The Very Rev. James Carmichael, M. A., D.C.L., Dean of Montreal, in the spirit of the resolution passed unanimously by the Provincial Synod of the Church of England in Canada on the subject of Christian union, urgently advocates in a small treatise published by Dawson Brothers of that city the union of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches in one vast ecclesiastical establishment, both for inherent strength and the speedier conquest of the country in the name of the Lord. Recognizing these as the great religious systems of Protestantism, and that the points of difference between them are of minor importance, relating to Church government, the ordination of ministers, and God's eternal decrees, he insists that there is reasonable or actual agreement between them touching the being of God, the holy Trinity, the divinity and work of Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Scriptures, the sacraments, the Church, absolution, justification by faith, good works, the ministry, fasting, public prayer, and other articles of faith and practice. As the Epis copal system is at variance with the others, chiefly with respect to the ministry, we curiously examined his statement concerning it, and learned that the three systems are agreed, (1) on the divine institution of the ministry; (2) on its being, as an order, distinct from the laity; (3) on the necessity of a proper call and transmission of authority; (4) on the duties of the ministerial office; (5) on its dignity, responsibility, and honor; (6) on the power of the ministry to bind and loose and to excommunicate and to declare absolution. The binding and loosing power in Methodism he finds in our rules governing “Church trials." He does not state that the doctrine of apostolical succession, hitherto an impediment to union, should be abandoned by those holding it, or how reconciliation is possible with its retention in a unionistic organization. Perhaps this

is viewed as an incidental feature that will take care of itself in the adjustment. With the scheme of organic unity, as here suggested, we are in perfect sympathy, and shall observe its progress with a permanent interest, hoping for its final success.

George Washington was inaugurated first President of the United States, April 30, 1789. The recognition of the completion of a century of the republic under the rule of a constitutional presidency by religious services on April 30, 1889, is appropriate, and will contribute both to the patriotism and religion of the people. That the Roman Catholics, with the approval of Archbishop Corrigan, and the Jews, with the co-operation of distinguished rabbis, and all imported nationalities, will join the Protestants in this centennial celebration is evidence of a tendency, not to anarchy or any species of foreignism, but of assimilation, of affinity with American ideas, of the solidarity and integrity of American life. National legislation grounded in American principles; the people, foreign and native, abjuring allegiance to outside laws, rulers, and ideas, and cemented together by the mortar of Americanism; the legal holidays, expressing a national sentiment; celebrations in observance of the lives of our forefathers, the events of the Revolution, and our national history

from Concord to Appomattox-these will make for national unity, present peace, and future stability. Any celebration that exalts a foreigner or a foreign idea; the parade of Orangemen, that excites controversy or division respecting a foreign event, and the hallowing of St. Patrick, as though he were the patron saint of America; or any movement not entirely American in spirit or result is inimical to the public welfare and a menace to the sobriety of national existence. The Society of the Sons of the Revolution is legitimate; but any society whose object is the propagation of an idea incongruous in our civilization is as objectionable as would be an organization to glorify the arch-leader of secession. In this statement we do not include statues of foreign heroes, scientists, explorers, rulers—or lectures, poems, or any token of appreciation of those in or of other lands; but only organizations that, taking advantage of opportunity to honor the worthy, instill un-American ideas in the public mind, and quietly and almost imperceptibly sow the seed of discord in the thought of the people by keeping alive the sympathies and principles. they are supposed to renounce in immigration. America is for Americans, native and naturalized, and all others should quit our shores.

Chautauqua, with its embodiments and accouterments, is a unique civilizer, counteracting the effects of our American dashism, if not barbarism. It represents ideas, forces, faculties, intellectual methods, wide-spread achievements. It rests upon an enduring basis, because controlled by moral and intellectual principles. Deprived somewhat of the minute supervision of its great chancellor by reason of his election to the episcopacy, it is by no means acephalous, but is preparing under other administrative guidance for still greater efficiency and service. Viewed as a university, it is stimulating habits of study in thousands of homes which hitherto were indifferent to reading and general literature; and under the influence of its papers, books, and central magazine it has awakened or contributed to the mental life of the nation as no single agency has been able to do. In the pending contest against ignorance, darkness, and diabolism, the country may look to Chautauqua for inspiration and helpfulness.

