THOUGHTS ON DEATH. 'Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, And stars to set, but all Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O death!' SPRING comes! The barren nakedness of winter is exchanged for a bright, new garb of verdant foliage; the violet springs up by the road-side; the cowslip blooms by the rivulet; the birds carol sweetly among the trees, and build their nests in the branches. How vivifying, how refreshing to the mind is this delightful change; how pleasing to see the fair earth released from her bondage, to see her icy fetters melted away, and to feel the genial influence of a glad spring morning! It revives old hopes in the heart of man; for when in the seed-time of life we naturally look forward to the harvest. But, ah! we may not always see the fulfilment of our hopes! When earth is bright, and all nature sends up hymns of thanksgiving and praise, then are human hearts made sad, and then arises the mournful dirge for the dying. The tender flower is rent from the parent stalk, and its budding loveliness is laid away in the cold earth, to wither and fade as the flower of the field.' The bland smile, and balmy breath of June, is succeeded by the sultry atmosphere of summer; and modest, retiring nature seems to shrink from the ardent gaze of a midsummer sun. The birds are no longer upon the wing, but chirp quietly in the shade; the petals of the gaudyhued flowers are closed, and, save the drowsy hum of the bee, all is quiet. Out upon the hushed air tolls the sad, funeral knell, each peal reverberating, so that all may catch the thrilling sound. We may possess rare charms. may be rich in the gifts of fortune, may be blessed with the brightest gifts of intellect and genius, but they avail nothing against the power of the destroyer, for 'death loves a shining mark.' The trees are bending beneath their load of golden fruit, the wheat is ready for the sickle, the grain for the garner, and the husbandman delights in the reward of his toil. Here, too, is another gleaner! Here stalks, the grim, gaunt figure of relentless death. Unsparingly he gathers of the choicest fruits and flowers; his desires are insatiable, for his garner, the charnel-house, is never filled, though he adds daily to its hoards. Hoary old winter is here again. The lakes and rivers congeal at his approach; the earth is clad in a mantle of snow. Hardy man strides on, enveloped in furs, but shivering in the face of the northern blast. Decrepid old age hovers by the blazing fireside, and unconsciously shrugs his shoulders, as the keen winds go whistling by. Even here, in the cheerful home circle, the unbidden guest enters. Gently he takes the hand of the old man, and leads him along to the portals of the grave. Truly hast thou all seasons for thine own, O death! Thou dost pluck the early buds of spring, culling, too, the flower of summer; thou gatherest together the sere and yellow leaves of autumn, and even the barren, leafless branches of winter. Into the every-day routine of life thou enterest -no place too sacred for thee; thou snatchest the brimming cup of happiness from the lips of man; thou robbest him of all that makes life dear; thou claimest all for thine own. No human hand can ward off thy approach; no door so closed but thou canst enter; no station so high but thou canst reach it; no hut so lowly but thou deignest to enter. The infant that nestles on its mother's arm, the young maiden just ripening into womanhood, the hale, hearty man in the meridian of life, and feeble, tottering age-all, all are laid as offerings on thy shrine. THE EDITOR'S LIBRARY. 'WHY WEEPEST THOU?' By JOHN MACFARLANE, LL.D. London: Nisbet & Co. We have always attributed the great charm of Dr Macfarlane's style, and the true cause of his growing popularity as au author, to the hearty earnestness and anxiety so transparent in all he writes, really to enforce instruction and administer comfort. With the hand of a master be brings to his aid lengthened and varied experience, forcible and eloquent illustration, singular powers of observation, and true Christian philanthropy. It is manifest that he has a matured practical design in each individual work he publishes, so that they become separately but parts of a comprehensive whole, which, when completed, may be published under such a general title as The Earnest Pastor's Manual.' His 'Mountains of the Bible,' at once arrest sympathy and attention, by the fascinations of thrilling narrative and eloquent description, these being most skilfully turned to account for the grand purpose of insidiously inculcating throughout the most important of all truths, and these often so clearly intertwined as unquestionably to give evidence of a mind thoroughly conversant with the innumerable tortuous freaks and follies of the human heart. Again, in 'The Hiding Place,' we have a most comprehensive, but clear and impressive exhibition of the various beauties and characteristics, the suitableness and glory, of The Prince of Peace. These are skilfully arranged, and their lessons enforced with singular aptness of Scripture illustration and metaphor, so as to furnish the pilgrim traveller with an infallible directory to the sure Refuge and Haven of Rest. "The Night Lamp,' the most popular of Dr Macfarlane's works, has run through so many thousands, and is now so generally admired and appreciated, that we simply embrace this opportunity of emphatically recommending it to all who have not already wept over the melting tenderness of its pages, and its thrilling descriptions and meditations. It stands alone as a 'burning and shining light,' for the lone chamber of the early doomed, though still world-loving youth, gradually dispersing doubt and gloom, and, like the shining light, shining more and more, till