not the preaching of some metaphysical rather than scriptural? Is there not a tendency to follow too implicitly such men as Moses Stuart, Finney, and others that might be named? We would press with all earnestness upon young ministers, the importance of adhering stedfastly to the doctrines of grace, of eschewing Arminianism in

all its forms,-of cultivating unction and ardour in their appeals, and of avoiding novelties in doctrine and man

ner.

Our prayers and our sympathies are with them. May the Divine Master prepare them for extensive usefulness in his vineyard! May they be wise to win many souls to Christ!

THE sabbath was made for man, and happy is that man who remembers the sabbath-day to keep it holy. Englishmen who go to foreign lands, often find great inconvenience and suffer loss in this matter. They often find themselves far away from the house of prayer, and among people who pay little regard to the sacred day. This was the case with one family, who, after being some years in a country where English was not spoken, came to reside where was an English chapel.

One sabbath morning, the parents went up to the house of prayer and took their eldest daughter with them. She was about thirteen years of age, and was very clever and intelligent, considering the disadvantages under which she had lived. That morning, the minister chose for his text, Rom. V. 1, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." She listened with deep attention to the text, and said to herself, "Peace with God! that is what I should like to possess. I will listen, and see how it may be obtained."

The preacher began, "We have peace with God. We who were at war with him. We rebels have peace with God. This is a wonderful subject, and several things must be considered. "I. It is peace with God after a most unnatural war.-God is our father and our friend. He has given us laws to keep which are for his honour and our good; yea, in keeping them there is great reward. Every law which God has given us, is like a fence placed

just at the edge of a precipice, to keep us from falling over and breaking our necks; but sinful mortals take these laws and cast them behind their backs, yea, they insult their father by just flinging them in his face or trampling them under their feet. Oh, the rebellion of man! Oh, the forbearance of God! My brethren, if Gabriel the archangel had the government of the world committed to him only for an hour, he would dash it in pieces: his patience would be exhausted; and yet there is peace with God even for us.

"II. It is peace after a most disgraceful war.— -All our comforts come from God. He gives us life, and breath, and all things. He keeps us from harm by night and by day, and is always doing us good; and yet here is a set of rebels-a rebel universe up in arms against their God. Think of it, dear brethren. There is ingratitude, that base and hateful sin, stamped on every day's work; on every page of the history; yea, it has gone so far, that the carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be,' Rom. viii. 7. This is desperate indeed, and yet there is peace with God even for us.

"III. It is peace after a most unsuccessful war.-It is not a worm struggling with a giant; or a drop fighting with the ocean or feebleness opposing an angel. Oh, no; but a sinner fighting with God; a child of Adam rising up to pull down Omnipotence. While I think of it, I tremble. Who hath hardened himself against God, and

prospered? What a mercy that we are not all in hell, partaking of the misery of rebel angels! What a mercy that there is peace with God even for

us.

"IV. It is peace brought about by the most astonishing means.—All the proposals came from the justly offended God. The rebels had nothing to do with the plan nor the means. The merciful God was beforehand with us in every part of it.

'Grace first contrived the way

To save rebellious man;
And all the steps that grace display,

Which drew the wondrous plan.'

The salvation of a sinner, from first to last, is all of grace. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and gave his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.' Herein is love, that God was manifest in the flesh, and died upon the cross; that the Son of God became a surety for us, that, by the shedding of his blood, he might make an atonement for us, and magnify the law and make it honourable. These are things into which the angels desire to look; and well they may.

"V. As this peace was brought about by the most costly means on God's part, so it is ensured to us by the easiest method possible on our part. We have not to give up one thing, but which would injure us if we kept it. We have to do nothing but what is for our present peace and future comfort. The apostle says, Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.' He that believeth, shall be saved.' 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life.' The moment that a sinner renounces his own righteousness, and trusts, simply and entirely, in the merits of Jesus, he is accepted in the Beloved. He is viewed as complete in Christ. In fact, he has acceded to the terms on which peace was proclaimed. The reconciliation between God and the sinner is sealed. 'There is, therefore, no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.' A transfer takes place. He bore our sins in his body on the tree; and by his stripes we are healed. He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we,' who were all sin, and nothing but sin, might be made the righteousness of God in him.' There is justification by faith. Glorious truth. It is sometimes called 'looking unto Jesus' there it means looking from ourselves, and from saints, and from angels, and looking entirely unto Jesus, singing in the language of the poet,

'Other refuge have I none;

Hangs my helpless soul on thee.'

In another place, it is called, 'coming to Christ' then it means running away from all others, and saying, To whom can we go but unto thee? thou hast the words of eternal life.' At another time, it is called, trusting in Christ' then it means, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth,' and on him I fix my trust.

"VI. This peace ensures all the blessings which man can need or heaven bestow.-Hear it, my brethren; hear it; and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are the called, according to his purpose.'

VII. The moment that a sinner believes, he is justified from all things from which he could not be justified by the law; yet he is always looked upon as a sinner-a pardoned sinner; a redeemed sinner; a justified sinner; and this part of his character will always be remembered in eternity. It will make a part of the song of the glorified, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood: to him be glory. Hallelujah, hallelujah.'

