theme of natural theology, are of much value as a means of education. For in the fact that in them the mind is led to dwell in succession on the laws of physical nature and the laws of thought, is found one of the highest evidences of their value in mental discipline. And of a truth, nothing can be more beautiful than their thought-structure, "rising like an exaltation," and founded upon, and showing in its entire proportion, the faith-philosophy which encourages and rewards man's best efforts. The noble language, comparable to the rolling of the organ; the sublime ideas, lifting man out of the groveling depths, and placing him on the pinnacle of spiritual reason; and above all, the faith-developing influence exerted by the lofty theme-all combine to stamp these as among the most sublime of writings.

Christian art and architecture are noted for sublime productions. The paintings of Raphael, Angeli, Leonardo da Vinci and a host of others, devoted almost exclusively to religious subjects, and the grand cathedrals, showing in every detail the combined beauties of nature and of art, present the very highest development in this direction. But why multiply instances? Surely that which has given inspiration to such productions as have been named, is worthy of being called beautiful.

As to the truth of religion,'and therefore its power of developing the faculty of judgment and correct understanding, it may be said that there is a fundamentally true principle running through all systems of theology. Although, in those creeds which are not entirely true, errors in theology are mingled with this fundamental principle, yet their critical study is productive of at least as much mental discipline as the study of scientific truths and theories. But in our own religion, there is no admixture of error. The student who investigates it, knows that every step he takes is a safe one, every principle he masters is a true one, and that he will have no false theories to discard, no untruth to forget. He will not need to invent a theory, and build upon it an elaborate fabric of speculation, only to see this work of years tumble into ruin when the winds of critical truth beat upon it. The foundation is there the fabric, not of speculation, but of safe reasoning, is built upon it-this may be made as elaborate and beautiful as one may wish, so long as it conforms to its foundation,

which is truth--and it will stand forever, a source of pure and perpetual delight to him who has reared it. It is no longer considered necessary that in order to be of value in mental discipline, a subject should consist of a mixture of truth and error. If a contrast is needed, there is a sufficient one between the truth within the system and the error without, and enough of this kind of mental discipline is secured in discriminating between the two. But the higher and more satisfactory discipline, secured by contemplating truth in all its bearings and relationships, can be gained where unadulterated truth is studied, and this is in the domain of true theology.

Of the ethical nature of theology, and its power of appealing to the moral faculties, there can be no doubt. In the fact that religion is good, consists one of the strongest warrants for its existence. It cannot be denied that religion, even in its degraded forms, possesses elevating influences which pure irreligion is entirely unable to display. Ascending from these lower forms through the Christian sects to pure religion, as exemplified in the Gospel of Christ, one is able to scan the highest reaches of morality and goodness, both in theory and in practice. Religion has always exercised a benign influence on the world, and this influence has increased as the religion has approached the perfect one. Religion has been found necessary in social and political life; for without it, such life would be incapable of the high degree of development it has reached. So necessary did Plutarch regard the aid of religion, in the preservation of social order, that he wrote: "I am of opinion that a city might sooner be built without any ground to fix it on, than a commonwealth be constituted together without any religion or idea of the gods, or, being constituted, be preserved." And in our own day Guizot has said, "Belief in the supernatural is a fact natural. Unbelief in the supernatural begets materialism; materialism, socialism: socialism, anarchy; amid whose storms man will again get upon his knees and pray."

Nor are these statements mere theories. A few historical instances are known where attempts were made to base the ethical and governmental idea on irreligion; but in each case disastrous results have followed. Anarchy has inevitably resulted, its storms forcing men to reinstate the discarded religion. The ethical idea,

based upon atheism, has been proved impracticable. The study of that which is in itself the root of all goodness, must, if properly pursued, result in the development of high morality. Hence, the third essential is filled by this branch. It is, therefore, found to be above all others, adapted to the development of the higher faculties of the mind. In the words of Dr. Butler, "Because it [spiritual insight] most fully represents the higher nature of man, it is man's highest possession, and those studies that directly appeal to it, and instruct it, are beyond compare the most valuable." Dr. Butler here pays a high but thoroughly deserved compliment to the class of studies at the head of which theology will always be found.

