Notes on Books. THE NEW YEAR'S PARTY. London: Ward and Co. We beg to introduce this interesting little book to our readers at this season of the year. It describes in a very pleasing style a new year's party sanctified to the spiritual good of a family circle. The book is excellent in style, evangelical in spirit, and useful in tendency, while both its internal and external adornings fit it to become a suitable present or reward. CHARGES AGAINST THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. London: Smith, This is the second time that the indefatigable Dr. Thompson has preferred serious charges against the managers of the Bible Society. To the best of our knowledge the first series has never been met. The committee may rest assured that silence will never divert these attacks. We know that they are undermining the very ground-work of the Society; and unless the statements are fairly met by counter-facts, thousands must conclude with ourselves, (1) That the expenditure of the Society is outrageously extravagant: (2) That the funds are misappropriated: (3) That the dissenting portion of its friends are illiberally treated: (4) That dishonourable means are employed against its kindred institution at Coldstream: and (5) That the hire of the labourer is withheld. The pamphlet has given us grief. We admire the courage of Dr. Thompson in its publication, and again express our belief, that in the cause of Bible circulation he stands unequalled, and is entitled to a nation's thanks. PAUL FISHER. London: Jackson and Walford. A very pretty series of letters touchingly detailing the conversion and death of a pious and intelligent youth. They are written by a young lady to a brother and develop considerable power of mind and piety of heart. THOUGHTS UPON THOUGHT. London: Snow. The title of this remarkable book may be taken in two ways, as accurately descriptive of its contents: the work contains thoughts on thought, one thought piled up on another thought, like heaps of mountains; or thoughts concerning thought, accurate and soul-searching views upon the operations of the human mind. It is decidedly the clearest refutation that has ever appeared of the maxim that man is not responsible for his belief. It is written for the benefit of young men; and no work with which we are acquainted, will so thoroughly brace up their thinking faculties, detect the fallacies and expose the delusions to which they were liable, while it will also open up the deep fountains of their feeling and thus lead them onward to the full dignity of their nature-the possession of vigorous and sanctified intellect. Oh that our young men would read this small volume, and may the blessing of the spirit accompany it. While we write, (Nov. 4,) a great number of the leading houses in this town, Manchester, the city of manufactures, commence closing at noon of every Saturday, in order to allow their young men time for mental and moral improvement. We hail the decision with delight, and entreat our friends to improve. the opportunity thus kindly given for advancing their mental and moral dignity. Notes on Books. THE NEW YEAR'S PARTY. London: Ward and Co. We beg to introduce this interesting little book to our readers at this season of the year. It describes in a very pleasing style a new year's party sanctified to the spiritual good of a family circle. The book is excellent in style, evangelical in spirit, and useful in tendency, while both its internal and external adornings fit it to become a suitable present or reward. CHARGES AGAINST THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. London: Smith, This is the second time that the indefatigable Dr. Thompson has preferred serious charges against the managers of the Bible Society. To the best of our knowledge the first series has never been met. The committee may rest assured that silence will never divert these attacks. We know that they are undermining the very ground-work of the Society; and unless the statements are fairly met by counter-facts, thousands must conclude with ourselves, (1) That the expenditure of the Society is outrageously extravagant: (2) That the funds are misappropriated: (3) That the dissenting portion of its friends are illiberally treated: (4) That dishonourable means are employed against its kindred institution at Coldstream: and (5) That the hire of the labourer is withheld. The pamphlet has given us grief. We admire the courage of Dr. Thompson in its publication, and again express our belief, that in the cause of Bible circulation he stands unequalled, and is entitled to a nation's thanks. PAUL FISHER. London: Jackson and Walford. A very pretty series of letters touchingly detailing the conversion and death of a pious and intelligent youth. They are written by a young lady to a brother and develop considerable power of mind and piety of heart. THOUGHTS UPON THOUGHT. London: Snow. The title of this remarkable book may be taken in two ways, as accurately descriptive of its contents: the work contains thoughts on thought, one thought piled up on another thought, like heaps of mountains; or thoughts concerning thought, accurate and soul-searching views upon the operations of the human mind. It is decidedly the clearest refutation that has ever appeared of the maxim that 'man is not responsible for his belief.' It is written for the benefit of young men; and no work with which we are acquainted, will so thoroughly brace up their thinking faculties, detect the fallacies and expose the delusions to which they were liable, while it will also open up the deep fountains of their feeling and thus lead them onward to the full dignity of their nature-the possession of vigorous and sanctified intellect. Oh that our young men would read this small volume, and may the blessing of the spirit accompany it. While we write, (Nov. 4,) a great number of the leading houses in this town, Manchester, the city of manufactures, commence closing at noon of every Saturday, in order to allow their young men time for mental and moral improvement. We hail the decision with delight, and entreat our friends to improve. the opportunity thus kindly given for advancing their mental and moral dignity. The Portion. Двс. 10. THE LAW EXPLAINED.- Matt. v. 17-26. NOTES. Ver. 17. 