A YEAR WITH ST. PAUL, by Charles E. Knox, and RAYS OF LIGHT FOR DARK HOURS, by J. B. are two excellent books published by Anson D. F. Randolph, New York. The former in Fifty-two Lessons, or Chapters, relates the various incidents and describes the labors of the great apostle, in an agreeable and instructive manner. The work is eminently Biblical, and the essence, if we inay so speak, of many learned volumes, expressed in a popular style, and illustrated by suitable maps. A series of questions follows each Lesson, which may be of much use where the work is used by a Bible-class. The latter, (Rays of Light, etc.) consists of a series of selections judiciously made from various Authors; many of them are real gems. The Rev. R. R. Booth has given an appropriate introduction to the volume. Robert Carter and Brothers have lately issued severel admirabie books, which deserve a wide circulation. We mention: 1. SPEAKING TO THE HEART, or SERMONS FOR THE PEOPLE. By the celebrated Dr. Gutherie of Edinburgh. The volume contains twelve sermons. author of Elijah the Tishbite. This is one of the best of Dr. Kruumacher's books. 3. A MORNING BESIDE THE LAKE OF GALLILEE. By James Hamilton, D. D. 4. THE THOUGHTS OF GOD. By J. R. Macduff, D. D. 5. PATRIARCHAL SHADOWS OF CHRIST: as exhibited in Passages drawn from the History ofJoseph and his Brethren. By Octavius Winslow, D. D. These five books are from the pens of five of the best religious writers in Europe. Krummacher, Gutherie, Hamilton and Winslow, are all stars of magnitude which have been long above the horizon, (may it be still longer before they set!) Macduff is a younger luminary, but not less brilliant. Like Caird and Norman Macleod, he is an ornament of the Established Church of Scotland. We counsel all our readers to buy these excellent books, if they have not done it already, and read them. The Presbyterian Board of Publication, (Philadelphia), have published an excellent work by Aonio Paleario in French, entitledDe Bienfait de Jesus Christ Crucifie envers les Chretiens. We recommend this little work to those of our readers who know the French 2. THE RISEN REDEEMER; or THE GOSPEL HISTORY FROM THE RESURRECTION TO THE DAY OF PENTECOST. By F. W. Krummacher, language. Receipts ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CHRISTIAN UNION, FROM THE 1ST OF JANUARY TO THE 1ST OF FEBRUARY, 1863. L. M., Ogdensburg. Presb. Ch.,.. 66 Mrs. H. Sykes, part L. M., M. E. Ch.,--- Volney. Cong. Ch., Ithaca. Rev. Wm. Wisner, D.D.,N. Y. City. 6th-st. Bapt. Ch.,Antwerp. Presb. Ch.,.... 5 00 12 17 Moorfield. 55 00 Greencastle. 10 00 Evansville. 5 59 7. 00 5 00 8 00 13 15 Canton. Presb. Ch., Rev. J. Waugh part L. M.,.--. 18 69 Bapt. Ch.,-.. 5 01 1 00 3.00 Cambridge. Rev. P. Campbell. Jewett. Presb. Cong.... 2d Cong. Ch. & Soc.,--. INDIANA. Walter Scott," Mrs. Sab. Sch. of 1st Presb. Ch.,Walnut-St. Presb. Ch., Mesgrs, Shanklin, Keen, Lawrence, Morgan, Orr, $5 each. Barnes, Drew, $4 ea. Gilbert $3, Baker, Lamphear, Bayless, Turner, McCarer, Kellogg, Mrs. Merks $2 each. Cutler, Wheeler, Kellogg, Sawyer, Bemm, Broughton, Martin, Battelle, Tennis, Mrs. Johnson, Harvey, Emory, Robb, McFerson, Foster, Selman, Baker, Farrell, $1 ea. Davidson, $1 25. Morgran, Jordan, Mrs. Bowen, Tyrell, Ashley, Little Miss Marks, Patterson, 50 cts. each. Mrs. Chubb, 40cts. Mrs. Dut cher 30cts. Mrs. Utteridge 25 cents, all to constitute John Shankline & Sam'l Orr L. M.'s, Vine-st. Presb. Ch., Messrs. Maghee, Copeland, Mackey, Henning $5 ea. Mr. Cook $3. Preston, Archer, Meadows, Preston. Ham, Mrs. Dexter $2. Mrs. Setchell $1 50. Caldwell, French, Page, Riggs, Mrs. Castleberry, Carpenter, $1 ea. Mrs. W. Brownin, part L. M., $25, which constitutes Rev. Alex. Sterrett L. M., Cumb. Presb. Ch., bal. Rev. J. G. White's L. M.,. M. E. Ch., Mrs. Lowry,... Ger. Luth. Ch., Mr. Decker,- OHIU. 6 00 73 70 67 50 11 20 1 00 T. H. Robinson's Ch., makes Rev. T. H. R. a L. M. and J. W. Wier L. M.... 93 00 55 50 5 00 Toledo. One of Rev. W. N. Williams' flock, Martin's Ferry. Mrs. C. Thorburn,Greenfield. M. E. Ch. Sab. Sch. for Cincinnati Mission. 5 00 2. 00 3 18 Gettysburg. S. L. Henry for the Greek MARYLAND. KENTUCKY. Danville. Mrs. Betsey Caldwell,... MISSOURI. St. Louis. Collected by Mrs. Maltly for the Indust. School, Mrs. Catlin $1. Tickets for cars $2. Mrs. Windsor 2 dozens Spools Thread, $1. One Barrel of Clothing from the Ladies' Sewing Soc. of Sanquoit, N, Y., valued at $40. Mrs. S. C. Springfield. 