long familiarity, and a whole stock of information is suddenly thrown into current use, which otherwise might have slept quietly for ages. If we might impute motives of benevolence to this active caterer, the press, we should say that every opportunity of awakened thought was seized eagerly, to pour instruction on that public mind so seldom roused from lethargy.

We observe, moreover, that there is another class of men, at home, who are employed to examine and compare the various items of intelligence, to exhibit them in all their relationships and probable bearings, and to show their connection with the great principles which animate either party in the state. Who that has read any fresh news of importance, does not quickly turn with interest to read the LEADING ARTICLE, where mind is brought to bear upon it? It is one thing to learn the news itself. It is quite another to be set into the way of thinking about it. And the one is of little value without the other. We have also observed how, by this constant process of free comment surrounding every subject as it arises with the clear light of reason and philosophy-scattered facts, which would otherwise have lain unnoticed, are brought forth in close array to enforce appeals, are gathered up into principles, and formed into powerful motives of action.

From all this we could not fail to remark how well furnished the world of business and of policy is with all means and appliances which can minister to its comfort and well-being. When we turned to consider the religious public and their foreign operations of deepest interest, we could not find that they were so well supplied; nor could we discover among them anything to equal in efficiency that well-organized plan by which illustrations are, just at the right time, copiously supplied, and facts are armed, as it were, with their weapons and brought to bear upon the minds and hearts and business of men. We were fully conscious that the religious public partakes of the general characters of human nature, and we were convinced that so far as the manner of dealing with intelligence is concerned-intelligence which, we design, should move the mind and affect the heart, rouse to earnest prayer and prompt to generous exertion -the same system of means is applicable, and would be efficient. We were glad to see the CHRISTIAN EXAMINER making the supply of missionary intelligence from unexplored sources one

of its primary objects, and we have been happy to observe in this and other periodicals, occasional "Leading Articles" on Missions. We hope that these good signs will increase. For ourselves, we design to present our readers with occasional SUMMARIES OF MISSIONARY EVENTS, and those not only in -connection with our own beloved society, but with all societies of a similar character, in America or on the continent of Europe; from which, sparing no pains, we may be able to gain intelligence. We shall also endeavour to afford them that groundwork of information, in reference to missionary stations and subjects, which will enable them to read the monthly accounts with greater interest. And whenever an occasion presents itself in which we may hope to do service to the great cause by free comment or earnest appeal, we shall be forward, in the spirit of meekness, to use them.

REVIEWS.

History of the Great Reformation of the 16th Century in Germany, Switzerland, &c., by J. U. Merle D'Aubigne. Edition. London: Whittaker and Co.

Cheap

We will not assign as an inducement to the study of this work, that it is written with such great beauty of style that a few pages will be enough to seize upon the reader's attention, nor that it contains anecdotes without number, of some of the best and greatest men whom the world ever saw; but we will plead that it is such a book as will fill his heart with pure thoughts and holy lessons. It will teach him what a difference there is between religion and superstition, between the love of God, and the worship of images. It will show him in what manner God acts when he designs to produce great and good changes among men. It will fill him with joy to see how marvellously God delivers his servants from the snares of their enemies. It will call forth his thankfulness whilst he traces there how much he owes of his present happiness, his liberty to read the Bible, and to attend on a pure form of Divine worship, to the efforts of great and good men who have long since gone to their reward.

These days want men who have studied eagerly, in youth, such books as these. The simple perusal of the work will justify praise far more enthusiastic than we can express. We earnestly recommend it to the thoughtful consideration of our readers, and are glad to see it published in a form so cheap as to secure for it, we trust, an extensive circulation.

THE PILGRIM FATHERS.*

"In the year 1602, divers godly christians of our English nation in the north of England, being studious of reformation, and therefore not only witnessing against human inventions and additions in the worship of God, but minding most the practical part of divine institutions, they entered into covenant, 'To walk with God, and with one another, in the enjoyment of the ordinances of God, according to the primitive pattern in the word of God.""

