alluded to, and the frequent opportunities he has had of calling upon a great number of the inhabitants, have tended to awaken such a respect for the Holy Scriptures, that the Priests feel that their power is shaken, and that to such a degree, that after wishing to act with violence against the Bible distributors, and against those who purchase the Scriptures, they now dare not elevate their voices so loudly, but are content to avail themselves of underhand means for gaining their ends.

So much good has resulted from the reading of the Sacred Volume in Schools solely attended by Roman-Catholic children, that it is our duty to endeavour to continue this mode of distribution. While on this subject, permit me to relate a very recent fact, which you will not consider as irrelevant, as it refers to a large School to which your Society furnishes from 400 to 500 copies of the Scriptures yearly.

The School, then, to which I allude is in one of the most populous neighbourhoods in Paris, and is attended, with the exception of seven or eight individuals, by more than a thousand Roman-Catholic children. In this School they are instructed and educated on purely Evangelical principles. Four or five days ago, by occasion of distributing prizes among the children who regularly frequent the Sunday School, several foreigners of distinction were invited to attend, for the purpose of judging for themselves of the good effects produced in the establishment by the simple explanation of the Bible. Among the rest, were some of your countrymen, the Rev. Mr. Lovett, Sir George Denys, Mr. H. Lambton, M. P., together with several Ladies, the Countess Roden, Fitz.James, &c.; who, after having heard the replies of the children to a brief examination on Biblical subjects, declared, that even in England, where such great pains are taken to instruct children in the truths of the Gospel, few classes would be found containing young children who displayed so much respect and interest for these sacred truths, and who gave such correct and pleasing answers as many among the 600 or 700 Roman-Catholic children who were assembled for the purpose before mentioned.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

D'Aubigne's History of the Great Reformation. Abridged by E. DALTON. 18mo. pp. 516. London: Dalton, Cockspur Street. The Editor has rendered a very valuable service by thus bringing into more general circulation one of the most useful and interesting publications of the day. The abridgement is very judicious and satisfactorily effected. It will be found to contain all the most prominent and instructive points of the original work; and we strongly recommend it for School Libraries and School Rewards. The evil days into which we are thrown render such a work the more seasonable and important. Never can we consent to let our youth begin to be ashamed of their true and privileged position as Protestants: and it is well that they should learn in time what principles must support and uphold them if antichrist be permitted once more, in God's mysterious wisdom, to lay waste his heritage.

Brief thoughts on the Things of God and the Soul; in Words of One Syllable. By EDWARD DALTON. 18mo. pp. 108. London: Wright, Aldine Chambers.

This is a little book of humble pretensions; but we are bold to say, that few works have lately issued from the press of more real value. We all want greater simplicity: less of ourselves, and more of our Master. We heard with great delight very lately that one of our most popular preachers, and most highly favoured and useful ministers of Christ, had come to the conviction that he had been too conversant with well turned periods and flowing eloquence in his sermons, since his hearers, in their admiration, were led into selfdeception in supposing that they welcomed the message, when it was only the oratory of the preacher to which they were converts. And this conviction has led to the resolution henceforth to use great plainness of speech, to have done with enticing words of man's wisdom, and only to consider how, in the humblest and simplest manner, he can tell his fellow sinners of Jesus Christ and him crucified. This is a cheering example. And it would be well if all writers of tracts and books for the lower classes would follow it. We have long mourned over the want of simplicity of diction in our religious tracts generally. Few persons have any idea what obstacles hard words and long involved sentences are to a right understanding amongst bad readers. Now, here is a work which is perfect in this respect. Though consisting only of words of one syllable, there is nothing cramped or forced, while the whole is full of Scriptural, Gospel truth. It cannot fail to prove most useful:-1, as a School Book;-2, as a Lesson Book in Adult Schools;-3, for every purpose of gratuitous distribution amongst the poor.

We give our readers the first article in the work as a specimen of the style, and as stating the Author's design.