2d Presb. Ch.,.. Xenia. J. C. Corry,--- 12 80 1 00 58 40 10 15 3 14 58 00 99 89 St. Luke's Prot. Epis. Ch., G. B. Johnson to constitute Mrs. Jane D. Langdon a L. M., $30, Mr. Pritchard $3. Others $5, Bapt. Female Sem'y, 38 00 5 90 1575 4.00 2 OC 675 5 00 5_00 THE CHRISTIAN WORLD. VOL. XIV. APRIL, 1863. No. 4. THE SOCIETY'S WORK IN ITALY. EVERY month our work in Italy becomes more and more interesting. To say nothing of Mr. Hall's labors in the city of Florence for the spiritual interests of our countrymen who visit that city in greater or less numbers every year, we may say that his AGENCY in behalf of the Society is already become eminently important. It is scarcely eighteen months since he engaged the first missionary in Italy for us, and now the entire number whom he has aided-ordained ministers, evangelists, colporteurs, teachers, and students-has nearly if not quite reached the respectable figure of twenty. We confidently expect that it will go beyond that point before our next Annual Meeting. This is doing better than we had ventured to hope, considering the "stress of the times." God be praised for it! Our readers will have remarked, in reading Mr. Hall's letter on "Schools in Italy," which appeared in our issue for March, that he has four schools under his direction, in all of which the children receive faithful instruction in the great truths of the Gospel. In a letter received several months ago he spoke of a promising youth in the Island of Elba, whom it was desirable to educate for the ministry of the Gospel. That youth is now in the Waldensian College at La Tour, pursuing his studies, at the expense, in large part, of a gentleman in Xenia, Ohio, who is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In a letter, just received, Mr. Hall asks what he shall do in reference to two other cases. One is that of a pious young man, of capacity to preach the Gospel, but who needs more theological instruction—a married man, a Venetian by birth, an engineer by profession, a member of Sig. Gualtieri's Church-who desires to enter the Waldensian Seminary, and the Professors are willing to receive him, but he needs or will need assistance. The other concerns a bright and intelligent youth, son of one of our colporteurs, who has learned all that can be taught him in the Waldensian School at Florence, and ought to be sent to the College at La Tour. His poor father is able to bear a small part of the ex go penses of his education. Mr. Hall wishes to know whether he shall forward, and take up both these cases. We answer, Yes, trusting to the Saviour and the friends of the Society. Mr. Hall now has two Missionaries in Wortham, one in Southern, and two in Middle Italy. But one of the most interesting of all the operations of the Society in Italy is the Mission in Elba. In reference to this work we will let Mr. Hall speak, giving entire his letter, which appeared in a late number of the New-York Observer. It is as follows: THE first persons who became interested in the truths of the Gospel were sailors and others who, from time to time, came in contact with Evangelical Christians in Nice, Genoa and Leghorn. Through these persons, others on the Island became interested; and the visit of one of the theological students of the Waldensian Seminary at Florence, in the summer of 1861, revealed the fact that a number of persons there were convinced of the truth, and greatly desired to secure the services of an evangelist among them. This fact having been made known, a young man, Mr. Peccenini, was immediately engaged, and sent to Porto Ferraio, the principal town of the Island.— He secured a house, which was provided as soon as possible with all conveniences, and the first regular service of Evangelical preaching in the Island was opened by him. The arrival of the evangelist was far from being an agreeable item of news to the Roman Catholic priests of the city. Every effort was made by them, and, through them, by some civil officers, to interfere with and interrupt the labors of Mr. Peccenini. But he was a sincere, intelligent and earnest man, and, as he had been a priest in the Roman Church, he knew well the character of his opponents; no opposition or petty persecution discouraged him; the blessing of God accompanied him, and his labors were attended with good results. Some three or four months after his establishment at Porto Ferraio, he published a New-Year's address to the people, in which he told some (to the priests) unpleasant truths about the errors and follies of Romanism, and some equally disagreeable historical facts concerning the temporal power of the Popes. This little tract was suppressed, and the first edition seized; but the printer threw off an extra