the object of their singing is too of ten lost from their minds. The praise of Jehovah degenerates into something little better than a mere exhibition of skill in musical perfor

mances.

Singing, we are aware, is already a customary exercise in Sunday Schools. As many as happen to be qualified, both teachers and scholars, are wont to join in the performance. But these, we believe, constitute in most instances but a minority of the members. There are many whose voices might be tuned to harmony that are suffered to be mute. These should be instructed and brought forward, and to do this is surely consonant with the object of that excellent institution. If sacred music were here judiciously and systematically cultivated, not only would the Sabbath School be rendered a place of still more delightful interest than it now posesses, but large numbers would be gradually prepared to contribute to the praises of the great congregation. And since the Sunday School is not now regarded-as formerly it was by someas designed only for the benefit of the poorer classes. but is filled with the children of the most respectable families, it might be hoped that the Sabbath choir might not be left to be made up exclusively from the humbler classes of society. This is frequently the case, particularly in large towns, and we fear it is a great sin in God's house. How many young ladies are there, who would cheerfully entertain a fashionable circle with their voices and pianos, who would think it vulgar to take their seat with the singers and chant the praises of their Redeemer on the Sabbath. These things ought not to be. It might be hoped, further, if sacred music

are a delightful part of family worship: especially are they delightful on the Sabbath; and all families to whom God has given voices to sing his praise, should esteem it a privilege to exercise so valuable a gift.

The little work which we have noticed in this article is happily adapted to promote the object we are recommending. Of this the name of the author is itself a pledge. The book is divided into two parts, the first of which treats of the "rudiments of music." The subject is so simplified that it may be soon mastered by the youthful pupil. The second part comprises a number of tunes, with a very happy selection of about thirty or forty psalms and hymns. The tunes are simple, chaste, and classical; and we think the author has done well in giving only the treble and bass. Two parts are better than four, for the youthful voices of a Sabbath School: they will be less embarrassing to the pupil, and will be sung with a more simple effect.

The author suggests, that for the purpose of instructing the pupils, at first, some evening in the week, or some other season, be specially set apart. Perhaps it were better, if practicable, that they should be taught at their homes. By practising alone with their teacher they will soon be able to accompany a larger number, and it is desirable, if possible, to avoid those mirthful and often desecrating associations which are unavoidably created in assemblies of young and inexperienced essayists in vocal music. Let a proper person be appointed to this office. Some one of at least tolerable qualifications may be found in almost every congregation. Let him be a man of simple and correct taste, free from affectation and vanity, and an enemy to unnatural trills and graces; and, if possible,let him always be a man of piety.

The Christian Preacher, in addition to those mentioned in our last, has made its appearance, published by the Rev. A. Campbell, of Dover, Del.

Its general object is, to detect error, and to exhibit and defend truth, on the difficult and disputed doctrines of the Christian religion. More particularly, "to show that Bible Calvinism, and Bible Arminianism, are not two discordant wholes, but the appropriate parts of one grand and consistent system of divine truth.”

"The Jewish Intelligencer."-The Rev. Joseph Samuel C. F. Frey, has issued proposals for publishing by subscription a monthly publication under this title, (each number containing 32 pages 8vo.) to embrace, 1. A series of Letters in two parts: viz. on the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazarath, and on his Divinity. 2. A collection of Jewish Antiquities stated, and their Typical design exhibited. 3. Modern Judaism contrasted with the religion of the ancient Jews. 4. The origin and progress of Christian benevolent exertions in behalf of the Jews since 1728. 5. Monthly Intelligence respecting the Jews.

6. Narratives of converted Jews. 7. Miscellaneous subjects respecting the Jews. Price $2 per annum in advance. Most of the materials for the work are already prepared.

Life Preserver.-An instrument by this name has been lately invented by Dr. John L. Comstock, of Hartford, which promises to be very useful in cases of disasters at sea.

The apparatus is very simple, consisting merely of a canvass bag about five feet long, and, when filled, of as many inches diameter. In the centre of this a brass cock is inserted, with a screw stopper, and all a person would have to do in case of a disaster at sea, would be to lash the bag around his waist apply his mouth to the cock, and blow it full of air. The canvass of which the bag is made, is double, and rendered impervious to water and air, by means of a solution of India rubber, spread like a glue between the cloth, and which adheres with immovable te

nacity. The same process applied to ladies' prunella shoes will render them impenetrable by water, while the cloth is as soft and pliable as ever.

Another new invention.--Gaspar Richards advertises in the New-York papers, that " a new system of power has been found out as a substitute for steam, by weight and lever, having three capital advantages over steam, inasmuch as it secures the perfect safety of the passengers, great economy, and expedition." A ship on the new system, Mr. Richards says, can go from here to Europe in fifteen days, and will be sure to arrive at its place of destination at the day appointed, and through all kinds of weather. And he calls upon men of capital to come forward and assist him in putting his new system into extensive operation.

On the Union canal now constructing in Pennsylvania, there is a steam engine of 100 horse power, for supplying the summit level with water from the Swatara river. It is computed that it will raise 700,000 cubic feet of water in twenty-four hours. This canal goes through a high ridge, by a tunnel near forty-five rods in length, and eighteen feet in diameter. Men ride through this tunnel on horseback. The aqueduct over the Swatara river is a magnificent work, 275 feet in length. The Union canal will form a water communication between the Schuylkill and the Susquehanna.

