would not heal his wound slightly. Then came the glad tidings of Him who "came to seek and to save that which was lost." Never did thirsty traveller in the desert drink the fresh waters of the spring with greater eagerness than young Henri drank in the news-to him it was news-t -that there was salvation for perishing ones like himself. He longed to make himself fully acquainted with the way of reconciliation, and joyfully received the Bible which M. C. left, with the assurance that there he would discover all that was needful for the sinner to know. Successive visits found the invalid poring over his newly-acquired treasure, and growing in the knowledge and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. One morning the priest entered into conversation with young Henri. His talk was of sin, salvation, glory, while a deep earnestness was stamped upon his pallid countenance. The priest had known him only as a wild and reckless youth. Was it indeed the same? Was it Henri from whom these holy thoughts and burning words poured forth? The priest, a kindly and, after his manner, a devout man, was overjoyed. For a time he sat by the bedside, an eager and delighted listener, rather than an instructor. No ghostly counsellor could have uttered sentiments more pious, or in a spirit of greater earnestness. These new-sprung sentiments fell like dew upon the spirit of the priest. He could scarcely find words to express his joy. "But where did you learn to think thus ?" he asked, as if suddenly recollecting himself. "Here," said Henri, drawing his Bible from under his pillow. The countenance of the spiritual adviser grew dark. "From that book!" he said, as the look of benevolent interest gave place to one of professional sternness; "that book is prohibited; you must give it up." "Give it up!" exclaimed the startled Henri, rising in his couch, and grasping his treasure firmly in his hand; "Give it up! impossible." "But the holy Catholic Church forbids laymen to read that book," urged the priest. "Nothing holy can forbid that book," said Henri, with deep emotion, his pale features lighted up with the light of truth. "It is it which has pointed me to the way of life; it is to its guidance I trust, if I recover, to be able to keep in the paths of morality and religion. Take it from me, and you are responsible for my fall.” The countenance of the priest relaxed, his spirit was moved; ecclesiastical injunctions and professional barriers were beginning to totter before the living earnestness of truth. "We have superiors in the Church, as you have in the army," he replied, in a hesitating voice; "I must at least consult my supe riors." "And what if your superiors refuse?" answered Henri; "must I part with my Bible? No, I would part with life rather. Take it from me, and I sink again into darkness and wretchedness." The thrilling earnestness with which these words were spoken overthrew the remaining hesitancy of the spiritual counsellor. "Then keep your Bible," he said, as he turned away to conceal the struggling emotions of the gyved and fettered priest, and of the kindly, honest-hearted man. Some weeks later, the young soldier, cured in body and in spirit, left the hospital, a faithful and rejoicing soldier of the cross of Christ. R. H. L. WHITFIELD'S OPINION OF WESLEY. A MINISTER, very liberal in his reflections on Mr. Wesley and his followers, being once in company with Mr. Whitfield, expressed his doubt to him concerning Mr. Wesley's salvation, and said,—“ Sir, do you think when we get to heaven, we shall see Mr. Wesley?" "No, Sir," replied Mr. Whitfield, "I fear not; for he will be so near the throne, and we shall be at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him." Notices of Books. Charity, and its Fruits; or, Christian Love | be a standard. Dr. Brown is one of those as manifested in the Heart and Life. By JONATHAN EDWARDS. London: Nisbet and Co. pre THE history of these last years has become tr Few rare men whom "much learning" does not Memoir and Remains of the Rev. James As the virgin specimen, we begin with this great book; not bulky nor outwardly brilliant, but almost entirely the purest gold. After remaining in the repositories of the Edwards family for more than a hundred years, this characteristic work of the great President has at last appeared simultaneously in England and America, under the editorial care of the author's descendant, Dr. Tryon Edwards. Without much excellency of speech, yet full of the Divine wisdom given to its meek but lofty author, this is an elaborate exposition of the thirteenth chapter of first Corinthians, by one who was himself a living epistle of IN a future number we hope to give some charity. Throughout it is eminently prac-extracts from this well-filled volume. Meantical, and the chapters on Love, as opposed to a "selfish spirit, an angry spirit, and a censorious spirit," can scarcely be perused without producing wholesome self-condemnation, and awakening some good resolutions. The whole is peculiarly affecting when read in the light of the author's personal history, whose charity "suffered so long," and never failed." Sitting in ર heavenly places, with steady eye, but not unfrequently with intense emotion, this master in Israel was wont to survey a wider horizon of revealed truth than it is usually permitted to the limited capacity of mortals to behold; and in a book like this we seem not only to share his Pisgah-view, but to breathe the same calm and holy atmosphere. The Resurrection of Life: an Exposition of while, all who knew the late pastor of Johnstreet Chapel, or who ever listened to his wise and holy words, will be eager to peruse it for themselves. The Memoir commences rather feebly; but as soon as the pen is taken up by a skilful hand, the sketch becomes spirited and powerful. Mr. Evans's own letters are invaluable, and his account, now first published, of his first wife is beautiful and edifying. In the next edition we hope the editor will discard the foolish mystery of blanks and initials, and let "dear O- W-," and other good men, come to the light, which is their natural element. The Successful Merchant: Sketches of the It is honest; for the faults and failings of the hero are frankly confessed; it is amusing; for with the picturesqeness of a great master the historian gives us all the details which "make