'Law and Prophets.' the writings of Moses and the prophets. The Jews were very jealous of any alteration of their law, and thought Christ was its enemy: 'to fulfil it, by obeying it in his life, and atoning for its violation in his death. Ver. 18. 'Till heaven and earth, a proverb, signifying never; the Jews had a notion that the world would never cease: 'one jot or tittle,' the smallest Hebrew letter, and a small mark in a letter. Ver. 19. 'Break one of these least, &c. some commands may be regarded as less than others, only because their violation may be less injurious to man, but there is the same spirit in a small sin as in a great one: 'least in the kingdom, but lightly esteemed in the church. Ver. 20. Scribes and Pharisees, these persons were thought to be very religious; they had nearly a hundred forms of prayer, which were frequently repeated. Ver. 21. Them of old time,' those who explained the Law and the Prophets: 'thou shalt not, &c., see Ex. xx. 13: 'judgment,' the sentence pronounced by the twentythree judges in a court of justice. Murder was punished by death in Christ's time. Ver. 22. 'I say, &c., Jesus here speaks with an authority equal to that which gave the law; he meant not to alter the law, but to show that murder commences in the heart then proceeded to the utterance of contempt, as 'Raca,' (vain empty fellow)-then the utterance of abuse, as 'thou fool.' Anger must be short, Eph. v. 26, and directed only against sin, and blended with pity for the sinner, Mark iii. 5. When 'vain man' and 'thou fool' are used by inspiration, it is only in the way of reproof, Luke xxiv. 25; Gal. iii. 1: 'the council,' the highest Jewish court. Ver. 23. Bring thy gifts, sin offerings and thank offerings: altar,' a table in the temple on which they were placed. Ver. 25. 'In the way,' to the place of judgment; 'officer,' person who has the care of prisoners. QUESTIONS. 1. What do you understand by the Law and the Prophets?-2. How did Jésus fulfil them?-3. Was it for himself or for us that Jesus died to magnify the law?-4. Are we bound to obey every jot and tittle of God's commands? - 5. Why are some commands here called the least?-6. How can we teach persons to break God's law?-7. But if we set a bad example, what will be our punishment here?-8. Why should any one wish to be accounted great in Christ's church?-9. Who among the Jews made the highest pretensions to piety?-10. How did they keep the law, outwardly or inwardly?11. In what respect must our righteousness exceed theirs?-12. To what exercise should Christ's declaration lead us? 2 Cor. xiii. 5.13. If our inward motives are impure, what will be the consequence? -14. Does our religion entitle us to heaven, or merely fit us for it? -15. How does Christ here represent the law?-16. Where does all sin begin?-17. What is said in 1 John iii. 15?-18. Under what regulations must we keep our anger?-19. As we know not where an evil thought may lead us, how should we act toward the first beginnings of sin? Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24.-20. For what object did the Jews approach God's altar?-21. What is supposed to come into some person's mind as he went to that altar?-22. What was he to do?-23. Will God accept our worship if we live at enmity with any one? Ps. Ixviii. 18.-24. How should we effect a reconciliation with our enemies?-25. We are going forward to judgment, and have made God our enemy, what is our immediate duty?-26. By what method can we become reconciled to God? 2 Cor. v. 20, 21.-27. What will result from our neglect of this duty? DEC. 17.-DAVID'S CHILD REMOVED.-2 Sam. xii. 15-23. NOTES. Ver. 15. 'Nathan departed,' he had been as God's servant to rebuke David for his sin in taking to himself the wife of Uriah. Ver. 16. 'Lay all night. &c.' an eastern expression of deep grief. Ver. 18. Seventh day, the day before the one appointed for the circumcising of the child, Gen. xvii, 12; it would greatly increase David's grief that the child died before being received into the Jewish church. Ver. 20. Came into the house of the Lord, &c.,' there to confess his great sin, submit himself to the hand of God, and pray for the sanctification of the event. Ver. 23. 'I shall go to him,' in heaven. The 51st Psalm was composed by David in reference to this sad affair, and clearly shows how his guilt had wounded his own soul and dishonoured the cause of God. He was guilty of murder toward Uriah, 2 Sam. xi, 14-17, and of adultery toward Bathsheba; but all was against God, Ps. 51. 4. QUESTIONS 1. How did David in this matter sin against the Lord? verse 9.2. What evil consequences resulted from his sin? verse 14: Ps. li. 12.-3. Did David's situation and profession lessen or increase his guilt?-4. Some months elapsed before he awoke to feel his sin, what does that fact prove? Heb. iii. 13.-5. How should we regard past sins over which we have not prayerfully repented? Num. xxxii. 23.-6. By what method did God express his anger at David's sin? -7. Can you name two or three ways in which God brings our sins to mind?-8. Is it in mercy or in wrath that he makes us feel the evil of sin? Ps. lxxxix. 33.-9. When sin is brought to mind, how should we treat it? Ps. xxxii. 5; 1 John i. 9.-10. How did David act under the sickness of the child? verse 16.-11. Whence come the sickness and death of infants? 1 Cor. xv. 22.-12. How does the Lord repay them for their sufferings here? Matt. xix. 14.-13. When the child had expired, what did David do?-14. How did his servants suppose he would act?-15. Can you show the wisdom of his conduct?-16. Under the loss of dear friends, how are we to behave ourselves?-17. What was David's consolation?-18. When may we feel sure that God's chastisements have done us real good? DEC. 24. THE BIRTH OF JESUS. - Luke ii. 1-15. NOTES. Ver. 1. All the world, either the Roman world or Judea only; Roman historians do not mention the enrolment, probably therefore it only included Judea, and was meant to show Herod his subjection to Caesar. Ver. 2. 'First made,' that is, first took effect when Cyrenius, twelve years after, was governor of Syria. Ver. 3. 'All went, &c.,' the register of names and circumstances would be made with greater accuracy where the persons were well known, than in other parts of the country. Ver. 4. Caesar, unconsciously, by this measure led to the fulfilment of Micah v. 2, written 700 years before. Ver. 8. 'In the same, &c., Bethle |