comes the joyous day of calm assurance. makes subservient to the more important object of addressing a systematic, pointed, and solemn appeal to such interesting mourners, while necessarily susceptible under the peculiarities of parental agony. We have been much impressed with the wisdom of this design, and with the suc cess with which it has been executed, and can, therefore, strongly recommend the work to all who, like Dr Macfarlane, have had cause to exclaim, 'My Son! My Son!' We predict for this manual to bereaved parents an extensive and abiding circulation, and tender our warmest thanks to the author for his new contribution to our devotional literature. SCRIPTURE TEACHER'S ASSISTANT. By HENRY ALTHANS. London: Edward Butt, and Nisbet & Co. THIS is a little compilation, designed for Sunday schools and family circles. It appears to us well adapted to impress Bible facts and precepts on the minds of the young. Though the present is a new edition, the work itself has been long used in many Sabbath schools in England, and with great success. We would like to see it widely introduced in Scotland, especially in those schools where the teachers do not already follow any regular plan in imparting Bible instruction to their scholars. ESSAY ON HUMAN HAPPINESs. By C. B. ADDERLEY, M.P. London: Blackader & Co. The last, but not the least popular or useful of the Doctor's publications, is the small volume recently published, and entitled Why Weepest Thou?' It embraces another, and most important portion of the earnest pastor's wide field of labour, and makes a valuable advance in his transparent design to soothe the sorrows and meet all the wants of afflicted hearts. Having himself mourned over the remains of loved children, he happily conceived the idea of furnishing others with his experience and consolations during these trying bereavements. The result we find in this sweet, precious little book. The query, Why Weepest Thou?' is addressed to bereaved parents, and the intention of the writer in this query is to furnish them with an opportunity of proving the power of gospel cordials for cheering and reviving their wounded spirits, for wiping away tears from the strange fact; and we believe most minds will discover it when they reflect on Mr eyes by bright glimpses of the glory to which their children have been translated, it to be a state of constant adaptation of He considers Adderley's definition of it. and the consequent additional encourage-action to right intention;' and if this be ment and obligation laid upon them to walk circumspectly in the path which alone leads to their celestial abode. To be able to do this effectively, it was necessary that the physician should have himself been sick, and himself been cured; and his would indeed be a hard heart which could peruse these pages, and yet withhold its sympathy, as the author relates, with the most touching pathos, the early joys and hopes-the happy, hearty, and innocent intercourse-the dawn, the rise, and the decay of three lovely children he has been called on to commit to an early grave. But Dr Macfarlane does not stop short with the narrative portion-this he MR ADDERLEY has here produced a wellwritten work on a very important and interesting subject. He seems to have been thoroughly acquainted with his theme ere he took it in hand; and we think his views are at once sound and clearly expressed. Happiness has been the grand aim of the and only in a very few instances has it been human race for nearly six thousand years, obtained. Some cause must exist for this correct, as we have every reason to suppose it is, it is no longer wonderful that all who are really anxious to obtain happiman has been baffled in his object. Let ness read this essay, and faithfully follow its practical suggestions, and we can assure versal cry, Who will show us any good?' them they will no longer join in the uni THE BAND of HOPE REVIEW, and CHILDREN'S A MONTHLY temperance periodical for the in sentiment, and interspersed with many beautiful woodcuts. The volume for last year has been sent us, and we have spent several pleasant hours in its perusal. We recommend parents to put the monthly sheets into the hands of their children. They will find their account in it. GREAT TRUTHS for THOUGHTFUL MOMENTS. Nos. I. and II. London: Blackader & Co. UNDER this title, the publishers purpose issuing a series of tracts, bearing on commanding subjects. Judging from the first two, we consider the scheme will prove both useful and successful. We present in this Number an extract from No. I., entitled 'The Cry from the Cross.' It is written by the Rev. David Laing, and does credit both to his learning and piety. London: THE LIBRARY of BIBLICAL LITERATURE. No. I.- THIS is a serial which we would earnestly THE ECLECTIC REVIEW for March is vidual man is the state in which each may adapt his particular occupation to the common purpose and intention of all men's lives. THE SPHERE OF ACTION. GREAT actions are not required as the lot of all men. This is a new light thrown by Christianity on heathen philosophy. Both assert that happiness consists in the pursuit of the highest end; but Christianity discovered that that highest end could be as well achieved through the humblest earthly lot, as among the grandest circumstances or achievements. None need attempt more than is assigned them, nor think that God could not of the very stonès get even that much done, as well and as easily, if so He pleased. But he chooses to assign a post and a work to all -the materials of exercise-and that man will in the end obtain the prize who has best acquitted himself of his task, however lowly it may have been. PRESENT AND FUTURE. THE whole creation is instinct with a sense of present probation for a future scheme of