be the faith, “were tortured, not accepting deliverance ... had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings; yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment.” The result is a record of the most fascinating kind, which has led many astray, and which requires singular sobriety of judgment to distinguish what really were the teachings of the Spirit of God from the “oppositions of science falsely so called," and to give due honour to devoted servants of Christ without being misled by them in points where they would be false guides, and would lead us into error. In the opening of his volume Dr. de Pressensé treats of the expansion of Christian missions ; and, in a rapid but effective sketch, describes the agency by which Christianity was propagated in the second and third centuries. We are sometimes told that missionary operations, to be effective, require an organized agency; there must be a Bishop sent forth at the head of a staff of Presbyters, and to them the work is to be committed ; and all other effort is looked upon as irregular and of doubtful efficacy. Our author asserts, that the propagation of the Gospel was not done through any fixed agency; for the simple reason, that the whole Church was a Missionary Society. Origen was not a Bishop when he was delegated by the Church of Alexandria to carry the Gospel into Arabia, nor was Pantænus a Bishop when he preached in India. Wherever a Christian set his foot, there he planted the Cross, and gathered round him the nucleus of a Church. Celsus writes, “Many of the Christians, without any special calling, watch for all opportunities, and boldly, within and without the temples, proclaim their faith ; they find their way into the cities and the armies, and there, having called the people together, harangue them with fanatical gestures.” It was by one such obscure old man that "Justin Martyr was given to the Church. Christian captives of exemplary lives, and whose virtues disarmed hostility, introduced the religion of Jesus Christ into Germany.” After being instructed by them, the Germans received holy baptism, and took their place in the Church of Christ. Dr. de Pressensé asserts, that it is impossible to vouch for the authenticity of a single one of the innumerable details given in the “ Acts of the Martyrs” about these missions; but he adds, that the success of them is beyond dispute. The difficult position of a Christian in the midst of Paganism, the trials and temptations which hourly beset him, and exposed him to danger, and drew down upon him persecution, have been often dwelt upon; but a vivid account of them is furnished by our author, which will be read with interest even by those with whom the subject is familiar. Upon the persecution of the Christians under Marcus Aurelius, Dr. de Pressensé makes the following just remarks, which contrast favourably with idle speculations recently promulgated upon the Stoical system. “Stoicism and Christianity," he says, “were necessarily and inevitably antagonistic. ... The Stoical school, the refuge of souls who mistook pride for greatness, pretended to be the restorer of the ancient world. It encountered in its path a despised sect, which, while enwrapping itself, as it seemed, in the mantle of Stoicism, and uttering maxims no less austere, succeeded where Stoicism had failed, and robbed it of its influence. The worsi Dz. * Passese's bort erosos cske ches ofine TES -:e7en feseor cien c es Hisabe jun 2015 S risissezzini 4!! to use :: b e Eres : base ea's secten of Crta i ns bocks & OST sjedi soi issible CHET e Tes of these des sice carenze ILI ato de Estudios de arbeide to cazze to Witze beideteniibeirersesse Liedbock there is a wel daw s32 : be tart es asi o assiled Christiarity, 47 as Land Cesas, P. 3 , Pop , aci otters, wica w be reais interest: and be ecoolades tis rolame with a OITE . Erg desertion of the apc! its of Chrisianity. We a. t erase to pissarreres: Wiit at the views en ancisted by Dz. de Presser sé tirob : this lume: bat it usgaestionably contains Lacb that is va'zbe; and with this qualised commendation, which we fuel it a day to prefer, we dismiss it to the favouralie consideration of jokias readers, to whom it will prove, we thirk, interesting and serviceale. The D-1A of Trisc::n Wris in the Sytering and the Sorrieful, wlected from the Writ of the Rer. W. B. Jackenzie, J.A. London: Seriens. 1871.-We hare given the title of this little book in full. The author was so well known, and so much honoured and beloved, that it seems needless to do more than state the nature of the pablication. Those who are familiar with Mr. Mackenzie's writings will, no doubt, recognise passages which they have found full of comfort and profit, and may be glad to have them in a convenient form for their own benefit and that of others. PUBLIC AFFAJRS. WHATEVER interest attaches to public affairs during the past month is to be sought for principally in events occurring abroad. It is not, however, possible even from them to extract much calculated to arrest attention, although many events fraught with importance to various nations have no doubt occurred. .In France there have been elections to the Conseils Généraux, which have resulted in the return of candidates who will probably uphold the provisional government of M. Thiers. The abstention of voters, which has invalidated one third of the elections, is a fresh evidence of the unfitness of the French people for any phase of constitutional government. Much of this may be attributable to ignorance, but much also to lack of feelings of true patriotism. When the pressure of the new taxations entailed by the war begins to be felt, we fear there will be much occasion for serious apprehension as to the future, and that fresh political disturbances will arise, adding to the misfortunes of this unhappy country, which seems not only to have forsaken God, but to have been delivered up by Him to the foolishness of its own counsels. Rumours of Bonapartist intrigues have been rife, but the ex-Emperor professes to discountenance them; and, for the present at