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but voluntary, responsible agents. It faithfully sets before the Christian his personal duties, his powerful obligations, and tremendous responsibilities; and presents the most urgent, stimulating, and encouraging motives to this great and glorious work. The book is forcibly written, and is adapted to do great good; we wish for it an extensive circulation.

One Hundred and Fifty Original Sketches and Plans of Sermons, comprising various Series on Special and Peculiar Subjects, adapted for weekevening Services. By JABEZ BUrns, D.D. London: Dickinson.

OUR own experience is not a rule for others in pulpit preparation. We could never derive much benefit from the outlines of others; yet we by no means despise their labours. All minds are not cast in the same mould, and all have not the same time and opportunities, and though some prefer to use their own mental resources, others need special aid; and for these the outlines before us will be of service. They are not all of equal merit, but as a whole they are among the best that we have seen, and within a small compass contain many valuable hints and suggestions-expository, practical, and experimenta!.

The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks. Edited by Rev. ALEXANDER BULLOCK GROSSART. Vol. II. Edinburgh: James Nichol. London: James Nisbet.

IN our last number we introduced to our readers the first volume of the works of Brooks, and set forth its excellence. This second volume is, in our opinion, fully equal to the first. It contains treatises or works on the following topics:-An Ark for all God's Noahs; The Privy Key of Heaven; Heaven on Earth, or Well-grounded Assurance of Heaven. It is full of

apt quotations, comparisons, similitudes, and beautiful illustrations. It is also eminently practical and experimental. Though not so clear and definite on the witness of the Spirit as most Methodistic works, yet it is a volume which all should have, and its cheapness places it within the reach of all of even moderate means.

The Alleged Partiality of God in the Redemption of Man contrasted with the Punishment of Angels. By GEORGE G. HORTON. Newcastleon-Tyne: T. P. Barkas.

THE author is a worthy local preacher, who has previously written on several topics, and not without success. Many years ago he obtained one of Prince Albert's first-class prizes for his essay on "The Sabbath;" also, a first prize

on

'Man's Redemption," &c. In this instance, Mr. Horton has the disadvantage of dealing with a subject, of one part of which-the fall of apostate angels-we have but scanty knowledge. The style of the pamphlet is vigorous, and the composition, notwithstanding a few provincialisms, is very respectable for a working man, with limited opportunities. The pamphlet contains some good thoughts, and even those who might take exception to some premises in the reasoning, must admit that Mr. Horton has adopted the safe side of the argument. The Plaistow Hymn and Tune Book for Sunday Schools and Cottage Services. Edited by JOHN CURWEN. London: Tonic Sol-fa Agency, 42, Paternoster Row.

We do not understand this music, but the Rev. John Curwen's name is so well known as to be a sufficient recommendation of the work.

The Sunday at Home and The Leisure Hour. Religious Tract Society. BOTH are excellent publications. Sunday Magazine. Edited by Dr. GUTHRIE.

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, ANECDOTES, &c. (Continued from page 564.)

LOVE IN THE FAMILY. WE have not half confidence enough in the power of love to disarm the

violent and to reclaim the vicious. The fault begins in our families.

Oh, how quickly parents lose the

confidence of their children, never to be regained, by injustice, selfishness, and the absence of love! If the child only has faith in the love of its parents; if the son and the daughter only love and are loved tenderly, truly enough at home, how much less probable it is that they should wander far, or, erring, should not be speedily reclaimed! This is the grand rule in domestic education - love. Give your children a genial, loving atmosphere in which to grow.

Love precludes not decision or correction, but is prompt in the execution of both.

Deal with your children as God deals with his children. Do not meet their anger with your anger, their petulance with your own, or their obstinacy with wilfulness still greater. Overcome evil with good. When God called himself a Father, he chose a name which he designed to be significant of overflowing love, tender mercy, and long-continued forbearance.

"Parents, provoke not your children to wrath."

What will not love do? Who can describe its powerful, subduing influences?

Who ever accomplished anything by reproaches, or violence, or harsh measures? You gratify a private and dark passion in your heart, and arouse a darker one in another bosom. Perhaps we have all tried it. God forgive us! Ob, try the mighty efficacy of love. One smile of genuine sympathy is worth all your purse to the beggar. "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John iv..7).

"Speak gently; 'tis a little thing

Dropped in the heart's deep well; The good, the joy, which it may bring Eternity shall tell."

Parents, do you commend your little ones whenever they do rightperform that which is good and praiseworthy?

Whenever they are quick to obey cheerfully, do you express your grateful approbation, tell them how well you are pleased, how exceedingly

gratified you are at any improvement in well-doing?

By thus commending the good deeds of your children-acts of obedience, love, and virtuous purityyou encourage them to renewed efforts in things lovely and of good report.

"A little word in kindness spoken, A motion or a tear,

Has often healed a heart that's broken, And made a friend sincere."

It is at times necessary to censure and punish; but very much more may be done by encouraging children when they do well. Be, therefore, more careful to express your approbation of good conduct than your disapprobation of bad.

