Extracts.

Science and Faith.

DR CARLYON, speaking of the saintly Henry Martyn, his schoolfellow and contemporary at Cambridge, says :

"A friend, who was working hard for an honour, once asked me to explain something connected with the eleventh book of Newton's Principia; but not being a Kempthorne or a Martyn, I told him that, if he would wait half an hour, I would get the information he required from my friend Martyn, on whom I immediately called. I found him luckily at his rooms, where he was sitting with a Bible before him, which he closed on my telling him what I wanted; and, taking a sheet of paper, he wrote out the clearest possible solution of the difficulty in question with as much ease as that with which he could have written his own name. On my rising to take leave, I saw that he was going to resume his Bible; and, among the few words that passed, I well remember his saying something to the effect, that there lay the book that contained knowledge worth possessing; and, at the same time, he led me to understand that, with regard to its contents, there was in his mind no darkness, neither shadow of doubt.

"The above little incident, which occurred nearly sixty years ago, will scarcely be deemed inopportune at the present time, when no intelligent Christian can fail of contrasting the wisdom of Mr Martyn with the stolid disregard of the inspiration of the Bible which characterises the authors of the Essays and Reviews.'"-See pamphlet, "The Church of England's Rotten Plank," p. 12, by Clement Carlyon, M.D.

To the above I may be permitted to add, that when, in after life, that devoted missionary was occupied in his Hindostanee and Persian translations of the Bible, he is reported to have said :—

"What do I not owe to the Lord for permitting me to take part in the translation of His Word! Never did I see such wonders, wisdom, and love in the blessed book as since I was obliged to study every expression!"

And Martyn's friend, Dr Buchanan, whilst detailing to a friend, just before his death, the laborious plan pursued by him of a five times repeated revision of the Syriac Testament; on its revision, he said with emotion, even to tears

"At first I was disposed to shrink from the task as irksome, and apprehended that I should find even the Scriptures pall by the frequency of this examination. But, so far from it, every fresh perusal seemed to threw fresh light on the Word of God, and to convey additional joy and consolation to my mind."-London Record.

The Mechanics of Spirit-Rapping.

"THOSE who have been in the habit of listening with awe and adoration to the solemn utterances of domestic furniture will read with some surprise a letter in the Standard, from Mr W. G. Faulkner, philosophical instrument maker, in which he states that for many years he

has had a large sale for spirit-rapping magnets and batteries, expressly made for concealment under the floor, in cupboards, under tables, and even for the interior of the centre support of large round tables and boxes. He has supplied also quantities of prepared wire to be placed under the carpets and oilcloth, or under the wainscot and gilt beading around ceilings and rooms. All these, he says, were obviously used for spirit-rapping; and the connection to each rapper and battery was to be made by means of a small button like those used for telegraphic bell-ringing purposes, or by means of a brass-headed or other nail under the carpet at particular patterns known to the spiritualist. These rappers, he adds, when carefully placed, are calculated to mislead the most wary. Then there are spirit-rapping magnets and batteries constructed expressly for the pocket; and these, he tells us, will of course rap at any part of the room. He has also made drums and bells, which will beat and ring at command; but these two latter are not so frequently used as the magnets are, because they are too easily detected."-Pall Mall Gazette.

Rome deserted by "the Kings of the Earth."

THE cause of Rome, as advocated by the Ultramontane hierarchy, has been abandoned by all the Catholic powers. Were there anywhere a prince hesitating between a Concordat and the common law, with such modifications as it has now undergone in all civilised communities, he could nowhere withstand the tide of opinion so strongly setting everywhere against Papal Encyclicals and Syllabuses. The laity are everywhere asserting their right to freedom of inquiry, and they can see no reason why their religious teachers should embrace conclusions in flagrant contradiction with all the unconquered and unconquerable arguments of common sense. It is impossible for German straightforwardness to acquiesce in the triumph of Italian quibble, simply because, owing to the vicious organisation of the Southern hierarchy, the Italian Prelates in St Peter's outnumbered the German and other members of the Ecumenic Council. It is difficult to imagine how infallibility can find any partisans in Germany besides the bishops, most of whom were among its most conscientious opponents in Italy, and who can allege no other ground for their conversion than the practical application of the very dogma in dispute-no other ground for accepting the Pope as infallible than the mere fact that "the Pope himself has said it." Between the doctrine of infallibility and the arguments of the bishops who now so preposterously attempt to enforce it, it is perhaps not difficult to foretell what will be Germany's choice; and, as we said, the attitude of Germany is not without influence on Austria and Switzerland, and on Italy herself. Reassured, indeed, on the score of the temporal power, Italy gives signs of abandoning that undignified policy which purchased peace by avoiding and even stifling all ecclesiastical disputes, and by accepting as the "liberty of the Church" the most unbounded tyranny of the hierarchy over the mass of the clergy and laity.-The Times.

