PRINCIPLE IN ACTION.

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Mary remembered her Lord's kindness when Lazarus lay in the tomb; and though the selfish Judas expostulated, and the multitude murmured at the waste, she

Nor was this firmness of principle confined to the days of old. The new era found a Paul, who would forego the honors of the Jewish religion, receive in their stead stripes and imprisonments, and at last boast-persisted in her determination to anoint the Savior with ingly say, "I have fought a good fight," and then exult in the prospect of the crown which was soon to be awarded him.

precious ointment, against the day of his burial. And who were the attendants at the cross? The apostolic band was scattered, because they thought it for their

to witness his sufferings, and hear his dying groan. And while yet interest kept the disciples from the tomb, principle prompted them to be there very early in the morning, though they expected to meet a Roman band of soldiery.

It was principle sustained a Luther, when, single-interest to be away. But the faithful women were there handed, he had to contend with the combined opposition of Papal power and worse than Egyptian darkness. His friends, who were prompted by interest, advised him to cease his efforts for reformation, and save his life. But he was deaf to their entreaties. Such sordid selfishness found no lodgment in his magnanimous heart. He regarded the interests of the Messiah's kingdom more precious than all other considerations. And it is to this firmness of his, that we are greatly indebted for all we now enjoy above those who lived in the darkest age. Interest would have suggested ease and quietness, but principle urged him to activity, and he succeeded.

Nor is this a virtue possessed only by those who lived in the days of other years. The present day finds thousands governed by the same priceless rule. It is seen in their devotedness in the cause of benevolence and humanity wherever there is any need. And, like those of stronger physical powers, many, very many, are attentive to the entreaties of the benighted, when they call for deliverance from error's galling chains, But more modern times have found the same princi- and will with equal readiness sacrifice earthly comfort, ples firmly seated in the breasts of thousands. Fortune to engage in diffusing the riches of redeeming love. has spread her priceless offerings before the eyes of The lamented Mrs. Lee was the first sacrifice to the many virtuous youths, as inducements to the paths of Oregon mission. And how many rude and unlettered wealth and honor, but all to no effect. The whisper-monuments mark the resting places of female missionings of the "still small voice" were louder than all the entreaties of friends; the love of souls stronger than the love of ease and comfort. It was principle that bade a Lee forsake those whom he loved, and among whom he had lived—in short, to leave the delights of civil society

"To roam where none but savage feet have trod,

And preach the glorious Gospel of our God." The same moving cause prompted a Judson to choose rather to wander on the banks of Burmah's streams in quest of degraded heathens, than to enjoy the pleasures of the city full. And this, too, sent a Cox to the desert wastes of Africa, and in his reflecting moments called forth from the fullness of his magnanimous heart the sublime expression, "Though a thousand fall, let not Africa be given up."

And although the history of the world is chiefly a history of men, yet wherever we read of a female whose virtues demand our admiration, we find that principle has been her only guide. Nothing else could have ever induced a pious Rebecca to leave all the endearments of her father's house, at the signified will of God, to trust her life and happiness with one whom she had never seen. It was the source of Ruth's dutiful attachment to her mother-in-law. And whoever will read the deeply interesting narrative of Queen Esther, will see that magnanimity of purpose characterized all her actions, from first to last-such magnanimity as can be derived from principle only. By the providence of God, she was promoted to the highest honors attainable by her sex, yet she forgot not those who were less fortunate than herself. And if we search for her equal in disinterested benevolence, it can be found only in the history of Moses.

aries in Asia, Africa, and the isles of the south! How many more are even now, while we are comfortably housed and clad, exposed to all the hardships of missionary stations! How often in our own beloved country have friends been called to part with female missionaries to distant lands! Even where I now write, but a few years ago might have been witnessed such a parting scene, in one who, in looking upon parents and friends, could truly say

"Home! thy joys are passing lovely;" yet, as she viewed the fullness of the Savior's atonement, and the destitution of the heathen, her heart's reply was,

"Pleased, I leave you,

Far in heathen lands to dwell."

Truly, while friends are reluctant to part with such individuals, all must admire the principle that prompts such self-sacrifice.

And shall we suppose that such scenes will never occur again? Far be it from us. While there is one who has not heard Messiah's name, such scenes will be of frequent occurrence. How much do we esteem these amiable characters! and that chiefly because they uniformly acted from principle, however great might be the inducements to a different course. And now, looking at others with whom we have become acquainted through the same medium, we find an uncompromising dislike to the selfishness of Pharaoh, who would enslave thousands for personal interest-to the haughtiness of Haman, who wished to destroy a whole nation, because one man refused him reverence-to the treacherousness of Judas, who would betray his Lord for a few pieces of silver-to the inconstancy of Delilah, who violated conjugal fidelity for a paltry bribe from her enemies→→

THE VIGIL OF RIZPAH.

