In the matter of religion, as well as in that of politics, there is a great advantage to be derived from the comparison of notes, and the placing side by side of statistical tables. The religion, both of the New and of the Old World, is a subject intimately connected with its Academic Institutions; and in glancing at the mirror we shall now present, reflecting the image of the American Colleges, it is impossible not to see much that bears more or less, directly or indirectly, upon our British Theological Institutions. The following appeared in a very excellent periodical, the Puritan Recorder:

RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF COLLEGES.

The following facts relative to the religious condition of some of our Colleges in New England and elsewhere, are submitted to the Christian public, with the earnest hope that they may lead to more faithful and importunate prayer in behalf of our Literary Institutions. Colleges have been written to, from which we have received no information; and the desire to report as many as possible has caused a delay which we greatly regret, since it was our purpose that this account should be generally circulated before the College Fast.

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine.Number of Undergraduates, 170. "There are throughout College 52 pious Students, of which number about half will probably study for the ministry. One has in view the missionary work. During the past year there have been one or two cases of conversionno special interest. A moral lecture and prayer meeting alternate, on Saturday evenings. More attend the former than the latter."

Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. -"The number of Students is 80. Of these, 34 are professors of religion, and 25 have the gospel ministry in view. Three are looking forward to a missionary life. We looked forward to the last Annual Fast with hope and prayer; but when the interest of the season was gone, we were as cold and dull as ever." There has been but one conversion during the year.

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.-"The number actually attending this College is about 100; of these, but 24 are professors of religion. There has been no general religious interest during the past year, and but one hopeful conversion, though there have been several inquirers after truth. We have to mourn over a considerable coldness in ourselves. Yet the influence and general tone of the College is all in our favour, so that we are without excuse.' Of

those mentioned as professors, 12 have the ministry in view."

Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts. -Number of Students, 234: 156 are professing Christians; 101 are preparing for the ministry; and 24 expect to enter the foreign field. During the past year we have been blessed with no general revival of religion, though at times the Spirit has seemed to be hovering over us ready to bless. In this period there have been four conversions. The present time is one of peculiar interest. Though we have yet witnessed no conversions, the state of feeling among professing Christians gives cheering indications of God's presence, and affords encouragement to continued and fervent supplication. Some, it is believed, are inquiring the way of life.

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.-Number of Undergraduates, 340. There are 33 professing Christians, and 8 are preparing for the Gospel ministry. One intends to preach Christ among the heathen, and others are undecided.

The Society of Christian Brethren, against much opposition, in one form or another, holds its course steadily onward, and its meetings are sustained with interest. "As we review the past, we can plainly see, that even here God is present, ready to hear prayer, and to bless our weak efforts."

Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts.-Number of Students, 231. Of this number, 110 are professors of religion; 52 are in a course of preparation for the ministry; and 8 are at present looking forward to the missionary field; though others will probably go abroad who are as yet undecided. During the year there have been seven conversions. "At present a revival is in progress in the Congregational Church; in College several are asking what they must do. We certainly have encouragement to pray, if possible, more than usual."

Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. -Students, 252: 73 are professing Christians, of whom 45 are studying with the ministry in view. "It is not known that any intend to become missionaries. The conversions during the past year have been very few, say two or three; but the influence which this fact seems to exert upon professing Christians, it is hoped will soon lead to a revival of religion among us. During the term just ended, the Holy Spirit has visited us. Two persons have indulged a hope, one of them a confirmed infidel."

Yale ollege, New Haven, Connecticut.Undergraduates, 450. Of these, 152 are professing Christians. "In regard to the number who will probably enter the ministry, or missionary work, it is quite impossible for us to state with any degree of accuracy." Eleven have been hopefully converted to Christ. "While there has been no special religious interest among us in the past year, we have at the present time cheering indications

of God's readiness to bless us with the presence of his Spirit, in the seriousness which apparently pervades our College community."

66

Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut.— According to the last catalogue-Students, 97; professing religious principles, 45; will probably become clergymen, about 25, some of whom will be missionaries. There are no services exclusively for Students, except, of course, morning and evening prayer-where a general devoutness is encouragingly exhibited-and the missionary meeting once in two weeks."

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.-Whole number of Students, 123: 92 are hopefully pious, and 41 have the ministry in view. "Religious feeling good, but no revival." There has been but one conversion during the year.

Genessee College, Lima, New York. This College has 49 Students: "33 are professing Christians; 8 are preparing for the ministry, and 3 for the missionary field. The Institution was blessed with a revival in the spring, and has been, during the past year, in a healthy religious state."

