whose builder and maker is God. Thus everything in this religion is attracting us towards duty, and God, and heaven.

In the figures by which the operation of truth is represented, the same principle is set forth. It is compared to the upspringing of the seed, to the growth of the grass, and to the flourishing of the tree. Now what causes growth in the vegetable kingdom? Is it not the warming influence of the genial sun, the agency of the distilling dew and gentle rain, together with that nourishment derived from the luxuriant earth? If the shaded tree is complained of for being unfruitful, may it not demand more sun? If the plant is accused of being feeble and sickly, may it not call for a more fertile soil! It is the same in the kingdom of grace. And, therefore, if we would have the heart productive, and loaded with all the fruits of virtue, we must let it feel the bright rays of the sun of righteousness, and the refreshing power of the dews of divine grace. In no other way can the plants of love be made to grow and flourish. You might as well suppose you could force the growth of the seed by chilling winds and nipping frosts, as to suppose you could force, by any terror or cruelty, the growth of love in the soul.

The principle for which we are contending, is the one by which we are led to every effort we make. Why is it that the laborer toils on, month after month, and year after year, at an employment injurious to his constitution and wasting to his energies? Is it not because he experiences pleasure in feeding and clothing his children, and providing them with a happy home? Why is it that the man of wealth sends his ships across the ocean, and employs his capital in erecting dwellings and manufactories? Is it not because he is pleased with the glitter and show of large possessions? Why is it that the student consumes night after night the midnight taper, and studies on till he grows pale and emaciated? Is it not because he is pleased with becoming acquainted with the world's history, and is anxious to enrich his mind with all the treasures of knowledge, that he may have the honor and profit which they afford. Thus in all pursuits, there is some object before us, which operates as a magnet to draw us forward. How fully, then, does this establish our position! God wins his people in every pursuit to which he calls them. If you desire any further proof, look at nature. God has sent us into this world for a specific purpose; but he has so situated us that we take pleasure in remaining here and engaging in the discharge of our duties. How fair and beautiful is the world in which we live! See its smiling landscapes, with their peaceful vales, quiet streams, and verdant hills. Listen to the varied notes

of sweet harmony, as they resound and re-echo through the land. Look above you, and gaze upon the expanded skies, the bright stars, and all the enchanting beauties of the upper deep. Then look around you, and see the countless sources from which you are constantly drawing happiness; and I know you will admit that nature knows nothing of force. Instead of shutting us up in a great prison, where we are obliged to toil on in wretchedness, God has given us a bright and beautiful world, and made our chief good consist in doing our duty. In all things, then, the principle which the work before us was designed to illustrate, is most distinctly recognized. God wins us to contentment; he wins us to duty; he wins us to heaven.

A great and glorious change has taken place, within a few years, in regard to the law under consideration. The time was when the chief reliance was on fear, and when scarcely any effort was made to govern by appealing to the better feelings of human nature. If parents wished to teach their children religion, they took the catechism in one hand, and a rod of iron in the other. But now they do it by leading the mind into truth. Now, too, they are sent to a religious school, where their little hearts glow with rapture, while learning to sing, and pray, and walk in the path to heaven. The same course was pursued in all things. All laws were enforced by the severest of penalties. But, thanks to the genius of the gospel, cruelty has been nearly driven from society. Our schools, colleges, and penitentiaries are beginning to be governed upon a new principle. I trust that the day is not far distant when cruelty shall also be driven from the pulpit, and from the schools of the prophets. That cannot be long retained in the creed, which is refuted by the best experience of society.

We have just received a copy of the second London edition. It is elegantly printed and bound. The first London edition of 2000 copies was sold in a few months.

FESTUS.

This is a Poem by Philip James Bailey. American edition, published by B. B. Mussey.

Few of our readers have not heard of this work; and most, perhaps, have perused some of the many criticisms which have been published respecting it. That it is an exception to the standard style of modern poetic composition, none will deny; although opinions differ as to the degree of merit to which it is entitled. It is an attempt not only at the loftiest style of imaginative versification, but the writer has stepped into a field VOL. III.-NO. IV.

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to discuss topics which require rare intellectual mastery and great daring to avoid even insipid tameness, and still more to reach success in the bold effort. Whatever faults the eye of criticism may have detected, the commendations bestowed upon the work, prove that the author has by no means failed in his aim, venturesome as it, in this day, surely is.

The poem is in blank verse,-a style which is rarely cultivated to that degree of success which alone gives to it euphony and sweetness. In this particular the work is exceedingly contradictory. Many portions exhibit a smooth and captivating grace of measure, which comports charmingly with the lofty tone of the whole; but much of it is rough, uncouth, and grating,-indeed, it is actually disagreeable. These want finish and polish. The peculiarity of the work, and that which will mainly give it reputation, whether deserved or not, is quaintness,-by which we mean an air of eccentricity, oddity, which pervades both plot and composition. It is an odd affair, unusual, novel, strange, -and its doctrines, if not new, are clothed in such cunning disguise as gives them at least the appearance of new fancies,-or facts, if such they be. These peculiarities will secure to it that consideration to which the hopes of the writer must have aspired, and its undoubted -beauties, its bold and imposing imagery, its lofty, and energetic philosophy, and the speculative interest which always attaches to the general subject which it discusses, will secure for it a flattering degree of notice, an extensive perusal, and no slight degree of that popularity, which is so grateful to an author's ambition. It is destined, we doubt not, to become a library-book,—although, from the very nature of the work, the interest felt in it must soon be lost in the flood of publications which now sweep over the literary world.

