along the river Terek, and extended westward by Catharine, is now completed from the Caspian to the Black Sea. Settlements of Cossacks have been pushed forward as far as safety allowed. A large force, amounting latterly to 200,000 men, has been maintained in the territory on both sides of the mountains. The best generals in the Russian service have been placed at the head of the Caucasian army, as Jermoloff, Paskiewitsch, Woronzoff, Mouravieff. The Emperor Nicholas himself visited the Caucasus, to inspire his officers and soldiers with fresh courage, and the present emperor, Alexander, took part in the campaign of 1850 with the same object in view. But the mountaineers, in their great natural forests and fastnesses, still hold Russia in check. The entire population of the Caucasus is estimated at about a million and a half, but only about six hundred thousand acknowledge the rule of Schamyl, and his army has never numbered over twenty thousand men. The adventures of this renowned military chieftain are well told by Mr. Mackie, although not with that minuteness which will satisfy all readers. Much interesting information, however, is given of his birth and education, of the manners and customs of the country in general, and of the various Russian campaigns. In the recent contest between Russia and the Allies, Schamyl seems to have stood aloof, having no more faith in England and France than in Russia, and probably apprehending as much danger to his country from Western as from Northern encroachments. The prevailing character of the religious belief of the Caucasians is now Mohammedan. Soon may Christianity pervade these tribes dwelling so near to the ancient Paradise, and to Ararat, and to the churches of apostolic planting. May the peaceful reign of the Messiah soon extend throughout this glorious mountain-land!

We give from Mr. Mackie's book an account of the restoration of Schamyl's son, who had been taken prisoner by the Russians in early youth and educated in St. Petersburg.

"His son, together with a ransom of forty thousand silver roubles, was demanded by Schamyl in return for the deliverance from captivity of two Russian princesses, the Princess Tschattchavadse and the Princess Orbelian, with the children of the latter,-all of whom had some months before fallen into the hands of some of his followers. This was finally agreed to, and the interchange was effected by Schamyl in person. Distrustful, however, to the last moment, he came to the appointed place of rendezvous on the banks of the frontier river, Mitschik, accompanied by a force of some six thousand warriors, and several field-pieces. Then, having taken up his position on the right bank, while the Russians occupied the left, he sent forward another of his sons, Khasi-Mahomet, with thirty murids, to escort the captives. At the same time a party of riflemen, commanded by Major-General Von Nikolai, advanced from the other side, having in charge Jamal Eddin, the son who was to be exchanged, and a carriage containing the ransom-money. When then Jammel Eddin came down to the ford, the thousands of his countrymen who covered the neighbouring heights set up a shout of thanksgiving, and chanted the Estaphir Allah. Then, having crossed the river, he put on a Circassian dress, and, in company with his brother and the Russian officers, climbed the hill, where, surrounded by his murids, and having a large parasol held over his head, sat the Imam. When the son who had been lost and was found approached, the heart of the venerable father was deeply moved; and, stretching out his hand for the young man to kiss, he then embraced him and wept.

"The report of the interview published in Tiflis states that Schamyl, at the close of it, after having bowed courteously to the officers and thanked Baron Nikolai for the kindness with which he had treated his son, exclaimed, as if

involuntarily, 'Now I believe in the honour of the Russians.' This, however, is doubtful.

"The interview, it may be added, was memorable also from the circumstance that it was the first time since the year 1839 that any Russian is known to have seen the face of Schamyl. All present were struck with its expressiveness, as they also were favourably impressed by his noble and prepossessing

manners."

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST THE GREAT NEED OF THE CHURCH. A Sermon preached in New York on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the Evangelical Knowledge Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church. By WILLIAM BACON STEVENS, D.D. New York, 1855.

On the important subject of this discourse Dr. Stevens holds forth in a strain of fervid, discriminating, evangelical exposition. The church does not need so much an increase of ministers, more ecclesiastical unity, a higher standard of pulpit teaching, &c., as the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Dr. Stevens shows that this is the paramount want of the church from a variety of considerations:-1. From the agency of the Holy Spirit in the scheme of redemption, no other power being able to renew and to sanctify the soul. 2. From the agency of the Holy Spirit in building up the church through the work of the ministry, especially in enabling ministers to understand divine truth and to preach it with unction and effect. 3. From the agency of the Holy Spirit in removing the evils which assail the church. Among threatening evils, Dr. Stevens mentions formalism, the exaltation of signs and symbols above the things signified, rationalistic theology, a miscalled liberalism, a low manifestation of piety among the communicants, and the lack of a free, full, and frequent setting forth of the great doctrines of the Bible. Dr. Stevens "rightly divides the word of truth" in this seasonable and excellent sermon. following paragraph is taken from the concluding pages :

