of this whole scheme. Moreover, thus far the whole subject lies in just this shape that, with all this accumulation of facts and speculations, while attempting to prove that all the countless species have come from a common `germ, he has not yet proved that one of these species has been derived from a different source than its own specific germ. So far as appears, Mr. Huxley's admission still remains true (Lay Sermons. p. 276): "that there are such things in nature as groups of animals and of plants, whose members are incapable of fertile union with those of other groups; and there are such things as hybrids, which are absolutely sterile when crossed with other hybrids." This being so, we can not fail to be reminded of the argument which Whately mentions, in which a large amount of facts and reasonings were arranged elaborately and at great length, so as to hide the circumstance that the one hinge-fact of the whole discussion was not true. ON THE GENESIS OF SPECIES. By St. George Mivart, F.R.S. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Co. 12mo., pp. 314. This is an able and searching investigation of the Darwinian Theory of Natural Selection, by one thoroughly versed in the sciences, by whose facts that theory must be maintained or refuted. The presentation of the whole subject is marked by great candor and fairness, as was natural with one whose examination was undertaken for the satisfaction of his own mind. The author says of himself, that "he was not originally disposed to reject Mr. Darwin's fascinating theory. Reiterated endeavors to solve its difficulties have, however, had the effect of convincing him that that theory, as the one, or as the leading, explanation of the successive evolution and manifestation of specific forms, is untenable. At the same time, he admits fully that Natural Selection acts and must act, and that it plays in the organic world a certain, though a secondary and subordinate, part." After a full statement of his objections to Darwinism, Mr. Mivart brings out, as most satisfactory to his own mind, a theory of the genesis of species, by "a successive and orderly evolution of organic forms," in which “innate, internal powers" are "stimulated, evoked, and determined by external conditions," according to established laws of nature, "conferred by God in the first instance," and carried out in their minute applications all along, “with the Divine concurrence." The book is thus well adapted, on the one hand, to counteract the mischievous tendency of Darwin's theory to rule God out of Creation; and on the other, to reassure the minds of believers; as it shows how the advance of real science tends to confirm our faith in the God of Creation, Providence, and Revelation, however new discoveries may, from time to time, correct our views of His methods and agencies for accomplishing His wise designs. Chapter IX., on Evolution aud Ethics, and Chapter XII., on Theology and Evolution, are of special significance for both these ends. We welcome the book as a valuable help to settle minds that have been disturbed, perhaps distressed, by the large infusion of atheistic materialism in the modern presentations of science. The mischief is not in science itself, but in the false cast given to it by men of great learning, who seem at heart hostile to religion. QUESTIONS OF MODERN THOUGHT: Lectures by Drs. McCosh, Thompson, W. Adams, Schaff, Hague, and E. O. Haven. Philadelphia: Zeigler & McCurdy. These lectures seem to have been delivered in a course at Philadelphia (1870–71), similar to the "Boston Course" of the last two years, and subsequently published in separate pamphlets, before collection into a volume. They are not altogether equal in merit. And they are various in style. As a whole the volume is not up to the mark of the Boston volume of last year in range or freshness of treatment, nor in the order of topics; but is fitted, still, to be largely useful. It is of a sort that ought to multiply, but ought also to be very well done. SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE: or the Mosaic Creation and Modern Discoveries. By Prof. H. W. Morris. Philadelphia: Ziegler & McCurdy. Pp. 566. The publishers seem to have a laudable ambition to put scientifico-religious books upon the tables of the people along with the illustrated scientific books of the day. The Six Days of Creation are here elaborately expounded in the light of science. Handsome open type, tinted paper, mezzotints, make up a goodly volume, like those of Dr. March, issued by the same house, which ought to entertain and instruct thousands of households, and drive a world of trash from their tables. All the expositions perhaps no one can agree to. Touching the days, the author is a literalist goes for six natural days- but representative of longer periods. He holds to a watery chaos preceding the period of human life. THE PASTOR'S MANUAL; Containing Scriptural Readings, Watchwords, Forms of Marriage, etc. Boston: Congregational Publishing Society. Chicago: Rev. G. S. F. Savage. Pp. 84; fifty cents. Every pastor knows the value of some such simple hand-book. This little manual has been prepared with care and good judgment. It has appropriate selections of Scripture for the various occasions of organization of churches, dedications of houses of worship, ordinations, visitations of the sick, funerals, missionary concerts, etc.; also, forms of marriage, rules of order in church meetings, order of exercises in public services; certificates of dismission from churches, of approbation to ministers, etc. In a word, it is just such a manual as every pastor would find a convenience. SMITH'S SALOON; or, The Grays and the Grants. By Mrs. L. L. Worth. Boston: I. P. Warren, 52 Washington street. Chicago: H. A. Sumner, 110 Dearborn street. Pp. 300. $1.25. This is a well-written Temperance story. It depicts, in glowing and truthful language, the terrible brood of evils which sprang up from the planting of a "saloon" in the midst of a sober and Christian community — corrupting the morals, destroying the health, and impoverishing those drawn within its influence. Such books need to be multiplied, to impress more deeply the public mind with the fearful curse of intemperance. CALVINISM: An Address delivered at St. Andrew's, March 17, 1871. By J. A. Froude. New York: C. Scribner & Co. Chicago: H. A. Sumner. Pp. 47. A notable setting forth of the grandeur of Calvinism, in its spirit and its achievements- peculiarly striking as proceeding from the great historian. It deserves a place beside the concessions of Hume and the declarations of Macaulay, Guizot and Bancroft. THE WONDERS OF THE HEAVENS. By Camille Flammarion. With fortyeight illustrations. New York: Č. Scribner & Co. Chicago: S. Č. Griggs & Co. Another of the "Wonder Series," stating and popularizing the latest results of astronomy. A good and useful book. NEWLYN HOUSE: the Home of the Davenports. Boston: Israel P. Warren. 