THE REV. W. A. HURNDALL. MR. HURNDALL was born in London, October 16th, 1804. His parents, who attended the Established Church, resided on Holborn Hill, and continued to live in the metropolis or its suburbs for some years, where the education of this, their eldest son, was carried on. His maternal grandparents then resided at Brixton, and with them he spent much of his time.

When about sixteen years of age William removed with his parents to Bristol, and there, for a short time, his attention was directed to business; but his love of books soon made it apparent that this was not an employment congenial to his tastes. About this time the Rev. James Sherman supplied for a few Sabbaths the pulpit of the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, Bristol. Young Hurndall was invited by a friend to go and hear him. He went and was brought to yield himself to the Saviour. Soon after he began to direct others to Him in whom he now rejoiced.

On the settlement of the Rev. W. Lucy in Bristol Mr. Hurndall became a member of his church, and was thus the first in his family to quit the Establishment and join the ranks of Nonconformity. By Mr. Lucy he was introduced to the ministry. Cheshunt College was chosen for preparatory training, and to it he was admitted about the year 1823. He entered on his studies with no common ardour and devotedness. The preaching stations

occupied by the students were then, as now, numerous, and Mr. Hurndall's services were much in request. By degrees, however, the constant claims of the study and the pulpit told seriously on the student's health, and when the term of his college course was completed he was so ill that his parents were summoned to convey him home. But a prolonged rest, with a visit to Derbyshire, was blessed to his complete restoration.

Mr. Hurndall's first settled ministry was at Basingstoke, where he remained about three years. He next accepted an invitation to the pastorate of Mountstreet Chapel, Devonport. There he spent seven very happy years, after which he removed to Huddersfield in the year 1838. But the keen air of Yorkshire contrasted in his case unfavourably with the genial climate of Devonshire; and after seven years of peaceful and productive labour, he was compelled to seek a milder clime. Having by request visited the vacant church at Bishop's Stortford, he received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate, and removed thither with his family in May, 1845.

While at Huddersfield, noting the deficiency of means of higher education, he was chiefly the instrument, in connection with the late Mr. Willans, of the establishment of the educational institution known as the Huddersfield College. And again at Bishop's Stortford he was mainly the means of

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setting on foot a first-class proprietary | school, now merged into the Nonconformist Grammar School.

The change to a milder atmosphere so far restored Mr. Hurndall's health that he was enabled to engage in labours more abundant than before. For five years he took three full services on the Lord's day, besides the regular week-night engagements and Bible classes, &c. In this sphere he was privileged to labour for seventeen years, during which time a new and very commodious chapel was built. But only two years after its completion Mr. Hurndall's health entirely failed. This illness commenced the last day of the year 1861, when he was attacked with the painful disease which, after long years of suffering, terminated his career. He resigned his pastorate in September, 1862, and by the advice of his medical men spent several winters at Hastings. Before leaving that place he was induced once more to attempt a pulpit service for the Rev. A. Reed, of St. Leonards.

This renewal of his beloved work greatly encouraged him, and he continued occasionally afterwards, as health permitted, to proclaim the Gospel.

As change of air was still thought needful, Mr. Hurndall left Hastings, and resided for a short time at Taunton, where his younger son was then living. This was followed by a more lengthened sojourn in the salubrious air of Durdham Down, Bristol. Here for five years he enjoyed comparative freedom from sickness, and joined the fellowship of the church under the care of the Rev. U. Thomas. He even undertook the office of deacon; but his efforts to serve in the sanctuary were suddenly interrupted by a violent attack of illness, attended for many weeks with intense suffering. From this, however, he rallied, and was able to be removed o Limpley Stoke, where he so far regained strength, that he again took service on the Sabbath, and preached to the visitors at that place.

But after one of these efforts he took cold, and was again called to endure much acute suffering. In order to secure the most efficient surgical skill a removal to Bath was effected, and afterwards to the house of his eldest son, expecting this would be his final earthly home.

For two years improvement seemed steady, but in June, 1874, the frail invalid once more succumbed. In July it was deemed needful to resort to the metropolis for surgical aid. This once more afforded relief, and hope again dawned. Mr. Hurndall was taken to Reading for the winter. In the spring of last year, finding that his younger son was removing to London, the father wished to be taken thither, that his last days might be soothed by the loving care of his children at Notting Hill. To them he came with Mrs. Hurndall in April last. Still there was a slow and steady progress of disease, but it was not till within three days of the last great change that danger was considered imminent. On perceiving this Mrs. Hurndall said to him, "The Saviour is really coming now to take you to Himself." His animated reply was, "Do you think so? Amen!" These were the last words exchanged on earth. After that the lips were sealed. Pain subsided, and after a few hours of unconsciousness the spirit took its flight on the 19th August, 1875.

In Mr. Hurndall was seen one who, during the many years he sustained the sacred office, was entitled to the designation of "a good minister of Jesus Christ." He ever "studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." His ministry was distinguished by sanctified intelligence, by an ardent attachment to Evangelical truth, in the faithful proclamation of which he found his greatest delight. R. S.

St. John the Author of the Fourth

Gospel. By CHRISTOPH ERNEST LUTHARDT, Professor of Theology at Leipzig. Revised, Translated, and the Literature much enlarged by Caspar Réne Gregory. (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark.)

One of the most important of critical questions which the modern spirit of doubt has called up refers to the authenticity and genuineness of the fourth Gospel. The voice of antiquity and the tradition of the Church on this point have been unanimous or almost so. Not until within a comparatively recent period has the authorship of St. John been denied. Bretschneider in 1820, then Strauss in 1835, and after him Baur of Tubingen, have been the chief priests of this scepticism. But they have no positive theory in common as to the authorship. This book of Dr. Luthardt shows that the Church has nothing to fear from the keenest criticism on this point, and that the authorship of the beloved disciple cannot fairly be questioned. There is not a better résume of the whole argument than that which this volume supplies; and having been revised and enlarged by the translator, it clearly shows that no satisfactory reason has yet appeared for departing from the belief that St. John was the author of the fourth Gospel. An appendix containing a carefully compiled sketch of the literature of the disputed question, from 1792 to the present time, adds to the great value of the book.