a high and common destination beyond the present scenes of ever-recurrent labours. Nature herself is perpetually dramatizing in detail the great process of our gradually developing destiny. No summer smiles unless with promises of coming harvest, no bud is blessed except as ripening into future bearing. All speaks of present the immature enjoyment of the present care for future reckoning, and condemns scarcely so interesting as the previous Numbers. The review on The Auto-hour-unmindful of its consequences. biography of a Dissenting Minister' is well written, also the paper, entitled 'Christianity and its Modern Assailants;' but the other articles are of a very mediocre character. THE CABINET. HAPPINESS. If we wish for happiness, (and is not that the wish of all?) we have, each of us, only to ascertain the purpose for which God has formed us, and by diligently and well following out that purpose, to secure our wish. If all men's happiness consists generally in the adaptation of their actions to the intention of their being, and there be one grand intention common to all; then the general idea of all men's happiness is identical, and the happiness which may attend each various path of life is but. a special deduction from that common principle. The happiness of every indi All produce of this earth is but the seed for reproduction, sown with recurrent toil, yet with an ultimate aim at a larger development. However we may have to creep through this preparatory state, and though the dull passage of death must intervene, let none lose sight of the common hope of that glorious emancipation which is the one solution of this life's mystery, the scope of this life's meaning, and the key to any sense or satisfaction to be found in this life's occupations. AN AWFUL QUESTION. 'How shall we escape if we neglect the great salvation?' This is a question that neither men, nor angels, nor God himself, can answer, for neglecters of salvation cannot escape, even in this life. They are condemned already.' 'The wrath of God abideth on them.' They cannot escape at death. True, their bodies go down to the grave, and are reduced to dust, but their souls, like the soul of Judas, go to their a most comprehensive, but clear and impressive exhibition of the various beauties and characteristics, the suitableness and glory, of The Prince of Peace. These are skilfully arranged, and their lessons enforced with singular aptuess of Scripture illustration and metaphor, so as to furnish the pilgrim traveller with an infallible directory to the sure Retuge and Haven of Rest. "The Night Lamp,' the most popular of Dr Macfarlane's works, has run through so many thousands, and is now so generally admired and appreciated, that we simply embrace this opportunity of emphatically recommending it to all who have not already wept over the melting tenderness of its pages, and its thrilling descriptions and meditations. It stands alone as a burning and shining light,' for the lone chamber of the early doomed, though still world-loving youth, gradually dispersing doubt and gloom, and, like the shining light, shining more and more, till comes the joyous day of calm assurance. makes subservient to the more important object of addressing a systematic, pointed, and solemn appeal to such interesting mourners, while necessarily susceptible under the peculiarities of parental agony. We have been much impressed with the wisdom of this design, and with the success with which it has been executed, and can, therefore, strongly recommend the work to all who, like Dr Macfarlane, have had cause to exclaim, My Son! My Son!' We predict for this manual to bereaved parents an extensive and abiding circulation, and tender our warmest thanks to the author for his new contribution to our devotional literature. SCRIPTURE TEACHER'S ASSISTANT. By HENRY ALTHANS. London: Edward Butt, and Nisbet & Co. THIS is a little compilation, designed for Sunday schools and family circles. It appears to us well adapted to impress Bible facts and precepts on the minds of the young. Though the present is a new edition, the work itself has been long used in many Sabbath schools in England, and with great success. We would like to see it widely introduced in Scotland, especially in those schools where the teachers do not already follow any regular plan in imparting Bible instruction to their scholars. ESSAY ON HUMAN HAPPINESS. By C. B. ADDERLET, M.P. London: Blackader & Co. The last, but not the least popular or useful of the Doctor's publications, is the small volume recently published, and entitled Why Weepest Thou?' It embraces another, and most important portion of the earnest pastor's wide field of labour, and makes a valuable advance in his transparent design to soothe the sorrows and meet all the wants of afflicted hearts. Having himself mourned over the remains of loved children, he happily conceived the idea of furnishing others with his experience and consolations during these trying bereavements. The result we find in this sweet, precious little book. The query, Why Weepest Thou?' is addressed to bereaved parents, and the intention of the writer in this query is to furnish them with an opportunity of proving the power of gospel cordials for cheering and reviving their wounded spirits, for wiping away tears from the strange fact; and we believe most minds will discover it when they reflect on Mr eyes by bright glimpses of the glory to which their children have been translated, it to be a state of constant adaptation of He considers Adderley's definition of it. and the consequent additional encourage-action to right intention;' and if this be ment and obligation laid upon them to walk circumspectly in the path which alone leads to their celestial abode. To be able to do this effectively, it