The

"I see it [the power of the Holy Spirit] ascending like a forked flame into the heart of the individual Christian, and it immediately glows with divine fervency until it becomes incandescent with glory. I see it descending like a dove upon the heads of our ministers, and lo! they become full of faith, filled with the dovelike qualities of God's undefiled One, yet bold as lions, strong as wrestlers, valiant as soldiers, every faculty and power of mind and body being baptized with the Holy Ghost, and working in tireless energy and sweetest harmony with the Spirit of God. I see it visiting our church like the rushing mighty wind, and lo! it fills all our houses of prayer, purges out all errors, vivifies all truth, and makes us realize of a truth that the Lord is in his holy temple,-in it, not in cloud overshadowing the mercy-seat, but in the presence of a spiritual inhabitation; and see! there is no more coldness in prayer, no languor in praise, no weariness in worship, no drowsiness in preaching, no formalism in our service; but every thing is instinct with the Holy Ghost, and the courts of the earthly tabernacle become none other than the very gate of heaven. I see it descending upon our several church institutions, poured out upon each as a spirit from on high, and lo! what a change! -sectional interest, party prejudices, selfish views, are forgotten; one thought fills all committee-rooms, one spirit pervades all schemes, one aim directs all instrumentalities, and that is the glory of God in the salvation of souls,-a salvation begun, continued, and perfected, by the Holy Ghost. Human thought cannot conceive the scenes of moral power and glory which are yet to be seen on this our fallen world, when the Holy Ghost shall make every day a Pentecost, every church an upper room at Jerusalem, every congregation of one heart and one soul, every occupation sanctified, every talent consecrated, every home hallowed, every land made Emmanuel's, the abundance of the sea converted unto God, and the whole earth filled with his glory."

THE ARTICLES OF THE SYNOD OF DORT. Translated from the Latin, with notes, by the Rev. THOMAS SCOTT, D.D. With an Introductory Essay by the Rev. SAMUEL MILLER, D.D., late Professor in the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication; pp. 260.

This book contains not merely a Confession of Faith, but a history of one of the most important controversies which have arisen in the Church since the days of Luther and Calvin,-a controversy concerning the doctrines of grace which were preached by those eminent reformers, and which the latter embodied in the most remarkable theological work of that age, entitled, Institutes of the Christian Religion. Arminius, a professor of divinity in the University of Leyden, disturbed the peace of the reformed churches, nearly all of which were Calvinistic in their theology, by inculcating sentiments which were not in harmony with the prevailing doctrines of the reformation. After years of anxious inquiry and discussion, during which time the author of these troubles was called away by death, an ecclesiastical council was summoned in 1618, composed of distinguished divines from several different countries, in order to deliberate and express their judgment concerning these departures from the faith. This volume contains the history of the acts and doings of that synod, and incidentally a history of the church for some years prior to that period.

Though the articles of faith adopted by any assembly of uninspired men, however learned and pious, must not be received as a substitute for the Scriptures nor as being of equal authority with them, it is, nevertheless, a confirmation of our belief as to what the Bible really teaches, to be assured that the doctrines which we hold are in harmony with those which were maintained by almost the entire Protestant Church during the palmy days of her reformation from Popery. Arminianism was deemed in that period to be so clearly unscriptural, and of so dangerous a tendency, that Bishop Hall, in replying to the charge of entertaining Arminian sentiments which some had preferred against him, used the following strong language:-"You add, 'election upon faith foreseen.' What! nothing but gross untruths? Is this the doctrine of the bishops of England? Have they not strongly confuted it, in Papists and Arminians? Have they not cried it down to the lowest pit of hell?" Even a man's horse could not be dubbed with a more execrable epithet, at that exciting period, than to be called an Arminian. Times have undergone a remarkable change since then, (a change for the better with regard to religious liberty;) but divine truth is immutable, and, in our judgment, this truth, on the points at issue, is embodied in the Articles of the Synod of Dort. We recommend the book to all our readers, and especially to our brethren in the ministry and to students of theology.

ONE WORD MORE. An Appeal to the Reasoning and Thoughtful among Unbelievers. By JOHN NEAL. Second Edition. New York, published by M. W. Dodd; pp. 220. This work is dedicated by the author to his children, and the first chapter is entitled, All Beginners are Children. He then proceeds to discourse, in several succeeding chapters, on Miracles, Faith, A change of heart, Prayer, and Universalism. In the last he states the fact that he was once a Universalist, and this circumstance, though not mentioned as a reason for his writing to his children on the several topics above indicated, may nevertheless be reasonably supposed to have influenced him to

this course.

His thoughts, as far as we have noticed in a rapid perusal, are evangelical in sentiment and expressed in a perspicuous and easy style.

THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR: or, Meditations on the Last Days of Christ. By FRED. W. KRUMMACHER, D.D.; translated by Samuel Jackson. Boston: Gould & Lincoln; New York: Sheldon, Blakeman & Co., 1856.

