special occasions, to select auditories. We can likewise conceive of their being so managed as to incorporate with the series a vein of Evangelical sentiment, and the interspersion of Evangelical fact and doctrine, which, however, has not yet been generally done; and on that ground, very mainly, we have been set against the thing.

Early Piety, exemplified in the Life and Death of Anna Atkins; to which is added, a Memoir of her Sister Rebecca, who died on the 25th of July, 1850. Gladding.

THIS is a simple, well-told, and an affecting narrative of two little spirits, now happily delivered from the snares, corruptions, and miseries of the world, which the power of grace had made them greatly above, notwithstanding their brief duration on it. We have not, for a long time, met with anything more beautiful and touching, and more adapted to move, instruct, and edify both old and young.

Ears of the Spiritual Harvest; or, Narratives of the Christian Life. Nisbet.

THIS is a valuable addition to an important class of publications, consisting largely of narrative, of scenes pathetic, and events extraordinary, closing with a highly important article, entitled 66 Conversion through Maternal Prayers," by the Rev. Octavius Winslow. We commend this volume, with more than ordinary emphasis, as one remarkably calculated to be useful.

The Three Patriarchs. A Series of Stories. By MARGARETTA. Longman.

THE subject of this volume, as the title bears, is the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is, therefore, a good book for the young, not simply as a substitute for Bible reading, but as a help to profitable thinking.

Never Wrong; or, The Young Disputant; and, It was only in Fun. Tales for the Young. Grant and Griffiths.

THESE are two small mirrors, reflecting many large as well as small faces; excellent lessons for the young of both sexes; a dish into which many parents may, with benefit, dip their own hand along with their children. "Master Walter's" troubles have a moral in them; "Poor George" is the type of some millions of the inhabitants of this our dear native land. The text of the second part of the book is " Only in fun;" and it has furnished a sermon which comprises not a little sound moral philosophy.

The Fate of Papal Rome, and the Premillenial and Post Millenial By G. S. FABER. Hardy and Sons.

THIS very brief publication will be considered singularly seasonable by those who concur in its general principles. Since it bears directly on recent occurrences in Italy, France, and other parts of the Continent, having reference to important events which it is considered are likely soon to occur in France and Italy. The extracts from the unpublished work of Mr. Faber, on the many mansions" in the house of the Father,

A Lec

The Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures. ture delivered at the Chapel of Stepney College, on the Opening of the Session, September 18th, 1850. With Notes, by JOHN HOWARD HINTON, M.A. Houlston and Stoneman.

THEY who desire to ascertain the deliberate and well-digested views of a remarkably able, highly cultivated, and independent mind on this most momentous of all subjects, have only to procure the discourse before us, which, though cheap and brief, is yet comprehensive, full, and erudite. One of the principal features in the book is the vigour and conclusiveness with which it has discussed the principles of Mr. Morell, who will find in these pages that which will merit his serious attention.

The Apostle Paul and his Glorying. By J. B. MELSON, M.D.

THIS copious and miscellaneous discourse, was preached at Birmingham before the Second Aggregate meeting of the Wesleyan Methodists Mutual Aid Association, and published by their request. The selection of Dr. Melson for this work is a tribute paid by his brethren, and the manner in which he has discharged the duties to which they called him, is equally creditable to his abilities and spirit. The Local preachers who listened to him, must have indeed felt disposed to magnify their office, since it is probable they felt that, instead of occupying a lower, they really occupied a higher place than the Travelling preachers, and were at any rate in a decidedly more apostolic position. Melson's disquisition upon a "gratuitous ministration of the Word," is highly important, and merits the attention of all whom it doth or may concern. The subject has its limitations; but much is to be done beyond what has been generally accomplished, before these limitations be reached. Every community ought to have a much larger amount of gratuitous preaching agency in supporting the work of God. Such discourses as this of Dr. Melson will tend somewhat to lower the aspirations of the Divan, and also to command and fix attention upon the meritorious labours of the local preachers.

Dr.

The Scripture Pocket-Book for 1851. Tract Society.

THIS beautiful book is well-known to multitudes, who will look for it as regularly as for the beginning of the new year. It has all the usual compliment of a secular nature at the beginning, and a golden batch of evangelical extracts at

the close.

The Christian Almanack for 1851. Tract Society. A mass of useful information, well selected, and sold for a very small sum, bringing it within the reach of everybody, and well entitled to the name it bears.

The Working Man's Friend and Family Instructor. Part X. John Cassell.

A large embodiment of very useful information, presented at a price which brings it within the reach of the poorest.

The Protestant Dissenters' Almanack for 1851. John Cassell.

