Book Notices.

Dancing and ils Relations to Education and Social Life. By Allen Dodworth. New York: Harper & Brothers. A book on dancing, by a dancing-master, who ornaments it with his own portrait as a frontispiece. He defends his "art," claims for it a moral and social influence for good, and is quite severe on the "good people" who, he says, "have blocked up nearly every road except the one leading to vice" (p. 10). Yet even this special pleader is compelled to make some damaging statements. On page 10 he describes a parlor crowded with people dancing, when "excitement is in every quivering atom of the atmosphere," and "the dancers are in constant collision.... until positions of delicacy become no longer offensive." And this, he tells us, takes place "on all occasions when numbers of people are brought together by the attraction of dancing!" On page 17 he relates how the introduction of the polka into New York was attended by a deterioration of morals on the part of many who practiced it. On page 63, after speaking of the waltz as "the culmination of modern society dancing," he describes a couple waltzing with "her anointed locks upon his snowy shirt-front, mingling her crisp frizzes with his flowing whiskers," "her hand in close proximity to the two buttons at the top of his swallow-tails," etc. At the end of the book are pictures of couples in various attitudes characterized as "not in good taste,' 99.66 very objectionable," extremely vulgar." Yet all these are the attitudes which may be seen in any ball-room. Upon the whole, we conclude from this book that dancing tends to a low tone of morals and general depravity; and the sooner the "good people" can place it under the ban the better for the world.

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J. L. H. Movements of Religious Thought in Britain during the Nineteenth Century. St. Giles Lectures. By John Tulloch, D.D., LL.D. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1885. Pp. 338. This is one of the ablest and most interesting volumes of the year. It is really a series of brilliant pictures that groups the most famous religious thinkers of the century, and that in a clear, fair, and detailed manner gives us their great thoughts, and somewhat of the results that came from them. It is not a history of religious activities, nor of ecclesiastical parties, but a statement of the great schools of thought, and by these all activities and parties more or less shaped. In the eight lectures we have a description of Coleridge and his school; the Oxford or AngloCatholic movement; religious thought in Scotland; Carlyle; John Stuart Mill. The last chapters are given to a most interesting description of the Broad Church and its leaders, Maurice, Charles Kingsley, and F. W. Robertson. Principal Tulloch, by his keen powers of analysis, his catholic sympathies, his strong historic sense, his great learning, and his independence of judgment, is specially well qualified for this work. The general reader as well as the theological student will be greatly interested in this book.

The Blood Covenant. A Primitive Rite and its Bearings on the Scripture. By H. Clay Trumbull, D.D. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1885. Pp. 350. It was reserved for Dr. Trumbull to visit and describe "Kadesh-Barnea," and so to settle one of the most vexed points of Old Testament topography. That book showed and stamped the genius of the man. In this new book we have another line of discovery and study which, if accepted, will give him greater fame in the direction of Old and New Testament theology. In his travels he came upon a strange but very old and uni

versal custom in the East which he calls "The Blood Covenant." It is in substance the binding two men in a covenant stronger than blood relationship, by opening a vein in each other's arms and then each drinking a little of the other's blood, and then, by rubbing the wounds together, their blood mingles together and they become one in a bond never to be broken. The author's studies have since found this custom reported by scores of travelers in all lands of the East. He then traces the essential idea in the blood covenant of circumcision, in the blood covenant before Sinai, in the true lesson of the old sacrifices, in the divine-human blood, and in many lesser points-and shows a far deeper and more wonderful meaning in the blood of Christ than we have been wont to think. The book is full of rich suggestions.

Year-Book of Sermon and Golden Texts and Bible Readings for 1886. By J. E. Kittredge, D.D. New York: Cassell & Co. This little book contains a blank for each Sunday of the year, which is to be filled with a register of the church-service, the text of the sermon, the name of the preacher, and the amount of the at. tendant's contribution. On the opposite page is a similar blank for the Sunday-school service. If used by young people it will increase their interest in the public worship of the Church, which in some sections is neglected by Sunday-school scholars, and every-where should be more largely attended by the children.

