for the catechetical examination in public of the children under his care, and the ordinary service was dispensed with on those occasions. It was the practice of the minister to inform his congregation, at the morning service, that there would be no regular service in the afternoon, in order that none might be disappointed. But as he also informed them of the reason, the church, on those occasions, was usually crowded; for not only were the ordinary hearers present, but the parents of the children attended to hear how they acquitted themselves. Those examinations were doubtless one reason why the Sabbath-school of the Rev. gentleman attained a very high degree of excellence.

When we consider the great amount of error that prevails in the world, the insidious efforts of the enemies of Christianity, who lie in wait to deceive, and especially to entrap the unwary and the young, the importance of sound catechetical instruction will be strikingly apparent. For the want of this, it cannot be questioned that many who have had but an imperfect Christian training are carried away with every wind of doctrine.

What is learned with attention when young is never afterwards forgotten. How important, then, that the mind in youth should be imbued with sound principles!

It might seem at first an easy task to prepare a suitable Catechism for the young; but it is, in reality, a task which requires the greatest ability, judgment, and care. We are, therefore, gratified that the work under consideration has been executed by one so eminently qualified to do it justice. Within the space of seventy-nine pages we have a simple yet comprehensive epitome of Christian doctrines and Christian duties, supported by Scriptural promises and the high hope of "life eternal." The questions and answers are made plain to the understandings of children, yet so comprehensive that the matured and well-informed Christian might be

profitably employed in exploring, from time to time, the wide field spread out before him. The little work is, in fact, a compendium of the author's larger and more elaborate System of Theology, comprised in his voluminous publications.

Without disparaging any of the other Catechisms which have been prepared by eminent divines, and which have done good service to the cause of truth, this is the Catechism of our choice. We are acquainted with a Christian family, in which are four young ladies, who, in addition to their other accomplishments, not few nor small, have a thorough acquaintance with this little work. Three of them, according to the praiseworthy usage of the Scottish Presbyterians, have nearly gone through the book a second time, and all cheerfully present themselves for continued examination. Almost every answer is fortified by a passage of Scripture, which not only serves to confirm the doctrine taught, but is thus rivetted on the memory, and adds to the rich treasury of divine truth in the mind. Blessed, indeed, are the privileges of children thus taught! How much reason have we to exercise hope of their stability!

It is quite a mistake to limit catechetical instruction to Sundayschools and Bible-classes; and hence we are glad to see that the author of the little work before us has introduced it in the title-page as being designed for families. We should be still more glad to find that it had a place in every family in the kingdom. To aid this object, within our own sphere, we shall not fail to recommend it, and we are assured that each of our preachers might effect much good, and confer lasting benefits on the rising generation, by accelerating its introduction into our schools and families.

A PREACHER.

THE PEARL EDITION OF OUR HYMN BOOK. To the Editor.-My dear SIR,-Admiring as I do our unrivalled collection of hymns (for I know none equal to it), I congratu

late you on presenting a new edition, the most tasteful and beautiful I have yet seen. It is rightly named the Pearl Hymn Book. Though charged only half-a-crown, the type is so distinct and clear, that it may be read with ease by the old as well as the

young, while its portable and convenient size adapt it to the pocket. The mild, placid, and intellectual features of the principal founder of our Connexion, the Rev. Alex. Kilham, in a neat and highly finished engraving, make a fit companion for this gem of a book. We had only four copies sent to our circuit in the Magazine parcel for January, but I recommend you to send in the next parcel a considerable supply, as it is certain that a large number of copies will be wanted. ZETA.

Pallissy, the Huguenot Potter. A true

tale. By C. L. Brightwell. London: The Religious Tract Society. THE history of Pallissy has a twofold interest, as a man of practical science, struggling with poverty and adversity, while pursuing his discoveries and skilful manipulations in the plastic art; and as a faithful witness and martyr to the truth in an age of sanguinary persecution. His proficiency as a scientific potter has given him a just celebrity in the annals of his art, and his patient endurance and fidelity as a Christian confessor have enrolled him amongst the sainted worthies who have honoured and sustained the cause of Christ against the demon of Papal intolerance. The work is written in a truly Christian spirit, and in an easy attractive style; the book will doubtless command a wide circulation, and is worthy of it. A table of contents or an index would, however, be a valuable addition to the work, which we hope will be supplied in the next edition.

The Apocalypse unveiled. An analysis,

a harmony, a brief exposition, and a practical improvement of the visions contained in the Book of Revelation. By the late Rev. James Young. London: Partridge and Co. To do justice to a volume on the Book of Revelation, would require at least one full week, not only to read the book, but carefully to examine and

analyze its reasoning. This time we cannot command at present. But, so far as we have had opportunity to examine the volume, we are prepared to say that it appears to have been written with studious and religious care. It exhibits much sobriety of judgment, and a chastened deference to scripture authority, and evangelical truth; and is well worthy of the serious study of the Christian Ministry, and of intelligent Christians generally.

