with its loudest voice, and is offering which involve and secure the future insult to goodness in the midst of its welfare of my descendants, to many own temple. Often, indeed, am I glad generations. The wonders of nature to steal away from the society of may point out to us the meanness of others, and go out to "meditate in man, since they display to us the the fields at eventide ;" but it is that greatness of God; but when we refrom my temporary retirement I may member that even that supreme Belearn how to benefit my brethren the ing himself has not thought man unmore; and amid nature's mildest soli-worthy of his care, how can we dare tudes I burn towards mankind with a despise him towards whom he has deeper and purer affection than even already exhibited such tenderness, when in their immediate presence. and on whose behalf he may hereafter Here it is that I enjoy intimate com- make such marvellous manifestations munion with the God of Abraham; of love as our blinded intellect cannot that I presume to intercede with Him at present know or imagine? The on behalf of those with whom I asso- true use of solitude is, not that we ciate; and while returning thanks may make her the mother or the for the blessings which he has heaped nurse of an unbecoming and unhalupon me, can render him still warmer lowed contempt for those around us, thanksgivings, that so many others are but that we may by her means permitted to partake them with me. strengthen our virtue, and learn how There do I endeavour to forget all we may the more extensively promote that my enemies may have done to the well-being of our race. The good excite my anger, and study only how man is, indeed, often wont to retire I may conquer them with kind- from the crowd, and bury himself in ness. All the follies and frailties of the depths of solitary thought; but he men I then give to the winds; I re- returns to the world laden with new member only that we are united by treasures of wisdom, like the diver the tie of universal brotherhood, that who plunges into the ocean and is we are children of one parent, are there hidden awhile, but soon arises subject to the same calamities, and with the pearl in his hand. will soon be laid in one common tomb. And if when musing on the power and the beneficence of God, I arise in sublime contemplation above this diminished earth and its puny inhabitants, and banish from my thoughts awhile the idea of any existence, save that of my soul and its Creator, soon is the importance of our race recalled to my meditations, when I think that the all-powerful and allwise Being in whose immensity my imagination had been lost, has condescended to call himself the God of Abraham, to interfere by visible symbols and express revelation on behalf for" your childhood, will not forsake of our lost and degraded creation; yes, your age. God loved you when a and that to me, the meanest of his boy; he has not forgotten you now. creatures, he has committed promises M. N. Ishmael. Ah! my brother, I feel that you are right: mine are but the words of passion, thine are the language of truth. Pray for me, that he who, when my mother fled to the wilderness, met her there in her desertion, and listened to the feeble cries of my infancy, may now satisfy my spiritual thirst with the pure waters of instruction, as he then revived my fainting frame with the life-giving stream of the well. Isaac. I do pray for you, my Ishmael; and I know that my prayers will not be in vain. He who "cared We do so, because even people of SKETCHES OF PUBLIC CHARITIES. education have seldom traversed in IN entering on the investigation of their thoughts this wide and wholePublic Charities, we feel that we are some territory in its length and about to traverse subjects full of the breadth. No practical guide-book deepest interest to all religious and has yet been published, which presents philanthropical spirits. They afford a full and accurate idea of the empire a vast and varied field of Christian of charity, either in its broad lines of and patriotic speculations, whose ten- demonstration, or in the minuter dis"dency is towards the direct and pal-tricts of sub-division. pable benefit of our fellow-creatures. We do so, above all, for the sake of How solid and respectable are bene- those who in general have had neither volent disquisitions which thus emerge time nor opportunity to examine that in the actual increase of social piety, vast and complicated machine of virtue, and happiness. They are not charity which has been erected for like what the poet calls, their peculiar benefit. They have usually no notion of the vastness and "Those dreams of good, Which come and grow in crowds and so- amplitude of this great store-house of litude, And leave no trace." But all is definite, tangible, and applicable. national sympathy and brotherly love. Nor are they sufficiently conversant in the details of its application, to avail themselves of its services in It is our intention to prosecute a the midst of their frequent calamities. series of sketches of those public cha- And yet there is hardly a misfortune rities which bear upon the actual or disaster that can befal them which service and benefit of the people. We has not been specially provided for do so, because the more graphically by this mighty engine of virtue. these topics are discussed, the more How many a man has endured the likely are they to excite the charitable pangs of poverty and neglect, unand benevolent impulses which now known and unpitied, when the exact lie slumbering in many bosoms, means of delivery were close at hand, waiting the electric shock of kindling (perhaps the other side of the street,) sympathy to start into new and be- but he knew not the facilities of esneficent operation. We do so, be- cape. How many a woman has sunk cause the more extensively these beneath the load of infamy and dissubjects