Therefore, the contention of the opponents of denominational schools, that the study of theology is a waste of time, is not only unfounded-it is directly opposed to the truth. Theology, in some of its branches, may with profit be made an intrinsic element of the school curriculum; and those institutions where it is thus employed, possess an incalculable advantage, not only religiously, but educationally, over those from whose curricula it is omitted. It is safe to say that he who is fortunate enough to secure his training in the Church schools, not only wastes no time-he spends it to most excellent advantage-in the study of theology.

So well is the value of religious study becoming recognized by educators, that general instruction in such branches is provided in a great number of undenominational schools in our country; and we may confidently expect an increase of this recognition of its value. I have before me the catalogue of one of the greatest universities in America, and I am struck with the prominence given to religious instruction. And here, it would seem, the greatest motive for its adoption as a part of the curriculum, is a recognition of its value in mental discipline.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

BY DR. J. M. TANNER, PRESIDENT OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, LOGAN, UTAH.

VI.

Advices come to us from Pretoria by way of Lorenzo Marques, April 11, that another battle has been fought just south of Brandfort, and that six hundred British were killed and wounded and nine hundred taken prisoners. Brandfort lies about thirty-five miles north-east of Bloemfontein, the headquarters of Lord Robert's vast army. This is a Boer dispatch, but telegrams from London show that the English fear that it may be only too true, and they base this fear largely upon the general correctness of the statistics which have been given out by the Boers since the beginning of this war. Indeed the Boers have not only published conservative statistics of all the movements and encounters of the armies, but they were even conservative in their estimates of what the results of the war would be, President Kruger stating in the beginning that it would cost the English upwards of ten thousand men, whereas it is really only one-half of the number actually lost at this writing, and the most difficult undertakings of the war have not yet been reached. This dispatch seems to have been confirmed by one received at the same time by the Daily News, wherein it is said that Dewet, the Boer general, had inflicted a third defeat upon the English at Merkatsfontein, in which six hundred English were killed and wounded and nine hundred captured. The English are said to have lost twelve wagons. The report to the News says that there were only five Boers killed and nine

wounded. The fact that the war office is entirely silent upon this question and upon news generally from the front, creates all the stronger apprehension throughout England that these telegrams may after all be correct.

Immediately after the surrender of General Cronje, Lord Roberts proceeded to occupy the capital of the Orange Free State, and to issue manifestoes to the burghers of that republic. In these manifestoes, terms of peace were offered, and inducements held out to withdraw as many of the Free Staters from the Boer army as possible. We are informed that a number of these burghers accepted the conditions, and showed a great readiness to abandon what the English held out as a fruitless contest. Later, word was received that many of them had again taken up arms and joined other burghers in the north. There was a large peace party among the Free Staters, even at the outbreak of the war, and these were undoubtedly willing to welcome the English, and to offer Lord Roberts every facility to bring as many Boers as possible within the sphere of English influence.

Notwithstanding the vast army which Lord Roberts had been able to amass at the capital of the Orange Free State, the Boers evidently discovered the weak points of it. It lacked the power of rapid mobilization, and, in such a country as that, would be comparatively helpless in its movements against the Boer forces, which, throughout the entire campaign, have shown the greatest mobility. In the first place, the Boers have but very few equipments. Their camp life is exceedingly simple, and they have become through generations inured to the peculiar climate of South Africa. Their horses are well adapted to the country, and considerable numbers of Boers can be moved about with but very little difficulty. On the other hand, the heavy equipments of the English soldiers, the demands of camp life, make it impossible to move with any great rapidity. The English cavalry was not numerous enough. It is said that thousands of the horses had died off, and that altogether the best the English could do was to remain quietly where they are now located, and wait the shipment of the necessary remounts to enable the English again to take up an aggressive campaign. This seems a marvelous condition, from a military point of view. Early last October, the war in South Africa broke