enforces the claim. This sermon possesses all. the striking peculiarities of its popular author. THE OPEN DOOR. A Sermon preached at the anniversary meeting of the Missionary Society of St. Andrew's Church, Phila. By WM. BACON STEVENS, D. D. 1854. 66 Dr. Stevens' reputation, like that of Mr. Wadsworth, extends to other churches besides his own. In this evangelical discourse, the Rector of St. Andrews encourages his congregation to put forth their efforts for the spread of the gospel, in view of their numerous opportunities. 1. There is an open door" in the city of Philadelphia. 2. In the State, which constitutes the diocese. 3. In the domestic missionary field of the Church at large, in the United States. 4. Among the heathen nations of the earth. Dr. Stevens states that St Andrew's Church has two missionaries in the foreign field. The following is among the noble sentiments of his discourse. "We are to evangelize our country and the world by positive, active, unshrinking aggression-an aggression directed not against other Christian bodies, but against the opposing host of darkness. It is a matter of deep regret, that so much of the strength of the Church should be consumed in petty bickerings in our own household of faith, or wasted in inglorious contests with the sects around us. Nor shall we ever occupy our true position, or do our full duty, until our united energies are concentrated upon the simple point of preaching-not the Church as an ecclesiastical institution only; not the sacraments as the sole depositories of grace; not ritualism as the true exponent of devotion; not the ministry as mere dispensers of sacramental grace; but the pure Gospel of the Son of God. Thus only can we move steadily onward, and receive the divine blessing, and earthly success." A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. HOUSTON, D. D. Paisley, Scotland. Alexander Gardner. 1853. BY THOMAS Dr. Houston, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, is already well known in this country; and we trust that his work on Baptism is also to be republished here, and thus his usefulness and reputation be yet more extended. The design of the treatise is practical, and all controversy is avoided as far as possible. Of course, the true Scriptural doctrine is set forth, and sustained by ample proof; but polemic discussion is judiciously excluded. The course of Dr. Houston's plea for Christian Baptism will be best understood from a view of the contents of his book, as indicated by the heads of the chapters. I. The Sacraments of the Church; their nature, institution and ends. II. Institution of Baptism; its pre-figurations, and divine appointment. III. Special ends of Christian Baptism. IV. The doctrines exhibited in Baptism. V. Subjects of Baptism. VI. The mode and place of Baptism. VII. Preparation for Baptism by Christian parents; dispositions suitable to its administration. VIII. Engagements and duties connected with baptism. IX. Christian Education. X. Encouragements arising from baptismal consecration. XI. Abuses of Baptism, by superstition, formality, &c. XII. Special directions to persons concerned in the administration of baptism :--ministers and office-bearers, members of the congregation, Christian parents, and mothers. XIII. Salvation and death of Infants. It will be seen at once that Dr. Houston does not take the common course, and confine himself to the mode and subjects of baptism or to the more general explanations of its nature. He takes a practical and enlarged view of this important Christian ordinance in its important relations and duties. His views on Christian education are solemn, thorough and evangelical. It is to be feared that many Christians in this country entertain very superficial sentiments on this vital point. Dr. Houston occupies a position, marked by a wise moderation; and whilst he grants to the State the right of assisting the work of education, he maintains that the Church has inalienable rights which she is bound to exercise in reference to the training of her youth. The following extract gives, in our judgment, a just view of the relations of the Church and State to education. "The nature and design of Christian education, as combining morals with religion at every step-as enforcing every duty by Divine authority-as aiming to eradicate the natural enmity of the heart-and as ren dering every pursuit subservient to the promotion of God's glory, and the attainment of the soul's salvation, worldly Statesmen will not appreciate, and they may not therefore be expected to educate the people on proper grounds. Something they may do to civilize and refine human society, and to promote intellectual knowledge and advancement, and these things, as long as the masses of society remain in rebellion against Christ, and reject his authority and laws, are not only useful, but necessary for the restraint and benefit of communities. But while Civil States continue "kingdoms of this world," we