are discussed, the more pro- ease, who might have been easily lific will they become of useful de- won back to the fair paths of virtue sign and prosperous existence. For and hopefulness, had she but known charity hath that kind of moral vi- that perhaps a dozen charitable institality and energy, which multiplies ac- tutions for the benefit of sufferers cording to the square of its circum-like herself were open to her claims. ference, and proceeds as if by a law Whole families have perished, not beof geometrical progression. She is cause there were no means of restolike a vigorous tree, whose every ration in existence, but simply begerm contains innumerable capacities cause they did not know where to of development, which time shall find them. multiply beyond all computation. Now our intention is, so far as in "Unnumbered harvests in a grain may benevolent institutions in being; and us lies, to give a familiar view of the dwell, And boundless forests slumber in a shell." to point out the highways and by ways which lead to them, so that any who wish to lend such establishments the assistance of wealth or exertion, or to derive from them the benefit of patronage and superintendence, may know how to apply, with ease and success. through all the clouds of ignorance, passion, and selfishness, which darkened the Judaic economy. It gleamed out among the philosophic contemplations of the Gentiles, and taught them that the more this universal socialism and fraternity prevails in our ampler in their intellectual bearings, and richer in sentimental sympathies. "I am To us no reflection is more ex-souls, the more universal they grow, hilarating and inspiring than the intense vitality, the invincible energy of this divine principle of charity At length Christianity, descending in the heart of man, when watered by from heaven, added a new and invinthe dews of heaven's blessing. It is cible radiance to this holy element of like the grain of mustard-seed, which charity. Then men began to learn is indeed the least of all seeds, yet the truth of the paradox, speedily becometh a great tree, in strongest when I am weakest." They whose branches the fowls of the air discovered that it was only in harmay lodge and nestle. It is even as mony with this transcendent sociality a particle of leaven, which a man that true self love could ever flourish took and hid in three measures of or rejoice; "for true self love and meal, till the whole was leavened. social are the same." They discoWe love to trace this benignant, vered that the best possible way of this genial principle of charity, in its ennobling and expanding self, was by irresistible career, going forth con-humbling and contracting it; that quering and to conquer. It is the charity is the best wisdom, and selgreat social principle of brotherly fishness the worst of folly. love and fraternity which forms the vital essence of the second commandment. The love of God is the sure and certain source of this unquenchable and illimitable love of man. And this love of man evinces the sincerity and purity of the love of God. They harmonize with each other by a kind of indissoluble concord, a sympathy vast as space, and imperishable as eternity. Like faith and works, they are twin forms in all created spirits; the existence of each is inextricably involved in that of the other; if they bloom they must bloom together, if they fade they will lie in the same tomb. They are lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they are not divided. This holy principle of charity is the very sun of the moral atmosphere of mankind. It dawned in the dawn of creation, and gladdened and purified all that it shone upon. It struggled (To be Continued.) F. B. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. YE that seek for happiness Ye in error lost, and blind, Ye in sins and trespass dead! Flowers of Hope: a Collection of Poems, Devotional and Miscellaneous. By W. J. Brock. 18mo. pp. 71.-Paul, PaternosterRow, London. THIS pretty little book has a delicate splendour in its exterior, and within is ornamented with many full-blown flowers, which few others can surpass, either in fragrance or beauty. We hope they will ever flourish with luxuriance in the soil selected for them by our young literary gardener. The language in general is harmonious, brightened with perspicuity, and fortified with vigour. The sentiments inculcated appear under the sanction of religion, and therefore claim attention. We are not however warranted by the laws of criticism to pronounce it faultless; but the blemishes are too trifling to require any severity of animadversion. The beauties and excellencies are brilliant and numerous, the defects few and insignificant. Facts and Observations relative to a New and Successful Mode of Treating Piles, Fistula, &c., &c. 8vo. pp. 122. By J. S. Van Butchell, Surgeon, &c.-Renshaw, 356, Strand, London. UNUSUAL as it is with us, to notice medical publications, we are only fulfilling our duties, which are essentially benevolent, in recommending this little work to the perusal of all who are afflicted with these painful diseases. The author has evidently given much time and study to this difficult branch of his profession, and has met with eminent success in cases that have baffled the art of the first surgeons. The testimonies of numerous patients, some of the highest rank, to the kindness and skill of his practice, appear in his work. Of the nature and symptoms of the disorders a clear definition is given; and the mode of treatment differs from that generally pursued, in avoiding the most severe and dangerous operations. The composition is chaste and forcible, free from technical phrases, and rather intended for popular use, than critical investigation. Upon the whole, Mr. Van Butchell deserves the thanks of his countrymen, for the services he has rendered to human nature, in