with rich associations, rising involuntarily, an outgrowth of the words that precede it,how much more does it often do for the soul, than all the words have done. The roll is long that records the names of those who have been saved by a song. The songs can hardly come too often, and the same is true of the prayers; for a prayer meeting should be largely a prayer meeting. Not to consider this in its higher bearings, as to the availability of prayer with God, there is uniformly more strength and fervor and exaltation in prayer, than is possible with an address to others; so greater blessing flows from it, both in its immediate and after influence. We have attended many a meeting consisting wholly of prayer and singing, which has been more blessed to our heart than the most eloquent address could be. Whatever be the order and variety in the exercises of the meeting, let it contain as much as possible. Let the number of those who take part be at its maximum, and the length of their remarks at its minimum. As a rule, long speeches are pernicious. That was a merited rebuke of Beecher's, to a worthy but incorrigible brother, in the midst of one of his long-drawn rhapsodies on the joys of eternity. "If you don't make haste, brother, eternity will be half through before you are done speaking." But it would require more than a modicum of courage thus to interpose for the salvation of a meeting. If every participant would come with his one fresh, clear thought, and give it at its and his best, we should not, humanly speaking, lack inspiration, or fail to be both cheered and edified. When vigorous thought and healthful feeling, vitalized with the unction of the divine Spirit, shall find its free and fitting utterance in the conference room, the millenium of the prayer meeting will come. We have lately attended what seemed to us a model conference meeting; a meeting without parallel in our experience for the immediate and permanent blessing it has brought us. Held in the vestry of one of our churches, it was a union meeting of the worshippers there with a neighboring church of most orthodox creed and catholic spirit. We should judge there were five hundred present, and both parties united in the conduct of the meeting. At the appointed time it was opened by a familiar hymn not read or even announced, but sung spontaneously, on the leading of some one in the audience. The pastor invited a brother clergyman present to lead in prayer, which was followed by perhaps half-a-dozen prayers, offered by young as well as old, all brief and simple, and breathing the most devout and fervent spirit. Frequent singing was interspersed between, rarely more than a stanza or two at one time. Following this were many addresses, nearly all with the same virtue of brevity, nearly all characterized, not only with zeal and feeling, but with an unusual depth and strength of thought. It was especially gladdening to see so many young men bearing an active and efficient part. We applied to them the apostle's greeting, "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong.” There were doubtless thirty who took an active part in the services, and the difficulty was not want of speakers but want of time. The meeting was prolonged a little past the usual hour, and then it was almost sadly that the delightful interview was broken. The pastor spoke for many others besides himself, no doubt, in saying that he carried home his word unspoken; for the very atmosphere was full of inspiration. Apropos of conference music, we will specify one of the many blessings we brought away, which will lie as a pearl in memory's keeping. Every heart had been touched by the wise and devout words of an aged saint who had spoken from the depths of his rich experience; there was silence for a moment, when the single tenor voice of one who sat in an ante-room quite out of our sight, rose and filled the room. It was a tender and beautiful melody, quite new to us, and we recall only the refrain as it rose and fell in the modulations of that single magnificent voice, "There'll be rest by and by." It was Easter evening, and the day had been full of its beauty and grandeur. We had listened to the triumphant strains of Mozart's Twelfth Mass, with its wonders of harmony. We had heard strong and eloquent words that dwelt joyfully on the great themes of the resurrection. We had been almost surfeited with the beauty and profusion of floral decorations. All these we had been privileged to enjoy, and not without | inhalation of that life eternal, of which this some degree of appreciation; but we are sure that single song of the evening prayer meeting will linger and comfort us long after the organ strains have died away and the snowy bloom has faded from the ear and vision of memory. We now know what we have long suspected; that such a prayer meeting is a possibility. We believe the way to it is over some such routes as we have tried to indicate. "Is the secret of this success in you?" we asked the pastor of the aforementioned church. "Not at all," was the reply. Indeed, I like to be absent occasionally, or go in late, to see how unnecessary 1 am." "Where does it lie then?" "In two obvious facts; that I am so efficiently sustained, and that the Spirit of the Lord is there." 