characters of the actors in those scenes. Disciples, friends and foes, all teach some great lesson to us. It has been the object of Mr. Davies to delineate these scenes, to depict these characters, to gather thence counsel, warning, and consolation, and to present to us the fruits of thought and meditation on the mount, where the Lord provided for Himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering. We would fain persuade our readers to stand with the author of this book on that sacred spot, and in his companionship witness the mighty transactions attending the crucifixion of the Lord.

The Convent; a Narrative founded on Fact. By R. M'Crindell. London : Aylott and Jones.

THE authoress of this interesting volume has entered into rest. Her last days were spent in this effort to set before the young, "in all their souldestroying power, the doctrines of Popery." She had witnessed their direful results during a sojourn of several years in Roman Catholic countries, and hoped, by embodying her experiences in this partially fictitious form, to reach minds too often repulsed from works of severer character through the lightness and buoyancy of youth. It is a remarkable feature of the revival of Popery in England, that it has availed itself to so great an extent of the creations of imagination, and by tales and romances sought to win its way to victory. There is much in the Roman ritual, in its gorgeous dress, its glittering ceremonial, and its imaginative worship, to allure the emotional part of our nature. Hence, by modern Romanists, appeals are more often made to this than to the reason. They take captive the mind through the fancy. They seek to charm, to throw around the powers of thought the magic spell of feeling. Superstition is made to have all the virtue of the profoundest piety based on mental conviction. To meet the class thus easily led astray such works as 'The Convent' are useful. They may awaken thought where graver tomes would be cast aside as distasteful, and lead to a more serious contemplation of the perils involved in a departure from the simplicity of Divine Truth. It is our hope that the "labour of love" of the departed authoress, will be found as productive of usefulness as her former work, The School Girl in France,' has proved to be.

Juvenile Missionary Herald, for 1847.

It is the unanimous opinion of our young friends that this year's volume is the most interesting of the series. We do not doubt that the new series will retain all the excellencies and interest of the old one, with some additional matters that will meet the approbation of the juveniles. It deserves a large circulation, both for the interests of the Mission and for the best welfare of the young.

Letters to a Romish Bishop. By Kirwan. With an Address, by Rev. O. Winslow, A.M.

Auricular Confession. By the Rev. O. Winslow, M.A.

:

Absolution or the True Forgiveness of Sins. By the Rev. O. Winslow. THE first of these pamphlets is a re-print of a powerful series of letters addressed, by an Irish gentleman, to the Roman Catholic Bishop of New York, likewise an Irishman. The writer is a convert from Romanism; and he makes good use of his experience of Popery, both in Ireland and America, to establish the easy transition from Rome to infidelity, its degrading influence on the morals and intellects of its votaries, its superstition, and the demoralizing in

Mr.

fluence of celibacy and the confessional, with other kindred topics. Winslow has added an affectionate and earnest address to Catholic readers. The two remaining pieces are clear and scriptural expositions of the true confession and forgiveness of sin, contrasted with the false dogmas of Popery. In the present rapid spread of this heresy in England, they are calculated to be most useful.

The Scriptural Calendar and Chronological Reformer, for 1848. By W. H. BLACK. London: Green.

THIS almanac is diverse from all others. Its compiler regards the seventh day of the week as holy unto the Lord, and not the first. Against every seventh day he has therefore placed a text of scripture which is thought to support the sabbatarian view, and against every first day one condemnatory of its observance as the day of Christian worship. Some interesting matter is appended to the calendar, as an Essay on the Sacred Division and Notation of Time;' a review of recent publications, by Wardlaw, Jordan, and King, on the Sabbath, and particularly a Demonstration of the Apocalyptic Mark of the Beast.' The devout and beautiful hymn of Stennett on the Sabbath"Another six days' work is done"-is given at length from the author's works, where it is composed of fourteen verses. Our modern hymn-books contain but four or five, and these sometimes altered for the worse. We wish to call our readers' particular attention to the Demonstration of the Mark of the Beast,' which we think bears the evident stamp of truth.

:

"Here is wisdom! Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast for it is a number of a man; and his number is six hundred sixty and six.' Rev. xiii. 18. The mark of the beast is the mark of his name; and the name of the beast, is that which contains the number of his name. Rev. xiv. 11; xiii. 17. Sir Isaac Newton, in his 'Observations upon the Apocalypse,' hath twice recorded his opinion that 'His mark is.' But that great man doth not assign the reason of his assertion he gives the conclusion only. The solution of the problem is now for the first time demonstrated in print. The 'mark' must be a MONOGRAM of the number 666; and the only possible monogram of that precise number is the ecclesiastical sign of the Cross; which, taken as a monogram, contains the following elements and no more :-X, L, V, C, (in its original angular form), I, and half of I; and each of them is contained four times, as may be seen by erecting the figure successively on each side of its four extremities. These produce the following numbers and sum total:-X=10, V=5, L=50, C=100, I=1, half I==166 × 4=666. Now let the reader consult the divine oracle in Rev. xiv. 9-12; xvi. 1, 2, and act upon the caution there given."--p. 41.

