until the Reformers called the attention of the populace to it as the Scripture mark of Antichrist.

"There is manifest propriety in calling Rome Babylon the Great.' The ancient city, literal Babylon, which had long since passed away, was in the days of its pride and glory the enemy and oppressor of Jerusalem. It was the embodiment of Paganism, while Jerusalem was the only representative on earth of true religion. In Jerusalem, God was honoured and gave tokens of his presence and favour. In Babylon, Baal had his temple and his image. Here was the centre of licentiousness and oppression, luxury and pride; while there the largest amount of true liberty and real virtue upon earth were found.

"In these and other particulars Rome resembled the literal Babylon, and was thus designated by the early Christians. Gibbon, in the first volume of his History, (in regard to the expectations of Christians as it respected the end of the world and the reign of Christ,) says, 'While the happiness and glory of a temporal reign were promised to the disciples of Christ, the most dreadful calamities were denounced against an unbelieving world. The edification of the New Jerusalem was to advance by equal steps with the destruction of the mystic Babylon; and as long as the emperors who reigned before Constantine persisted in the profession of idolatry the epithet of Babylon was applied to the city and to the empire of Rome."

SIGHT AND HEARING; how Preserved and how Lost. By J. HENRY CLARK, M. D. Obsta principiis. Charles Scribner, 377 and 379 Broadway, New York. 1856.

This treatise on Sight and Hearing is intended to be a "Popular Handbook." Every attempt to bring science down to the comprehension of the people is praiseworthy. In the present case, valuable results are answered, inasmuch as the human body, that grand specimen of divine handiwork, is dependent so much for its comfort on a healthy state of the organs of sight and hearing. Much more does the human soul derive blessings from the active and sound use of the eyes and ears, as channels of light and knowledge and enjoyment. People do not know enough about the wonderful organs of the human frame and their uses and functions. This work of Dr. Clark contains a well-arranged, judicious, comprehensive, and seasonable discussion. Much curious and interesting information is communicated; and a number of engravings assist in illustrating the main points. The following are the headings of some of the chapters on sight:-the functions and capabilities of the eye; its structure; disorders in childhood and youth; near-sightedness; middle-aged sight; accidents; artificial light; overwork; glasses; artificial eyes, &c. The chapters on hearing are of the same sort. The book is handsomely issued, in fine large type, which will not hurt the eyes. The author hails from Newark, New Jersey. His book will do good.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: A View of the Productive Forces of Modern Society and the Results of Labour, Capital, and Skill. By CHARLES KNIGHT. Revised and Edited, with Additions, by DAVID A. WELLS, A. M., Editor "Annual Scientific Discovery,' "Year-Book of Agriculture," "Familiar Science," etc. etc. Illustrated with numerous engravings. Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 59 Washington St.; New York, Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.; Cincinnati, George S. Blanchard, 1856.

A vast amount of information is condensed in this handsome volume. Its author, Mr. Knight, is well known as the Editor of the "Penny Magazine," "Penny Cyclopedia," and other popular works; and its American editor, Mr. Wells, has great tact in preparing scientific and practical works for the use of the American public. This book is a sort of repository for study and reference, of all that concerns the productive

forces of modern society and the results of labour, capital, and skill. An intelligent mechanic will read these pages with interest, while the more literary and general student will be glad to receive the information here arranged for his use. We take great satisfaction in recommending volumes like this and the preceding one. The first sentence in the book we do not agree to; and there may be others not altogether in accordance with our notions. The illustrations, about fifty in number, are excellent.

A SERMON preached in the Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg, Miss., January 20th, 1856, in commemoration of the Life and Death of the Rev. BENJAMIN H. WILLIAMS, late Pastor of that Church. By the Rev. JOSEPH B. STRATTON, of Natchez. Vicksburg, 1856. A SERMON FOR THE YEAR. Preached in the Presbyterian Church, Natchez, on January 5th, 1856, by the Rev. JOSEPH B. STRATTON, Pastor. Natchez, 1856.

These two discourses, published by request, are tokens of a Christian pastor's good-will to the people, and the records of his faithful endeavours to bring God to view in the events of his providence. The character of the lamented Williams is delineated with good judgment and with brotherly sensibility. Among the various passages calculated to make the memory of the departed pastor dear, is the following:-"But perhaps his exertions in behalf of the coloured race constitute the feature of his ministry during his residence at Pine Ridge which reflects the most praise upon his memory. He cared for their souls, as his Master would have done had he been in his place. He opened the way for the preaching of the gospel to them, preached to them himself, and brought other preachers into the field; and succeeded thus in bringing a large portion of this population under the means of grace. Many of this class of persons became members of his church, and many, doubtless, will bless him for his labours of love in the world of glory."

