us with a rich variety of aliments, distributed, not with a niggardly and a sparing hand, but with a luxuriant profusion, suited to the tastes of every sentient being, and to the circumstances of the inhabitants of every clime. He has not confined his bounty merely to the relief of our necessities, by confining us to the use of a few tasteless herbs and roots, but has covered the surface of the earth with an admirable profusion of plants, herbs, grains, and delicious fruits of a thousand different qualities and tastes, which contribute to the sensitive enjoyment and comfort of man. In almost every region of the earth, corn is to be found, in the valleys surrounded by the snowy mountains of the North, as well as in the verdant plains of the Torrid Zone. In warm regions, cool and delcious fruits are provided for the refreshment of the inhabitants, and the trees are covered with luxuriant foliage to screen them from the intensity of the solar heat. Every season presents us with a variety of fruits peculiar to itself, distributed by the munificent hand of the "Giver of all good." And although we are indebted chiefly to summer and autumn for these rich presents, yet, by the assistance of human art, we can preserve and enjoy the greater part during winter and spring. The soil which produces these dainties has never yet lost its fertility, though it has brought forth the harvests of six thousand years, but still repays our labour with its annual treasures ;and, were selfish man animated with the same liberal and generous views as his munificent Creator, every individual of the human family would be plentifully supplied with a share of these rich and delicious bounties of nature. In fine, the happiness of man appears to be the object of the Divine care every returning season, every moment, by day and by night. By day, He cheers us with the enlivening beams of the sun, which unfold to us the beauty and the verdure of the fields; and, lest the constant efflux of his light and heat should enfeeble our bodies, and wither the tender herbs, he commands the clouds to interpose, as so many magnificent screens, to ward off the intensity of the solar rays. When the earth is drained of its moisture, and parched with heat, he bids the clouds condense their watery treasures, and fly from other regions on the wings of the wind, to pour their waters upon the fields, not in overwhelming and destructive torrents, but in small drops and gentle showers, to refresh the thirsty soil, and revive the vegetable tribes. He has spread under our feet a carpet of lovely green, richer than all the productions of the Persian loom, and has thrown around our habitation an azure canopy, which directs our view to the distant regions of infinite space.-By night, He draws a veil of darkness over the mountains and the plains, that we may be enabled to penetrate to the regions of distant worlds, and behold the moon walking in brightness, the aspects of the planetary globes, the long trains of comets, and the innumerable host of stars. At this season, too, all nature is still, that we may enjoy in quiet the refreshments of sleep, to invigorate our mental and corporeal powers. "As a mother stills every little noise that her infant be not disturbed as she draws the curtains around its bed, and shuts out the light from its tender eyes: so God draws the curtains of darkness around us, so he makes all things to be hushed and still, that his large family may sleep in peace." In a word, if we look around to the forests, which cover the mountains, or if we look downwards to the quarries and mines in the bowels of the earth, we behold abundance of materials for constructing our habitations, for embellishing the abodes of civilised life, and for carrying forward improvements in the arts and sciences. And, if we consider the surrounding atmosphere, we shall find it to contain the principle of life and the element of fire, by means of which our winter evenings are cheered and illuminated in the absence of the sun. * * * * Of all the thousands of adaptations which Infinite Wisdom has contrived, there is not one but what has for its object the communication of pleasure to the sentient being in which it is found.-If a number of small muscles are connected with the eye, it is for the purpose of rendering that organ susceptible of a quick and easy motion in every direction, to meet every exigence. If the arteries are furnished with numerous valves, opening only in one direction, it is intended to prevent the blood from returning by a wrong course, and endangering the whole structure of the animal machine. If a joint is formed to move only in one direction, as the joints of the fingers, it is intended to prevent those inconveniences which would inevitably have been felt, had it been capable of moving in every direction. If another kind of joint is constructed so as to move in every direction, it is intended to enable us to perform, with facility, those movements and operations which would otherwise have been either impossible, or have been attended with the greatest inconvenience and pain.-There are certain parts connected with the human frame, whose precise use cannot be accurately determined, but this is owing to our limited knowledge of the various functions which are requisite to be performed in this complicated machine. In no instance whatever can it be shown that the infliction of pain is the object of any one part or function of whose use we are uncertain ;-and it is conformable to the dictates of the soundest reason to conclude, that, since every part, whose use we can ascertain, is adapted to communicate pleasure, every other part, throughout every branch of the animal system, is calculated to produce a similar effect. It is true, indeed, that pain is frequently felt in the different members which compose our corporeal system; but this is not owing to its original construction, but to the derangement which its parts receive, either from internal disease or from external violence; and such consequences are the effects, either of the folly of man, in exposing his body to danger, or in using its members for improper purposes,or of the physical changes which have happened in the system of nature since man was created,-or of those depraved and immoral passions which so frequently agitate and convulse his corporeal frame. Let us now endeavour, if we can, to sum up a few of the