REVIEW OF THE MONTH. THE Church of Rome has nearly completed the deification of the Virgin Mary. On the 8th of December, after four days spent in solemn consultation with several hundred bishops and high ecclesiastics, assembled some of them from regions as remote as China and Nova Scotia, the Pope proclaimed from the throne of St. Peter, "It is an article of faith, that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the instant of her conception, by a peculiar privilege and by the special grace of God, through the merits of Jesus Christ the Saviour of mankind, was preserved exempt from all taint of original sin." The cannon of St. Angelo saluted the new dogma, and all the bells of Rome invited the world's homage to the "Queen of Heaven;" but from France, Belgium, and other Papal realms, the Roman rejoicings have brought back a very feeble response. A few of the assembled prelates,-the "Moniteur" says thirty-two, the "Univers" says only four,demurred to the seasonableness of the proceeding; and most sensible Catholics feel that they are asked to believe quite enough already. We are disposed to agree with the Tuscan correspondent of the "News of the Churches," who says, "It is the vanity of Pio Nono that has forced on this matter. The poor old man wishes to signalise his reign in some way; and as he has no administrative talents, and made a pretty mess of his attempt at politics, he has now tried his hand on the dogmas of the Church." Occasional intercourse with friends from Sweden has lately attracted our attention to that fine old land. Amongst the students at its universities, and amongst the inhabitants of various districts, there is a rapid increase of religious earnestness, which has been materially increased by the transla יו " tion of English books and tracts; but, finding inadequate provision for their spiritual cravings in the preaching of a formal clergy, many of the people have begun to meet for mutual edification in private conventicles. Against these there are heavy penalties, the enforcement of which is likely to give rise to grievous persecution; whilst, to aggravate the evil, some of the Separatists have begun to doubt the lawfulness of infant-baptism. On the other hand, holding the doctrine of "Sacramental efficacy" to the full extent of sacramental salvation, the parental government of Sweden insists on the baptism of every infant born into the kingdom; and the collision betwixt Christian conscience and the law of the land has already given rise to some distressing incidents. But, as many of the younger clergy are pious men, and as there is a growing sentiment in favour of liberty of worship, we trust that happier times are at hand. Meanwhile a student writes to a friend in Scotland, "Even from Lapland we hear of lively awakenings,-how whole villages have split up their brandy-vats, which formerly were greatly valued by them;-how the judges in some districts have nothing to do, because the people are reconciled in love and peace with one another."-("Record of the Free Church.") And as one act of patriotic legislation, it is worth mentioning that the tax on ardent spirits has been increased two-and-thirty fold. The havoc which intemperance is working amongst the inhabitants has startled the king and the parliament. The Edinburgh press has been very diligent this winter, and has produced several books of solid and enduring value. The third and fourth volumes now published complete Dr. Gordon's posthumous work, "Christ as made known to the Ancient Church;" a work which, with its sanctified intellect and unpretending grandeur, will form a worthy monument to a "Master in Israel." Under the title, "The Doctrines of the Bible developed in the Facts of the Bible," the Rev. George Lewis has thrown a fresh interest over the study of the Old Testament, and has furnished for the study of Christian families a book of incidents vividly narrated and of great lessons strikingly enforced. To Dr. Gardner we are indebted for a "Christian Cyclopædia," carefully compiled, and combining in one goodly volume the several merits of a Dictionary of the Bible and a Cyclopædia of Theology and Church History. In the border land between theology and letters we have "The Christian Life, Social and Individual,” by Peter Bayne, M.A. Its author is an enthusiastic admirer of Carlyle, and has, with great ability, brought the Christian faith and the Christian philanthropy to solve those matters which are too hard for the Chelsea philosopher. To young men especially we would recommend this volume with its thoughtful reasonings and its brilliant biographies. In fiction Heinrich Conscience's "Tales of Flemish Life," (translated,) are very charming, and entirely new. And though late, we cannot omit our emphatic tribute to "The Quiet Heart,"-a story which, with its deep clear insight, its gentle but strengthening sympathies, and its pictures so delicately drawn, has captivated numerous readers, and will linger in many a memory a good and pleasant influence. Under the superintendence of the Rev. R. Bickersteth a series