He existed in the bosom of the Church like an Oasis in the midst of the desert, and we regard it as one of the miracles of grace that he could preserve the reality of holiness in the midst of so many corrupting influences. But he could maintain this only by honestly protesting, though still within the pale of the Romish Church, against her errors. Hence, he was known on the Continent as "the Protestant Catholic." His history and virtues furnish a fine theme for the exercise of the faculties of the Christian philosopher. His views on many points will be found defective, and even erroneous; but he was an extraordinary man, to have been bred up under such a mother. His life is a work full of interest.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

1. "Life of Schwartz." London: Seeley, Fleet-street.

2. "Political Annual." London: Freeman.

3. "History of Joseph." London: Freeman.

4. "Memoir of Budd." London: Seeley, Fleet-street.

5. " Scripture History Exemplified." London: Dean and Son.

6. "Sermon preached before the Queen."

7. "Revival Hymn Book." London: Bulman.

8. "School Books." London: Dean and Son, Ludgate-hill. 9. "A Praying Church." London: Snow.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL CORNER.

WESLEYAN ASSOCIATION SABBATH-SCHOOL, HOLBECK, LEEDS.

The ninth annual tea-meeting was held in connexion with this school, on Christmas-day, December 25th, 1855, in commemoration of its being opened on that day. The tea was provided gratuitously, and about 430 persons were present. After tea the meeting was addressed by the Rev. E. Darke, chairman; Revs. T. W. Pearson; R. Brickwood; Messrs. Gladhill, Cromack, and other friends of Sabbath-schools. The report was read by Mr. E. H. Greaves, and gave an interesting account of the condition of the school, and showed how it was a blessing to the scholars, the teachers, the parents, and to the world. It also stated that letters had been received from persons residing in America, Australia, the Crimea, and other parts, who are thankful for having received instruction in this Sabbath-school. The speakers urged the teachers to perseverence in their important work of training the rising generation to usefulness. The value and importance of Sabbath-school instruction to the working classes of this country, was shown to be great; and it was said that it is from this source that we are to expect our most useful preachers, missionaries, &c. Advice was also given to teachers and friends of other schools, to persevere in reducing the debts upon their schools. Selections of sacred music were sung at intervals to enliven the proceedings. The School was altered at a cost of £320, of which sum £180 were paid off the first year, the remainder, £140, was still upon the school, until three years ago, when the teachers determined not to be satisfied until the whole debt was cleared off. on Christmas-day, 1854, one of the speakers, who much commended the exertions put forth towards this desirable object, said, he had a great aversion to debt, and would have us owe to no man anything, but to love one another; and as only £50 remained to be raised, he should like it to be raised, and to come this year and pronounce the burial service of the debt; and that gentleman had the pleasure of not only announcing the liquidation of the debt, but that there was a surplus of some pounds which would be devoted to the interests of the school.

And

The proceedings terminated at half-past nine P.M. to the great satisfaction of all present, and will no doubt long be remembered. JOHN SHIRES.

TODMORDEN.

The annual tea-meeting of the Lumbutt's Sabbath-school was held on Saturday, December 22nd, 1855, in our small but neat chapel, situated near the ancient village of Mankinholes, and at the foot of the range of hills known by the name of Blackston Edge. The attendance was good. After tea, our old and tried friend Mr. W. Ingham, of Mankinholes, was called to the chair. The report (an excellent one,) was read by Mr. Alfred Benbaze, formerly a scholar, but now an efficient teacher in the same school. The meeting was addressed by the chairman, Messrs. R. Fleming, J. Sutcliffe, and W. Jackson.

On Christmas-day, a Sunday-school tea-meeting was held in our preaching room at Castle-street, which was addressed by G. Hudson, W. Hargreaves, W. Jackson, and S. Barnes; the latter a Sunday-school teacher of many years standing. Mr. Sutcliffe, one of the teachers, occupied the chair.

A Sabbath-school tea-meeting was held at Inchfield Bottom, on Saturday, December 29th. Our earnest and warm-hearted friend Mr. J. D. Fisher occupied the chair. The secretary's report gave a 'short but pleasing account of the progress of the school during a few years, from the small number of one teacher and six scholars taught in an obscure cottage, to 40 teachers and 150 scholars now taught in a neat and substantial chapel. Both the school and the church at Inchfield Bottom are in a good state. The meeting was addressed by the secretary, Mr. T. Stansfield, Mr. Pearson of Rochdale, Mr. J. Halstead, and W. Jackson. On New-year's day, we held the annual tea-meeting of our Todmorden Sunday-school. The spacious school-room was well tilled in every part. Tea being over, Mr. E. Whittaker of Sandholme, was requested to take the chair. Mr. Whittaker then spoke on a few points connected with his own long experience in Sunday-school labour, and afterwards called on Messrs. J. Crabtree, S. Barnes, T. Wild, W. Hargreaves, W. Jackson, and I. Healey, to address the meeting. Three hundred and seventeen persons took tea. The speeches were plain and useful, and the meeting was both interesting and profitable.

Todmorden, January 3rd, 1856.

SECOND LONDON CIRCUIT.-PARENTS' MEETING.