Seven Wonders of the New World. By Rev. J. K. Peck. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. Every body has heard of "the seven wonders of the world." But these were all in the Old World, were wrought by the hands of men, and all, save the Pyramids, have passed away. The Seven Wonders of the New World are all of God's creation, and though older than the Pyramids, are as wonderful as ever. The list includes Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, Mammoth Cave, the Colorado Cañons, the Big Trees, the Natural Bridge, and the Yosemite. Whoever would like to know the principal facts concerning these wonders will find this book very entertaining.

Lafayette Avenue Church: Its History and Commemorative Services. 1860-1885. Prepared by a Committee of the Church. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. In most denominations, it is the spirit of the age for a great Church to gather around a great man; and even in the "city of churches," there are few greater churches than that which has been gathered under the faithful ministry of Theodore L. Cuyler, D D.; no Church, indeed. of wider influence in Christian work and higher Christian character. This commemorative volume records the story of twenty-five years of a working Church led by an able and active pastor.

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The Principles of Expression in Piano-Forte Playing. By Adolph F. Christian. New York: Harper & Brothers. A handsome volume, which will be useful to every person who aspires, not merely to be a player, but a true pianist.

The Franklin Square Song Collection. No. 3. Containing Five Hundred Favorite Songs and Hymns. The lovers of good songs and hymns, and of good music, will here find something to their taste. The collection is of a miscellaneous character, there being no attempt at topical arrangement; but the book can be opened anywhere, and the reader will be sure to find something of interest.

One More Chance. By Mrs. S. M. I. Henry. New York: National Temperance and Publication Society. Are we having too many temperance stories? Not while seventy thousand people are dying every year from liquor, and not while we can get as strongly writ ten stories as this one. It is not possible to overdraw the narration of the evils of strong drink; and this book presents not only the curse but with it the cure, in the renewal of heart as well as appetite through the grace of God. We wish, however, that the publishers would give to such a good book a little wider margin and a little better cover.

A Digest of Methodist Law; or, Helps in the Administration of the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By Bishop S. M. Merrill, D.D. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. New York: Phillips & Hunt. This is a work which we are sure will be welcomed by every minister and layman of our Church who wishes whatever help in understanding the Discipline may be ●btained from one who has made it a special study for many years. Of course the Bishop does not claim any authority for his opinions. Outside of his presidency of a Conference these are non-official. They will be found very helpful nevertheless.

Footprints of Temperance Pioneers. Compiled by J. N. Stearns. New York: National Temperance Association. More than thirty leading temperance reformers are here noticed, and sundry facts are given of the great curse of alcoholic liquors.

Hand-Book upon Church Trials. By Professor L. T. Townsend, of Boston University and Chautauqua School of Theology. It must needs be that offenses

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come, and when they do come, a pastor is often in sore straits as to the best way of dealing with them. This little work will be of great service to the inexperienced preacher or chairman of a committee.

White Heather. By William Black. New York: Harper & Brothers. Mr. Black is one of the best secular story writers of our time. His stories have no strong moral purpose, as do those of George Macdonald, but they contain fine pictures of scenery, accurate descriptions of life and manners, and good characters. This book presents two Americans, a father and daughter, in whom the national traits are a little exaggerated, especially in the use of slang phrases. The scene is laid in Mr. Black's favorite country-the highlands of Scotland.

Immortality Inherent in Nature. By Warren Sumner Barlow. New York: Fowler & Wells Co. An attempt to discuss philosophical problems in verse of only moder

ate success.

At Home.

The Rev. J. S. Ostrander, after some years of parish-work in Brooklyn, is again in the field as an Institute conductor and Bible illustrator. No person is more competent in his peculiar line, which is greatly needed. Every-where teachers are inquiring for a better preparation, and Mr. Ostrander, with his wife, who is a skillful primary teacher, are just the ones to impart the needed knowledge. We commend them to committees who are seeking conductors for institutes and assemblies.

Weather

Teacher.

PUPILS.

Jan. 31.