as the particular reason of God's favour towards them. The wicked plot partially succeeded, but could not frustrate the declared purpose of the Most High. Many of the people sinned, but He who foresees all things needed not to reverse His decrees; the sinners were punished indeed, but not by Balak and his host; a plague raged among the evil-doers until Phineas became at once the avenger and intercessor, and stayed the Divine vengeance; and the evil intended for the chosen nation recoiled upon the heads of their tempters. Whatever reward Balaam gained by his wicked device availed him little, for he was soon after slain in battle by the people he had wronged.

But this history is instructive in another point of view. We observe that when Balaam was turned out of the way, the angel did not pursue him. Usually God's judgments meet men in the way of their sin, and as its natural consequences; they stand unseen by the sinner, who, when by some apparent accident he is diverted from his course, knows not the danger he has escaped, but, angry at the interruption, hastens to turn again into his evil way. At one time it may be a mere trifle which keeps him from a crime which, if committed, would be fatal; at another, some pain or injury may accompany the hindrance, as Balaam's foot was thrust against the wall; still he heeds not the warning. At length a point is reached where there is no escape on either hand, the sinner must stop or perish; perhaps, here again, divine mercy checks his mad career; he is stricken down by sickness or misfortune, and it may be that at length his eyes are opened; then, indeed, he would gladly retrace his steps, but that cannot be; it is not given to the hardened offender to return to the path of innocence, nor does he easily get rid of the bad habits he has made his companions; a course of stern virtue and self-denial is the only one left to him. He must "take up his cross," and "go with the men," but amid the dangers and temptations of his way God's word must be his only guide; if so, there is hope even yet. But, alas! the end is too often as with Balaam; one who has gone so far in wickedness is not to be turned from his evil desires, and "the last state of that man is worse than the first." We find the covetousness which led Balaam into error at the beginning, bringing him back again to Balak with the truly diabolical intention of leading God's people into vice and idolatry, and then carrying him on in impenitence to a fearful doom, when, leagued with the enemies of God, and fighting against the chosen nation, he met a sudden death from the hands of those whom he had so wantonly injured; in awful contrast to his idle prayer, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

Σκαφιον.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

The Invasion of the Crimea, its Origin, and an Account of its Progress down to the death of Lord Raglan. By Alexander William Kinglake. London and Edinburgh. 1863.-We need scarcely say, that in these volumes we have an animated and even a brilliant

account of the Crimean war; for the name of the Author of Eöthen is familiar to every reader. Whether Mr. Kinglake displays in the same degree the patience and impartiality of an historian, is a question which just now is hotly disputed by our English critics. Perhaps it is too soon to expect an impartial history; when even the facts are not all before us. Is it a fact that Lord Raglan would have pressed into Sebastopol, and taken it on the first assault, had not Marshal Arnaud refused his consent? Did the Emperor of France play us false, as Mr. Kinglake maintains, throughout the whole campaign; or was he a true and faithful ally? These are questions which can scarcely be said to be cleared up. Indeed, on a point exclusively affecting the honour of England herself, we had arrived at no satisfactory conclusion until one of our highest courts of law gave us its assistance within the last few weeks, and now we know that Lord Cardigan did really head the Balaklava charge, and did not retire until he had passed through the Russian battery at the head of his devoted band. Mr. Kinglake's volumes will be read by all who have taste and leisure for literature of this description, and we need not analyze their contents.