Lord Salisbury, in a recent speech at Edinburgh, declared in favor of woman suffrage, and the Pall Mall Gazette promises to support the idea if the Government should make it an issue. The editor of the North American Review is also a convert to the movement, though somewhat reticent on the subject. Woman's vote in Boston in the election of School Commissioners delivered the city from Roman Catholic premiership. Surely the woman suffragist should take courage, and continue to claim for her sex the civil and political rights to which she thinks she is entitled. The "sweet influences of Pleiades" may deliver the nation from corruption, irreligion, and death.

SPIRIT OF THE REVIEWS AND MAGAZINES.

It is an obvious fact that periodical publications, especially the Magazines and larger Reviews, are doing more to mold the thought of the times than books, because, for various reasons, they are more generally read. Noting this fact, the Christian thinker is more than pleased to find that most of the leading Reviews, both of England and America, are deeply imbued with the ethical spirit. The scope of their discussions is wide, embracing all the topics that command the attention of thoughtful men. Religion, philosophy, history, literature, statesmanship, politics, national ambitions, social problems, and, in short, whatever is of interest to humanity are treated in them by writers representing every variety of opinion, every type of thought, and looking at their themes from every imaginable view point. If these writers, who are mostly men of superior culture and exceptional ability, drew their inspiration chiefly from narrow national prejudices, partisan passions, sectarian bigotry, or unprincipled selfism, it is easy to see that the organs through which they reach the public mind would be as injurious to the passions of the people as the ancient Greek fire was to an assaulted city. Some such periodicals do exist, and they fan to flame every spark of dissatisfaction with their environments which is in the hearts of their readers. Fortunately, such magazines are few in number and limited in circulation. The bulk of magazine and review literature is of a higher class, and is, as we have said, pervaded by an ethical spirit. It brings almost every question to the bar of righteousness; not formally, but there is an under-current of respect for the law of righteousness running through it. Take, for example, two papers on Canada noted in this department. Instead of aiming, as they might, and probably would have done in other days, to excite an unprincipled greed for more territory in our people, they state facts with evident regard for the rights and duties of both nationalities. In like manner, the English Reviews which have lately spoken on European questions are for right and peace, and opposed to unjust aggressions. The theological reviews are also remarka bly free from polemical rancor and from unfairness. Sectarian writers write as men animated by mutual respect and good-will. read a dozen reviews for any given month without having one's moral emotions stirred to sympathy with any wrong, albeit his judgment may not be captured by much of what he reads. If, therefore, the Reviews be the leading educators of the more thoughtful portion of the public their eminently ethical temper may be taken as evidence that, despite the moral corruptions incarnated in the politics and business of to-day, the time is at hand in which right ethics will triumph over bad morals. So mote it be!

Indeed, one may

The Contemporary Review for December contains: 1. "An Appeal to Liberal Unionists;" 2. "Some Human Aspects of Indian Geography;" 3. The East End;" 4. "The Identity of Thought and Language;" 5. "The Future of Westminster Abbey; " 6. "Impressions of Australia;"

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7. "Finance and Politics; " 8. "The Future of Food;' " 9. "Principal Tulloch;" 10. "Contemporary Life and Thought in France." To those who study geography scientifically the second paper, by Sir W. W. Hunter, will be read with deep interest, because it shows, with marked lucidity, the relations which the physical configuration of India has borne to its past history and present condition, and to the phenomena of life among the races who have peopled it. Nature opposes barriers to the unity of the people in India, but Dr. Hunter thinks that England will solve the problem of overcoming nature and solidifying a united Indian Empire. In "Identity of Thought and Language" the Duke of Argyll engages in a philosophical tilt with Max Müller against his theory that "no concept is possible apart from articulate sound or word." The Duke makes a strong, if not a conclusive, case against the professor. In "Contemporary Life and Thought in France" Gabriel Monod views France with a pessimistic eye. He sees her environed with dangerous foes: Germany with a callow emperor eager for occasion to let loose the dogs of war, and irritating Alsace-Lorraine almost to the point of rebellion; Italy in an attitude of provocation; Austria leaning more and more toward Germany, and England reviving her ancient rivalry against her. Her only friend is Russia, which has declared that she shall not be crushed again by Germany. Besides, her book-stores are inundated with immoral literature. Let us hope, however, that other forces may be working out a better destiny for France than Monod's dark horoscope foretells. Her real need is the Protestantism which her rulers rejected in the times of St. Bartholomew and the Huguenot dragonnades.

