Agardh, and Decandolle. This phenomenon excited as much attention as if it had been quite new, and, in fact, it had not been very often observed. Saussure found red snow about 1760 on the Alps; M. Ramond had also observed it on the Pyrenees, and M. Sommereld in Norway. It had also been, not unfrequently, perceived in the different districts of Italy. Saussure considered that this substance, from the circumstance that it produced the usual smell of vegetables on being exposed to the fire, was the pollen of a plant, though there is none so rich in pollen exhibiting this colour. The red snow which fell in Italy exhibited, on chemical analysis, the same elements with that brought to Europe by Captain Ross. M. Peschier, who had already recognised in the red snow of the Alps the presence of an organic substance, received, in 1824, from M. de Barron, of the monastery on St. Bernard, a small bottle of the water which had been produced, in consequence of the melting of this snow. Barron informed him, at the same time, that red snow took a deeper colour as the season advanced, but that the lower layers preserved their red tinge. In inclining the bottle on its axis, M. Peschier saw the deposit formed at the bottom reflect a reddish colour, like that of the snow. He examined it, as well as the deposit from the red snow of the Pole, with the microscope of Amici, in the company of Messrs Prevost and Decandolle; and they found between these two substances a complete analogy. The snow of the Alps was, therefore, supposed by Decandolle to be like that of the north, a mass of small plants, of the same family with the Alga, or sea-weeds. Some asserted that this substance was of an animal, and not of a vegetable, nature; others, again, that it was partly animal and partly vegetable. Agardh supposes that the alga of red snow is produced when the heat of the sun has melted the surface of the snow, by the action of light conjointly with the property, not yet calculated, which snow has, of producing the white colour; but only, as Saussure says, at a certain period of the melting of snow, for when it is not much melted, the quantity of the red residuum is very small, and if it is too much melted we find nothing.' We may add, that this phenomenon presents itself in Italy precisely in the months when the snow begins to melt, that is to say, March and April. M. Nees is of opinion, not only that red snow is of the same nature with atmospheric substances, but also that they have a mixed origin. He advances, however, on this difficult road with extreme circumspection, mentioning, on the one side, the well attested facts, and, on the other, the hypotheses of different learned men ; and presenting, at the same time, his own inductions only in the form of doubts. This is the true philosophic mode of advancing our knowledge of a subject so complicated as that which we have just considered, and which, in spite of the indefatigable labours of several able observers, will, for a long time, remain an insoluble problem. With regard to the meteoric phenomena resembling red snow, we shall content ourselves with a brief description of the characters they have exhibited to some observers. Red Hail. Humboldt mentions that, at Paramo de Guanacos, on the road from Bogota to Popayan, in South America, red hail was seen falling. It is much to be regretted that he had not himself witnessed this phenomenon, as his observations would have carried with them that authority which accompanies his name. As, however, he gives this fact as certain, we must regard it as such; and, although isolated, it is not the less precious both in itself, and because it is connected Decandolle has discovered lately that the red colour of the lake Morat, in Switzerland, depended on a species of Oscillatoria, or small vegetables or animalcula belonging at once to the vegetable and animal kingdoms. M. Ehrenberg has made the same discovery with regard to the Red Sea. with analogous facts, which we have to cite, and serves to confirm the inductions with regard to their nature and their common origin. Rain of Sulphur.-M. Agardh mentions an instance of a rain of this kind which fell several years ago at Lund. He examined it; and, along with those who had also observed a similar rain, found not sulphur, but a great quantity of the pollen of the Pinus sylvestris, or common Scotch fir, although the forests composed of that tree were distant from Lund about five or six Swedish miles. The Red or Bloody Rain.-M. Nees mentions three kinds, during a storm, under the form of flakes, like the snow Berlin. CHRISTIAN TREASURY. We are A Word to the Bereaved.