The Russian war was meant to uphold the Turkish power against Russia; and we believe that it was our duty to assist the latter as we did. Yet it seems that we miserably failed. "The sick man" has relapsed; and unless again succoured from without, he will soon perish. All this is very mortifying to politicians; but there is something consoling to those who read, as we do, the prophecies of Daniel and St. John. We believe in the drying up of the river Euphrates, and we think we see the signs of it in the visible decay of the Turkish power, and it may be that the time is at hand. Who would wish that it should be long deferred? Viewed in this light, the Crimean war is a subject which the student of prophecy will not disregard.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

WE have not left ourselves much room for our last article. We are less concerned at this, as, in fact, we have but little to say. We are in the midst of a bounteous harvest. We have peace in all our borders. The affairs of other nations, with one exception, have undergone no change. The American civil war rages in all its horrors, but without any new feature. It is the same sickening tale of senseless, inhuman slaughter, with increasing ferocity on both sides, and we are weary of the subject. Under each of these heads much, no doubt, may be added, and much more may be left to the reflection of the reader.

A bounteous harvest reminds us of the duty of a national thanksgiving; and that again of our want of a national form of prayer and praise for such occasions. Happily this might be drawn up at once and published with our Prayer-book, of which it would legally form no part, by the mere permission of the Parliament and Sovereign; and

our bishops are perfectly competent to the work. It might then be used at the discretion of each incumbent; or the bishop in a pastoral letter might recommend its use. This, again, leads us to add a few words on the subject of harvest-homes. These are now becoming very general over the kingdom; and in many a parish where the squire is liberal, the farmers kind, and the clergyman zealous, the harvest-home is a day of unmixed satisfaction to all parties. It should begin with a religious service in the parish church, and the rustic labourers should be encouraged by every means to be present with their wives and children. There should, in our opinion, be a procession we have not the least objection to flags and banners, and, above all, we like to see the village band of music; and every parish should have its band. The service should be short, and the sermon appropriate; this will always secure a crowded congregation. A dinner should follow, or several dinners on the different farms; and if the quantity of beer is strictly limited, there will be no excess, but much real enjoyment, and perhaps some spiritual good. The evening affords an excellent opportunity either for a cheerful lecture or a happy missionary meeting. Till something better is provided, the Form of Thanksgiving drawn up by the Convocation of 1861 may be used. It is at least free from error, though rather tame and cold. It is published by Messrs. Rivington.

If from England we turn to our colonies, public affairs are not quite so bright as with us at home. In New Zealand there is an insurrection of the natives, wholly unprovoked on our part; but savages do not soon forget an injury. Some wrongs, which ought to have been forgotten, have been treasured up for, we are afraid, their own destruction. They are braving a power beneath which they will certainly be crushed. Colonial affairs, generally, seem to us mismanaged. We are on the verge of a quarrel with Australia, because we foolishly insist on still forcing upon them our vilest felons. It is evident that they will not submit to the disgrace; we are losing their confidence and estranging their affections. It is thus that the seeds of rebellion are sown, and the connexion with the mother country, which ought to be a source of pride, becomes intolerable. It is strange that our Government cannot see this. Colonists may be self-willed and unreasonable; but the Home Government ought to deal with a thriving colony on the supposition that it will be so. Since history began, a parallel has been traced between the progress of nations and the lifetime of man. First the imbecility of childhood; then the forwardness of youth. The solidity and sense of manhood come long afterwards: but it ought to be remembered, in the government of colonies, as well as in the management of a college or a private family, that the real practical wisdom of the man, his caution, his respect for others, his firmness and reserve, are all due in a great measure to the review he makes of the mistakes and the rashness of his younger days; and due forbearance should be exercised. In our management of the spiritual affairs of some of our colonies, the same want of wisdom has been displayed. We have insisted on forcing Dr. Trower, a bishop of the Scotch Episcopal Church and an ultra-churchman of the Tractarian school, into the bishopric of Gibraltar. Those who are responsible for his appointment have, to use an old illustration, not only run their heads against a wall, but built a wall on purpose to run their

heads against. It was known well enough, that two years ago, when the Bishop of Exeter wished to avail himself of the services of Bishop Trower, the opinion of Dr. Travers Twiss, the distinguished ecclesiastical lawyer, was solicited. It stands on record in our own pages (Aug. 1862, p. 627); and he was of opinion "that a bishop of the Scotch Epis copal Church cannot be lawfully appointed co-adjutor of a bishop of the United Church of England and Ireland." Much less, then, is he capable of presiding alone over a foreign bishopric. The opinions of Sir Hugh Cairns and Dr. A. J. Stephens have now been taken; and it appears, not only that he is disqualified for a foreign bishopric, but that he cannot be ordained or consecrated to a bishopric, being already in episcopal orders. The whole affair is discreditable to those who have promoted it, and our only reason for not having called attention to it is, that the Record has written so well upon it, that we could add nothing to its temperate and judicious statements.

