pentecostal season succeeding another, until the waters of the sanctuary, having united their force, shall flow in deeper and broader streams, and the earth be filled with the knowledge and glory of God.

2. Be not conformed to this world."

From every section of our bounds, the lamentation is one that a worldly spirit is pervading the churches, blasting the growth of vital piety, and paralyzing the energies and inHuence of the accredited followers of Christ. How to buy and sell, to get gain, is the all-absorbing topic, even with professing Christians; while, in regard to the maxims, the corrupt fashions, the vain amusements, and the criminal practices of the ungodly, there is, on the part of the church, such a conformity to the world, that the line of separation between them is scarcely visible.

Verily, these things ought not so to be. Such as have espoused the cause of Christ, are under peculiar obligations to live and act for him.

They are the temple of the living God,-i. e., they are his special residence, consecrated by the Holy Spirit, which is in them a spirit of indwelling.

This being the case, they are not at liberty to have any agreement with idols, or any fellowship with unrighteousness, or any communion with the unfruitful works of dark

ness.

Be careful, then, brethren, to exemplify in your practice the true import of the divine injunction, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing." Temptations, peculiar and powerful, beset you on every side Let your purpose be fixed-your determination unwavering. Ever treat the children of this world with kindness and courtesy ; but go not with them in anything that is sinful-anything that is incompatible with your Christian obligations-anything that involves a waste of time, a marring of your own spiritual peace, or diminution of your influence and usefulness as Christians. Walking in the sight of their own eyes, in the pursuit of sensual delight, they will frequent the theatre, the gaming-table, the ball-room, and set places of worldly amusement; but go ye not in the way with them.

Give no countenance to any criminal practices or pleasures by participating in them.

More by your conduct than by your words, yet sometimes by the latter, bear your testimony against them, and shew

that you cannot conscientiously take part in what you know, by experience, to be inconsistent with the love and service of God.

Let your chosen intimate associates be from among the pious. Adopt no maxim of the world which is not in accordance with the morality of the gospel. Follow no avocation in life which leads you, in the prosecution of it, to violate the laws of God. Shrink not from the faithful discharge of any duty, however self-denying.

In this way, and in this way alone, will you render your profession of religion comfortable and satisfactory to yourselves, honourable to your Saviour, and useful to the world.

3. Take a high and decided stand in the midst of abounding iniquity.

On this subject there is a lamentable spirit of apathy, even within the pale of the Christian church. Where can we find those who are sighing and crying for the abominations that are abroad in the land? Where is the Christian who, from a full and tender heart, can say, with David, "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." In how many instances is there an entire want of moral courage to appear openly and actively on the side of sound morals and evangelical virtue. Surely it ought not so to be. As to the gospel minister, the tenour of his commission on this point is, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." As to Christians, generally, they are solemnly pledged to bear testimony for God in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation.

Be it your care, then, Christian brethren, to maintain such a character for sanctity and holy living, as that transgressors would be effectually restrained in your presence; and while you set your faces against every species of immorality, labour assiduously and perseveringly to rescue the holy sabbath from desecration.

In your individual practice, and in the management of your families, see that you honour that day which God has consecrated to his service.

Let not even your worldly substance be so appropriated or invested, that it shall aid in establishing or sustaining public conveyances of any description, which violate the holy sabbath.

Evidence to the world that no considerations of personal

convenience or worldly interest can divert you from your high and sacred stand-then will you see the day more respected by the ungodly-then may you hope to save the institution which is the great support of religion in our world, and with the preservation of which is identified our liberties as a free and independent nation.

4. We would exhort the churches and their members to pray more frequently and fervently for gospel ministers. This duty, we fear, has been, and is still, lamentably neglected, and yet it is one, the proper discharge of which has a direct bearing on the dearest interests of Zion.