66 These are the two proved essentials; first, the Spirit of the Lord, then, and on our part, hearty co-operation. No slight excuse should detain us from the conference assembly. Said one of the most earnest and gifted women in this sphere we ever knew, when some other disposition of an evening was urged, "If I have made an appointmeut with my Savior, shall I not keep it?" Then let us be chary of criticism. Salvation, fortunately, does not depend on good grammar or rhetoric. What if there is, to us, occasional tedium or offence. We are not greatly harmed, and we know not who is benefitted. What is a stumbling-block to us may be the very word of life to some other soul. If grace enough be found to bear the cross of speaking, we ought to find enough for listening. Finally, let us not hold at too low an estimate the meeting itself, or forget that its privileges far outweigh its duties. It is there we meet not only our friends and helpers in the chosen way, but the Savior who has promised to be with even the two or three who gather in His name. It is there we are lifted above the sordidness of our daily cares and toils, and strengthened from unseen spiritual fountains. It is there we feel ourselves in that blessed circle of communion with everything lofty and good, that is the true "fellowship in Christ Jesus." It is there we may catch now and then an life is but the shadow; may realize that while we are sojourners here we have a dwelling place with God, whose open doors no accident of time or chauge can close. If the prayer meeting means anything more than a discipline in the Christian virtues of patience, fortitude and long-suffering endurance, it must mean some such attractive and profitable and divine thing as this. The Quarterly. The Universalist Quarterly for April presents a good table of contents, consisting of seven papers with the editor's Review. The first paper is a translation from the German of Dr. Bleek, by Professor Cone, and treats of "The Dogmatic Use of Old Testament Passages in the New Testament; and their importance as Binding upon the Christian Expositor, with especial Reference to Hebrews, 1: 5-13." The position as taken and defended at some length with abundant illus trations, is that our interpretation of Old Testament passages is not necessarily conditioned and bound by the manner in which they are quoted and used by the New Testament writers. "The Origin of Sin " by Rev. A. C. Thomas is a clear statement and defence of our denominational attitude on that subject, setting forth its human origin as a consequence inherent in the weakness of the state of innocence in which we are created; as involved in this is considered the two states of sinless ness which find their types in Adam and Christ; the purity of innocence, from which we inevitably lapse, and the purity of righteousness, toward which we are continually to strive. "Ancient Babylonian Literature" by Rev. O. D. Miller, considers the nature and importance of the treasures of ancient bistory and learning preserved in the tablets and manuscripts recently exhumed from the ruins of the long-buried city of Babylon. It is based upon three treatises on the subject published in Europe within the last few years, by Prof. Chwolson, Ernest Renan and Max Müller, and is perhaps the most interesting paper of the number. "The Development of Protestantism" by Rev. George Hill, deals, as the title indi cates, with the philosophy as well as the history of Protestantism, and finds in its development a prophecy of the millenial future when Christianity shall be the one great fold that shall include all churches in the unity of the spirit and the bonds of peace. "Our Nation and Statesmanship" by W. H. Kimball, is an able and vigorous article on the national problems of the hour. The positions of the writer are clearly and strongly set forth, especially in respect to the ballot, but we doubt whether many would agree with him as to the feasibility, whatever may be said as to the desirableness, of making character a basis of suffrage. - The two articles on Christ," The Fullness of Christ" by Rev. J. O. Skinner, and "The Mission of Christ" by Rev. W. R. French, have given us much pleasure in the reading. We must demur, however, to the concluding position of the latter, that Christ had finished not only his earthly work but his complete mission when he said "it is finished," that he is no longer active in behalf of men. We must believe in not only a historical, but in a living and an ever present Savior; in the Comforter he went away to send. Both articles leave us also with the feeling that all is not said; perhaps not so much from a lack in themselves as from the inexhaustible fullness of the theme. The General Review, in which one finds much of the cream of the Quarterly, has the following topics: "Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man;" "The Resurrection Change;""Assumption of Moses;" "English Works on Universalism;" "Ancient Ruins and Discoveries;" "Religious World;" Contemporary Literature." 66 The argument, as it stands, is made on the purpose of God, and is embraced in two specifications: first, "it is the purpose of God finally to save all men;" second, "the purpose of God will be fulfilled and all men be finally saved." The proposition is treated according to agreement solely on biblical grounds. It is needless to say that Dr. Fisher sustains these two positions, or that he brings to bear upon them both rare ability and the utmost candor. Nor does his opponent fail to make as good a representation of his side as, perhaps, it will admit, although we find an overplus of sharp denial and a lack of the calmness and courtesy consonant with an intellectual discussion. It very well illustrates, as another has said, "the difference between the cunning tricks at words of the sharp debater, and the honest, sturdy purpose of a real lover of truth, who seeks to get at the thought and meaning of the sacred writers." Erratum. By the fault of a nine that strayed in among the sixes, the pages of this No. from 365 to 384 are wrongly numbered. We find the error too late to correct it, but the reader will find it only in the figures, and not the page itself. Our Book Table. Sir. Samuel W. Baker has made quite a change from his "Albert N'Yanza" and "The Nile Tributaries," in his new book for boys, Cast up by the Sea." However much the author may have "endeavored to avoid improbability," the book is certainly overflowing with not only the wildest but the most improbable adventure; and he has taken The Fisher and Walden Letters. more liberties with the credulity of his reader The pamphlet lately issued by the