political strife or party spirit? And when was there so much enlightened zeal to improve our laws, and to promote the general happiness and wellbeing of the people? Yet, on the other hand, is there nothing to blame? Is not all reference to the principles of the Bible systematically and studiously avoided, in the discussion of subjects connected with our national policy? Is not worldly expediency the great idol of veneration? Hence the backwardness of the legislature, by suitable enactments, to secure to the Christian Sabbath that honour to which it is entitled. Hence it is that the stream of wise and pure legislation, calculated to refresh and fertilize the land, is impeded in its progress by an undue and paramount regard to the interests and prejudices of particular classes, when these clash with the public good. What but this prevents, for example, the adoption of those beneficent principles of trade, which would cheapen the food of man, and, by removing commercial restrictions, give free scope to his industry? What but this keeps the colonial slave fast bound in misery, and even held there, not by the feeble arm of his master, but by the gigantic grasp of the British legislature? Thus also are too many of our appointments, not only civil but ecclesiastical, made subservient rather to secular interests than to the glory of God and the eternal welfare of the souls of men. But we forbear-let our readers fill up the picture both in its brighter and its darker shades. If, descending from the higher classes, we direct our view to the nation at large, we shall still observe marks of improvement in many important respects. The multiplication of schools, and especially of infant schools, as well as of institutions for diffusing knowledge among the adults; the increase of places of worship, and of those who frequent them, are without doubt encouraging circumstances. But with all this apparent profusion of effort, in which none can rejoice more sincerely than we do, have we not also much to deplore? To say nothing of the open and growing desecration of the Sabbath which we are forced to witness, and the gross profaneness which every where wounds the ear, and the licentiousness which walks undaunted through our streets; let us only think of the thousands and hundreds of thousands in this great metropolis and throughout the land, by whom the invitations of Divine mercy are never heard ; whose thresholds are never crossed by the feet of any of the messengers of the Prince of Peace; who themselves never enter the sacred walls where his name is honoured and his grace displayed; who, in the midst of Christian light, continue enveloped in worse than Pagan darkness; and of whom it may with truth be said that no man careth for their souls; and we shall find abundant cause for sorrow and humiliation. Again, let us contemplate the feverish lust of gain, the inordinate ambition, the sensuality, the unmingled worldliness of spirit, that have heen exhibited in the wild speculations which have infatuated the commercial world, and in which other classes have too largely participated; in the avarice, dishonesty, and venality to which so conspicuous a prominence has of late been given, and for which the nation has so justly been suffering and shall we not humble ourselves for these things? But we again forbear, and shall leave our readers to fill up the chequered outline. In looking to what is called the religious world, we need not say how unfeignedly we rejoice in the wider extension of true piety, both in the national church and amongst other denominations of Christians; in the addition of many persons in every rank in life, and not a few in the highest circles, to the number of the professed followers of Jesus Christ; in the growing numbers and usefulness of our Bible, and missionary, and educational societies, and of various other works of Christian benevolence and duty. Yet is there nothing wrong here also? Is there here no display of the love of mere bustle and excitement rather than of sober scriptural devotedness to the glory of God? Is there no swelling self-importance; no secularity of spirit; no undue estimation of our own powers; no vain jangling, the fruit of unsanctified tempers; no preference of some minute and unprofitable speculations above Christian love and unity; no inordinate eagerness for searching into points of doubt and mystery, to the neglect of some of the weightier matters of the law? Do we see the religion, so much lauded and blazoned in public, the rule and the ornament of life? Does it pervade the heart, the shop, the family, the social circle? Is time adequately improved? Are the sins of the tongue anxiously guarded against? Is there no formality in our devotion; no selfishness in our profession; no lukewarmness in our affections; no intolerance in our zeal? Have godly simplicity and sincerity banished the influence of worldly expediency, and crooked policy? And, in the view of some recent events in the history of our religious and charitable institutions, have we not to lament much unchristian animosity, and unseemly jealousies and contentions, and in some instances even wide departures from truth and candour and charity, and a bitterness of vituperation and invective, from which modern refinement protects the ordinary intercourse even of worldly men in civilized society? Would that we could, with justice, give a negative to such inquiries. One thing at least, it is in the power of every one who reads these lines to do: he can determine, by the grace of God, in his own sphere, to resist this downward progression; he can exhibit in his own example that meekness, moderation, and forbearance which seem to have been of late forgotten in the catalogue of Christian graces; and labour to bring all around him to conform to the apostolical injunctions, "Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous," and "be at peace among yourselves." Page Page - 90-105 Relig. Com.-Reason and Faith-Chrysos- tom's Homily De Statuis (concluded) - Providence of God-Biblical Criticism on Gen. xxxv. 15, 16; Psal. lxxxiv. 3.— Fam. Ser. on Luke xviii. 9, 10.....65-81 Miscel-General Jackson-Jansenists - Po- pish Holidays-Use of the Fathers......85-88 Ree, of Belsham's Epistles of St. Paul - Lit. Intel-Great Britain - India-America La Plata New Publications ........110-112 Relig.Intel-Education in S. America-Tract Societies in Europe - Sunday Schools for Ireland Newfoundland School Society Levant Missions - New Orleans Mariners' Society-Society for Prop. of Gospel-Poor Pious Clergy Society ..............................................112—122 Pub. 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