that if he only got a culprit into prison substantial justice would be done, for no one could get out without paying something to somebody.' Anecdotes are continually cropping up in Mr. Conder's narrative quite sufficient to explain the present poverty of the land. At Damascus Mr. Conder dined with the Pacha, and, though hungry at the first, could not eat a quarter of the amount consumed by his host. The conversation among the other guests appears to have been below description. 'To suppose this picture to be universally characteristic of Turkish high life would no doubt be an error. Able and honest men are not altogether wanting, and Midhat Pacha, the immediate predecessor of my host, has since become famous as a patriot and a statesman; but it is the misfortune of Turkey that the majority of the governing class are men ignorant and fanatical, sensual and inert, notoriously corrupt and tyrannical, who have succeeded only in ruining and impoverishing the countries they were sent to govern. (Vol. i., p. 252.) We thank Mr. Conder for these interesting volumes. Though our attention has, of necessity, been limited to a few more prominent features of the work, yet readers of almost every class will find here gratification for their peculiar tastes. Vivid topographical description, pieces of natural history, clear glimpses of a society far different from our own, strange incidents of personal adventure all help to increase the interest of Mr. Conder's book. The economist will be delighted to learn that the cost of the Ordnance Survey was often only one shilling a day per man. We trust that it will be found possible to publish the maps at a price so reasonable that all Ministers may be able to hang them in the study. We should rejoice if the Exploration Society could perform the like task on the East of the Jordan to that which they have accomplished on the West. There are few things which help us so clearly to realize the historical truth of the Bible as an accurate knowledge of Eastern manners and geography. The more carefully we study the geography of Palestine, the more clearly we shall see the wisdom of that Providence in fixing upon this country to be the birth-place of a universal religion. Bounded on the North by Lebanon, on the East and South by the desert, and on the West by the great sea, while surrounded by the six great nations of antiquity, its geographical peculiarities preserved it from foreign intermixture, and tended to foster the intense nationality of the Jews. No other country presents so great a variety both of climate and scenery; it is an epitome of the earth. Around Jericho there is tropical heat, while Lebanon is white with eternal snow. The cedars of Lebanon, the dew on Hermon, the fruitful vale of Sharon, the flowery plain of Esdraelon, the beautiful landscapes of Galilee, dotted with lakes, and the sandy deserts which gird the Eastern border, find some counterpart wherever the Gospel is preached. Whatever enables us to realize more vividly the various geographical features of Palestine, will help us to understand the earthly life of Him Who is now exalted 'far above all principality and power.' OUR BAPTIZED CHILDREN: BY THE REV. GEORGE OSBORN, D.D. I. For many years I have heard the enquiry, 'What can be done to keep our children?' and the complaint that so many, who have been born and brought up among us, desert us when they come to years of maturity, some for other communions, and others, without forming new religious connections, relapsing into worldliness and indifference. We have a just horror of hereditary membership. We do not allow that any one can be born a Methodist. We consider that none are fit for admission into our Societies but those who professa desire to flee from the wrath to come,' and 'to be saved from their sins.' All this is as it should be. But we are apt to overlook the fact that the children of pious parents have the promise of the Holy Spirit as an enlightening and convincing Spirit sealed to them in baptism, and are generally, if not universally, the subjects of gracious influences from the very dawnings of reason. Some, indeed, are converted, and can testify to having experienced pardoning mercy between their sixth and eighth year; but for want of fostering care these good influences have been lost, and the children have grown up to years of discretion before they have been recovered. What guide of souls has not met with cases of this nature? There seems to be a great want of definite expectation in regard to the conversion of children. But, if the essence of true religion be grateful love to a pardoning God, there can be no reason why that love should not be shed abroad in the heart of any one old enough to know what the burden of a guilty conscience is. Surely the same Spirit which creates the burden can remove it, and make the means of its removal clear to the young mind. And surely the season of childhood is most appropriate to the exercise of simple faith and grateful love. They belong to it; and are readily exercised in regard to earthly relations. If grown-up persons must become as little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, why should little children