with awe as well as delight, as its clear eye looks trustingly in faces that to God and man have essayed to wear a mask. As it sits down in its chair to ponder, precociously, over the white lie you thought it "funny" to tell it-as raising and leaning on your knees, it says thoughtfully, in a tone that should provoke a tear, not a smile, "I do n't believe it." A lovely and yet a fearful thing is a little child.

TRUTH SPOKEN IN JEST.-The old proverb, that "many a true word is spoken in jest," was forcibly illustrated in the following incident:

A Free Church minister in Glasgow gave out as the morning lesson the fourth section of the nineteenth Psalm, and while the congregation were looking out the "portion" in the Bible, he took out his mull, and seizing a hasty pinch with finger and thumb, regaled his nose with the snuff; he then began the lesson, "My soul cleaveth unto the dust." The titter that ran round the church, and the confusion of the poor man, showed that the congregation and he felt the Psalmist's "pinch."

THE HARSH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.-What Anselm of Canterbury, at the end of the eleventh century, said against the rigid monastic discipline, is admirable:

An abbot complained in conversation with him of the incorrigible youths who would not be amended by all the correction he administered. Anselm replied:

"You never cease beating the boys, and what sort of men will they be when they grow up?"

"Stupid and brutish," answered the abbot.

"A good sign for the method of your education," said Anselm, "when you educate men into brutes!"

The abbot answered, "Is that our fault? We try to compel them, in all manner of ways, to be better, and yet we effect nothing."

"You compel them!" answered Anselm. "Tell me, then, I pray you, if you planted a tree in your garden, and inclosed it on all sides so that it could not spread out its branches in any direction, and after some years transplant it in an open space, what kind of a tree would it have become? Certainly a useless one, with crooked, tangled branches. And whose fault would it be but your fault, who trained the tree in this over compulsory manner?"

EXTRACT OF WORDS.-The following anecdote is related of an Eastern monarch, and is exceedingly suggestive. We once heard of a distinguished physician who thanked God because he was deaf, since it saved him from a world of nonsense. But we are inclined to think that quite as much nonsense enters through the eye as the ear:

The monarch had a library containing books enough to load a thousand camels. "I can not read all this," said he, "select the cream and essence of it, and let me have that." Whereupon the librarian distilled this ocean of words down to thirty camel loads. "Too bulky yet," said the monarch, "I have not time to read that." Whereupon the thirty loads were double distilled, and a selection was made sufficient to load a single ass.

"Too bulky yet," said the monarch. Whereupon it was treble distilled, and the only residuum was these three lines written on a palm-leaf:

"This is the sum of all science-Perhaps.

"This is the sum of all morality-Love what is good and practice it.

"This is the sum of all creeds-Believe what is true, and do not tell all you believe."

CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD.-It is perilous to a scrupulous Christian to attain to wealth or social distinction, for he is sorely tempted to lay aside many conscientious views of worldly amusements and habits as mere prejudices, which a sounder wisdom discards.

Dr. J. W. Alexander, who had generous views of Christian liberality, has some excellent remarks on this point:

As I grow older as a parent, my views are changing fast as to the degree of conformity to the world which we should allow to our children. I am horror-struck to count up the profligate children of pious persons and even ministers. The door at which those influences enter which countervail parental instruction and example, I am persuaded, is, yielding to the ways of good society. By dress, books, and amusements, an atmosphere is formed which is not that of Christianity. More than ever do I feel that our families must stand in a kind but determined opposition to the fashions of the world, breasting the waves like the Eddystone light-house. And I have found nothing yet which requires more courage and independence than to rise even a little, but decidedly, above the par of the religious world around us. Surely, the way in which we commonly go on is not that way of self-denial, and sacrifice, and cross-bearing which the New Testament talks of. Then is the offense of the cross ceased. Our slender influence on the circle of our friends is often traced to our leaving so little difference between us.

A HINT ON QUOTING FOREIGN LANGUAGES.-A correspondent of the New York Evangelist gives the following hint on using foreign words in articles for the press, which will apply elsewhere as well as in New York:

Did it ever occur to writers for the public press, whether secular or religious, that the great mass of readers know nothing of Latin, or French, or any other language than their own mother tongue? I heard a very intelligent farmer exclaim, the other day, as he threw down the paper which he had been reading, "There, any man who writes for common people to read, and mixes an unknown tongue with the English, without translation or apology, is an impostor! He deliberately insults every common reader, and such imposition I never meet without indignation; and I despise the pedant who does it." This general feeling, among plain common-sense people, it would be well for writers to heed if they wish their articles read.

THE GATHERING SHADOws.-A writer whose life has passed its meridian thus discourses upon the flight

of time:

Forty years once seemed a long and weary pilgrimage to tread. It now seems but a step. And yet along the way are broken shrines where a thousand hopes have wasted into ashes; foot-prints sacred under their drifting dust, green mounds whose grass is fresh with the watering of tears; shadows even, which we would not forget. We will garner the sunshine of those years, and with chastened step and hopes, push on toward the evening whose signal lights will soon be seen swinging where the waters are still and the storms never beat.

