LITERATURE. The True Theory of the Atonement ; A Scriptural Exposition. By J. KIRKMAN, Author of the "Coming Kingdom." London: Stock. THIS fourpenny pamphlet is invaluable. We have read large volumes on the Atonement which had not a ray of the light here shed. Neither punishment nor penalty, according to our author, but the putting away of SIN, is the great idea of the Atonement. This we have long seen and taught, and Mr. Kirkman's Tract clearly expresses the truth. This pamphlet crowns with a halo of light Mr. Kirkman's teaching in his excellent work" The Coming Kingdom," which we again heartily commend to all readers. The Life Everlasting: What is it ? Whence is it? Whose is it? By J. H. PETTINGELL, A.M. Philadelphia: J. D. Brown; London: Elliot Stock. MR. PETTINGELL'S able and elaborate work, to which we called attention a few months ago, is supplemented by a "Symposium, in which twenty representative men— clergymen, laymen, professors, doctors, and scholars of different evangelical churches in Europe and America-unite in expressing their own views on the question discussed by the author. The book is, therefore, a little library on the subject; the testimony of many thoughtful witnesses, men of character, to whom truth is of priceless worth. Mr. Pettingell's exhaustive work extends to 600 pages, the symposium occupies 162, so that we have more than 760 pages dedicated to the great old doctrine of the Divine Word-happily rescued from the theological rubbish of agesthat everlasting life is the gift of God in Christ to the believer. The notion of natural immortality, or "the immortality of the soul," as it is commonly called, is shown in this masterly work to be a pagan fiction; and the grand idea of redemption is described in language forcible and eloquent by the learned author. We may just name the writers of the "Symposium" in the order in which their contributions appear: Bacon, White, Minton, Kramer, Wilson, Phelps, Graham, Hart, Leask, Petavel, Kellogg, Chase, Byse, Strang, Laing, Schultz, Butler, Meier-Smith, Constable, Huntington, Hendrickson. The Great Roman Eclipse; With the Visions of Locusts and Horsemen. An Exposition of the Eighth and Ninth Chapters of the Apocalypse. By the author of "The Little Horn of the East." London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1882. "Ir is assumed in the following pages," says the author, "that the Fourth of the great world-powers in the book of Daniel-following the Greek, and continuing till the Second Advent-is no other than the Roman. With this for our fulcrum, the next thing is to take the Apocalyptic visions, thoroughly investigate the meaning of their symbols, and then find out whether anything in the world's history so really corresponds to their intimations as clearly to establish a case of prophecy and fulfilment." It will thus be seen that the historical key is used by the author to open the rich caskets of the Apocalypse. His ability as a writer, and his extensive reading and research as a student, are cheerfully admitted. We are reminded of the striking coincidences of which the great work of Elliott produced so many examples years ago, taking them as proofs that the history of Christendom fulfils Apocalpytic predictions; but deeply interesting as these facts are, we are not convinced of their argumentative force We look for something more than either pagan or papal Rome has produced, before the wonderful visions of the exile of Patmos become history. Why, it must be so! It is "The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ!" The Trial of the Most Notable Lawsuit of Ancient or Modern Times. The Incorporated Scientific Era Protection Society v. Paul Christman and Others, in the Court of Common Reason. Before LORD PENETRATING IMPARTIALITY and a Special Jury. Issue: "Did Christ Rise from the book is cheap, and every page should be read, as every link in a golden chain is precious. The Kingdom and the Restoration; or, A Scriptural View of the Second Coming of Christ, with the wonderful signs that will precede it, and the still more wonderful things that will follow it. By A STUDENT OF PROPHECY. London: Elliot Stock. THIS Treatise has this object, according to the "Preface 66 : 'Deeply interested in the second advent ourselves, and desiring to awaken the attention of others to this subject, and aid them in forming a correct judgment, we send forth this work with the prayer that God may bless it and use it for the spread of the truth." We Dead?" Verbatim Report by hope that the devout Author's a Shorthand Writer. London: Houlston & Sons, Paternoster Buildings. THE writer of this remarkable volume, whoever he may be, is clearly no ordinary man. He has laid the friends of Christian truth under deep obligation. The manner of the book is fascinating. The leading scientific men of the day are cross-examined with forensic skill, without a shade of injustice, and they are placed by their own theories in an uncomfortable position. The infidels of the day, represented by "Mr. Bad Laugh," are objects of mingled pity and scorn. When the author has done with his witnesses and addresses the Court and jury for the defence, we have an argument for the resurrection of Christ which is irresistible, both for the perfection of its logic and the splendour of its eloquence. Of course it increases our satisfaction to find this gifted author advancing no sentiment contrary to those which are most surely believed by us. We should like to quote largely, but the prayer may be largely answered, for the book is truthful, reverent and instructive, every way worthy of the attention of those who prefer calm argument to sensational speculation. The Vision of Patmos; or, Thoughts on Rev. i. 12-18. By W. R. STEPHENS, M.A., British Chaplain at Brussels. London: Elliot Stock. DEVOUT reflections, with here and there statements which will not bear examination, such as "The "Lord's Day: Thus early in the Christian Church do we read of the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, which was then, and is since, known by the name of the Lord's day." If Mr. Stephens will take the trouble to look, he will find that the first day of the week is never so called. The Lord's day, or day of the Lord, to a vision of which John was carried forward by the Spirit, has not dawned yet. The writer is also utterly wrongwe must add inexcusably so at this hour of the day-respecting future punishment. Eternal suffering is a hideous falsehood! He who says that Scripture teaches this enormity errs egregiously. It is a foul libel on the Holy One, and we defy Christendom to find a proof of it in the word of truth. NOTICES. "E. W."