NOTICES.

THE SABBATH: a brief History of Laws, Petitions, Remonstrances and Reports, with facts and arguments relating to the Christian Sabbath: by Harman Kingsbury. New York: Robert Carter. 1810. This is a neat 12mo of 390 pp., and it discusses a subject second to none in importance as a religious institution. That bold invasion of the rights of God, which a crusading Owen and Darusmont are now prosecuting with such infernal ardor, has probably done something towards producing a popular irreverance for the sacredness of the Sabbath. To And Death abide where life and joy have place."" aid them in their profane enterprise, avarice, and all the sinful SLEEP AND DREAMS: A Lecture delivered before the Midlusts of humanity, are quickened to new life and vigor by the dletown Young Men's Lyceum. By Daniel D. Wheedon, A. physical improvements of the age. Canals and railroads, as M., Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature in the well as our rivers, are becoming highways of iniquity in this Wesleyan University. Middletown, Conn. 1841. This Adparticular, and threaten by their untoward influence, the abro-dress is somewhat unique, in its intermixture of the playful and gation of one of God's holy commandments. What renders the grave. The author aims successfully at a philosophical this state of things more alarming, is the unaccountable stupidity of many sincere Christians in regard to the importance of the Sabbath. They are blinded by Satan to the universal mischief which must result from the habitual disregard of the Sabbath. They cannot be persuaded that the destruction of Christianity will assuredly result from the universal desecration of that holy day-that if infidelity can only succeed to blot

graph, which we had not half finished before we began to feel misgivings as to our own state, and thought seriously of attempting some rude experiments, to prove that Mr. Wheedon's Address was substantially before us, and that we were deriving entertainment from its pages. We trust, however, that it is with him now a certainty that he addressed the Lyceum; and if this notice ever comes forth from the press, we shall be assured that on the 24th of February, 1841, we were wakefully employed in reading and commenting on his doctrines, which are, in part, as follows:

EDITOR'S TABLE.

CATALOGUE OF THE OAKLAND FEMALE SEMINARY at HillsTeachers-Rev. J. M'D. Matthews, Principal; Rev. Geo. C. borough, Ohio, for the year ending September 18th, 1840. Crum, Teacher of Mental and Moral Philosophy, Physiology, &c.; Miss A. E. Shields, Miss J. Wallin, Mrs. M. C. M'Reynolds, Assistants in the solid and ornamental branches. Whole number of pupils in attendance during the year, 103.

Probably no institution in the west is better supplied with "Discrimination between the real and ideal is lost, or we instructors, or has a more desirable location. Its Principal has all the natural and acquired endowments which could be decould not be the subject of the dreamy delusion. Yet even here we seem sometimes to have some trains of logical misgiv. sired in the superintendent of a female school. The course of study is thorough, and all the ornamental branches are taught ings. Every one of us can perhaps remember to have had some sage scruples in his sleep, whether, in fact, he might not be by competent assistants. French, Drawing, and Instrumental dreaming. Where, for instance, we have repeatedly dreamed Music, are all embraced, as in our city seminaries. Rhetoric, the same thing, we do sometimes begin to dubitate at last, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Mineralogy, Geology, Geomewhether this repetition be not humbug. And then we examine try, Political Economy, Natural Theology, Ecclesiastical Histhe clearness of our own perceptions; we trace back by recol- tory, and the Latin and Greek Languages, may all be acquired lection a previous connected train of rational waking certain-in this institution. The school is supplied with Globes, an Electrical Machine, an Air Pump, a Galvanic Battery, a set of ties; we stamp or perform some other violent muscular antics Mechanical Powers, with flasks and retorts for chemical experito test the sound reality of our wakefulness, and we of course arrive at the result, sure as a mathematical Q. E. D., that it is ments, and with a variety of Maps. A Library and Cabinet of rampant absurdity to suppose that we are asleep. And indeed Curiosities have been commenced. The most watchful regard it is difficult to say that, in strict logic, any man can ever be is paid to the associations of the young ladies. Board with rephilosophically certain, at any moment, that he is really awake. spectable private families, and with the Principal, is $2 00 per It seems to be certain that no test can be found to prove ourweek, including all but washing. selves awake, when we are awake, which we have not used, with perfect success, to prove ourselves awake when we were asleep. Do we trace back the previous circumstances of the day, and from their connectedness, infer our wakefulness? So did we with equal confidence when dreaming, and yet it was miserably mistaken logic. Do we rub our eyes, and protest that we were never more clearly and palpably wide awake? That is mere assertion-sincere, no doubt-but you affirmed that you were awake when you were in fact fast asleep, and what is your affirmation now good for? Will you jump most athleti-mission one thousand Indians have been converted. A camp cally to show your wakefulness? Alas, your gymnastics are all insufferably bad logic. It proves too much, for it has more than once pretendedly proved you awake when you were asleep. There is then no possible certain test. Wherefore be ye not rashly confident, my auditors, that ye are not at this moment fast asleep. If ye retort that it may be the speaker who is asleep-then I reply my audience would then consequently be a dream, and as, in that case, not only my compliments, but this my excellent logic must be expended upon nonentity, I will proceed to some other topic."