HOME, SWEET HOME.-A few months ago a number of prisoners of war, who had been released on parole, passed over the P. S. and P. Railroad, Maine, on their way to their homes. Among the number was a blue-eyed, pale-faced boy, of not more than seventeen, whose shoulders seemed scarcely equal to carrying a forty-pound knapsack. For some time he had been looking intently out of the car window. And suddenly, when the train was approaching Biddeford, he jumped up, and with his face all aglow and eyes sparkling with delight, exclaimed, "Boys, there's my father's chimney!" As if by a simultaneous inspiration the soldiers all arose and sang "Sweet Home" with the effect that is sometimes produced by these simple notes and simple lines. More than one bearded man looked out of the window as an excuse to conceal his tears.

REJOICING IN THE FALL OF A FRIEND.-An Irish laborer being told that the price of bread had been lowered, exclaimed, "This is the first time I ever rejoiced at the fall of my best friend!"

(1) SATANS DEVICES AND THE BELIEVER'S VICTORY. By Rev. William L. Parsons, A. M. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 12mo. Pp. 312. $1.25.-Metaphysical discussions on the nature and origin of evil, the personal existence of Satan, and the inherent divinity of man are profitless for piety and instruction in righteousness. Practical treatises on holy living, fireside talks about the trials and temptations incident to a godly walk, the experience of mature Christians, and the simple narrative of a believer's life, are, next to the Bible, the best helps and guide-posts to the heavenly kingdom. Here is a work of this kind. It arrays on the open field the opposing forces which are at work, the one to destroy,

the other to save the soul. The various devices of the enemy are described, and the methods of security and deliverance from them. It sets forth the triumph of the believer as well as the danger of his defeat; and explains the higher Christian life, the sanctification of the heart and soul, and the possible attainments of the sincere disciple of our Lord. The style is simple and attractive, and we think the book one which can be read through.

(2) THE MILL AGENT. By the Author of "Opposite the Jail." Boston: Graves & Young. Cincinnati: Geo. S. Blanchard. 16mo. 352 pp. $1.-Whatever be the practice of the world, it respects a genuine and devoted Christian. Those who sneer at religion and scoff at divine things rarely sneer at him whose practice and profession walk hand in hand. The shafts of infidelity against the scheme of salvation fall blunted at the feet of the true-hearted and humble follower of their blessed Master. The Mill Agent is a pleasantly-written story, showing the great influence which a single man, devoted to Christ and laboring in his cause, exerts, and the great work which he is able to accomplish.

(3.) THE ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY; or, Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art, for 1864. Edited by David A. Wells, A. M., M. D. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 12mo. 351 pp. $1.50.-The annual volumes, of which this is, we believe, the fifteenth, are valuable repertories of facts, and show the progress in the world of mind, as milestones on the highway mark the distances traversed by the traveler. The volume for the present year is interesting in its details, and is not incumbered with dry formulas or arid abstractions. The popular reader will find many useful hints as well as facts.

not with interest. Statistics are sometimes eloquent. Human life, its passions, its labors, its sufferings, its rewards, and its results, have there a place; and such a work as the present embodies them in convenient form for reference or study. The scope of the work was given in our announcement of its appearance in a previous number.

(5.) THE GOLDEN CENSER: Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer. By John S. Hart, LL. D. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 16mo. 144 pp.This is a beautiful little volume, consisting of thoughts on the structure, nature, and objects of the Lord's prayer. It is enriched by a selection of appropriate devotional hymns.

(6.) HINTS TO RIFLEMEN. By H. W. S. Cleveland. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Cincinnati: R. W. Carroll & Co. 12mo. 260 pp.-A treatise upon the use and care of rifles, the general principles of rifle practice, and the art of selecting a good gun. A description of the various kinds and styles of rifles is given, with a summary statement of their various merits and defects. In the choice of a gun the author gives his own experience, and his hints are the more valuable, as he is a practical rifleman.

(7.) THE MANAGEMENT OF STEEL, including Forging, Hardening, Tempering, Annealing, etc. By George Ede, Woolwich Arsenal, England. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Cincinnati: R. W. Carroll & Co. 12mo. 41 pp. Flexible covers. 50 cents.-The author has had an experience of about twenty years in the management of steel, and this volume is made up from his personal practice and knowledge of the facts. It is written in a plain, direct style, and makes no show of learning, but every page bears evidence that it is the work of a shrewd and intelligent workman. It is a practical treatise for practical men.