Madison University, Hamilton, New York. -Undergraduates, 143. In all the departments of the Institution there are 147 Students in course of preparation for the ministry. Further than this we have received no information.

Union College, Schenectady, New York.Number of Students, 227: 74 are hopefully pious, and 46 have the ministry in view: 15 are yet undecided as to their profession. "Number preparing for the missionary field, none that we can ascertain. No conversions during the past year. The general religious interest in College seems deeper than it was a year ago. A seriousness seems to pervade the minds of Students."

Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio.-Number of Undergraduates, 62: 32 are professors of religion, and 10 are preparing for the ministry. In this College there was a revival last winter, and 15 were hopefully converted; but no special indications of good are at present apparent.

A wise and an unerring Providence has connected misery with crime. No man can extensively injure his fellow-creatures, without participating in the cup which his own cruel hand has mingled. This is strongly exemplified by American Slavery. The Synod of Kentucky, in an address to their churches, prepared by a committee of ten clergymen and laymen, after describing the system of slavery as it existed among themselves, prove at great length the following positions:

1. Its most striking effect is to deprave and degrade its subjects, by removing from them the strongest natural checks to human corruption.

2. It dooms thousands of human beings to hopeless ignorance.

3. It deprives its subjects, in a great measure, of the privileges of the Gospel.

4. This system licenses and produces great cruelty.

5. It produces general licentiousness among the slaves.

6. This system demoralizes the whites as well as the blacks.

7. This system draws down upon us the vengeance of heaven.

These points they illustrate and prove by an overwhelming array of notorious facts, and of testimony from slaveholders.

gow.

WE are right glad to hail Mr. Collins in this new walk of publication. Something of the same kind has long been felt to be an exceeding great desideratum to the Church of Christ. We have here the entire Scriptures in a very -manageable volume, suited alike to the purposes of private study and family

William Collins, London and Glas

use. Ministers, Missionaries, and Sabbath-school teachers, will find it a work above all price. It is superior to everything of the kind that has yet appeared. The plan and the typography, including paper, getting-up, maps, and binding, everything is all but incomparably excellent. It ap

pears, in fact, to us that it presents an aggregate of perfection which can hardly be augmented. We have ourselves, in common, we presume, with multitudes, long and earnestly desired some such publication; but we have long despaired of ever seeing it accomplished. At length, however, it is done, gloriously done; done, too, by individual enterprise-not by the Universities-not by those who have so long, so unjustly, and, for the public, so mischievously, held a monopoly of printing the Sacred Scriptures. Messrs. Collins and Co. have earned for themselves in this matter, not only a claim to universal gratitude, but to lasting praise.

If we speak strongly, it is because we feel very strongly; and most confident we are that the feelings we express are those which will universally prevail respecting this matchless edition of the Word of God. So pleased, so grateful are we to the enterprising publishers, that we shall cite in full their Preface, which clearly and fully explains their project:

The growing favour with which Reference Editions of the Bible have of late years been received is the best proof that their value is becoming more and more appreciated by the Christian public. The importance of parallel and illustrative passages in elucidating the meaning of Scripture is now so generally admitted, that little requires to be said in commendation of any attempt that is made for increasing their utility. "It were to be wished," says Bishop Horsley, "that no Bibles were printed without References ;" and every devout reader of Scripture, who has experienced the benefit of thus making the Bible its own interpreter, will concur in the following observations of the same learned divine: "He who would read the Holy Scriptures with advantage and improvement, should compare every text which may seem either important for the doctrine it may contain, or remarkable for the turn of the expression, with the parallel passages in other parts of Holy Writ. Particular diligence should be used in comparing the parallel texts of the Old and New Testaments. When you read the Old Testament, you should turn to the parallel passage of the New, that you may see in what manner, in what sense, and to what purpose, the words of the more ancient are alleged by the later writer, who, in many instances, may be supposed to have received clearer light upon the same subject. On the other hand, when in the New Testament you meet with citations from the Old, always consult the original writer, that you may have the satisfaction of judging for yourselves how far the passage alleged makes for the argument which it is brought to support. It is incredible to any one who has not, in some degree, made the experi

ment, what a proficiency may be made in that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation, by studying the Scriptures in this manner, without any other commentary or exposition than what the different parts of the Sacred Volume mutually furnish for each other."

While such are, on all hands, admitted to be the benefits resulting from the use of Scripture references, it cannot be denied that, with some of the Bibles hitherto published, their utility is very much impaired by the time and labour required for turning to numerous passages. The consequence, it is to be feared, is, that by many who possess them, marginal references are very much neglected; or that, when faithfully used, the attention becomes wearied, and the mind confused, in the effort to collect the scattered rays of light which they shed on the passage under consideration.