the man himself:" it is intensely practical; for the end of instruction and correction is never lost sight of; and it is unique; for, although we have some memoirs of merchants, we never before had a biography at once Christian and commercial. Most earnestly do we commend it to any of our readers who wish to learn how to make money, how to keep it, and how to spend it. No book of the season has reached us so admirably adapted to the young man's library; and with the blessing of God, its perusal may prevent many an abortive career, and many a broken heart. Remains of the Rev. William Howels. Being Extracts from his Sermons, taken down when preached, by the Rev. W. P. MOORE, A.M. Second Edition. Nisbet and Co. A SPRIGHTLY book was lately published under the title, "A Fagot of French Sticks." This little volume might have been styled, "A Fagot of Welsh Rockets." Sometimes illuming the steep places of theology with a sudden coruscation, and sometimes beautifying the night with many-tinted stars, there are few sublimer things in sacred eloquence than those oracular sayings which often flashed from Long-acre pulpit long ago. Woman's Sphere in the Service of Christ. A Lecture, by the Rev. DAVID BROWN. Glasgow Glass and Duncan. Lights and Shadows in the Life of Faith. London-wall Church, and a book like this makes us more and more regret that he is not still amongst us. As far as we know, it supplies a desideratum in religious literature. It is a series of papers on Christian Experience, from its earliest commencement to its final and blissful consummation. Faithful and discriminating, judicious and tender, instructed scribe and the affectionate pastor; and every chapter is enlivened, and every case brought home, by illustrative examples from the author's large fund of biographical information. We trust the book will be widely read; for in that case we are con the entire work betokens at once the well For the sake of its intrinsic excellence, and vinced it will be eminently useful. Presbyterian Church in England. HOME MISSION COLLECTION, THIRD SABBATH OF FEBRUARY. By appointment of Synod the annual collection on behalf of this scheme will be made in all our congregations on the third Sabbath of the present month. Owing to an accidental circumstance, we have not received the usual statement of the Committee in time for our present number; but surely there is no department of our Church's work that ought, by this time, to be better understood or more liberally supported than the Home Mission. We sincerely trust that ministers and congregations will see that the forthcoming collection is, in some measure, commensurate with the growing importance of the scheme, so that the Committee may be enabled to occupy those fields of usefulness which God in his providence is opening up to us. The following particulars, extracted from a private communication written by a member of the Home Mission Committee, although not intended for publication here, will, we are sure, be perused by many of our readers with the deepest interest : "It affords us pleasure to record the growing life and vitality which exists in many of our congregations, especially in the northern counties of England. Latterly the attention of the Committee has been directed to missionary enterprises, and by this means to aid in stemming the large amount of practical heathenism and infidelity that exists in large towns, as well as to afford to Presbyterians located there an opportunity of worshipping God according to those forms which are dear to them, and to hear those doctrines which are associated with the venerated names of Baxter, Henry, and Calamy. "A station opened some months ago in Leeds promises to do well, and at Bradford there is a considerable congregation; and if these places have settled over them efficient ministers, we may look for the opening of other stations in Yorkshire, and ultimately the formation of a presbytery there. There has, of late, been several applications from various quarters for the formation of new places of worship, some of which are now under consideration, and others cannot be undertaken for the want of men and means. "The Presbytery of Berwick have opened a preaching station at Horncliffe, which promises well. It is to be hoped that this year an effort will be made by the Synod to raise additional funds, so as to extend the operations of this important scheme of our Church. Many of our congregations might do much more than they are now doing were they inspired with a more noble and generous zeal in the cause of Christ, which would transform those meager offerings which come into the treasury into extended liberality, as monumental tokens of the influence of redeeming grace." BERWICK CHURCH IN CHANCERY. Judgment has this morning (Jan. 23) been given in this case by the Lords Justices Knight Bruce and Cranworth, in appeal from the decision of Vice-Chancellor Wigram. Our space at this late date in the month permits us to state only that ViceChancellor Wigram had decided that, although the trust-deed is open, binding the Church only to "Protestant Dissenters," yet the minister must be a "licentiate and recognised minister of Christ in full communion with the Established Church of Scotland." Against this decision the present appeal was taken, and now Lord Justice Knight Bruce, with a few immaterial alterations, confirmed the decision of Vice-Chancellor Wigram. Lord Cranworth, on the other hand, maintained that any orthodox Presbyterian England, Ireland, or Scotland, was eligible minister, whether licensed or ordained in to be the minister of the church, and held, consequently, that the decision of the Court below ought to be reversed. But according to the constitution of the Lords Justices' Court, if one approves of the decision in the Court below, the judgment must be confirmed. The consequence is, that unless we obtain a decision in our favour on appeal to the House of Lords, the Berwick Church is lost to us. COLLECTIONS AND DONATIONS. BIRMINGHAM.-Rev. J. R. Mackenzie. SUNDERLAND. Rev. Dr. Paterson. Sabbath-schools, per Mr. Saun- BIRKENHEAD. Rev. Robert H. Lundie. Sabbath-school ChilSCOTLAND. From Readers of the dren, per Mr. Walker...... Messenger" in Edinburgh, per Rev. Dr. Hamilton. Ditto, collected by Mrs. G. F. Bar bour 7 15 0 100 100 100 0 11 11 2 3 0 0 0 18 0 1 0 13 0 |