style. It is clear in its statements of doctrines, copious in its illustrations, and learned in its criticisms. As a commentator Br. Paige is entitled to a high rank, and our denomination owe him a great debt of gratitude for the able and faithful manner in which he is executing his work. We are glad to find in this volume fewer references to weekly publications than in the first volume. Such references can be of but little service, as only a very small number of those who purchase the Commentary will be able to consult them.

We are much pleased with the manner in which Br. Paige has explained several difficult texts. His explanations give us increased confidence in his learning and judgment. On the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, he is very clear and satisfactory. The same is true of his explanation of the many mansions, spoken of in John xiv. As a sample of his work, we will give the following extract. It is an explanation of Luke xvi, 9. "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations."

thy

"When ye fail. That is, when the event shall occur, similar to the discharge of the steward from office; when the old dispensation shall be abolished, and ye shall no longer be even nominal stewards of God. T They may receive you. This passage is more properly taken impersonally; the phrase "that they may receive you" being equivalent to that ye may be received into everlasting habitations. Impersonal verbs of this form are frequent in Greek; for example, Luke xii, 20, "This night shall they require thy soul of thee," in the Greek, for “ soul shall be required of thee."—Robinson. This meaning of the phrase corresponds with the general interpretation of the former part of the verse; and the meaning of the whole is,-make such use of your worldly goods, make such prudent provision for the future, that, when the impending catastrophe shall come, ye may be received into a place of security. Everlasting habitations. That is, the kingdom of heaven, which was then near at hand. This form of expression was suggested by the houses in the parable. If they distributed their possessions to the poor, they would not fail in the hour of trial, through fear of temporal loss, and would moreover manifest that spirit of love towards men which is characteristic of Christianity. See Matt. xix, 21-30. But if their love of riches prevented their entrance into the kingdom, Matt. xix, 23, 24, they must expect the consequences intimated in Matt. xxi, 43; Luke xiii, 24-30; and in the parable which concludes this chapter, ver. 19–31.”—p. 134.

ENDLESS PUNISHMENT.

ITS ORIGIN AND GROUNDS EXAMINED.

Our thanks are due to Br. Price, of New York, for a copy of an able and learned work of 250 12mo. pages, on the above subject, from the pen of Br. T. J. Sawyer. The work is one of no small research, and must have taxed greatly both the time and patience of the indus

trious author. It will be an unwelcome volume to the Orthodox; for it gives a full exhibition of the horrid doctrines they have taught. The perusal of it, we should think, would teach them a lesson of modesty, and make them heartily ashamed of their boasted pretensions to an almost infallible knowledge. They would have us feel that it is impious to question the correctness of the theology of a sect so large and learned. And yet, in the volume before us we have numerous extracts from the writings of their most distinguished men, which would disgrace the most ignorant theological quack of Christendom!

We hope the work of Br. Sawyer will meet with an extensive sale. Price 50 cents.

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

The annual session of this body was held in Boston, June 3d. A very large number of lay and clerical delegates were in attendance, and the meeting was in all respects a good one. There is, we are glad to say, an increasing interest among our people in Sabbath schools. We are beginning to realize their importance, and to make an effort in their behalf corresponding with the good they are calculated to do. The object for which we labor is not, so much as formerly, to prevent our children from being proselyted by other sects. The work we are now doing is positive in its character. We are teaching our children the truth; we are awakening within them a love for our Zion; we are forming their habits; we are guiding them into the ways of the Lord. We have learned, that, in order to have them support and live our religion, when they reach the years of maturity, they must be taught it in childhood and youth. Hitherto we have depended for increase upon proselytes from other sects. We have found this an easy mode of increase,—so easy that we have neglected the spiritual culture of our children. We are still making proselytes, and we shall continue to make them while the other sects continue to preach their erroneous doctrines. Truth is mighty, and will find its way into the mind, however encased by bigotry and error. We have numerous societies among us, which are composed almost entirely of converts from other sects. But it is not enough that we should seek to strike the fetters from minds enslaved by error. This is only a part of our work. We must educate our children; we must train them up in the way they should go; we must give them that spiritual culture which will make them Christians. There are different ways of bringing the soul into the

gospel kingdom. Conversion is the way most frequently mentioned in the New Testament. Not, however, because that is the best way, but because Jesus and his apostles found the world in sin, and had to begin the work of spiritual improvement by converting sinners. Education is the best and most successful way,—the best because the young mind is tender and peculiarly susceptible to impression,-the best, because habits early formed are more valuable than those formed in advanced life. Hence Paul says, “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The importance of this command we are beginning to realize. Our Sabbath schools are increasing in numbers and interest. Teachers are punctual. Children are attentive. Ministers are active, and Parents lend them their aid. God be praised for these indications of a true prosperity.

We have before us the Annual Report of the Association, by Br. C. H. Fay, and the Sermon, by Br. J. G. Adams,—both excellent productions. They are published by Br. J. M. Usher, the indefatigable friend of Sabbath schools, whose office is 29 Cornhill, where they can be obtained. From the Report we learn that in the forty-nine schools whose condition was reported this year, there are 5361 scholars, 951 teachers, 17 Bible classes, and 15,464 volumes.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ADDRESSED TO REV. THEODORE PARKER AND HIS FRIENDS.

These Answers purport to be from a friend of Mr. Parker. If we occupied Mr. P.'s position, we should not thank such a friend for his services. Many of the answers are evasions, and many extremely weak. There is nothing in the pamphlet which indicates either talent or learning. The most we can say in its commendation is, that it contains two or three good retorts.

JUVENILE LIBRARY. VOL. III.

