fearful strength which even her outward union gives to apostate Rome. The writer earnestly declaims against the idea of resting satisfied with a mere alliance, where there should be complete amalgamation. In the fervour of his desire for this long-sought union, he has comparatively lost sight of the almost insuperable obstacles which now oppose it still it is only by fixing our eye stedfastly on the goal, that our efforts can be rightly directed; and, though we may expect this complete union only amidst the fusing fires of persecution, and at the coming of the Prince of Peace, it is not less our duty to be struggling onwards towards it. The statements with regard to the present working of our Missionary Societies are surely exaggerated.

PAUL GERHARDT; an Historical Tale of the Lutherans and Reformed in Brandenberg, under the Great Elector. By C. A. Wildenhahn. Translated from the German by Mrs. S. Carr.

A curious illustration of the difficulties standing in the way of our partial union, where inveterate prejudice has long reigned. As a tale it has this defect,-that while the reader's sympathies are meant to be enlisted on the side of the noble and conscientious Lutheran pastor, the question is perpetually recurring to the mind, how far he was justified in resisting the attempts at restoring the peace of the Church made by a pious sovereign. The little touches of German domestic life, whether in the palace or the dwelling of the citizen, are some of the most interesting parts of the book.

CHILDREN'S REWARD BOOKS.

Two very pleasing series have been brought before us, one published by Kennedy, St. Andrew Street, Edinburgh, and the other, the Juvenile Missionary Tracts of the Tract Society. It is well to open the rich vein of instruction, encouragement and warning for the young, offered by the missionary annals of the last forty years. We could suggest to those of our friends who may be engaged in Sunday-schools, how much more the reward-book is valued, if the tale has been previously read aloud by the Teacher in the class. A desire is then awakened to be able to tell it again at home. We perhaps expect too much from little children, if we give them an hour and half of close teaching before the long service of our Church. The Sunday-school should, as far as possible, as far as consistent with the progress of the children, be made a place of enjoyment.

THE QUESTION-Was St. Peter ever at Rome? historically considered. By Augustus Scheler.

Nisbet.

A SMALL work, of considerable research and learning, and of no small interest to inquiring minds. It is founded on the work of M. Ellendorf, a Roman Catholic professor at Berlin, but Dr. Scheler has enlarged its materials, and made it a very complete sketch of the whole discussion. Those who wish to see how slippery and uncertain is the supposed fact on which the building of Popery has been reared, will do well to read

this little volume. They will perhaps rise from it with deeper thankfulness, that their own faith rests on a surer foundation, instead of these shifting sands of human tradition, which only deceive those who build upon them. It is shewn, to demonstration, that Rome was never the see of St. Peter, and that even his martyrdom there is open to serious doubt. May the blessing of the God of truth attend this little work, and use it, as one of the smooth stones of the sling, to smite down the boastful Goliath of Papal error.

THE PROTESTANT.

"There is a tide in the affairs of men,

Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune."

THE quotation with which we head our paper has been so often repeated, that it would, ere now, have become trite, if some truths were not too true, too often translated into actual fact ever to become truisms. The words of worldly wisdom put by the poet into the mouth of the statesman, have also a deep significance to the Christian patriot: he too stands on the shore of the deep ocean of providence, and ever and anon an auspicious tide-wave rises, and invites him to greatness, that true glory his soul aspires after in the service of the King of kings. Such a tide is surely rising to bear the treasures of divine truth to sorrowing Ireland. Let us only beware, lest, engrossed with selfish interests and pleasures, we miss the auspicious moment. It is worth while to review the strange history of the last few years Ireland has been a battle-field, on which the eyes even of angels must have been fixed with no common interest. Two mighty powers have been aroused, and have rushed together in rude conflict. Error has wrapped her dark mantle closer around her, and, filling her quiver with envenomed curses, has hurled them with such reckless impetuosity, that they seem now to be recoiling on her own head. Truth too has buckled on her heavenly armour, and, providing herself above all with the sword of the Spirit, has once more gone on her way conquering and to conquer. At the time of

the Reformation, Ireland was cruelly wronged. England, rejoicing to hear in her own tongue the wondrous works of God, forgot to share the pentecostal blessing with her sister island. She forgot that the Irish tongue was dear to the native of the green isle, as the Saxon to her own peasant children. The most direct channel to the Irish heart was closed; England had introduced Romish slavery into the isle of saints, and England, set free herself, now neglected to use every means of breaking the fetters she had forged. Is it matter of wonder, that she has met with a just reward, and that foreign influence has rendered what should have been the bulwark of her empire, the brightest jewel of her crown, a perpetual source of perplexity and distraction to her statesmen? It was not to be expected that in the dreary period which followed the Restoration, when the Church of England, sunk in apathy and worldliness, herself scarce showed any signs of life, she should be a source of life to others; but the revival of the last century has been attended with renewed and heaven-blessed efforts for the deliverance of Ireland. The Irish tongue has been gladly used to reach the Irish heart; Scripturereaders have repeated the "story of peace" in many a lowly cabin, and schools spread their cheering influence over benighted districts. Enough, more than enough, has been done to arouse the fears and jealousy of Rome. Sleeping Protestantism and hereditary Romanism may dwell harmoniously side by side; but light may as soon dwell with darkness as living Protestantism be an unobnoxious neighbour to the Romish priesthood. They were aroused, they have done their utmost, and they have found, as all must find who contend with the Truth, their foe well armed and formidable.

This, then, has been the aspect of the battle-field;