to stifle the inclination to accept the proffered grace, and tempting man to harden his heart, as the apostle says-Ephesians vi, 12-"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness [or wicked spirits] in high places." The good angels, on the other hand, take a lively interest in our well-being, and are ready, at the command of their Lord, to come to the protection of man against the powers of darkness. They are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation"-Hebrews i, 14-and rejoice over every sinner that comes to repentance-Luke xv, 10.

By means of the power which Satan continues to exert here upon earth, the weeds will continue to grow among the good fruit till the last day, when he great Master shall gather his harvest, and separate the wheat from the chaff. The efforts and struggles of the powers of darkness become greater the nearer they approach their final end. They reach the highest style of development in the appearance among us of an antichrist, who is the antitype or counterfeit presentment of the true Redeemer, the man of sin, "the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God:" "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." And when he shall have completed the entire course of his wickedness, him "the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." 2 Thessalonians ii, 4-10. And then shall come the unspeakable glory of the Lord, which is to usher in the fulfillment of all time.

To the nature of our earth progressive development was both possible and necessary, and the care of this development was intrusted to the spirit which was placed in charge of the earth. But the fall, first of the angels, then of man, frustrated the arrangement of the Creator, and confusion and ruin came to reign where before all was beauty and order. In the reign of Christ, the second Adam, that which was neglected and lost under the first Adam shall be renewed and restored. The presence of sin in the earth, in its consequences upon matter so intimately connected with spirit, placed a bar to the progressive development of the earth by quiet organic action. This object must, therefore, be brought about by a new mode of development. The world will be subjected to a fervent heat, a destroying and purifying fire, out of the ashes of which, phoenix-like, there shall arise a new heaven and a new earth, "wherein dwelleth righteous ness." 2 Peter iii, 10-13; Revelation xxi, 1.

Then will take place the separating of the just from the unjust, the pure from the impure, throughout the

world. Christ will then come in justice to judge all the world. The good angels will be his servants and messengers-Matthew xiii, 49, 50—and the saints made perfect, whom he has not shamed himself to call brothers, his helps and fellow-judges, who, as members of his body, shall be partakers with him of all glory. John xvii, 20-24; as also Matthew xix, 28, and 1 Corinthians vi, 2, 3.

The final judgment, as it will put a stop to all further change or development either of good or evil, must, of course, be the end of all history. All created spirit will then have arrived at its final determinate position: either that for which God intended it from the first, or, if it has persisted in setting its countenance against God and good, to that everlasting separation from God, when all hope shall be lost.

And as the earth was made by peculiar circumstances the scene where was fought the great battle between right and wrong, good and evil, so will it, upon the appearance of the Lamb, become the center-point of glory of all the universe, where shall be the throne of the majesty of God, the dwelling-place of Christ and his saints. Revelation xxi.

We have followed out to their terminations the speculations of our author. It is almost unnecessary to add that in presenting this abstract of them we do not claim for them any greater portion of credit than the intelligent reader will feel inclined to grant them. It is evident that the mystery with which the supreme Being has seen fit to vail from us his providence in the creation and maintenance of that portion of the universe over which man has been placed, is far too impenetrable for mortal eye to see through, or our finite understanding to explain. Yet is the mind of the intelligent Christian irresistibly drawn toward the contemplation and consideration of the wonders of God's providence. And in so far as theories, hypotheses, and speculations, similar to the present, serve to facilitate the attainment of consistent Christian views or ideas, both as imparting knowledge directly, or by acting suggestively on the mind, they are indisputably beneficent in their effects. It is plain, too, that, in considering upon the relative value of such speculations, those are most deserving the atten tion of the Christian which, taking the words of Scripture in their plainest, most evident sense, succeed most thoroughly in reconciling the discrepancies which apparently exist between the recorded word of God and the facts elicited by modern discoveries in science. Taking this view, we have no hesitation in recommending the volume we have had under consideration to the attention of all intelligent minds. Although not entirely guiltless of a certain vagueness and indistinctness into which German metaphysical writers are too apt to fall, the author is sufficiently clear and to the point to satisfy the not too critically disposed seeker after knowledge.

elected to the principalship of this institution. Jeremiah Tingley, A. M., and W. H. Barnes, A. B., have also been elected to professorships in the Institute.

