to the ability which God had given him, Mr. Dukes sought to make "full proof of his ministry," diligently preparing for the pulpit, and seeking to ascertain the mind of the spirit, in such portions of the Word of God as he might be expounding. He never aimed at great things, but was always solicitous to keep prominently before the minds of his people the grand essential doctrines of the Gospel. His stated ministry came gradually to 8 close from circumstances over which he had no control. The formation of the North London Railway most injuriously affected his congregation, by compelling the removal of some of his best helpers. Both minister and people were disheartened. At length it appeared to him to be well to attempt the reinvigoration of the cause by the introduction of new blood, and therefore, at the close of 1874, he resigned his charge into the hands of his successor, the Rev. S. G. Matthews, B.A., his friends subscribing and presenting to him a parting pecuniary testimonial of £800. It was doubtless wisely ordered by the Master he served, whose providential arrangements seemed to say, "Come into the desert, and rest awhile," that he should enjoy some months of comparative retirement before the hour of his final departure, to lie down in

The still unstartled sleep
The living eye hatlı never known,
Leave we the sleeper with his God to rest.
T. A.

REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER.

FIVE years of preparation for the Christian ministry, and thirty-five years of active devotion to his calling, sum up the public career of Joseph Fletcher, the eminent son of an eminent father, Dr. Joseph Fletcher, of Stepney. He was born at Blackburn on the 7th January, 1816, where his honoured father spent the first twenty years of his ministerial life, and educated at Ham, near Rich

mond, Surrey, under the tutelage of his maternal uncle, Joseph France, M.A., also an Independent minister. He was intended for a mercantile career, but residing with his parents (and such parents) and devoting himself with determined enthusiasm to Sunday-school work at Stepney Old Meeting, his religious convictions deepened, his views expanded, and he was gradually deter. mined, with full parental sanction, to abandon a promising secular business and devote himself to the ministry of the gospel. In this service he lived and laboured with delight and success for forty years. He entered Coward College in 1833, and left in 1838; accepted his ministerial charge at Hanley, Staffordshire, in 1839, and succeeded the Rev. Daniel Gunn at Christchurch, Hants, in 1849. Here his labours were most abundant, till early in the year 1873, when he was struck down with paralysis. He passed away gently on the 2nd June last, at Heather Dean, Bournemouth, where he had resided since his resignation of the pastorate in December, 1873. We have not space to enlarge on the many high qualifications, more especially as a preacher and a writer, of our lamented friend. In point of intellect Mr. Joseph Fletcher had few superiors in the denomination to which he belonged. In culture and power he was admirably adapted for his ministry during a series of four decades, as truly wonderful as any in all history-the period in which bis lot was cast, with so many heresies arising, and so many old corruptions" calling for reformation. For ten years he was one of the most influential ministers in the north of England, and for twenty-five years he was recog. nised as one of the ablest in the south of England. The sudden dispensation which befel him in the zenith of his usefulness was brought on by over-work. The physical prostration for three years was not attended by much suffering. In these busy times seclusion for three years would almost suffice to obliterate a popu

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lar reputation: the world and the church forget, or seem to forget, their current benefactors very soon. That this lamented minister was not forgotten after his long-continued illness, was sufficiently and pleasingly demonstrated by the vast assemblage at his funeral, which took place on the Tuesday following the demise, at the Christchurch cemetery. In that place of burial his earthly remains now rest: when it was opened a few years ago he uttered a high-souled address which will never be forgotten by

those who heard it, or by those who have read it. The Rev. J. W. Walker, B.A., Mr. Fletcher's successor, delivered the oration at the grave. A funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. H. H. Carlisle, LL.D., of Southampton, on the Sunday evening of June 18th in the chapel of the late pastor to a large congregation, who will long entertain pleasing and grateful recollections of the life and labours of one who had been to them a true friend, an able preacher, and a faithful pastor.

The British Quarterly Review. No. CXXVII. July 1, 1876. (London: Hodder and Stoughton.) The British Quarterly for July opens with an able article on the "Illyrian Emperors and their Lands," the interest of which is greatly enhanced by being read in connection with another on "The Independence and Integrity of the Ottoman Empire." An article on "The Unseen Universe" shows how little we really know regarding things that are seen, and how much light is reflected on them by the revelations of the New Testament. To an article which deals with "Drunkenness and Proposed Remedies," we beg to call the special attention of the reader. This giant and growing evil, at once emphatically the crime and the curse of England, must be dealt effectually with before long, but much preliminary discussion is required, in order to the formation of a sound and intelligent public opinion. The brief notices of "Contemporary Literature," strikes us as being very able and judicious. The Exodus and the Wanderings in the Wilderness. By the Rev. Dr. EDERSHEIM. (London: The Reli

gious Tract Society.) Dr. Edersheim gives careful notices

of the history and customs of Egypt, such as throw light on the Bible narrative. He seeks to clear up obscurities and difficulties, points out the analogies, prefigurations, symbolic representations, and lessons which may be accepted, and endeavours so to present his description that the reader may, "as it were, see before him the route followed by Israel, the scenery, and all other accessories."