Church Fairs.

STARTLING events spoken of as the forerunners of His near approach have been many and unmistakeable, but the day and hour of His

glorious advent we are not to know, but are told to watch, as He may come like a thief in the night, and at an hour when the benighted and sin-cursed, slumbering world is not looking for Him. The scoffer will be saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning ”—the earth, the sea, and the skies for ever are." Men will be buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage, living in carnal security, and dreaming in the pride of their hearts that to-morrow shall be as today, when sudden destruction shall come upon them, and there shall be no escape. Oh that men were wise! that they might understand and be as these who wait and watch for the coming of the Lord, and so He come not and find them slumbering and sleeping, but with lamps trimmed and burning.

But I did not take up my pen intending to moralise on the signs of the times-it was only to drop a word of approval and of sympathy in your ear, for your work's sake. As iron sharpeneth iron, so a man by words of sympathy sharpeneth the countenance of his friend, and helps to hold up his hands in the great battle of life for truth and right over error and might. Of all the religious papers that have come under my observation, I like the Herald best; I like it for the comfort and edification I receive from its editorial articles, and for the care evidently taken in its selections. It is of great value, not only on account of what it puts in, but for what it keeps out of its columns. It is a sad thing to find those who pretend to be teachers of morality and religion disfiguring and defiling their papers occasionally with articles-and more frequently with advertisements-which can but tend to corrupt and demoralise. It is to be feared that some are not careful enough to exclude the clap-trap advertisements of greedy, selfish, ignorant, designing quacks, who prosper and grow rich on the credulity of the masses who are deceived by them, and who are injured not only in purse, but not unfrequently in person. I have grave doubts about the rightness of flattering editorial notices sometimes met with in such papers of church fairs for charitable, philanthropic, and benevolent purposes— more especially on account of the way those fairs are conducted. It would be tedious to enumerate all the strategy and devices frequently resorted to in order to wheedle the money out of pockets too tight to be reached by other means. But the question is, Do the ends for which the money is required justify the means resorted to for the purpose of obtaining it? That is the question for professing Christian men and women to consider, and settle in the light of truth and in the sight of the Master they profess to be serving. Just look at it. The following is a formula of advertisements often met with in all sorts of papers, secular and religious:

the

"The Methodist [Baptist, or Catholic] Church will hold their annual fair for the benefit of the society on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, of -. There will be a good display of fancy articles, books, toys, confectionery, and other things on the tables. There will also be a post-office; novel and interesting tableaux, with other notions attractive to visitors. A turkey supper, oyster stews, ice cream, &c., &c.,

for all who may choose to partake. Admission 25 cents; supper, 75

cents. The friends of the Church and congregation are invited to attend. The proceeds will be devoted to the liquidation of a balance due on the organ, and the repainting and carpeting of the pews."

