if so, whether the men of Keilah would deliver him up. The answer was, that Saul would come, and the people would deliver him up. Receiving this answer from God, he left. This shows that God's knowlevge does not necessitate an event (see I Sam. xxiii. 9.)"

Our Miscellany.

CECUMENICAL METHODIST CONFERENCE.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS AT TRURO.

It was a wise arrangement which provided for the holding of local Conferences in various parts of the kingdom, for thereby the good influence of the Central Conference has been both extended and augmented. As Cornwall is distinguished as a "strong-hold of Methodism," it was to be expected that there would be an important Conference in this county. The meetings held in the City of Truro on Thursday, September 22nd, were probably equal in importance to any provincial meeting connected with the movement. Every Circuit of each Methodist denomination in the county was solicited to appoint four lay Delegates; ministers being regarded as ex-officio members. Although many Circuits did not send any, and some not the full number of representatives, there were about 250 ministers and lay Delegates present; and in addition to these a large number of members of the various churches represented, were admitted by ticket. Ten Bible Christian Circuits appointed delegates. Among the representatives of our own denomination were, Ministers-W. J. Hocking, J. Tremelling, S. L. Thorne, G. W. Angwin, D. Murley, W. F. James, J. H. Shilson, W. Hill, W. Miller, D. Smith. Lay Representatives-B. H. Eddy, E. Roberts, J. Turner, W. J. Nicholls, T. Verran, J. Paynter, W. Verran, J. Stephens, M. V. Barratt, C. B. Kelway, W. B. Williams, R. Johns, W. Gibbs, W. Bassett, J. W. Russell, E. J. Courtier, C. H. Thomas, J. Hall, J. Champion, J. Power, W. Visick, W. Brewer, W. Rodda, W. Polsue. The morning session was held in St. George's Chapel (United Methodist), under the presidency of the Rev. C. H. Floyd, chairman of Wesleyan District. Appropriate portions of scripture having been read by Rev. Dr. Nicholson (Wesleyan), prayer was offered by Br. G. W. Angwin and Mr. Banks (Wesleyan). On the first topic for consideration Mr. R. G. Rows (United Methodist) read a paper of great excellence. He submitted that the Conference was evidence of obedience to the deepest convictions of our religious nature. These constrain men to come together; and it was a dire misfortune, and productive of untold mischief, when men, instead of following their deepest and holiest convictions, allowed lower impulses to sway them. To the question,-" Supposing we make the best of these and other occasions, that prejudice break down and hearts come together, what in the way of results may we expect to see in the Methodist body?" It was replied that organic union would not, under existing circumstances, be altogether desirable. If our efforts were directed simply to unite in one human organization the various outgrowths of Methodism, we might do more to cripple and dwarf its life than to expand and enoble it. We should rather expect real union of hearts. This might be promoted and strengthened, First, by a clear recognition of the fact that we have one common source of life and strength. Second, by apprehending more fully that we are growing up into a common head; that of all the varieties of thought and feeling, of temperament and education, of capacity and pursuit, Christ in Himself is making one great whole; that He is doing this, not by the destruction of individual characteristics, but by causing them to fill their own place in that great body of beauty and glory of which Christ is the head. Third, by seeing that we have one common work, viz., to assist in carrying out the purposes of God in relation to men. The essayist next directed attention to two or three practical matters connected with the subject under consideration. The sight of two, and in some cases three chapels

among a few cottages, the whole of whose adult population would not number more than 100, gave but little satisfaction. While such over-crowding should be avoided, a more frequent interchange of pulpits might be practised with advantage. Now that our position was assailed, and our fitness to minister to the people of the county challenged, it was for the interest of Methodism, and the interest of the Cornish people, that we present a united front. The discussion of the subject was opened by Br. J. Tremelling. He did not think that even organic union should be regarded as impossible of realization. The tide of feeling was running in the direction of the union of the various sections of the church. Thirty years ago the idea of such a Conference as that in which they were assembled, would have been thought utopian. As the points on which they agreed were far more numerous and important than those on which they differed, he trusted their coming together would result in an economizing of time and money, for as things then stood they were very unsatisfactory. Br. Angwin thought that in the cases contemplated, the weaker cause should be prepared to give way in favour of the stronger one, and a similar opinion was expressed by Rev. J. Cooper (Wesleyan); but a somewhat different view of the matter was taken by subsequent speakers. The Rev. Dr. George, of Chicago, in a very apt address, advocated organic union of the sections of Methodism which were so much alike that it would be difficult to define the difference between them. The Rev. J. Cockin (United Methodist) seemed to see the matter in a different light, for he expressed an opposite opinion with considerable earnestness.