THE AMERICAN BIBLICAL REPOSITORY, for January, 1841. The articles in this number possess their usual interest and value. They are-

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.-Oregon has at last received the new missionaries to its bosom. The Lausanne reached the Columbia River on the 21st of May. All but two of the large mission family were in good health. As the Lausanne crossed the bar she was observed by Daniel Lee, who was preaching to the Indians on shore. In expectation of meeting his brother, Jason Lee, and the mission family under his care, he hastened to the spot. That must have been such a meeting as seldom occurs on earth. It seems that since the last tidings from this

meeting was held in March last, which was attended by more than a thousand, nearly all praying souls. What wonders were wrought on the shores of the Columbia during the last year. Fifteen hundred souls converted in a few months! If the work has progressed with the same power until this time, thousands and thousands who were lately stupid, filthy beings, frightful to behold, are now the ennobled sons and daughters of God.

CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE.-Texas now constitutes an annual conference. The first annual session of this new judicatory was in December. At the meeting of its Missionary Society, in Rutersville, December 28th, one gentleman subscribed 1,107 acres of land, and others 500, 300, and so on. One family gave a horse, another a town lot, and many others gave silver and gold or their representatives. It is attested by an eye-witness from the United States, who has attended many of our most successful conference anniversaries, to have been the most interesting missionary meeting that he ever witnessed.

To CORRESPONDENTS.-We have several articles on hand which will appear in due time. We trust E. H. H. will not cease to remember us. His effusions are well received.

I. The Nestorian Christians, by Rev. J. Perkins, Missionary at Ooroomiah, Persia. II. Baptism: The import of Baptizo. by Rev. Edward Beecher, President of Illinois College. III. The Ancient Commerce of Western Asia, by Rev. Albert Barns, of Philadelphia. IV. Self-Cultivation, by Rev. Tryon Edwards, Rochester, N. Y. V. Types and Typical Illustration of Scripture, by Rev. Joseph Muenscher, Theological Seminary, Gambier, Ohio. VI. Toleration of Opinion, by D. Fosdick, jr., Boston, Mass. VII. Observation on the Religious and Ecclesiastical Condition of England. VIII. Notice of Dr. Woods' Review of an Essay on Cause and Effect, in connection with Fatalism and Free Agency, by the Author of the Essay. IX. Examination of the Doctrine of Christian Perfection, as held by Asa Mahan and others, by Dr. Woods. X. Exposition of Romans viii, 18-23, by Rev. E. Turney, Theological Seminary, Hamilton, N. Y. XI. Review of Wigger's History of Augustinism and Pelagianism, by Professor Tappan, New York. XII. Critical Notices. XIII. Recent Literary Intelligence. This is one of the ablest periodicals of either Europe or Amer-hands scrap by scrap, to meet an unexpected emergency. It ica. It is designed principally for the use of clergymen, yet laymen and women of cultivated minds and Christian feelings and especially those who have paid some attention to the Greek and Hebrew languages, would find it a Repository of the richest Biblical and literary treasures. We recommend it to our intelligent readers.

THE PRESENT NUMBER.-We trust our readers will find the articles in this number equal, at least, in utility and in interest, to the preceding. Let them not overlook, or merely glance at Mr. Galloway's Address, and the communications of Messrs. Tomlinson and Thomson. We suggest, also, that by close attention to Professor Merrick's numbers on "Physical Science," our readers may become in some measure familiar with the general truths, and with some of the most interesting details of natural science in several of its branches. "The Immutability of Christ" was hastily written, passing into the printer's

may be deemed "more suitable" for some other periodical, by our distant friends; but we intend to furnish our "Ladies' Book" with matter suited to meditative, judicious readers, and if our fair patrons cannot be brought to reflect, to reason, to tolerate and even relish sound words, we may as well hand them over in despair, to the novelist, the mantua-maker, and the fiddler.