FAMILIAR ASTRONOMY; or, An Introduction to the Study of the Heavens. Illustrated by Celestial Maps, and upwards of 200 finely-executed engravings. To which is added a Treatise on the Globe, and a Comprehensive Astronomical Dictionary. For the use of schools, families, and private students. By HANNAH M. BOUVIER. Philadelphia: Childs and Peterson, 124 Arch St. 1857. A very remarkable work, by a talented and modest Christian lady. It is divided into six parts: 1. Physical Astronomy. 2. Descriptive Astronomy. 3. Sidereal Astronomy. 4. Practical Astronomy. 5. Treatise on the Globes. 6. History of Astronomy. Very acute and interesting notes accompany the work, and an invaluable Astronomical Dictionary is appended to the whole. This work is regarded by many as the very best treatise on astronomy extant. For its purposes, we do not know its equal. It contains the results of profound knowledge, written down with great accuracy, and made clear to inquiring minds. As a text-book for institutions of learning, it must take high rank. The illustrations and engravings are numerous and elegant. The work is in one volume, octavo, 500 pages, printed on fine white paper, and well bound. Price $2, and sent free of postage to any part of the Union. Address Messrs. Childs & Peterson, Publishers, 124 Arch Street, Philadelphia. A BOOK OF PUBLIC PRAYER: Compiled from the Authorized Formularies of Worship of the Presbyterian Church, as prepared by the Reformers Calvin, Knox, Bucer, and others. With Supplementary Forms. New York: Published by Charles Scribner, 377 & 379 Broadway. 1857. We are opposed to stated Liturgies, but we like this book for study and reference. Too little attention is paid to public prayer by our ministers. We have heard ministers conduct public worship in a very random, unedifying, objectionable manner. It will do anybody good to examine the formularies prepared by the Reformers; not only in reference to public prayer, but the administration of the sacraments and burial of the dead. THE LAST OF THE PATRIARCHS: or Lessons Chiefly from the Life of Joseph, by the Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. 1856. Like all of Dr. Cumming's works, this one contains much excellent and instructive matter. Dr. Cumming is one of the few voluminous writers, who scem to retain popularity. "THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS. Scriptural Examination of the questions respecting I. The Translations of Baptizo. II. The Mode of Baptism. III. The Subjects of Baptisin. By GEO. D. ARMSTRONG, D.D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia." Published by Charles Scribner, New York, pp. 322. This volume does credit to both the author and publisher. The language is perspicuous, the argument lucidly stated, and the typography agreeable to the eye. The book is, throughout, a candid and impartial statement of the main points in controversy between us and our Baptist brethren, and a satisfactory vindication of Pedo-Baptist principles and practice. The chief difference between this treatise and other works on the same subject, relates to the translation question, discussed in Part I, which has assumed, of late, unusual importance, from the formation of the Baptist "Bible Union." Dr. Armstrong shows conclusively, that the principle on which the meaning of the word Baptizo is to be ascertained, as it occurs in the New Testament, is not so much by a resort to classic Greek, as to the Greek version of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint. He shows further, that the word, when employed to designate a religious ordinance, corresponds to the term purify, which so often occurs in the Jewish ritual; and hence, that Baptist translators pervert its meaning by rendering it immerse. We do not expect the advocates of the new version movement to be convinced by his reasoning. It is exceedingly difficult to persuade men to change their views, when they are strongly and zealously committed. But we think the arguments will be regarded as deciding the question against the Bible Union," by those readers who shall peruse the book with as much candour and impartiality, as appear to be possessed by the author. We commend it to their attention. Che Religious Woild. SEMINARY OF THE NORTHWEST. THE Directors, appointed by the different Synods of the Northwest, met in Convention at Chicago, on Nov. 7th. The Seminary is to be sustained and controlled by the Synods of Cincinnati, Indiana, Northern Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Chicago. Each Synod appoints as many Directors as it has Presbyteries. A vote of preference for Chicago, other things being equal, was passed by a large majority; the site to be yet definitely determined, much in accordance with contributions which may be tendered toward buildings and endowment. The Seminary to be continued at New Albany till next spring. The Professors elect are: Theology, Rev. E. D. MacMaster, D.D.; Bibliology, Rev. Thomas E. Thomas, D.D.; Ecclesiology, Rev. A. B. Brown, D.D. The real estate and funds of New Albany are estimated at $58,902 72. A portion of this is conditioned on the continuance of the Seminary where it now is; but consent may possibly be obtained, from some of the donors, for its removal. The territory embraced by the Synods is very extensive, very productive, well adapted to commerce, and has a large and enterprising population, which is rapidly multiplying. The need of the Institution is hence very great, and its prospects of a vigorous life and extensive usefulness are brilliant. A portion, if not all, of those interested in the Seminary are in favour of its being, in some way, connected with the General Assembly; and an arrangement is likely to be proposed next May. We wish the enterprise the highest degree of prosperity, in all the good things which the Lord bestows upon his most approved and favoured servants.