Having noticed the English edition of this valuable work in the February number of this magazine, we only refer to it again to say that Messrs. Gould and Lincoln have issued a very handsome edition, and at a moderate price. Krummacher's Theology, which is that of the Reformation, is distasteful to modern "progressives." Let it therefore be well pondered and widely circulated.

THOUGHTS AND APOPHTHEGMS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ARCHBISHOP WHATELEY. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1856.

This elegant volume brings before the public, in an accessible form, the condensed sayings of a great man. Whateley's greatness has not dulness. His miscellaneous thoughts sparkle, and their light is not to dazzle, but to instruct. Few men have wielded greater influence in their generation than the Archbishop. It has been a good influence. His "apophthegms" are arranged under a few striking divisions, but the mass are miscellaneous. The book will be highly valued by intelligent persons.

SCRIPTURE VIEW OF INABILITY. A discourse delivered, 1843, in the Chapel of the Theological Institute of Connecticut, by J. CoGSWELL, D.D., one of its Professors. New Brunswick, N. J.: J. Terhune, 1856.

The late theological variations which have brought some discredit upon the Theological Institute in which Dr. Cogswell was formerly a professor have induced him, partly in self-defence, to publish a discourse on Inability, which he delivered some years ago in the chapel of the institution. Dr. Cogswell is one of those old-fashioned theologians who believe that it is better to adhere to Scripture than to resort to vain philosophy. In this discourse he first explains the doctrine of inability, which is common to all mankind in their natural state, and then shows, in the second place, the influence of the doctrine when fairly exhibited according to the Scriptures. Having satisfactorily elucidated these positions, Dr. C. makes a few concluding observations:-1. The true doctrine of inability is less perfectly understood in New England than it was fifty years ago. 2. The charge of encouraging sinners to wait God's time is unfounded. 3. The unrenewed may be lawfully directed to use the means of grace. 4. The glory of our salvation belongs to God alone. 5. The sinner is without excuse for neglecting known duty. This discourse, like the author's other works, shows him to be a sound divine, jealous of the truth and bold in maintaining it.

THE INQUIRER DIRECTED TO THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. By the Rev. OCTAVIUS WINSLOW, D.D. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1856.

The personality and offices of the Holy Spirit are perspicuously and scripturally unfolded in this volume, whose very title wins. The author has done laborious and faithful service in the cause of Christ by his various publications. This is the fourth edition-a good sign in the religious world. The work of the Spirit rightly claims a prominent con sideration from all who receive the Scriptures as of divine origin.

Che Religious World.

PRESBYTERY OF ALBANY.

AT the annual meeting of the Presbytery of Albany, held in the city of Albany, January 8, 1856, the following resolutions were passed in the case of the Rev. George H. Thatcher, a member of this Presbytery:

Whereas, It has become evident to this Presbytery that Mr. G. H. Thatcher has relinquished the duties of the ministry, and devoted himself to secular pursuits; and that in his own opinion, if not in the opinion of all, he was mistaken in supposing himself called to the sacred office; and whereas the unsuitableness of his office with his pursuits seems to endanger the honour of religion in many minds, therefore

Resolved, That Mr. Thatcher be permitted to demit the office of the gospel ministry; and that, by the judgment of this Presbytery, he is no longer authorized to exercise its functions.

Resolved, That Mr. Thatcher be and he is a member of the Third Presbyterian Church in Albany, under the pastorate of Dr. Halley.

Resolved, That this minute be published in one or more of the Albany city papers, and in the Presbyterian, as an evidence to the public that Mr. Thatcher is not a minister of the gospel, and that this action is not intended to impugn his character as a professed Christian.

A true copy of the minute.

CHARLES H. TAYLOR, Stated Clerk.

METHODIST MISSIONS TO SLAVES.

THE Methodists in the South have done a great deal for the spiritual good of our slave population. They deserve credit for their faith and good works. The following paragraphs are taken from an able report of the Missionary Board of the Louisiana Conference, and will be read with deep interest by the true friend of the coloured man:

"It is stated upon good authority that the number of coloured members in the church South exceeds that of the entire membership of all the Protestant Missions in the world. What an enterprise is this committed to our care! The position the Methodist church South have taken for the African, has, to a great extent, cut us off from the sympathy of the Christian church throughout the world; and it behooves us to make good this position in the sight of God, of angels, of men, of churches, and to our own consciences, by presenting before the throne of His glory multitudes of the souls of these benighted ones abandoned to our care, as seals of our ministry. Already Louisiana promises to be one vast plantation. Let us we must-gird ourselves for this heavenborn enterprise of supplying the pure gospel to the slaves. The great question is, how can the greatest number be preached to?

"The building of roadside-chapels is as yet the best solution of it. In some cases planters build so as to accommodate adjoining plantations, and by