REV. WILLIAM HUNTER.-Brother Hunter, former editor of the Pittsburg Christian Advocate, has been elected to, and is now discharging, the duties of the professorship

of Biblical Literature in Alleghany College. He is an able Hebrew scholar.

BRITISH METHODISM.-During the year ending in July,

the Methodists of Great Britain raised for home missions about $94,000, and $350,000 for foreign missions; on chapel debts the sum paid out was $320,000; in furnishing, with heavy furniture, preachers' houses or parsonages, $10,500; in support of Wesleyan day schools, $126,000; in support of the Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove schools, about $30,000; for the Theological institution and other purposes, $20,000; making a total expended for the year by the connection $950,500, or nearly one million of dollars. Beside supporting their own missions and building their own churches, the Wesleyans, in common with other Dissenters, have been heavily taxed in supporting the Established Church of England-an unfair and disreputable thing on the part of those professing to be the only true Church.

NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANISM.-From the Minutes for 1855 of the General Assembly of the New School Presbyterian Church, we gather the following summary:

Other purposes................................................... 3,959 22 Although the returns from the Churches are imperfect, they show an advance in the number of communicants of 1,552. Although the last year's report of contributions to domestic missions included the large sums given to $100,000 Fund for Church Erection, this year's report shows a diminution of less than $25,000; while the contributions to Foreign Missions have advanced more than $6,000, and to the Publication Cause more than $15,000. METHODIST GERMANS.-In the year 1838 the Methodist Episcopal Church had but one missionary laboring in the city of Cincinnati. At the close of that year the first German Methodist society in America was formed, consisting of 30 members. Now the German Methodist preachers in the United States number, local and traveling, 230, and the membership over 10,000. The number of German Methodist churches is 140.

METHODIST D. D.'s AGAIN.-Besides the Methodist doctorates mentioned last month, we have noticed the following additional ones: L. D. Huston, editor of the Home Circle, from Emory College, Georgia; Peter Doub, Normal College, North Carolina; David Patten, Professor in the Biblical Institute, New Hampshire; and D. P. Kidder, editor of the Sunday School Advocate, from the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.

CINCINNATI WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE.-Rev. W. G. W. Lewis, of the Mt. Auburn charge, Cincinnati conference, was elected Professor of Mathematics in the Wesleyan Female College, Cincinnati, August 21st; vice Jeremiah Tingley, A. M., resigned. Brother Lewis is a graduate, and was once professor in the Woodward College, Cincinnati, O. His scholarship is fine.

WHITE WATER COLLEGE.-Rev. G. B. Jocelyn, formerly Professor of Mathematics in this institution, has been elected to the post of President. The location is Centerville, Ia.

MAGNIFICENT CHURCH.-The most magnificent church edifice belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Poydras-Street Church, New Orleans, not excepted, is said to be in St. Louis, corner of Eighth-street and Washington Avenue. It is 109 feet long, 65 feet wide, and 75 feet high. The main audience-room is 90 feet long by 60 feet wide. The pews are all circular and elegantly cushioned, and the altar and the pulpit are carpeted with the finest velvet. The room is lighted in daytime by 18 stained glass windows. The ceiling is 44 feet from the floor. A parsonage, three stories high above the basement, and a sexton's house belong to the church. The dedication of the Church was by Dr. Parsons, Sabbath, December 31, 1854.

OCEAN TELEGRAPHS.-That the electric telegraph will be carried across the Atlantic becomes more and more likely. Arrangements have been entered into between the British and American companies for laying a cable from St. John's, Newfoundland, to the nearest point of Ireland, before the end of January, 1858; and by the end of the present year all the rest of the line will be established, for the cable is being sunk from Newfoundland to Prince Edward's Island; and from the latter the communication with the United States telegraphs is already complete. So, if nothing untoward occurs, we will be talking across the Atlantic Ocean in a few years.

METHODISM IN AUSTRALIA.-There are now in Australia, in connection with the Methodist Church, 116 regular clergymen, beside a number of native assistant ministers; 19,897 members, of whom 7,190 are Europeans, and the remainder native converts in New Zealand, the Friendly Islands, and Feejee; 35,576 Sunday and day scholars; 80,000 attendants upon the ministry; 442 churches and 39 other preaching-places.