With a view to remedy this defect, the present Edition has been prepared. Its peculiar object is to set before the reader, at a glance, the very words of those passages which are best fitted to illustrate the text, or to throw a satisfactory light upon its meaning. By this means the time of the Biblical student is saved, and he is better enabled to concentrate his attention on the passage to which his meditations are directed.

To preserve the volume within such limits as would enable it to be used with convenience and comfort in the closet, the family, and the pew, and at the same time to let the typography be sufficiently distinct to make the work available by aged disciples, it was necessary to limit the number of passages quoted. But this, so far from proving a defect, will, it is hoped, be rather found an advantage; for, apart from the peculiar advantages already noticed, the deficiency in point of number is compensated for by a more special selection, and by great care having been taken to give prominence to those passages in which the Old and New Testaments respectively reflect light upon

each other.

With these brief introductory remarks, the Self-Explanatory Bible is now offered to the public, in the confident belief that, with the blessing of God, it will prove a valuable help to the better understanding of his holy Word; and that many, who, like the Bereans of old, search the Scriptures daily, will gladly avail themselves of the increased facility which it affords for "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," and so of extending their acquaintance with the Sacred Volume, and observing the harmony which prevails among its various parts.

But the conscientious reader, tremblingly alive to the purity of the text of the Inspired Volume, may be led to put the question, "Can we rely on the typographical accuracy of the work?" Rely! yes, to be sure, as much—nay, far more-as in the case of the University printers. Our readers are to understand that, on the abolition of the Patent in Scotland, a Government

Board was established, to whose eye all editions of the Sacred Scriptures had to be submitted. Every work which passes this serious ordeal receives a licence to that effect. The following has been granted to Messrs. Collins and Co.:

LICENCE.

In terms of Her Majesty's Letters Patent to her printers for Scotland, and of the instructions issued by Her Majesty in Council, dated 11th July and 28th December, 1839, I hereby license and authorize Messrs. William Collins and Co., printers in Glasgow, to print, within the premises situated No. 111, North Montrose-street, Glasgow, and to publish, as by the authority of Her Majesty, but so far as regards the text only, an edition of the Holy Bible, in minion type, with marginal references, readings, and contents of chapters, octavo size, to consist of 3,000 copies, as proposed in their declaration, dated 26th January, 1852; the terms and conditions of the said instructions being always and in all points fully complied with and observed by the said William Collins and Co.

ADAM ANDERSON.

Such is the book, which we most cordially and earnestly commend as, above all others, a book for the Christian minister and the student of the inspired page.

Letters of John Calvin. Compiled from the Original Manuscript; and Edited, with Historical Notes, by Dr. JULES BONNET. Vol. I. Translated from the Latin and French Languages by DAVID CONStable. Edinburgh: Constable and Co. London: Hamilton and Co.

THE sight of this work will rejoice the hearts of thousands upon thousands, to whom the name of Calvin is unspeakably dear. Great in his general history, great in his Institutes, great in his Expositions, he is not less great in his Correspondence. Like Pope, Gray, Montague, Cowper, and others amongst men of letters,-Newton, and a few others, in the world of religion, he had a special talent for that mode of communication; and he appears to have been conscious of the gift committed to him, and to have delighted in its exercise. On his death-bed, casting his eye over the past, and looking at the eventful future, he communicated to his friends his solicitude on the subject of his Correspondence, expressly requiring them to present a selection from it to the Reformed

Churches as a legacy of love. This, on a small scale, was done; but difficulties speedily arose; and it was not until recently that all the necessary arrangements were made to accomplish this great object. Now-thanks to the present projectors, and amongst them are Mr. Douglas, of Cavers; Mr. Henderson, of Park; Mr. Lennox, of New York-we are in the way of receiving a complete edition-an edition completer far than Calvin himself ever contemplated. The present undertaking will comprise four volumes, similar in size to the present, containing not less than 600 letters, the bulk of them now published for the first time.