edition in the night, which was widely circulated in all parts of the Island. The priests were greatly excited by this act, and at once commenced a prosecution against him on the charge of attacking the religion of the State.A preliminary examination took place at Porto Ferraio, and Mr. Peccenini was ordered to Lucca for trial. There he was found guilty of the charge, and the Judge sentenced him to imprisonment for one month, and fined him some hundred francs, also adding the costs of the prosecution. He returned to Porto Ferraio somewhat cast down at the result of the trial and at the triumphant air assumed by the priests and codini of the Island-at the same time resolved, if need be, to go cheerfully to prison for the Gospel's sake. He was advised to appeal to the Court of Cassation at Florence. He did so; but, before the case came to trial, a royal decree remitted all fines and penalties to those who had been condemned for offences through the press. This was a sad blow to the priests; it opened the eyes of the people to their waning power and declining prerogative. Mr. Peccenini soon after succeeded in bringing on a public dis cussion of some points of Romanism and Protestantism, in which the priests and the people were made to see and feel the superiority both of the evangelist and evangelical truth. This discussion gained for the evangelist the confidence and esteem of some of the most intelligent men of the city, with whom he afterwards had interviews, and who acknowledged their convictions of the truth of the Gospel and the errors of Romanism, but would not identify themselves with the evangelical movement-waiting, like thousands of others all over Italy, for some political or social changes, they know not what, when there will be a popular renunciation of Romanism, and evangelical truth can be professed without any sacrifice. The royal decree and the public discussion with the priests seemed to put an end entirely to all persecution in that city. The Christians there have, since then, worshiped God in quietness and security. Mr. Peccenini has been a faithful laborer in the service of the Master. The results of his efforts will be felt in generations to come. During the thirteen months which he remained at Porto Ferraio, he usually had three religious services during the week, besides Bible classes, and, for some months, evening schools for instructing adults. In April last, in answer to an earnest call, another evangelist was sent to the Island, to Rio Marina, the second important town there. The evangelist of Porto Ferraio had occasionally preached there, and the brethren of Rio often came to the Sunday services at Porto Ferraio. But a permanent service was needed at Rio, and Mr. Marchand was accordingly sent there. He found the friends of the Gospel as sheep among wolves, with no encouragement from without and no centre of union among themselves, exposed to the opposition of an ignorant and persecuting population. The brethren of Rio Marina greeted his arrival to establish himself among them with great joy. With tearful eyes and hearts full of gratitude to God, they took courage, and gave all possible assistance to open and furnish a place of worship. At the commencement nearly 40 persons declared themselves evangelical; the number has continued to increase, and a quiet, earnest and attentive congregation has been gathered there. Mr. Marchand encountered more or less opposition and petty persecution, which, for a time, seriously threatened the success of the Mission. But the civil authorities interposed, and peace was restored to the neighborhood of the evangelical meetings. And the brethren regard their present quietness as an answer to their prayers specially offered for this end, whereby they are now permitted to worship God according to their consciences, with none to molest or make afraid. During the summer and autumn a meeting for the study of the Scriptures has been held almost every evening, attended by from 20 to 30 adults. These meet. ings have awakened a deep interest among the people, and appear to be attended with the best results; the benefits of these Bible classes will be lasting blessings to those who have frequented them. A day-school has also been established at Rio, which numbers about thirty children. A third place of preaching has also been opened at Longone, and services have been held there as often as the duties of the evangelists would permit. In addition to these evangelical efforts, an active and efficient colporteur has been employed since September, 1861, by whom hundreds of Bibles |