..LAJt ~Z llbfliE.
A GLORIOUS RECORD.
THE PRESBYTERY OF HARRISBURG.
The Presbytery of Harrisburg has
just held its stated meeting in the City
of Harrisburg, and we think it will long
le remembered as the most interesting
and- joyful of all the meetings its mem- .
len have ever attended. All its churches
were represented, and, with only two ex
ceptions, reported a decided increase of
members and of spiritual life. wherever
there has been a more than ordinary rise
of means for the conversion of men, God
has shown himself ready to bless them.
Ministers have been encouraged to
greater activity and confidence in efforts
to save souls, and many private Chris
tians have learned that it is their highest
privilege to,co•operate with them. The
-sore trials through which our people have
passed during the last four years, have
shown them the value of their privileges;
deepened the seriousness of their views;
and shown them the especial importance
of religion to every human relation. It
is not surprising, therefore, that they
have been followed by an unusual mani
festation of religions interest. In one, at
least, of our churches, we have reported
an outpouring of Divine influence which
is unprecedented in our history as a
Presbytery.
This is the Church of Williamsport.
For a number of years, its pastor has
mourned over the low state of religion
among the people of his charge. In the
midst of heivy expenses while building
a new house of worship, with no place for
pablic ordinances but a court house,. and
a peculiarly fluctuating state of society
.around them, Christians hardly hoped
for any increase of external or spiritual
strength. But soon after the week of
prayer, at the commencement of the pre
, sent year, some symptoms of special re
. ligious interest began to appear in the
prayers and conversation of one of the
elders, who in decided terms announced
his confidence that God was about to re
vive his work among them. Meetings
were commenced in connection with
brethren of the First • Church (0. S.)
and some tokens of converting grace
were received. Assistance was sent for,
and the Rev. E. P. Hammond was obtain
ed, when a number of meetings were held
every day for several weeks in succes
sion. Even the large hall of the Court
House was soon found inadequate to ac
•commodate the multitudes who assem
bled to hear the Gospel. Other places
were appointed for meetings, and every
denomination of Christians began to
share largely in the gracious influences
which descended upon the people. Pro
fessors of religion who had long forsaken
• their public duties, not only resumed
these with the most humble confessions,
bat entered upon a much more intense
religious activity. The whole body of
church members was actuated by a re
markable zeal and freedom in urging
their fellow-men to Christ. One hen
-tired and twenty-five ,have been received
- Ado the communion of the Church, and
&considerable number remain for admis
/EWA at some future time. More than
thirty beads of families have set up their
domestic altars, and the kindred of three
and 'four generations presented them
selves side by side in the public profes
. sion of their faith. A large number of
• -children, (among whom, some in their
• earliest years gave the most decisive and
'best evidence of intelligent piety), em
bracing some entire classes in the Sab
bath-school, have set out to give their
whale lives to their Saviour. Twenty
persons also were receiveoO the Church
by letter, some of whom, had long With
held from their acquaintances all 'claim
to the name of Christian. The new
house of worship, which is expected to
cost not less than $45,000, will probably
be completed and dedicated to God,
without the incumbrance of a debt, in
the course of the next four months.
a Three meetings durin the week, under
Al/ the inconvezribucvMhaving no pub
coom, • a. Sittathiplidol of three hun
i‘Sd pupils, inCludifioWo large Bible
classes, and a temperance • organization
of four hundred and eighty young per
sons are maintained with an unflagging
/interest. A ,large amount has been
raised for building, for an augmentation
- of the minister's salary and for hiEilisaist
ance in his recent labors, for freedmen,
for a literary institution, and for the or
dinaiy objects of benevolence, (in all
-"about $29,812).
In the Church of Carlisle, also, not
less than fifty profess that they have de-
voted themselves to Christ's service dor
ing the last two monts. Most of these
were persons long convinced of their
- duties to a Saviour, but in need. of some
more urgent influences to bring them to
-an open decision. In connection with
some special religions meetings before
and after the usual communion in March,
it became manifest that God was in the
-midst of his people. Twenty-five were
-.then admitted to the Lord's table, and
'about as many more are expected to
come forward hereafter. The Sabbath
schpol. has shared largely in these influ
ences, and one branch of it, including'
about one hundred and fifty colored chil
dren, exhibits a remarkable degree of
activity and interest.