W. JACKSON.

Among the many interesting meetings held in this circuit in connexion with the Sabbath-school, is the Parents' meeting. By the scholars, or by personal visitation, the parents are invited to meet the teachers at tea. Many respond to the invitation, who, after tea, are addressed on the necessity of self-dedication to God, and on the duties, responsibilities, and encouragements belonging to the parental relation. The value of such a meeting is great. It is a common lament of teachers, that the influence of "home" upon the scholars, neutralizes the effects of their pious labours; and this must continue as long as reverence for religion is a stranger to a parent's heart. But let a habitual awe of God be cherished in the scholars' home, and, at least, antagonism between the teaching of the teachers and those of the parents will be prevented. Now, nothing is more likely to produce this reverence than simple, kind, pious, persuasive addresses by teachers on the occasion of a "Parents' meeting." The parents see before them those who are kind to their children, they hear them pleading the children's cause, and the claims of the great Father, and what parent's heart can be wholly proof against this? At the same time, pious fathers and anxious mothers are cheered to watch and toil on by the parental encouragements exhibited.

One of these important meetings was held at Gee Street, on the 26th of

November last, at which Mr. F. Cuthbertson presided, and telling addresses were delivered by several friends.

JUBILEE OF RED LION STREET SCHOOL.

The 9th of December, 1855, was a high day with the “Gee Street Sunday-school Society," as the Red Lion Street School then reached its Fiftieth anniversary. Arrangements having been made for the celebration of the Jubilee, a prayer-meeting was held in the school-house at seven A.M., and in the afternoon, jubilee addresses were delivered to the scholars in the same place. The Jubilee sermons were preached at Gee Street. In the morning, the circuit minister occupied the pulpit, and called upon the friends of the school to join in the grateful song, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us ;" and in the evening, the Rev. M. Baxter ably and eloquently expatiated on his well selected theme "The Diffusion of Knowledge, the distinguishing characteristic of the latter Days”—to a large and deeply interested audience. After the evening service, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the members of the Society and friends of other Communities.

On the following day the Jubilee meeting was held at the school-house, and largely attended by friends specially invited. The secretary, that indefatigable Sunday-school labourer and advocate, Mr. F. Cuthbertson, presented the report; letters were read from friends who regretted their unavoidable absence, several Jubilee hymns were sung, some of which were composed for the occasion, and appropriate resolutions were submitted to the meeting, by Messrs. Hill, Butcher, Denham, King, and Rawley, in a very intelligent and earnest manner. The room was tastefully decorated; and, at intervals, the names of the chief friends and supporters of the school, who now rest from their labours, arrested the attention of the observer.

Studious of the physical, as well as the intellectual and moral welfare of the children, many a juvenile fete has occurred in the history of the school, through the benevolence of its supporters. An entry in the Minute-book records, that "in the year 1810, the children of the school were regaled with plum-cake and caudle." I am not sufficiently acquainted with the purveyor's art to say what "caudle" is, and it is hoped that the reader will conceive no prejudice against it, for it is evidently used in the Minute-book, as the name of "something nice;" but the fact must not be withheld, that it acted with magnetic effect upon the risible faculties of the audience.

During the fifty years of the school's existence, about 17,000 scholars have passed through the books, and there are 500 now belonging to the school. Of the old scholars, about 100 are known to be members of the Christian Church; (how many more are on the Lord's side, it is not easy to conjecture, as but a very small proportion of the old scholars are kept in view ;) and many who adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour, have fallen asleep in Christ.

Several instances are remembered, in which the instruction of the teachers has been revived in dying scholars. A visitor of the school calling upon one of the scholars found her very ill. She was distressed in spirit, on account of her guilt before God, and the thought of death alarmed her fears. He told her of Jesus, and His willingness to save; when he next called, she was trusting in Christ, and the fear of death was gone. In reply to the question, how she had been freed from it, she said, It is because I love Jesus, and I know he loves me." She continued to realize the comfort of forgiving love unto the end, when she passed in triumph to her Redeemer's breast. Another case of deep interest may be noticed, which relates to a brother and sister, both scholars. The

brother was one of those boys, whose utter indifference to instruction disheartens the teacher. In his illness two of the teachers visited him. Despite his past carelessness, he was now in deep trouble for sin; but his recollections of truths learned in the school, coupled with fresh admonition led him to Jesus, and abiding in Christ, he was saved. To the great joy of the visitors, they found that his sister, whom they knew not to be seriously impressed, read the Scriptures to him, and prayed with him. Shortly after her brother's death, fatal disease seized her, and she died full of the hope of glory. As the sequel, their mother gave her heart to God and joined the Church.

No inconsiderable number of scholars have been socially and morally benefited by the school. Some time since, at a school-meeting, one of the speakers said, "I am indebted for everything, morally, socially, religiously, to your school." One of the old scholars fills an important situation under Government. In a letter to his teacher, he says, that he owes his rise and present position in life, to the Red Lion Street School; the religious instruction was blessed to his conversion; and his first bias for scientific pursuits, was given by the Mutual Improvement Class, held in the school when he was a lad.