be practically required to grow up before they enter? And yet this is what many persons appear to mean when they discourage the youthful profession of piety. True, the intellect is weak while the affections are strong; but affections are a great part of true religion; and there is no need that any expansion of the intellect should weaken the affections thus early developed. There is enough in Christianity to stimulate the intellect and nourish the mental powers till they attain the highest development of which they are capable, while the devout affections are sustained in full and growing vigour by the food which the expanding intellect supplies. He Who bids us love Him with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and strength, has provided amply for obedience to His command; and designs to raise a revenue of glory from every part of our sanctified humanity. Away, then, with the idea that the cxpansion and growth of our intellectual nature must necessarily interfere with the reality of early experience of conversion, or with the stability of a Christian profession early commenced. Let us pray and hope that as our children are early visited with convictions of sin and desire for salvation, they may be early brought to close with, and submit to, and rely upon the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. They may do this more intelligently at fourteen than at seven, as they may do it more intelligently at twenty-one than at fourteen; but many of them may do it sincerely, effectually and savingly at seven. And it is to sincerity that the Lord has primary respect. The wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err from the way to Zion; and that which is hid from the wise and prudent is often revealed unto babes. Without, however, pretending to fix upon any definite age, but entreating parents to expect the blessing all along until it arrives, let me ask attention to another question which is often and anxiously asked in regard to the means of fixing and (if I may reverently so say) utilizing those early impressions, desires and resolves, which now too often run to waste. Many have doubts in regard to meetings for the communication of religious experience being suitable for children; and it is quite certain that the times at which they are usually held are not suitable for most children; and also that to deal wisely and tenderly with the lambs of the flock requires peculiar qualifications in the Leader which some-perhaps many-do not possess. Meetings for catechetical instruction are excellent in their way, but they do not necessarily suppose a work of grace in those who attend them; nor have they a directly ecclesiastical character. What is wanted appears to be something which shall recognize the position of baptized children as subjects both of the promise, and of the promised blessing, and keep that hold upon them which their baptism gives, until they either wilfully break away from Christian ordinances and exercises, or enter into full and accredited membership. Suppose every baptized child were at a suitable age to be instructed as to his obligations, and solemnly required to say whether he is now prepared to take them upon himself. Suppose this done, not as a matter directly and primarily involving any denominational standing or relationship, but as between himself and The Triune God into Whose name he had been baptized. Suppose him solemnly warned that the neglect or refusal, whether virtual or formal, to take this obligation upon him might be fairly construed into a renunciation of his baptism, and of the state and character of a disciple of Christ in which he had hitherto lived. Suppose all this-and can it be doubted that multitudes would in this way be brought to immediate decision; that resolutions would then be taken which, by God's blessing, would never be violated, and connections formed which would never be dissolved? Such a proceeding would bring out the real significance and value of that sacred ordinance which is now too often regarded as a mere ceremony, would bridge over a period now too often spent in alternate yielding and resistance to the work of the good Spirit, and secure, as I venture to believe, hundreds, if not thousands, of hopeful youth now lost to us and perhaps to all the churches. ETCHINGS FROM LIFE: IL-ADELAIDE'S TREASURE, AND HOW THE THIEF CAME UNAWARES. BY SARSON, AUTHORESS OF BLIND OLIVE,' CHAPTER I. A STRANGE FASCINATION. Wondrous are all the secret Shapes To and fro, and up and down, For 'neath the kiss of her cold feet O she is fair, and very fair: ROBERT BUCHANAN. WE must ask our readers to travel with us to the ice-bound shores of Newfoundland. On these blue seas, so clear that the eye can reach to their shifting, sandy bed, an icy coldness in the air tells that the Frost King is floating one of his palaces southward. On it comes, majestic as a temple, with pillars composite, walls chastely carven and dome glittering in the noonday sun: its stupendous size and its complex architecture justify us in borrowing from Titus's Soliloquy before the Siege of Jerusalem': 'Line o'er line, terrace o'er terrace, pillar o'er pillar, Nearer still and nearer to the blue