First. (A monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly) meeting of collectors, for the purpose of paying in the contributions, and receiving missionary intelligence. Secondly. An annual meeting of the whole Society, for the purpose of hearing the report of the committee, and appointing the office-bearers for the year ensuing. 6. That every young person willing to collect, and approved of by the committee, shall receive a box or card for the purpose at the Society's expense. Such box or card to be returned whenever called for by the secretary, or on the parties ceasing to be connected with the Society. Such are the regulations we think necessary for adoption; on the general working of these societies we shall write another time. Poetry and Music. THE SNOWDROP. WELCOME, pure herald of approaching Spring! Bursting the snowy covering of thy bed, Raising thy modest face, the first to bring Tidings of life while all around lie dead; And while the dreary earth is wrapt in sleep, Emblem of hope! of that eternal flame Teach me to burst earth's icy chains like thee; E. L. B. Why that look of sadness? Why that downcast eye? Can no thoughts of Why that look of sadness? Why that downcast eye? Can no thoughts of Reviews. BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF BOTH SEXES. THE CONVENT; a narrative founded on fact. By R. MC CRINDELL, authoress of the School Girl in France, &c. London: Aylott and Jones. It has become far too common in this day of so-called liberality to speak of Rome in terms at least of forbearance, if not positive approval; to gloss over her faults; to endeavour to make men believe she is not, after all, the mass of cruelties and abominations both the Bible and past history would seem to prove her to be. Her ceremonies are spoken of with admiration, and her sufferings with pity; her pompous exhibitions are referred to as the very perfection of elegant taste and refined feeling in connexion with religion; and many there are who would gladly see much of her splendour restored to her in our own Protestant land. Such triflers with the "mother of harlots" would do well to look below the surface of affairs; to go not only to her cathedrals, but her dungeons, the cells of her convents, the retreats of her devotees. It is not by her gorgeous ceremonies, or the apparent devotion of her public rites that she should be judged, but her private, hidden deeds of guilt. These best show her genuine character, and prove her a tyrant at heart, thinking no deed too black to perpetrate if it only serves to advance her power. The Convent helps to lift the veil, brings out some of her secret deeds to light, and will serve, we trust, to warn those who have begun to trifle with "the beast" of their dangerous position. Its pictures, we fear, are only too true; and its thrilling narrative only too faithful a picture of what is even now experienced in the cells of those fancied abodes of bliss. Young ladies, especially, may reap advantage from the book. It is well written, deeply interesting throughout, full of striking adventure, and eminently calculated to interest and benefit the above class, for whom it seems designed. So much for the work itself. The particular class of books to which it belongs is a matter we may at a future period speak of. We have our objections to them in general, from a growing conviction we possess of the tendency of such books to cultivate a fondness for works of fiction, in preference to those of a more sober character. HISTORY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN JERUSALEM. By J. KITTO, LL.D. London: Religious Tract Society. A deal of information in a little room of the most celebrated city of the world. We sincerely thank both the author and the Society for their admirable work. It is the best account, historical and descriptive, of the Holy City we have seen for Sunday school teachers and young persons generally, and at a price so low as to place it within the reach even of the poorest. ANNIE SHERWOOD; or, Scenes at School. London: Religious Tract Society. CITY COUSINS. By the author of Annie Sherwood. London: Religious Tract Society. These are not children's books, but books for young ladies in their teens, to whom we with pleasure introduce them. If they will only read them with attention they will find in them sentiments which bear directly on their personal and social happiness through life. To the superintendents of ladies' schools, and the teachers of senior Bible classes among educated girls, these books will be a valuable addition to their store of means for doing good. BOOKS FOR CHILDREN. SCHOOL SONGS. Edited by JOHN CURWEN. London: Ward and Co. SCHOOL MUSIC. Edited by JOHN CURWEN. Arranged for three voices, by GEORGE HOGARTH, Esq. London: Ward and Co., Paternoster Row. It is scarcely possible to speak too highly of these little books, which have now been for some time before the public. The religious and moral character of the songs are all we could desire, while the music is excellently selected and admirably arranged. We are sure they will be hailed by many families as well as schools as a great boon. We cordially commend them to the notice of all our mothers and teachers as the very best collection of children's melodies we know of. EMILY GREY. London: Religious Tract Society. A very good book for children, full of interesting and instructive things. Little Emily is a nice little girl under the kind care of a good Mrs. Westwood, who tells her in beautifully simple language many pretty stories, and passes with her through many instructive scenes. Whoever the writer may be, she knows better how to write for children than many who pretend to it; and we feel sure no child will begin the book without reading to the end, and being charmed and profited by all of it. 66 Chapter of Varieties. 19 ONE IN CHRIST.' THE REV. Mr. Whitefield, when in Edinburgh, had on one occasion stept into a stage coach about to start from the city. A lady, who belonged to a denomination of Christians who were full of deluded opposition to that eminent servant of God, happened to step into the same coach. Observing her companion, she started up with alarm, and asked, " Are not you Mr. Whitefield, sir?" "Yes, madam." "O, then, let me get out." "Surely, madam," was the calm reply, "but before you go, let me ask you one question, Suppose you die, and go to heaven, and then suppose I die, and go there also: when I come in, will you go out?" Ashamed of her intention, the lady cordially shook his hand, and they proceeded together on their journey. LOOK ABOVE YOU. At a time when Lord Bacon, the distinguished philosopher, was in disfavour at court, and when his domestics were leaving him, a friend said to him, "My lord, it is now time to look about you." To this he replied, "I do not look about, I look above me." Let such, afflicted believer, be thy practice. The gospel opens to thy view a new and living way upward, to which thy hopes and affections may soar. GOD KNOWN BY HIS WORKS. A poor Arabian of the desert, ignorant, as most of the Arabians are, was one day asked, how he came to be assured that there was a God. "In the same way," he replied, "that I am enabled to tell by a print impressed on the sand whether it was a man or beast that passed that way." A CONVINCING ARGUMENT. GOOD THOUGHTS OF GOOD MEN. We may enter heaven without wealth, without friends, or worldly wisdom, or prosperity, or health: but we cannot enter heaven without Christ. A tender conscience is like the apple of a man's eye; the least dust that is gathered into it affects it. There is no surer and better way to know whether our consciences are dead and stupid, than to observe what impressions small sins make upon them.-Bishop Hopkins. If consolation is enjoyed without watchfulness and diligence, the state of that man is exceedingly dangerous. -Charles of Bala. Nature will feel and be certain before it believes; but grace will believe before it feels.-Luther. 66 HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE." Many years ago, a Welch minister, a man of God, before beginning his sermon leant over the pulpit and said with a solemn air, "Friends, I have a question to ask. I cannot answer it. You cannot answer it. If an angel from heaven were here, he could not answer it. If a devil from hell were here, he could not answer it!" Death-like silence reigned. Every eye was fixed on the speaker. He proceeded: "The question is this, 'How SHALL YOU ESCAPE, IF YOU NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?""" To a young infidel who was scoffing at Christianity, because of the misconduct of its professors, the late Dr. Mason said, "Did you ever know an uproar to be made because an infidel went astray from the paths of morality?" The infidel admitted that he had not. "Then don't you see," said Dr. M., "that by expecting the professor of Christianity to be holy, you admit it to be a holy re-but, have you fled for refuge, to ligion, and thus pay it the highest lay hold on the hope set before you? compliment in your power?" The How shall you escape, if you neglect young man was silent. so great salvation? Reader! Can you answer the intend question? I ask not, do you do you wish-do you hope to flee |