many of the donors as he has been enabled to procure. Fac-similes of the signatures of ministers and laymen who were prominent in that day are also given, with brief biographical sketches. Some of the items found in this old book and copied into the volume before us are curious. As, for instance:

1790, March 1. Cash paid for a ticket in the lottery, two pounds.

Did the trustees of the Methodist Church, asks Mr. Wakeley, purchase a lottery ticket? Certainly. Here is the record. What would be thought of an official board who would do it now? They would be execrated; they would be thought sinners above all that dwell in Gotham. Selling lottery tickets, which is now prohibited by law, was not only legalized at the time, but considered an honorable business. Men of the greatest respectability were then engaged in the sale of tickets, and others in purchasing them. And so honorable was it considered, that a number of lotteries were drawn to aid in the erection of houses of worship. They seemed to think it right to take the devil's water to turn the Lord's mill. Who would like the responsibility of hoisting the gate?

"But I would have suppressed this item," says one. Why? "Its publication will disgrace the memory of our fathers." I think not, and therefore have transcribed it for three brief reasons.

First. It is a part of the history. It is on record, written for succeeding generations. Secondly. It shows the honesty of our fathers in keeping a faithful record of all their proceedings. Thirdly. It shows the character of the times in which they lived, and the great change in the sentiments of the people since that period. What was considered honorable and lawful then, would be dishonorable and criminal now. Whether they drew a blank or a prize we are not told; probably the former, inasmuch as there are generally more blanks than prizes. This was an experiment;

and as we hear no more of it, I think they did not succeed, and concluded there was a better way to raise material aid. This is the first and the last mention of lottery tickets in the "old book."

But "the trustees".did a worse thing than the purchase of a lottery ticket. They bought a man, a brother in Christ:

1783, June 10. Paid Mr. Aymar for his negro Peter... ..£40 0 0

Peter was their sexton, and they allowed him to refund the money out of his earnings, which he did in less than two years and a half. The trustees, however, did not give him his emancipation paper, which is copied at length by Mr. Wakeley, until thirteen years afterward. Our author says:

It is somewhat strange the trustees should not have emancipated Peter until thirteen years had passed away, when he had paid for himself in two years. We can account for it only in this way, that as Peter had paid for himself, and the fact was so stated on the trustees' book, they thought it was sufficiently understood that he was his own free man, and they carelessly deferred giving him his emancipation paper. Peter preserved it during his lifetime, as if more valuable to him than gold or diamonds; and it is carefully preserved by his descendants still, as a most precious relic, showing that though their venerated friend was once a slave he lived and died his own FREE MAN.

Many other interesting facts in the early history of Methodism are brought out, and several disputed and hitherto doubtful points are settled by the painstaking researches of the author. His volume is also embellished by engraved portraits of himself, of Peter Williams, the manumitted sexton referred to, and of Captain Webb, the military preacher. Illustrations of various "preaching places"-the old rigging loft, the old John Street Church, Barrat's Chapel, and views of several modern

churches, enhance the value of the book, which will be read with great interest by Methodists of the present day, and furnish reliable materials for the future historian.

The Pulpit and the Pew is the title of a duodecimo volume, sharp and satirical in its style, and we should have thought purely fictitious, but for the author's declaration to the contrary. He assures his readers that the book "is a genuine outgrowth from the rugged soil of reality. Fancy has not framed a line, nor has imagination supplied a link; but it is an unexaggerated transcript of stern experience. Its warp and woof are from the raw material of fact, without even a thread or an edging of fiction. Nor are any of the characters, or incidents, or circumstances invented." The hero of the book, we suppose the author himself, is the pastor of a Congregational Church; and "the Pulpit and the Pew" is a record of hostilities, long and severe, between himself and his people. The pulpit is finally victorious, and the pastor, having gained the day, returns to his home joyously singing:

Darkness in the Flowery Land is a well-written volume on the religious notions and popular superstitions of the Chinese, from the pen of the Rev. M. SIMPSON CULBERTSON, a Presbyterian missionary at Shanghae. Much interesting, and some painfully amusing information is given of the religious rites and observances of "the Celestials." The difficulties in the way of Christian missionaries are set forth, and practical observations are made as to the best mode of obviating or lessening them. The work will be specially valuable to those who may devote themselves to the work of carrying the Gospel to that people. A superstition of our own, one that we supposed to have originated in this land, of light seems to prevail there, although the Chinese have not yet carried it to the absurd height which it has reached in this country. Mr. Culbertson says:

Table-turning and spiritual manifestations are not unknown in China. In this, as in many other things, they are in advance of the practitioners among ourselves. The mode of carrying on this operation is somewhat different from that in vogue in the United States. The table is turned upside down, upon a pair of chopsticks, laid at right angles over the mouth of a mortar or bowl, filled with water. Four persons lay one hand upon cach leg of the table, while the other clasps the free hand of one of the four, and thus the circle is completed. An incantation is now chanted by the "medium," and soon the table begins to move. The "circle" move with it, and in a minute it is whirling violently upon its axis, until it is thrown violently off its balance, and falls upon the floor. The motion of the table is universally attributed to supernatural agency, but it seems not to have been used as a means of communication with the spiritual world.