In the First Church of Harrisburg,
no special services have been . held be
yond one weekly meeting for religions
conversation, and another for prayer;
.bat
,it is believed that not
brought
than
thirty haye recently been brought to
Christ, and . a more than usual degree 9f
sniferest is manifesting itself among the
impenitent Only a few among those
who profess religion, it is feared, have
shared in this interest. Confident hopes,
however, are indulged foq the future.
A number of .young men have recently
commenced meetings by themselves, and
appear determined to engage
' more
heartily in religious work. The Sab
bath-school, which has for many years
been remarkable for its interest and
benevolent contributions, has reason to
rejoice in the conversion of 'fifteen of its
pupils, and has contributed during the
past year not less than $660. The
senior pastor reports that, owing to in
creasing infirmities, he has lately been
compelled to resign the active duties of
the pastorate into the hands of his col
league, although, with the Unanimous
consent of the church.and congregation,
he retains, with especial endearment to
both parties, the same connection with
them which has now existed for forty
eight years. The benevolent contribu
tions of this church have been very per
ceptibly increasing for a number of
years.
The Church of York, while lamenting
the limited field within which its action
is circumscribed, has within a brief
period nearly doubled the number of
its members and much increased its
strength.. An especial religious interest
became manifest during the week, of
prayer. A thorough visitation 'of all
the families connected with the congre
gation, by the members of the Session,
was soon after commenced, and was
soon found to be eminently profitable to
all parties concerned, and especially de
lightful to those who conducted it:
Femaleprayer-meetings, before unusual.
and uninteresting, became delightful and
useful. Meetings for religious inquiry
and for prayer were the only means used
beyond the ordinary means of grace.,
The usual exercises .of the Sabbath
school were in two or three instances
suspended, that the time might be spent .
in prayer and personal conversation,
The school in this place has long,been ,
the main reliance and interest of the
Church. It has been limited in numbers
only by the capacity of its place of
meeting, on which a new and beautiful
building is about to be erected. . Its
teachers are all professedly pions, and
thoroughly devoted to their work, 'and
eighteen of its pupils have recently given
evidence of conversion. A. Juvenile:
Temperance Society has been formed in
it, and one hundred and sixty (nearly
the whole school) have enrolled their
names as members. Its contributions
to missionary and benevolent objects
during the year amount to '5575. The
general contributions of the congrega
tion exceed those of any prelim's year,
and the number added to the communion
during the-past year is forty-two-by pro
fession and eight by letter.
The, Church in Dauphin reports that'
twenty-five, principally young persons
in connection with its families, have
professed conversion. This is a great
blessing to a congregation whose whole
membership numbers only fifty. But in
addition to this, a great increase of
etpiritual strength has been gained in the
activity and zeal of the members .hem
selves, who heartily co-operated with
their pastor in public meetings and pri
vate efforts. Daily religious meetings ,
were recently held by the pastor, with
some assistance, of a brother in Presby
tery, during three successive weeks, and'
although outward circumstances were
unfavorable, the attendance and interest
were most gratifying. Very few of the
youth over fourteen years of age remain
connectedwith the congregation without
being professedly on the Lord's side.
The pastor of the united congrega
tions of Rublersburg and Spring Mills
reports that be is laboring in the midst'
of a population whose, affinities are
almost entirely with other denominations,
and that only a few people 'are accessi
ble to his influence. The fruits of a
former revival' are still manifest in the
former church, and in the latter ,(Spring
Mills) he has been permitted to witness
a delightftfi r work of grace. Only eight
families are connected with that church,
and they include but eleven persons
who are not communicants. '0:)f these,
seven have been apparently converted..
The work commenced with the efforts
of a young man who had just returned
from the' army,,and who, 'at the last com
munion, riot only came forward himself
to profess his faith, brit with great zeal
exhorted others' to turn to God and not
delay -repentance . as he bad done.
Though be'ltaseoon after called away
by death, .his adixintaines were blessed
to the salvation of many witena he had so
faithfully warned. Nine persons have
recently been added to the commuion of
this church on a profession of their faith.
