distinction. Episcopacy, regarded as a mere ecclesiastical arrangement and placed upon the same basis as holy days, gowns, reading prayers, &c. stands a better chance in an argument than when perched on the airy High Church pinnacle. The Essayist is an Assayer in the Theological Mint at Princeton, where the minutest intrusion of false pretension is detected by the old fashioned tests of Scripture. Presbyterians are under no apprehension of suffering from any discussions in this advancing age, especially in the United States, where the power of Puritanical and Presbyterian parity is read in history, seen in present progress, and foretold in every sign of the future.

The Listener, by CAROLINE FRY. R. Carter & Brothers, New York, 1851.

Caroline Fry is a very wise talker, as well as a quiet listener. The volume contains in the general sound, practical comments on the duties, incidents, errors, &c., of every day life. The author listens to what is going on in the world, and then discloses her own meditations. The work is the more interesting from being the production of a well-disciplined, homeloving female. Let us hear a few words from the Listener on music.

Music is the gift of God. Man did not communicate to the extended wire its vibrations: man did not give to the surrounding air its undulatory motion; man did not organize the ear to such exact responsiveness, or the brain to such acute sensibility of what the ear conveys. Man could not have made music had not God intended it. The power was his, and the gift was his man has possession, and thinks it is his own. It administers to his pleasures; it buys him the applause of men; it feeds his unhallowed passions, drives away thought, and helps to make him happy, in forgetfulness of what he is, and is to be. For these purposes, the worldly parent, if she finds this talent in her child, takes possession of it, expends upon it, as above described, no small portion of another talent committed to her keeping, and occupies with it a fourth, or a sixth, or an eighth part of her children's early years-perhaps the only years that ever will be theirs—and her heart never misgives her that she has perverted the gift, or defrauded the giver of this talent. The Christian mother follows her example, though not with the same motive. The talent is now divested of all unhallowed purposes and dangerous effects. It is acquired without vanity, and used without ostentation. Instead of leading the young performer into company, to exhibit herself for admiration, it now contributes to make the excitement of mixed society unnecessary, by supplying her with innocent amusement at home. Never let the Listener be supposed to say a word against the use that is made, in such families, of this delightful talent; the evening recreation of a well-spent day-the home festival of domestic cheerfulness and affection; or the solace, perhaps, of some anxious, lonely hour. I believe that music stands thus in many families, entirely divested of every injurious application, and administering to one part of the Creator's purpose the happiness of man. But I do question whether it is made any where, so much as it might be, subservient to the other: the service and honour of the Giver; or even to the first, in the best and highest sense of the word, "happiness."

terest.

Closet Hours, or Aids to Spiritual Improvement, &c. By RAY PALMER, Pastor of the First Congregational Church, Albany. E. H. Pease & Co., Albany, New York. We can cordially recommend this as a practical work of uncommon inMr. Palmer has commenced his ministry in Albany with great acceptance and success; and his closet hours as well as his public hours bespeak the devoted Christian, the intelligent theologian, and the accomplished scholar. Mr. Pease shows that Albany is up to the spirit of the age in the art of publication.

Che Keligious World.

CONGREGATIONALISTS AND NEW-SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANS.-There are signs of warfare between these two bodies. "The Independent," the able organ of the former, says: "There is now no attempt to conceal the determination on the part of the [New-School] leaders openly to discard, as they have for a long time practically, the Plan of Union. A thoroughly Presbyterian Theological Seminary is also to be established in the Northwest. I do not complain of these things, except that they are entirely inconsistent with the partnership relation which exists between them and Congregationalists in Home Missionary work. Let this partnership be formally dissolved, and then I have not a word to say against the most vigorous prosecution of their plans. But I do protest against using Congregational funds (see Mr. Coe's statements before the Assembly at Utica,) to extend Presbyterianism, and to build up Presbyterian colleges and seminaries. It is not known at all in New England that all the colleges and seminaries aided by the Collegiate Society, except Beloit and Iowa, are wholly under Presbyterian control. Even Western Reserve, for which $20,000 were raised in New England recently, is put down as Presbyterian in the list of institutions belonging to that denomination. The Plan of Union indeed is no longer regarded by our Presbyterian friends. I am convinced that the welfare of the churches, and the interests of the cause of Christ demand a change, and a separation for the sake of peace and increased efficiency, and in this I am not alone. Many of the most judicious men East and West, of both denominations, are of this opinion."