European Acquaintance: being Sketches of People in Europe. By J. W. DE FORREST. Our author confines himself to descriptions of men and things as he found them in some parts of

Europe, more especially in Grafenberg, whither he went in search of health as well as recreation, and made experiments at the celebrated water-cure establishment. Some of his descriptions are droll, and the comic vein appears to pervade the entire volume. (Harper & Brothers.)

An appropriate present for the afflicted and bereaved, entitled The Bow in the Cloud, from the pen of Rev. J. R. MACDUFF, has been republished from the English edition by the Messrs. Carter. It belongs to a class of books which will always find readers; for the sons and daughters of sorrow are numerous, and there is, for them, no consolation like that which is here presented, as derived from the lessons of Divine inspiration.

Gathered Lilies; or, Little Children in Heaven. A well-written and neatly printed little volume, founded upon the passage in the Song of Solomon, "My beloved has gone into his garden to gather lilies;" admirably adapted to comfort parents who mourn for lilies transplanted into a richer soil. (Gould & Lincoln.)

Debit and Credit is a translation from the German of Gustav Freytag, a novel highly commended in an introductory notice by the Chevalier Bunsen, who considers it "not less of national importance than as a testimony to the dignity and high importance" of the mercantile classes of the community. It is a readable and instructive delineation of some phases of German life, and the story, without much originality in the invention, is gracefully told.

The World of Mind. An Elementary Book. By ISAAC TAYLOR, author of "Wesley and Methodism." Mr. Taylor's reputation, happily for him, does not rest on his "Wesley and Methodism." There he found himself at sea,

and was nearly wrecked. It was, however, his misfortune, rather than his fault, that he did not understand the man or the system which he undertook to describe and to analyze. In the present work he is more at home, and proves himself to be a painstaking writer, as well as a patient and untrammeled thinker. Some of his positions will be questioned, but the student will derive valuable instruction from his pages. The key-note to the volume is indicated in the sentiment: "A philosophy of human nature can have no coherence until it embraces the first principles of a true theology, and by this we can intend nothing else than a Christian theology. (Harpers.)

THE FARM.-The month of April used to be a busy one on the farm, but the last few years have produced many modifications. Plowing, planting early potatoes, and work of that kind, have, perforce, been pushed into May; and the present year will, to all appearance, prove no exception to the new rule. Notwithstanding, we advise our readers to have their manure carted up to the field, their potatoes and seed of various kinds duly prepared, their implements in the best of trim, in order that they may take advantage of fair weather when it does come, and push their spring work through with the least possible delay. Sow barley and oats early, and plant potatoes as soon as the frost is out of the ground. Roll and plaster meadows, and clear off all stones. Look well after your stock, and see that they want for nothing which may add to their well-being or their usefulness on the farm: If hot-beds were made

The Sunday-school editor is indefatigable in his great work of preparing books for juvenile reading; and it is admitted, on all hands, that there is a decided improvement in the character and quality of the publications which pass under his supervision. Original works and carefully prepared compilations are taking the place of mere reprints from English books, which, however well adapted to those for whom they were written, are not always the most suitable for children in our own American Sunday schools. The latest volume for the Youth's Library is numbered six hundred and fortysix, and is called The Story Book: an Album of Storics, Poems, and Anecdotes. Just such a book. as cannot fail to be popular, it is one that admirably blends instruction and amusement.

Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This beautiful lithographic engraving can be had at any of the Methodist book depositories, or may be ordered direct from the publisher, F. Rand, 36 Washington-st., Boston. It will be carefully done up on a roller, and sent by mail, unless otherwise directed, free of postage. Price one dollar and fifty cents, with one third discount to clergymen and wholesale purchasers.

as directed last month, the young plants will be coming on now, and fresh air should be admitted during the middle of mild, pleasant days; it will gradually harden the plants, and make them stocky and strong. Half-hardy flower seed may be sown in hot-beds, and also such hardy kinds as may be wanted for early bloom. Bring out Dahlia roots as they begin to grow. Uncover such plants as have been protected during the winter, and prune all shrubs and other plants that may need it. Prepare for sowing all kinds of seeds; level such pieces of ground as have lain in ridges during the winter, and begin digging as soon as the frost is out of the ground.