In the Sermon for the New Year, from Matt. xxv. 6, 7, Dr. Stratton first discusses the subject of the coming of the Son of man; secondly, the admonitions and calls which the Son of man gives in regard to the certainty of His coming; and thirdly, the preparation required in those who are expecting His coming. Dr. Stratton concludes with a few appropriate counsels to the people, and with a brief sketch of the history of the church for the year. During the year, twenty six persons have been admitted to the communion on examination (seven coloured) and nine on certificate, (one coloured.) The congregation, in the same period of time, have contributed to benevolent objects the sum of $11,845.62. The sermons are of much interest beyond the sphere of the local congregations.

THE SECOND MARRIAGE; or, a Daughter's Trials. A domestic tale of New York. By CHARLES BURDITT, author of "The Convict's Child," "Gambler," &c. New York: Charles Scribner, 1856.

We do not like this book. It is a record of evil, and, to a considerable extent, of low evil. In our judgment, its moral lessons are learned at too great expense. The writer delineates his scenes with considerable power, and on a better class of topics might do much good.

THE WEDGE OF GOLD: or, Achan in El Dorado. By Rev. W. A. Scorт, D.D. San Francisco: Whitton, Towne & Co, 1855.

Dr. Scott is at work in California, digging out rich truth from the mines of the Bible. We honour his perseverence and rejoice in his success.

The well-selected title of the volume before us indicates his subject, which is the danger of running into temptation in search of gold. The circumstances of Achan's sin afford an excellent opportunity for the discussion of many weighty facts and principles. We fear Achan is everywhere. He is not only in El Dorado, but is a troubler in all states and nations. Dr. Scott helps to stone him, as did the Israelites of old. We are persuaded that the Old Testament affords, through its incidents and precepts, the simplest method of developing moral truth to the understanding and heart. Dr. Scott has several times before taken up Old Testament history and biography, in his plans of doing good. We believe in the wisdom of his course. No abstract discussion would ever make the impression produced by employing the incidents of Achan's life as the basis of exposition and exhortation on the subject of "hasting to be rich."

AN HUMBLE PLEA, addressed to the Legislature of California, in behalf of the IMMIGRANTS FROM THE EMPIRE OF CHINA to this State. By the Rev. WILLIAM SPEER. San Francisco,

1856.

Mr. SPEER, the beloved missionary of our church to the Chinese, has thrown into his "humble plea" a great deal of information about the Chinese immigrants and their life in California. He suggests four points requiring sound and careful legislation. 1. The number of Chinese allowed to immigrate should not be too great. 2. The amount of license for miners should not be fixed too high. 3. The mode of collecting the license should be placed on a more responsible basis. 4. Better protection should be secured to the Chinese generally. The object of Mr. Speer's plea was to prevent harsh legislation against the admission of Chinese into California. His reasoning is good, and we presume his plea has been successful.

The Religious World.

MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church will meet in New York, on the 15th of May, at 11 o'clock A. M.

The Debates of the General Assembly will be issued in an extra number of the PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE without cost to subscribers.

THE DEBATES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

These will be prepared by a reporter, under the care of the Editor (Rev. Dr. VAN RENSSELAER); they will embody every subject of interest, including abstracts of the Reports of the Boards, Seminaries, and such tables of statistics as will enable the reader to have a correct idea of the operations and usefulness of our church. The debates will be carefully prepared, so that persons at a distance will have a good knowledge of all that transpires.

These debates will be issued in a pamphlet form, to correspond in size and appearance with the Magazine; they will be sent gratis to each subscriber. The price to others will be 50 cents, or three copies for a dollar.

We are glad to learn that the publishers of the "Presbyterian" intend to issue a "DAILY PRESBYTERIAN," as appears from the following notice :

"DAILY PRESBYTERIAN.

"THE proprietors of the Presbyterian propose to issue a daily paper during the sessions of the ensuing General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. Each number will contain eight octavo pages, this size being adopted in order that those who wish to do so may bind up the reports of the debates with the minutes of the year. The object of this paper will be to furnish to Presbyterians in all parts of the church the earliest intelligence of what is said and done in their chief judicatory, and it is hoped that these reports will be more accurate than those which usually appear in the daily papers. The price of the Daily Presbyterian will be fifty cents a copy; or it will be furnished gratis to any person who will send the name of one new subscriber for the Presbyterian, with $2 50, between this and the time of meeting of the General Assembly in May next. Address

"WILLIAM S. MARTIEN & Co. "No. 144 Chesnut Street, Philadelphia."

