scending to the trifling chit chat and zig-zag diversions of a ball-room. And true it is that the joys of salvation in the believer's heart yield him such a plenitude of happiness, that he does not need dancing as a means of promoting that happiness, and the truths with which he is conversant, give that enlargement and elevation to his mind which make him superior to the vain and perishable amusements of the world.

As one part of the Query mentions "families professedly religious," we beg to subjoin the following extract bearing on the duties of religious parents in reference to the accomplishments which their children should be permitted to acquire:

"Hitherto, Christian mother, it has been a maxim with you, and you have taught your children to regard it as such, 'that whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God!' But can you tell them that to dance well will promote the glory of God,' either directly or indirectly? It may be objected, that playing at the games mentioned above is not calculated to answer this end any better than dancing. In the games I have mentioned, nothing is sought for but exercise and relaxation, which are both essential to the preservation of bodily and mental health; and so far they do indirectly promote the glory of Him who formed us. But it is not the mere act of dancing that is so much to be objected to. It is the feelings which it excites, the circumstances by which it is surrounded, and the associations to which it leads, that are to be deprecated. The children are dressed for display, and their vanity is excited by the elegance of their robes and the splendour of their ornaments; or should you endeavour to check their rising vanity, by dressing them more plainly than their companions, you only expose them to ridicule and contempt, which have a decidedly worse effect upon their minds than a more splendid dress would produce.

"Children accustomed to the display of the ball-room, or even of the social dance, become discontented with the quiet, unobtrusive pleasures of home, and have a constant hankering after visits and visitors.

"But it is not while children are entirely under your own control that the worse effects are to be feared. If you train them up to love the world, with its forms and fashions, and to seek their happiness in worldly amusements, rely upon it that when they are at an age to choose their own acquaintance and their own recreations, the gay party will have more charms than the fire-side circle, and the fashionable entertainments of the world will be far more attractive than either the house of God or the retirement of the closet.

"Be not conformed to this world' is a divine precept, which you, as the professed followers of Christ, are bound to obey; it is needless to attempt to prove the obligation you are under to impress this precept on the minds of your children, and to encourage them, by all possible means, to render to it their cheerful and uniform obedience. But by permitting them to learn the art of dancing, you are directly and obviously conforming them to this world; you are furnishing them with a recommendation and introduction to worldly society; you are giving them a qualification for entering with zest into schemes of worldly pleasure; you are giving them a relish for worldly entertainments; and you are, moreover, on your own part, rendering narrower and fainter the line of demarcation which ought ever to separate the world from the church.

"Oh! then, admonish your children to shun the snares of a deceitful and corrupting world-try to give them a distaste for its charms-to

render them superior to its fascinations-yea, set them in hostility to a world which lieth in the arms of the wicked one, and let all your instructions, and all your example, enforce upon them that solemn but affectionate exhortation,- Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world; if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.'"—The Mother's Practical Guide. By Mrs. J. Bakewell.

"I DON'T THINK RELIGION REQUIRES IT."

I was called in the providence of God, not long since, to spend a few weeks among a people who were blessed with a gracious outpouring of the Spirit of God. Among those who called for the purpose of religious conversation, was one for whom I felt a very deep solicitude. As he entered the room, his countenance was sad-but it was a pleasing sadness, and seemed to point to something working within. He had been a great worldling—some called him “ a very industrious man"-but he was more eager in pursuit of the world than was profitable to an immortal soul. He was a man of strict morality, however, and with this he had for a few years been satisfied. But now the Spirit of God was with him, he began to entertain some doubts concerning his preparation for heaven. I had serious apprehensions of the influence of his business upon his religious feelings, and therefore deemed it very important to use great plainness of speech." His convictions were not very pungent, yet he came to learn something of the way of salvation. He acknowledged the value of religion above every thing else; and expressed a willingness to give up all for Christ's sake and the gospel.