MASTER AND SLAVE BAPTIZED.-An interesting incident occured recently at the church of Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D., in New York. Some eight or nine persons were admitted members of the church, and of three who were baptized, two were a master and his slave. The former was a tall, middle aged white man, though of rather dark complexion, and the slave was a very interesting, intelligent and good looking mulatto girl about seventeen years of age. They knelt and were baptized together-she in the name of Jessie Ackerman. In explanation of the circumstances, a short notice appeared in one of the papers, signed "Master," stating that for "her gratification, and the benefit incident to a six months' journey through a large part of our country, her mistress invited her to accompany us on our western and northern tour. She will, ere long, return to the South with us, as (legally) a slave."

The

PEWS IN METHODIST CHURCHES.-The Southern Christian Advocate says: Trouble is anticipated at the next session of the General Conference of the Northern M. E. Church, on the subject of pewed churches. Western portion of the connection seems determined to make a stand against the policy of allowing churches of that description to be supplied with preachers, and to carry the question into the General Conferencethe election of delegates turning on that pivot. Zion's Herald has a long article on the subject, from which it appears that six annual Conferences

have their churches pewed; that the Bishops have held Conferences in churches of this description, dedicated them, preached in hundreds of them, and stationed ministers in them; and that all this has been done with the implied sanction of the General Conference, since no caveat has been put in against the episcopal administration on this account. The Herald argues that it is too late in the day to turn back the tide, and that the attempt will be of no further effect than to exasperate bad feelings and provoke success to the innovation.

MISSIONS OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH.-According to the published accounts of this body of devoted Christians, we find they have thirteen mission establishments, as follows:

Making a total of 69 stations, on which are employed 282 missionaries, male and female. The Moravian Church has more members in its missions than in its domestic churches, the number of the latter being less than 70,000.

tre.

THE ARMENIANS.--Armenia was once a powerful kingdom of Asia, occupying the region which, bounded on the north by Mount Caucasus, lies between the Black and Caspian Seas, with Mount Ararat in its cenAs a distinct kingdom it has long since been broken up, and divided between Russia, Persia, and Turkey. The Armenians are a nation "scattered and peeled." They are to be found, not only in the countries immediately adjoining what was once the dwelling-place of their forefathers, but in India to the east, and westward as far as Italy, Hungary, and Austria.

Christianity was introduced amongst them in the beginning of the fourth. century, at a time when the" silver had become dross, and the wine mixed with water." Ceremonies, and relics, and pretended miracles, appear to have occupied their attention much more than the pure and undefiled religion which the Apostle sums up when he says, 66 In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;" but "faith which worketh by love." Yet such as it was amongst them, they were satisfied to endure for its sake many and grievous persecutions, at one period from the heathen Persians, then from Greek Christians, and lastly from the Mohammedans; until at length, toward the latter end of the sixteenth century, they were broken up as a nation by the Persian conqueror, Shah Abbas, who, that he might defend himself the more easily against the Turks, laid waste a great part of Armenia.-Chh. Miss. Gleaner.

CHINA. A Society has been formed in England called "The Chinese Society for furthering the promulgation of the Gospel in China, and the adjacent countries, by means of native evangelists." The following extract is from the publication of this Society:

China Open-How far can this be said?--Forty-four years since the single-minded Morrison, concealed in a cellar in Canton, was pursuing his solitary labours. Now five ports, together with a small island, are the imperially recognized habitations of Europeans.

In 1836, an edict issued by the Emperor, threatened the severest penalties against the profession of Christianity and the reception of Christian books; and the missionaries at Canton, surrounded by spies, found the greatest difficulty in acquiring any influence over the people. But in 1845, a government notification was issued, proclaiming full toleration for the profession of every form of Christianity. By the treaty of Nanking, foreign missionaries were permitted to erect chapels at the Five Ports and HongKong, and to journey inland for twenty-four hours. A recent alteration, however, allows the missionary to extend the duration of his visit to several months.

Mr. Gilfillan, of the London Missionary Society, describes a visit he paid to Chang Chew, fifty miles inland from Amoy: where he was enabled to distribute tracts and preach the gospel without molestation. He says, "It may become a grave question for the consideration of wise men at home, whether all our missionaries in China should seek to nestle under the wing of British law. Whatever the variety of opinion on this point, it will be accorded by all as an encouraging fact, that a missionary can work for days together in an inland city, without let or hindrance. The wall of Chinese exclusiveness is surely breached and crumbling, and the day approaching when, in all its provinces, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.""