MEETINGS OF CONGREGATIONAL BODIES, 1856.

THE Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island meets at Providence, Central Church, Rev. L. Swain, Pastor, June 10.-Rev. Willard Jones, Central Falls, Scribe.

The General Association of Connecticut meets at Middletown, First Congregational Church, Rev. J. B. Crane, Pastor, June 17.-Rev. M. N. Morris, West Hartford, Scribe.

The General Convention of Vermont meets at Waterbury, Rev. C. C. Parker, Pastor, June 17.-Rev. Aldace Walker, West Rutland, Secretary. The General Association of Massachusetts meets at Salem, South Church, Rev. Brown Emerson, D.D., Senior Pastor, and Rev. J. E. Dwinell, Junior Pastor, June 24.-Joseph Peckham, Kingston, Scribe.

The General Conference of Maine meets at Calais, June 24.-Rev. S. H. Keeler, Pastor; Rev. S. H. Hayes, Frankfort, Corresponding Secretary.

The General Association of New Hampshire meets at Exeter, August 26. Rev. John K. Young, Laconia, Secretary.

A SABBATH FOR RAILROADS.

THE New York Central, the Hudson River, and the New York and Erie Railroads, have now their Sabbath days. Locomotive and tender, axle and rail, wheel and switch, have, in common with man, a day of rest. Six days' service fills their appointed weekly wear, as it does that of most of the labourers of Christendom. There is an incalculable economy in the Sabbath. Machinery wears out under constant use. Man's tissues are consumed by it; his vitality becomes feeble, and eventually exhausted. In the course of this abuse of his divine organization, his joy, his sweetness, his courage, his hope, and too often his self-respect, are worn and worn till they are all worn out. The Sabbath is to the weeks of toil what

the sleeping-time of the curtained night is to the days of labour-recuperation of physical force and acquirement of new moral power. The railroad Sabbath will reward the companies which institute it. Their employees will wear longer and work better. There will be one-seventh less accidents upon the lines-fourteen per cent. less wear and tear of rails and machinery, and of expenditure of fuel, oil, and waste. While the heated few who would travel seven days in the week are fretfully saving themselves and their passage-money for the Monday trains, the giant locomotives are grandly sleeping in their darkened round-houses. The Sabbath through they breathe quietly on their beds, images of power in a state of rest, suggestive and admonitory to us all.-Presbyterian.

KOSSUTH ON THE AUSTRIAN CONCORDAT.

M. KOSSUTH delivered two lectures at London, on the "Concordat between the Pope and Francis Joseph of Austria, with special reference to Hungary in general, and the Protestantism of Hungary in particular.” M. Kossuth remarked that the Concordat was, on the part of the pope, a daring and dangerous manifestation of aspiration to universal supremacy, and, on the part of the Austrian emperor, a shameful surrender of the most sacred rights of the crown, the clergy, and the people. To Hungary the consequences would be very serious. That country had always displayed a bold opposition to papal pretensions, both before and after the Reformation. No nation had rendered greater services to the cause of Protestantism. Hungary had been chosen as the field for this aggression because she was disarmed and helpless; but he hoped the time would come when Providence would afford her the means of shaking off the fetters of tyranny and oppression. After taking a general survey of the causes of the Concordat, reserving the details of it for the next lecture, he proceeded to sketch the peculiar characters of the pope and the Emperor of Austria. Kingcraft and priestcraft were united in them for the suppression of liberty. In conclusion, M. Kossuth pointed out the troubles which the triumph of the Concordat in Hungary might in time bring upon England, and quoted a remark made upon the subject by Oliver Cromwell in 1688.

THE POPE WASHING THE PRIESTS' FEET.

THIS morning (March 20) his Holiness has been occupied in washing the feet of thirteen priests, who represent the apostles, in the church of St. Peter, and in subsequently waiting on them at dinner, a repast which he offers them in one of the halls of the Vatican. It may be imagined what attractions sights such as these, surrounded by all the pageantry of the ecclesiastical court, present to the newly-arrived travellers who crown every adit to the basilica and the palace, and find it "labour dire indeed, and weary woe," to attend every miserere, benediction, procession, or display of relics, so plentifully indulged in during the Holy Week.