STRAY THOUGHTS. A MOTIVE TO PIETY.-How can we, who have sainted friends, continue to live in an unregenerate and sinful state? We have heard of one who declared that nothing troubled him more, in his sinful state, than the thought of his mother in heaven. He feared that she knew of it; and he also dreaded an eternal separation from her. Do we believe that our separation from our friends will be an eternal one, unless we repent and become pious? Can we be content one moment longer in sin, when we firmly believe that, should we die in our present condition, the look which we cast upon the face of our dear friend before the coffin-lid was closed, was the last look forever? that those eyes, that countenance, shall beam on us no more? that where he is we can never come? Who can endure this searching thought, and continue to sin on earth, while his bosom friend is singing in heaven? Alas! that such infatuation should be found on earth. Yet there are many who have parents, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, and children in heaven whom they will never see! But is it not strange that this should be so, in spite of this touching motive to piety? Is it not strange madness? "Who would not strive to win a heaven Where all we love shall live again?" God graciously designs that the death of our friends, and our desire to meet them again, should lead us to piety. "No one dieth to himself." Their death, as well as their life, is in this way to be of real service to us. There are none on earth so near to us as our children. Yet there are no bereavements that occur more frequently than these. Half the human race die in infancy-all graveyards have more small graves than large ones. There are few parents, therefore, that have not wept at little graves-few that have not infants in heaven. How tenderly they plead, that since they can not return, we should prepare to come to them! Reader, have you a little white-robed warbler in the celestial choir? Are you content to see his face no more forever? If you die in your present state, where your child is you can never come. "These holy gates forever bar Pollution, sin, and shame; And none will ever enter there But followers of the Lamb." The stroke of death which has separated you, has separated you forever, except you become a Christian. Decide at once for Christ and heaven, and for an eternal reunion with your sainted child. What you do, do quickly. Eternity is drawing nigh. TROUBLE.-"Trouble" becomes a marvelous mortifier of pride, and an effectual restrainer of self-will. The temper is mellowed and the feelings refined. It needs repeated strokes of the hammer to break the rock in pieces; and so it sometimes requires repeated strokes of anguish to break our hearts in pieces, and make us humbler and wiser men. And as the longer you keep the canary bird in a darkened cage the sweeter it will sing, so the more severe the discipline of the good man's experience, the sweeter the songs of his spiritual life. The gold that is refined in the hottest furnace comes out the brightest, and the character molded by intense heat will exhibit the most wondrous excellencies. God's children are like stars, that shine brightest in the darkest night; like torches, that are the better, for beating; like grapes, that come not to the proof till they come to the press; like trees, that drive down their roots farther, and grasp the earth tighter, by reason of the storm; like vines, that grow the better for bleeding; like gold, that looks the brighter for scouring; like glow-worms, that shine best in the dark; like juniper, that smells sweetest in the fire; like the pomander, which becomes more fragrant for chafing; like the palm-tree, which proves the better for preserving; like the camomile, which spreads the more as you tread upon it. "There is a flower, when trampled on, Gives forth its sweet perfume. A fairer scent, that further gocs, CHRISTIAN CHEERFULNESS.-Alluding to the impression that many get that religion is nothing if not long faces, the United Presbyterian remarks: Let men be taught to know that there is as much religion in the good, robust, rejoicing, enthusiastic singing of God's praise, as in the sedate and doleful style that is usually styled the most devotional. Let them know that the earnest prayer need not be a drawling jeremiad. Let them feel that good Gospel preaching may be in a sprightly delivery of pleasant truths, more than in a whining recitation of inanities. Let them believe that Christianity is a live thingthat it is in sympathy with the active, rejoicing spirit of our humanity-and it will be better commended to their acceptance. Seriousness ought always to characterize the Christian. But seriousness does not consist in sullenness, moroseness, or even in the sobriety that drives away smiles, and the taste for rational pleasures. He is most serious who best brings an earnest, healthy, rejoicing nature to the performance of his duty. Men are most beautifully serious when truthful smiles are playing on their lips, and when their whole countenances are lighted up with a benignant joy. It ought, therefore, to be the effort of professing Christians to pass through the world so happily as to light it up and fill it with joy. They ought to sing in the midst of judgments, and to sing loudly, and cheerily, and constantly amid their marvelous benefits. We pass to a kingdom out of sadness and sorrow, where there will be no sadness or sighing. Passing to that place, let us cultivate the spirit that is to distinguish us when we arrive there, and show that we do really begin our heaven on the earth. THE MERCY-SEAT.