-In our lamentations for the departure of the objects of our affection and esteem, there is often more selfishness, than a Christian should admit into any feeling that concerns them. apt to view the dispensation as sent only to afflict and chastise us, without considering the intention of it with respect to them. Yet surely they are still more nearly concerned in it than we are; and the purpose which it serves to them should be first attended to. Hence we keep grieving and complaining (O shameful thought!) because they are called to heaven, and put in possession of eternal bliss. And why? Why truly for this poor and selfish reason, that we must travel a little way without them, and would have felt it more agreeable to have had their company;-as if the Almighty were not able to carry us through, as well, or better, with- | out them than with them. It were surely more worthy of our Christian character and hope, to contemplate and to rejoice in their removal, as the termination of their sins and sorrows, the commencement of their eternal bliss. We would congratulate them on the acquisition of an estate, we would rejoice on their success in any important enterprise; and shall we grieve at their attainment of the incorruptible inheritance, and their final, their certain success in the great concern? Or if, as no doubt will often be the case, we notwithstanding cannot help feeling a painful blank, there is an effect which this should, and must, have on a believer's mind, that is highly improving, and will ere long be richly comfortable. It is the fault and the complaint of the most spiritually minded, that their thoughts and affections are too much engrossed by earthly things. Not that there are not many things on earth, to which attention and affection are due; but because these fill up our time and thoughts so much, as not to leave to things above the share to which their superior importance entitles them. Now, when a dearly loved person is removed to another world, the natural or proper effect of this on a believer's mind is, to make him think more and oftener about that other world, and to draw his affections towards it, by a new, a strong, and tender tie. For as frequently as a thought of the departed returns, he must think of him as an inhabitant of that higher state, and by all the longing desire which he feels towards him, his longing and desire for the state itself becomes more steady and more ardent. And the more steadily and ardently our minds are directed thither, the more must that frame of mind, which is necessary for its enjoyment, be promoted, and the more shall we anticipate of its serenity and peace. Thus, such an affliction should, and will, lead us to "look at the things unseen;" and while we do, these, in their turn, will make our afflictions seem light and momentary.-Remains of the late Rev. Dr Martin. A good conscience.-A good conscience shows the evil, guilt, and desert of sin; it condemns precisely as God condemns; it condemns at the bar of justice and acquits at the bar of mercy; it echoes the whole of divine truth; it receives it as the wax receives the impression of the seal; it possesses freedom from the guilt of sin and peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ; it is at first purged and perpetually kept pure by the flowing of the stream of that fountain which was opened for sin and for uncleanness; it is alive to selfexamination which is its element; it is armed by the power of the Spirit of Christ to carry his truth into the inmost recesses of the soul; it evinces itself in gratitude to God for the blessings of the Gospel-" Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift," was a song prompted by a good conscience; and it evinces itself in love to man.-) -HOWELS. Meskness, humility, and deadness to the world.-Beg of God a meek and quiet spirit, which is of so great price in the sight of God; and watch after your prayers, not only how the Lord answers, but how you endeavour: he that prays against discontent, binds himself to watch and strive against it, or else his prayers are sin. Beg an humble heart of God: the humble man is seldom discontented; he thinks the least of mercies is good enough for the chief of sinners. Here is a poor house, coarse fare, hard lodgings, unkind usage; but it is good enough for me: any thing short of hell is mercy: if I may have but bread to eat, and raiment to put on, it is fare for such a one as I. And then beg a mortified heart to all that is in the world. When the heart is dead to the world, worldly troubles do not trouble. When the soldiers said that Christ's body was dead, they would not break his bones. He that is dead to the world, will save his bones whole: when crosses, straits, and troubles come upon him, they return to God, saying, "Yonder man is dead already to the world, his heart is crucified to it, he feels nothing, so as to be distempered by it." When they strip dead men, they struggle not; you may take all, they are not troubled at it. O beg such a heart, that God may do what he will with thee, that his will may be done; and this prayer will procure patience, and help against discontent.-The Husbandman's Calling, by RICHARD STEELE, A. M. The Gospel a resting-place.