-The striking extract on "The Imperishable Word-a Miracle," was from a speech delivered at a meeting of the "Trinitarian Bible Society," a Society, which we take this opportunity of commending, with all heartiness, to the generous support of our friends, because of its fidelity to the pure Word of God. We admire it for its continued protest against the British and Foreign Bible Society for circulating, on the Continent, popish versions of the Sacred Volume. No doctrine of expediency can justify this evil policy, and no Christian should countenance it. If its patrons saw the matter in the light in which we see it, they would at once transfer their support from the British and Foreign to the Trinitarian Bible Society; certain that in doing so their money would not help to propagate Romanist errors. "S. S."―The paragraph beginning, "Would I describe a preacher such as Paul," is in the "Timepiece," the second book of "The Task." "ELY."-No. The words, "In the midst of life we are in death," are not in the Bible; neither are the words, "The round world.” "W. G." says: "I have read with intense interest, profit and satisfaction, General Goodwyn's book on the Apocalypse," which he gave me; and now he has given me his truly splendid and masterly work, Antitypical Parallels,' which I am carefully perusing. He is a mighty man of God." "X. Y."—"For those who think of Him God still is thinking, With tender condescension from on high, Some comfort ever to some duty linking.' "BATH."-Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, in one of her fine lyrics, calls integrity "the gold of conscience. rich, though penniless, and there is can rob him of it, namely, himself. and you will be nerved with that clothes His heroes. The possessor of that wealth is only one person in the world that Dare to be true, happen what may, moral strength with which God "A FRIEND."-Afraid? Well, perhaps for a moment. Unbelief is a coward, and some one told us, that if we departed from orthodoxy, even in its most revolting dogmas, we should starve; but when we remembered the character of that some one (John viii. 44), we told him to begone! He has not dared to trouble us since on that matter. Our God has thus far supplied our need; and thousands have been delivered from a crushing burden, and are rejoicing in Christ their life. We rejoice with them, and doubt not that we shall be sustained in our holy work of witness-bearing for the truth. "Y."--By error last month the price of the Three Opuscules was said to be 1s. It should have been 4d. "The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ." (Stock). THE RAINBOW: 3 Magazine of Christian Literature, with Special Reference to the Revealed Future of the Church and the World. NOVEMBER, 1882. EGYPT IN PROPHECY. "In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and He shall deliver them. And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall Vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. And the Lord shall smite Egypt: He shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and He shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance."—ÍSA. xix. 18-25. THE irrepressible "Eastern Question" has entered upon another phase. Egypt, the land of wonders, is once more prominently before the world, and under aspects and international relationships morally and politically unlike any of the past. Whatever statesmen and diplomatists may do, the intelligent believer in the Divine supremacy over nations has this noble advantage, that he is sure the Divine purpose will be completely realized. Party politics to him are matters of indifference. As a free citizen he has a right to choose his political school, and to tell you frankly which it is; but he is far enough from thinking that his party is necessarily that which Providence will honour as the instrument of its will in the accomplishment of predicted issues. There lies before us the beautiful landscape to which the finger of prophecy points. It may be reached speedily, as if by express train, or it may be a long way off, though apparently near, because of movements like those of the pilgrim Israelites from Egypt to Palestine in the days of old, but HH the certainty of arrival there exactly at God's time is beyond doubt. What is written must come to pass, for the writers were under unerring guidance. "No prophecy of Scripture cometh of private interpretation; for prophecy came not of the will of man, but men had utterance from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." Words indited by God's Spirit fall not to the ground. This is ROCK! We therefore build here, in positive certainty of the ultimate fact declared by the prophets, although we may be utterly unable to describe the process by which God will accomplish His design. We may imagine that international diplomacy will take such shape as we think will facilitate the declared purpose, but what is our imagination worth in the vast sphere upon which the All-Seeing looks, and in which He works, adapting means to end and cause to effect with unerring wisdom? What the political complications of our conduct in Egypt may be I know not, but I know by the word of truth that a day comes when the Lord shall say, "Blessed be Egypt my people, and Syria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance." That is cheering information, joyous intelligence to the Christian who longs for the time when the Lord shall be the recognised MASTER of the world. That is something to find in the "Scripture that cannot be broken!" It is enough for us at present, that is to say, enough for faith. It is our duty and privilege to believe the word of Him who sees the end from the beginning. How He will do what He has promised is not an element that fits itself comfortably into the idea of simple faith. Our anxiety for details is evidence of latent unbelief, not of unquestioning reliance on the Word that cannot fail. But God will have the confidence of His children, He desires it, requests it, should have it always; hence, with all the wealth of information He has given us respecting final issues, there is often poverty of detail respecting processes. This is precisely what a little reflection would lead us to expect. If God says, "I will do this," whatever it may be, it is ours to accept the declaration as proof absolute that it shall be done, not only when details of the mode of operation are kept back, but even when appearances, or existing facts, seem to make the accomplishment of the purpose impossible. "Thus saith the LORD," should be enough always and everywhere for men-and it would be if they knew the glorious Speakerwithout any information as to the arrangements He had made to realize His purpose. The principle I wish to emphasise by these remarks is embodied in the words, "HAVE FAITH IN GOD." He hath spoken and He will bring it to pass, all appearance to the contrary notwithstanding. The Egypt of Joseph and Moses can never fail to interest the student of history; the Egypt of the miraculous exodus of a vast multitude of slaves, from whom were to spring the Hebrew legis * *It is now proved beyond doubt that one of the mummies recently discovered at Thebes, is that of Ramses II., the oppressor of Israel, the king |