commonplace, yet perhaps harder of accomplish- | ment,-I mean, by entering the battle of life, and showing that you can conquer its prizes and yet hold them at no more than their proper value; thus manifesting that you have learned that most difficult of all lessons for the soldier of the Cross, "to be in the world, yet not of the world." Following thus in your Master's footsteps, you will come to know more fully what he meant when he said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I

unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." And turning wearily away from the restless questionings and doubts of men, you will ever find fresh beauty in the words of the psalm-"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever."

SUPPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS HOUSES.

HE great political question of the day in Italy turns on the bill recently brought into Parliament for the settlement of the

religious corporations of the capital. All through the autumn this subject has been discussed by the press; and endless as were the rumours set afloat regarding the expected measure, it was generally believed by those supposed to be well informed of the intentions of Government, that the new proposals would be considerably different from the law of 1865, by which the religious bodies of the rest of Italy were suppressed. These anticipations have not been verified by the actual result, the bill lately laid before the Chamber by the Minister of Worship having for its basis the extension to the province of Rome of the law now in force in other parts of the kingdom. A good few exceptions are made in favour of the houses of generals of orders, and of foreign corporations. The sum total of the revenues for the disposal of which the new law must provide, amounts to no less than £287,680 steriing. It is proposed to establish three separate funds with this money;-one, called the Hospital Fund, formed of the property of corporations which maintained hospitals; a second, called the School Fund, composed of the property of teaching corporations; and the third, named the Parochial Fund, derived from the property of corporations which had a church and parish. The discussion of this bill, which is expected to come on in the course of this month or the next, will be looked for with deep interest, more especially when the spirit and bearing of the contending parties are taken into account. The newspaper press has commented severely on the feebleness and timidity with which the Government has acted in dealing with the Jesuits and their property; and argues, from the tenderness shown to that body, that the authorities want the courage to proceed with the necessary reforms in a resolute manner.

ALIENATION OF CHURCH PROPERTY.

But whatever may be the attitude of the Government and its critics, the Church shows no signs of flinching. She refuses with as steady persistence as ever to recognise any of the consequences of recent changes. In particular, she has made a most pertinacious stand on the application of the law passed seven years ago for the suppression of the religious houses of the Italian Peninsula. This opposition has lately taken a most disagreeable shape in the southern parts of the kingdom. For some time back it has been reported that the Roman Curia had issued orders to the Italian bishops and clergy to withhold the usual benediction from all persons wishing to marry, who had acquired ecclesiastical property, except on condition of their expressing their readiness to preserve it for the Church, and restore it to the former owner whenever an opportunity should present itself. It turns out that this report was substantially correct. A case of the kind described having actually arisen at Majuri, in the district of Naples, the clergy refused the nuptial benediction, until the parties contracting marriage had made the required declaration. The Opinione of Florence now publishes the text of the document sent by the Papal Court to the bishops and archbishops of the kingdom on this subject. The question was put thus: "Whether or how those can be absolved who have acquired or possess Church property alienated from the demesne?" The Roman Curia gave the following reply: "Penitents are not to be absolved who possess this property, unless they shall first deliver to the ordinary of the place, or to other ecclesiastical persons selected throughout the diocese by the same ordinary according to his discretion, a declaration signed by them in the presence of witnesses, in which they shall, for themselves, their heirs and successors, submit to the following conditions :—

“1. That they retain the said property for disposal by the Church; 2. That they preserve the said property

for useful purposes; 3. That they discharge the pious obligations attached to the same; 4. That they aid with the revenues of the said property the pious places and persons whom they concern; 5. That they warn their heirs and successors of the obligations incurred by this declaration, that they also may know how to act."

It is plain that these instructions place the Catholic who possesses Church property beyond the pale of the Church. He cannot receive absolution from his confessor, he cannot contract a religious marriage, he cannot act as godfather at the baptismal font, nor receive in the last moments of his life the comfort of the sacraments, unless he first subscribe a declaration which destroys his right of property.

REFRACTORY ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH.

The Penitentiary Court of the Vatican has despatched to the bishops of Italy the following instructions, in the form of question and answer :

Quest. Is it lawful to sing the Te Deum on the occasion of a proclamation by the intruding government, or other like circumstance?

Ans. No.

Q. Is it lawful to illuminate one's own house on the occasion of the inauguration of the new government, or other like circumstance? and likewise, is it lawful to wear the badges of the new government, such as cockades, tricolours, &c.

A. No; unless there is serious danger impending, or occasions of scandal feared.

Q. Is it lawful to enlist in the National or Civic Guard, which the intruding government is organizing for its defence in the usurped provinces ?