-The throne of grace and the mercy-seat are terms in very frequent use among prayerful Christians. Their signification is nearly synonymous. They both refer to the cover of the ark of the covenant before which the Jewish highpriest, with solemn ceremonial, appeared on the great day of atonement. Bearing in his hand the golden bowl in which had been caught the streaming blood of the slain lamb, the high-priest entered the holy of holies and sprinkled the blood before and upon the ark, and made supplication for the mercy and forgiving grace of God. Under the Mosaic dispensation the high-priest alone could enter the sacred place and approach the mercy-seat; but now, since Jesus, the great highpriest of our profession, has entered the heavens and removed the vail, the trembling soul may venture into the presence of God. Whatever complaints the humble though unworthy suppliant has to make may with confidence be poured forth into the ear of the divine Savior; whatever desires burden the heart may be all made known to him whose pity for all his children is as boundless as his love. At the blessed mercy-seat relief may be found when the worn spirit is perplexed by the constant recurrence of life's petty annoyances, overwhelmed with floods of sorrow. When there is no human ear willing to listen to our experience of trials and temptations, when sympathy fails, when no friendly hand grasps ours in cheering fellowship, when disappointments, weakness, and pain are our portion, then what a precious refuge is the throne of heavenly grace. "It is the place where Jesus sheds A STAR HIDDEN BY A THREAD.-David Rittenhouse, of Pennsylvania, was a great astronomer. He was skillful in measuring the sizes of planets, and determining the position of the stars. But he found that such was the distance of the stars, a silk thread stretched across the glass of his telescope would entirely cover a star; and, moreover, that a silk fiber, however small, placed upon the same glass, would cover so much of the heavens that the star, if a small one and near the pole, would remain obscured behind that silk fiber several seconds. Thus a silk fiber appeared to be larger in diameter than a star. You know that every star is a heavenly world, a world of light, a sun shining upon other worlds as our sun shines upon this world. Our sun is 886,000 miles in diameter, and yet, seen from a distant star, our sun could be covered, obscured, hidden behind the thread that was near the eye, although in a telescope. Just so we have seen some who never could behold the heavenly world. They always complained of dimness of vision, dullness of comprehension, when they looked in the heavenly direction. You might strive to comfort them in affliction, or poverty, or distress; but no, they could not see Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness. You might direct their eyes to the star of Bethlehem through the telescope of faith and holy confidence, but alas! there is a secret thread, a filament, a silken fiber which, holding them in subserviency to the world, in some way obscures. the light, and Jesus, the star of hope, is eclipsed, and their hope darkened. There are times when a very small self-gratification, a very little love of pleasure, a very small thread, may hide the light. To some sinners Jesus, as Savior, appears very far off; but far off as he may appear, he certainly can be, and shall be seen where the heart lets nothing, nothing intervene. INWARD LIGHT.-Our Heavenly Father is graciously pleased to communicate his will to man by a voice that speaks within, and which will ever direct us in the way of holiness. As long as his reconciled children obey that voice, and lead a life of righteousness, so long are they the children of light, and enjoy a free communion with him in whom there is no darkness. But no sooner do they disobey the divine monitor and follow the devices of their own hearts, than their communion with God is interrupted. Even an angry feeling or a polluting thought will hinder the breathing of the soul toward the eternal source of peace and purity. The spiritual man is gifted with a knowledge of the mind of Christ-1 Cor. ii, 16and just in the degree in which he is conformed to it in his own disposition and conduct is he capable of communing with God in that pure love which sin alone can separate. THE LOVED FACES.-Happy thoughts come stealing upon us as we look upon the faces of those we loved in other days, those we have been separated from for years, and who return again with all the changes of time and thought upon their brows. The joyous feelings that arise on meeting with old and familiar faces, cordial shaking of hands, and the hearty congratulations that follow-who does not remember them? But when those we love and cherish leave us forever, when their spirits pass away from earth to heaven, who would not give all on earth for a picture, even a faint resemblance, of their features, ever so animated and beautiful! How many bright eyes grow dim, how many cheeks grow pale, how many lovely forms fade away into the tomb, leaving not a shadow of their loveliness behind! LIGHT AND SHADE.-The goldsmith, in setting a diamond, places in the capsule a dark leaf, and this gives beauty and brilliancy to the jewel; so the dark leaves placed by the hand of God in the book of our earthly history give glory, brightness, and preciousness to the higher life above. 