Nothing can more discourage a child than a spirit of fault-finding on the part of its parent; and hardly anything can exert a more injurious influence upon the disposition of both parent and child.

There are two great motives influencing human actions - hope and fear. Both of these are at times necessary. But who would not prefer to have her child influenced to good conduct by a desire of pleasing rather than by the fear of offending? If a mother never expresses her gratification when her children do well, and is always censuring them when she sees anything amiss, they are discouraged and uohappy. They feel that it is useless to try to please; their dispositions become hardened and soured at this ceaseless fretting; and at last, finding that, whether they do well or ill, they are equally found fault with, they relinquish all efforts to please, and become heedless of reproaches.

But let a mother approve of her child's conduct whenever she can. Let her show that his good behaviour makes her sincerely happy. Let her reward him for his efforts to please by smiles and affection. In this way she will cherish in her child's heart some of the noblest and most desirable feelings of our nature; she will cultivate in him a lovely and amiable disposition, and a cheerful spirit. Your child has been, through the day, very pleasing and

obedient. Just before putting him to sleep for the night, you say, "My son, you have been very good to-day. It makes me very happy to see you so kind and obedient. God loves children who are dutiful to their parents, and he promises to make them happy."

This approbation from his mother is to him a great reward. And when, with more than ordinarily affectionate tone, you say, "Good night, my dear little son," he leaves the room with his little eyes full of feeling; and when he closes his eyes for sleep he is happy, and resolves that he will always try to do his duty.

"Then deem it not an idle thing

A pleasant word to speak; The face you wear, the thoughts you bring,

A heart may heal or break."

SPURIOUS REPENTANCE. "SPURIOUS repentance produces an imperfect effect upon the life. This is obvious from its very nature. As it does not arise from a just discovery of the evil of sin, and is not connected with an abhorrence of it, whatever change may be produced is partial. It is true that the subject inay make certain sacrifices, in the omission of certain practices, or in the discharge of certain outward duties; but without jealousy of self, which arises from an insight into his own heart, without that law of love which turns inclination to obedience, and cordially delights in the Divine commands, it is impossible that the reformation of life should be sincere or complete. If such a man do not content himself with obedience to certain requirements, which demand little self-denial, and consider this sufficient to cover his neglect of those which call for a greater sacrifice; or if he do not play some other and equally compromising part, if he do not commit certain evils, he will omit certain duties; if he be restrained from open transgression, still he will cherish iniquities of the heart. The actings of his mind do not come under his careful inspection. There is a light rein to the workings of a depraved fancy. There is no critical scrutiny of his motives.

There is no inquiry into the tenor of his desires. The want of substantial principle excludes all possibility of regular and permanent benefit. Even the external appearance of good may be temporary, irregular, and subject to something like caprice. But it is the opposite of all this which takes place in a mind renewed unto. genuine repentance towards God."— Dr. T. C. Henry's Letters to a Friend.

CONSOLATION FOR BEREAVED PARENTS.

CONCLUDING a neat discourse on the words, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven," H. W. Beecher said-"I have been called to give up dear ones. Not once, nor twice, nor thrice alone, but many times. I have sent my children on before me. Once, wading knee-deep in snow, I buried my earliest. It was March, and dreary, and awful; and then the doctrine that Christ sat in an eternal summer of love, and that my child was not buried, but had gone up to One that loved it better than I, was the only comfort I had. If I thought that my children, dying, went out to wander, little pilgrims, in darkness, if I thought that they went wandering they knew not where, in all the realm of spirits, I could not be consoled, and only stoicism could cover the wound it could not heal. But since I know that God loves children, that he has said, 'Of such is the kingdom of God,' and that he wants them to be permitted to come to him, though it is with pain and sorrow that I yield them up, it is not without hope and consolation. Parents, whose children have been taken from you, God has taken them; and he is a better father and mother to them than you could have been. Be of good cheer, and you will meet them by-and-by, if only you yourselves are like little children in Christ Jesus."

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the light of thy grace, in order to raise us to the light of thy glory, thanks to thee, Creator and Lord, that thou lettest me rejoice in thy works. Lo! I have done the work of my life with that power of intellect which thou hast given. I have recorded to men the glory of thy works, as far as my mind could comprehend their infinite majesty. My senses were awake to search, as far as I could, with purity and faithfulness. If I, a worm before thine eyes, and born in the bonds of sin, have brought forth anything that is unworthy of thy counsels, inspire me with thy Spirit that I may correct it. If, by the wonderful beauty of thy works, I have been led into boldness, if I have sought my own honour among men as I advanced in the work which was destined to thine honour, pardon me in kindness and charity, and by thy grace grant that my teaching may be to thy glory and the welfare of all men. Praise ye the Lord, ye heavenly harmonies, and ye that understand the new harmonies, praise the Lord. Praise God, O my soul, as long as I live. From him, through him, and in him, is all, the material as well as the spiritual-all that we know, and all that we do not know yet; for there is much to do that is undone."