The two other churches- connected
with' Presbytery report no important
additions to their numbers, but 'express
an ardent hope that their zeal will be
quickened by what they hear of the
Lord's doing in neighboring churches,
and they inform us that they also have
many things fanrable in the external
condition of their people. " The Lord
bath done great things for us, whereof
we are glad," and to Him we render
devout and hearty thanks.
Near the close of our meeting our
hearts were touched and delighted with
the entrance c'ta, delegation to our Pres
bytery from the Presbytery of Carlisle
(0. S.) After a speech of great delicacy
and pathos from the Chairman of the
delegation, the following paper was read
as the unanimous and very hearty ex
pression of the feelings of all present at
the meeting of that body, then
_in ses
sion at Newville, In view of
the growing spirit - of Christian union
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1866
among Christian believers and Christian
Churches, which is manifesting itself in
such a striking manner at the present
time ; and as a Presbytery desiring to
place itself in harmony with this special
providence,
.Resolved, 1. That we tender our
fraternal regards to the• Presbytery of
Harrisburg of the N. S. Church, and the
Presbytery of Big Spring of the United
Presbyterian Church, and express our
desire to have fellowship with their
members in the bonds of the Gospel of
'Christ.
Resolved, 2. That the Rev. Dr.
Creigh, Rev. S. S. Mitchell, and Elder
H. M. Graydon, be appointed delegates
to the Presbytery of Harrisburg, and
Rev. W. C. Cochran, and Elder J. A.
Crawford, be appointed delegates to the
Presbytery of Big Spring, in order to
carry out the above resolution."
This was followed by a cordial re
sponse from the Moderator of the Pres
tery, Rev. Wm. R. Dewitt, D.R., and
from others, and the appointment of a
committee, cal sisting of Rev. Dr. Dewitt,
Rev. C. P. Wing, and Elder James W.
Weir, to return a suitable reply and be
a delegation from this Presbytery to the
Presbytery of Carlisle at its next meet
ing.
Rev. Thomas H. Robinson and Elder
Peter Wilson of the Church of Spring'
Mills were chosen to be Commissioners
to the next General Assembly, and Rev.
Henry E. Niles, and Elder Louis G.
Huling of the Church of Williamsport,
were chosen their alternates.
LETTER FROM KOLAPOOR.
Koutroon, INDIA, Feb. 26, 1866.
Mr DEAR BROTHER 111tEARS will
be a kindness to our dear mission, and a
gratification to our subscribers, if you
will acknowledge the enclosed receipts
for the Bolarioor Mission in the AMERI
CAN PitasnrrEntAx. Please note - the
stars accurately, as they answer all in
qUiries of friends as to who if our sub
scribers have redeemed their pledges.
I wish we could have put in a few more
of these stars, though in truth they are
thick enough to be tlAnkful for—are they
not ? Yon will notice some Owes, like
Plattsburg, New York City,' cte., have
no star, though all the names mentioned
under them have a star.. Don't think
this a mistake. There are other friends
in each of these starless towns and cities
whq are still- in arrears. Nobly have
most of our friends redeemed their
pledgeth, and As nearly three months of
the five years remained' at the date of
Dr. Campbell's last; acknowledgmentk.
we are inclined to flatter ourselves that '
every subscription will
of
be'paid.
"But what now ?" some of our friends
ask. !clui your subscrifitioni - have ei:
pired. How is your mission to be sus
tained in future?"
Please tell all such, ve don't know.
We only know we have an immense,
needy, interesting field here, with mil
lions of souls needing the Gospel,.and,
God helping us, we intend to work and
hope 'on. Friends who are tired of
holding on to the rope mast let go, and
if we sink, we sink in a good cause. If
the 'Lord inclines them to hold on, we
shall thank God:on their behalf.
Dear old Philadelphia has sent us
more in 1865 than ever before, and thus
enabled us to keep up all departments of
our work, and thus close the year out of
debt. The Lord reward all the dear
friends who have helped us so gener
ously. If any of the friends whose
pledges have not yet been redeemed, de
sire to know how they can send theif
subscriptions, please tell them that Itev.
Dr. Campbell still performs all the Work
of writing, keeping accounts, and trans
mitting funds to us, as a lobor of lave,
not charging a . farthing for it,—richly
deserving both 'their thanks and ours.