1 CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. THE LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON AND OF HIS | charges occupies about one hundred and fifty pages 8vo. Cin of closely printed matter, and one feels after reading them, that the actions deserved the minute attention that Mr. Kinglake has given them. The actions themselves, and Mr. Kinglake's account of them, are equally deserving of study. Nothing more complete in their kind can well be conceived. With LIFE-SCENES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. Some months ago we commended a volume from the pen of Mr. Jones, entitled Life-Scenes from the Four Gospels, and we heartily recommend to all our This is a revised edition of the Life of George Stephenson and his son Robert, issued some ten years ago, to which is prefixed a history of the Railway and the Locomotive in its earlier stages. A memoir of Richard Trevithick is also included, which will probably be found more complete than any notice which has yet appeared of that distinguished mechanical engineer. The work is abundantly illustrated with portraits and specimens of different kinds of locomotives and scenes of great Railway enterprises, bridges, deep-cuts, etc. The volume is a most interesting resume of the origin and progress of the rail-readers who procured that book, to purchase this way system, exhibiting by what moral and material agencies its founders were enabled to carry their ideas into effect, and to work out results which even then were of a remarkable character, though they have since become so much more extraordinary. The successive editions of the book have been received with great favor, and the present edition has been prefaced with careful amendment and revision to make it of permanent interest. It is as readable as a romance. THE INVASION OF THE CRIMEA; Its Origin, and an 12mo. Pp. 632. $2. New York: Harper one to place beside it. Mr. Jones, familiar from per- THE EARTHLY PARADISE. A Poem. By William Mr. Morris all at once burst into full bloom as a poet by his Life and Death of Jason. The critics without exception bowed before his genius, and placed the crown upon his head. The present volume will bring new and costly gems to the crown already won. He is a genuine poet, gifted with qualities rare in themselves, and especially rare in these days. He writes evidently with great ease, and his poems exhibit that smoothness and liquidness which prove that they are not forced up from some unknown and uncertain depth, but flow naturally and exhaustlessly from a fountain that is full and unfailing. His language is pure, simple, idiomatic English; his style is full of freshness, full of life, vivid in landscape, vivid in human action. The Earthly Paradise is in his best style, consisting of a number of stories, chiefly of the olden time, linked together by the old conceit of a search for a Paradise on earth. Among these charmingly told stories are, Atalanta's Race, The Doom of King Acrisius, The Proud King, The Story of Cupid and Psyche, The Love of Alcestis, "The whole volume is worth reading at the cost of many leisure hours even to a busy man." etc. 12mo. WHAT ANSWER? By Anna E. Dickinson. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co. This, we believe, is the first attempt of Anna Dickinson to publish a story in book form. As a story it is not a success; indeed, judged in this character, it is a failure. The plot is nothing, or rather there is no plot; the characters are poorly conceived, and very incompletely drawn. There is no distinctness about either of them, nor does she awaken love or interest for them. The dialogue is meager, unnatural, forced. With all her genius, Miss Dickinson can not write a story. But the book is not to be judged as a romance, or novel. Mrs. Stowe well says of it that "to judge of it merely as a story is for us Americans, in this hour of our trial, as out of place as for King David to have criticised the literary merits of the little work of fiction addressed to him by Nathan the prophet in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." The book is an appeal, the outcry of an earnest, sensitive, and eloquent soul in behalf of an oppressed race. The merit of the book lies in the fervid earnestness and impassioned eloquence with which the appeals are made. These appeals for the oppressed race are as solemn, thrilling, and enthusiastic as if breaking from the depths of a heart that itself was feeling all the bitterness and the wrong. After these appeals the author presses upon the American people the question, WHAT ANSWER? What? We must wait and see. However philanthropists may differ in opinion, Miss Dickinson is decided in her convictions that there is but one proper solution of the problem, namely, the complete annihilation of all prejudice and caste on account of color, and the elevation of the colored race to an absolute, complete, and unquestioned equality with the white race in all legal, political, and social relations. PLAIN THOUGHTS ON THE ART OF LIVING; Designed for Young Men and Women. By Washing ton Gladden. 16mo. Pp. 236. $1.50. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co. Most of these essays were originally delivered as lectures to young men and women, and in their printed form are all the better for their colloquial style and didactic tone. With the exception of the chapter on Amusements, some points in which we would debate with the author, we can commend the volume to those to whom it is addressed as an excellent book, full of most valuable lessons and suggestions. It inculcates right moral principles, and lays down excellent rules for the government of conduct. The titles of the chapters are, The Messenger without a Message; Dress; Manners; Conversation; Habits; Health and Physical Culture; Mind Culture; Success; Stealing as a Fine Art; Companionship and Society; Amusement; Respectability and Self-Respect; Marriage; The Conclusion of the Whole Matter. A DEFENSE OF JESUS CHRIST. By Menard Saint- LITTLE WOMEN, or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. By R. W. Carroll & Co. This is a very readable juvenile book. It is beautifully printed and bound, and well illustrated. The story of four lively girls is vivaciously told. But it is not a Christian book. It is religion without spirituality, and salvation without Christ. It is not a good book for the Sunday school library. CHAPEL MELODIES. A