decisive word or act, which, as it accords with the purposes of Heaven, becomes productive, or is seminal, of effects by which the human soul may be enabled to bring its struggles to a triumphant issue, and to take the steps from the outset to the end of some new movement. These preliminary observations it seemed incumbent on us to make prior to entering upon the field of labour which seems herein to extend before us. These are the presiding ideas in our minds when we reflect on history. To place the reader in a similar position was but just, else might endless misconceptions have arisen. Not that we ask our readers to accept all the before explained views, unquestionably, as his own; but that we feel, unless there is some common ground of thought, progress in one path is impossible. We beseech our readers to ponder well the thoughts hereintofore traced, to give them fair play in their consideration, and to go on with us as far as they feel they are safe and warranted in reason. The series of papers of which this may be regarded as the preface, has cost us in the projection much thought; and in the execution they will require much labour. Yet if they are productive of such results as we desiderate, we shall not look back regretfully to the hours in which these papers were planned, and-if it so chance they be-perfected. We opine that in few minds has the vast significancy of one true human life received sufficient prominence. If it had, then would we have higher thoughts of the worth of our own lives, and nobler resolutions as to the right exercise of the powers with which we have each been entrusted. To show this is one of the chief aims of the present series. They will not be arranged in chronological order, nor will they be confined to any particular class of men; and yet it is hoped that such completeness may be attained, as to leave no great epoch unrepresented by its guiding spirit, no mode of life unpictured in its noblest form. Of the difficulties of such a task we are fully conscious. We enter on it with humility and anxiety, yet not wholly destitute of the hope that we may be able to make our readers understand how man has hitherto worked out his destiny, and "perceive how the banner which God has set up is still borne pauselessly onward," amid all the din, confusion, and anguish, which mingle together in the battle of life. VIRTUE. What is virtue but repose of mind? Beligion. IS A REVISION OF THE AUTHORIZED VERSION OF THE BIBLE NECESSARY? NEGATIVE ARTICLE.-I. "The most illiterate Christian, if he can but read his English Bible, and will take pains to read it, will not only attain all that practical knowledge which is essential to salvation, but, by God's blessing, he will become learned in everything relating to his religion in such a degree, that he will not be liable to be misled, either by the refuted arguments or the false assertions of those who endeavour to engraft their own opinions upon the oracles of God.”— Bishop Horsley. DOUBTLESSLY I shall not walk long in the road I have taken, before I have some one endeavouring to oppose, if possible, my progress in the negative course I have chosen. Well, be it so. It is pleasant, it is edifying to come into contact with the contributors of this serial, who can discuss the subjects placed before them with calm consideration and after due thought. Let us each bear in mind, as far as possible, a favourite motto of my own, as, by so doing, we shall not waver from our point unless convinced of error, i. e., that the principles held on either side, as the case may be, have not sufficient foundation. The motto is, "Let us think before we speak, and, when we have honestly spoken, abide by what we have said." "Is a revision of the authorized version of the Bible necessary?" No. And why not? Having carefully read that sacred book in the manner recommended by the pious John Newton,-"I know not a better rule for reading the Scriptures than to read it through from beginning to end; and when we have finished it once to begin it again. We shall meet with many passages which we can make little improvement of; but not so many in the second reading as in the first, and fewer in the third than in the second,"-I will consider its faults (if such a word may be used without irreverence) and the objections which have been raised against some portions of it-I refer more especially to the Old Testament,-under the two following heads: 1. Whether the sins of former generations are not recorded with too great plainness, rendering the advisability of the reading of such portions, especially by children, a matter of question so far as regards the really good effect which the same may have upon their minds and lives? 2. Whether the phraseology of the Bible might not be improved by making it more in accordance with the scholarship of the present day P As to the first fault or objection-admitting for a moment, for the sake of argument, that it is well founded-I confess I do not see how any human power or authority for its alteration could be exercised or given, which would not be derogatory to the divine character. We have no right to take from any more than we have to add to the Scriptures (Rev. xxii. 19). They were written for our instruction as well as that we might find in them the means of salvation. What is contained in them has the impress of inspiration. If the doings of the earlier race of mankind are shown forth to us plainly, we are thereby informed (1) that they were no more pure and spotless mortals than ourselves; (2) that it is wrong to imitate them by following that portion of their life which is not consistent and proper; (3) that it is right, and a glory to us, to shape our course in such a way as shall fit us for a blessed eternity, and the happiness of that better world prepared for the redeemed from among men. How are children injured by reading the alleged objectionable portions alluded to? I know not, and, therefore, cannot admit that they are; for in this case, knowledge that it does is balanced by knowledge that it does not, and the arguments are equal. The parent or the teacher instructs, and if these have piety of mind-and this is the grand point, after all-why fear the result? The objection cannot be of importance enough to have much (if any) weight with the thinking, pious part of the community. Again, as to the phraseology, we have the opinions of learned and able men that the authorized version of the Bible cannot be improved to any great extent, if at all. Amongst those to whom I refer, I cannot help mentioning Dr. Cumming, with whom (though I altogether differ from him in other religious matters) I agree, chiefly as regards the sentiments