VIII. If a man, who is thus justified by faith in Jesus, were to die on the same day that he believed, he would be saved and be admitted into heaven, seeing he is not accepted in his own merits, but in Christ; yet how kind God is to this rebel world, that

he often spares believers for twenty or forty years to be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. They are God's witnesses, and they, in their turn, seek to make others happy, by directing them to the peace-making, life-giving Saviour. Thus he begins his heaven below, and looks forward to the day when he shall see his Saviour face to face, and dwell with him for ever."

Having made this statement respecting peace with God, and the way to obtain it, the preacher inquired,

"My brethren, is this your happy condition? Do you enjoy this sweet peace? Or, is it your earnest desire to possess it? and to possess it now? Oh, then raise up your hearts to God. Ask and ye shall receive. Believe, and ye shall be saved."

The stranger heard all this, and it filled her with amazement, and gratitude, and delight. "There," she thought, "this peace is for me; I may enjoy it as well as others ;" and she began

immediately to pray, "Lord Jesus, grant me this peace;" and her heart soon became so full that she could not contain it. She called on a godly woman to tell her what the Lord had done for her soul, and many others soon knew it and praised the Lord for his goodness to this youthful stranger.

And now, dear reader, let me ask, Is there not something very encouraging to a sinner in the above statement ? When the girl heard of peace with God, she wisely said, "That is what I should like to possess ;" and would not you like to possess it also? and can you be satisfied until you do possess it ? Oh, fall upon your knees, and raise your heart to Jesus, and say unto him, "Lord, help me. O Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world, grant me thy peace;" and he will say unto thee, "Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." My peace I give unto you." Amen. RICHARD KNILL.

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

'Tis gone-its everlasting flight
The vanish'd year hath taken ;
Its scenes of sorrow and delight
Have earth and time forsaken.
The secrets of the year new-born,
What prescience can unfold them,
Till, by degrees, the veil withdrawn,
Permits us to behold them?
Who knows the future by the past?
What in its womb is treasured?
What awful year shall be the last
By which our life is measured?
And who can estimate how soon
Its tenure may be ended?

Or in what day, or week, or moon,
Its hours shall be expended?

O may I then be truly wise,
And what to me is given,
Devote, as every moment flies,
To God, my soul, and heaven!

Y.

ANOTHER YEAR.

A THOUSAND perils have been pass'd,
That compass'd round my way:
How long the journey yet may last,

'Tis not for me to say

But God, my strength, who brought me here,
Can guard me through another year.

Still will I make the Lord my trust,
My portion and my stay,
Till, resting on my bed of dust,
I wait the final day;
And will he not for me appear,
And keep me in the coming year?

O let me not a moment doubt
My everlasting Friend;
Nor life nor death, shall be without
His presence to defend :

I need no other grace to cheer
The closing and the coming year!

NEW YEAR'S HYMN.
Psalm civ. 33.

WHILE I live I'll praise the Lord,
Praise him while I being have;
For his providence and word,

For the life beyond the grave:
And when he my dust shall raise,
Give him more exalted praise.
He, all present good who gave,

Show'd me greater things than these; Told me of his power to save,

Heal'd my wretched heart's disease: For his rich and sovereign grace, While I live the Lord I'll praise. He, in joy and sorrow near

Gave to each its due relief; Temper'd pleasure, dried the tear, In the bitter hour of grief: Kind and gracious are his ways, While I live the Lord I'll praise. Though I trial may endure,

Should my fretful soul repine? "Tis from dross to render pure,

'Tis my graces to refine;

And though he should hide his face,
While I live the Lord I'll praise.
Journeying onward to the tomb,

Should I be of death afraid?
When the final hour shall come,
Will he not be then my aid?
While this mortal flesh decays,
I will still Jehovah praise.

Yet awhile through parting skies,
He will come his own to claim;
When the dead in Christ shall rise,
May he own my worthless name :
Then, through everlasting days,
I will sing Jehovah's praise!

SONNETS.
I.

TO MRS. WILLIAMS,

On her return to England.

Y.

HAIL to thee, voyager from distant isles! From Rarotonga's bread - fruit shores thou'rt come,

Again to view the face, and sunny smiles, Of England dear, thy own, thy muchlov'd home.

We bless the God, who reigns in light above,

That, after all thy tears and bitter woes, He calm'd thy spirit with his gracious love, And brought thy voyage to a happy close. And now, again, thou tread'st thy native land, And com'st a widow, lone and sadden'd

too :

Think not that Britain's noble, Christian band

Can e'er forget thy sainted Williams' due. His name, to Christian hearts, will aye be dear,

Nor will his sorrowing partner want the tear.

11.

TO THE REV. R. MOFFAT,

On his Departure to the sphere of his Missionary Labours.

Go, Moffat, go, to Afric's land once more! May skies beam bright, and fav'ring winds

restore

The scenes you know and dearly love, where

men

Of sable bue will mark, and greet again Their teacher, friend, and guide to endless bliss,

And dearest comforter in world like this, Where man, without the gospel's hallow'd light,

Finds all the gloom and dreariness of night.
Lov'd Moffat go, to Afric's arid land,
Where lions prowl and roar on every hand;
Go, preach the word, conveying life and rest
To many a noble son on Afric's breast,
Until we meet you on that blissful shore,
Where pangs of parting will be felt no more!
T. W.