The second paper, on "Woman's Work in Methodism," was read by Br. S. L. Thorne. The Hon. G. W. Frost (Nebraska) in illustrating the influence of woman in Methodism, cited instances in which women had been signally successful in advocating the cause of temperance, and promoting revivals of religion. They had one woman in America leading 30,000 converts, all of whom had been brought to God through her instrumentality. Mr. J. Osborn (Wesleyan) would give great prominence to woman's work, such as Mrs. Wesley's was—silent, but unceasing influence in the family circle. He feared home work was at a discount, and grudged any labour which caused woman to neglect the children God had given her, and of whom she was the natural guardian.

At the afternoon session, in the St. Mary's Wesleyan Chapel, there was a very large attendance, Br. W. J. Hocking, our esteemed missionary secretary, presided with his usual grace and efficiency. The hymn commencing

"Jesus from whom all blessings flow,

Great builder of thy church below."

was sung, and Rev. J. Cooper engaged in prayer. The chairman having remarked on the deeply interesting character of the morning's proceedings, and expressed the opinion that these gatherings must be productive of much moral good, called on Mr. G. J. Smith, J.P. (Wesleyan), to read a paper on "Our Methodist Sunday-schools."

The last topic for consideration was perhaps the most attractive. As Cornishmen are generally attached to their native county, and as Methodism is both influential and popular among them, "The relation of Methodism to Cornwall" could not fail to be a highly interesting subject. The paper on this topic, by the Rev. E. Russell (Wesleyan), adverted to the condition of Cornwall when Methodism was introduced, and the great change which had been effected in the morals of the community. Before the advent of Methodism, the people generally, and even the clergy themselves, were in great darkness. When the Wesleys arrived they were met with fiercest opposition; the houses of their friends were pulled down and themselves abused, pelted and beaten. In this persecution women

and men, clergy and laity joined, yet thousands of persons had been converted, societies formed, and houses of prayer erected in all directions. Day and Sabbath Schools had done much; but the greatest agency employed was the preaching of the gospel,-not only in the ordinary, but also in an extraordinary way. Revival services had been the secret of the success of Methodism in Cornwall. These services were generally accompanied with a certain amount of excitement; but this could be controlled and rightly directed. Methodism owed much to the efforts of lay friends, especially to the labours of its local preachers. What was now specially required was more pastoral visitation. Following the paper an address was given by Rev. W. R. Brown (United Methodist), who had laboured in Cornwall for many years. He remarked that Methodists were called schismatics; but the fact was, within the time of his recollection there was no church in Cornwall from which Methodists could have seceded. The Lord Chancellor had asked, what would become of the rural districts if church and state were severed? Methodism had supplied the answer, at least, so far as Cornwall was concerned. The Rev. Dr. George forcibly advocated greater attention to the young, that they might be brought into the church, and repudiated the idea that children could not be Christians. He himself when about eight years of age was a Christian, although not recognized as such by the church. In connection with the subject of this lastnamed paper, we may mention that Methodist chapels in Cornwall furnish accommodation for 170,000; and the Sunday-school accommodation—almost everywhere insufficient-is for 60,000. The number of church members is 36,000, or one in every ten of the whole population, and it is estimated that Methodist adherents are about 200,000.

After a largely attended tea, a public meeting was held in St. Mary's Chapel, the Mayor of Truro (a Methodist) presiding. The effect produced on our mind (and we think a similar feeling was experienced by many present), when the large and representative audience joined in singing Charles Wesley's familiar hymn— "See how great a flame aspires," &c.

will not soon be forgotten. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. George (who had contributed materially to the interest and success of the Conference), the Hon. G. W. Frost, and others.