6

HIMYARITIC INSCRIPTIONS.-In the September number of this Magazine, page 541, an article was inadvertently copied from a New York_paper, giving some statements about the inscriptions in Arabia, which Forster refers to the period of the Exodus. Although the Quarterly Review [1844] sustained Mr. Forster, all the recent investigations of learned men have thrown discredit upon his speculations.

Closet Meditations.

"DEATH IS YOURS."

1 COR. iii. 22.

Is mine? What, that "last enemy," so dreaded by mortal man; that grim inexorable foe, dissolving soul and body, from whose stroke none are free, is he mine? Yes, precious assurance! Death is mine. My own rich legacy; my Covenant gift from the God of my salvation, who himself has “abolished death." (2 Tim. i. 10.)

Death is mine! O, glorious consolation! Mine; my conquered enemy. Now it can have no dominion over me. No terrors now, no shudderings, for

"Death is swallowed up in victory;" (1 Cor. xv. 54;) in the victory of Him "whom I have believed." O Death, deceitful, wily foe, where is now thy sting? Thy barbed pang, thy stern agony, thine excruciating sufferings, thine insupportable pains, what are they? All shadowy, transient, earthly! I mind them not, since over them all I have the victory, the glorious victory of my Redeemer. O my soul, be thou stirred up with deeper love, with more exalted praise to that Redeemer, who for thine own sake, has already conquered death and the grave, and for thy sake still proclaims, "O Death, I will be thy plagues; O Grave, I will be thy destruction!" (Hosea xiii. 14.)

Come, weary soul, tired out with thy burden of sin and sorrow, with temptations, and trials, and afflictions, and corruptions, take courage, for "Death is yours;" your precious legacy, your conquered enemy, your faithful friend. Look no longer upon him with terror. Soon will he free you from this cumbersome tabernacle of clay, and give you angel wings that you may mount and fly away to your rest in heaven; soon will he unlock for you yonder gates of bliss, that you may for ever bathe in those everlasting fountains of joy at the right hand of your God; soon will he usher you into the company of that happy throng "which no man can number," (Rev. vii. 9,) that with them, before the great white throne, you may join in that new song, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, who hath redeemed us unto God by his blood." (Rev. v. 9, 12.)

Yes, Death is mine, and "for me to die is gain." (Phil. i. 21.) And when God shall call me to lie down upon a bed of sickness, with cheerful submission will I endure every ill, and every racking pain, that when all is over, I may sweetly fall asleep in Jesus, and awake satisfied with his likeness. (Ps. xvii. 15.) Come then, my weary soul, rejoice! Come, wonder, and admire, and praise, with triumphant exultation, the matchless love that has redeemed thee from death, that has ransomed thee from the power of the grave. (IIos. xiii. 14.) And when thou shalt have entered the dark stream of Jordan, though its waters be chill, and its waves swell high, forget not the voice of Him who has trodden the way before thee, "Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine; when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." (Is. xliii. 1—3.)—Selected.

SATAN'S TEMPTATIONS.

THERE is no deeper distress of mind on earth than is sometimes felt by men who are sorely tempted with thoughts of unbelief, despair, blasphemy or unnatural wickedness. A few words to such may be seasonable:

1. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.

2. Do not expect to out-wit and out-reason him; but, like Christ, quote the word of God against him. The metal of that sword is too high, and its edge too keen for him.

3. Lay firm hold on the promises made to the tempted, and encourage yourselves in the Lord your God. "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not."-He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able to bear." These are but specimens of many sweet promises made to the tempted. There is another, sweeter, if possible, than both these. It was made to one of God's tempted people, who greatly desired that the messenger of Satan might buffet him no more. It is in these words—“ My grace is sufficient for thee." Is not

this enough?

4. Be much on your guard in times of high religious privilege and enjoyment. Pirates let empty vessels pass without molestation, but attack those well freighted. 5. Be on your guard in the day of sadness, whatever makes it so. Satan loves to terrify those already affrighted.

6. "When a Christian is about some notable enterprise for God's glory, then will Satan lie like a serpent in the way, or as an adder in the path, to bite the horse's heels, that the rider may fall backward."

7. Beware of attempting to comprehend things beyond your reach, to under