are not warranted to expect from them any adequate provision for the Christian education of the young. Whatever the Civil Power may claim to do in the business of State-education, it must be apparent to any who have duly considered the positive and frequent commands of the Scriptures, and the extensive import of the Baptismal Covenant, that the Church is solemnly charged by her Divine Head with the education of her baptized members. This can never be safely left to civil rulers to supply by a state provision-nor to schoolmasters, over whom the Church has no control, nor even to parents themselves exclusively. The Church is the nursing mother of a holy seed, and their godly upbringing is a legitimate and first object of her care." We believe that these views of education are entertained by the great majority of all Christians, who have seriously examined the subject in the light of Scripture, and free from the prejudices of an exclusive national, secular, system. These views, however, are not unduly magnified in Dr. Houston's work; and no reader will think the less of his treatise on account of them. Dr. Houston's work ought to be forthwith republished in this country. Who shall have the credit of the republication? NOAH AND HIS TIMES; embracing the consideration of various inquiries relative to the ante-diluvian and early post-diluvian periods. By the Rev. J. MUNSON OLMSTEAD, &c. Boston. Gould & Lincoln. 1853. We intended to notice this excellent volume before. It displays much learning, and strong common sense; and its conclusions are generally in accordance both with science and the scriptures. Mr. Olmstead on disputed questions, gives a fair summary of the arguments on both sides. The subjects, treated of in this volume, require the sifting of a well-balanced mind, to disencumber them of the follies of some of our modern philosophers. When such a man as Presi dent Hitchcock maintains that the deluge was local and not universal, in the face of the scriptural statement, and with the evidences from nature in favour of the Biblical account, it is clear that modern geology must wait awhile before its mutable and wild vagaries stand the slightest chance of universal acceptance. With the Bible in our hands, we would rather undertake to prove Unitarianism or universal salvation than a limited deluge. Geology, with its present theories, we regard as a mere squatter on the field of science, with no title from the sovereign authority, and with scarcely a blanket to cover its almost savage nakedness. The extravagance of geological mutations demonstrates the reasonableness of incredulity in regard to its conclusions. A man, who is all the time changing the testimony of his case, and impeaching even his own witnesses, cannot expect a verdict in his favour. The most that geology can ask of any reasonable man is to suspend his judgment until its own conflicting statements are reduced to the form of settled principles. Mr. Olmstead's book embraces a great variety of interesting inquiries; and may be commended to general readers, who are fond of investi gations on the topics of Scripture. SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY. With copious Illustrations. Philada. Presbyterian Board of Publication. Every book that illustrates the Bible is a valuable contribution to the literature of the world. A man, who understands his Bible thoroughly, in the head and in the heart, is the highest style of man. The word of God is the centre of all knowledge. The Natural History of the Scriptures is well explained in this excellent Compend. The Illustrations are numerous, and add very much to the value of the volume. 66 Che Religious World. BURNING OF THE WESTERN SEMINARY.-In consequence of the omission of all religious intelligence in our last number, the insertion of the following notice of the calamity at Alleghany has been postponed till the present time. About six o'clock, on Monday evening January 23d, the Theological Seminary of Alleghany City, Pa., took fire and was soon consumed. The fire is thought to have originated from a defect in a flue of one of the chimneys, as it began in or near the roof. The students were at evening prayers at the time the alarm was given. All that were present hastened to their rooms to secure their books, clothing, and other effects. The evening was intensely cold, building dry, and wind blowing strongly, in consequence of which the flames communicated rapidly. The Seminary being located on a lofty eminence, and there being no possible way to obtain a sufficiency of water, the engines could not be brought into service. Twenty-seven of the students had rooms in the Seminary-twenty-four of whom saved most of their effects, each losing what was worth to him, on an average, from $10 to $50. The other three lost all. The main library, consisting of about 6,000 volumes, was mostly comsumed, perhaps 1500 or 2000 volumes were got out in a damaged condition. The "Halsey Library," (being a