-Banner and Advocate. PRESBYTERIAN (N.S.) THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT CHICAGO. SEVERAL of our cotemporaries, writes our Chicago correspondent, have fallen into a mistake about the magnificent gift of Sylvester Lind, Esq., of Chicago, to the Lake Forest Association. They report that $60,000 were given for the aid of young men studying for the ministry, and $10,000 to endow professorships. It is right the other way, $60,000 to found three Professorships in the Theological Department of the contemplated University, and $10,000 as a permanent fund, to be devoted to the aid of young men in preparing for the ministry. It will thus be seen that the Theological department of the contemplated University is provided for by this one donation, and the existence of a Presbyterian Theological Seminary at, or near Chicago, becomes a settled question. It may also be seen, that the princely fund designed to aid those who need aid in studying for the ministry, is so large that twenty or thirty persons may be carried along by it every year; and the Institution will never have to turn any needy applicant away for the want of funds, to aid such as are worthy.-Evangelist. PROTESTANTISM IN FRANCE. A FRENCH correspondent of the Christian Advocate estimates, that the Protestants in France are only about 2,000,000, or one-eighteenth of the population. The official census makes the Protestants only about 780,000, to 36,000,000 Catholics, and 74,000 Israelites. A SINGULAR FACT. MACAULAY, in his History of England, states the significant fact that no large society, of which the language is not Teutonic (Gothic), has ever turned Protestant; and that, wherever a language derived from ancient Rome is spoken, the religion of modern Rome to this day prevails. Statistics. PRESIDENTS. THE following is a list of the Presidents of the United States, from the formation of the Confederacy, with the dates of their terms of office: AREA OF THE UNITED STATES. SINCE the peace of 1783 our Territorial expansion has been uninterruptedly progressing. We give a tabular statement, showing the date and amount of each addition: The Territories exceed the States in extent by 33,456 square miles. THE COST OF A POLITICAL CONTEST. FEW people ever think of the expense in cash of a Presidential contest. Yet it is really something enormous. The vast machinery necessary to carry on such a canvass-the number of organizations which it requires -the amount of printing, of writing, of postage, and of labour of every kind which is brought into service, is far beyond any estimate usually formed. Let us state a few facts which may aid in forming an opinion. There are about 800 counties, and not far from 9900 towns, in the thirty-one States composing the Union. Every town has one political club of each party, and many towns have many more. There were, undoubtedly, during the last canvass over 15,000 organized clubs, belonging to each of the political parties within the United States; the number of Fremont clubs may have been 5000 less, since the Republican organization did not extend into the Slave States. Each of these clubs was in active operation for at least three months. Each of them required rooms, printing, postage, more or less travelling, of their officers and committees, and these, with other incidental expenses, could not have amounted, on the average, to less than a $100 a month, or $300 for the canvass. The labours performed by their secretaries, presidents, and committees, would certainly amount to the steady services of at least three men each, worth not less than a sum of $100 each for the three months. Not less than 1000 persons have been actively engaged, for nearly the whole of the canvass, in making speeches and public addresses, travelling from place to place, and always at an expense which must be met by somebody,and entitled, of course, to have their own services estimated at a fair price; probably $500 each, including their expenses, would not be a low estimate. Then, on election day, there are opened in the United States not less than 50,000 polls-at which each party stations not less than five men, besides the inspectors, policemen, and other legal officers, who average, perhaps, five more, making ten in all; whose services are worth at least two dollars each. Let us sum up the aggregate of all those items: $12,000,000 Incidental expenses of 40,000 clubs, at $300 each, Total, 500,000 1,000,000 $25,500,000 Here is a total of more than twenty-five millions of dollars expended in the canvass-all of it the voluntary offering of the people, to secure the choice of such a president as they desire to see elected. The aggregate is much more likely to exceed this estimate than to fall below it-as it does not include the money raised by exactions upon office-holders, or contributed in large sums by candidates, to be used for purposes less legitimate, but more costly than those we have enumerated. Much of it goes into the hands of working men-printers, labourers, and others, who fairly earn it. But immense amounts go to fill the pockets of political gamblers and swindlers, who look upon a Presidential election as the harvest of their profession.-N. Y. Times. Choughts on the Closing Year. REFLECTIONS UPON 1856. 1. WHAT a mercy that I have been spared through it. So may every reader exclaim! We have been in the midst of danger by night and by day, and no claim whatever have we had to the protection |