"Christ is the great guide to us in all things. As He spake, so should we speak; as He thought, so should we think; and as He taught, so should we strive to teach. We should tread in His steps, and do as He did. And how did He teach? How did He speak? Why, He thanks God that the way of life was hid from the wise, and made known to babes; and He speaks as one who knows that what He says is meant for all, and shall be fit for all men-not for the wise who have skill to find out what He means; but for fools too, so that none shall lose the grace that flows from his lips. Christ spake as no man in His day spake; no man since has found that he could speak so well as Christ; that is, so much to the point in such few words. And yet, as far as we can, we should aim to speak like Him. And how was that? Why, He speaks of vines and of sheep, of trees and of folds, of gates and doors, and the fowls of the air, and the grass of the field, and things with which all men have to do; and in such plain words, that all could know what he meant. Not in high strains, not in wise saws and gems of fine phrase and keen shafts of wit, like the wise men of this world;-no, but in plain words, full of truth and clear, so that he who runs may read. Let us try to write in plain terms as He taught; and in firm trust in His help, let us try to speak of the same great truths which He taught, in the same clear way and in the same strain of love." Wastefulness. A Tale for Female Servants. 18mo. pp. 36.

London: Houlston.

A very valuable little Tract on too common a sin. Many of the

children in our schools are eventually going into service, and they cannot too soon have principles instilled, and habits formed, which may lead them, with God's blessing, to keep their "hands from picking and stealing."

It is a tale well told, and has the advantage of being a true tale. It cannot be too largely distributed in our schools.

One word alone we should wish to see suppressed in the next edition: "Bless me,' exclaimed Watson. Such language might naturally be expected from such a character; but being a direct violation of the Third Commandment, it should not be allowed to appear without censure. Better suppressed altogether.

The Faithful Servant: a Sermon, preached on the Death of Sarah Oldland. By the REV. G. FISK, LL.B., Vicar of Walsall. Royal 32mo. pp. 32. Walsall: Valentine & Co.

A very useful memoir of a humble, consistent servant of God as well as man.

It forms a valuable contrast to the history of Susan, in the tale entitled "Wastefulness."

Who would not wish to lead such a life, and to die such a death. Then the foundation of such a goodly superstructure must be laid in youth.

Seed Corn. By the REV. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M. A. 32mo. pp. 48. London: Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row. An excellent little work, showing in very striking, convincing language, the policy as well as privilege of an expansive benevolence, as suggested by Prov. xi. 24. "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."

The following is a striking illustration of the Author's remarks: "Much had been said, one evening, at the meeting of a missionary society, on the blessing which always seemed to rest on those who gave largely towards the furtherance and support of such objects. The next morning, at breakfast, a lady gave the following account to one of the party, who were her visitors on that occasion: 'I had three brothers,' she said, 'who had been brought up with much care by my excellent father and mother. They had endeavoured to impress upon all their children the duty and the high privilege of laying by and giving even of their little store to the spreading of the kingdom of our blessed Redeemer. It happened that each of these three brothers possessed a box, in which he was accustomed to drop any small sum of money that might be given to him. In the confusion of moving from our residence at to another house, these boxes were for a time mislaid, and were long looked for in vain. Some time after, the three boxes were unexpectedly found; the boys were delighted at the discovery of their lost treasures, and determined at once to open their boxes. It was rather a curious circumstance, that the three boxes contained almost the same sum of money-about ten pounds. My eldest brother had long wished to possess a watch, and, without hesitation, he instantly appropriated the whole of the contents of his box to the purchase of one. My second brother was of a divided mind; he accordingly divided his money into two portions; one he kept to spend for his own gratification, the other portion he gave to some religious

society. My youngest brother gave up all; he reserved no portion for his own self-indulgence, but freely and joyfully gave the whole to the Lord! And now,' added the lady, 'I must tell you something of the after-life of each of my brothers. The dispositions which were then shown in so marked a way, proved indicative of the future course of each of these young men. The eldest has been engaged in many undertakings which seemed to promise wealth, and he has expended large sums of money, but he has failed in everything, and at the close of a long life he is a poor man, and has been for some considerable time dependent on the bounty of his youngest brother. My second brother is not poor, but he has never been rich, nor satisfied with his very moderate circumstances. I am now in mourning for my youngest brother. He died lately, leaving £100,000, after having freely given away at least as much to missions among the heathen, and to other like works and labours of love: God prospered him in everything that he undertook; and he ceased not, throughout the whole course of his life, to give freely of all that God gave to his hand. Freely he had received, and freely and cheerfully indeed did he give.'