of "Christian Biography" is announced, and has made a good beginning in a new Life of William Cowper. We have been much interested in a sketch of "The Chinese Rebel Chief, Hung-Siu-Tsuen," by the late excellent Mr. Hamberg. And to those who desire an account of the Vaudois Christians, at once brief, authentic, and popular, we would recommend Miss Willyams' "History of the Waldensian Church," which tells nothing but what we want to know, and nothing which a well-informed Waldensian would not countersign. Three weeks ago we had the opportunity of visiting the Free Library at Manchester. Although at an hour so early as four in the afternoon, there could scarcely be fewer than two hundred persons present, many of them evidently working men. The Library now contains nearly 30,000 volumes, and under the guidance of the intelligent librarian, Mr. Edwards, we had an opportunity of rapidly inspecting its contents. It is, as it ought to be, especially rich in British history and topography, and its collection of political and commercial pamphlets, already amounting to thousands, promises soon to be unique. Nor were we sorry to see in it a few bibliographical curiosities, such as the first edition of "The Paradise Lost," and the second edition of Shakspeare. During the year which ended on September 5, the issues from the Reference Department amounted to 64,578 volumes, and from the Lending Department to 77,767 volumes. Mr. Lowe, of Highfield-house Observatory, near Nottingham, has published his resumé of the weather of 1854. In some respects it has been a remarkable meteorological year. In March the barometer, reduced to the level of the sea, rose to 30.928 inches: in January it had been as low as 28.982, a range of two inches in two months. On January 2 and 3 the thermometer sank to -4°; in July it rose to 86°, showing a range in temperature of 90°: but between the greatest cold on the grass and the greatest heat in the sun there was a range of 124°. The drought was also unusual, there being twelve inches less than the ordinary amount of rain. In the months of February, March, April, June, September, and October, there were only three inches of rain, and out of 180 days 129 were fine. The first snowdrop flowered on the 20th of February, being twelve days later than usual; the first cuckoo was heard on the 8th of May, eleven days" behind time;" but the first strawberries were ripe on the 14th of June, a day earlier than the average. SPECIAL NOTICE. TO SECURE THE ADVANTAGE OF THIS YEAR'S ENTRY, MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE. SCOTTISH EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. Head Office-26 ST. ANDREW SQUARE, EDINBURGH. LONDON-126 BISHOPSGATE STREET. Instituted 1831. Incorporated by Special Act of Parliament. The Profits are divided every Three Years, and wholly belong to the Members of the Society. The next division takes place at 1st March, 1856. EXAMPLE OF ADDITIONS on a Policy of 1000l., dated 1st March, 1832. 15231. 8. will be payable if it become a claim during the current year. after payment of this year's Premium. This is an addition of more than Fifty per Cent on the Sum Assured, and averages 21. 38. 7d. per cent per annum. Supposing such a Policy to have been effected at the age of Thirty, the additions might now be surrendered for a present payment of 2211. 78. 10d., or if applied in reduction of the future Premium, would reduce the Premium from 25l. 108. 10d. to 6l. 38.; and even this small payment must be reduced every Three Years during the subsistence of the Policy. AMOUNT OF EXISTING ASSURANCES AMOUNT OF ACCUMULATED FUND £4,234,598 152,615 839,354 Copies of the Annual Report, Forms of Proposals, and all information, may be had on application at any of the Society's Offices in Town or Country. 126 Bishopsgate Street, London. W. COOK, Agent. EXPENSE OF LIFE ASSURANCE. Every one who joins a Life Affurance Inftitution imposes on himself the burden, during life, of paying an annual fum, in name of " premium." It is therefore of importance that the amount of this payment be as fmall as is confiftent with security. THE LIFE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTLAND has been eminently fuccefsful in attaining for its Policy-holders this most desirable object. (See Prospectus.) The Policy-holders, in confequence of participation in profits, are at present required to pay only 135. per 1. of their premiums; and new entrants can keep up their policies till they participate in the profits, by payments of fo fmall an amount as to enable many perfons to make an adequate Affurance provifion, who could not do fo under the ordinary fyftem. For example - Policies of 500l. can now be obtained for the following payments for the first year : Age 25. 51. 11s. od.; Age 35 71. 6s. 7d.; Age 45.. 1cl. 25. 7d. LONDON:-20 KING WILLIAM STREET, CITY. JOHN FAIRRIE, Efq., of Meffrs. Fairrie, Brothers, & Co., Church Lane, Commercial Rd. JOHN BOUSTEAD, Efq., 8 Upper Gloucester Street, Dorfet Square. JOHN MAITLAND, Efq., of Meflrs. Maitland & Graham, 19 College St., Westminster. |