BRIEFER NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A Crooked Woman made Straight. By W. J. Humberstone. (London: Elliot Stock.) There is much in a name, and not a little in the title of a book. Mr. Humberstone's book is really a good one, healthy in its tone, and vigorous in its style; but its title, we fear, will be regarded as forbidding and angular, and will be against its success.-Contributions to Natural History, and Papers on other subjects. By James Simson. (London: Houlston and Sons.) This volume consists of papers or criticisms contributed to an American periodical, and hence their singular diversity. Snakes, Romanism, Gipsies, Jews, John Bunyan, Waterton, the naturalist, and John Stuart Mill, form the remarkable combination. The papers are spirited, and merit perusal.-The Story of the Jubilee Singers, with their Songs. (London: Hodder and Stoughton.) Avowedly "for the most part an abridgment of the two Jubilee Histories which were written by the Rev. G. D. Pike," with

items which bring down the story to the present time. The book can hardly fail to "take" and to sell.-Thoughts for Heart and Life. By Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D. (London: Hodder and Stoughton.) This book, with its fresh and stimulating thoughts, is worthy of being in every home. No one can devoutly read it without spiritual profit.-The Voice of Song. By Philip Phillips. (London: Sunday School Union.) In this collection of tunes and hymns there are some of much sweetness. In the Corn Fields: the Story of Ruth. By Benjamin Clarke.-Saved through the Children: the Story of Jonah and Nineveh. By the same Author. (London: Sunday School Union.) These are simply expansions of Bible narratives, so presented as to make them more instructive to the young.- Under Suspicion. (London: The Sunday School Union.) An affecting tale, which shows that the discipline of life, however unlooked for and severe in its form may be most precious in its fruits.

ESSEX CONGREGATIONAL UNION.-The annual meeting of this Union was held at Coggleshall, on the 2nd of May, under the presidency of the Rev. S. Conway, chairman for the year, who delivered the introductory address. Mr. Albert Spicer moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. The Rev. A. D. Philps, Mr. J. Wells, and others, took part in the interesting proceedings.

SOCIETY.-We

RELIGIOUS TRACT understand that the secretariat of the Religious Tract Society, vacant by the death of Dr. Davis, has been offered to and accepted by its able and long-tried

general editor, the Rev. Dr. Manning, conjointly with the Rev. L. B. White, Rector of St. Mary, Aldermanbury, now secretary of the Colonial and Continental Society.

AGED PILGRIMS' FRIEND SOCIETY.The sixty-ninth anniversary of this Society was held in the Lower Room, Exeter Hall, on the 22nd of May. The chair was taken by James Abbiss, Esq., J.P. Mr. Murphy, the secretary, read the report, which showed that there were now 1,025 pensioners on the Society's books, receiving pensions amounting to upwards of £6,100 per

of Neufchatel, M. de Pressensé, the Rev. P. Chase, the hereditary chief of the Ojibbeway Indians, and others,

THE PEACE SOCIETY.-The friends of this Society assembled in good force at Finsbury Chapel, on the 23rd of May, when the chair was taken by Mr. Henry Pease, M.P. The report was read by Mr. H. Richard, M.P., which showed that the Society had been actively engaged during the year in disseminating its principles, by the platform and the press. The Ladies' Peace Society, the Workmen's Peace Society, and the French and Dutch Peace Societies were referred to with cordial acknowledgment. Messrs. J. J. Coleman, M.P., S. Watson, J. Bright, M.P., the Chevalier Carl de Scherze, of the Austrian Embassy, Don Marcoartu, advocated the claims of the Society.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES,

SETTLEMENTS, &c.

REV. J. SILIN JONES, of Llangenech, has accepted an invitation to the pastorate at Llanidloes.

REV. J. C. McMICHAEL has resigned the charge of the church at Gawler, South Australia, with a view of settling in England.

REV. D. MEADOWCROFT, late of Perth, Western Australia, has commenced his ministry at Balmain, Sydney.

REV. E. DAVENPORT, of Emsworth, has accepted an invitation to Hungerford.

REV. W. MURRAY, for fourteen years pastor of the church at Braughing, Herts, has received a call to Fairford. REV. P. RATHBONE BERRY has resigned his charge of the church at Fleetwood, Lancashire.

REV. J. M. Fox, B.A., has accepted the pastorate of the church at King Street, Dudley.

REV. J. S. BEAMISH, who has been for some time ministering to the Clemens' Street Church, Leamington, has now become its pastor.

REV. W. FIELD, M.A., has resigned his pastorate at Duxford, to become Head Master of the Northern Congregational School, Silcoates.

REV. W. RIDING has resigned the pastorate of the church at Greasborough. REV. J. HOLROYD, of Mickleby, has become pastor of the church at Sedbergh.

REV. E. HINCHCLIFFE HIGGINS, of Lancashire College, has accepted the pastorate at Kettering.

REV. G. W. JOYCE, of Tavistock, has undertaken the charge of the church at Farnham.

REV. M. C. DIXON has resigned the pastorate of Desborough Church.

REV. M. LEWIS, of Middleton-byYoulgreave, shortly leaves his present charge for Tideswell.

REV. J. CUNNINGHAM GEIKIE, D.D. has left the Congregational ministry, and has been ordained a Deacon in the Established Church.

ORDINATIONS AND RECOG

NITIONS.