It was when the hands of Moses were sustained by Aaron and Hur, that Israel prevailed. It is when the people of God, by their prayers and cooperation, hold up the hands of their pastor, that he is found faithful and successful in his labours. If the apostle, with all his superior gifts, needed the prayers of the pious, how much more the ministers of Christ at the present day. Nothing is better calculated to encourage the servant of Christ, under all his labours and trials, than to know that he has a deep and constant interest in the intercessions of such as truly love Zion.

FRANCE. On a very vague and general survey, says the Rev. J. Davies, the population, amounting to thirtytwo millions, is considered as composed of Catholics and Protestants, the former claiming nearly thirty millions, and the latter variously estimated from two to three millions. Of the Jews, whose teachers are paid by the state, and of Infidels, who, I fear, constitute, under various disguises, a very large proportion of the male population, especially in the middling ranks of society, no account is taken in this calculation. For these thirty millions of nominal Catholics there are thirty thousand priests-one priest for every thousand -partly paid by the state, and partly by fees received for the various offices of religion, the most productive of which is that of saying masses for the dead. For the two or three millions of professed Protestants, there are between four and five hundred churches, and somewhat more than three hundred pastors, who receive from the state a sum which averages 25,000l. per annum. These rough calculations exhibit merely the palpable and economical statistics of religion. Rough

and general as they are, however, they evince a melancholy inadequacy of provision for the spiritual wants of the protestant population; presenting, as they do, little more than the average of one pastor for ten thousand souls.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOOKS.

The Religious Tract Society have conferred on the Christian community at large, and ministers of religion in particular, a high favour, in reprinting-" A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. By C. HODGE, Professor of Biblical Literature in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, America." It has about it an originality of thought, an extent of learning, and a clearness of exposition, which are seldom met with; while its freedom from rash interpretations of the Holy Word will make it valued by many thousands, to whom it will, we trust, prove a great blessing.

It has often occurred to us that the association of Christians with each other, which has latterly been en couraged more than formerly, would tend to improve every section of the church of Christ. No class of professing Christians have yet obtained more advantage from such communion than the Quakers, or Friends. Whatever may have been the views of some excellent men among them, the great body have ever entertained low views of the sacred volume, and have promulgated erroneous doctrines of what they have termed "the light within." We are happy to introduce to our readers, a volume, ably written, by MR. JOHN WILKINSON, many years one of their ministers, but who has now left them, from a full conviction that their religious system is not founded on the scriptures, which he very properly regards as the only standard of appeal in matters relating to human salvation. It is entitled-" Quakerism Examined; in Reply to the Letter of Samuel Tuke." The work is somewhat too diffuse, but it contains a body

of important information and sound reasoning, and is characterized by a spirit of deep piety.

"Christian Theology: by John Howe, M.A., selected and systematically arranged; with a Life of the Author, by SAMUEL DUNN," is every way worthy of standing by the side of the former works of this laborious and judicious editor. Mr. Dunn contrives to make each of the eminent men, whose works pass before him, produce a system of divinity; and we really know of few books more useful to our rising ministry, as well as to Christians in general. We cannot too warmly admire the skill and assiduity shewn in the valuable series Mr. D. is bringing before us.

We have read, with very considerable interest, and we hope profit, a valuable little volume, drawn up, with considerable piety and taste, by the REV. J. BROAD, of Kensington, entitled-" Memoirs of the Life and Christian Experience of Samuel Bagster, jun." It is a beautiful and striking exhibition of the power and sweetness of religion to the true follower of Jesus, both in life and death. It will be a favourite book with those who form a right estimate of the best things.

We have very much pleasure in recommending to our readers- The Works of the Rev. David M'Nicoll: including his Poetical Remains. To which are pre

By the

fixed, Memoirs of his Life and Writings. REV. JAMES DIXON," just published, by Messrs. Tegg and Son. For sound talent, variety of subjects," and correct scriptural feeling, the volume is worthy of high admiration. No class of persons can read this book without advantage; but for the study of the minister, and the use of book societies, it is peculiarly appropriate.