mitigating its sorrows; and we are happy to hear that a very handsome and valuable piece of plate has been presented to him by a large number of his patients, as an expression of their gratitude and esteem. Memoir of J. B. Igglesden. By Thomas Bradshaw. Second Edition. Brittain, Queen's-Passage, Paternoster-Row, Lon don. FROM the hackneyed phrases with which such works generally abound, this little sentiments are expressed in plain and famivolume is in no small degree exempt. The liar language, without the monotonous repetition of terms which, though excellent in themselves, are worn threadbare by constant use. By those who are sincerely devoted to God, this work will be fully relished, and with these it contains no deficiency, to prevent it from being highly prized; and few we presume, will hesitate, on closing the book, to exclaim, the righteous, and let my last end be like his." "Let me die the death of he deserves well of his country. The silk and the gilding without, are eclipsed by the sterling gold within. Seriousness of appeal, purity of motive, and simplicity of language, are conspicuous in every page. It is a little book, calculated for great usefulness, and should be placed by every parent in the hands of his children. Aphorisms, anecdotes, and numerous examples, illustrative of principles, entitle this book to the best attention of every youthful reader; for the advice given is judicious and salutary. ANSWERS TO EXERCISES. No. VIII. I. "THE question proposed (for the eighth exercise) being of a complicated nature, requires analyzing, in the first instance, previous to its consideration in toto. Glorious Being' of God. This I can but interpret to mean a belief in the existence of God as revealed to us in the scriptures; for though the light of reason alone may afford us ground for the belief in the mere existence of God, without that of Revelation, it may be truly said, 'Ye know not what ye worship,' but reverence, an unknown God.'" "The glorious Being of God and his attributes are by that, and that alone, made manifest. The undefined shadow succombs to the sublime exhibition of a character worthy of eternal adoration, surrounded with a glory too dazzling for human gaze. The faint outline, filled up by the unerring pencil of the Holy Spirit himself, exhibits the combination of contrary attributes, with the strictest harmony, and in the greatest perfection. "This latter question is equivalent to another, namely, For a reason for a belief "A reason is first required for a belief in in the statements contained in the Holy the existence of God. In reply to your Scriptures. This having been disposed of in fourth exercise numerous were given of his one of your earliest exercises, I shall not existence. Among them were,-the evident now advert to any of the reasons which may marks of design in the whole construction of be given, but proceed to answer your query nature, as exhibited in the delicate adjust-in its entire and connected sense. ment of its various parts, and their accurate "1. I possess an internal conviction that adaptation to their several particular uses; I ought to reverence a superior Being, from the existence of man; the testimony of con- whom I derive my own existence, and on science; and the immaterial nature and in-whom I am dependent for its continuance. satiable desires of the human mind. The 2. I have endeavoured to employ such reaserious consideration of the above evidences, in a candid and docile spirit, will afford to every unprejudiced mind a satisfactory reason for a belief in a supreme Being. "A reason is next required for a belief in God as 'invisible to human sense,' and consequently requiring the exercise of strong faith. soning faculties as I possess, in the serious consideration of the proofs which are given of the Divine existence, and find them accord with my own conviction. 3. I have, also, incontrovertible evidence that the book which informs me of the character and perfections of that God to whom my reverence is due, is of divine origin, consequently, requiring my faith in its contents. "These, combined, afford a reason perfectly satisfactory, (at least to my own mind,) for a belief in the existence of the glorious being of a God, invisible to human sense.' 6 "That it is possible for effects to be clearly traced to an invisible agent, and that a belief in this invisible agency is not only rational but universally entertained, may be easily proved by a reference to two illustrations, commonplace it is true, but These, I raise as a barrier against the nevertheless so admirably adapted that I suggestions of Satan, and the objections of cannot refrain from employing them. The atheists; and, believing not only that God wind blows where it lists, and no one knows is,' but that he is also the rewarder of all whence it comes or whither it goes;' but who diligently seek him,' to him I offer my who can be found so sceptical as to deny humble prayer, that if unable to convince that he hears the sound thereof,' and per- such assay in their heart there is no God,' ceives its effects around hm? The internal of the awful consequences of their unbelief, and reflective principle, called the mind or I may as regards my own firm conviction, be soul, is neither visible to the eye, nor pal-ever enabled triumphantly to exclaim 'I pable to the touch; but who on that account know in whom I have believed.'”—J. C. W. denies its existence and influence on every action of life? The belief in an invisible Creator and Governor requires, therefore, no greater faith than that which is daily exercised by every rational being. Lastly, a reason is required for the belief in the II. "First, The transitory nature of every thing in the present state, must force the solemn and important truth on the most unreflecting mind, that this is not our rest; and that here we have no continuing city. Let |