THE COTTAGE PRAYER-MEETING.

SWEET is the hour when, lowly bow'd
Before the mercy-seat,

A few divided from the crowd,
Their pious vows repeat.

How calm and peaceful is the scene;
And not a sound is heard,

Save prayer and praise from hearts serene,
Or when one reads the Word.

The jealous pang, the envious thought,

Find not a harbour there;

Nor proud ambition inly wrought,

Nor earth's corroding care;

But mutual confidence and love,
Good-will and sympathy,

Inspire each heart, while from above
They seek Divine supply.

In ardent songs of grateful praise,

For mercies hourly given,

With one accord their notes they raise,
And send their thoughts to heaven.
Each bosom there itself unveils,-
Reveals its inmost grief,

Low at His feet, who never fails

To send a quick relief.

His presence heals the wounded heart,
The drooping spirit cheers;
Like oil, allays the inward smart,

And drives away their fears.

Their faith being one, their hope the same,
They share a heavenly glow;

They trust in the Redeemer's name,
And heaven begins below.

The WORKS of THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D. and LL.D., Professor of Theology in the University of Edinburgh, and Corresponding Member of the Royal Institute of France. From Vol. XIV. to XXI., inclusive. 12mo.

W. Collins, Glasgow; Hamilton, Adams,
and Co., London.

HAVING had occasion before to notice the preceding thirteen volumes of Dr. Chalmers's works, we deem it our duty to express our opinion respecting the whole series, and to testify our respect for an author, whose piety and genius have shed a lustre on the age in which he lives. The circumstance that we differ from him, in many of the positions he has assumed, does not, in the slightest degree, diminish our admiration of his talents, or our confidence in the integrity by which he has been guided in his entire literary career. If there be a single-hearted man living, we believe Dr. Chalmers to be that man; and if his judgment has not been at all times equal to his industry and his invention, we are ready to bear this testimony to him, that he has never written upon any subject without suggesting thoughts which have been eminently fitted to enlighten and improve mankind. In his treatment of those subjects upon which we have been most at issue with him, we have never risen up from the perusal of his works, without feeling that we have derived both pleasure and instruction.

We beg to apprise our readers, that the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth volumes of that portion of Dr. Chalmers's works which we now introduce to their notice, contain his "Christian and Economic Polity of a Nation, more especially with reference to large towns." The work was originally denominated, "The Christian and Civic Economy of our large Towns." It awakened great interest among Christian philanthropists, at the time of its first appearance, and passed through several editions before it came to be embodied in the present complete edition of his works. We need not say, that all its positions and arguments are adapted to the working of a National Establishment, and more particularly to that of Scotland. But there are every where to be found in it important hints, applicable to the moral, social, and religious improvement of a people, irrespective of the existence of a church endowed and patronised by the state. His favourite object seems to be that of assimilating the economy of great towns to that of country parishes; and it must be confessed, that

VOL. XXI

when he was a parish minister in Glasgow, he did much to carry out his plans, and to improve the condition of the city. In the three volumes devoted to "the Christian and Civic Economy of large towns," there is a vast range of subjects introduced to the notice of his readers, upon which wise and good men may differ very widely; but no one can rise up from the perusal of the work without feeling that the author has expended an incredible amount of deep anl serious thought, in endeavouring to carry out his own favourite scheme of parochial arrangement. If the Voluntaries cannot follow him in his general scheme, sure we are that they may gather many hints from what he has written, calculated to aid them in promoting the social and religious wellbeing of the community.

In this work, Dr. Chalmers treats on the following topics:- - On the influence of locality in towns; on the application of the principle of locality in towns to the work of a Christian minister; on the effect of locality in adding to the useful establishments of a town; on church patronage; on church offices; on Sabbath-schools; on the relation which subsists between the Christian and the civic economy of large towns; on the bearing which a right Christian economy has upon pauperism; on the present state and future prospects of pauperism in Glasgow; on the difficulties and evils which adhere to the best condition of Scottish pauperism; on the likeliest parliamentary means for the abolition of pauperism in England; on the parochial means for the abolition of pauperism in England; on wages and labour; on the effect of a poor-rate, when applied in aid of defective wages; on savings' banks; on combinations of workmen for the purpose of raising wages; on certain prevalent errors and misconceptions, which are fostered by economic theories, and which are fitted to mislead the Legislature in regard to labour and the labouring classes; on the effect which the high price of labour in a country has upon the foreign trade; on mechanic schools, and on political economy as a branch of popular education; and a general appendix on pauperism.

Many of these subjects are interesting to the public at the present moment; and we cannot but express our conviction, that many of Dr. Chalmers's opinions on the working of the poor-laws are founded upon a correct knowledge of human nature.

Vol. XVII. contains our author's thoughts on Church and College Establishments. It is divided into two Parts. Part I. relates