Collection of Choice Hymns and Tunes, Designed for Prayer and Social Meetings, and Family Devotion. S. J. Vail and Rev. Robert Lowrey, Editors. Square 24mo. Pp. 1SS. New York: Biglow & Main, successors to Wm. B. Bradbury. The title indicates the nature and design of this little volume, and the names of its editors are sufficient guarantee of the excellence of the selections and compositions. MISCELLANEOUS. Sunday School Journal for Teachers and Young People. Edited by Rev. 7. H. Vincent. Two numbers of this Journal are now on our table. It appears in a neat magazine form, large octavo, sixteen pages in each number, issued monthly. It is a companion and instructor for all Sunday school teachers. It gives Sunday school information, suggestions, illustrations; answers questions; reports the proceedings of Sunday school institutes and conventions, and is, we think, an indispensable assistant to the conscientious Sabbath School Officer and Teacher. In the hands of its present able editor, who is a giant in Sunday school matters, we predict for it a great success, and know it will deserve it. Graves, M. A., Principal. Students, 489. This is one of the oldest and ablest of our Conference Seminaries, having a history of nearly half a century, and during all this time maintaining an intellectual and moral influence second to none of its grade in the United States. It is strongly manned at present, maintains a high standard of scholarship, and furnishes ample facilities for a thorough and practical education. Catalogue of the Pennington Seminary and Female Collegiate Institute, Pennington, New Jersey. Rev. Thomas Hanlon, M. A., Principal. Students, 263. We are glad to see the picture of this well-known institution, around which so many of our own mem the contemplated enlargement, so much needed, has been accomplished. The institution has long had and well deserves prosperity. Common-Sense Book on the New Treatment of Consumption, Asthma, Bronchitis, and all Diseases of the Nose, Throat, and Lungs by Medicated Inhalation. By N. B. Wolfe, M. D. Cincinnati: By the Author.-ories cluster, and rejoice to see by the picture that Dr. Wolfe makes a speciality of treating diseases of the respiratory organs by medicated inhalation. We can not exactly see what he means by calling it a new treatment, since he informs us that its origin does not even belong to modern times, but Hippocrates himself employed it in treating all diseases of the throat and lungs. The "newness," therefore, must apply to the methods and medicines used. The methods of application or inhalation are given, and they are simple and practicable; the medicines are not given, and therefore we can not judge of them. The author.claims great efficiency and success, and supports his claims by an abundance of testimonials. The book does not give us the necessary data to enable us to pronounce an opinion on the practice, and the reader must decide on the value of the treatment, from the general principles of inhalation as The Charter, Constitution, and Catalogue of The Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, New Jersey. Rev. John M'Clintock, D. D., President. We have not space here to speak of this institution as we would, and reserve our "speech" for the future. Christ and Him Crucified. A Sermon. By Rev. T. C. Gardner, A. M. An able discourse inaugurating the author's ministry at Ypsilanti, Michigan. MUSIC. The Lost Child. Song and Chorus. Words by Maria Straub, Music by S. W. Straub. Hail, Beautiful Banner! Song and Chorus. Words by Miss Maria Straub, Music by S. W. Straub. Both given by the author, and his faith in the experience pieces are published at Dowagiac, Michigan, by the and skill of the Doctor. Catalogue and Circular of the Oneida Conference Seminary, Cazenovia, New York. Rev. Albert S. author. Then and Now, A Heart's History. Words by Rev. Wm. Baxter, Music by A. D. Fillmore. Published by John Church, jr., Cincinnati. Good words and good music. MONTHLY RECORD. ROMANISM IN CHINA.-It has long been evident | theology. Numerous schools and orphanages are to careful observers in the East, that Roman Catholicism is putting forth every effort in her power to secure spiritual supremacy in China, and with no slight degree of at least nominal success. Important data bearing upon this subject, and said to be communicated by good authority, have recently been made public. The whole of the empire has been divided into twenty-four Catholic missions, governed by nineteen bishops and five prefects apostolic, of Italian, French, Spanish, and Belgian nationalities. Each bishop has under him not less than four European missionaries, and some of them have upward of twenty. Each mission is subdivided into districts, according to the number of European missionaries. The number of native Christians varied from 2,000 up to 10,000 in each mission. Twenty-four colleges are maintained, in which natives are taught Latin, philosophy, and also established. The most important college is kept by Germans and Italians, near Shanghai, and has 300 pupils, who are taught trades, painting, drawing, and Chinese literature, and some are sent to Pekin to take the degree. Several printing establishments are in operation, under the direction of missionaries, and works on mathematics and theology are published. Several parts of the Bible have been translated into Chinese and printed, but always with explanatory notes, and with a dictionary in Latin and Mandarin. The Sisters of Charity have eight establishments, situated at or near to various important centers. In Canton a cathedral is rapidly approaching completion, which, for architectural finish and magnificent proportions, will be unrivaled in the empire, and compare favorably with almost any similar structure in the West. Such facts command our attention. We have no |