The above, with some variation, is the common formula. The fair

opens, the minister's wife and daughters, the deacons' wives and daughters, or other interested ladies, married or single (though misses generally are selected) tend the tables,-their best qualifications being smooth, persuasive tongues, to be used unscrupulously in praise of articles for sale, not being ashamed to ask (when there is any prospect of getting it) twice or thrice the value of an article; and then, unless the buyer positively insists on it, not to be very particular in returning change. It is for a good cause, they remind the buyer; and some visitors, with more money than brains, will feel flattered and honoured in being thus served, supposing they have risen immensely in the estimation of their fair friend and her associates, who only, as they tell their exploits to one another, laugh at the simpletons so easily cajoled. Then there is a post-office, at which you are told there is a paper or letter for you, marked double, or, perhaps, triple postage, and you cannot be so ungallant in the eyes of the fair post-mistress as not to "fork over." A flirting, fair, glib-tongued young lady is generally elected as head of this establishment, with some clever young gent as assistant, whose business is mostly to write and address papers and letters, and to hail simpering young ladies, as they promenade in front of the office, with "Miss Black, or Miss Brown, there's a letter in the office for you,' when the gentleman, on whose arm the lady hangs, would feel belittled in the eyes of the post-mistress not to pay the postage: he has character to make among his young associates, and cannot afford to lose caste for a trifle. Then there is the indispensible grab-bag, and the cake in which a ring is hid,-sold for so much a cut. But what need to enumerate? Your readers know there are many other very questionable ways of raising money at the church fairs and clam bakes. I will just mention an incident said to have occurred not ten miles from where I write: A Baptist Church was about to hold their annual fair; the managers, casting about in their minds as to what novelties they could find to attract the attention of outsiders, bethought them of a young man who had been a professed gambler, and who had among other things in this line a wheel of fortune, which, on meeting with a change of views, he had laid aside. To him they applied for a loan of the wheel, to be used at their fair, thinking, perhaps, that some young folks who care but little for oyster suppers, ice creams, and such like things, might be induced to come in to try their luck at the wheel of fortune. Čorrect reasoning, no doubt. But, alas! the intentions of the managers could not be carried out. The young man replied to the applicants, "You would make my Father's house a den of thieves. I cannot be a partner in this. It will be better for you not to have this means of gambling and deception at your fair." Oh what a comment on the boasted liberal and enlarged views of the times, in relation to moral and religious matters! Church fairs, as conducted generally, are not only setting the "gates ajar," but wide open for the entrance of demoralising and unchristianising practices. The wicked will continue to do wickedly, and seducers to wax worse and worse, to the end of time. But it is sad to think that the professed followers of Christ, who though in the world ought not to be of the world, should give encouragement or countenance to the world's ways where they conflict with righteousness and truth. O my Lord, what shall be the end of such things? P.S.-Since writing the above I have cut from a paper the following

item:

"The people of Yokohama, Japan, had a little excitement over a proposition to pay for a church organ by making the organ the capital

of a lottery scheme. But public sentiment revolted against the idea of serving the interests of religion by gambling, and the government prohibited the enterprise. The Japan Mail says: "The easy virtue of the Christian, thus publicly rebuked by the paternal care of the Pagan government, is a slur we shall not easily forget, and a reprimand by which we may well be stung."-American Paper.

"Diana of the Ephesians."

By the effort of united Asia a temple was finally reared which took its place amongst the seven wonders of the world. Ephesus had already achieved distinction as the most important of the twelve cities of the Greek Confederation, the mart of Asia, the capital of Oriental culture and civilisation, the sacred abode of magic arts, the birthplace of a crowd of illustrious men, the rival artists of Parrhasius and Apelles, of the lachrymose philosopher Heraclitus, of Hipponax, Artemidorus, and a host of others. But the prestige which Ephesus derived from these features of her history was destined to be infinitely exceeded by the radiance of the renown that she won as the chosen seat of the great goddess Diana and Diana's Temple. Ephesus thus became the Mecca as well as the secular metropolis of a large portion of the heathen world; and the Ephesians were proud, as they well might be, of the structure that graced their city. From first to last, the building of it occupied two hundred and twenty years. Its length was, according to Pliny, 425 feet; its breadth 220. It contained 127 columns, each 60 feet high, 36 of which were carved in the most elaborate style of the most perfect art. Chersiphron was the architect whose master mind designed the whole, and even the genius of Chersiphron quailed before the magnitude of the task that he had undertaken. He was on the point of committing suicide in a paroxysm of despair. The altar was the work of Praxiteles. Scopas chiselled the columns and Apellas painted in size greater than life the figure of Alexander the Great, Cedar, cypress, marble, and gold, were the only materials used in the construction of the edifice. When the great work was finished, all Asia held festival. Splendid offerings were annually made, and sacred games were instituted. Imperial Rome was the first to offer violence to the consecrated toils of united Asia, and the temple, which was eventually burned by the Goths, was plundered by Nero.

No destruction could be more complete than that with which the destroyers of Rome visited the Ephesian fane. One stone was not suffered to stand upon another. The Temple of the Great Diana was utterly blotted out, and all traces of it became well nigh extinct. Even conjecture as to its site has till now been fortuitous or futile. The traveller from Smyrna on the south-east road that leads to the pretty village of Sede Kuy, has seen, after passing through the ruined hamlet of Danuzzi, a wide plain studded with burial-grounds, Here, on an eminence, are pillars, architraves, and fragments, and these, it has been thought, may mark the spot where the great temple stood. But the whole question has been one of dispute and controversy for many centuries. Chandler and others have given up the possibility of identify. ing any place with the situation of the edifice as hopeless. Dr Guhl and other explorers have laboured earnestly, but in vain. Suddenly, however, a new light has been flashed upon the subject. About eight years ago, Mr J. T. Wood, the well-known architect, determined that he would