The value of the volume is, in all respects, great, even in the light of history. By means of these noble Letters great things were achieved. They are worthy of the author of the Preface of the "Christian Institutes "a treatise in itself-a burst of pathetic eloquence on behalf of the then oppressed portion of the best of mankind on the continent of Europe. But however valuable as regards the past, the work possesses especial interest as regards the present. On this point we cite from the admirable preface the following paragraph:

The seasonableness of such a publication cannot be denied. The great debate ever pending between the Papacy and the Reformation is renewed in our days with fresh vigour in almost all the countries of Europe. Attack provokes defence; and in the strife of opinion, the rights of justice and of truth are too frequently disregarded. While some rare spirits, enlightened by the study of history, or the attentive observation of the effect of the dogmas of either religion on the moral conduct of its votaries, rise superior to the mists of prejudice, and form a judgment which is moulding that of posterity, the adepts of a school unhappily celebrated as the admirers of excesses which the sincere disciples of Christianity or of philosophy have alike reproved, have nought but malediction and insult for the glorious Revolution stamped by the names of Luther and of Calvin. Never, perhaps, were detraction and outrage let loose with such fury against these great deliverers of conscience; never have their intentions been so audaciously misrepresented, their actions so grossly cari. catured. To the falsehoods of a party that shrinks not from slander, let us oppose the impartial evidence of history; let us learn from these great men themselves what they desired, what they did, what they suffered; and let us seek from them alone the secret of the Revolution which they achieved.

There is much sound sentiment in this paragraph. These letters make

Calvin live again, and show him as he was, erect in his full manhood, with his austere and inflexible convictions, with that stern self-sacrifice of life to duty which alone explains its power and excuses its errors-with the feelings which were the heritage of his times, and thus not peculiar to himself. The better he is known the more he will be loved. With the courage of a prophet, he blended the love of an apostle. His patriotism and his philanthropy were alike genuine, perfect, and all comprehending.

Great care has been taken to obtain an exact translation; and for this purpose the work was committed to the hands of a highly competent scholar, Mr. David Constable, while his translations have been revised by Dr. Cunningham, of the New College, Edinburgh. The result is a work worthy of the great man whose name it bears, and of the distinguished individuals under whose auspices it is appearing. Our space compels us to satisfy ourselves with this general statement; while we could greatly wish it had been competent for us to cite large portions of the 143 letters here presented.

The Poetical Works of Beattie, Blair, and Falconer, with Lives, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory Notes. By the Rev. GEORGE GILFILLAN. Nichol, Edinburgh; Nisbet and Co., London.

In the days of our fathers, Dr. Beattie, of Aberdeen, occupied a conspicuous place in the hemisphere of letters. His far-famed "Inquiry into the Human Mind, on the Principles of Common Sense," brought him into speedy and lasting notice, securing him the favour and friendship of Johnson, Burke, Reynolds, and last, but greatest of all, King George III., who settled upon the poor poet-professor a pension of very considerable amount. Beattie was undoubtedly a man of superior poetical genius; and had he cultivated his powers, and drawn forth from the fountain which was within him to the extent that some of his successors have done, he might have left a name among the poets of Scotland, perhaps not even second to Scott himself. But while eminent in poetry, he wrote with great popular effect in prose.

The

estimate which has been formed of Beattie has sometimes been far from the truth. In those days, as well as to a large extent still, the arbitrators of fame are the ungodly,-men of talents, culture, and learning, but men the enemies of Inspiration, and who always, more or less, look with jaundiced eye on the advocates of a professor of Christianity. Had Beattie been on the other side, David Hume would not have pronounced his work, "Philosophy for the Ladies." In point of massive intellect, subtle logic, and delusive sophistry, he would not have been the equal of Hume, but he would have surpassed Voltaire, Volney, and Rousseau. These writers, notwithstanding their celebrity in point of composition, were not at all his equals. But we are concerned with his poetry; and here, like our own Gray, and indeed, Goldsmith also, he only showed the great things of which he was capable, and having done so, threw aside his shell and harp for ever. The "Minstrel; or, the Progress of Genius," is the work on which his reputation continues, and will continue to rest. The minor pieces possess beauty; but there is little in them which might not have been produced by much inferior men.

Blair, in an early period of the present century, was famous amongst devout people, and his fame was well founded. Blair was in verse what James Hervey was in prose; they were indeed both poets of a high order. Mr. Gilfillan has formed a just, by forming an exalted, estimate of his claims. The heart of these nations has long since settled the question, and it were vain for perverse criticism to endeavour to reverse their decision. While men live they will die; and while death remains, this poem will retain its power over human kind.

Falconer, some generation or two back, was a great favourite, especially with boys; and he requires nothing but a resuscitation to become a great favourite again. Never poet has, with the same success, sung of ocean. "The Shipwreck," in three cantos, is a poem of great power. There are few men now living, who remember reading it in their boyhood, who do not still entertain some portion of the thrilling sensation which it produced in their minds, when it placed them on the shore or on the deck, amid the heavings of ocean, the horrors of darkness,