We strongly recommend the little book to our readers. For scarcely the trifle of a few pence, they will discover here the secret of great gain as well as rich luxury.

The Child's Book of Homilies. By a MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. Small 8vo. pp. 100. London: Edwards and Hughes, 12, Ave Maria Lane.

The Author states briefly in his preface the object of his work. "At a time when religious observances are so much the subject of discussion, it has been thought that an attempt to awaken in the minds of children the spirit which alone gives efficacy to sacred services, might be approved by all parties in the controversy.'

He is a bold man to entertain the expectation of pleasing "all parties;" but certainly his book ought to please all who love pure Gospel truth clothed in chaste simplicity of language, and who amidst all the din and turmoil of dispute and novelty recognize and cling to the grand fundamental doctrines so largely embodied in the articles and formularies of our Church. There is something refreshing in a Christian effort like this to throw the oil of peace on our troubled waters, and may the Author's benevolent object be fully answered.

We confidently recommend the "Child's Book of Homilies" as a valuable reward in schools, and as a present to children in general. The Poetry attached to each Homily is in general striking and original. We hope that the work will meet with such encouragement as will enable the pious Author materially to reduce the price, and so increase the circulation. It ought not to exceed half its present price.

A Short Protestant Catechism, for the Use of Schools. By the REV. B. RICKINGS, M. A. London: Seeley, Burnside, & Seeley. An excellent little manual which will be found most useful for Teachers wishing to supply our Protestant youth with an antidote against the errors of Popery. It has the advantage over other similar and valuable works, in being short, simple, and cheap.

MISCELLANEOUS.

PROOFS OF GRATITUDE.-At the late anniversary meeting at Northampton, when a collection was made for the benefit of the Infirmary, a farmer sent twenty pounds to be given to the funds of the Institution. His message, brought by the gentleman to whom he had paid the money, was: "It has pleased God to bless me with a plentiful crop, and with good weather to get it in. I desire to send this sum as a thank-offering for the goodness of God to me."-On the same day, after the sermon, a very handsome gentleman's dressing-box, fitted up in the best manner, with razors, combs, brushes, &c. was laid upon the plate. This was to be sold for the benefit of the Infirmary. It appeared that it was sent by the working mechanic who made it; and that he wished to offer it for the sake of shewing his thankfulness for the benefit that he had received and the attention that he had experienced when formerly a patient in the Infirmary.-In the attempts which are now being made for the purpose of providing for the proper accommodation for the people in our churches, and for carrying on needful repairs, and for supplying all that is proper and becoming for the worship and service of God, the churchwardens in general have shewn great willingness to do the best in their power, in furtherance of this object and in fulfilment of their duty. But, besides this, a pleasing instance lately occurred in a village in Rutlandshire, where six farmers' wives combined together, and worked a very handsome communion cloth, which they presented to the clergyman, for the use of the parish.

THE ASCENSION.

ACTS i. 1-12.

WITH kindling heart and holy fear,
At intervals the favoured few
Beheld the risen Christ draw near,
His solemn lessons to renew.

And now amid the chosen band

He stood, and silence reigned around;
His tongue had told its last command,
And theirs with sacred awe was bound.
But while their gazing eyes express'd
The silent worship of the heart,
He seemed upon the air to rest,

And from the earth and them to part.

Nor long they doubted, for the eye
That would not lose him from its view,
Must higher rise, and still more high,
As from their presence he withdrew.

And long as on his way he went,
His looks and theirs together met:
In pity his were downward sent,
And upwards theirs in vain regret.