donation to the Seminary by Dr. Halsey, a former Professor in the institution,) amounting to 2000 volumes, was removed, though some damaged also. The small library of the Society of Inquiry, of 500 volumes, was mostly burnt. The Museum, containing many curiosities gathered from missionary fields, with various maps, was all lost. As the burning building, wrapped in fiery sheets of flames, was gazed at by hundreds from the Pittsburgh side, the appearance was truly terrific and sublime. The edifice stood high on an imposing eminence-its massive walls, bidding defiance to the destroying element, loomed aloft; while the flames, as from the mouth of a crater, spread far out their brilliant light. Doubly magnificent was the sight when viewed across the floating ice of the river, sparkling as if beset with diamonds; while as the flames now lifted themselves in the air and then fell back again, the rainbow's tints might have been seen, as if on the bosom of the stream. The learned looked upon its wasting form with thoughts of sadness, and all shared in the feelings of regret, as they beheld the finest library in the Western country exposed to the burning element. Here were gathered the results of many years' severe mental toil; here was collected the impresses of many a well cultivated mind; here were treasured the productions of mighty intellects in ages past and present of this land, and of lands beyond the waters; from them remain only the ashes of some thousands of volumes, (some of which can never be replaced,) many of whose pages glowed with "thoughts that breathe and words that burn." Naked walls now mark the spot where was schooled many a gospel orator and many a wakeful watchman to stand on Zion's walls. The citizens of the two cities, with true Christian hospitality, have kindly cared for the students that were rendered houseless, in receiving them into their families and ministering to their present necessities.-Presbyterian Banner. THE NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY.-Among the important overtures which will come before the next General Assembly from the lower Judicatories are the following. 1. The appointment of a Commission to decide Judicial cases under certain circumstances. 2. The Revision of our Psalmody, with a view to unite all Presbyterians in the use of purely scriptural Psalms and Hymns. 3. The management of the Theological Seminaries by the different Synods, to which they naturally belong, instead of by the General Assembly. CANDIDATES IN OUR SEMINARIES.-The number of Theological students in our Church for the present year is substantially thus: Although the number is a little better than last year, there is no decided and substantial increase. There still continues to be a lamentable lack of service on the part of our pious youth. Breuities and Miscellanies. ON PRAYER. 1. So far as we know, prayer forms a part of every system of religion on earth. 2. In proportion as a form of religion is unscriptural, it corrupts and perverts this duty. 3. Hypocrites never really love prayer, and therefore never, for a long time together, practice secret prayer. 4. He who declines prayer in the day of prosperity, will not find it easy in the day of adversity. 5. Prayer not offered in the name of Christ is unavailing. The reason is, that he alone is worthy. 6. No time, nor place, nor form, nor posture is displeasing to God; if the heart is wrong, all is wrong. 7. He who prays at stated times only, will make but poor progress heavenward. He who prays not at all at stated times, will soon omit all prayer. 8. The greatest benefit of public prayer is secured when it makes us love secret prayer more and more. 9. A family that never prays, covets misery and courts wrath. Better no bread than no prayer. 10. Those who would pray aright, must come to Christ and say, "Lord, teach us to pray." 11. A prayer that has no faith in it, is like a human body without a soul in it. It is dead and loathsome. 12. Elijah's prayer brought down fire from heaven, because, being fervent, it carried fire up to heaven.-Thomas Watson. GOD KNOWS IT ALL. IN the dim recess of thy spirit's chamber, Is there some hidden grief thou may'st not tell? And art thou tossed on billows of temptation, And dost thou sin, thy deed of shame concealing Art thou oppressed and poor, and heavy hearted, God knows it all! "Ir is a mistake to say that nothing but the dead languages are taught when a boy learns Latin and Greek. What he learns in addition to these what he learns even in the effort to learn languages, is the power of reasoning, exercised at the same time that the memory is disciplined; and so impossible is it to substitute a different system of education for that which the experience of many centuries has approved, that we have never known a self-educated man who did not exhibit, whatever the original powers of his mind, an incapacity for just reasoning. What he knows he over-estimates, and makes no allowance at all in |