I am just home from a long preach
ing tour. Was enabled to visit and
preach in some 150 villages. Would
gladly give-you some facts gathered in
this work, but station duties are too
pressing now. In the love , and service
of the Gospel, Yours sincerely,
Receipts for the Kolapoor Mission by Rev. A.
E. Campbdl, D.D., from Nov. Ist, 1864,
to Oct. 12th, 1865.
Philadelphia, Pa.—
*Mrs. D. Malin, $lO 00
Mrs. Wetherill, 30'00
- Missionary Sobiety of Ist Indep't
Pres. Church, 100 00
*Sab.-School of Buttonwood Pres.
church, 50 00
Sab.-School of Tabor Pres. ch., 50 00
*Sab.-School Western " 100 00
" Clinton St., " 50 00
Ladies' Heathen Youths' Society
biMrs. H., 130 00
*Geo. W. Mears, Esq., 100 00
*Hopkinton, N Y, : ..
.37 00
*Gouveurneur, N. Y, 46 00
*Potsdam, N. Y, 5 00
Oh:amp/am, N Y.—Geo. V. Hoyle, 20 00
*Malone and vicinity, N. Y, 298 82
*Syracuse, N. Y.—By*Mrs. Malthie, ' 75 00
Greenbush, N. Y.—*.V. P. Doliw, 30 00
* Utica, N. Y—By *Miss Julia
Sampson, 29 00
*Glens Palls, N. Y.—By *Rev. Mr.
Fennel, 25 00
*Schenectady, N. Y.—By *Rev. Dr.
Backus, 65 00
.Plattsburg, N. Y.—*Rev. J. R.
Young, 5 00
*Beekntantown, N. Y
By *W. HfChatterton, Esq., . 45,
- *Mrs. H: S. Chatterton, 10 55' 00
*Albion,. N. Y.—*Chas. C. Paine, 10 00
New York City— -
.*Mrs. E. W. Chester,s
*Mrs. T. D. Sherwood, 5 ,
*Miss McWhorter, 15
- *Mrs. A. 0. Brown, (154-4). 150 175 00
Co/wittbus, o.—" Rev. L. Kelsey, . 10.00
*Newark, o.—*M. Newkirk, Esq:,
for Sabbath-school, 63 88
* West Rutland, Vt.—By*Dea. Wait. N
Chatterton, 100 00
*Brandon, Vt.—By *Dea. E. B.
Seidel), 202 00
Castleton,Vt.—By *Chas. H. Slasoq, 75 00
Brattleboro, Vt.—*R. Burditt, Esq. 18 00
*Monroe, Mich.—By *Rev. E. J.
Boyd, 40 00
* Craneville, N. J.—By *Rev. Hollis
Read, . 20 00
Newairk, N. J.— ...
*Dr. J. Ward, 25 00
*W. A. Myers, • 40 00
High Street Church, 80 39 145 39
*Englewood, N. J:—*David Hoadly,
ke. , by Rev. Dwight, 63 00
*lotba City.—*Rev. B. Talbot, 5 00
Springfield, Mass.—By *Rev. Mr. •
Parsons, 20 00
*Washington, D. C.--*ReV. W. B.
Evans, - 50 00
* Subscriptions all Raid. .
Or, MOW A SON OF A GODLY MINISTER
WAS RECLAIMED FROM ITNIVERSAL-
I have recently learned, from his sister,
the following' interesting facts with re
gard to. the conversion of Dr. Butler, a
brother of Rev. Mr. Baler, of Auburn,
Maine.
Dr. Butler was the son of a devoted
minister of Christ, and the child of
many prayers, had finished his collegiate
education, and was ready to study some
profession. Having imbibed the errors
of Universalism while away from his
home, he had returned with the deter
mination of studying for the ministry in
that Church.
To carry out his intention, he went to
Boston, to' study with Dr. , at
that time standing first in that denomi
-natioti. Dr. received him gladly,
rejoicing in an opportunity not often af
forded him, of training the son of an
evangelical minister to preach the soul
destioying doctrine of Universal. Salva
tion.
Notwithstanding the remonstrances of
his pious and much-loved parents, he
left his happy • home, where so many
prayers had been offered for him, intend
ing never to return. Months passed
away, and no tidings came from the ab
sent one. But the prayers of father,
mother, and sisters followed him. He
became a member of Dr. 's family,
and yet he never heard a prayer, for no
prayer was offered in that home. No
family altar was there. Universalist
ministers were constant guests at Dr.