—It is a high attainment to be able to look round and at length to find a restingplace; while it is the misery of men in general that they think not at all on their condition. Ask your consciences; say "I must soon be carried away; the coffin; the stuff woven that is to make my shroud; very boards are perhaps prepared that are to make my and have I never asked where I shall set my foot in eternity? Does conscience declare that I have not accepted the Gospel! Not fled for refuge to the hope set before? On what ground can I stand ?-CECIL. Self-examination.--I am sure when the master is near his coming it were safe for us to write over a new copy of our accounts, of the sins of nature, childhood, youth, riper years, and old age. What if Christ have another written representation of me than I have of myself! Sure his is right, and if it contradict my misstating, and sinfully erroneous account, ah, where am I then!-RUTHERFORD. THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INHABITANTS OF MADAGASCAR. MADAGASCAR, one of the largest islands in the world, is situated in the Indian Ocean, and separated from Africa by the Mozambique Channel, which is about one hundred and fifty leagues in breadth, although the nearest point of the island is not more than ninety or one hundred. Comparatively little has been known until very recently, about the actual condition of this island; but the cruelties and sore persecutions to which those of the natives, who have embraced Christianity, have been lately exposed, called forth an almost universal feeling of sympathy from British Christians. The interest thus awakened in behalf of Madagascar, has led to the recent appearance of a work descriptive of the history of this island, from the pen of Mr Ellis, and, as might Polynesian have been expected, the author of the " Researches" has maintained his high character as a beautiful and graphic delineator, both of scenery and popular manners. The Malagasy, or native inhabitants of the island, chieftains; but both in language and in general manseem to consist of different tribes under independent ners, there is an obvious resemblance among those tribes, which indicates that they are, to a certain extent, related to one another. Circumcision, for example, is universally prevalent in the island, though the ceremonies attending it vary somewhat in different localities. Divination, too, is practised among all the tribes, though under different forms. To describe the customs of this singular people still more distinctly, we would call the attention of our readers, in the first instance, to those connected with their treatment of children. On this subject Mr Ellis states the following curious facts chiefly in regard to the WELCOME. "After the birth of an infant, the relatives and friends MARRIAGE CEREMONY. of the mother visit her, and offer their congratulations. | Malagasy, we select the interesting account which Mr The infant also receives salutations, in form resembling Ellis gives of the the following: Saluted be the offspring given of God! may the child live long!-may the child be favoured so as to possess wealth!' Presents are also made to the attendants in the household, and sometimes a bullock is killed on the occasion, and distributed among the members of the family. Presents of poultry, fuel, money, &c., are at times also sent by friends to the mother. A piece of meat is usually cut into thin slices, and suspended at some distance from the floor, by a cord attached to the ceiling or roof of the house. This is called the Kitoza, and is intended for the mother. A fire is kept in the room, day and night, frequently for a week after the birth of the child. At the expiration of that period, the infant, arrayed in the best clothing that can be obtained, is carried out of the house by some person whose parents are both still living, and then taken back to the mother. In being carried out and in, the child must be twice carefully lifted over the fire, which is placed near the door. Should the infant be a boy, the axe, large knife, and spear, generally used in the family, must be taken out at the same time, with any implements of building that may be in the house: silver chains, of native manufacture, are also given as presents, or used in these ceremonies, for which no particular reason is assigned. The implements are perhaps used chiefly as emblems of the occupations in which it is expected the infant will engage when it arrives at maturer years; and the whole may be regarded as expressing the hopes cherished of his activity, wealth, and enjoyments." "When the preliminaries are determined, and the time fixed, viz., a good or lucky day, according to the sikidy, the relatives of the bride and bridegroom meet at the houses of the parents of the respective parties. All are attired in their best apparel, and decorated with their gayest ornaments. At the appointed hour, the relatives or friends of the bridegroom accompany him to the house of the bride. These pay or receive the dowry, which being settled, he is welcomed by the bride as her future husband; they eat together, are recognised by the senior members of the family as husband and wife; a benediction is pronounced upon them, and a prayer offered to God, that they may have