THIS is one of the best three pennyworths any. where to be found. It will not fail to command what it so richly deserves-most extensive circulation.

Financial Reformers' Almanack, and Freeholders' Manual for 1851. John Cassell.

AN assemblage of facts, figures, and principles of the highest value, calculated to awaken a healthful spirit of Reform, and to strengthen the hands of those who seek to promote it in all the branches of public affairs.

Confidence in Jesus, a Support under Trial, as shown in Extracts from the Letters of the late Matthew Turner, a Printer's Apprentice. Edited by THOMAS JOHNSON, of Lancaster. Simpkin, Marshall and Co.

LETTERS of this description deserve to be rescued from the oblivion which is natural to them; and although they may not much interest the general public, they are nevertheless calculated both to instruct and edify the simple. There is here a fine spirit of humble piety, great deadness to the world, much love to God, and large zeal for the extension of his kingdom, and the advancement of his glory. The conclusion of the narrative is very affecting, and shows how much was lost in the death of an individual who had so much of heaven upon earth.

The Four Gospels combined; or, the Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Simpkin and Marshall.

OF our many Harmonies none is better than this. Type, size, form-all is beautiful; and it will form a very convenient pocket volume.

Family Pictures from the Bible. By MRS. ELLET. Jackson.

MRS. ELLET is already advantageously known to the public as the Authoress of the Women of the American Revolution-a publication which does honour to her spirit as a citizen, and her principles as a woman. The work before us, however, is not entirely from her own pen, since

she has been aided by others competent to the undertaking, such as the Rev. Drs. Bethune and Hutton, and the Revs. Henry Field, William Martin, B. N. Palmer, S. D. Burchard, and Miss Caroline Chesbro. Mrs. Ellet, referring to the fact that the Bible was the chief book of instruction for families in the first centuries of Christianity, and that a wise use was also made of it in the education of youth is anxious to bring Christian families backward to the practice of a better age than that which is now passing over us. She considers, and justly, that this will be a substantial gain to the cause of religion and of society, with which she is wise enough to identify the best interests of mankind. She attaches, and most justly, the utmost importance to family organization, and all history will support her conclusions. The destruction of the domestic constitution, has always preceded the destruction of the social compact. Individual virtue is essential to family stability, and as are the families of nations, such will be the nations themselves. This heretofore has constituted the strength of England, as it does now that of America, and it undoubtedly forms the weakness of France. It is an unquestionable fact that the primitive ages of the world were in nothing so remarkable as for the strength of the ties that bound families together. The bond of union was then closer, stronger, and more enduring, and the communion of feeling more pervading and constant. Parental authority, as Mrs. Ellet wisely remarks, was much more reverenced, and existed in a wider range; the sons and daughters were educated very mainly at home, and the household circles constituted their society; the fear of God was the foundation of the earliest wisdom.

ROMISH AGGRESSION. The great subject which has continued to agitate the country through the month, has been Papal aggression. The matter has proceeded with great intensity, like the snowball, gathering mass and momen

tum at every step of its advancement. The Dissenting bodies, as well as the Church, have given emphatic utterance to their views of the question in a variety of forms. A multitude of Sermons have been preached by Dissenters,

not a few masterly and specially appropriate discourses have been published, and resolutions innumerabie have been passed, together with important declarations. Of the latter, special

The

pre-eminence is due to those adopted by the Congregational Board of London, that issued by the Lancashire College professors, and the ministers of Manchester, and its vicinity, and those proceeding from the Independents of Liverpool. The city of London has memorialised her Majesty in a document full of Protestant spirit and British patriotism; both the Universities have also spoken out in terms of emphatic denunciation of Papal interference with the affairs of the English realm. answers of Her Majesty to these addresses have excited considerable attention. Her Majesty, as advised by her servants, specifies nothing as to the intentions of the government, but intimates in effect, that she will "uphold and maintain the principles of the Protestant faith." The regal answer to the address from Oxford was rather more explicit, in which the Queen tells the addressers, that they might rely on her "determination to uphold alike the rights of the Crown and the liberties of the people against all aggressions and encroachments." In this reply, as well as in that of the University of Cambridge, the subject of the Church is brought prominently forward:-Her Majesty says,

"While it is my earnest wish that complete freedom of conscience should be enjoyed by all classes of my subjects, it is my constant aim to uphold the just privileges and extend the usefulness of the Church established by law in this country; and to secure to my people the full possession of their ancient rights and liberties."