"Would you be willing," said I, "to relinquish your business for a week, if you could thereby become a Christian ?" He hesitated a few moments and replied, "Why, I don't think religion requires it; we can attend to our business and serve God too." Again I asked him if he would be willing to part with his property which he loved so well, for an interest in Christ; and he answered, "I don't think religion requires it." I then inquired what he was willing to do to become a disciple of Christ. Eight years before, his farm so engrossed his time and attention that his serious impressions were all effaced; and knowing the danger of delay, I was desirous of bringing his feelings to some test. I knew that he was not convinced of his guilt as a sinner, and that there was great need of showing him that his attachment to the world was too strong. I therefore informed him, that it was my serious opinion, that if he were unwilling to suspend his business for a few days, his soul would inevitably be lost. And again, I inquired if he was ready to give up his business and attend to the salvation of his soul. "Why," said he, after a pause, “I don't think religion requires it." He then left me, and I saw him no more for two days, Many prayers were offered up to God for his conversion, and the Spirit continued with him. On the third day he came again, and as I looked upon him I felt persuaded he had found Christ precious to his soul. His face shone like that of Moses after communion with God; a pleasant smile lit up his countenance, and tears of joy flowed down his cheeks. "Are you willing now," said I, "to give up all for Christ?" "Yes, yes," said he, "and worlds, if they

were mine." "But do you think religion requires it?" continued I. "Ah, yes!" he added, " and I should never have found peace had I not shut myself out from my worldly business and cares."

The change was a happy one; and from that hour he has gone on his way rejoicing. It was in retirement with God for two days, and while perusing the Bible, that he found peace. And never can you cause him to believe that the salvation of the soul may be secured while the mind is so completely absorbed in worldly affairs as his own had been. In the space of three weeks from his conversion two more made the experiment at his earnest entreaty, and all are now rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. S. L.

BENEVOLENCE.

A MINISTER Soliciting aid towards his chapel, waited upon an individual distinguished for his wealth and benevolence. Approving the case he presented to the minister a handsome donation, and turning to his three sons who had witnessed the transaction, he advised them to imitate his example. "My dear boys," said he, "you have heard the case, now what will you give?" One said, "I will give all that my pockets will furnish;" another observed, "I will give half that I have in my purse;" the third sternly remarked, "I will give nothing." Some years after, the minister had occasion to visit the same place, and recollecting the family he had called upon, he inquired into the actual position of the parties. He was informed the generous father was dead; the youth who had cheerfully given all his store was living in affluence; the son who had divided his pocket money was in comfortable circumstances; but the third—who had indignantly refused to assist, and haughtily declared he would give "nothing," was so reduced as to be supported by the two brothers!

"There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and-it tendeth to poverty." The above anecdote is a striking illustration of these words of Solomon. Men of property should contribute largely; they should recollect that they are responsible to God for the use they make of their fortune-and he will hereafter call for the account.

THE PROBLEM.

A MINISTER addressing a young man celebrated for his mathematical knowledge, said, "I have heard you are celebrated for mathematical skill; I have a problem which I wish you to solve." "What is it?"

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eagerly asked the young man. The minister replied, with a solemn tone, What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" The youth endeavoured to shake off the impressions produced, but in vain. In the giddy round of pleasure, in his business and in his studies, the question forcibly returned. It finally resulted in his conversion, and he became an able advocate and preacher of the gospel which he once rejected.

JUDGMENT AND MERCY.

SOME five years since, a cavalry regiment was stationed at Bristol, whose officers were notorious for their dissipation, in the most extensive meaning of the word. One of them displayed such excess in depravity, that even by his wicked associates, he was regarded with feelings approaching to shame. The day of God's wrath at length arrived. On the occasion of a visit to the city by the Duke of Wellington (then commander-in-chief of the forces) a grand ball was given by the inhabitants and officers united. The officer in question had arranged to accompany some ladies (residing a few miles from Bristol) to the scene of festivity, and on retiring to rest the evening preceding the fête, ordered his servant to call him early on the ensuing morning. He did so, when his master directed him to admit the light of day into his chamber, by opening the shutters of the windows. This was immediately done, but to the great surprise of the servant the order was repeated in a very harsh manner. Having been informed it was done as he commanded, he abused the man with increasing violence, and attempted, in his excessive rage, to strike the servant. Having been somewhat calmed by the firmness of the servant, he desired a brother officer might be called to explain the mystery, or to satisfy him that the blinds were really withdrawn, and if so, how it was he could not see the objects around him. His friend arrived, considerably alarmed and agitated. He corroborated the statement of his attendant, that daylight was shining in the room. "Then," exclaimed the wretched man," my God, I am blind!" And such was the awful fact. It was blessed, however, to the opening of his spiritual vision, and his true conversion to God. His time, talents, and property are devoted to God, and he is led about "doing good," by distributing tracts, and exhorting others to "flee from the wrath to come."