a numerous offspring, abundance of cattle, many slaves, great wealth, and increase the honour of their respective families. They then repair to the house of the parents or friends of the bridegroom, and again eat together, when similar benedictions are pronounced by the senior members of the family, or the head man of the village, who is usually invited to the ceremony. The nuptial bond is, in some instances, now regarded as complete: general feasting ensues, after which the parties return to their respective homes, and the newly married couple to the residence prepared for them. But if, as is generally the case, the houses in which the parties have met is below the hill on which their village is built, the bride is placed on a sort of chair, under a canopy, and borne on men's shoulders up the sides of the hill to the centre of the One of the first acts of the father, or a near relation, village. Occasionally the bridegroom is carried in the same manner. The relatives and friends of the parties is to report the birth of the child to the native astrolo- follow the procession, clapping their hands, and singgers, who pretend, by peculiar ceremonies, to ascertaining, as the bearers ascend. On reaching the village, its destiny; and should that be declared to be favourable, the child is reared with the utmost care and attention. When the child has reached its second or third month, on a lucky day, a ceremony takes place, which Mr Ellis thus describes under the name of "SCRAMBLING." "The friends and relatives of the child assemble; a portion of the fat taken from the hump on the back of an ox is minced in a rice-pan, cooked, and mixed up with a quantity of rice, milk, honey, and a sort of grass called voampamoa; a lock of the infant's hair is also cast into the above mélange; and the whole being thoroughly well mixed in a rice-pan, which is held by the youngest female of the family, a general rush is made towards the pan, and a scramble for its contents takes place, especially by the women, as it is supposed that those who are fortunate enough to obtain a portion may confidently cherish the hope of becoming mothers. Bananas, lemons, and sugar-cane are also scrambled for, under the belief that a similar result may be anticipated. The ceremony of scrambling, however, only takes place with a first-born child. The head of the mother is decorated, during the ceremonial, with silver chains, while the father carries the infant, if a boy, and some ripe bananas, on his back. The rice-pan used on the occasion becomes, in their estimation, sacred by the service, and must not be taken out of the house during three subsequent days, otherwise the virtue of those observances is supposed to be lost." Should the destiny of the child be declared by the sikidy, or astrologer, to be evil, the poor helpless babe is doomed to destruction. The practice of infanticide has been long prevalent in Madagascar; and although during the reign of Radama it was abolished, since the death of that king, the inhuman custom has again revived. As another specimen of the peculiar customs of the they halt at what is called the parent-house, or residence of the officer of the government; a hasina, or piece of money, is given to the attending officer, for the sovereign, the receiving of which is considered a legal official ratification of the engagement, as the marriage cannot afterwards be annulled, except by a legal act of divorce in the presence of witnesses. No ring, or other emblem of the married state, is used on such occasions, or worn afterwards; nor is there any badge by which the married may be distinguished from the unmarried women in Madagascar, when their husbands are at home; but during the absence of their husbands, especially in the service of government, a necklace, of silver rings, or beads, or braided hair, is worn, to denote that they are married, and that consequently their persons are sacred. Thus the wives of the officers composing the late embassy to England were distinguished during the absence of their husbands. Polygamy prevails to a great extent in Madagascar, sanctioned not merely by the authority, but by the example of the king, who is permitted to marry no fewer than twelve wives. The natural, and indeed the necessary consequence of such a state of matters is, that domestic unhappiness is far from being rare, and woman is treated not as the equal, but as the inferior of man. It is only, in fact, when the civilizing effects of Christianity are truly experienced, that woman occupies her position in the scale of society, and exercises that influence for which she has been fitted by the all-wise and benevolent Creator. Published by JOHN JOHNSTONE, 2, Hunter Square, Edinburgh; J. R. MACNAIR. & Co., 19, Glassford Street, Glasgow; JAMES NISBET & Co., HAMILTON, ADAMS, Co., and R. GROOMBRIDGE, London; W. CURRY, Junr. & Co., Dublin; and W. M'COMь. Belfast; and sold by the Bookse lers and Local Agents in all the Towns and Parishes of Scotland, and in the principal Towns in England and Ireland. Subscribers