Memoir of the Indian Chaplain, the Rev. Charles Church, M.A., of the Madras establishment of the East India Company. By the Rev. James Hough, M.A. London: The Religious Tract Society.

THE subject of this memoir was a pious minister of the Establishment. Candour and uprightness distinguished his character, but he had sustained his position as a minister for some period before he knew experimentally the great essential change. From this period his course was as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. In 1816 he was appointed to a chaplaincy under the East India Company; and though his career was brief, it was distinguished by zeal, devotedness, and useful labour. His sun set while it was yet day, but his end was peace. The memoir cannot fail to promote evangelical religion.

How Men are Made. By William Landels, Minister of Regent's Park Chapel. Second thousand. London: Heaton and Son.

MANY manly thoughts delivered in a manly style, and well adapted to make a young man manly, especially if to the many excellent counsels given he add personal religion, which makes men to be men in the highest sense, by changing the human into the divinetransforming the soul into God's image.

Glimpses of Both Worlds; or, the

Whole Family of Heaven and Earth. By John Harvey. London: Ward and Co.

THIS little book is offered with humble pretensions, but is well written; it treats on many interesting topics, and may be read with profit both by old and young. The style is lively, and while truths and duties are enforced by Divine authority, they are illustrated by many impressive facts and anecdotes.

Grandpapa's Missionary Stories for the Young. London: John Snow. THESE stories are from the pen of an old Missionary, derived partly from his own experience, and partly from others. They are related with great simplicity, and are well adapted to interest the young man, and excite zeal in the Missionary cause.

Footsteps of War. A Poem in Five Cantos. Written at Scutari. Lon-. don: Ward and Co.

THIS poem contains reflections on war, both ancient and modern, and it appears to have been suggested to the author while walking over the ruins of Sebastopol, and contemplating the horrid scenes which had just been enacted there.

On the Loss of Teeth, and on the best means of restoring them. By Thomas Howard, Surgeon Dentist. London: Simpkin and Marshall.

MR. HOWARD's long experience and extensive practice as a dentist enable him to speak with authority on the subject of his profession, and entitle his opinion to the highest respect. The book contains many valuable suggestions.

The Leisure Hour and Sunday at Home, for January 1859. London: The Religious Tract Society. STILL full of interesting and profitable instruction, promotive of pure morality, domestic happiness, and true religion.

A TRAVELLER through a dusty road
Strewed acorns on the lea,
And one took root, and sprouted up,
And grew into a tree.

Love sought its shade at evening time,
To breathe its early vows;

And age was pleased, in heats of noon,
To bask beneath its boughs;
The dormouse loved its dangling twigs,
The birds sweet music bore;
It stood a glory in its place,
A blessing evermore!

A little spring had lost its way
Among the grass and fern:
A passing stranger scooped a well,
Where weary men might turn.
He walled it in, and hung with care
A ladle at the brink:

He thought not of the deed he did,
But judged that toil might drink.
He passed again-and lo! the well,
By summers never dried,

Had cooled ten thousand parching tongues,
And saved a life beside!

DEATH OF THE REV. C. S. MOORE, OF STAFFORD.-It is our painful duty to record that we have just received from the Rev. Robert Henshaw the mournful intelligence of the death of our beloved young friend and promising minister, the Rev. C. S. Moore. He died on the 21st of January, of the small pox, after a few days' illness. It is only a few weeks since he met us at the Stoke station, when he seemed quite full of health, and all alive to the importance of his ministerial duties and responsibilities. Our friends will

A dreamer dropped a random thought:
'Twas old, and yet was new-
A simple fancy of the brain,
But strong in being true;
It shone upon a genial mind,
And lo! its light became
A lamp of life, a beacon ray,
A monitory flame.

The thought was small-its issue great;
A watchfire on the hill,

It sheds its radiance far adown,
And cheers the valley still.

A nameless man, amid a crowd
That thronged the daily mart,
Let fall a word of Hope and Love,
Unstudied from the heart;

A whisper on the tumult thrown-
A transitory breath-

It raised a brother from the dust,
It saved a soul from death.

O germ! O fount! O word of Love!
O thought at random cast!
Ye were but little at the first,
But mighty at the last!

read with mournful interest a beautiful memoir from his pen in the present Magazine; and in our next number we shall introduce a discourse from him on "Pure Religion." Little did we think when we received it from him that the writer would so soon be in the world of spirits. This is another loud call to us all, ministers and people, to be always ready for the great and solemn change. We hope a memoir of this interesting and promising young minister will be prepared for the Magazine.