[The person referred to in the preceding narrative we have frequently seen, in his accustomed place of worship at Bristol, sustaining the deportment of a devout worshipper of God.-ED.]

CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST.

THE Rev. John Hyatt was for many years co-pastor with the Rev. Matthew Wilks, of the congregations at the Tabernacle and Tottenhamcourt Chapel. His venerable colleague who called upon him a few hours before his death, in a characteristic conversation, said, "Is all right for another world?"

"I am very happy," said Mr. H.

"Have you made your will?"

Mistaking the question-" The will of the Lord be done!" said the dying Christian."

"Shall I pray with

you?"

"Yes, if you can;" alluding to Mr. Wilks' feelings, at that moment considerably excited.

After prayer," Well, my brother, if you had a hundred souls, could you commit them all to Christ now?" (alluding to an expression Mr. H. frequently used in the pulpit.)

With a mighty and convulsive effort, he replied, " A MILLION!"

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. An Enquiry into the Scripture Evidence of its nature, the mode, subjects, and design of the rite, and the meaning of the term. By JOHN H. GODWIN. London: J. Snow. 12mo. cloth boards, pp. 408.

When is this controversy to end? We presume never. Never, at least, in this world; for we question whether the millennium, with all its light and glory will do more than enable the parties to exercise greater forbearance and candour towards each other; for upon this, as upon other subjects, differences of opinion will then probably exist. It is nevertheless the duty of all honestly to seek after the truth-and it is the duty of some to disseminate the views in which their enquiries have resulted. Let this be done in a right spirit, and if it do not in time altogether explode what is erroneous, it will give a more extended influence, and a firmer dominion to what is true. Mr. Godwin's work abounds in masterly criticism, and in what we conceive to be unanswerable argument. In each of these departments the subject opens a wide field for discussion, and our author occupies it with peculiar and decided advantage. The substance of the volume has previously appeared in consecutive essays in the Congregational Magazine, but they are here presented in an improved and more elaborate form. The entire question as to the mode and subjects of Baptism, is fully investigated. We are not aware that any essential or important point is left untouched; and whilst the discussion is conducted with very superior ability, as it regards both the learning and talents of the author, there is a perfect freedom from that acrimony and dogmatism, too frequently the characteristics of controversy. There are some propositions stated, which certainly appear to us rather startling; but as a whole, the reasonings advanced are both cogent and conclusive; and most cordially do we recommend the volume to those who wish for a large amount of information on the subject, well compacted and arranged; and with equal cordiality do we recommend it to those whose minds may be perplexed on the question which is here so ably and satisfactorily treated.

LOUIS XIV. AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES. BY BENJAMIN BENSLEY, Author of Henry the Eighth and his Contemporaries. London: Darton and Clark. 12mo. cloth boards, pp. 462.

The author of this work displays some rather amusing singularities. He dedicates his work to Louis Phillipe, but frankly tells his Majesty that "there cannot be a remote probability that" he "will ever hear of the existence" of the book thus tendered to his royal patronage. The "gentle reader" is then favoured with an address which contains some sound truth, and not a little pedantry and egotism. The author tells us that he is a teetotaller; and he also avowedly advocates the principles of Dissent, and what is best of all, he is not ashamed of avowing his attachment to evangelical religion. All these are qualities which with us are very strong recommendations. They are not, however, always accompanied with that dignified sobriety which some might too confidently expect, and which are generally thought to be requisite in a writer of History. The period comprised by our author is one of transcendent interestabounding in characters and events which can never be contemplated without a considerable degree of emotion-but often when perusing the pages of this volume, with all the fixed attention which its records cannot fail to secure, the reader suddenly finds all his gravity overthrown by the occurrence of some sarcastic remark, or of some droll or witty expression, which renders a fit of laughter a very necessary and seasonable relief. Some words and phrases will not suit all tastes, nevertheless the work is not only lively and entertaining, but highly instructive. It has also one recommendation -that of honesty. It is not a book-making affair. It contains as much matter as three or four ordinary octavo volumes, and develops a portion of history not generally accessible, but which is full of the romance of real life.

CHINA, and her Spiritual Claims. By the Rev. EVAN DAVIES, late Missionary to the Chinese. London: John Snow. 18mo. cloth boards, pp. 134

This is an earnest and powerful appeal in favour of the spiritual claims of China. The moral debasement of the inhabitants of that immense empire, is described in language at once elegant and impressive. We have a clear statement of facts-of facts which