METHODISM IN AMERICA.-In 1755 five Methodists set

tled in the city of New York, and formed the first society in America. In 1855, just a century later, the Methodist Church in the United States numbers over four millions of worshipers.

MISSIONARY SUMS.-During the past year the Protestants of Britain, the Continent, and America have raised for missionary, Bible, education, and tract societies, the sum of $7,530,000; while the Papists in the same countries have raised for the propagation of their faith but the comparatively small sum of $787,030. The American Board of Missions last year raised the sum of $327,665, and the Presbyterian Board of Missions $180,680. The Church Missionary Society-British-during the last year raised the sum of $434,810; but its expenditures has amounted to $522,560. The Christian Knowledge Society during the past year raised the sum of $450,580, and has issued during the same time 4,262,500 publications.

POPULATION OF THE WORLD.-The latest, and apparently the fairest, estimate of this that we have seen makes it 1,150,000,000; namely, Pagans, 676,000,000; Christians, 320,000,000; Mohammedans, 140,000,000; Jews, 14,000,000. Of Christians, the Church of Rome numbers 170,000,000; the Greek and Eastern Churches, 60,000,000; Protestant, 90,000,000.

MALES AND FEMALES.-The law of nature, fixing the numerical relation of the sexes, is an everlasting testimony against polygamy. The number of females born is slightly greater, about four per cent., than males, but at twenty years of age they are nearly equal; at forty there are more males than females; and at seventy they

are nearly equal again. The mortality of females between ten and forty is very great, and is probably too much increased by the confined and unnatural lives they lead; after forty their chances for a long life are much better than men's, and the last census showed several hundred women in this country over one hundred years old.

DEAD THEATER ACTORS-It is surprising the amount of praise and the number of friends which distinguished stage performers receive and enjoy. It seems impossible to show them enough attention while living, but when dead or dying how are they deserted! One of the leading New York journals says, that when the projector and builder of the Broadway Theater died religious people, and not Thespians or stage-lovers, attended his funeral. And another New York paper, in a notice of the death of T. G. Booth, a great comedian, at Toronto, Canada, August 18th, says, that his remains were brought for interment to New York city, his birthplace, and that at the performances of his funeral ceremonies there was an almost utter absence of all members or admirers of the theatrical profession. Strange, yet how true the adage, "The world will love in life and forsake in death!" WRITTEN SERMONS.-Rev. John Farrar, Ex-President of the British Wesleyan conference, in the late session of that body at Leeds, remarked, in reading a sermon on John iv, 38, "Other men have labored, and we have entered into their labors," that, with one exception, it was the only sermon he had ever read from the pulpit in his life, though he had been a Wesleyan preacher about fifty years. In illustration of the repugnance among the British Methodists to any thing but extempore discourses, we may state that a talented young minister, occupying a station, and addicted to manuscripts, was reprimanded publicly therefor, and he sent to a circuit till he could learn to preach without notes and off-hand.

NEW MEDICAL WORK.-A History of Medicine, from its Origin to the close of the Eighteenth Century, by Dr. Renouard, of Paris, translated by Dr. Comegys, Professor of the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, is the title of a large octavo volume of seven hundred and fifty pages, just being issued by Moore, Wilstach, Keys & Co., of this city. It is a book of unquestioned ability, and should be in the hands not only of every medical gentleman, but in the library of all who would be posted in reference to medical science and its progress, from the beginning of the Christian era to the present time.

ABBOTT LAWRENCE.-This gentleman, a member of the Unitarian Church, but widely known in various religious denominations as a man of great benevolence, expired at his residence, Boston, August 18th, in his sixty fourth year. His brother Amos, who died in 1852, gave largely toward the establishment of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis. Abbott, in 1847, gave $50,000 toward the founding of a scientific school, Cambridge, Mass. He was at one time United States minister to England, and by all who knew him was highly esteemed for his generous and liberal views, his probity of heart, and his inflexible course of right dealing. Beside the $50,000 given by Mr. Lawrence in founding the Lawrence Scientific School, he made a bequest to the institution, at his death, of another $50,000. He also, at his death, willed $10000 to the Boston Public Library.