to which he has recently given publicity on this subject. He has clearly proved (at least, as I believe) that we shall gain nothing by revision or alteration, whereas we may, and doubtless should, lose much by disturbing the present authorized version. It should be remembered that the DOCTRINE of the Bible cannot be considered as erroneously put forth in the authorized version of Holy Writ. Oh, no! None have attempted, with any show of reasoning, to throw doubt on that point. The infidel may scoff, the sceptic may deride, but the fact remains, that the essential doctrines of Christianity are therein explicitly taught. What is founded upon truth can never be destroyed. What has borne the test of ages and of centuries gone by can never be uprooted, and be forgotten-even as a shadow that passeth away. But, it may be argued, if the Scriptures could usefully be revised at the period when the present authorized version was adopted, why may they not now be again revised? I reply, that the Bible is not to be treated-God forbid it ever should be-as if merely occupying a place in the same category as other books. We may have one edition of a published work, or we may have ten thousand; each may be revised and improved as fancy or altered circumstances may dictate. This system, as regards secular books, is all very well, because readers are in search either of intellectual culture, or the gratification of their mind; and authors are bound-or at least, in general consider themselves so,-in order to make what they write saleable, to please the multitude. The "newer" the work-unless where old ones have a lasting and paying reputation-the more eagerly is it sought after. The BIBLE, however, stands alone; it is a pillar-yea, a rock-by itself; everything and everybody comes, more or less, under its controlling influence. Old age does not decay it, it crumbles not with time; though the paper on which the words are printed may become the "worse for wear," yet the WORD itself is never obliterated or defaced; its power fails not, its saving agency survives. It strikes me, that the very circumstance of the language of the authorized version of the Bible not being that of the present day gives it a value of an extraordinary description. When we peruse its pages, we think of days gone by; we carry back our imaginations so far as may be, and then extend them on into futurity; we bring to our remembrance the sinners who have become repentant, the good men and women who have followed the precepts there laid down, the thousands who have read and studied what is therein recorded; and still the same book-oh, happy thought, that I can call it blessed!-remains. We admire at least, I do-an ancient building. I can medi. tate with pleasure upon the many things which make its name dear in history. Summers and winters, of no small number, have passed away, and the rocky stone of which the building is composed still exists. Who can view a cathedral or church of olden date, black with the dust of ages, without a feeling of reverential awe ? Who can go in and out without a passing thought that the voices which have resounded therein, and the lips which have taken part in prayer and praise, are now silent, the allotted span being ended? Yet the building continues. It falls not. It will remain for years to come. But take down that building; place another in its stead; or even revise (if I may say so) the present fabric by alteration; surely we destroy, in some way or other, its pristine beauty. Scrape the walls, and you give them another appearance; take a few stones away, and put others in their stead, and you destroy the originality of the structure. So it is with the Bible. The long time that has elapsed, since the last revision, has given it an ancient aspect. Its worth becomes more and more year by year, because it is "nothing new." What we read therein now, our forefathers read before us, in the very same words, in the very same language; what was a treasure to them still continues a treasure to us, their successors. The Bible is my title-deed to heaven! I like its "old-fashioned' style. I like to feel, when I am reading that book, that, though other things may be revised and altered, I am resting on that which is the same yesterday, to-day, and always. How much of the glory of our antiquity shines in and from our good old English version! Its very history is holy ground -a wondrous epic, full of poetry and sacred beauty. Who can read its pages, so often baptized in tears, when not bedewed in the martyr's blood-who can look upon it, the treasure-store of comfort, hope, and glory to many a wan-worn saint-without feeling that these are enhancements to its worth? See the Covenanter, stealthily yet prayerfully conning its grand old glowing page, till thought has illuminated it more gorgeously than the pencil of painter could ever place on the canvass. See the groups that hasten to the cathedral niche in which "the page of promise" is, for its very preciousness, chained up. See the long array of holy scenes in which its words have been breathed like soft incense up in prayer to heaven, or thundered like the storm-blast over the impenitent soul, until it shivered in its agony and called for mercy from the vengeance dire it menaced. Is there not the sacredest poesy of the human harp shown there? For now more than three centuries Christians have drawn from its hallowed sentences the strength which has nerved them in their struggles against temptation and sin. Its echoes reach us from afar. All down the period of England's greatest eras have its tones descended; and the holiest associations are twined together with its simplest phrases. Our mother's prayer, our own infant supplications, are each found in its holy teachings; and we cannot bear to break up those dear old memories. We cannot but believe that the "pulling to pieces" of the present authorized version would, after a while, lead to the utter uprooting of all that is good and holy, inasmuch as if it be right to revise the Scriptures now, it would be so at another time. There could be no limit set as to how often or how seldom; if we begin, others would go on. Permanence would be at an end -change would be the only permanency. So long, however, as our present version remains as it is, we may hope for stability. The people-or at least, most of them-have always thoughtyea, entertained it as a persuasion, that the Scriptures are and should be unalterable; destroy that thought, and it will, I fear, be soon found that indifference will take the place of faith, consistency, and propriety. There are-let us frankly confess itmen in the present day who have attained a high standard in |