THE LATE REV. JOSEPH WHITING, OF

CROYDON.

THE Rev. Joseph Whiting, after a period of much suffering, but in the enjoyment of sweet peace, and, at times, of rapturous delight, entered into the Heavenly rest on the evening of the 14th of October, 1875, in the 59th year of his age. His health had been giving way for twelve months or more, and, though occasionally he seemed to rally, the end was very rapid. An over-worked brain had brought an utter prostration of body, but his consciousness remained bright and clear to the close. He sent loving messages to friends, and calmly prepared to enter on the journey to what he designated with his parting breath, "A life of intellectual, and moral, and spiritual progress for ever and for EVER," repeating the last words with strong emphasis and a piercing look of supernatural earnestness; so, surrounded by his dear wife and his three chidren, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus.

Mr. Whiting's early life was spent at Frome, in Somersetshire, where he was born, and owed much to the loving care of a Christian mother, for whom he cherished the warmest affection.

Through various experiences he was led to the Cross and into the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding," and in September, 1838, joined the church at Zion Chapel, Frome,then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Wm. Fernie, who, seeing the earnestness with which he set himself to work in the Sabbat' school and in other fields of labour for

the spiritual good of those around him, encouraged him to go forward in proclaiming the Word of Life, and he com menced a preparatory course of study for the ministry with the late Rev. Spedding Curwen, of Reading. He next went to Newport Pagnel College for four years, where the students were presided over for a time by that pattern of true patriarchal grace, the Rev. T. P. Bull, assisted by his son the Rev. Josiah Bull, M.A.

Mr. Whiting was very happy at college his lively manners and open disposition made him a general favourite. He was eager to make the best of his time, diligent in his studies, and careful in preparing for public services. Not often was he absent from the week-evening lecture or Sabbath-morning prayer meeting. He had a very tender conscience and shrank from the very appearance of evil. Having honourably closed his career at college, he went forth with a warm heart to the work of the ministry. He zealously preached the Gospel for nearly twelve months at Brackley in Northamptonshire. About the close of 1846 he became the pastor of one of the churches at Wareham, in Dorsetshire, for rather more than three years, and having been the means of reuniting the two churches which had long been divided, he left them that they might unitedly choose a fresh pastor. In 1849, he went to Isleworth, and there he remained till his marriage with Miss Maria Ashby, of Hounslow, in December, 1853, when he undertook the

K

pastorate at the Old Meeting House, Bideford, North Devon, and built the new chapel there.

After seven years he accepted an invitation to the Old Chapel at Stroud, where he also zealously laboured for seven years, when feeling the need of rest he retired to Croydon. In 1870, he became the minister of the South Croydon temporary Congregational Church, and soon after commenced the new church which was opened in April, 1871. In all these places he laboured much and with many tokens of God's blessing.

The original type of Mr. Whiting's mind resembled that which is seen in St. Peter. He was naturally kindhearted, warm, and energetic and outspoken in the utterance of his convictions. He was endowed with a ready perception, a lively imagination, a good memory and considerable power of application. His love of all kinds of knowledge was manifest; he had a well-furnished library, and his appetite for studying, especially theological works, was only too keen. His piety was genuine, and

his religious character pure and transparent; he was wholly imbued with the spirit of Christianity, and allowed it to influence all his actions. His generosity of heart and catholicity of spirit were strikingly evident. He had pureæsthetic taste, and strove to have everything chaste and simple in the forms of Communion with religious worship.

his Saviour was his daily habit and joy, and this was the secret of his consistent life and happy death. He had good preaching ability, and spared no pains in preparing for the pulpit.

The mortal remains of Mr. Whiting were interred at Croydon Cemetery on the 20th of October, when the Rev. Dr. Stoughton gave an address, the Rev. J. E. Drover read suitable portions of Scripture, and the Rev. James Young offered prayer. On the following Sabbath Dr. Stoughton preached a funeral sermon from the words "Eternal Life," and bore ample testimony to the sterling worth of the deceased. Codford St. Mary.

A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities: Being a Continuation of the "Dictionary of the Bible." Edited by WILLIAM SMITH, D.C.L., and SAMUEL CHEETHAM, M.A., Professor of Pastoral Theology, King's College, London. Vol. I. (London : John Murray.)