PLANETARY HEAT-At the ninth session of the American Association for the Promotion of Science, held at Providence, R. I., Professor Loomis read a paper on the

heat of the planets, which brought on a sharp discussion. By his calculations, he showed that the temperature of Jupiter was eighty degrees below zero, and the other large planets as low; and that of the moon forty degrees. He therefore contended that the planets could not be inhabited, and that animal and vegetable life could not exist in them. In those planets nearer the sun than the earth, he contended that auimal life could not exist for the greater heat, except round the poles of Venus, which were fifty-two degrees. He also contended that if the earth possessed any internal heat, it was of no effect upon its surface; that the sun was the great heating agent.

Professor Rogers contended for the central heat theory, and for the other planets beside the earth being the abodes of intelligent beings.

Professor Agassiz stated that vegetable existence was found at the summits of high mountains, for he had obtained lichens at an altitude of 11,000 feet.

Professor Henry treated the whole matter as a scientific speculation, but contended that all things were changing; that the outer old planets were past the epoch necessary to life, and the sun itself was fading. His views amounted to this-that this earth was once a mass of fire; that it is now cooling, and will at last become an icicle in the heavens, and so with the sun.

A MISSIONARY GARDEN.-At the Commencement of Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., held August 15th, the sum of $3,000 was raised by the Alumni of the College, with which to purchase ten acres of ground for a missionary garden. By the side of a haystack fortynine years ago a little prayer meeting was held by Mr. Mills, and from it resulted the beginning of the operations of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The ten acres are to be ornamented at once, a monument to Mills is to be erected over the spot where the haystack is supposed to have stood, and rare plants and shrubs, such as will live in our American climate, are to be brought from every part of the world and grown in the plat.

BROWN UNIVERSITY.-Rev. Barnas Sears, D. D., a distinguished minister of the Baptist Church, and for some years past Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, was, August 21st, elected President of Brown University, Providence, R. I., in place of Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., resigned.

NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY.-Rev. Dr. Whedon, of the New York East conference, has been engaged for a year or two past, and still is engaged, in the preparation of a commentary on the books of the New Testament, adapted more especially to the use of Sabbath School Bible classes and family reading. Dr. Whedon has an intellectual acumen which admirably fits him for the work which he has taken in hand.

BIBLICAL DICTIONARY.-James Strong, Esq., of Flushing, N. Y., and Rev. J. M'Clintock, D. D., of the Quarterly Review, have in preparation a Bible Dictionary on a scale more extensive than any one yet brought out under the auspices of Methodism. The literary character of the authors justifies us in saying beforehand, that it will be a work of sterling merit.

DR. FLOY AND THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE.-Dr. Floy, presiding elder of the East New York district, is at present the acting editor of the National Magazine. He is devoting himself with great energy and success to his work.

NEW BOOKS.

DR. AKERS'S BIBLICAL CHRONOLOGY.-This is an octavo of four hundred and eleven pages, published for the author at the Methodist Western Book Concern. The entire title, which is expressive of the contents of the work, is as follows: "Introduction to Biblical Chronology, from Adam to the resurrection of Christ: comprising 5,573 years of the world, synchronized with Julian time. With such calendars, cycles, tables, and explanations, as render the whole subject easy of comprehension to every Bible student." The fulfillment of the promise held forth in the title-page involved a great amount of labor. The terminating point in this great chronological work is at the resurrection of Christ, which the author fixes on Sunday, March 28, in the year of the world 5,573, which makes the age or period of the present order of things on the earth 1,569 years longer than the usually received chronology, or 7,400 years. The work is liberally supplied with carefully prepared tables, and is got up in superb style by Swormstedt & Poe. We should like to give an extended examination of the work, but our limits for the present month forbid it. In the mean time we commend it to all Biblical students as one eminently worthy of their attention.

HILLIARD'S SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES have recently been issued by the Harpers in a beautiful octavo of four hundred and ninety-seven pages, and are on sale at Derby's in this city. The fame of the honorable author will secure for them an extensive circulation. The addresses in this collection most interesting to a literary man are those upon the Life and Character of Henry Clay, the Genius and Character of Daniel Webster, and the True Sphere of Woman.