Of all the country, or indeed other meetings which have taken place, perhaps the most important was that of Surrey, at which the Lord Chancellor Sugden, remembered by our elder readers, as one of the ablest lawyers of his time, with great clearness, and at great length, expounded the law of the question, showing most incontrovertibly that the late Papal movement is a violation of the laws of the country. If this point be clearly made out, it will simplify the path of the government; and when Parliament shall meet, enable them to make short work of the business. In the meantime, things with respect to the Puseyites are presenting rather an adverse aspect. The Bishop of London and the Rev. Mr. Bennett, of Knightsbridge, a chief among the Tractarians, have been carrying on a correspondence for some time past, which is now published, and the result is, the resignation of Mr. Bennett, and also his three curates; and it is rumoured that other leading Puseyites will withdraw. There seems, indeed, an intention to effect a secession; and there is reason to believe that private communications are being held among the Puseyite clergy to the extent of some 1,800, with a view to the establishment of a free Church of England, which shall be thoroughly Puseyite, that is, semi-popish. It is now pretty clear that Puseyism cannot get on much further in the Church of England. It has met with an effectual check. The letter of Lord John has completely astonished the Puseyite clergy, and has read to the bishops themselves a lesson which they perfectly understand, and from which there is no doubt they will profit. All this, then, is a step in the right direc

tion. Charles James, of London, is clearly determined to go through with his work, and to uproot Puseyism throughout his diocese.

According to report, the Vatican is exceedingly disappointed at the result of the establishment of the Papal hierarchy. They appear to have been completely misled as to the real strength of the Papal, and even of the Puseyite cause in England, and were not at all prepared for those stupendous demonstrations, which are everywhere being given. Cardinal Wiseman, nevertheless, is putting on a bold front, and hurling defiance at all opposers, from time to time preaching lectures in defence of the subject, and calling upon the English to come and take refuge in the holy ark of salvation. If rumour may be relied on, it seems the Pope is disposed to smooth the path of the Tractarians into his spiritual dominion. His Holiness is to found an order of married preachers, for the sake of finding employment for English clergy that happened to be married, and who consequently cannot become Romish priests. It is hinted that the chaplains of the New Order will be allowed to use the Liturgy, too, with certain modifications, so that nothing is to be left undone to help on the work of Anglican conversion. It was stated, sometime back, that Cardinal Wiseman had been counselling the Vatican to consider of the propriety of abolishing celibacy in England; the present is the same idea turning up another aspect. The ferment is thickening. The cry of the Churchman for a revival of the Convocation waxes daily louder. This Convocation the Government will never concede and the result will be, that they who attach to it great importance, will be driven to seek the liberties for which they vainly sigh, under some other form than in the Established Church.

THE WESLEYAN CONNEXION.-In the Wesleyan world, while controversy still rages to some extent, there is yet light gradually breaking in upon the Reformers; so that while their dissatisfaction is becoming daily stronger, their views are becoming more and more Scriptural. The subject of the Lord's Supper, we see, is occupying attention, both as to the mode of it, and the administrator. Hitherto, in the Wesleyan body, the example of the Church of England has been followed: the people approached the so-called altar, and in companies, kneeling and receiving the elements from the hand of the minister. Nothing is more clear than that the Lord's Supper, as observed by the Apostles, was a very different thing from this, which strongly bears the impress of Popery. It is also being contended, that in the absence of ordained ministers, others may dispense the communion. Such is the conclusion to which the registered members of the First London Circuit came.

AMERICA-In America, the great subject of interest to the Christian heart is the Fugitive Slave Bill. On this mournful affair, no inconsiderable light has been thrown by the Presi dent's Message. We very much regret to find that, instead of recommending the revision of the law, or, if the Congress see good, its aboli.. tion; the President assumes its excellence, and prophesies happy results for the peace of society, and the preservation of the Union which will flow from the cruel enactment.

There is another matter in the Message of the

President, of great importance to religion and humanity. When it is remembered that threefourths of the population are engaged in the cultivation of the soil, and consequently spread over an immense territory, it will at once appear that the arrangements of the post in that country are incalculably more important than in this our own, where the population is so thick, and the space they occupy so narrow. In the United States, the length of the inland mail routes, exclusive of Oregon and California, is no less than 178,672 miles; while the annual transportation on those routes is no less than 46,541,423 miles; and the increase of the annual transportation this year over that of last year, was no less than 3,997,354. The number of post-offices is in proportion to the population, there being no fewer than 18,417, which is an increase of 1,670 over that of last year. High rates of postage have the effect of cutting off the communication among the people; and, accordingly, the Postmaster-general, probably stimulated by the example of Great Britain, humanely and patriotically recommends a reduction of inland letter postage to the trifle of three cents. a single letter, when prepaid, and to five cents. when unpaid. He also recommends that the prepaid rate shall he reduced to two cents., under circumstances which he anticipates. He likewise would recommend that the postage upon all newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals, and other printed matter shall be modified. This, it will be seen at once, is a prodigious step in the march of civilization, and for all the purposes of benevolence and religion, must in the end prove incalculably important.

