we be, if we love Christ as some of the primitive believers did -A." More than conquerors."

To be more than a conqueror implies that a man not only subdues his enemy, but is enriched by the victory-that he gains positive advantage.

In explanation of the method pursued in using this manual, the authoress observes,

"The explanatory line affixed to each reference is read, which guides attention to the particular subject. The text is then given out, and all present open their Bibles at the place. One reads the text aloud; when the conductor puts questions, answers enquiries, or makes remarks conneced with that particular portion of sacred truth.

"A few questions or remarks are added to several of the following sections, just to give an idea of the course of proceeding. In many cases the remarks were elicited by enquiries, and the answers were drawn out by more questions than are here introduced; but a fuller detail would take up too much space, and a judicious mind will soon acquire an aptitude in rendering the exercise interesting."

It is to be feared that too many parents who from their position in society and in the church of Christ ought to be aware of the importance-nay, the necessity of religious instruction, either take no pains at all to impart such instruction to their children or adopt a method which renders every lesson a task instead of a pleasure. It cannot be expected that formal and tedious lectures should have any other effect on the minds of children than that of rendering the subject disagreeable. But enter into familiar conversation with them, elicit the enquiries of their own minds, excite the desire for information by agreeable methods, afford suitable gratification to such a desire by leading them to the information which the pages of inspiration supply, and experience proves that at a very early age they are capable of understanding the truth and of exemplify

70 FEMALE EFFORTS IN THE SAVIOUR'S CAUSE.

more

ing its power. As a valuable assistant in this work we cordially recommend the volume before us, especially to those mothers whose time and means of information are limited.

Female Efforts in the Saviour's Cause defended and encouraged. By ONE WHO IS NOTHING." R. and B. Seeley, 1838. 18mo. pp. 151.

What can I do? Three letters to a friend on the importance of personal effort for the conversion of sinners. W. Ball, Paternoster Row, 1838. 18mo. pp. 39.

WE regard these little works as peculiarly seasonable. The subject of lay agency has been pressed upon the attention of British Christians by the facts which have been published, exhibiting the fearful extent of demoralization and impiety and the impossibility of bringing the truth of God to bear upon the understanding and conscience of the mass of our population by means of the regular ministry. Still the full conviction of its propriety is far from having been attained. The period is one of transition. The formal professor looks with jealousy and the merely secular minister of religion (alas! that there should be any such) is alarmed at the appearance of activity and energy on the part of private Christians to spread the knowledge of the truth. Antiquated prejudices paralize the efforts and cool the zeal of many who are really sincere and devoted; and, while they weep in secret over the aboundings of iniquity, they hesitate to go forth in the strength of the Lord, doing good to all men to the full extent of their opportunities, lest in so doing they should infringe upon the province of the Christian ministry. In the mean time souls are perishing, sin

ners are dropping into the grave unpardoned, unsanctified, unsaved-no one caring for their souls.

6

The design of the former of the two works before us is not limited to female efforts, as its title would intimate. Its object is " to encourage ALL,-to induce every one to do good,'' depart from evil,' and 'trust in the Lord,'-to show that the Lord's vineyard has been and still is open to labourers of all grades, stations, and ages, from the dawn of day to the eleventh hour, and that women, for many ages after the death and resurrection of the Saviour, while the visible church of Christ retained its purity, continued to minister, by authority, in holy things, -that they are still, although kept in the background, the working bees in this hive of Great Britain, and, lastly, that it would be well for all drones in spiritual things to bear with where they cannot imitate the active piety, simple faith, and exemplary conduct of those who in love and gratitude to their Redeemer are like him going about doing good."

It is due to the author to observe that he pleads not for any extravagant or unsuitable efforts on the part of females, or any usurpation of authority, as some expressions in the foregoing extract would imply; but he holds up for imitation the example of the wives of the Moravian missionaries, who undertake the spiritual charge of females. The work is written in the spirit of Christian affection and earnestness; and, though not remarkable for lucid arrangement, it contains many weighty thoughts, and is well fitted to answer the purpose of a pioneer to other works entering more fully into the obligations resting on Christian women, and pointing out how they may be instrumental, with

out going out of the place assigned them by divine Providence, in stemming the torrent of moral pollution that is at present carrying millions to ruin.

"What can I do?" is a question which the spirit and genius of Christianity should suggest to every one who is brought under its influence; and those who are disposed to put this question in a tone of despondency, or who find themselves perplexed for an answer, will do well to read the little pamphlet of which it forms the title. We have no hesitation in saying that they will there find it answered-aye, answered in relation to themselves-with great clearness and force. The work consists principally indeed of extracts, but the condensed and lucid form in which it presents the subject of individual effort for the salvation of sinners renders it exceedingly valuable.

SERVANTS' HOMES.

THAT part of the operations of the London Female Mission which is directed to the establishment of servants' homes* in different parts of London and its vicinity is, we are happy to find, beginning to excite attention. In addition to the central home, 3, Millman Place, Bedford Row, committees are formed, and the arrangements nearly completed, for establishing a "home" at Islington, and steps are taking, through the instrumentality of the Mission, in other places, where it is hoped similar homes will shortly be provided.

* For the nature and design of these homes see the Appendix to the Report of the London Female Mission.

THE FEMALES' ADVOCATE.

AMUSEMENTS considered AS MEANS OF HAP

PINESS AND TESTS OF CHARACTER.

"She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth."

1 Tim. v. 6.

How happy should we be did we duly profit by the experience of others! If the lessons taught us by former generations were regarded at the commencement of life, there would be comparatively little of vanity or vexation of spirit in the world. But, instead of this, every new generation seems resolved to vie with the preceding in folly, and to rush into scenes of dissipation and wretchedness with a temerity which nothing but utter and unavoidable ignorance can excuse. nothing is this more evident than in the eagerness with which fashionable and worldly amusements are pursued in spite of the wreck of character and happiness which every where marks their prevalence.

In

In a succession of papers we propose to exhibit to our youthful readers the true character of all that pleasure which is derived from this world and which centres in it, while our attention will be more particularly directed to the subject of AMUSEMENTS, in the pursuit of which many waste their whole mortal existence, and many others, if they do not make ship

E