This was the christian brotherhood with whom the nobleminded Robinson became afterwards connected as Pastor. They do not appear to have been a company of poor people, but gentlemen of moderate fortune. In those days the privilege of worshipping God according to the scriptures was rarely enjoyed and highly valued. Wealth and comfort were freely sacrificed in search of this precious boon. This little company settled for a while at Yarmouth, but when neither the simplicity of their church covenant, nor the innocence of their lives, were able to screen them from the eye of cruel intolerance, they determined to seek refuge in a foreign land. But the same relentless malice which gave no rest to them at home, sought to deprive them also of the miserable liberty of exile. They escaped, however, to Holland, and soon settled at Leyden, where they continued in peaceful fellowship for many years, receiving indeed courtesy and much esteem from their neighbours, but still feeling themselves to be "strangers in the land." The Sabbath was disregarded by those among whom they sojourned. Their children, as they grew up, were surrounded by corrupt example, which soon began to prove its power. To christian parents, distinguished as they were for the anxious care with which they trained their offspring in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord," these things were the subject of deep solicitude.

In the year 1620, upon a serious review of their condition and prospects, they formed the design of transporting themselves to that newly discovered land of savages then called Virginia-to form an asylum where Liberty might rest her weary wing, and Conscience freely worship God. The desire of living under the

* See Nathaniel Morton, quoted in Hanbury.

D

rule of their country's king helped to confirm them in this resolution; for these were men of true loyalty as now their followers are. And that noble missionary motive too—which we mentioned in our last number-gave a sacredness and a grandeur to the enterprise. It was arranged that the younger and more hardy portion of the flock should adventure first. The rest with their pastor intended to follow.

"So, being prepared to depart, they had a solemn day of humiliation the pastor teaching, a part of the day, very profitably and suitable to the present occasion: the rest of the time was spent in pouring out prayers unto the Lord with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears. And the time being come that they must depart, they were accompanied with most of their brethren out of the city unto a town called 'Delf's Haven,' where the ship lay ready to receive them. So they left that goodly and pleasant city which had been their resting-place above eleven years. When they came to the place, they found the ship and all things ready; and such of their friends as could not come with them, followed after them; and sundry came from Amsterdam, to see them shipped, and to take their leaves of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment and christian discourse, and other real expressions of true christian love. The next day, the wind being fair, they went on board and their friends with them; where, truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting to hear what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them, what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the Quay as spectators, could not refrain from tears! But the tide, which stays for no man, calling them away that were thus loath to depart, their reverend pastor falling on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks commended them with most fervent prayers unto the Lord and his blessing; and then with mutual embraces and many tears, they took their leave one of another; which proved to be the last leave to many of them."

They sailed with a prosperous voyage to Southampton, where they were joined by the rest of the Pilgrim company in a larger ship from London. After many and vexatious delays, arising chiefly from the deceitfulness of one of the captains, they were

obliged to dismiss him with his ship, and proceeded on their intended voyage in the larger one.

"Now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again, with a prosperous wind. After many boisterous storms, in which they could bear no sail, but were forced to lay at hull many days together: after long beating at sea, they fell in with the land called Cape Cod; and were not a little joyful. * * They tacked about to stand to the southward, to find some place about Hudson's River, according to their first intentions, for their habitations. But they had not sailed that course above half a day, but they conceived themselves in great danger, and the wind shrinking upon them withal, they resolved to bear up again for the Cape aforesaid. The next day, by God's providence, they got into the Cape harbour. Thus they arrived at Cape Cod, alias Cape James, in November, 1620; and being brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from many perils and miseries."

"In grateful adoration now,

Upon the barren sands they bow.

What tongue of joy e'er woke such prayer,

As bursts in desolation there?

What arm of strength e'er wrought such power,

As waits to crown that feeble hour?

There into life an infant empire springs !

There falls the iron from the soul;

There liberty's young accents roll,

Up to the King of kings!"

"Arrived at this outside of the world, as they termed it, they seemed to themselves to have found a place where the Governor of all things yet reigned alone. The solitude of their adopted land-so remote from the communities of kindred men that it appeared like another world—a wide ocean before them, and an unexplored wilderness behind—nourished the solemn deep-toned feeling. Man was of little account in a place where the rude grandeur of nature bore as yet no trophies of his power. God, in the midst of its stern magnificence, seemed all in all.”*

To show how this manly piety shone forth in their doings, and to tell how greatly God prospered them, will be our pleasant employment next month.

* North American Review.