A. No.

2. Is it lawful to take part in the election of councillors and municipal representatives; and may the persons elected take office as municipal councillors and magistrates?

4. Provided they do not countenance acts contrary to the laws of God and the Church, and provided they abstain from taking the oath to the invading government, they shall be tolerated.

Q. In what manner must reparation be made for the public scandal given by those who ask absolution from censures incurred in these times, when such reparation is difficult and perilous?

A. Reparation for scandal is of divine right, and ought to be made in the way which the bishop or confessor may judge best.

2. Must they who demand absolution first undertake to make good the losses sustained by the Pontifical Government during the present troubles?

A. It will suffice if they declare their readiness to obey the commands of the Holy See.

THUNDERS OF THE VATICAN.

From a correspondence which appeared in the columns of the Nazione, a leading Florence newspaper, we ex

| tract the following details of the various descriptions of fire-arms reported to be at present stored in the Vatican for Papal purposes:—

In the magazines of the Court of the Belvedere there are six pieces of artillery, somewhat old, but in excellent condition, and duly supplied with ammunition. In the Vatican garden are kept twelve pieces of rifled artillery, of large La Rochefoucauld calibre, forming the reserve of the Pontifical artillery: these guns are heavy, but quite capable of being moved, and have their full supply of ammunition. Lastly, in the Vatican armoury there are the following:

Here is enough to equip a real army whenever the Pope and his partisans should wish to try a coup de main. Let it be observed that by the terms of the capitulation agreed to, on the 20th September 1870, between Cadorna, the Italian general, and General Kanzler, the Papal commander, it was declared that all arms of every sort, belonging to the Holy See, should be delivered up to the Italian officials. Let it also be observed that in the above list of the thunders of the Vatican, we have not mentioned the various armed corps which reside in the Vatican, and which are all armed to the teeth. These corps are the Noble Guard, the Swiss Guard, the gendarmes, the Palatine Guard, and the agents of police. These people are thoroughly organized, and receive their orders from General Kanzler, who has his staff and ordnance officers. The Pontifical commander, according to the same report, frequently calls his officers together, and recommends to their special attention the Italian theory, as being the most recent, and because, when the time comes, it will be adopted.

THE BIBLE SOCIETY IN ROME.

In noteworthy contrast with the foregoing, we observe that the printing of the first edition of the New Testament was completed in Rome some weeks since, under the auspices of the Italian Bible Society. This edition consists of ten thousand copies, and is expected to be followed by others of still larger size. The publication of the following circular letter is the best answer possible to the disparaging reports recently raised by Romanists in this country regarding the progress of evangelical work in the Eternal City ::

ROME, 16th November 1872. CHRISTIANS OF ITALY,-It is with profound gratitude to the Author of all good, that we, the undersigned, in

name of the Committee of the Italian Bible Society, announce to you all the publication here in Rome of the New Testament of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, under the auspices of our Society. The fact of this publication being made on the banks of the Tiber, nay, even at the gates of the Vatican and of the abominable dungeons of the Inquisition, will certainly attract your attention and sympathy. And it is on this account that we appeal to all the evangelical Christians of Italy to put themselves in possession of this New Testament. We cherish the firm confidence that none of you will refuse the privilege of purchasing at least one copy, which costs not more than fifty cents.—Your devoted brethren in Christ,

COTE. W. NELSON,

RAVI VINCENZO, SCIARELLI FRANCESCO, WALL JAMES.

The Italian Bible Society has intimated that it is extremely anxious to procure a copy of the edition of the New Testament published in 1849 at Rome, during the time of the republic, by Signor Paul of Geneva, and burned in great part by the Pope immediately after his return from Gaeta. If the Society could obtain a copy, it would preserve it as a valuable relic in its archives.

CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY IN ROME.

The Baptists, whose unwearied missionary zeal is beyond all praise, have opened a new place of worship in the Borgo Vecchio, right in front of the Basilica of St. Peter's. We believe that the following notice, which has been circulated through Rome, refers to schools which are about to be opened in the same place :"Signor W. C. Van Meter, founder of the great Free School for the children of New York—a school which, under the well-known name of the Howard Mission,' has, since 1861, received, educated, and maintained upwards of eleven thousand pupils of various nationalitiescordially invites you to come and enrol your children in the registers of the said school, in order to obtain for them the right of entrance. The instruction, which will follow the municipal programme as far as possible, will be communicated to the pupils every day of the week, except Thursday and Sunday, from nine to three. At mid-day the pupils will receive a modest but substantial meal. On Sunday morning there will be a Bible-class from nine to eleven, at which persons of all sorts, besides the pupils and their parents, may be present."