The happy results of the school are wide-spread. It has been one of God's training institutions, in which he has been bringing up workmen of great diversity of qualifications, and it has been a parent, producing a family of kindred institutions. Three important congregations in London have originated in this school, which, in their turn, have become supporters of other schools; thirty-four of the teachers in this and its sister school at Gee Street, have risen from the ranks of the scholars; several of the old scholars are now teaching in various schools in London, others are at work in different parts of England, and some are teachers in the Sunday-schools of America; eight hold the important office of class-leaders; five are local preachers, whose labours God has blessed; three are wholly given up to the work of the ministry, one in the Church of England, one in the ! Conference Methodist Connexion, whose labours have been of many years' duration and one in the Wesleyan Association, who for seventeen years has been labouring with acceptance and success among us. It has also been a centre around which other admirable movements have gathered, or from which they have emanated, as for instance-a Fund for the relief of Sick Scholars, a Dorcas Society, Mutual Improvement Class, BibleClass, Writing Classes, Old Scholars and Parents' Meetings.

This summary of results does not profess fully to represent the sum total of good done by the school. A fuller, and more careful examination than has been bestowed, would unquestionably greatly swell the amount; but these effects stand upon the surface, and are well known. And, if without any particular care to record success, these facts present themselves, how much more had been apparent had we taken such care? yet, even then, the good effected must in a large measure have eluded observation.

It is to be regretted that the lease of the school premises has nearly expired, and cannot easily be renewed; but it is hoped that the Red Lion Street, and Gee Street Schools may become united, and that chapel and school accommodation may be secured by building or otherwise, to an extent worthy of the Institutions, and of our beloved Connexion in the metropolis. To enable the friends to leave the premises free of debt at the expiration of the lease, and to assist in future efforts, a Jubilee Fund has been raised which, by collections and promises at the above services, amounts to 1207. and in aid of it, a Bazaar for the sale of fancy and useful articles will be shortly held.

It will gratify some of our senior friends, to be informed that the late venerated Dr. A. Clarke, preached on behalf of this school, and that his

son was a member of the Committee for some years. Dr. Clarke also opened the school-house for preaching.

Islington, 4th Jan. 1856.

E. BOADEN,

THE CASKET.

THE CAUCASUS.

To a traveller over the steppes of Southern Russia, wearied out with the monotonous gray vegetation of apparently illimitable plains, the sudden appearance above the horizon of the white peaks of the Caucasus inspires a feeling of interest even more lively than that which the first sight of land excites in the breast of the mariner. This celebrated range of mountains, which may be descried from Tscherkask on the Don, and, under favourable conditions of the atmosphere, even from Sarepta on the Wolga, a distance of more than 300 miles, divides from one another regions which might almost seem to belong to different planets. Its entire length, from Anapa and the island of Taman (where it sinks below the Black Sea, to reappear again in the steep range of the south of the Crimea) to the pass of Derbend (Narrow Gate) on the Caspian, is between 700 and 800 miles, the axis of the mass lying nearly in a line from north-west to south-east. In breadth, the distance from Mozdok, on the Terek, to Mtskhetha, at the junction of the Aragwi and Koura, not far above Teflis, is about 200 miles. The steeper ascent is the one from the northern side, where the rise in the last sixteen miles before the highest point is attained is equal to the fall in double the distance of the descent into Georgia. This difference in the slopes of the northern and southern faces adds to the contrast which their different aspects would naturally produce ;-on the one side luxuriant pastures, the richest arable soil, and magnificent forests, interlaced everywhere with vines, which are indigenous to the country; on the other, a boundless steppe, on which neither cultivation nor woodland exists to any considerable amount, seamed with rivers, which in many cases terminate in stagnant salt marshes, and the sluggish course of which is indicated by forests of reeds growing to the height of twelve or fourteen feet. Every feature suggests to the imagination of the spectator that this vast rampart, rising everywhere to a height of 10,000 or 12,000 feet, with its line of central glaciers and its gigantic peaks, such as the Kasbek and the Elbruz, overlooking the whole, must have been intended by nature as a barrier to divide one race of men from another. Here is a breakwater, as it were, to protect the cultivators of the sunny and fertile regions of the southern side from the surging ocean of the nomad races, which wander over the expanse from the Carpathians to the wall of China on the northern, and still send ever and anon, as some spring-tide recurs in the history of the world, a flood of barbarian hordes across even this barrier, to overwhelm a civilization which has begun to degenerate, and break up decrepid nations into materials for new forms of social life.

This peculiar character of the Caucasian range has coloured the legends which have attached to it from the very beginning of history to the present times. The Greeks looked upon it not merely as a mountain barrier, but as the end of the earth,-at least, of that portion which was subject to the ordinary laws of nature. Their great dramatic poet brings Prometheus to it, there to be chained to an adamantine rock by the hands of Might and Violence, in the feeling that "the pathless Scythian desert," the "far-off plain, Earth's boundary," is the only appropriate region for that temporary triumph of brute force over goodness and wisdom which is the subject of his sublime tragedy. Beyond the Caucasus, Io in her wanderings might be made to fall in with griffins, cannibals, and eyeless monsters, without in the