It is a significant fact that neither at this Conference or the larger convention in London, has there been any indication of a desire to remove the old theological land-marks, or of a restless craving for new and novel methods of operation. But there has been, on the contrary, a rejoicing in what the Methodist churches have ever believed to be "the truth," and expression of confidence in Methodist agencies and institutions as adapted to the requirements of the church, and capable of realizing the greatest success. The clear and earnest proclamation of the cardinal doctrines of the gospel; the relation of Christian experience, and the harmonious blending of the labours of itinerant and local preachers, have been signally blessed of God. Let us continue to faithfully employ these agencies, and also to maintain that humility of spirit, fervour of devotion, and earnestness of effort, which have been distinguished characteristics of Methodists in the past, and we shall not fail to realize the Divine favour and a good degree of success. The manifestation by the Methodist Ecumenical Conference, of the spirit of Christian love and consecration, encourages us to confidently anticipate a bright and prosperous future for the churches represented, and also strengthens the belief that Methodism will be increasingly successful in its Divine mission to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world.

Penryn.

WILLIAM HILL.

NOTES OF THE MONTH.

TEMPERANCE.

On the first Monday of the Methodist Ecumenical Conference, part of the morning and the whole of the afternoon session was devoted to a discussion of various aspects of the temperance question. This arrangement was most creditable to so large and representative an assembly, and will do much to promote sympathy with and uncompromising adherence to the great movement among the Methodist churches throughout the world. The second paper of the morning was read by the Rev. Joseph Kirsop, of the United Methodist Free Churches, an able worker in the temperance reformation, and dealt with the temperance movement as it exists in England. Mr. Kirsop was able to say that all the Methodist bodies in this country were engaged as helpers in the work of temperance. Of our own denomination he spake as follows:-" The Bible Christian body has no special temperance organization. It is, however, thoroughly leavened with temperance sentiment. All its ministers are abstainers. If there are any exceptions, they are not known to those who have the best means of information. The universal pre

valence of total abstinence amongst the ministers of the body is not the result of a teetotal test, but it shows the strength of temperance sentiment in the denomination. Abstinence is widely, though not universally, practised amongst the members, and probably one half of the teachers and scholars are united in Bands of Hope." It has long been known by those who are acquainted with our history and work that we are, as a body of people, "thoroughly leavened with temperance sentiment; " and it seems to us that, this being the case, we ought by this time to have had, or ought to be having soon, a temperance organization of our own. The Wesleyan Methodists have one, so have the United Methodist Free Churches; and the Primitive Methodists are about to form a League; they already have a Band of Hope Union; and a scheme for the institution of a League was prepared in time for the last Conference of that body; but through the pressure of business its consideration was deferred until next year. If we recollect aright, a plan for the formation of a Union or League for our own denomination was to have been prepared and submitted by our able and zealous advocate of the good cause, Br. John Luke, of Newton Abbot, as far back as the Truro Conference; and we believe the scheme was drawn up by him, and that he was prepared to submit it for the consideration of the Conference; but, as in the case of our Primitive Methodist friends last year, the pressure of business led to the matter being deferred. Two Conferences have passed since then, however, and nothing has been done. We can surely, if we set about it, form a Temperance and Band of Hope Union, or a Conference League; and there is abroad amongst our people, we are persuaded, sufficient enthusiasm on behalf of the cause to ensure hearty support of such Union when it shall have been started. We hope we shall yet, and before long, see Br. John Luke bring forward the scheme he, by request of the Conference, was at pains to prepare; and could he not rely for suggestions and help on such brethren as the secretary of the Conference, the pastor of Bristol Circuit, and the pastor of Kilburn? We throw out these hints tentatively, and should be glad to hear what our numerous temperance friends have to say on the question; but we have thought that it should not continue to be the case that "the Bible Christian body has no special temperance organization."

WRECK OF THE TEUTON.

THIS calamitous event, the details of which have now reached us, occurred off Cape Agulhas, the southernmost promontory of the African Continent, on August 30th, in which 236 persons were drowned. The disaster impresses us all the