Of the value of the views advanced in "Festus," we give no opinion, we have not room, nor would the reader, probably, feel much interest in such a review. We consider the work deserving of more than ordinary notice, but we could only, at this time, give it a hasty and imperfect remark or two. Those who are curious in such matters will find enough in "Festus " to employ many leisure hours pleasantly, if not profitably, in perusing it.

SABBATH SCHOOL ANNUAL.

We have received from Br. J. M. Usher a copy of a neat Annual for children. It is printed on good paper, is well bound, and contains several pretty engravings. We are highly pleased with its appearance, The editor, Mrs. J. G. Adams, has discharged her duty with taste and

ability. The articles are generally well adapted to children, and we have no hesitancy in saying, the work will be truly popular among them. It may be had of Br. Usher, 25 Cornhill.

UNIVERSALIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting was held on the 18th ult, in Boston. After the record of last year's proceedings had been read, Rev. Moses Ballou, the Secretary pro tem., read the report of Rev. T. J. Sawyer, the Secretary. The Report stated that 110 books had been added to the library during the past year. The Committee on the subject of a historical journal, reported that they had not been able to establish one. The Secretary has recently removed from New York city to Clinton. Agreeably to the arrangements of the Society, the library was removed with him.

The expenses for the last year have been $83,77. These have exceeded the receipts, and the Treasurer has therefore been overdrawn.

The Report and the Treasurer's Report were accepted, and referred, with the correspondence of the Society, to a Committee on Publication.

The Society proceeded to the choice of President, Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretaries. Rev. William S. Balch was re-elected President, and Rev. T. J. Sawyer, Secretary. After voting to take up collections at the religious meetings to be held in the afternoon, the Society adjourned, to meet on Tuesday evening next preceding the meeting of the Convention next year.

OBITUARY OF MRS. BAKER.

"I write this article," says Br. S. H. Lloyd, "to announce the death of Mrs. Baker, wife of Br. Jacob Baker, of Willimantic, Ct. She expired in Marlboro', at her former residence, on Wednesday evening of last week. Her disease was that of consumption, and though it had been for some time preying upon her constitution, yet it was not until a fortnight before her death that she realized her situation. But nothing could exceed the calmness with which she received its announcement, -nothing could exceed the child-like trust and confidence that she manifested in her resignation to the Divine will. It was my pleasure to be sent for to converse with her a few days before her death, and to learn from her own countenance and lips the serenity of her mind, and her confidence in the Supreme Being. She did not express a regret to die, but seemed to have no will but her Father's. I shall never forget the perfect calmness depicted in her eye when I conversed with her on the subject of her departure. If ever a Christian triumphed, she triumphed. Such was her entire reconciliation to her dissolution, that,

a few hours before her death, when she was only able to whisper, she beckoned for all the family to approach her bedside, each one of whom she took by the hand and bade good bye.' When the question was asked her, if she expected to meet them again, she replied, 'Yes, we shall all meet in heaven.' There is something beautiful in such a death, something that exhibits the value of the gospel, and that makes the death of friends less bitter, and heaven more inviting.

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By the death of Sister Baker our brother has sustained a great loss, and so also have the mother, the brothers and sisters, and the other relatives and friends of the departed. We affectionately commend them all to God, the Father of our mercies, and to his Son Jesus Christ, who is able to bind up every broken heart that will come to him, and to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." "

"THE CHORAL."

This is a collection of church music, adapted to the worship of all denominations. The authors, B. F. Baker and I. B. Woodbury, enjoy a high reputation as composers and teachers of music. Most of the tunes in the Choral have been selected from the works of American and foreign composers; and those which we have had the pleasure of hearing are of a peculiarly devotional character. We think the Choral an admirable book, and take pleasure in commending it to the notice of choirs and teachers of music. It is published by Otis, Broaders & Co., 120 Washington Street.

MONTHLY RECORD.

REMOVALS.-Br. J. H. Sawyer has removed to South Wenham, Me.; Br. F. Foster to Winthrop, Me.; Br. C. C. Burr to Philadelphia; Br. J. Moore to Troy, N. Y.; Br. L. C. Browne to Norwich, Ct. ; Br. W. H. Ryder to Nashua, N. H.; Br. J. W. Talbott to Hingham; Br. N. Doolittle to Columbus, Ohio.

CONVERTS IN THE MINISTRY.-Rev. A. Smith, of the Methodist Church, Kentucky; Rev. James M. Blair, Campbellite Baptist, of Ky. NEW PREACHERS.-Br. E. Case, jr., of Lockport, N. Y.; Br. D. C. Tomlinson, of Gaines, N. Y.

ORDINATIONS.-Br. M. Roberts was ordained in Philadelphia in August last. Sermon by Br. A. C. Thomas. Br. Z. G. Howe was ordained in Abington, Oct. 2d. Sermon by Br. O. A. Skinner.

DEDICATIONS.-The Universalist Church in Hermon, Me., was dedicated on the 10th ult. Sermon by Br. Harris. The church built by the Fifth Society of New York, was dedicated on the 10th ult. Sermon by the pastor, Br. Parker.

NEW SOCIETIES.-A Society of Universalists has recently been organized in Royalton, Ohio; and another in Conois, Mich., numbering 24 members.