PORTRAIT OF AONIO PALEARIO.

Signor Francesco Sciarelli announces in a letter to the Corriere Evangelico the discovery, in the Municipal Library of Veroli, of the original portrait of Aonio Paleario, which lay there neglected in a corner. At the bottom of the picture is an inscription, which declares him the first in eloquence after Cicero, and recalls his having been condemned to the stake as a heretic by Pope Pius V. This library belonged, up to 1870, to the episcopal seminary; and it is known how the priests of

last century strove to compass the destruction of the portrait; but being opposed by the townsmen, who threatened to set fire to the seminary if they did so, they contented themselves with huddling it away into a corner of the library. There it has been discovered by Spina, a photographer at Rome, who, after many difficulties, has at length succeeded in obtaining copies of it.

FATE OF THE SALESIAN NUNS.

It will be remembered what an outcry was raised last year in Italy and elsewhere by the wrong-headed conduct of the lady-superior of a girls' school at Padua, conducted by Sisters of the Salesian Order. A government inspector had visited the establishment, and, among other questions, asked the young ladies, "What is the capital of Italy?" "Florence," replied the scholar to whom the question was put, in a clear and decided tone of voice. The inspector, seeing there was something wrong, turned for an explanation to the ladysuperior, who thereupon informed him that it was quite proper to teach the geography of Italy in this way, so long as the government set the immoral example of taking what was not its own. Shortly after the inspector gave in his report, and the school was closed by orders from head-quarters. But the still more humbling sequel of the story remains to be told. A correspondent writing the other day from Padua informs us, that after the shutting up of the seminary the sisters who used to teach there without diploma have been reduced to the alternative of giving up teaching or going up for examination to obtain certificates. "It was a strange sight,” says the writer, "to see these nuns, clad in black, with their white hoods, sitting beside the girls of the normal schools, for the purpose of being questioned by the examiners of an excommunicated government." At Padua, our fellow-countryman, the Rev. Henry Pigott, who has a large and flourishing upper girls' school in that city, had been appointed one of the examiners in modern languages; and on this occasion a Methodist minister was seen seated in the examiner's chair, whilst nuns of the Sacred Heart took their places among the candidates for examination! A more radical change could hardly be imagined.

STATE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

The government and the press could have afforded to treat the "sweet unreasonableness" of the good Sisters of Padua with the contempt it deserved, had they not been convinced that this case was a type of the general condition of public instruction throughout the country. The Italians have begun in consequence to awake to a sense of the danger they run by leaving education in the hands of men and women who are the declared enemies of the State. Some twelve years ago there were, what with regular and secular clergy together, more than sixty thousand ecclesiastics in Italy, the great majority of whom acted at that time, and act still, in an educational capacity. With this staff of instructors, Italy

ought to be one of the best educated countries in the world. Instead of that, however, there were somewhere about seventeen millions of people who could not read or write, an aggregate of ignorance which is not as yet much diminished. Two grave evils have always been associated with the priestly system of instruction. The first of these is the practice of occupying the educational ground for the sheer purpose of minimising the amount of knowledge communicated, and so keeping the pupils in a condition of the grossest ignorance. The way in which this is managed has been shown in the case of the Salesian Sisters. That this was no isolated case, the more thoughtful and observant Italians are perfectly assured. Massimo d'Azeglio used to say that the secret of the priests consisted in perpetually making the child study without learning anything. But the second evil is, in a political point of view, not less alarming or less mischievous than the first. It is now found that in the hands of a bigoted priest every school may be turned into a focus of insurrection and a nursery of rebellion, in which the child, under sanction of the most sacred names and most venerated influences, is taught to hate and despise the national institutions. That this is no

fanciful statement is proved by an order of the day, voted in the course of last year by the general assembly of the Cavour Circle. The order ran thus: "The assembly having heard the statement of the commission, proving that in the schools managed by, or dependent on, ecclesiastics in Rome, and especially in the elementary ones, the pupils are trained to hatred and contempt of our present institutions, charges the President of the Circle to present an address to the Minister of Public Instruction, praying him to organize an efficient system of inspection for the same schools, in accordance with the laws now in force." It is manifest that with a system productive of such results, little peace can be enjoyed, and still less progress made, by a nation which has such long and heavy arrears in almost every department of human activity to clear away. It is to be hoped, however, that the government will soon feel itself sufficiently strong to take up a firm and vigorous tone in dealing with the Old Man of the Vatican, and that one of the first results of this new policy will be the remodelling of the whole system of national education on the principle of lay instruction.