blessings which we enjoy from these wise arrangements of our Beneficent Creator. In our bodies there are reckoned 245 bones, every one of them having forty distinct scopes or intentions, and 446 muscles for the purpose of motion, each having at least ten several intentions. All these are ready every moment to perform their functions; and every breath we draw, whether we be in motion or at rest, asleep or awake, a hundred muscles at least are in constant action. In the act of breathing, we respire at least twenty times every minute; the heart exerts its muscular force in propelling the blood into the arteries sixty times every minute; the stomach and abdominal muscles are every moment in action, and the curious little bones of the ear are ever ready to convey sensations of the softest whisper to the brain. So that, without an hyperbole, or the least extravagance of expression, it may truly and literally be said, that we enjoy a thousand blessings every minute. For if any one of these numerous functions were to stop, or to be interrupted, pain, and even death itself might be induced. Let us ask the man who is gasping for breath, under an incurable asthma, or him who is smarting under the pain of a toothache, or him who has wounded a nerve, an artery, or a vein, or him who has dislocated his shoulderblade, if he would not consider it as a peculiar blessing to have the functions of nature restored to their original action ? And if one member out of joint, or one function out of order, produces so much pain and uneasiness, how grateful ought we to feel for the thousands of blessings we enjoy every moment, while the wheels of the animal machine are moving on with smoothness and harmony! If we consider the number of years during which these blessings have been continued, if we consider the mercies received in childhood, which have been long overlooked or forgotten,-if we count the many nights which we have passed in sound repose, and the many days we have enjoyed without bodily pain,-if we reflect on the numerous objects of sublimity and beauty with which our eyes have been delighted, the numerous sounds which have charmed our ears and cheered our hearts, and the numerous gratifications which our other senses have received, if we consider how often food has been provided and administered for the nourishment of our bodies, and from how many visible and invisible dangers we have been delivered-and, if we view these countless blessings as proceeding every moment from Him, "whose hands have made and fashioned us," and who "breathed into our nostrils the breath of life," can we forbear to recognise our Almighty Benefactor as worthy of our supreme affection and our most lively gratitude! "For me, when I forget the darling theme, Be my tongue mute, my fancy paint no more, In expounding the moral principle of love to mankind, Dr. Dick has made many valuable remarks on the natural equality of mankind, their connections, relations, and ultimate destiny. He then exhibits the mischievous effects which would result from the universal prevalence of malevolence, and interestingly sketches the benefits which would accrue from the full operation of the principle of love. He shows that love is the universal principle of moral order, and that it must constitute the religion of the universe, as uniting its subjects to each other and to God, and qualifying them for the practice of all benevolent and virtuous affections, and for the enjoyment of the highest possible happiness. With very Dr. Dick then brings under review the commands and prohibitions of the moral law, as contained in the ten commandments. considerable ability he unfolds the principles contained in each of them, and proves that they are of perpetual obligation, and are admirably adapted to regulate the conduct and promote the happiness of mankind. He thus, as a consequence, demonstrates that the law given in the holy Scriptures proceeded from God, our Creator, because it agrees with the constitution of man, and with his physical, social, mental, and moral relations; which relations are the results of Divine arrangements. The latter part of the volume gives a truthful and most deeply affecting representation of the moral state of the world, as manifested by facts recorded in ancient and modern history. The horrible atrocities arising from the murderous warring propensities of mankind; the sensuality and malevolence of savages; the defective state of morals in civilized lands; and the inconsistencies of large masses of professing Christians are faithfully represented. The facts which are thus brought under consideration, afford a most melancholy, but decisive proof of the depraved nature of man; and of the astonishing forbearance of God, whose eye beholds all the iniquities committed by his rebellious creatures. They are of so mournful a character as to be likely to produce most melancholy sensations in reflective minds. Thank God, there are some rays of light which shine upon our darkened world; and the Word of God affords us hope as to the future illumination and renovation of mankind. The all-sufficient and only remedy is that which God has provided, and which is made known by the glorious Gospel of Christ. To possess this remedy, and make it known, should be regarded and attended to as the all-important and unceasing duty of every professed disciple of Jesus Christ. We strongly recommend to the attention of our readers this highly valuable volume. It is a very great advantage to be able to obtain a work, possessing so much intrinsic excellence, at so inconsiderable a price. THE PEOPLE'S POCKET COMMENTARY. The Holy Bible with the most approved Marginal References, and Explanatory Notes, selected from the most distinguished Biblical writers. By the REV. INGRAM COBBIN, M.A. Super royal 18mo. PARTRIDGE and OAKEY. We have here the astonishing fact of, a Bible very neatly bound in cloth, printed, on good paper, from stereotype plates cast from good type, containing nearly 60,000 marginal references, and almost 15,000 explanatory notes, for the trifling cost of three shillings! As the whole is comprised in a volume rather smaller than the Bibles generally used in schools, the notes are necessarily brief; nevertheless, they contain a large amount of important information, explanatory of the sacred text. It is a work which cannot fail to have a very extensive circulation. Its extraordinary