We are extremely happy to learn that sufficient patronage is extended to this work to justify its continuance. It is well adapted to the young, and calculated not only to interest, but instruct and improve them. Mrs. Sawyer, the author, always writes admirably. Her stories are exceedingly popular with all children. She has a happy faculty of adapting her writings to their capacities and tastes.

The Library is published by C. L. Stickney & Co., New York. Price 37 cents.

MONTHLY RECORD.

ORDINATIONS.-Br. E. Davis, of Marlborough, N. H., was ordained at the meeting of the State Convention of Universalists at Winchester, N. H., June 19th. Br. B. Smith was ordained as pastor of the church in Hardwick, July 2d. Sermon by Br. S. P. Skinner. Br. H. P. Cutting was ordained in Fairfax, Vt., June 11th. Sermon by Br. Sampson.

NEW PREACHERS.-Br. Daniel Turner, of Terrehaute, Indiana, and Br. A. D. Mason, of New London, Ct., have entered the gospel ministry.

NEW MEETING-HOUSES.-The house purchased by our friends in Ashfield of the Baptists, was dedicated July 2d. A union house was dedicated in Fairfax, Vt., June 11th. Sermon by Br. Baker. A house was dedicated in Barnard, Vt., June 25th. Sermon by Br. H. Ballou. Another in Lempster, N. H., July 10th. Sermon by Br. A. A. Miner.

CHURCH RECOGNIZED.-A church, consisting of about sixty members, which has been gathered in Bangor, Me., under the labors of Br. H. R. Nye, was recognized June 29th. Sermon by Br. O. A. Skinner. Right Hand of Fellowship by F. A. Hodsdon. Four, besides the pastor, were immersed, and twelve sprinkled.

REMOVALS.-Br. W. Spaulding has removed to Methuen; Br. H. B. Soule from Boston to Gloucester; Br. B. Hunt to Cowlesville, N. Y.; Br. H. H. Baker to Essex; Br. W. R. G. Mellen from Taunton to East Cambridge; Br. A. Wood to Milwaukie County, Wisconsin; Br. I. C. Knowlton to Southwest Bend, Me.; Br. D. Forbes to West Bridgewater; Br. T. L. Harris to Duanesburgh, N. Y.; Br. E. M. Knapp to Laconia, Ind. Br. J. A. Bartlett, to Gloucester, (Squam Parish).

NEW SOCIETY.-A society of twenty-four members has been formed in Convis, Michigan.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-A Home Missionary Society has been formed in the Western Reserve Association, Ohio. Br. George Messenger, President; Br. J. S. Palmer, Vice-president; Br. H. Converse, Secretary, and Br. H. Y. Beebee, Treasurer. Heaven grant that it may prosper. Such societies are needed in all parts of our country.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

MEETING-HOUSES.-The Universalists of Medina, Ohio, are erecting a house of worship. Br. F. Loring is their minister. In Conneautville, Pa., a house will be erected the present season. Br. Bond labors here. But a few years since the advocates of endless misery prevented Br. Beals from preaching in the place by egging him. In Erie, Pa., where Br. Gifford preaches, an elegant house will be completed this When finished, it will be one of the most noble edifices in the

season.

city. Its width is 45 feet,-length 70 feet,-heighth of the tower, from the foundation, 54 feet. In Beverly, the Universalists are preparing to erect a meeting-house. Proposals have already been issued for the erection of it. It is to be 64 by 44, with a steeple, and to be completed by the first of January.

Br. N. STACY is engaged in writing his own biography. He is now about sixty years of age. He has been one of the most devoted, faithful, and persevering ministers ever engaged in the cause of Christ.

LIBERALITY.-A Congregational minister of Ohio has made a proposition for Union Conference Meetings of the four denominations in his town, namely, the Universalists, the Methodists, the Baptists, and his own.

OHIO CONVENTION OF UNIVERSALISTS.-At the annual session of this body the following important resolutions were passed:

Whereas, the infliction of Capital Punishment is inconsistent with the doctrines of Christ,-the requisition of blood for blood, in the first dispensation, having been, in our opinion, abolished by the institution of the Gospel Dispensation, which requires us to "render good for evil," and "overcome evil with good,"-by this body therefore, be it

Resolved, That we recommend to our brethren, everywhere, to use every proper and lawful means to effect the abolition of Capital Punishment.

Voted, That it be recommended to the friends of Universalism throughout the State, to establish Sunday schools, for the instruction of children and youth, wherever it is practicable.

RETURN OF JONATHAN WALKER.-Capt. J. Walker, who has suffered imprisonment and other privations in Florida, on the charge of aiding and abetting the freedom of seven slaves, arrived recently at New York, in the Brig Lowder, from Pensacola. He had been tried twice before the court of the Western District of Florida.

POPULATION OF THE WORLD.-The following statistics from the Western Luminary, present rather a discouraging result, according to the popular opinion in regard to the future State. The world is divided into four grand systems, namely, Paganism, Judaism, Christianity, and Mahomedanism. Pagans, 500,000,000; Christians, 150,000,000; Mahomedans, 147,000,000; Jews, 3,000,000; Total, 800,000,000. The Christians include all living in Christendom, and are divided into three grand divisions, namely, Greek and Eastern Church, 40,000,000; Roman Catholics, 70,000,000; Protestants, 50,000,000; Total, 150,000,000.

The above includes the half-civilized hordes of Russia; also the semi-barbarians of all South America; likewise France, being almost a nation of Deists; and in the United States, Deists, Shakers, Mormons, &c. Add to these the following converts :-Greek Church, say one-tenth, 3,000,000; Roman Catholic Church, one-eighth, 9,000,000; Protestant Church, one fourth, 12,000,000. Now deduct the Hypocrites, which is no small division, and there will remain in the little flock scarcely 20,000,000. This would be only about one out of forty to inherit salvation!