the service of Christ, and to the people of his charge for Christ's sake. Feels that he is bound to make full proof of his ministry, instant in season, out of season, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Thus far he is undoubtedly correct,-and we all take the Bible for our text-book,--but to come to the application;-he feeds the flocks of God and starves his own household. What is the consequence? A. B. writes excellent sermons, and is the instrument in the hands of God of many conversions. Is not aware to what extent he is shorn of his strength by the neglect of his own vineyard. He preaches to his people sermons upon the importance of early education; the orthodoxy of which, so far as they go, is unimpeachable. "An excellent sermon Mr. B. gave us to-day, Mr. Y." "Yes, Mr. Z., but it's all guess work with him, as well as the rest of us; if the principles which he advances are correct, why are they belied in his own children? it can't be supposed that he neglects them." In due time, Mr. B. is gathered to his fathers an old man and full of days. He would depart rejoicing were it not that his children hang like a heavy load upon his breast. A gloomy doubt and dark foreboding press him down, and he wonders why it is that his three sons should grow up ungodly, hardened sinners, and even opposers of the truth; and that he should thus, while he had done something personally for the salvation of his fellow men, have furnished three recruits (more than an offset) for the ranks of the enemy. Survivors, too, who have not pondered the subject, wonder that a man so excellent should leave such children.

C. D. is a merchant. An active enterprising man. Has avowed himself to be on the Lord's side, and taking the Bible as his guide, says; I am bound to be diligent in business;' if he adopts the whole verse the 'fervent in spirit' is apt to slide into a parenthesis. He works early and late, cheerfully, giving undivided attention to business, and accounts that he is doing God service, though, perhaps, in addition to his family, he is neglecting the rule of his own spirit.' Now that we may know to what extent he is letting his light so shine as to glorify our Father in heaven, let us take a little survey of his life.

He rises betimes, as becometh the diligent man; he visits his closet; he calls for an early breakfast; in this 'busy season' the family worship is apt to be shortened somewhat. Is it right? whispers conscience. It must be duty; is it not? I must think of this question when I get time. Some things occur at breakfast which seem not quite right, but business is so urgent, they must be postponed for the present. He hurries to

the scene of his operations; having taken little time to secure the preparation of heart which comes from the Lord. He is surprised by numerous temptations in the course of the day; and he who should have exerted a healing influence upon others, is himself polluted. He forgets the injunction of our Saviour, be ye perfect, and directs his attention to but a small part of his duty, the accumulation of property. He fails to keep his own heart with all diligence, and by some burst of passion does more to undermine the cause of our Redeemer in a single moment, than the avails of many days or weeks could DISCIPULUS.

countervail.

By

THE VILLAGE TESTAMENT.
REV WILLIAM PATTON. New York:
H. C. Sleight. 18mo. pp. 720.

This volume contains the common version of the New Testament an account of each book and its author, copious references to truly parallel passages, copious geograpical and chronological tables, and, as its principal characteristic, brief notes on all the difficult passages. It is exceed ingly well adapted for the private reading of all classes of readers, as it contains an extraordinary amount of information in a very small and cheap compass. The notes are not a running commentary on every verse, but concise explanations of passages of which the common reader would not appreciate the meaning. They are not doctrinal, except in cases like those on the divinity of Christ, and the duration of punishment, where impertinent interpretations have been widely disseminated. Nor are they practical, except that as a new meaning is given to a passage formerly misunderstood, it becomes the enforcement of a new truth. They are, however, just such notes as an individual unacquainted with the Greek, needs and ought to have, to aid in the intelligent perusal of the New Testament. We subjoin a few notes as specimens of the whole.

"Matt. xxiv. 20. A Sabbath days' journey was about a mile only. The sense of the verse is. Pray that your flight may be in a time when you are likely to meet with no impediments. Mark xiv. 5. Three hundred pence. About $41,50.

Luke xii. 21.

Rich toward God. That is, in faith and charity. The expression is forcible and seems to banker. imply that God is the good man's

Luke xii. 50. I have a baptism, &c. This passage doubtless refers to our Lord's sufferings, in which he was literally bathed in blood, both in the garden and on the cross.

John xx. 17. Touch me not. The sense here plainly is, Do not detain me at present. Lose not a moment in carrying the joyful tidings of my resurrection to my disciples.'

heart, i. e. with vexation; not pierced
Acts v. 33. They were cut to the
with conviction, as those in ii: 37,
but as it were, sawn to the heart with
vexation
[Comm.

MEMOIR OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE; by THOMAS PRICE. 24mo. pp. 88. Price 25 cents.

Messrs. Light and Horton of Boston are publishing a series of works, "with special reference to the cause

of the Africans." They have issued as a second volume, the above named work, which is an abridgment of an English biography of the great friend of the African race.

The Christian Almanac, and the Temperance Almanac have appeared. The former is in a new dress, and very much improved in many respects. Both are calculated to be highly useful.

NOTES OF INMATES in the Female Department of the House of Reforma tion in South Boston, August, 1834. Ford & Damrell 24mo. pp. 36.

There is nothing more interesting to the philanthrophist or the intellectual philosopher, than the details of successful efforts for reclaiming the human soul from sin. This little book gives results, however, rather than details of measures. "Of 71 who have been under my care," says the writer," 15 are bad, 19 now in the Institution, and 39 are good, 6 are married, 2 of those reckoned bad are dead,

52 have VICIOUS and INTEMPERATE parents."

The following are some of the examples.

11. U. V.- Dissolute. Age, 17. Was bold, careless and indolent, and before she came did not know what it was to sit down to work; there was, however, one redeeming trait in her character a love of truth. She became modest and amiable in her deportment, kind and affectionate in her manners; was habitually industrious, and anxious for the improvement of her brothers who were in the Institution. One day she requested to see her brother. I thought it unnecessary, as she had seen him the day before. She said, with much emotion, "I want to ask him to be a good boy." He came, and she conversed with him alone, and, from that time, his conduct was perfectly correct and he became pious.

VOL. I.

48

565

It seemed providential, for, in a few months af er, he died. An account of him was published in the story of "Reformed Edward."

Soon after being committed, she, with three others, made her escape, was taken and brought back, and subsequently behaved so well as to

go

the city several times, and always returned in season with as much pleasure as to a father's house. Went to service in the country, with a very respectable family, where she staid till of age, when she returned to the Institution and remained six months, during which time her behavior was perfectly correct; but from the tenor of the excellent letter of advice given her by the lady with whom she lived,

I fear her conduct was not what it
- went to the
ought to have been
city, and is now married.

Parents intemperate.

15. C. D.-Obstinate and Disobedient. Age, 15.

Her mother had injured her temper by an undue partiality for her other children, and acknowledged she did not love her as well as the others. She could not even speak kindly to her, but scolded her for not behaving

as well at home as here.

C. had

much sensibility as well as irritability, was very grateful for any kindness shown her, and soon softened wonderfully. She was very desirous of being a Christian,' and thought if she could live where there was family worship, she should be perfectly happy. Went to service in Boston, and was not situated quite to her mind; but told her mother that when she got out of patience, she thought of South Boston, and learned to govern her temper. When of age, she went into a clergyman's family, and gave satisfaction, but was induced to remove to another place for higher wages.

21. O. P. Dissolute. Age, 15.

Was kind and affectionate, but addicted to intemperance and almost every other vice. Very capable and industrious. Left the institution when of age, and died in about six months, a victim to her follies, or rather her crimes.

Father dead; mother an abandon- Mother more respectable than could ed woman. be expected from one who would neglect her child as she must have done. 57. G. H.-Dissolute. Age, 14.