will have their copies delivered at their Residences, THE SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN HERALD, CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. THERE is another consideration eminently fitted to stablish and to settle the mind of a believer. It is the same with that which strengthened the foundation of an apostle's hope. He expresses it in these words: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." It was when we were yet enemies that Christ died for us. It was when we were not so much as conceiving the wish of a return unto God, that God devised a way of return, and in the face of this world's determined wickedness did so much to reclaim to friendship with Himself its guilty generations. Had there been any movement on our part towards Him, which led Him so to move towards us, the argument would have lost that peculiar emphasis which actually belongs to it. But, in fact, it was when we were prosecuting our rebellion with minds in the full bent of their enmity towards Him,-it was when, on the part of men, there was no relenting purpose toward God, it was when, sunk in the deepest moral lethargy, we were altogether dead in trespasses and sins,—it was then, and in the midst of the most unalleviated depravity and provocation, that the whole plan of our redemption was laid; and the whole expense and labour of it was undertaken; and all the toil, and humiliation, and intense suffering of this great achievement were endured. Surely, if such be the good-will of God to the world that no hostility of ours could quench it; and He would bring such a weight of agony on His beloved Son, rather than that the enterprise of mercy should be staid,-what shall we think now of His good-will when the agony is borne; and all that is painful in the work of our redemption is finished; and Christ who was dead is now alive, and exalted at the right hand of God for the very purpose of carrying into accomplishment the design of His No. 2. JAN. 12, 1839.—14d.] own undertaking. It is possible to conceive that ere Christ was humbled and crucified, He might have shrunk from the arduousness of the work that was before Him. But it is not possible to conceive now, that He will not perfect into efficiency that which He hath already purchased with so much suffering,-that he will not substantiate His own enterprise,-that He will so nullify His own acts as that all the labour of them, and all the painfulness of them shall be as good as thrown away. This, then, is a consideration that serves to deepen, and more firmly to establish, the foundation of a believer's peace. It is Christ's own cause, that he should obtain the inheritance. It is a cause which hath already been fought and conquered in the vale of humiliation; and which, now that He is exalted on high, He never will abandon. He will not throw away the spoils of His own victory. He will not, after having laid down His life for His enemies, now that He has taken it up again, fail to consecrate all its powers to the salvation and the service of those who are seeking to be His friends. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." And every indication which God gives of His earnestness in the matter of salvation, is felt by every believer as a new argument for trust, and for the peace of assurance, or the peace of confirmation, which trust brings along with it. It is not merely when God declares acceptance through Jesus Christ, and so commits the glory of His truth to His actual acceptance of all who so come unto Him. It is not merely the exhibition of an offer to all who will; but it is when, in the word of the testimony, we see God putting forth the expression of a desire after the creatures who had wandered away from Him. It is when God makes [SECOND SERIES. VOL. I. use of a more active urgency, in order to prevail on us to comply with His overtures. It is when God invites, and entreats, and expostulates, and swears by Himself that He has no pleasure in our death, and beseeches us to be reconciled, and bids us put Him to the trial whether He will not, on our return unto Him, Himself return unto us, and pour out a blessing on the utterance of our prayers. It is when He represents Himself, not merely as waiting to be gracious, but as longing after us, and rejoicing, in common with all the angels of heaven, on the very first movement of our repentance towards Him. It is when to reinforce, as it were, all these expedients for getting us to believe, He interposes His authority on the occasion, and positively commands us to do so. Nay, what is more, when, to shut us up to this measure as the only alternative of safety, He declares that they who believe not shall be damned.