heavens.' Well if it does not imprison the mariner's bark beneath its crystal battlements, or, toppling over, involve all the life near in its own ruin. SOUL ECHOES,' ETC. The whale dives, and anon rises to the surface with a gusto that bespeaks. as much enjoyment of life as squirrels frolicing in Eden. Seated, in the summer months, at open window near the coast, you may tell when the monster is honouring you with his near neighbourhood by hearing him blow. The fishing districts are indeed poor, but they are picturesque; and we doubt not that one day from the pages of the recording angel shall be read many a deed of heroism, and many a story of what the humble witnesses of the Master suffered, in seeking to shine as lights amid a perverse generation, enduring persecution from the Papists and hungering for the spiritual bread that was SO seldom broken to them. Something of it we know from the journals of Missionaries: good soldiers, who literally endured hardness' and counted not their lives dear unto them; while their no less noble wives, bore many a week of loneliness and suspense for their sakes: wives whose prayers for success to their husbands' labours sometimes went up to God from rooms through the rafters of which the lone, chill star-beams fell. Through the veil of fog that hangs inhospitably above the famous Bank of Newfoundland, the harbour of St. John does not appear very attractive at night. The hoarse baying of the dogs sounds like the howling of wolves; but on a bright, clear morning in March, when the ships are setting out for the seal-fishery, what a stir and excitement is there! while handkerchiefs are waved, while from pious hearts many a prayer is going up to the great Father of all for the precious lives of the outward bound: 'We wish you good luck in the name of the Lord.' The domestic life of the British inhabitants is similar, in some respects, to the home-life of Canada. The graphic pen of Mrs. Stowe has made every one familiar with that. The like homeliness, heartiness and simplicity are to be met with in many a Newfoundland family; and there is a freer mingling of classes and religions than is usual in England; while perhaps the French part of the population are to be accredited with the delightful ease and polish of manners that characterize the colonists. Traces of the Spanish and Portuguese, who date from the time of the Venetian, Jean Cabot, are to be found in the topographical nomenclature: Buonavista, Portugal Cove, etc. The cautious Scot also sits in high places among the traders and merchants, and the emigration from Ireland to the fishing districts would account for that agreement betwixt boiled cod and potatoes, which has made Twicelaid' a favourite breakfast and supper dish among rich and poor. When in the interests of a promising commercial enterprise Mr. Brignall, of the firm of Leyton, Brignall and Co., Liverpool, offered to be traveller for his own firm and to pass six months, if need be, negotiating with the merchants of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, the offer was gladly accepted by his partners, but looked askance at by his wife and children all but Adelaide, a beautiful, thoughtful girl of nineteen, enjoying perfect health and possessed of a high spirit that was somewhat chastened, or, perhaps, veiled, by a rather dreamy cast of character. None but those who knew her inti mately knew how daring she could be on occasion, or suspected the rill of gladness that sparkled beneath the shadowy pensiveness; so that when she approved of her father's determination to go West and volunteered to accompany him, she surprised a largecircle of acquaintances, but did no more than her mother and sisters would have expected of her. Mr. Brignall shook his head. Mrs. Brignall said, 'Certainly not.' 'Of course it is only a freak of Adelaide's,' was the comment of the elder sisters. Wouldn't it be dreadful for her?' queried the younger ones. But Adelaide, though impulsive, was not addicted to freaks. As she continued to urge the matter, Mr. Brignall told her that she would be in the way; thinking that was the shortest method of settling matters: but to Adelaide it appeared so unkind that she could not keep her tears back, much as she knew her father disliked such signs of womanish weakness. In your way, papa! Why, I would look to all your things; take care of you when you were not well and be quite a useful travelling companion.' 'Nonsense! you might be ill yourself the likelihood is you would be. A trip to the Isle of Man or a sail down the Mediterranean, is not to be compared with a long voyage over those rough, cold seas. No; I cannot hear of it, Adelaide. I am not going on pleasure, but on business; and it is not likely I can take a young lady with me.' Then, papa, forget I am a young lady. Imagine, if you please, I am a young gentleman. I declare I'll not give you a bit more trouble, perhaps not so much. As to being in your way, I'll creep into a nutshell when I'm not wanted, and start out of it like Jack in a box when I am. I'm ill on the voyage, and I suppose I shall be, that needn't trouble you There'll be the right folks there to look after me, and I shan't care a bit, If |