A VISIT TO THE CAMP BEFORE SEVASTOPOL, by R. C. M'Cormick, jun., and published by D. Appleton & Co. in a 12mo. of two hundred and twelve pages, is finely illustrated, and gives decidedly the fullest and best view of the position and operation of the belligerent powers in the Crimea that we have seen. For sale by H. W. Derby, Main below Fourth-street.

DR. PERRY'S REVIEW OF DR. FOSTER'S SERMON ON THE MINISTRY FOR THE TIMES, is got up in the same style as the work reviewed. The reviewer makes some strong points; but there is an excess of merely verbal criticism in the treatise, much of which might have been spared. KIRWAN'S LETTERS TO JOHN HUGHES, issued by the Harpers in a 12mo. of three hundred and seventy pages, is another broadside into the old hulk of Popery.

OLD HUMPHREY-A Memoir, with Gleanings from his Portfolio is a capital addition to the library of the Sunday School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

THE EARLY DEAD, Volume IV, contains forty-four brief memoirs of Sunday school children. It is a telling work for the influence and results of Sunday schools.

CHRISTIAN BENEFICENCE, by Wm. Hosmer, published by Wm. J. Moses, Auburn, is a 16mo. of two hundred and nineteen pages. Its scope embraces the measure, manner, uses, and misuses of giving as prescribed in the New Testament. It is an ably written essay; one that will not fail to do good. No Christian can read it with

out profit. The world and the cause of Christ will be gainers by its distribution.

THE resources of the Harpers seem to be without bounds. They cater for the rough million, and for the elect in literature; for the infant and the philosopher. They have just opened a new mine in their "Picture Books for the Nursery," of which "LEARNING TO TALK" is now on our table. It was written by Jacob Abbott, and is profusely and beautifully illustrated. Just the work for little ones. For sale by Derby.

INCIDENTS OF MY LATER YEARS, by Rev. George Coles, is still another contribution to our Sunday school literature. Brother Coles is well known in the Church; and his former works-"My Youthful Days" and "My First Seven Years in America"-of which this is a sort of sequel, were highly appreciated and widely circulated. We think this will be received with equal relish, and have even a more extended circulation.

FOUR DAYS IN JULY, of which the scene is laid on the Hudson river and its vicinity, is replete with genial narrations and stories, which will at once interest and instruct juvenile readers.

FOOT-PRINTS OF AN ITINERANT, by Maxwell P. Gaddis, has just been published for the author at the Western Book Concern. Brother Gaddis is one of the most genial spirits we have met with in the west; his experience has been largely varied, and its details and incidents, now gathered into a volume, make a most telling work. We trust that its circulation will keep pace with, and even excel, that of the autobiography of the Old Chief.

PERIODICALS AND PAMPHLETS.

THE EDINBURGH REVIEW, for July, republished by L. Scott & Co., of New York, contains: 1. The Genius of Dryden. 2. Indian Substitutes for Russian Produce. 3. Villemain's Recollections of History and Literature. 4. The Tauric Chersonese. 5. The Land of Silence. 6. The Statesmen of India. 7. The Maynooth Commission. 8. Modern Fortification. 9. Rev. Sidney Smith. 10. The Sevastopol Committee and the Vienna Conferences.

METHODIST ALMANAC FOR 1856-a capital work, which ought to find a home in every Methodist family. CATALOGUES.-Alleghany College, at Meadville, Penn.President, Rev. John Barker, D. D., assisted by 6 professors. Seniors, 22; juniors, 17; sophomores, 22; freshmen, 41; preparatory department, 126: total, 228.

The Ohio University, at Athens, O.-President, Rev. S. Howard, D. D., assisted by 4 professors. Seniors, 4; juniors, 12; sophomores, 23; freshmen, 48; preparatory department, 91: total, 173.

Iowa Wesleyan University.-President, Rev. L. W. Berry, D. D., assisted by 7 professors. Sophomores, 12; freshmen, 28; preparatory, 210: total, 254.

Female College and Springfield High School.-President, J. W. Weakley, A. M., assisted by 6 teachers. Females, 118; males, 99: total, 217.

Valley Female Institute, at Winchester, Va.-Principal, Rev. S. P. Yorke, assisted by 5 teachers. Students, 65. Iowa Conference Seminary, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.-Rev. S. M. Fellows, A. M., Principal. Students, 250.