cheapness, real excellence, and great utility, to Sabbath-school teachers, and to multitudes of other persons who either cannot afford to purchase a more expensive work, or who wish to carry a useful commentary in their pockets or travelling trunks, must obtain for it a large share of public favour. THE SPIRITUAL OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S DAY. By the REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH. 8vo. 15 pp. PARTRIDGE and OAKEY. THIS tract contains many excellent suggestions as to right employment of the Lord's day; attention to which must be productive of great spiritual profit. The proper observance of the day is stated to require- the putting aside, thereon, of daily business, worldly pleasures, idle conversation, and vain thoughts; endeavouring, specially on this day, to make family and social conversation cheerful and edifying; having our meals simple and plain, so as not to render it needful to absent ourselves, or to detain others, from the worship of God; regularly to attend the services of God's house; to impart religious instruction to our families; to spend some portion of the day in devotional exercises, and reading the Scriptures; imparting religious instruction to the sick, and to the young in Sabbath-schools, and generally to labour for the good of souls. The advantages of such Sabbath observance are described as consisting of peace of mind, God's blessing on our own souls and on those around us; the averting of national judgments, and securing national blessings; and the obtaining a preparedness for the heavenly and eternal Sabbath. HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS, In the Authorised Version. Following the Harmony of the Gospels in Greek. By EDWARD ROBINSON, D.D., LL.Ď. With Explanatory Notes and References to Parallel and Illustrative Passages. 8vo. 203 pp. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. ATTENTIVE readers of the Gospels must perceive, that all the Evangelists do not appear to have strictly followed the chronological order in which the recorded events occurred. About eighty years after the death of the Apostle and Evangelist John, Tatian, a pupil of Justin Martyr, endeavoured to arrange the contents of the four Gospels into a chronological continuous history. This work was, referred to by early Christian writers, but it is not known to have been extant since the fifth century. Subsequently, a great number of works have been published, for the purpose of presenting the facts, recorded by the four Evangelists, in the order in which the authors of those works supposed the facts to have occurred. The different opinions which these works have maintained, prove, that, if it is not impossible, it is, at least, very difficult, to make any arrangement which shall be, in all respects, satisfactory to an inquiring mind. Considerable advantages have, however, been obtained from the attempts which have thus been made; the study of the writings of the Evangelists has been advanced, and considerable light has thereby been thrown on important facts connected with the history of Christ. The investigations of Biblical scholars, from time to time, bring to light new facts and circumstances, which are of great use in correcting mistakes and removing difficulties. Dr. Robinson, whose Greek Harmony has been followed in the work now before us, is a highly distinguished Biblical scholar, in the United States of America, and professor of Biblical literature in a Theological Seminary in New York, he is also the author of a valuable work, entitled, "Biblical Researches in Palestine." Most of the places where the facts recorded in the Gospels occurred, have been visited by Dr. Robinson, who thus acquired valuable information relative to events connected with the evangelic history. The explanatory critical notes, the references, and two maps, one of Palestine and one of Jerusalem, greatly add to the value of this excellent work. THE BENEFIT OF CHRIST'S DEATH; or, The Glorious Riches of God's Free Grace, which every true Believer receives by Jesus Christ, and him Crucified. Originally written in Italian by AONIO PALEARIO. With an Introduction by the REV. JOHN AYRE, M.A. 18mo. 124 pp. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. AONIO PALEARIO, the author of this excellent tractate, was born about the year 1500, at Veroti, in the Campagna di Roma. After residing several years at Rome, he removed to Sienna, where he was appointed to the office of public teacher of Greek and Latin. By diligent study of the Scriptures, and reading works written by the German reformers, he became spiritually enlightened. In 1543, he published his treatise on the "Benefit of Christ's Death." In consequence he was accused of heresy before the senate of Sienna; but after having, with much ability and firmness, defended himself, he was acquitted. He was, however, obliged to leave Sienna, on account of the venomous rage of his persecutors. He then removed to Lucca, and afterwards to Milan. Here he was seized by the inquisition, conveyed to Rome, committed to prison, and after three years' imprisonment, he was sentenced to be suspended on a gibbet, and his body to be burned; some accounts say, that he was burned alive. This work of Paleario, however, had in his life time a very extensive sale, and was translated into several languages. Dr. M'Crie states, that it was translated into English, not later than the year 1577. Although there are in it a few expressions which we deem exceptional, it is a most delightful book; with great clearness, it sets forth Christ as the Saviour, and the glorious benefits which flow to believers from him. We are glad that it has again been reprinted. Such a noble exposition and defence of the doctrine of justification by faith, cannot fail to be acceptable to all who hold this important truth, and will be eminently useful to inquirers. THE JEWISH EXILE; or, Religion Exemplified in the Life and Character of Daniel. By the REV. JOHN KENNEDY, A.M. 18mo. 202 pp. JOHN SNOW. THE author of this interesting work, not long since, removed from Aberdeen to Stepney, near London, in consequence of having received the distinguished honour of an invitation to succeed, in the pastoral office, the late justly celebrated and highly talented, Dr. J. Fletcher. Judging of Mr. Kennedy's attainments and mental capacity from the Jewish Exile, we should |