EUROPE.-In Europe nothing materially affecting religion has occurred beyond the settlement of the momentous question of peace or war. For some weeks Russia, Prussia, and Austria,have presented towards each other a most menacing attitude; but there is now sufficient grounds for believing that not only will there be an adjustment of differences, but in consequence, a great reduction of standing armies in at least two of those countries, which is a great gain to the mighty cause of human improvement, and of everything directly or collaterally bearing upon religion.

FRANCE, France is unusually tranquil; and the affairs of legislation are proceeding with very little that invites attention, whether pleasing or otherwise.

THE COLONIES.-Proceeding to the Colonies, things present a mixed aspect. At the Cape of Good Hope matters are by no means in a satisfactory condition. The public accounts which have arrived unite in testifying to contention and distraction; and private letters which have reached us, not only confirm the testimony of the journals, but reveal a variety of circumstances not mentioned there. So intense was the agitation which prevailed upon the Convict question-so completely was society divided into parties; so hostile was the spirit which reigned among them, that it went far not only to rend asunder the ties that bound society, but to absolve some of those of religious connexion and personal friendship. This is a state of things which cannot fail to prove unfavourable to the advancement of piety. The question of the Contitution is by no means settled; and it will be some time before perfect tranquillity, as the index of general good feeling, will be restored.

Matters in Australia remain much as before. Emigration is still going on; but there is reason to believe with more discretion than some twelve months back. The class of persons suited to emigrate is increasing; and parties whose habits, trades, and tastes disqualify them, is decreasing. It would seem that this portion is pouring in with increase to the United States-doubtless the best quarter for all such.

The matter of Popery is exciting the attention of the Colonies as well as of the mother country. Wherever Popery is, and is strong, there she attempts the suppression of her rivals, and struggles for a monopoly of privilege and power. It is, therefore, a matter of considerable pain to find that she has succeeded so completely to invest herself in the colonies of Great Britain, as will appear from the following list, not of her Clergy, but of her Bishops, showing the admirable zeal with which she has contrived to invest herself throughout every portion of the British territory.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND VICARS APOSTOLIC IN THE BRITISH COLONIES AND POSSESSIONS.

Most Rev. John Bede Polding, O.S.B., Archbishop of Sydney, and V.A. of New Holland. Right Rev. Charles Henry Davis, O.S.B., Bishop of Maitland, Coadjutor.

Right Rev. R. W. Wilson, Bishop of Hobart Town, Van Dieman's Land.

Right Rev. Francis Murphy, Bishop

of Adelaide, Southern Australia.

Right Rev. J. M. B. Serra, Bishop Suffragans. of Perth, Western Australia.

Port Victoria, vacant.

Right Rev. James M. B. Goold, Bishop of Melbourne.

Most Rev. Patrick Carew, Archbishop of Edessa, V.A. of Bengal.

Most Rev. Richard P. Smith, Archbishop of the Port of Spain.

Right Rev. Monaghan, Bishop of Roseau, Dominica, and the other Leeward Islands, Suffragan. Right Rev. Thomas Oliffe, Bishop of Milene, V.A. of Decca.

Most Rev. Peter Anthony Nostrano, Archbishop of Corfu.

Right Rev. Francis J. Nicholson, Bishop of Hieropolis, Coadjutor.

Most Rev. Peter Flavien Turgeon, Archbishop of Quebec.

Right Rev. Ignatius Bourget, Bishop of Montreal. Right Rev. John Charles Prince, Bishop of Martyropolis, Coadjutor.

Right Rev. Joseph Eugenius Bruno Guiges, Bishop of Bytown, Lower Canada.

Right Rev. Remigius Gaulin, Bishop of Kingston, Upper Canada, retired.

Right Rev. Patrick Phelan, Bishop of Carrhæ, Coadjutor and Administrator.

Right Rev. De Charbonnell, Bishop of Toronto, Upper Canada.

Right Rev. J. N. Provencher, Bishop of Juliopolis, V. A. at Hudson's Bay.

Right Rev. Modeste Deniers, Bishop of Vancouver, and Administrator of the Dioceses of Princess Charlotte and New Caledonia.

Right Rev. J. F. Mulloch, Bishop of the Island of Newfoundland.

Right Rev. William Fraser, Bishop of Arichat, Island of Cape Breton.

Right Rev. William Walsh, Bishop of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Right Rev. William Dollard, Bishop of Frederickton, New Brunswick.