T. T. G.

HIS is the earliest of all the types: in time, it comes first; in position, it lies deepest. There are none before it-none beneath it. Bowing down from heaven in love, God the Spirit grasps the first fact of man's history, and therewith prints the lesson of man's redemption. There was no delay, for the King's matter required haste. The Giver was prompt and eager; the receivers have been indolent and slow.

Mark the nature of the relation that subsists between a type and its letter-between a seal and its impression. There is at once likeness and diversity; they are the same, and yet they are opposite. The type, whether it be a single letter or a varied landscape, is of the same size and shape as the object which its impress leaves

behind; and every several point or turn in the one has an equal and corresponding point or turn in the other; and yet there is a complete and pervading difference, or rather contrariety between them. Look first to the engraving on a seal, and then to the image which it has left on wax the two are in certain aspects the same, and yet they are reciprocally opposite. They agree, and yet they are antagonist. The left of this is the right of that: where this reveals a hollow, that exhibits a height; where this is shaded, that lies in the light. In their whole aspect they are the reverse of each other.

After this manner is Adam the type of Christ. In some aspects there is a likeness; and in others, not only diversity, but contrariety. Observe first the agreement, and then the difference.

I. The agreement or similarity.

1. Adam and Christ were the true sources or heads of their respective families.

. There are two conceivable methods of constituting humanity. Whether both were possible, in consistence with all the attributes of God, we cannot tell. One is, to make men such that each should be absolutely independent of all, and the conduct, good or bad, of any one should have no effect, physical or moral, on the condition of any of the rest. The other is, to constitute the race such that the first man should be the head and source of humanity, and that the state and tendencies of all should be determined by the standing or the falling of this one.

This latter method our Maker has adopted; and it is useless to agitate the question whether the other method would, in its own nature, have been honourable to God, and salutary for men. When the bird is shut up within an iron cage, it is better for itself that it should not dash itself against the bars. It was in an attempt to be as God that our first parents fell. If we would escape their fault and fate, we should abandon speculations on what might have been, and address ourselves to what is. We are mencreatures with a short lease and a narrow boundary. Let us leave with God the things that are God's, and evidently require omniscience for their solution, and let us mind our own business.

In point of fact we all come into the world with darkened minds and wayward hearts. As water flows down and sparks fly up, human beings, as they emerge successively into consciousness, turn aside into sin, and fall into suffering. The grandest of God's works is most awry and out of joint. The highest creature falls farthest short of fulfilling its destiny. The Scriptures, acknowledging this fact, explain it by the Fall. Some people complain much of the difficulties which they find in the Scriptures regarding this subject. A serious mistake is made, however, in the statement of the question. The difficulty lies, not in the Scriptures, but in the fact: it would have been all there although there had never been a Bible. Creatures, manifestly the head of creation, having an intellectual and moral nature in conjunction with an exquisite physical frame, under the government of a Being

who is at once omnipotent and beneficent, lie weltering in sin and suffering, like the sea when it cannot rest. This state of things has endured from age to age, without intermission, and without mitigation. This is the difficulty: all the difficulties that you meet in the Bible are small when compared to this. The aim of the Bible is to throw light on the darkness; but even if some parts of the scene remain obscure, we have no right to lay the blame of the obscurity on that which, to some extent at least, has brought us light.

The first man, according to the actual constitution of humanity, stood as head and representative of the race. His fall brought all down. At the head he stands, and from him the long line stretches away down the course of time. Two hundred generations constitute the links of the chain, and its length extends to six thousand years. At first the line of march is narrow; on the apex one; and behind him two or three walk abreast broader and broader grows the stream as it recedes from the source, until, in our day, the file of march is a million of millions deep. Adam, like the point of the wedge, stands on the summit, a unit alone; the generations in the ranks immediately beneath him are numbered by tens, and anon by hundreds, until they have in our day reached a number that can indeed be expressed in figures, but cannot be adequately comprehended by finite minds.

On the other side stands the second Adamhe that was to come. Alone he stands at the head, and his also shall be a numerous offspring. Here and there, in the earliest ages, appears a righteous Abel offering faith's sacrifice, or a righteous Enoch walking in newness of life with God. Yonder a Noah preaches righteousness over a world lying in wickedness; and here an Abraham is called from his home and his kindred to a better country and a higher life. Broader now is the line of their marching since Christ came in the flesh. Already a multitude, whom no man can number, tread the pilgrim's path, and shall in due time enter the joy of their Lord. All the redeemed in heaven and on earth are Christ's, their life as certainly flowing from, and dependent on him, as the natural life of humanity flows from the first man.