(8.) TEN ACRES ENOUGH: A Practical Treatise for the Million. New York: James Miller. Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 12mo. Paper covers. $1.-This work contains the experience of a fruit grower in New Jersey near Philadelphia, on ten acres of ground. The author shows how a small farm may be made to yield a large income, by diligent working and the use of plenty of manure. The smaller fruits were mostly cultivated by him, and he gives minute instructions with regard to the raising of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. We took considerable interest in reading the book; and though it is not a calendar of farm operations, it contains many valuable hints in agriculture.

ing the life and public services of some of the prominent candidates for the Presidency, and as such must be considered rather an electioneering document than a history.

(10.) THE LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP HUGHES, First Archbishop of New York. Philadelphia: T. B. Peter son & Brothers. Cincinnati: R. W. Carroll & Co. 12mo. 70 pp. 25 cents.-Archbishop Hughes was a prominent divine in the Catholic Church, and became well known to the Protestant Churches by his controversy with Kirwan, Rev. Nicholas Murray, D. D. This pamphlet professes to be a full account of his life, death, burial, etc., but the life is dispatched in about a dozen paragraphs, and the rest of the work is the newspaper report of the funeral services.

(11.) THE RED TRACK; A Tale of Mexican Life. By Gustave Aimard. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers. Cincinnati: R. W. Carroll & Co. 8vo. 157 pp. Paper covers. 50 cents.-Tales of wild life have, if well-written, a certain fascination for the young and the romantic, but we must confess to no admiration for the "noble" savage. In civilized society we find men, unrestrained by the grace of God, who are proper subjects for the prison and the penitentiary; and among savages human nature presents itself in still worse phases. Whether it be well always to give details of barbaric life is questionable; but is not a question whether it

shall be held up for our example. The danger is not so much in vitiating the tastes as in blunting our moral sensibilities.

(12.) SPECIMEN PAGES OF THE AMERICAN CONFLICT, a History of the Great Rebellion. By Horace Greeley. Hartford: O. D. Case & Co. 8vo.-We have looked over these pages with some interest, and think the work of which they form a part will give a complete and impartial picture of the present war. The details are clearly presented; there is no confusion in the arrangement, and the style is clear and direct. The first volume will be issued soon.

(13) NEW MUSIC.-1. Hard Times in Dixie. 2. Moina. 3. I am Waiting. 4. Dream of the Absent. 5. The Patriot's Grave. Toledo, O.: W. W. Whitney. 25 cents each.

(14.) PAMPHLETS.-1. Annual Report of the State Commissioner of Common Schools for 1863.- -2. Catalogue of the University of Michigan-Rev. E. O. Haven, LL. D., President, with 29 officers. 3. St. Louis Medical and Surgical Journal, for March and April.4. Review of Bishop Simpson's Address before the Laymen's Convention. By James Cunningham, M. D. 5. Oratory: Its Labors and Incentives. An Address before the Philomathean Society, Ohio University. By Prof. J. G. Blair.

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.-The present session of our General Conference, just organized as we are finishing this number of the Repository, will have a number of interesting questions before it, but probably none so exciting as those presented in 1856 and 1860. The temporal economy of the Church will doubtless receive the largest share of attention, and the principal subjects which will provoke discussion or call forth action are probably those relating to change of time in the pastorate, the lay delegation movement, our educational enterprises, separation of the German and English work, and the final revision of our Church rituals. There is also a feeling that the General Conference should determine the places of residence for our bishops, if it does not appoint them to actual sees. Other questions will probably come up as the session advances, of which our readers will be advised by the Church papers, and by the Daily Advocate published during the session.

THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.-We are now engaged, in all probability, in our last conflict with the rebellion. We may still suffer defeat, as we have already done this year; disaster may yet pursue our armies and paralyze our strength; but we have no doubt of the final result. Louis the Fourteenth, in the war of the Spanish succession, was defeated in almost every engage ment. Prince Eugene harassed him in front and Marlborough hung upon his rear; yet he boldly maintained his position, and the removal by death of one

of the contestants for the peninsular throne gave Louis the real victory. Ours is not like his, a dynastic war. We are not fighting for a family interest, or a mere abstraction, but for the principles which underlie all sound government-human liberty and popular sovereignty. Therefore we "abate no jot of heart or hope," and look beyond possible defeat to certain triumph. But we must not be too confident in our own strength. Though the end may be sure, temporary failure may be necessary to chasten and purify us as a people, and to drive us nearer to Him with whom are the issues of life and death. If we put our trust in the God of battles we can not fail. With God on our side, who can be against us? but woe betide him who fights against the Almighty!

TO CONTRIBUTORS.-We have a large amount of ma terial on hand, enough to fill out all the numbers for this year. Where we have so much to select from, we use the best, as we can not use all; and articles that otherwise would be inserted we are compelled to lay aside. In the meanwhile let not our correspondents be discouraged from contributing to our pages. Good articles are always acceptable.

APOLOGETIC-Owing to the absence of the Editor at General Conference, and the demands made upon his time, he has not been able to give his usual attention to the editorial department in the present number. This will also explain the apparent neglect of his correspondence.