The Forum for January contains: 1. “Is Union with Canada Desirable?" 2. "The Need of Another University;" 3. "An Easy Lesson in Statistics; 4. "The Recall of Ministers;" 5. "Defeated Presidential Candidates; " 6. "Unfinished Work of the War;" 7. "The Chinese Exclusion Bill; " 8. "A Raid on the Treasury; " 9. "Getting into Print; " 10. "Jottings on American Society." In the first of these papers Senator J. S. Morrill discusses pro and con the question of the political union of Canada with the United States. The undertone of his article, rather than its argument, indicates that, provided Canada heartily desired and asked it, its annexation might "advance the future dignity of our country and the permanent prosperity of the people." But he sees "almost insuperable difficulties" in the way of its accomplishment. The Senator writes intelligently and in a pacific spirit. "The Recall of Ministers" is a carefully prepared, interesting, and historical paper by James B. Angell touching the causes leading to the recall of foreign ministers asked for by our government, and to the circumstances in which foreign powers have asked for the recall of American ministers. Suggested by the recent case of Lord Sackville, this paper is opportune, giving valuable information pertinent to the subject. In "The Chinese Exclusion Bill" Henry L. Dawes gives a succinct account of our legislation respecting the Chinese, from the Burlingame Treaty of 1868 to the Exclusion Bill of 1888. It is a story that makes

one's cheek tingle with shame, because it shows how our Congress sacrificed the honor of the country on the altar of political expediency. The most racy and pungent paper in this number of The Forum is Leonard Woolsey Bacon's "Raid on the Treasury." With burning rhetoric and scathing moral indignation he exposes the unprincipled folly, the wild extravagance, and the reckless disregard of financial consequences exhibited in the "Arrears of Pensions Act."

In the North American Review for January we find: 1. "Naval Wars of the Future;" 2. "The Stage and Society;" 3. Parting Words to the Secretary of State;" 4. "Wit and Humor;" 5. "Is Yellow Fever Contagious?" 6. "The Greater Half of the Continent;" 7. "A Captain's Work;" 8. "The Next National Reform;" 9. "Two New York States;" 10. “Robert Elsmere's Mental Struggles:" 11. "Notes and Comments." In the sixth of the above-named papers Erastus Wiman states some facts about Canada which will surprise many. Canada contains, as he shows, "the greater half of the continent of North America;" no other country equals it "in riches of resource, in accessibility, in ease of internal communication;" or, strange to say, "excels it in the advantages of climate." In discussing its destiny he submits that those who think it should form a part of the United States should "revise their conclusion." He insists that such "political union to those best informed seems most difficult and distant," but "a commercial union would be just as advantageous," and is "an easily attainable possibility." This is a valuable and suggestive paper. In "The Next National Reform" Allen Thorndike Rice, editor of the Review, utters weighty words, which every man who desires the preservation of our government will do well to consider. In view of prevailing political corruption he insists that unless a system of "honest voting be devised, making bribery unprofitable and knavery impotent, popular elections in America will become a farce," and our democratic institutions "share the ruin of earlier free governments." The words of Mr. Rice are strong, timely, and true.

The Nineteenth Century for December contains: 1. "The Presidential Election in the United States;" 2. "The Recent Change in European Affairs;" 3. "What St. John Saw in Patmos;" 4. "Soldiers' Rations;" 5. "Faith-Healing as a Medical Treatment;" 6. "An Autumn Visit to Japan;" 7. Two Conflicting Reports on Education;" 8. "The Fruit-growing Revival;" 9. “ Selecting Colonial Governors;" 10. "The Beothuks of Newfoundland;" 11. "The Protest against Over-examination." The article on European affairs, by Frederick Greenwood, is a remarkably lucid presentation of the events which have recently transpired in continental Europe. Germany feels compelled to increase her armaments and to keep her vast army in readiness to meet the impatient soldiers of France. Russia is still preparing for war. Austria and Italy are also adding to their military and naval strength. And this tension of feeling