1

1867.

Per 133. á 8.

THE Editor of CHRISTIAN WORK; Or, the News of THE CHURCHES, in concluding the first volume of the New Series, would direct attention to the great variety of information given in this journal from all countries of the world, as to the progress of the kingdom of Christ. The Table of Contents shows that there is no part of the vast field overlooked. CHRISTIAN WORK occupies a position peculiarly its own, seeking to stimulate Christian sympathy, not by theoretical essays upon union, but by the Apostolic method of showing what the one Divine Spirit is accomplishing among all peoples and nations. Even its articles are all of a practical nature, seeking only to furnish a more comprehensive view of special spheres of work than can be given in the current intelligence. No efforts will be spared during the coming year to make this journal more and more efficient; and the present readers are earnestly solicited to assist by every means in promoting the extension of the circulation. At no period can this be done so effectually as before the commencement of a new year.

LONDON, December, 1867.

CHRISTIAN WORK;

OR,

The News of the Churches.

A

MAGAZINE OF RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INFORMATION.

FRANCE IN THE PRESENT CRISIS.

TURMOIL, Confusion, loud babblings, premature aspirations doomed to failure; soundings of the war-trumpet, unexpected peace, energetic preparations for the gathering of all nations in harmonious emulation, and projects upon projects for the strengthening of armies; unsolved problems, and withal hurryings onward and ever onward to an unknown and generally dreaded future, a gulph whose emanations blind, and intoxicate, and madden—such has been the year 1866 to France.

In politics abroad, apparent failure; no preponderance acquired in Mexico, no aggrandizement obtained in Europe; but a gathering up, a powerful strengthening, a quiet constant feeling of the European pulse, observers in every land giving the measure of sentiment and the temperature of opinion, a cool, calm waiting-time with the imperial master. At home, impulse given to every [thing but freedom; science, manufactures, trade, public instruction; even associated labour is making fair headway. The international exhibition for 1867 is drawing out the powers of thousands, and giving work to millions and hope of fortune to millions more.

lurking poison within. Man-worship, self-worship is the tendency of the day; "Ye shall be as gods," has never been unlearnt.

The recoil of Atheism from Christianity is immense; it is not, as in former years, a simple recoil from Romanism, it is a turning-away with disgust from every idea of revealed religion. Doubtless the follies of Rome gave the first shock, and the inconsistencies of Christendom gave the second, loosening the bands woven by mothers' lips about the infant mind; but it seems now a deeper and more tremendous hate, even the one spoken of by our Lord: "Every one that doeth evil, hateth the light." This it is which has brought some few honest and long-sighted Christians to give a brother's pressure to hands extended above impassable barriers, while keeping their footing firm on the rock of God's revealed word.

On the other hand, the recoil of Ultramontanism from the written word of God gives but greater impetus to Atheism, by presenting a caricature of Christianity as disgusting to what exists of moral feeling as it is antagonistic to the Gospel.

Whether the hour is at hand when the great Babylon will be cast like a millstone into the sea, and the way thus be opened for the last great onset upon the word of God, or whether it be delayed, the prelates in France, Gallicans and Ultramontanists, are vigorously calling attention to signs of the times, and predicting woes against the kings and peoples who come not to the rescue of

In religion, the steady progress of materialism points to a future of universal confusion. Man, casting off the consciousness of his spiritual ¦ nature, strives to be independent, and boasts that he is at the top of animality! Independent morality is putting the question, "whether a moral sense exists?" Truly extremes meet. This is propagated throughout France with fearful-Rome! Infidels delight in telling them that rapidity by the press in every attractive form. Deism is overpast by a thousand miles. The in¦fluence glides in everywhere; it finds openings in almost every heart, and congenial soil when it enters. The poison from without warms up the

Rome will merge quietly into the capital of Italy, and the Pope be left to govern his church, without the smallest perturbation in public affairs.

There are thus two great influences in vigorous