's table, but no blessing was ever
invoked as they gathered •around. that
board. The great and striking contrast
in that house to the home he had left,
and the spirit in the hearts of the
men he - met there, were the first things
that led him to consider whither he was
going and what he wasloing.
He commeneed reading his Bible with
a desire to know the truth ; and the
more he read and studied., it, the more
he saw his error. He saw what he had
never seen before, the wickedness of his
own heart, that he was on the way to
eternal death, and there, in that house,
he repented of his sins, gave himself to
Christ, and resolved to go back to his
father's house, and tell them what great
things God had done for him.
One bright morning in summer, as his
mother was quietly sitting at her work,
and the little ones were playing around
her, that lost 'son opened the door, and
walking up to his mother, threw his
arms around her neck, saying, " This
your son was dead,, but is alive Again ;
was Oa, but is found." The joy was
too great for utterance, and could only
be expressed by sobs and tears. You
can-imagine the happiness in that house
hold, and I need not fill , np the picture.
He studied medicine, was a successful
physician, and for more than twenty
years was an, active, influential Chris
tian, and died in the triumph of faith,
leaving tour sons, who have become
Christians in early life, and united- with
the Church.
PEORIA, ILL., March 20, 1866.
IL G. Wir
LANGE—SOHAFE A Commentary on the
Holy Scriptures : Critical, Doctrinal, and
Homiletical, with Special Reference to
Ministers and Students. By Rev. Peter
Lange, D.D. Translated from the a-er
man, with additions, by Phillip Schaff, D.
D., in connection with American divines.
Vol 11. of the New Testament—MAßK and
LUXE. New York: C. Scribner and Co.
Bvo., pp. 405. $5.
The religions public need no special in
troduotion to this second volume of the
series of Lange's Commentaries. It pro
ceeds, both in the orignal and the transla
tion, upon precisely the same methods as
the first volume. A complete apparatds,
embracing introductions to the separate
books, criticism of the orignal text, gram
matical interpretation, doctrinal exposition,
and homiletical application or hints for
sermons, lectures, and addresses, is com:
prised within the single compass of the
work. Were a theological student or a
minister of-the Gospel restricted to a single
work, we should advise him by all means
to take this of Lange. And we would
especially counsel those who are as yet un
supplied with commentaries, and whose
means will not admit of great variety, t o
invest in Lange's. It is equivalent to a well
selected library, or rather, it contains the
preciod condensed results of careful study
in a great library, saving the possessor ex
pense and time alike. While. thoroughly
orthodox and evangelical, it is enlightened,
S62Q 00
406 82
PRAYER ANSWERED;
BY REV. EDWARD PAYSON HAMMOND
ftLitire'o
LANGE ON MUM AND LIIKE
candid and unsectarian. While saving
much labor, it stimulates thought and aids
effectively in the self-culture of the theolo-
The volume before us contains Mark and
Luke. The commentary on Mark appears
to be the work of Lange himself. That on
Luke was prepared by a kindred spirit
whom Lange has happily associated with
himself in the work, the celebrated leader
of the orthodoxy of Holland, Prof. J. J.
Van Oosterzee, of Utrecht. Among the
qualifications of this able and excellent
Dutch divine is his eminence in the pulpit,
where he first acquired fame. A scientific
theologian, a man of general literary cul
ture, and fee poetical taste, he is well
suited to the wilt of preparing a commen
tary of such manifold adaptations. Rev.
Charles C. Starbuek, of New York, has
aided Prof. Schaff in the translation of
Luke, all but the first three chapters being
from his hand. Little else has been clone
but simply to reproduce the work of Van
Oosterzee, with some additions from Bleek,
Meyer, and Alford. Mr. Starbuek has
done well thekomparatively restricted work
which he undertook; yet as he himself re
gretfully intimates in his preface, we miss
" the affluence of annotation" by which the
commentary on Matthew was enriched and
brought into connection with the best
exegetical and homiletical literature of Eng
land and America by Dr. Schaff himself.
However, the solid good sense of Van Oos
terzee may reconcile us to these omissions,
especially as the volume is sufficiently
bulky and expensive already.
For sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co.
STONE. The Living Temple or, Scriptural
Views of the Church. By John S. Stone,
D.D. New York: A. D. F. Randolph.
Bvo., pp. 354.
This volume was composed, originally,
in the form of lectures to the students in
the Protestant Episcopal Seminary of this
city, in which the author is Profelsor. The
spirit of the whole may be inferred from
the following definition of the Church, on
page 35 ;---
"The Church, therefore, in its largest,
highest sense, is that great company of
true believers in Christ, who'hold his truth,
in the main, whole and tmcorrupt, and
who, by his sole Divine power and agency,
are saved from sin and everlasting death?
. To the spirit of this, no evangelical Chris
tian has any exception to make. And
the defence which Prof. Stone makes of
his definition is a noble protest against
the arrogance of High Churchmen. In
the same liberal strain he continues the
discussion, as he enters Upon the related
topics of the Ministry, Government, and -
Worship of the Church, Schism, Unity,
etc. The Scripture is ha first and final
arbiter throughout the volume, on all points
properly within its range. As an antiOote
to the lately published volume of Dr. Pusey
—An Eirenicon—" The Living Temple"
has special value and significance, both in
and out of the Episcopal °Much. Would
that many such a STONE might be found
built into every part of tie sacred structure
of the Chiirch.
TECOKE'SON. The Holy Comforter : His Per
. son and His Work. By Joseph P. Thomp
son, D.D. New York: A. D. F. Ran
dolph. 24m0 pp. 210. For sale at the
Presbyterian Book Store.
This little volume appears to have been
issued upon the occasi3n of the departure
of the author for " rest and refreshment"
in foreign lands, and is dedicated to his
people of Broadway Tabernacle as a token
of his gatitude for the opportunity. The
delicate intimation is that the best comfort
he can leave them in his absence is a clearer
view, and a livelier appreciation of the
Great Comforter, whom Christ gave the
Church when he left them for his kingdom
and glory. The simple orthodox view of
the nature and office of the Spirit as the
third person on tlite k Trinity is stated, and
briefly argued. Other chapters also speak
of the Sin against the Holy Ghost; the
Spirit as Life; the Holy Ghost as Dynamic
Power, as a Plenary Presence ; the Temple
of the Spirit; the Trinity manifested by
the Spirit; the Trinity in Redemption.
The book will confirm the'confidence of the
Christian public in the thorough soundness
of Dr. Thompson's . theology, in which,, as
in almost everything else, we wish all who
bear the Congregational name were thorough
ly like him. Whether the literary charac
ter and logical power of the book adequately
represent the scholarship and the strong
qualities of the writer's mind, may be ques
tioned. As a pastor's simple ,talk to his
people, it is pleasant and instructive, with
glimpses of grand and bright truths like
the following :
" How grand would be. the faith, how
sublime the energy of the Church of God,
did she. live in the consciousness of the
plenary presence of the Holy Ghost ! It
is the transient awakening of that consci
ousness that gives a seeming periodicity to
revivals of religion.' The Government
and Constitution of the United States were
ever present as latent powers, and were
recognized by occasional acts of loyalty;
but when war was made upon the flag of
the nation, millions came to an instantane
ous realization of their presence and au
thority as never before felt; and so the
sudden shifting by the hand of Providence
of material scenes that hinder spiritual per
ceptions may cause such a realization of
the presence and power of the Holy Ghost
that a nation shall be born in a day.'
The volume is beautifully printed and
bound, and put in a very neat term for a
memorial of the absent.
•
Gturrr.What Then? or, The oul's To
morrow. By , E. H. Gillett. N ew York :
A. D. F. Randolph. 24m0., pp. 128. For
sale at the Presbyterian Book Store.
One of the very best of little books to be
put into the hands of the unconverted.
The first great want in such books,
that of a means of arresting the atten
tion; and the second want, that of perfect
clearness, are met by the abundance, the
affluence we should say, of brief, pithy and
apt illustrations, drawn from the real life
and experience of men. Great indeed
must be the assiduity of the writer in the
collecting of these facts, and great too his
labor in stripping such as have gained cur
rency from the errors which have gathered
around them in their course,lind in verify
ing the exact historical connections from
which they have so far wandered as scarcely,
in some instances, to be longer recognizable.