A Chronological and Geographical Introduction to the Life of Christ. By Cн. ED. CASPARI. From the original German work. (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark.)

This volume is designed to present a clear and well-ordered account of the various incidents in the life of Christ which are recorded by the four Evangelists, and to meet certain difficulties which are made the most of by those who profess to find mutual contradiction in the Gospels, by showing that sundry statements of the writers may be reconciled with the facts of history, and with what is known of particular places. By close research and minute analysis, the author makes it evident that there is a real and essential agreement in the testimony of the four separate witnesses. Many things in the book are drawn from sources hitherto

All

neglected, or not easily accessible. diligent students of the New Testament will be grateful for this valuable help in their studies.

The Expositor. Edited by the Rev. S. Cox, Vol. III. (London: Hodder and Stoughton.)

We are glad to find that a monthly, "solely devoted to the exposition of Holy Writ," has paid from the first, and that the circulation is still improving. Written by scholars, THE EXPOSITOR is addressed to Christians in general. Its staff includes many of the ablest Expositors in various bodies of Christians, contains excellent matter worthily presented, and may well secure a high place in public esteem.

A Course of Addresses on the

Word and Works of God. Delivered to an Evangelical Association of Young Men. By M. LOTHIAN. (Edinburgh Johnstone, Hunter, and Co.)

:

These thirty-one addresses were printed in the Christian Treasury, and are now issued, for general benefit. They are clear, simple, and well arranged, and may suggest subjects, and modes of thought suitable for young men and senior scholars in Sunday Schools.

The Commencement of the Second

Christian Epoch; or, Christ is coming.
BY A CHRISTIAN. (Caxton Printing
Works, Beccles, Suffolk.)

"This book is purposely not entered at Stationers' Hall, that any of the people may be free to print it." It is very unlikely that any will reprint it. In the close of the book we are assured that "the writer having now accomplished the mission the Lord God entrusted to him, will write no more. will keep his mouth shut and lay aside his pen." Certainly the best and the wisest course he can possibly pursue.

Church Establishments Considered, Especially in Reference to the Church of England. By the late R. INGHAM, D.D. (London: Elliot Stock.)

An elaborate treatise on a prominent ecclesiastical controversy. It embodies the author's "most mature thoughts on a subject which engaged his anxious consideration for many years." His own personal and special convictions are strongly insisted on; but in the main his appeal is to all Evangelical Protestants. The foot-notes, sometimes exceeding the bulk of the text, are a noticeable portion of the work, and contain a mass of quotation illustrating the opinions expressed by various members of the Establishment itself on the subject to which the book relates.

a complete edition of the American Poet of the Sanctuary, Mr. Dickinson has done well. The author of that justlyadmired lyric, "My faith looks up to Thee," has written some of the most exquisite hymns in the English language. His poem, "Home," abounds in touches of pathos and beauty; and the "Miscellaneous Poems" are a garden of choice flowers.

Organized Christianity: Is it of Man or of God? By HENRY DUNN. (London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.)

The larger treatment which the book may demand must be left to reviewers who have space at command. The "advertisement" indicates that the writer is not sanguine about the speedy adoption of his views: "The author's views, although in the main unchanged, now lean to the conclusion that advance can scarcely be anticipated. He is therefore inclined to think that churches

"

of Days; or, Stories for Sabbath Hours. By Edgar Mould. With a preface by the Rev. John Power, Rector of Dodbroke. (London;

Griffith and Farran.) There is nothing remarkable in this book. Considered as literature it is commonplace; and, though it is pervaded by a religious spirit, it is hardly up to the mark for Sunday reading. There is a missionary story, "Life in a Zanena; or, the Story of Mohti (the Pearl)." If the portrait on the frontispiece be a correct likeness of this lady, it must be Oriental exaggeration that calls her a "pearl."

The Song of Christ's Flock.

