quest, which had been put into her hands without any particular directions; her object was to ascertain whether she ought to obey her father, who wanted to take her to Torquay. She was sent away from the study with some sensible advice, and a benediction full of earnestness and kindness, which took a weight off her heart. We suppose this is now quite correct, but it would have created a good deal of sensation among the gossips in a country village some years ago. We do not for a moment suppose that Mrs. Marshall would countenance confessors or directors; but as a skilful bookmaker, she has flavoured her story with the "petit point de l'ail," which will make it savoury to modern readers. In our humble judgment, the young lady might have extracted from her catechism the advice she got from the interesting Vicar. But we are conscious that our ideas on these points may be somewhat old-fashioned.

The Modern Avernus: The Descent of England: How Far? By Junius Junior. London: Hatchards. 1874.-This work deals with the question of Romanism, and is addressed more particularly to Parliament and Constituencies. It embodies a number of remarkable testimonies from eminent men of various countries, some of them unwilling witnesses, to the injurious effects of the Romish system wherever it is prevalent. The "Plain Truths" are clearly enunciated; the "Popular Illusions" are forcibly displayed; and the "Pressing Questions" are ably treated. Romanism is dealt with in the aspects which it now presents; and all the questions, which are common topics of thought and conversation, are reviewed in a plain and practical manner. On one point we differ from the author. As a proof that Popery is advancing, he alleges a tabular statement of bishops, priests, chapels, convents, colleges, contrasting 1829 with 1850 and 1872. Now Romanists are very fond of making the same parade. But bricks and mortar, and even priests and bishops, are not positive proofs of the advance of Romanism. Prince Bismarck has very recently discharged his "colluvies" of Jesuits into our "sentina"; we have now more of them than we had a year ago, just as since the Commune we have an increase of Republicans. They are a very unprofitable acquisition in either case, but the multiplication of such persons is not necessarily a proof that their opinions are taking hold of Englishmen. We suspect a fallacy in this argument.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

AMONG the events of interest distinguishing the month now drawing to a close, may fairly be reckoned the visit of the Czar of Russia. He has received a respectful, though not an enthusiastic welcome, which has been a sufficient indication of the wish of England to remain on terms of peace and amity with the great empire of which he is, in many important respects,

the most noble head and ruler. There has of late years been, however, an amount of diplomatic antagonism, following on more overt hostility, between the two empires, of that grave import which even the auspicious marriage recently contracted can hardly reconcile. We will fervently hope that, on this occasion, the results of this Imperial visit may be more fortunate than those which ensued upon that of the former Emperor; and that, both in Europe and in Asia, it will be a pledge of friendly relations between great nations whose only rivalry should be which could most promote the happiness of mankind.

It is hardly to be expected that a Session, begun under circumstances so peculiar as the present, could be productive of much important legislation. Still there has been a fair amount of business got through. In the House of Lords, Lord Cairns has supplemented the Judicature Bill of his predecessor by Bills affecting Scotland and Ireland. The changes in Scottish procedure are not important; the Irish Courts are to be assimilated to the English, and the excessive number of Judges is to be reduced. The same tribunal which is, instead of the House of Lords, to dispose of English, is also to dispose of Scotch and Irish cases, and is to constitute an Imperial Court of Appeal. To this court ecclesiastical and important colonial cases would also be referred; fresh regulations regarding ecclesiastical assessors were also introduced. In the same House a Select Committee was moved for by the Bishop of Peterborough to consider the Law of Patronage and Simony. In his speech the Bishop dealt mainly with the scandals arising out of the traffic in next presentations. His suggestions were temperate and judicious, and we are sanguine that the result of this effort will be beneficial to the Church. Subsequently a measure has been introduced by the Duke of Richmond, abolishing Private and State Patronage in the Church of Scotland. It is impossible even to name this without reverting in thought to the Disruption of 1843. What an untold amount of strife and misery would have been obviated, if some such healing measure as the Duke's had then been dreamed of by statesmen and politicians. As it is, although the measure is welcomed, it has been brought forward so unexpectedly that Scotch ecclesiastical factions hardly know whether to bless or ban the startling apparition. Lord Blachford has brought in again his Colonial Clergy Bill, which, as now presented, does not meddle with the Scotch and Irish Churches. It is now what it professes to be-a Colonial Bill. By the new Act, clergy ordained by colonial bishops are not to officiate in England without the written permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury, nor to hold preferment, or to be licensed as curates, without the consent in writing of the Archbishop and Bishop. Sundry oaths of obedience to the See of