"The present work, speaking generally," say the editors in the preface, "elucidates and explains in relation to the Christian Church the same class of subjects that the 'Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities' does in reference to the public and private life of classical antiquity. It treats of the organization of the church, its officers, legislation, discipline, and revenues; the social life of Christians," &c., &c. "It commences at the period at which the

JAMES YOUNG.

'Dictionary of the Bible' leaves off, and forms a continuation of it; it ceases at the age of Charlemagne, because (as Gibbon has remarked) the reign of this monarch forms the important link of ancient and modern, of civil and ecclesi-astical history." These words sufficiently describe the nature and design of this work, which is to be completed in twovolumes. The present, first volume, extends from A to Ju. It is impossible for us to give anything like a review of it in the space at our disposal, nor is it necessary. Such articles as those upon Altar, Baptism, Bishop, Church, Chapel, Christmas, Excommunication, Fasting, evince very great research and receive elaborate treatment. In a work to which more than seventy learned and competent men, who with few exceptions belong to the Established Church, supply contri

butions, absolute impartiality is not to be expected. There will be various opinions as to the quality and character of many of the articles, and a certain flavour of ecclesiasticism will be found generally pervading it; but there can be only one opinion regarding the great value of the Dictionary as a whole. It will be found a most important addition to the library of every minister.

Essays on some Theological Con

troversies of the Time. Chiefly contributed to the Edinburgh Review. By HENRY ROGERS. New Edition. (London: Longmans, Green, and Co.)

This volume is part of a reprint of reviews which originally appeared many years ago, and attracted much and well-deserved notice. They were published separately in a library edition more than twenty years ago, under the more appropriate title of "Essays," and have been held in honour, by thoughtful readers, as amongst the ablest and most valuable additions to English literature that the present generation has produced.

The volume here noticed is almost exclusively controversial, and, on this account, is published separately from two other volumes (uniform in size, &c.) which contain the author's essays of a more general character, biographical, philosophical, and literary. These controversial essays only have been sent to us, and we earnestly commend them to renewed and careful attention. They relate to subjects still vehemently discussed. One of them, that entitled "Ultramontane Doubts," treats, in a most vigorous and triumphantly conclusive way, the great Vatican question on which Mr. Gladstone, Cardinal Manning, and the venerable John Henry Newman have so recently put out all their strength, and which touches and stirs national life wherever the Christian religion extends. The other essays (all except one on Erasmus) from the same Review, are on kindred topics, and should be studied by

all who would find for themselves or show to others the true source and true standard of religious truth. Sermons preached in the King's

Weigh-House Chapel, London, 18291869. By T. BINNEY, LL.D. Second Series. Edited, with a Biographical and Critical Sketch, by HENRY ALLON, D.D. (London: Macmillan and Co.)

We are sorry that this volume of sermons has so long been without notice in our columns; but we cannot charge ourselves with any negligence in the matter, as the book, through some mistake, has only recently come into our hands. It contains seventeen discourses, some of which are among the lamented author's best. Many will be glad to see in this form the celebrated Missionary Sermon on Isaiah liii. 11, the discourses on the "Peace of God," from Philip. iv. 7, and that on Thoughts that Perish, from Ps. cxlvi. 4. Indeed all are masterly and valuable, worthy of the eminent preacher. Dr. Allon's "Biographical and Critical Sketch" is what might have been expected of him, able and excellent. It will be read with interest, and will reward perusal by the numerous friends of Dr. Binney in all parts of the country.

The British Quarterly Review.

No. CXXV. January, 1876. (London: Hodder and Stoughton.) This able serial begins the year well and provides for its readers the following articles-1. Herbert Spencer's Sociology. 2. Among the Prophets. 3. The Hindu Woman, Real and Ideal. 4. Servia. 5. The Stock Exchange and Foreign Loans. 6. Disestablishment in New England. 7. Political Questions in Italy. 8. Contemporary Literature. The first article is an able critique on Mr. Spencer's system, and contains many clever things. The second

Among the Prophets "-is a curious production, and is mainly made up of quotations translated from Oriental and