BECOMING ALL THINGS TO

ALL MEN TO SAVE SOME. SOME persons-frivolous natures they must be have seen in this evidence of a want of principle. They understand the apostle's declaration to be that he would do anything if he could gain his ends; that he would do evil that good might come. It is not so at all. The apostle says "I study men under every circumstance in which I find them. If I find that they are heathen, I will see if there is not some point of sympathy between them and me. If I find that they are Jews, I am not going to throw all their Jewish prejudices in their faces. There are some points in which I can sympathize with a Jew, and I will take those points, and from them I will work him into a higher and better sphere.

And

wherever I am, whether among barbarians or Jews, my first thought is, How can I get hold of these men, and draw them out of their evil life into a higher one? And all my time, and power, and inspiration, and prophetic and apostolic office, I take and use in my endeavours to gain men." That was the whole of his life, and is there anything nobler than such a life? No builder that has left cathedrals or piles can compare with that man that has filled the heaven so full of redeemed souls as has the Apostle Paul.-H. W. Beecher.

WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST? IN a circle of Christian friends the question was proposed-When are you happiest? The first answered"When I am most submissive to the will of God." The next said"When I do right." The third said

"That covers the whole ground." The fourth was happiest "when engaged in holy meditation, thinking of God and heaven." The fifth, a young disciple, was most blessed when "trying to lead some one else to the Saviour." An aged disciple was happiest when trying to open truth to another mind. A young man present enjoyed Christian work more than anything else. The last of the company had the highest enjoyment in thinking of God and of Christ as the manifestation of him to the world.

"After all," said another, "these various exercises of joy amount to the same thing. In communing with God and his truth, we shut self out from our vision; in doing for Christ's sake, we drop self for the Saviour; in conscious obedience, we stand only by the Redeemer's righteousness. The Christian's deepest joy, therefore, is when he most feels that God is everything, and self is nothing."

IMPORTANCE OF TRUTHFULNESS.

IN childhood, if ever, the bad passions must be weeded out, just as they begin to appear. The weeds are easily removed from a garden before they have taken deep root. And here,

first of all, let every tendency to prevarication and lying be checked. Truthfulness is the foundation of character. Let the manfulness, moral dignity, and the imperative duty of always speaking the truth, be inculcated. Let the meanness, the turpitude, and guilt of lying, under every form and degree, be shown. Speak the truth in all things, on all occasions, under the strongest temptations not to speak it, in the face of shame and suffering, speak it; for there is no gain or advantage to lie. Thus ought we to teach our children from the earliest dawn of moral apprehension. These three things once gained, viz., the habit of implicit obedience, the habit of prayer, and undeviating truthfulness, and then the way is open for every gracious influence, and every form of holy nature. You have withdrawn your child from the circle of worldly snares and unholy powers, and brought him to the place where heavenly order reigns, where sacred altars are kindled, and where angels pay their visits.-British Mother's Journal.

HOW FACTS CONFOUND

THE HASTY CRITIC. FAITH and Patience are wise readers of the Bible, and Time is an excellent expositor. How many instances might be quoted where even celebrated critics have said that the Bible was wrong; and all the while they were wrong in saying so. Theodore Beza was a learned man, and he thought-on the strength of a passage in Strabo-that St. Luke had written carelessly in calling the Governor of Cyprus, Sergius Paulus, a Proconsul instead of a Proprætor (Acts xiii. 7), and he actually substituted the word Proprætor in his own translation of the Acts; but prudent people waited a little, and Soon afterwards some old coins of the island of Cyprus and some ancient inscriptions were turned up, which proved that Beza was wrong and St. Luke was right. And many of us may remember what a noise was made by a book published twenty-five years ago by a celebrated critic, Van Boh

len, in which he undertook to prove that the author of the Book of Moses must have been a Chaldean, and could have known nothing of Egypt, because in the Book of Exodus he speaks of vines in ancient Egypt, and of making wine there, and of buildings of brick, and of asses and sheep. And the faith of some was shaken by these objections; but wise men waited patiently; and, thanks to the antiquarian researches of some recent explorers of Egypt (Sir Gardner Wilkinson, Rosellini, and others), we all know that the author of the Pentateuch was right, and his celebrated critic was wrong.

ISRAELITES GOING TO

PALESTINE.

AN Israelite of Bavaria thus writes of the restoration of the chosen people: "The re-gathering of the Jews is now beginning to take place. Not only many single families emigrate to Palestine, but there have been formed a number of societies in almost every land on this continent, to prepare an emigration on a large scale, provided with all possible means, money, implements, and tools of every kind, to commence the cultivation of the long desolated land at once, and with the utmost vigour. There are men of considerable wealth among them, and not one without some means-enough, at least, to defray the expenses of the journey, and to purchase a plot of ground. I am happy to state that I am one of the leading members of a society forming here in Bavaria, which numbers already over 900 heads of families, besides a number of young people who would not form an alliance with the other sex until settled in the Holy Land, upon the soil of their rightful heritage."

BENEFITS OF KNOWLEDGE. THE benefits of knowledge have been classified by Sir John Herschel under four heads:

1. In showing us how to avoid attempting impossibilities.

2. În securing us from important

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