By JOHN STOUGHTON, D.D. (London; Hodder and Stoughton.) We welcome this new edition of a work most helpful in the development of spiritual life. In itself the twentythird Psalm abounds with interest, but the interest is greatly increased by the manner in which the author illustrates

en

A Mother's Stories for her Children. By the late Mrs. Carus-Wilson. The name of Our authoress is a sufficient guarantee for the interest and instruction to be found in these simple tales for the little ones.→→→ Heart Healing. By the Rev. W. Boyd Carpenter, M.A., Vicar of St. James's Holloway, and Select Preacher before the University of Cambridge. (London: Hatchards.) A carefully written treatise, mild and quiet in its tone, intended to give instruction, comfort, and couragement to wounded hearts. Personal Recollections. By the Rev. C. B. Taylor, M.A. (London: Religious Tract Society.) An attractive little volume. All who know anything about the writings of Mr. Taylor will be pleased to see the brief memoir, and be interested in the "Personal Recollections" that follow.-In the Beginning; or, From Eden to Canaan.-The Star of Promise; or, From Bethlehem to Calvary. By Mary L. S. Leathley, Author of "Conquerors and Captives," &c. (London: Ward, Lock, and Tyler.) Volumes of the "Good Aim Series." Lessons of Scripture history for the most part in the words of the Bible. Questions and verses are placed at the end of each chapter. Useful aids in teaching young children.-Elements of the History of England. By J. C. Curtis, B.A., Author of "Elements of the History of Rome," &c. New and revised edition. (London: The Religious Tract Society.) A useful help in education. The reputation of Mr. Curtis, and the issue of the book by the Religious Tract Society, give assurance of its trustworthiness.

MEETING OF BISHOPS AND NONCONFORMIST MINISTERS AT LAMBETH PALACE. In compliance with an influential memorial addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, his Grace on Monday, July 23rd, convened a meeting at Lambeth Palace, at which the following Bishops were present-viz., the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London, Winchester, Norwich, Gloucester and Bristol, Peterborough, and Bath and Wells, and the following Nonconformist ministers :-The Revs. Dr. Allon, Dr. Angus, Dr. Aveling, S. H. Booth, W. B. Boyce, Dr. Oswald Dykes, Dr. Donald Fraser, Newman Hall, J. C. Harrison, S. Hebditch, D. Jones, Dr. M'Ewen, G. J. Perks, Dr. Punshon, Dr. Raleigh, Dr. Rigg, W. Roberts, Stanford, Dr. Stoughton, J. Viney, E. White, and R. D. Wilson. The Rev. Drs. Cumming and Robertson, of the Established Church of Scotland, were also present. The object of the meeting was to afford opportunity to Christian ministers of different denominations to confer with the Archbishop and other bishops respecting the alleged progress of irreligious thought at the present time.

C.

The meeting was opened by the Archbishop with prayer and reading of the Holy Scriptures, after which his Grace addressed those present on the subject which had brought them together. The Archbishop was followed by many speakers. The general tone and feeling of the meeting was hopeful, and many who had large experience of the state of religion throughout the kingdom, testified to the real growth of vital Christianity, notwithstanding the activity of its modern assailants. His Grace, in acknowledging a vote of thanks, expressed his sense of the usefulness of the meeting, and of the importance of Churchmen and Dis

senters thus having an opportunity of better understanding each other's views on questions of common interest.

THE CITY TEMPLE.-On Sunday morning, July 31st, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs attended the City Temple in state, the occasion being Dr. Parker's completion of seven years' ministry in the City of London. In the course of his sermon, Dr. Parker stated that the City Temple is the oldest congregational church in London, having been founded in 1640 by Dr. Thomas Goodwin, some time President of Magdalen Chapel, Oxford, preacher to the Council of State, and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. He further pointed out that the site of the City Temple is the centre of several historical and pathetic associationsRichard Baxter having died in Charterhouse-square ; John Bunyan on Snowhill; on the south stood the old Fleet prison, where Hooper was long confined; on the north was Smithfield, where many martyrs suffered in the cause of religious liberty. It is proposed to put up in the City Temple a marble tablet in memory of the founder, and to put in sixteen memorial windows in honour of several Puritan divines and of the Smithfield martyrs. To do this new work, and to pay the remaining debt upon the building, Dr. Parker stated that a sum of £1,200 would be required. The unwonted circumstance of a State visit to a Nonconformist place of worship by the chief civic authorities attracted a large gathering, which filled all parts of the building.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF Wales.— The fifth annual assembly of this Union, representing about a thousand congregations, and an aggregate of more than