We said that the affairs of foreign nations remained unchanged, with one exception. We had in view the virtual conquest of Mexico by France, and the offer of a Mexican crown to Prince Maximilian, of the royal house of Hapsburgh. It is said he has accepted the dazzling offer; and thus Mexico becomes at once a great empire, still however under close alliance with France. We do not see anything in this extraordinary revolution for England to object against, except it be that it gives power for the present to the Jesuit party, by whom the French interest in Mexico has been all along supported. There is a rumour that the Federal States have remonstrated with the Emperor of France against the introduction of a monarchy so near their own borders. If their republican government be a good one, it ought rather to gain than otherwise by the contrast; but whether or not, Napoleon is not likely, whatever the consequences, to relinquish a design which has hitherto met with wonderful success.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have complied with the request of H., and G. S. wishes to thank him in return for his Pamphlet, &c.

One Correspondent requests us to return to him a volume which, he says, was placed in our hands nine months ago; another begs us to review a book of which he also sent us a copy some time since. In answer to the former, we do not keep books which we cannot review; they are sold for little more than waste paper. We say this without any disrespect to their authors; a book may be a very good one, and yet for fifty reasons not one which we can review. This answer must be received as a general one. Our aim is, not to bring particular books into notice, or oblige individuals, but to bring those subjects before our readers, which appear to us, at the time, the most deserving of attention. Besides, the Editor would not, on any account, undertake the drudgery which some authors seem to expect from him; that of first reading their books, and then returning them. He undertook the Editorship, he will venture to say, with an earnest desire to render it consistent with ministerial work, and in order to promote the Spiritual interests of the Church of Christ, and on no other conditions would he retain it for a single month. And for these reasons and many others, he must decline to enter into a private correspondence with those who are kind enough to write to him on matters connected with the Christian Observer. At the same time, he is often obliged to them for useful hints or valuable information.

THE HOLY GHOST, THE PRESENT GLORY OF THE CHURCH.

WHAT is "true glory"? What the true glory of a Church? These are our opening questions. Perhaps there is no word that has so powerful an influence over the human heart, as "glory!" It means "weight" or "gravity," and denotes intrinsic and excessive splendour. The learned Apostle, in addressing the converts of Greece, where earthly glory was so well understood, uses the word in this very sense: an exceeding weight of glory." It involves the idea, then, of excellency upon excellency. Now, in asking where this perfection resides, we at once hear the voice saying: "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass." There is, indeed, a transient gleam in material things-a glory of the sun and moon and stars, a glory terrestrial as well as celestial, inasmuch as these things reflect and show forth the praises of their Maker. There is yet more of glory in the intelligent soul and moral nature of man. Even the thoughtful heathen made some discoveries here. They had their "schools of glory," and were wont, looking beyond the confines of time, to say, "Vivit post funera virtus." And so is it still. The world is never backward in recognizing the stamp of true nobility, independently of all outward circumstances. What is hero-worship, but homage paid to the greatness of man, as man? What is the secret and test of all genuine poetry, but the power of touching the deepest and best feelings of the heart? The same thing holds on a larger scale. A foreign writer of some eloquence, the other day, spoke of "the awful grandeur of London," and described the impression made upon his own mind as arising, not from the mere geographical extent of the metropolis, still less from its palaces and parks, but from its vast social and intellectual activity. But this is what the Word of God has