We commend this ingenious interpretation to our readers, only reminding them that the probability of its truth becomes more apparent if the old angular forms of the numerals are employed, instead of the modern ones above.

Immortality: its real and alleged Evidences. By J. T. Gray. Second Edition. London: Jackson & Walford. 1847.

WE regret that this improved edition of Dr. Gray's excellent work did not reach us in time to avail ourselves of its arguments in the review of Dr. Hamilton's work in a recent number of the Record. As it goes over the same ground as that of the paper alluded to, we will not trouble our readers with particular reference to the subject then examined at length. Generally we concur in Dr. Gray's views on this matter. We should not however lay so much stress as he seems to do, in page 38, on the "apparent ruins," which meet our eye, but amid which life is energetic and continued; and that because the chrysalis state, and the torpidity of the seed, &c., are but 'apparent' deaths,

They neither of them answer to the real dissolution which takes place at man's departure from life. We expect the return of spring, because we have witnessed it; but we have never seen the dead raised to life, and cannot therefore tell whether the 'germ of life' remains unaffected by the ruin and decay of its earthly and material organism. In this edition the author has guarded his expressions against the misconception that he disbelieves in the doctrine of immortality, which some had concluded to be the case, from his rejection of certain arguments which were supposed to be essential to its maintenance. This pamphlet is a most valuable contribution to the determination of the subject it embraces. We should like to receive from the author an historical work upon the views of immortality of various nations, and schools of philosophy. The acumen and power of discrimination he displays are admirable qualities for the production of such a treatise.

X.-SONNET.

"That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us."-John xvii. 21.

Amidst a world of alien thoughts and cares

We dwell, and answering minds are few and far;
The paths of those born 'neath one genial star
Run parallel, and meet not. Reason bears
Of lonely thought a burden, which impairs
Her vital strength. And sorrow weeps alone,
For Heaven hath garnered to itself its own,
And joy is joyless which no loved one shares.

"Peace, yearning heart! The life thou hast in me Is not a lonely being. Who are mine,

In me find union; rude Diversity,

Time-born, with Time shall pass, and faultless, ye,

Rays of the same bright orb, MANY, YET ONE, shall shine."

C.

XI.-HOME AND FOREIGN RECORD.

CATHOLIC VIEWS OF THE REFORMATION.-Without faith it is impossible to anathematize, and faith is impossible out of the church. "The Reformation," said an acute lawyer, some years ago, as we have been told, "substituted opinion for faith;" therefore the Reformation destroyed the right to anathematize. The Reformation took away the veneration of the blessed virgin, and by so doing deprived our Lord's passion of all its tenderness, left man without a medium through which to contemplate it, and put a stop to those minute and detailed meditations upon the sufferings of Christ, which are absolutely necessary in order to acquire what may be called a true sympathy with those sufferings. He who does not heartily feel that God suffered in the flesh for us, cannot but be backward in damning those heresies that rend from him the creed upon which alone this feeling can set its foot securely, and with freedom and confidence.-Dublin Review,

EVESHAM.-Died, at Evesham, on Saturday, January 29th, 1848, Mary, the wife of Mr. John Bomford, in her 39th year. She was a woman of distinguished piety, and endeared to a large circle of friends by her benevolent and amiable character. Her loss to her numerous family, to the Church of Christ, and to the town, will be long and severely felt. Her death was improved by her pastor, the Rev. A. G. Fuller, to a very crowded and sympathising auditory.

JEWS. The progress of light, and the growth of liberal sentiment among the nations, are gradually releasing the Jews from the bonds and degradation with which they have been so long oppressed. In our own House of Commons a bill has passed giving every civil right to the Jewish people. The King of Sweden has commanded his minister of justice to prepare a law to admit Israelites to the enjoyment of civil rights in his dominions, from which they have been hitherto excluded. The Emperor of Russia has just issued an ordinance, which is to be annexed to the military code of the empire, granting to all Jewish soldiers exemption from military service during their Sabbath and feast days, so as to allow them to repair regularly to the synagogue. The government of Bavaria has just decided that the Jews may exercise the profession of advocates in that country. Till now there has only been one Jew in all the kingdom permitted to act as an advocate. In the province of Galicia, the Jews have been, for many ages, prohibited from addicting themselves to agricultural pursuits, with numerous other restrictions, which prevented them from following various honest callings. But these are so far modified by a regulation recently adopted by the civil authorities, which grants liberty to the Jews to possess and cultivate land.

On the other hand, disgraceful occurrences are occasionally taking place, which show that the cup of suffering of the Jewish people is not yet exhausted. A short time ago, at Konin, a town on the frontiers of Poland, a Christian child having disappeared, the usual report was industriously spread that she had been stolen and sacrificed by the Jews; and a witness offered evidence that he had seen her carried off. The populace was fearfully excited and enraged, and the head magistrate had the indiscretion to summon the chief rabbi, and demand from him that the hapless sacrifice be given up, or the thief detected and surrendered. He, of course, denied the fact with scorn; but the infuriated mob, having armed themselves with such instruments of destruction as came to their hands, crowded the streets, and though withstood by a small company of military, were preparing to assail the Jews and the military both, when a peasant suddenly appeared with the child in his arms, which he had found asleep on the common, and then the tumult was allayed.