-It is when such evidences multiply upon Him, that by mere believing God is well pleased, and that faith is the very footing on which He wills us to stand. -It is then that a disciple places himself more securely than ever on a foundation of reliance; and it just rivets him the more firmly to this basis, when he reflects, that thus posted, and thus tenaciously adhering to his post,-or, in other words, that, when cleaving unto Christ, and linking with His person and work, all his tranquil convictions of present favour, and all his hopes of future glory, he ever says that I am doing what God wants me to do, and I am where God wants me to be. the other. Good-will to men, on the part of Heaven, has, throughout the whole of this process, received its most abundant demonstration; and every one obstacle to the expression of this goodwill is now done away by Him who travelled in the greatness of his strength for us. And the believer, to fortify the peace of his heart, is now warranted to look to the justice of God as already discharged on the head of the great Sacrifice; and to look to the truth of God as vindicated in all its threatenings, and as now testifying its promises and its invitations; and to look to the tenderness of God, as now at liberty to call, and even to beseech the return of the guilty; and to look to the glory of God, as much interested in the triumph of the method of redemption, as His mercy is gratified by our acquiescence in it; and to look to the way in which both the honour and the desire of the Saviour are linked with the object of salvation. In these contemplations, he sees nothing in the wish or character of the one party which does not stand in most inviting unison with the peace, and pardon, and deliverance of the other. Every restraint is taken away from the exercise of love with the former, and from that of an implicit confidence with the latter and every view which he takes of the dignity of his Saviour's person, and of the reality of that work in which He toiled and suffered for the salvation of mankind, establishes the love of God more firmly in his heart, and strengthens within him that peace which the world knoweth not, and causes it to flow abundantly through his soul like a mighty He THE CONFESSIONS OF A PENITENT.* A GENTLEMAN attended Mr, afterwards Dr Adam Clarke's ministry, and in a short time was deeply convinced of sin, of his fallen nature, and of his actual transgression. He became diligent in his attendance on the public ministry, deeply deplored his sins, and with strong prayer and tears sought pardon of God for his transgressions, through the blood of Jesus. sought but found not,-he mourned but was not comforted. Shortly afterwards he was confined by sickness, and sent for Mr Clarke to pray with and for him; he did so, and when he learnt how long he had mourned, and saw its apparent sincerity and earnestness, he secretly wondered at God's so long withholding a manifestation of pardon from such bitter, such deep repentance; but he charged not God foolishly; but rather on finding, after such oft-repeated visits, that the lamp of life was burning low, and that the mental agony of the penitent was even hurrying on its extinction, with tender but firm language he said, "It is not often, Mr that God thus deals with a soul so deeply humbled as yours is; and so earnestly, in his own appointed way, seeking redemption through the blood of his Son. Sir, there must be a cause for this, and you have left something undone which it was and is your interest and duty to have done; God judge between you and it." The riches of Christ are said to be unsearch-river. able. And as God reveals them by His Spirit to a believer, he is made to enter on such a region of manifestation, as to leave the general world exceedingly behind him. They cannot follow the movements of his exercised mind, as he holds the communion of confidence with God, and tastes of that peace which passeth all understanding, a peace which bears no resemblance whatever to that momentary gleam of tasteful and tender emotion, which is ministered by some faint imagination of the attribute of mercy, and leaves in utter darkness the place and the operation of the other attributes. A believer's peace is the peace of one who ever looks fully, and without dismay, on the whole character of God. His for forgiveness is not that the righteousness of God may give way to His mercy, but that mercy may be extended towards him in such a way as to exalt and to vindicate righteousness. He comes in the name of the Lord his righteousness; and while this is the way in which he renders the most acceptable homage to the truth and the justice of God, he also finds it to be the way in which there is not a single intervening cloud between him and the friendship of a reconciled Father. Between him and Christ, there is a welcome offer on the one side, and a confiding acceptance on the other. Between Christ and God, there is an offering for the sins of men on the one side, and an entire satisfaction with the incense of that offering on prayer The gentleman fixed his eyes intently on the face of Mr Clarke, raised himself up in bed, and gave the following narration:I was at and took my passage in a ship for England; before we sailed, some merchants of the place came to the vessel and put on board In the year * Extracted from the Life of Dr Adam Clarke, |