any rate, M. Thiers seems likely to be left to discharge the wellnigh impracticable task which he has prescribed to himself. In Austria we notice internal complications, fostered by Ultramontane fanaticism, which may yet be destructive of the unity of that great empire. Bohemia, like Ireland, is agitating for Home Rule; and although, in the latter country, the priesthood profess indifference upon the question, yet probably the same sinister influences are stirring up agitation in both countries, ostensibly for political objects, but in reality for their own aggrandisement. In Spain there has been a ministerial crisis, and the liberal ministry, presided over by Senor Zorilla, has resigned. They have been replaced by a fresh cabinet, of which a Senor Sagasta, the new President of the Cortes, is Premier. The chief public interest, however, arises from the news from America. There has been a fearful conflagration at Chicago, which has consumed “the heart of the city.” It is said that the district burnt covers nearly nine square miles. The money loss is estimated at 800,000,000 dollars. Much public sympathy has been evoked in England; and an opportunity has been afforded of evincing that, notwithstanding much political jealousy, much substantial kindness exists between the two great countries, England and America. There has been a foolish and wicked attempt made by Fenians on the Red River settlement, but the disturbance has been quelled by the promptness and energy of the American authorities. Much attention is still concentrated on the revelations of gigantic frauds in New York. We trust that the exposure of these shameless swindlers, who have in two or three years embezzled two millions sterling, while professing to administer the municipal affairs of New York, res prove & salstars caution to the wild theorists who road transer in our own country all power into the hands of the populace. Te potice with satisfaction that active measures are being taken to scopress the worst features of Mormonism, and that Brgsam Yoarg and his accomplices are being indicted for po'sgany. The settlement of the Alabama claims is progressieg. A Conception bas been held of the American Episoopal Charch at Ba.timore, which has been attended by the Bishop of Lichfeld, Dean Howson, &c. It is chiefly noticeable for a series of recommendations by the House of Bishops that there should be legislation prohibiting nearly all the illegal practices in which Ritualists indulge in this country. The recommendations of the Bishops are to be considered. At home, there has been more talk than work, in which Mr. Gladstone and some of the Ministers have had a principal share. As we write, a Cabinet Council is sitting, which indicates the approach of a coming Session, which will, we trust, prove more productive of public benefit than the last has, by general con. sent, been held to have been. In Newcastle there has been a formidable strike, which seems, however, to be satisfactorily adjusted. The substantial victory is with the men, but their demands were not extravagantly unreasonable ; and we hope good sense and good feeling will induce them to fulfil their share of the compact faithfully and fully. Mach mischievous agitation is still fomented by the Birmingham Education League. It was natural that they should feel sore at the crushing defeat which their speculations had met with through. out the country; but we sincerely deprecate the continued prolongation of strife discreditable to the promoters of it. The report made by the Captain of the Megæra of the state in which his ship was sent to sea will, we trust, not be lost sight of when Parliament meets. Congresses of all sorts have been held throughout the country. One, a Church Congress, met at Nottingham, under the presi. dency of the Bishop of Lincoln. A correspondence between tbe Earl of Shaftesbury and the Bishop of Salisbury has been published in the newspapers, which deserves passing notice. Of more importance are the recommendations which the Archbishop of Canterbury has suggested for ecclesiastical legislation during the coming Session. Among notabilities who have passed away, are Sir John Burgoyne, Sir Roderick Marchison, and Mr. Babbage. MARTHA, MARY, AND THEIR BROTHER. AFTER the resurrection of Lazarus, our Lord withdrew Himself from the malicious attempts of the Pharisees, and retired to a “city called Ephraim," situated in “the country near to the wilderness." There He remained, with the intention probably of collecting and recruiting His energies; and, when the appointed days had expired, quitted the place of concealment to enter upon His last momentous journey to the Holy City. His first halting-place (it appears) was Jericho, where He healed the blind Bartimæus and his companion, and afterwards illustrated the purpose for which He Himself had come into the world by the conversion of the tax-gatherer, Zacchæus. Thence he passed on, toiling up the precipitous road, to the little village of Bethany, arriving there on the Friday evening, shortly before the commencement of the day of rest. And it is likely enough that He hoped to spend amongst His friends in that locality one calm Sabbath more before His entry into Jerusalem, and the exciting events which were so rapidly to follow. His arrival in the village created an unusual commotion. The inhabitants welcomed Him with the most lively demonstrations of gratitude and joy, and prepared an entertainment, the management of which devolved upon the active and energetic Martha. It is difficult to decide positively whether this “supper," or feast, was held on the evening of the Friday on which our Saviour arrived at Bethany, or on the following day. But there can be no manner of question that the occasion itself was one of a most remarkable character. With little effort of the imagination we picture to ourselves the Saviour reclining by the side of Simon the leper-Simon, i.e., who had been a leper, but who had doubtless been cleansed by Christ Himself ; whilst on the other side of the Divine guest we observe the Vol. 70.-No. 408. 6 U |