power and new direction to the soul, for then, under divine encouragement, it it. The man whose heart is fixed in the worship of love, beholding the beauty of holiness as revealed in Immanuel, is no longer a selfish creature of mere propensities and impulses; he dwells with God; therefore, whatever is not pure is so far and for ever hateful to him; for faith in the divine perfectness permits us neither to desire what is forbidden nor to despair of what is desirable. One thought effects a total revolution in the soul. Eternal life absorbs the heart, and ceaseless prayer is the sole feeling of a dependent and yet full existence. We cannot aim too highly, nor hope too ardently, since the largeness of God's promises is proportioned to his own power to bestow and man's capacity to receive; and therefore the prospects of the confiding spirit are as bright as heaven and as boundless as eternity. is not material, and yet has power to impress the brain of a parent, and to alter the condition of imperceptible atoms | looks to Omnipotence for help, and finds in his blood, so that the impression shall be transferred to succeeding generations, it follows that the parent's state of soul has a modifying influence on the ovum, and in some measure determines its after development. It is, indeed, a wonderful fact, that the experience of the parent should produce such a bodily change in himself as to affect the future tendencies of his offspring. But so it is; each new individual inherits a predisposition according to the habits of those from whom he is derived; thus palpably proving the truth of that startling declaration,-" I will visit the sins of the fathers on the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and show mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my commandments." Thanks be unto God, when good is brought into operation the evil must wear out, but the good never. If goodness, that is, the obedience of faith working by love, were not omnipotent, society could never be improved; for propensity to sin, or, to act from selfish impulse alone, is physiologically proved to be unavoidable and irresistible, unless the spirit of holiness be imparted. But experience also demonstrates, that immorality does not necessarily continue; the entrance of true light gives new Such observations are, doubtless, outrageous in the eyes of spectacled philosophy; but Christians, such as Coleridge describes as living somewhat outside this world, or collaterally, with respect to it, have their sight clear enough to look with discernment into worlds beyond; therefore let the foregoing words stand; some will read their meaning.The Use of the Body in relation to the Mind. FAMILY BIBLE READING FOR JANUARY. LAST January, the Baptist Magazine | may be omitted with evident propriety in contained an article the design of which domestic exercises;-and that a plan was to inculcate these principles :-that the regular perusal of a portion of scripture at family worship is a beneficial practice; that much greater advantage accrues from it when a chronological arrangement is adopted than when the passage is selected according to the temporary impression of the reader; that some parts of the Old Testament may be advantageously followed by which those parts of the inspired volume which are best adapted for family perusal may be read through in the course of a year. In accordance with these views a tabular list for the month was then given, and in the successive months of the year 1846 the design has been completed. It has afforded much gratification to learn that in many families the prescribed course has been pursued, and has been found both pleasant and profitable. It has appeared to the compiler, however, that some improvements might be made if, with the experience of the past before him, he were now to furnish a similar table for the year on which we are entering. There are portions of the sacred records too on which he has thought it might be useful if he were to furnish some additional observations similar to those which he has made on a few of the inspired books. As it is not intended to repeat what has been already said, it will be advantageous to those who possess the volume for 1846, if, as they proceed, they will refer to the remarks made twelve months previously on the portions of scripture through which they again pass, as the remembrance of a few plain facts of a chronological or geographical character often does very much to elucidate the meaning and the beauty of both the prophetical and the apostolic writings. Setting of the Sun. There are several reasons why it is expedient to commence the perusal of the New Testament with the writings of Luke. The system developed in the apostolic writings is founded on facts; in our researches, therefore, a comprehensive view of the facts deserves our first regard. Now, Luke gives a more complete narrative than any other of the inspired writers, beginning earlier, paying particular attention to dates, and continuing the history to a much later period. He commences with the announcement of the birth of John, our Lord's forerunner, and annexes to his memoirs of the Saviour an account of the setting up of his kingdom both among the Jews and the Gentiles. The writings of Luke form the most suitable introduction also to that transcendently important part of revelation, the epistles of the apostle Paul, whose companion in some of his journeys he was. The author of the Literary History of the New Testament has adduced arguments of considerable force, to show that Luke or Lucas was the same person as Silas or Sylvanus, mentioned repeatedly in connexion with Paul, and observes that the meaning of the names is so similar as to account for their being borne by the same individual, lucus and sylva each signifying a wood. Tholuck observes that Luke accompanied Paul in his last journeys to Jerusalem and Rome, and thinks it likely that Luke, during Paul's captivity at Cæsarea, em ployed his leisure in collecting the accounts contained in his gospel in the localities where the events to which they relate happened. Adverting to the phrase, "Luke the beloved physician," he says, "The profession of a physician harmonizes with the condition of a freed man, indicated by the form of the name. The higher ranks of the Romans were disinclined to practise medicine, which they left rather to their freed men.' "It harmonizes with this also, that Paul distinguishes Luke from the Christians of Jewish descent, whom in verses 11 and 12 (of Coloss. iv.) he styles of the circumcision.'' He adds, "The most ancient testimonies in behalf of Luke's gospel are those of Marcion, at the beginning of the second century, and of Irenæus, in the latter half of that century. According to Meyer's opinion, Luke terminates the Acts with Paul's captivity, because the later events were well known to Theophilus, to whom the Acts are dedicated. We do not know who this Theophilus was. Hug, however, infers, from the manner in which Luke mentions Italian localities, that they were well known to Theophilus, and that consequently it was likely that he resided in Italy." The epithet applied to Theophilus, rendered "most excellent," was one customarily addressed to governors. It is found in the New Testament only in three other instances; as applied to Felix by Lysias and Tertullus, and to Festus by Paul. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE. THE late Mr. Thomas Wilson, being one day inclined to take a long walk, asked a young minister, now Dr. Philip of South Africa, if he had any objection to accompany him as far as Stoke Newington, where he might see the mansion once possessed by Sir Thomas Abney, in which Dr. Watts spent thirtysix years of his life. "The mansion was then uninhabited," says Dr. Philip, "and the house and grounds were for sale. Having shown me, with a glow of feeling above his usual temperament, the room in which the doctor studied and composed most of his invaluable works, the bedroom in which he slept, and the turret on the roof where he used to sit and enjoy the fresh air and surrounding scenery, I remarked, 'I am surprised you do not purchase this place, and come and live in it.' His reply to my remark was quite in accordance with his character, and furnished me with a useful lesson, which I have never since forgotten. I might purchase this place and live in it,' was his reply, but the establishment it would require would consume all my income, and no worldly establishment would be a compensation to me for the pleasure I have in living within my income, that I may serve God with the surplus."" SUCCESSFUL MINISTERS. 6 "THE old ministers," said Mr. Williams | a conversation carried on by two perof Wern, "were not much better preachers than we are, and in many respects they were inferior to us; but there was an unction about their ministry, and a success attendant upon it, that can now be but seldom seen. And what is the cause of the difference? They prayed more than we do. If we would prevail and have power with men,' we must first prevail and have power with God.' It was on his knees that Jacob became a 'prince;' and if we would become princes, we must be oftener and more importunate on our knees." He was very fond of relating the following anecdote respecting the late Rev. J. Griffith of Caernarvon :- "Mr. Griffith was to preach one night in a farm-house, and he desired permission to retire to a private room before the service began. He remained there a considerable time after the congregation had assembled. As there was no sign of the preacher making his appearance, the good man of the house sent the servant to request him to come, as the people had been for sometime waiting. On approaching the door, she heard what she supposed to be sons in rather a subdued tone of voice. REVIEW S. The Supremacy of the Scriptures the Divine Rule of Religion, by the Rev. JAMES DAVIES, with a Recommendatory Letter, by the Rev. J. Pye Smith, D.D., F.R.S., F.G.S., President of the Old College, Homerton. 12mo. pp. 306. London: Ward and Co. THIS is a respectable work on a very important subject. The style is sufficiently perspicuous, though not remarkably exact. The matter is copious, and multifarious, and for the most part relevant. There are large numbers of professing Christians who might gain from it both information and improvement. Yet, we confess ourselves somewhat disappointed in the perusal of it. We see no adequate reason for a recommendatory letter to it from one so eminent as Dr. Pye Smith; and still less for the sentiment expressed in the letter concerning those portions of it which he had read; though it is evident we must speak with caution, not knowing what parts they were. Doubtless, many works on the same topic might be pointed out, which are greatly superior to this. It would be more easy to expect that it would bless our families and churches""detect and warn against" evil-"awaken inquiry" and "point to avenues for exploring the mines of truth,"-if the information conveyed were more coherent and compact, and if the arguments used were more lucid and cogent, even though there were not much to strike the imagination, or to warm the heart. Besides, "the Supremacy of the Scriptures" is rather the indirect subject of the work, than its immediate theme. It is mainly occupied in demonstrating the insufficiency and subordination of other things. The visible creation, human nature, the writings of the fathers, the decrees of councils, tradition, the ability and right of separate Christian churches, and the inward light of quakerism, are all successively brought under review, and shown to be inadequate or erroneous. Of course these very dissimilar parties are not regarded or treated in the same manner. Perhaps some of them might be disposed to complain of unfair treatment, but we feel neither required norqualified to arbitrate any dispute that might arise. The light of quakerism, being "inward," necessarily escapes examination; or it emits its radiance so faintly and so rarely, that we cannot pretend to understand its nature, and without reluctance can give up its use. Many Friends, however, maintain that it means no more than the word and Spirit of God dwelling in the mind of man, and thus acknowledge the supremacy of the scriptures. The impiety of separate Christian churches (if they can be called such when viewed in this character) has been distressingly exemplified, in their attempts to usurp the throne o. God, by coercing the consciences of men. This, indeed, is antichrist; and alas! it is even now in the world. Every spiritual and holy word spoken against it is part of the breath of Christ's mouth, by which it shall perish. Tradition is an ignis fatuus, never seen but in darkness and danger, and he who follows it will not only be mocked by its flight, but will sink in the swamps from which it has been exhaled. That it has ever been mistaken for, or preferred to the gospel, is only one of the most pitiable illustrations of human folly and guilt. The decrees of councils, like many other notable things, are much more talked about than read. At least they are voluminous enough to allow, if not to repay, the most diligent search. The man who should take them as his rule of faith and practice, would find human life too short to investigate and harmonize them, and consequently that there is nothing he can believe or do. The fathers and the ancient philosophers are no longer with us, either to defend or explain themselves. Some of the former were eminent Christians; the unction of whose piety might improve many who pity their mistakes, and some of the latter seem to have done their best with the materials they had at command; but for both, as the rivals or supplanters of the gospel, we have nothing but the rebuke once given to Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou savourest not the things which be of God." Human nature! it seems but cruel irony to boast of its self-sufficiency, and yet, in its very ruin, it "shows the |