BOOKS FOR THE SEASON. The Leisure Hour for 1875. The Sunday at Home for 1875. (London: Religious Tract Society.) These admirable serials show no falling off either in the marked ability or rich variety of their contents. The completed volumes for the last year form annuals full of instruction and entertainment of the best and most useful kind, and made more attractive by

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numerous engravings and illustrations in a high style of art. We wish them still wider circulation.-Our Own Fireside Annual, 1875. Conducted by the Rev. Charles Bullock, B.D. (London: James Nisbet & Co.) We have a hearty good word to say for this volume. catholic spirit in which this periodical is conducted, and the adaptation of its contents to household reading, make it well fitted for a place in the family circle. Its illustrations are generally excellent. -Sunday. Reading for the Young. Edited by J. Erskine Clark, M.A. 1875. (London: W. W. Gardner, 2, Paternoster Buildings.) Rich in exquisite illustrations and sound religious instruction for boys and girls.-The Mother's Friend. 1875. (London: Hodder and Stoughton.) A most efficient and attractive help to mothers in training their little ones.- -The Great Salterns. By Sarah Doudney. (London: The Religious Tract Society.) A tale illustrative chiefly of the blessedness of sanctified affliction; racy, interesting, and likely to be useful, with practical lessons of the highest order for young and old.Squire Lynne's Will. By Emma Leslie. (London: Sunday School Union.) An interesting but somewhat sensational story. It contains a breach of promise of marriage, an elopement, a forgery, and the purchase of a living in the Established Church for presentation to a sonin-law, without any protest against such a system. We submit to the Committee of the Sunday School Union whether they act wisely in issuing such a work for scholars in Sunday-schools.-The Pilot's Daughters. By Sarah Doudney. (London: Sunday School Union.) A very admirable story, well written, and rich in the most wholesome instruction. The two sisters are a striking contrast in character and disposition, but such as are often met with in actual life. girls especially the book is most suitable. Ellen Manners; or, the Recollections of a Governess. By E. W., Author of

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"Sunday Evenings at Brockleigh Hall," &c. (Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co.) We have read this book with satisfaction, and wish it were in the hands of all the governesses of Great Britain and Ireland. The narrative has much interest, the style is good, and the teaching of the best kind morally and religiously. -Nothing but Leaves. By Sarah Doudney. (London: Hodder & Stoughton.) A very interesting story, with useful spiritual lessons for different classes of character-especially the vain, the gossiping, the avaricious. The burden of the whole is the importance of fruitbearing in the Christian life. We give the book a hearty recommendation. Laura Linwood; or, the Price of an Accomplishment. By the Author of the "White Cross and Dove of Pearls." (London: Hodder and Stoughton.) mother wishing accomplishments, especially in modern languages, for her daughter, sent her to school on the Continent, where she was brought into contact with Romish priests, and under their influence entered a convent. Eventually Laura Linwood escapes the toils of Romanism; but the book in an interesting way supplies needful instruction and faithful warning, and is to be recommended." Seed to the Sower;" Stories and Lessons for Sundays. By Crona Temple. (London: Hatchards.) This book has many points of interest and excellence in adaptation to its purpose in the instruction of the young; but it assumes that all those to be instructed are in the Established Church and so shuts out from its lessons at least half the children in England. Yet parents and teachers may find useful help here.-Oliver's Oath, and how he kept it.. By Sarah Doudney. (London: Sunday School Union.) A well-told tale of Irish life that serves to illustrate the different effects of wise and unwise parental influence, and the benefit of cultivating gifts with diligence and trustfully leaving all events to God. -The Morning of Life. A Treasury of Counsel, Information and Entertainment for Young People. (London:

Sunday School Union.) A useful work and quite in harmony with its title. The engravings to illustrate English art add much to its value.-May's Christmas Holidays; or, the Things of Others. The Old Brown Book and its Secret. (London: The Religious Tract Society.) Both these tales are good: the first shows how consistency in a child may improve others; and the second, how the providence of God encourages parents and children to trust Him in all things.The Upward Path; or, Holiness unto the Lord. By A. M. James. (London : The Religious Tract Society.) As spring rains sink into the ground and nourish the germs of vegetable life, so may the devout thoughts in this book permeate the spirit and cause the growth of manly purposes, childlike affections and holy deeds. -Mary Lawton; or, Sunshine Clouded. A Tale of English Life. By N. O. R. A. (Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co.) A well-written and touching story which shows in a clear and impressive light the evils of disobedience to parents and the curse of bad companionship.-My Brother Paul; or, a Real Hero. (London: Religious Tract Society.) A capital book for boys.

BRIEFER NOTICES OF BOOKS. Dick's First School-days. By Mrs. Henry Barnard. Three Little Brothers. By Emma Marshall. (London: J. Nisbet and Co.) Interesting little books of the publishers' well-known Juvenile Series, and admirably adapted for the young. The following, published by the Sunday School Union, we name with special approval: The Treasure on the Beach. By M. A. P.-Esther's Regret. By Emma Leslie.-Labours of Love; or, Forty Years' Experience in the Sunday School. Chapters from a Family Circle. These little books are all suited for instruction, and right impression on Sunday scholars.-Life and Walk. Seven Addresses by J. Denham Smith. (London Yapp and Hawkins.) These addresses are earnest, expository, and practical.