REV. F. W. CLARKE, B.A., was ordained at Zion Chapel, Frome, on April 26th. The Rev. Dr. Newth delivered the charge, the Revs. D. Anthony and A. Rowland, LL.B., took part in the service, and the Rev. Dr. Raleigh delivered the charge.

REV. C. T. PLANK was recognised Minister of Tipping Street Church, Ardwick, Manchester, on May 25th. A public meeting was held, presided over by Reuben Spencer, Esq. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Willis, A. J. Bray, W. H. Drewett, C. A. Davies, H. L. Overbury.

REV. J. G. DEAVILLE was ordained at New Road Chapel, Bury, May 25th. The Rev. S. Pearson, M.A., gave an exposition of principles, and the Rev. Dr. Fielding gave the charge. The Rev. James Parsons preached on the following Sunday.

REV. C. M. BARHAM was ordained to the work of the ministry at Flanshaw on May 30th. The Rev. W. Thomas gave the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. J. R. Wolstenholme addressed the church and congregation. The Revs. J. Brown, H. Sturt, J. S. Eastmead, J. P. Perkins, G. Hind, W. T. Moreton, and W. Daniell took part in the services.

NEW CHURCHES, CHAPELS, &c.

THE foundation-stone of Emmanuel Church, Montreal, was laid on April 15th. It will seat 800 persons; the basement will be used as a lecture room, and will contain separate rooms for the Bible class, library, church parlour, infant classes, &c.

THE foundation-stone of a new chapel in Union Street, Leigh, was laid May 19th.

THE new church, Derby Street, Bolton was opened May 18th, by the Revs. S. Pearson, M.A., and G. S. Reaney.

THE foundation-stone of a new chapel at Wheathampstead was laid on the 16th of May by Mr. E. S. Wells.

MIDDLEGATE Church, Yarmouth, was re-opened by a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Raleigh on May 23rd. after being closed for alterations, costing £130.

WYCLIFFE Chapel, Stockport, after being considerably enlarged, at an expense of £2,600, has been re-opened. The Revs. E. Herber Evans, John White, J. Baldwin Brown, B.A., and J. T. Woodhouse conducted the services.

THE corner-stones of a new church and schools were laid at Leyland on May 29th. J. G. McMinnies, Esq., laid the stone of the church, and G. Teale, Esq., that of the school. The cost of the new premises will be £4,000.

A NEW mission school chapel, costing £650, and capable of accommodating between 200 and 300 people, has been opened at Crossley Hall in connection with the church at Allerton, near Bradford, of which the Rev. W. Houghton is minister.

THE church at Castleford, after being enlarged and beautified, was re-opened June 1st by Rev. J. R. Campbell, D.D.

AFTER extensive alterations, Hamilton Square Church, Birkenhead, was reopened May 28th, by sermons from Rev. E. Hassan and Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson, and on the following weeknights from Rev. David Thomas, D.D., and Rev. S. Pearson, M.A.

A NEW Welsh chapel was opened at Hizael, the poorest locality of Bangor, on Sunday, June 4th, by sermons from the Reys. J. Rowlands, D. Roberts, E. James, &c.

WANDSWORTH Congregational Church was re-opened June 7, after extensive

alterations, which have doubled the former number of sittings. The entire cost of the enlargement, including the additional ground required, has been £4,000. Sermons were preached by the Revs, Dr. Parker and J. Morlais Jones.

A NEW church has been opened for the congregation under the care of the Rev. Cadvan Jones, Carmarthen. The style is Byzantine Gothic, and the cost about £2,000.

A NEW church at Tillicoultry, Scotland, was opened June 11 by the Rev. Dr. Pulsford; the Rev. E. D. Solomon, the pastor, preaching in the afternoon.

THE foundation-stone of a new chapel at Fulwell, Sunderland, was laid June 6th by Johnson Harle, Esq.

THE foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid in Congleton on June 1st by E. F. Bodley, Esq., J.P., and a memorial-stone was also laid by Alderman Radley, J.P. The building is to accommodate 600, and to cost £5,500.

THE NEW UNION CHAPEL, ISLINGTON. -The memorial stone of this noble edifice was laid on Saturday, May 13th, by Henry Spicer, Esq., the senior deacon. The ceremony was witnessed by a large assembly of spectators. Prayer was offered by Rev. R. W. Dale, M.A. The Scriptures were read by Rev. Dr. Aveling. Mr. Spicer gave a brief historical statement on laying

the foundation. Dr. Allon read an address on the origin, doctrines, and practices of the church at Union Chapel, Dr. Raleigh concluded with prayer and benediction. A collation was spread at Myddelton Hall, at which Henry Lee, Esq., J.P., Manchester, presided. Among the speakers were the Revs. Gordon Calthrop, M.A., R. W. Dale, M.A., Newman Hall, LL.B., J. G. Rogers, B.A., Henry Richard, Esq., M.P., and M. Ed. de Pressensé, of Paris.

DEATHS.

REV. D. PRICE, Howey, Llandrindod, was recently called to his rest.

REV. ROBERT KIRKUS, of Hull, died on the 27th of May, in the 77th year of his

age.

REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, of Christchurch, died at Bournemouth on the 2nd of June, in his 61st year.

REV. J. T. WESLEY, of the London Missionary Society, died at Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Dec. 19th, 1875, after a few days' acute illness.

REV. JOHN KELLY, of Liverpool, died on June 12th, in the 75th year of his age, and the 47th of his ministry.

REV. CLEMENT DUKES, M.A., died June 17th, in the 67th year of his age. His ministry began in 1839.

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