52 Washington street. Chicago: H. A Sumner, 110 Dearborn street. Pp. 361. $1.50. GO AHEAD; or Jack the Cabin-Boy. Boston: I. P. Warren. Chicago: The first of these volumes is a story of English life, and illustrates happily the blessedness of self denial, in the every-day experiences of a Christian home. The other, shows how that by fidelity and energy a poor cabin-boy made his way up to a position of influence and honor. It is an attractive book for boys, and will be salutary in its influence upon them. Pp. 313. $1.25. 90 cents. THE TWO BOYs, and what they did with a Year. The Congregational Publishing Society is doing a very valuable service in providing a truly Christian literature for our Sunday-schools. They have upon their catalogue a large list of attractive and useful books; and their recent issues indicate a purpose to keep abreast of all others in the excellence of their publications. We have not space to notice separately these latest books; but having read them, heartily commend them as worthy a place in all our Sunday-school libraries. THE ROUND TABLE. COMMUNION INVITATIONS.-The discussion of this subject is timely still. Loose invitations to "all who love our Lord Jesus," or, in the words of one, to "whoever feels the love of Christ beating in him," however specious they sound, in our opinion alike transcend the right of the minister to extend, and violate the fundamental principles and position of a Christian church. They are among the devices whereby men, unconsciously, yet none the less effectually, obliterate the line between the Church and the world — between those who deliberately set themselves to follow Christ and those who deliberately do not. The only plausible defense of it that we have heard from really sound men, is this: "It is not our business to judge men's fitness, but theirs; and the responsibility rests back wholly on them." Plausible, but fa'se If it were true, the whole system of church relationships, church fellowships, church ordinances, and church discipline is spurious. The Church is not open to all, nor even to all who choose, nor to all who deem themselves worthy. It is for saints, believers, disciples of Christ. So then are its ordinances and fellowships. The applicant is never the sole judge of fitness, nor takes the sole responsibility. The Church judges and decides too; is commanded to judge, sometimes to withdraw and to reject. In the last result the responsibility is always there. Rules and tests are given the Church by which to judge and to decide. To fail of this is to fail of a primary duty of the Church; it is in principle to annihilate the Church. To proffer even its fellowship indiscriminately, and to disown responsibility in the matter, is to stultify itself and to disobey its Lord. These loose invitations are such a proffer. The persons not church-members thus not merely accepted but solicited, are the persons who are statedly and deliberately refusing to give suitable indications of discipleship. The thing is disorderly and inconsistent. No emergency can be pleaded for such disorders. One who for weeks, months, and years, has declined the proper opportunities of coming to church fellowship, can plead no pressure on a Sabbath day. Even a dying man able to partake of the elements is able to be baptised. If the necessity were urgent enough to summon to the communion the man who yesterday refused alliance with God's people, and may again to-morrow, then it is urgent enough to arrest other proceedings and ascertain on the spot if he is worthy to be invited. His piety, if genuine, can wait for an orderly admission, without injury. Besides, why make systematic arrangements and present inducements for cases of the rarest occurrence? And further still, what right has a Congregational minister to usurp the functions of the Church, and extend an invitation which commonly the specific rules of that Church forbid? Meanwhile we do no good, but more likely harm, to the individual, while wronging the Church. We induce him to feel that some magical effect is thus to be wrought for one who will not take upon him permanently the yoke of Christ. We ease off, to his apprehension, the separation between saint and sinner. We even encourage him to go on refusing permanently to ally himself to God's people; for we say, it makes no difference. And finally the Church places itself in this absurd position, that by the invitation a man who has just been deliberately excommunicated by the Church has a right to consider himself, if he choose, called by the minister straight back to the communion table. It requires but a moderate consideration of the first principles of church constitution and functions to see that such practices are indefensible on evangelical grounds. BOOK NOTICES.- An Eastern paper complains that as the leading maga zines are all owned by great publishers, candid book notices are not to be found in them. We have no occasion to affirm or deny. But we take the opportunity to say that we believe the faithful account of new books to be one of the most important functions of a periodical. A multitude of readers who have no funds to waste, and no opportunity to examine, wish to know, as nearly as possible, the character of the various new publications, to guide their own purchases. We have made it a matter of conscience to give, without fear or favor, a fair statement in each case. We will accept a book on no other condition. We prefer to buy. If a publisher issues a work that will not abide a true statement of its value, it is not worth his while to send it, nor do we care to see it. We are happy to know that our readers appreciate the truth and fairness, and in many cases the thoroughness, of our criticisms — and that they act upon them. A WOMAN WITH A SPHERE.- We are glad to insert in this number a woman's portrait of a woman. The brief sketch of Miss Lyon will be recognized by all who knew her, as thoroughly truthful. She was precisely the person therein described. Few characters are a more profitable study. Her example is as imperishable as her work. Lacking, through her imperfect early training, some of the outward graces and elegances, she was filled with the grace of God and with the fullness of all womanly feeling and genuine courtesy. Physically robust, and intellectually clearheaded and resolute, with powers of endurance and executive abilities seldom equaled in her own sex and surpassed by very few of the other sex, no Fifth Avenue girl had a profounder sense of the distinctively feminine qualities and the peculiar womanly works and methods than Mary Lyon. On this point she was most explicit and emphatic in her teachings and |