We cordially commend the volume as pecu
liarly appropriate for distribution at this
season.
BOOBS FOB THE YOBBO.
Hours with the Youngest, No. 2.
The Second Year in the Infant School : be
ing a Course of Instruction about the Lord
our Godi comprising Tales, Stories, Texts,
Illustrations, Hymns, Catechisms, Exer
cises, etc.,adapted to Young Classes and to
Home Taching. Also appended, Texts
and Hymns for the Youngest. By Mary
Harvey Gill. New York : A. D. F. Ran
dolph. 1,8m0., pp. 252. Poi sale at the .
Presbyterian Nook Store, Philadelphia.
The public has been familiar for two years
past with the first part of this work, "Hours
with the Youngest, No. 1; or, a Year in
Infant School," presenting to the youngest
minds teachings on the Divine Attribute&--
God's Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omni
potence, Holiness, and Loving Kindness.
"Hours with the Youngest, No. 2," by. the
same gifted and lamented lady, completes
the original design, and sets . forth God's
Truth and Faithfulness, Christian Obliga
tions, Repentance, Faith; and in a manner
alike clear and most attractive.
A great difficulty has always been felt,
in adapting religious 'truth in a connected
systematic form to very young minds.
And in consequence of this, the duty has
been neglected, and precious time and
golden opportunities lost past recall, that
were available for richest results. That
the author has succeeded ,in her object,
and met this felt want, beyond the expeCta
tion of the most 'hopeful and sanguine,
must, we think, be the testimony of all
who have availed themselves of the fruit of
her labor- All that actual, personal fami
liarity with' the infant school can do, united
with deep-toned evangelical piety, and
with remarkably clear views of truth, is
here done in these books, and it is not easy
to see how the work could be better done.
The minister of Jesus will read them, and
be greatly profited and better qualified for
his Wok work. The Sabbath-school teacher
will-find them indispensable, and the Chris
tian mother will be guided and animated
by them in, her sacred employment of
home-teaching.
A NUTSHELL OF KNOWLEDGE. By A. L. 0.
•E. New York : T. Nelson and Sons. 24m0.,
pp. 224. For Sale by. Smith, English and
Co., Philadelphia.
A thorough• fairy tale, in which, how
ever, the fairy is turned to as good. account,
and with as much skill, as readers are pre
pared to expect from what they know of
the abilities and motives of the author.
Not only is valuable instruction conveyed,
but lessons of high moral import are incul
cated. We note that language is used on
page 98 about emancipation which seems
to ignore the grand results of our own
national revolution.
The author bas - passed to her -reward in
heaven, but her memory will be blessed by
many a pions mother in the Church on earth,
and by all who believe in and pray for the
early conversion of children.
GRAY. Nellie's Stumbling-Bloek. By Alice
Gray, author of "Little Katy and Jolly
New. York: R Carter & Bros.
18mo., pp. 246.
The story of a young person, the victim
of a violent temper, with the means used
in a Christian family and by Christian
friends for its cure. The power and ne
cessity of Divine grace for the thorough re
formation of character are , well exhibited.
The story is skilfully constrmited, and will
be read with deep and healthful interest.
The authoress is already favorably known
in this line of writing.
HOME CONVERSATION.
Children hunger perpetually for new
ideas, and the most pleasant way of recep
tion is by the voice and the ear, not the eye
and the printed page. The one mode is na
tural, the other is artificial. Who would not
rather listen than read? An audience will
listen closely from the beginning to the end
of an address which not one in twenty of
those present would read with the same at,
tendon. This is emphatically true of chil:
dren. They will learn with pleasure from
the lips of the
. parents what they deem it
drudgery to study in the books ; and even
if they have the misfortune to be deprived
of the educational advantages which they
desire, they cannot fail to grow up intelli
gent if they enjoy in childhood and youth
the privilege listening daily to the con
versation of intelligent people. Let parents,
then, talk much and talk well at home. A.
fathbr who is habitually silent in his own
house, may be, in "'many respects, a wise
man; but he is not wise in his silence.
We sometimes see parents who are the life
of every company which they enter, dull,
silent, uninteresting at home among their
children. If they have not mental activity
and mental stores sufficient for both, let
them first provide for their own household-