POTATOES, EARLY PLANTING.-Last fall, our readers may remember, we took occasion to express our conviction that early planting was one of the best precautions which could be taken

against the rot; indeed, it is the only precaution of the least value, so far as our experience goes. We deem the subject of so much importance, that we repeat the injunction, plant early. In regard to the best kinds, we would name the Washington, Peach Blow, and Prince Albert, as being very fair and productive varieties, and far less subject to the rot than the Mercer and some others. For an early potato we would name the Dykeman: it is early, good, and productive. The best soil for the potato, in our opinion, is a well-drained, dry sandy or gravelly loam; if planted on a sod, so much the better, but use no manure except good old, well-rotted barn-yard manure; above all, eschew guano; have nothing to do with it. Not standing in awe of some individuals we wot of, we do not fear to say that the use and abuse of guano have been an evil to the agricultural interests of this country, much greater than any benefit that has been derived from it. The reasons for this belief we may put upon record some other time; for the present we say, use well-rotted barn-yard manure for your potatoes, and mix it well with the soil. We would say still further in the way of advice, plant in drills, and pursue flat culture. A drill may be made six inches deep with a light double-mold board plow; the set may at first be covered about three inches; subsequent culture with the cultivator will level the soil about right. This is not only a better mode than hilling or drawing the earth to the plants, but it is less laborious. Where the practice has been adopted its manifest advantages have been fully admitted. It is a matter of pride with us, that for many years we have strenuously advocated flat culture; and in this respect we think we have been instrumental in accomplishing some good.

SELECT LIST OF FRUIT.-In our last two numbers, we gave select lists of Apples and Pears. In the present number we purpose giving a further list. Those who purpose planting will be greatly aided by having before them a valuable list of choice fruits; and frequent requests to prepare such a list make us aware how much it is desired. We would add a caution to such as purpose growing fruit for market, not to grow too many varieties of the same kind; this caution is particularly needed where the quantity of fruit grown is small. As the season for planting is near at hand, we purpose making the list comparatively complete in the present number.

Peaches: Large Early York, Bergen's Yellow, Cooledge's Favorite, Crawford's Early, Crawford's Late, Early York, George IV., Grosse Migonne, Morris White, Oldmixon Free, Oldmixon Cling, Double Montagne, Early Sweet Water, Heath Cling. We would also add here. Carpenter's Large White, which we have had opportunities of testing fully during the past four years. We are glad to know that this splendid peach will be sent out during the coming season.

reau, Napoleon Bigarreau, Belle Magnifique, Coe's Transparent, Black Eagle, Downer's Late, May Duke, Reine Hortense, Elton, Belle d'Orleans, Governor Wood, Early Purple Guigne, Hovey.

Apricots: Breda, Moorpark, Large Early, Early Golden.

Nectarines: Elruge, Downton, Early Violet. Grapes: Isabella, Catawba, Diana, Rebecca, Delaware, Concord. There are other promising varieties, but they have not been sufficiently tested. The Catawba is very uncertain even in the eastern part of New York; south of New York it will do well.

Gooseberries: Houghton's Seedling is an American variety, and though small, it is very desirable, owing to its freedom from mildew. To this may be added almost any of the foreign varieties, such as Crown Bob, Whitesmith Red Champagne, Warrington, Ironm nger.

Currants: Red Dutch, White Dutch, Cherry, White Grape, Victoria, Prince Albert, Longbunched Red, Attractor. Of the black, Bang Up, and Black Naples.

Blackberries: Dorchester, New Rochelle, Newman's Thornless.

Raspberries: Red Antwerp, Yellow Antwerp, Brinckle's Orange, Franconia, Fastolff.

Strawberries: Longworth's Prolific, Hovey's Seedling, Wilson's or Albany Seedling, Trollope's Victoria, M'Avoy's Superior, Hooker's Seedling, Boston Pine, Walker's Seedling, Burr's New Pine, Jenny Lind, Brighton Pine. Others might be added, but the above will do for the present.

The above list embraces the choicest varieties of fruit known in this country. Others might be added, but the lists are sufficiently large for all practical purposes. In conclusion we say again, as we do whenever an opportunity presents itself, plant fruit-trees.

GRAFTING CHERRY-TREES.-Many complain of want of success in grafting the cherry. The operation is very generally performed under unpropitious circumstances, such as great disparity of size between the stock and scion, unfavorable weather, etc.; but we suspect a large number of failures is owing to the lateness at which the operation is performed. The cherry should be grafted earlier than any other fruit we have, in order to secure the greatest success. The scions should be taken off in February or March, and grafting performed before the sap begins to circulate, or before the frost is out of the ground. Graft early, and use due care in making clean cuts, using none but sharp instruments, and a reasonable amount of success will attend the operation. We are sustained in this opinion by Dr. Kirtland of Cincinnati, than whom there is no better authority on the subject of cherries. There is a modified mode of budding which may be performed in the spring, but we have no hope of making it understood without the aid of a drawing, and so pass it by for the present.