Right Rev. Donald M'Donald, Bishop of Charlotte Town, Prince Edward's Island.

Right Rev. Benito Fernandez, V. A. of Jamaica. Right Rev. William Du-Quesney, Coadjutor. Right Rev. William Bernard Allen Collier, O.S.B., Bishop of Port Louis, Mauritius.

Right Rev. John T. Hynes, O.S.D., Bishop of Leros, V. A. of British Guiana.

Right Rev. Henry Hughes, Bishop of Eliopolis, V. A. of Gibraltar.

Right Rev. Gaetano Antonio, Bishop of Usula V. A. of the Southern Division of Ceylon.

Right Rev. Joseph Mary Bravi, O.S.B., Bishop of Tipasa, Coadjutor and Successor.

Right Rev. Horatio Bettachini, Bishop of Zorona, V. A. of the Northern Division of Ceylon.

There, then, is a picture! Let Protestants ponder the roll of nearly fifty Bishops, generals of divisions, scattered throughout these infant nations. These are the men who are being supplied with appropriate officers and underlings from Maynooth,-Maynooth, the trainingschool for the Papal world, to support which the Protestants of England are taxed to the tune of 30,000l. per annum!

THE ECLECTIC REVIEW.

These

THIS ancient and important organ of Evangelical Dissent, has become the subject of a reduction in price without any diminution in quantity, and, moreover, instead of one Editor, it is now to have two,-Dr. Thomas Price, who has conducted it so long, and so ably, and Dr. Stowell, of Cheshunt College, so thoroughly known, and so much esteemed and confided in, throughout the Nonconformist body. gentlemen, in all respects in the highest degree competent to their office, will meetly represent the two great branches of the one Body, more especially represented by the Journal. In this respect, therefore, it is probable that many will consider the arrangement an improvement, although simple justice requires the declaration, that Dr. Price uniformly held the balance with a hand so even, that from his Editorial administration alone, it had been impossible to tell with which of the branches he stood associated, while it is a published fact, that the great mass of his contributors were Independents. There was, therefore, in point of principle no necessity for the introduction of a Pædo-Baptist, but, as it respected Dr. Price's state of health, we regret to say it was otherwise. He required reinforcement, and he has been most successful in obtaining it.

Our

The next point, however, and perhaps, the chief, touches the reduction of price. The Journal is to be reduced from 2s. 6d. to 1s. 6d., a step, it will be seen, of the most serious character as affecting the self-sustentation, and the consequent longevity of the Review. It is absolutely indispensible that the circulation, whatever it may now be, shall be increased many fold. We should say, speaking of it absolutely, that its circulation ought at the least to extend to some ten or twelve thousand copies. readers need not be apprised, that we have once and again most earnestly pressed this point on Dr. Price, from a deep and settled conviction of its necessity to meet the wants of a very large and important class of Protestant Dissenters. The Review, absolutely, was not dear, but compared with the circumstances of multitudes of intelligent men, to whom its contents were suited, and who required its assistance, it was high, and we cannot doubt, that these, in

multitudes, will hail the measure as one calculated to meet their case, while they will not only prove duly grateful, but practically show their gratitude by exerting themselves, in their several circles, to promote the circulation.

This matter we would earnestly press upon the attention of ministers, officers of churches, leading men, and Sabbath-school teachers, and especially upon that important class of young men addicted to literature. They have much in their power, and whatever they may have, it would be well expended in the advancement of this important and patriotic object. Happily, the experiment will be made fairly, and can be made without peril to the Journal, from the munificent spirit with which a certain great capitalist has come forth to advance the noble object. But such munificence must have a limit, and such assistance an end. The Review must become self-sustaining, or else, sooner or later, it must go down. Far be it from the Nonconformists of this great country to act a The British part so unworthy and so suicidal! Quarterly Review has taken its place; a place on a level with the proudest of its predecessors. It, therefore, will meet the necessities of the upper and more opulent classes; but there was still wanted a Review for the middle-classes-a Review for all; and such a Review, in point both of price and matter, we shall henceforth have in the Eclectic.

CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF EDUCA

TION

Many of our readers will be happy to learn that the contemplated conjunction of this Institution with the Voluntary School Association is not to take place. In this we, too, most unfeignedly rejoice. As the matter of Government grants is one on which our Body is considerably divided, we suppose we must abstain from any further discussion of it. But it may

be permitted here to say, that those who fall entirely in with the Board of Education-and they are undoubtedly the bulk of the Body, as to weight and position-ought now to make a conscience of coming forward and supporting it in a manner that shall do credit to their principles and themselves, and put its admi