More recently, at Galatza, in Turkey, a tumult was excited by the presence of a Jew, as a spectator, at the fooleries of their carnival; in the course of which a young man, in breaking a window of a house of one of the Jews, got his hand cut, from which the blood flowed freely. A rumour was immediately spread that a Jew had killed a Christian, in order to obtain his blood. And although the governor at once interposed his authority, yet he was borne down by the fury of the multitude. They plundered some houses of the Jews, broke into the synagogue, demolished all they found in it, and tore and trampled under foot the rolls of the law. More than once these scenes of outrage were renewed; and it was owing to the energetic interference of the Austrian and English consuls, in support of the governor, that the result was not more tragical. Only one life was lost in the tumult; that of a Jewish child. The following occurrence at Damascus is very lately reported :-A Jewish cloth merchant having been insulted by a Turkish woman, complained to the authorities, on which the populace immediately became excited, and beat the man so violently that his life was endangered. To cover the outrage, they accused him of having stolen a Turkish child, and got him arrested; and for two days all the Jews who appeared in the streets were insulted, and even ill-treated. But by the interference of the foreign consuls, an inquiry was instituted, when the Jew, being found guilty of no crime, was set at liberty; and two Turks who had affirmed, on their oath, that he had stolen a child, were sentenced to the galleys for life.-U. Prest. Record.

PROGRESS OF LIBERAL SENTIMENTS IN CHINA.-Some time since an American Missionary was interrupted in his labours by the insults of many of the common people, who deliberately entered his place of meeting, broke the furniture, and threatened personal injury. He appealed to the mandarin in authority. A proclamation was issued, announcing the punishment of twelve of the offenders, and forbidding similar disorders in future. The magistrate thus concludes: "This I publish, that all men may know that the said Roberts, who resides at the said place for Christian meetings, there explains the Scriptures, and encourages the people to good actions. You, therefore, who wish to know the Scriptures, may go there; but those who are not animated by the same desire, ought to abstain from going by threes and fours, and under false pretences cause disorders. If such scenes are renewed, the guilty shall be seized and severely punished. Expect not the least indulgence, and obey." A still more remarkable document than this has been subsequently issued by the Chinese authorities of Canton. Its occasion was the interruption experienced by some English tourists in the neighbourhood of Canton, while exploring the country and observing the agricultural operations of the people. They complained to the magistrates, who at once proceeded to punish the rioters, and, moreover, issued the following proclamation: "The authorities employ every means in their power to preserve peace between the two nations; but the people, in causing these disorders, in continuing to run in the old ruts of ancient times, contrary to the liberal views of the magistrates, often render their good wishes of none effect. Know, then, that the Chinese and the strangers are MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY, among which there should be no distinction. Know that happiness has its source in peace and tranquillity, and that the spirit of harmony conducts to felicity. For the future, then, let fathers teach their children, elder brothers their younger ones, to live in relations of amity with the strangers, and to do nothing that can engender doubt or suspicion.' What an immense change is this in a few years! Here is the Governor of Canton, and the magistrates under his orders, speaking of progress, fraternity, and humanity! They even reproach the people with persisting to go in the old ruts! Truly this is not only a most curious phenomenon, but the most important and most happy of our age. It is a nation of more than three hundred millions of people, throwing down the impenetrable barriers which ages have built and strengthened before the combined influences of Christianity and modern civilization.-Le Semeur.

THE ASSYRIAN INSCRIPTIONS.-It appears, from recent numbers of 'The Literary Gazette,' that some important progress in deciphering these inscriptions has been made by Dr. E. Hincks, of Killileagh-a gentleman whose investigations on this subject have been singularly successful, and reflect upon him very high honour. He has found that the site of M. Botta's excavations near Mosul, was anciently called Atther; and that the palace, which has been discovered there, was the work of Niladan, the last king of the second Assyrian empire. The annals of this king's reign are inscribed upon the walls of the palace. In these inscriptions, Dr. Hincks has already recognized the names of Atther, Nineveh, and Babylon, the three principal cities of the empire; of the river Euphrates; and of many countries and cities with whom Niladan carried on wars or made alliances, such as Media, Armenia, Zaranga, Saparda, Tyre, and Sidon. Dr. Hincks considers the site of Mr. Layard's excavations at Nimrod to be the city of Nineveh; and he attributes the works there to a predecessor of Niladan, who was probably either the Esarhaddon or the Asnapper of the Bible. The latter part of the name does not appear in any of the inscriptions that have yet arrived in London. Dr. Hincks has also announced the curious discovery, that the rock inscriptions at Van and in its neighbourhood, are in a language very similar to the Sanskrit. He supposes them to be the work of the people who, at a remote epoch, overran the North of India, and introduced into it the language which was afterwards improved into the Sanskrit.