was necessary that the physician should have himself been sick, and himself been cured; and his would indeed be a hard heart which could peruse these pages, and yet withhold its sympathy, as the author relates, with the most touching pathos, the early joys and hopes-the happy, hearty, and innocent intercourse-the dawn, the rise, and the decay of three lovely children he has been called on to commit to an early grave. But Dr Macfarlane does not stop short with the narrative portion—this he MR ADDERLEY has here produced a wellwritten work on a very important and interesting subject. He seems to have been thoroughly acquainted with his theme ere he took it in hand; and we think his views are at once sound and clearly expressed. Happiness has been the grand aim of the human race for nearly six thousand years, and only in a very few instances has it been obtained. Some cause must exist for this correct, as we have every reason to suppose it is, it is no longer wonderful that man has been baffled in his object. Let all who are really anxious to obtain happiness read this essay, and faithfully follow its practical suggestions, and we can assure them they will no longer join in the universal cry, Who will show us any good?' THE BAND of HOPE REVIEW, and CHILDREN'S FRIEND, for 1853. London: Partridge & A MONTHLY temperance periodical for the in sentiment, and interspersed with many beautiful woodcuts. The volume for last year has been sent us, and we have spent several pleasant hours in its perusal. We recommend parents to put the monthly sheets into the hands of their children. They will find their account in it. GREAT TRUTHS for THOUGHTFUL MOMENTS. Nos. I. and II. London: Blackader & Co. UNDER this title, the publishers purpose issuing a series of tracts, bearing on commanding subjects. Judging from the first two, we consider the scheme will prove both useful and successful. We present in this Number an extract from No. I., entitled The Cry from the Cross.' It is written by the Rev. David Laing, and does credit both to his learning and piety. London: THE LIBRARY of BIBLICAL LITERATURE. No. I.- THIS is a serial which we would earnestly recommend. The object is to present a cheap Repository of Information on Geographical, Historical, Biographical, Scientific, and Literary subjects in relation to the Bible. The programme is one of the most tempting we have ever seen, and we do trust the public will cordially support the publisher. The first Monthly Part, entitled The Story of Ancient Nineveh,' gives a condensed, yet connected, account of that very remarkable city. THE ECLECTIC REVIEW for March is scarcely so interesting as the previous Numbers. The review on The Autobiography of a Dissenting Minister' is well written, also the paper, entitled Christianity and its Modern Assailants;' but the other articles are of a very mediocre character. THE CABINET. HAPPINESS. If we wish for happiness, (and is not that the wish of all?) we have, each of us, only to ascertain the purpose for which God has formed us, and by diligently and well following out that purpose, to secure our wish. If all men's happiness consists generally in the adaptation of their actions to the intention of their being, and there be one grand intention common to all; then the general idea of all men's happiness is identical, and the happiness which may attend each various path of life is but a special deduction from that common principle. The happiness of every indi vidual man is the state in which each may adapt his particular occupation to the common purpose and intention of all men's lives.. THE SPHERE OF ACTION. GREAT actions are not required as the lot of all men. by Christianity on heathen philosophy. This is a new light thrown Both assert that happiness consists in the pursuit of the highest end; but Christianity discovered that that highest end could be as well achieved through the humblest earthly lot, as among the grandest circumstances or achievements. None need attempt more than is assigned them, nor think that God could not of the very stonès get even that much done, as well and as easily, if so He pleased. But he chooses to assign a post and a work to all -the materials of exercise-and that man will in the end obtain the prize who has best acquitted himself of his task, however lowly it may have been. PRESENT AND FUTURE. THE whole creation is instinct with a sense of present probation for a future scheme of a high and common destination beyond the present scenes of ever-recurrent labours. Nature herself is perpetually dramatizing in detail the great process of our gradually developing destiny. No summer smiles unless with promises of coming harvest, no bud is blessed except as ripening into future bearing. All speaks of present the immature enjoyment of the present care for future reckoning, and condemns hour-unmindful of its consequences. All produce of this earth is but the seed for reproduction, sown with recurrent toil, yet with an ultimate aim at a larger development. However we may have to creep through this preparatory state, and though the dull passage of death must intervene, let none lose sight of the common hope of that glorious emancipation which is the one solution of this life's mystery, the scope of this life's meaning, and the key to any sense or satisfaction to be found in this life's occupations. AN AWFUL QUESTION. 'How shall we escape if we neglect the great salvation?' This is a question that neither men, nor angels, nor God himself, can answer, for neglecters of salvation cannot escape, even in this life. They are condemned already.' 'The wrath of God abideth on them.' They cannot escape at death. True, their bodies go down to the grave, and are reduced to dust, but their souls, like the soul of Judas, go to their |