hundred and ninety years before Christ, but it was afterward rejected until the sixteenth century, when it was revived by Copernicus, a native of Poland. Thales, of Miletus, was the first person who advanced the idea that the earth is round; but he, like other philosophers, found common opinion against him; and the celebrated Galileo, at nearly the seventeenth century, was condemned to perpetual imprisonment by a board of Cardinals, for holding and promulgating the same sentiment. Mamma. Then you see, my dear children, how thankful we ought to be, that we live in a country where we may freely think, and imbibe those opinions, both upon science and religion, which are consonant with truth and reason. Original. TO MY ELDEST DAUGHTER, ON HER FIRST BIRTH-DAY. BY E. P. WESTON. DEAR babe, now nestling to thine early slumbers, We Thy voice, though hushed, sweet one, is in mine ear, How hast thou grown, in this thy first brief year, Of all this self, a parcel and a part! Since the faint pulses of that early morn Which brought the dayspring to thy twin blue eyes, And the glad tidings of "a daughter born," To the rapt heart that waited for the prize; Full many a toil, my daughter, hast thou thrown Asks not a part, but dares the whole to crave. Calm as the heavings of thine infant breast. T HERE was a time when the Lord Jesus Christ was on earth, and went about doing good. He was once walk ing by the Sea of Galilee, and he saw two brethrenSimon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. A little way from them he saw two other brethren-their names were James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother. They were fishermen, and were on the shore of the lake, or sea, washing their nets. This lake was called by different names, sometimes the Sea of Galilee, orthe sea of Tiberius, and the lake of Gennesareth, and also the Sea of Cinnereth. It was about twelve miles long and from six to nine wide. It is said to be a very beautiful lake; its waters are clear and sweet, abounding with fish. Around this lake our Saviour was accustomed to travel, and perform many of his miracles. The people often were glad to hear him and to see his miracles. When he was standing by the Sea of Galilee, and talking with these fishermen, the people pressed upon him, so eager to hear him, that he got into one of the boats, or ships, of these fishermen, which were brought up to the shore, while they were washing and mending their nets. When he got into the one which belonged to Simon, he asked him to go out a little from the land, and when the boat was moved away from the shore, our Saviour sat down and taught the people out of the boat. There was a great multitude standing on the shore, to hear what Jesus would say to them. When he had finished speaking to them, he told Simon, who was in the boat with him, to launch, or go out into the deep, and let down his nets, to catch some fish. Simon was surprised at this command of the Saviour, because they had been fishing and working hard all night, and had caught nothing. But he told the Saviour, that notwithstanding they had worked all night and caught nothing, yet, because of his request, or command, he would let down the net into the sea. And when they had let down the net, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net began to break, so that they feared they should lose all their fish. Then they called unto their partners or companions, who were in the other boat, or ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw what was done, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me: for I am a sinful man, O Lord." He was greatly astonished, and so were all the men that were with him, at the great number of fishes which they had taken. But Jesus said unto Simon, "Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 99 Jesus meant they should save the souls of men. When they had brought their boats to the land, they forsook all, and followed him. They gave up all their former occupations, and became preachers. They followed Jesus from place to place, as he went about doing good on earth, and finally saw him nailed to the cross and die. He afterward appeared to them, and these once poor fishermen are now all in heaven, rejoicing with their Saviour. How happy it was that Simon obeyed Jesus, and cast his net into the sea! So of all who obey the commands of the Saviour. We must do whatever he commands. Peter was afraid when he saw what Jesus could do for them. He felt he was a sinful man. But Jesus told him he need not fear. Those who obey the Saviour should never fear him. He loves them that love him. QUESTIONS. By what different names is the Sea of Galilee called? Who did Jesus see there? What were the names of these fishermen ? Who were brothers? What were they doing with the nets? How long and how wide was the lake? Is it a beautiful lake? Did our Saviour spend much time around this Sea of Galilee? Were there a great multitude there? How did he instruct them? When he had finished speaking to them, what did he ask Simon to do? What did Simon say ? What happened when they had let down the net? What did they do when their net began to break? Did they fill their boats with fish? What did Peter do when the boats began to sink? What did he say to Jesus? What did Jesus reply? What did Jesus mean by telling him he should catch men? When they had brought the boats to shore, what did the fishermen do? Must we do whatever Jesus commands? Should any fear Jesus, who obey his commands? NEW PUBLICATIONS. JOURNAL OF THREE YEARS' RESIDENCE IN ABYSSINIA. By REV. SAMUEL GOBAT, now Bishop of Jerusalem--preceded by an Introduction, Geograph ical and Historical, on Abyssinia. Translated from the French, by Rev. Lorenzo D. Clark. Accompanied with a biographical sketch of Bishop Gobat, by Robert Baird, D.D., New York. M. W. Dodd: 1850. This book will be read with more than usual interest. It gives us an insight into that hidden country, and by the minute and accurate details of daily intercourse with that people, we are able to imagine ourselves among them, observing their manners and customs. As an accurate historical, geographical, and ecclesiastical account of the country, it is the most reliable of any book which has fallen under our notice. At the present day, in many respects, the continent of Africa is exciting great interest, and we take up such a book as this with great pleasure. MOTHERS OF THE WISE AND THE GOOD. BY JABEZ BURNS, D.D., author of "Christian Philosophy," &c. Boston-Gould, Kendall & Lincoln New-York-sold by L. Colby & Co. This volume, embracing some three hundred duodecimo pages, has our entire approbation. Its title will indicate its design. It aims to deepen the conviction of the importance of a well-directed maternal influence, by illustrations drawn from actual examples of the beneficial results of judicious training on the part of mothers. It is a republication of an English work, from a Clergyman well known on both sides of the Atlantic. We are happy to see in the volume not a few extracts from our own magazine, of which the reverend author is kind enough to speak in the most complimentary terms. 'AN HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE BIBLE. By REV. LYMAN COLEMAN, D.D. Illustrated by Maps-from the latest and most authentic sourcesof various countries mentioned in the Scriptures. Philadelphia: published by E. H. BUTLER & Co. 1850. This volume has been prepared with that research and care which might be expected from its author. It will be found to be a valuable aid to Sabbathschool teachers and pupils, and an indispensable companion, in every family, to the study of the Holy Scriptures. We know of no work of the kind which may be so entirely relied upon for its accuracy. We are glad to see our book publishers returning to fair type and paper in the execution of their works. |