Canterbury may also be dispensed with by the Archbishop, when consecrating Colonial bishops, if he sees fit. It was read a second time. The Public Worship Regulation Bill has also been read a second time. It gave rise to a very animated discussion, and the Bill itself has since been considerably amended by its framers. Numerous amendments are also proposed by the Earl of Shaftesbury and Lord Selborne, which, if carried to any extent, would seriously affect the measure; its future, even in the House of Lords, is so uncertain, that it would be premature to enumerate provisions which may never have a substantial existence. We are still hopeful, however, that some legislation may be determined upon. It must be a very bad act, if things are made worse than they are; although even this, judging from much past ecclesiastical legislation, is not impossible. We despair of any substantial reform till the Ecclesiastical Courts are as much a non-entity as Papal jurisdiction, and the exorbitant and oppressive plundering of both clergy and laity, now carried on in them under episcopal sanction, has been swept away. A question put by Earl Russell on the prospects of peace in Europe, has caused some anxiety at home, and even more on the continent, which Lord Derby's constitutional and official reticence has not dispelled. Immediate danger of fresh war is probably not to be apprehended, if only from the exhaustion of the principal combatants. Upon the old maxim, "Si vis pacem, para bellum," peace may be anticipated. In the House of Commons, the Bill intro luced by the Home Secretary for Regulating the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors has been read a second time. Public-houses are to be closed at a somewhat later hour, and there is to be less police supervision. We trust that there will be no extension of the present hours for closing. A Bill, introduced by Mr. Trevelyan, for assimilating the county franchise with that of the boroughs, was opposed by Mr. Disraeli, and rejected by a large majority. In connection with the Lower House, it may be noted that the result of Election Petitions hitherto has not seriously affected the verdict of the General Election.

We would gladly notice the important meeting of the Irish Church Synod; but as hitherto in their conclusions so little has yet been finally concluded, it seems needless to record changes and amendments which may, after all, not prove to be permanent alterations.

The May Meetings, which as truly represent the spiritual life and activity amongst us, as Convocation does obsolete traditions, have been held with much success, and afford matter for sincere congratulation to all those who are really interested in the regeneration of mankind, by the spread among them of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church Missionary

Society especially was enabled to report an income from all sources exceeding a quarter of a million, and much prosperity in the mission field. We record with great satisfaction that the Society has felt it a duty to withdraw from the Madagascar mission, now that a rival agency upon an extensive scale is to be planted in the capital, in the very heart of the missions of the London Missionary Society. This important step is in most strict accordance with the fundamental rules of the Society, and what is in our opinion still more important, with apostolic practice and Christian charity. In most of the other great Societies an increase in the funds was reported. We notice with interest, in the report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, that the circulation of the Word of God in Russia is making rapid strides, and that last year witnessed the completion of the Bible in modern Russ. In Germany and Switzerland the issues of the Bible have been to an extent hitherto unparalleled.

În France we have to chronicle the downfall of the Broglie Ministry; great difficulty has been experienced in constructing a new one. It has been surmised that the object of the Legitimists, by whose desertion the overthrow of the Duc de Broglie was accomplished, has been to force on a coup-d'état which should place the Count of Chambord on the throne. It is some satisfaction to feel that order is still preserved in that unhappy country. In Spain the Carlist cause has suffered a severe reverse by the relief of Bilbao; this must operate as a serious discouragement to the clerical intriguers, who, like unclean spirits, are now tormenting the Latin race. There has been another change of ministry in Madrid.

By the recent Ecclesiastical Bills in Germany, it has been decreed that when a Bishop "refuses to present legally, or presents illegally, to a parish, the nomination will pass into the hands of the parishioners." It is interesting to notice how, in several movements quite unconnected, the power of selecting their own minister is passing into the hands of the people.

Some anxiety has been felt about what may be the political result of internal complications in Afghanistan, and we have to record with regret a fresh outrage on the part of the French, who by wanton interference with grave-yards, have provoked a riot at Shanghae, in China.

The future of Africa has engaged much attention, both amongst statesmen and philanthropists; there seems an earnest desire to promote her welfare, both on the Eastern and Western coasts. After a very long delay, the Rev. W. West Jones, D.D., has been consecrated Bishop of Cape Town.

THE DOCTRINE OF A PARTICULAR PROVIDENCE AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH.

THE doctrine of a particular Providence, clearly asserted in many passages both of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, is illustrated in a remarkable manner in the history of Joseph. From his very childhood, Joseph's future pre-eminence was clearly prefigured; and it may be well conceived that it was not without some emotions of vain-glory on his part, as well as of envy and resentment on the part of his brethren, that he related, and that they received, the account of his dreams. At the first fitting opportunity his brethren resolved to avenge themselves on the dreamer; and no sooner did he appear to them as they fed their flocks in Shechem, than they determined at once to carry their purpose into execution.

Some feelings, however, of filial duty towards Jacob, or of fraternal affection for Joseph, still lingered within the breasts of Reuben and of Judah, which prompted them to seek means for the preservation of their brother's life. An opportunity of accomplishing their purpose was, in a very remarkable manner, afforded them; for whilst the life of Joseph hung tremulously in the balance, a company of Midianites, by God's over-ruling providence, passed by; and, at the suggestion of Judah, Joseph was drawn out of the pit, and sold to the Midianites or Ishmaelites-themselves the descendants of Abraham, and the offspring of him who persecuted Isaac,-and the company of merchantinen pursued their journey, laden not only with balm and myrrh for Egypt, but also with their more precious freight of Egypt's future governor, and, we may say, of the arbiter of