Mauch Chunk Railway.-This novel and interesting work in Pennsylvania, has been completed in a little more than two months from the commencement. Its length is nine miles, and cost from 2,500 to $3,000 per mile. There are, it is said, thirty cars upon the road, and the number is to be increased to 150. The cars descend by the force of gravity; one horse takes up three empty cars. In this way each car can be made to perform four trips per day. Cars are preparing in which the horses are to ride down. The greatest day's work yet done has been to send down 75 cars, carrying each a

ton and a half; total one hundred twelve and a half tons of coal. The time allowed for descending the whole distance, is 40 minutes.

The Waldenses.-A gentleman who visited the country of this interesting people in 1824, has favored us with the following statement.

"The Vaudois, or Waldenses, inhabit three valleys or ravines on the eastern side of the lofty chain of mountains, which separate Piedmont from France. The road from Turin to their villages, passes through the city of Pignerole, a distance of about twentyfive miles, and thence to San Giovanni the first Vaudois village on the route may be 10 or 12 miles, and perhaps three more to La Torre. The names of the three valleys are Lucerne, San Martino, and Perosa. I visited La Torre, or La Tour, in Dec. 1824, and

PARISHES.

derived from the Rev. Mr. Bert, the Pastor of that village and the Moderator of the Synod of the Vaudois clergy, the following tabular account of this remarkably interesting people, and of their clergy. It is drawn up like a similar table in the travels of the Rev. M. Gillies, which I saw in the house of Mr. Bert, but was corrected by Mr. Bert up to that time. His estimate of the population of several of the villages differed also from that given to Mr. Gillies. The third column denotes the comparative revenue of the parishes: the highest being 1, and the lowest 5. Several of the parishes are pluralities; that is, the same Pastor takes the oversight of two or more villages; and, where the villages have churches erected in them, preaches in them alternately. The smaller villages which have churches are marked with an asterisk.

TANTS. CATH. 1700

40

1740

La Torre,

Do.

1

PASTORS.

David Mondon. Paul Goante. Pierre Bert, [Moderator.] Francois Gay. George Muston,

[Secretary.]

Prali* and Rodoretto,*

*

Jean Monot.

t

Moneglia, Massel,*

Do.

1

1200

50

1250 Pierre Monastier.

Villa-Seccha,* Richa

1000

150 1150

1800 60 1860

-5100-340 -5440

rian Church, New-York, Dec. 7, 1826. Boston Hilliard & Gray, Little & Wilkins, 1827. 8vo. pp. 91.

Historical Scenes in the United States: or a Selection of important and interesting events in the History of the United States. Illustrated by numerous engravings. New-Haven. Monson & Co.

An Epitome of Grecian Antiquities. For the use of Schools. By Charles D. Cleveland. 12 mo. pp, 177. Boston Hilliard, Gray, Little & Wilkins, and Richardson & Lord. 1827.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XII.-No. 2. June, 1827.

Brown's Philosophy of the Human Mind, abridged, and distributed according to the natural division of the subject. By Levi Hedge, LL. D. Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in Harvard University. 2 vols. 8vo. Cambridge Hilliard & Brown. 1827.

:

Personal Narrative of a Journey from India to England, by Bussorah, Bagdad, the Ruins of Babylon, Cardistan, the court of Persia, the western shore of the Caspian sea, Astrakan, Nishney Novogorod, Moscow, and St. Petersburgh; in the year 1824. By Captain the Hon. George Kepler. 8vo. pp. 344. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Carey. 1827.

The American Annual Register; for the years 1825-6, or the Fiftieth year of American Independence. 8vo. pp. 350. New-York: G. & C. Carvill. 1827.

The Philadelphia Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery. Edited by N. R. Smith, M. D. Professor of Anatomy in Jefferson College, and Author of a Physiological Essay on Digestion. “Quidquid præcipies esto brevis." Vol. I. No. I. 8vo. pp.

56.

RELIGIOUS.

The reports of our national religious institutions which have recently celebrated their anniversaries, are exceed ingly interesting, as they exhibit at one view, a summary account of their widely extended efforts, and particularly as they show the unusual prosperity which has attended them the past year.

We have room only for a selection of the most prominent facts, which we subjoin in addition to those given in our last number.

The American Home Missionary Society held its first anniversary in NewYork, May 9th. As this society assu med the responsibilities of the United Domestic Missionary Society, and was bound to fulfil its previous engagements, it numbered at the commencement of its operations last year, one hundred and eleven congregations to which assistance had been pledged in

the

support of ninety-six missionaries, the period of whose engagements had not been fulfilled. Of these, fifty-sev

en have been re-appointed, and are still in the service of the society, together with 72 others, who have been received as missionaries within the year. Making the whole number of congregations and missionary districts aided since the institution of the Society, one hundred and ninety-five; and the number of ministers employed, one hundred and sixty-eight. Of these, 135 are settled as pastors, or are statedly employed in single congregations; twenty divide their labours between two or more congregations; and thirteen, including agents, are allowed to exercise their ministry in a larger extent of country. The congregations and missionary districts occupied wholly or in part by the Society's missionaries, are as follows: 124 in New-York, 1 in Vermont, 1 in New-Jersey, 8 in Pennsylvania, 22 in Ohio, 4 in Michigan, 4 in Indiana, 2 in Illinois, 4 in Missouri, 2 in Tennessee, 2 in Virginia, 4 in Kentucky, 1 in Louisiana, 1 in North Carolina, 1 in East Florida, and 1 in Lower Canada.

The amount of service performed by