Pubthan the astronomical one of " producing an lishing House under the title of "The Chris-clipse not set down in the almanacs." There tian Doctrine of Salvation," contains a fragmentary discussion between Rev. Dr. Fisher and Rev. J. H. Walden, a Baptist clergyman, on the proposition " All men will be finally saved;" a discussion broken off midway by the death of Mr. Walden. is a predominance of the coarse and revolting sensation of murder and carnage. This is a criticism especially merited by the illustrations. The most horrible scenes in the book are worked up into more horrible pictures. The book is much read; but we cannot regard it as among the better class of tales of travel and adventure. It is more clearly and carefully planned, and had Providence permitted its continuance would undoubtedly have been more -Prof. Moses Coit Tyler, of Michigan Unicomplete than any extant work of the kind. | versity in his pleasant "Brawnville Papers," of disuse. But in these strictures let us not overshadow the much that is excellent in "The Brawnville Papers." As a flavor of his method in the treatment of his theme let us hear what he has to say on MARTYRS TO SCIENCE. "Somebody wants to know what is meant by Martyrs to Science!' I can tell him. About fifty years ago the sensibilities of England and America were profoundly and generously stirred by the story, related by Robert Southey, of the wonderful life and the premature death of a student at Cambridge, named Henry Kirke White. No doubt this story owed not a little of its impressiveness to the eminence of the author who told it, and to the charm of that exquisite prose of which the Poet Laureate was so consummate a master. gives us gymnastics as Dr. Drugger would A delicate youth, born in lowly circumstances, with the glorious face and the temperament of genius, attracts to himself the favor of a wealthy patron, and is enabled to enter one of the renowned universities of In general, Prof. Tyler does not portray character with a fine or discriminating hand, but since the characters are held in subordination to the main purpose of the book, this is of less account than if it were a story merely. The tendency to extremes, however, runs into the main purpose; and nothing is more easily overdone in theory or practice than gymnastics. It tells against the high-pressure system of physical culture that no trained athlete grows old. In the very height of their splendid development, with all their muscle and brawn, they go down suddenly with heart disease, or some such quick-striking and deadly foe. Outraged nature will assert itself as well against the over-urging of its powers as against the rust and dullness the world. Pensive, poetical, aspiring, prayerful and bilious, he pants to satisfy the lofty expectations of his admirers, and succeeds in becoming the model of a virtuous, but ro He wres tles with the stern realities of the Calculus, and indites sonnets to the moon; composes eloquent hymns to his Creator, and madrigals to his lady's eyebrows; writes polished epigrams in the style of Horace, which show the elegance of his taste, and essays on Melancholy in the style of Addison which reveal the disordered condition of his liver; supplicates Heaven for the restoration of his health, and denies himself needful sleep by the help of strong tea, pins, and cold water compresses; utters a pious ejaculation before every meal, and then swallows it with a rapidity indicative of his contempt for the functions of teeth, gastric juice, and all other carnal things; gains all the highest prizes, amazes all the wisest Dons, violates all the holiest laws of health, and dies in a blaze of glory, a martyr to Science! Success is the mother of imitation; and the unintended evil of Kirke White's radiant and rose-watery career infected the colleges of Christendom. Straightway we had a long-haired, big-eyed, pious and moony young plague of Kirke Whitelings, - emaciated, gentlemen, who excelled in Homer and hypochondria; cultivated prayer, poetry and dyspepsia; made tender reference in rhyme to their lyres, their lutes, and their longing to be no more; sauntered languishingly by purling brooks, when they ought to have been kicking the football; sat up burning an extravagant quantity of midnight oil, when they had been much more profitably employed sleeping in their bunks; and, while confounding the twinges of a morbid con science with the pangs of indigestion, and, | while mistaking the depression of abused nerves for an angelic summons to leave this Vale of Tears, they awaited somewhat impatiently the time when they also should become Martyrs to Science, bemoaned and canonized by the principal Parish Sewing Societies of the civilized world. If this sort of thing had continued, it is impossible to say into what a state the literary world would have descended. It is probable that Science would have become synonymous with Sciatica; and the word Learning would have suggested lankness, lassitude, and long hair; the chief purpose of going to college would have been to acquire the dead languages, an interesting cough, the tearful sympathy of old women, and an early death; the royal road to knowledge would have signified a turnpike leading into the graveyard. An old scholar would have been as rare as white blackbirds and four-leaved clover, and gray hair would have been an infallible proof that its possessor is an ignoramus." -There is one name which we are quite sure will never be written in the long and limp roll, - -as set forth above,- of Martyrs to Science. We allude to that of Rev. W. H. H. Murray of the Park street church. In his "Camp Life Among the Adirondacks" he has given us what we predict will be the brightest and breeziest book of the season. It is full of large out-door life told in a large, free style, as if the hero had enjoyed the living and were enjoying the telling. We use the word large in no invidious sense, although the stories that are told for genuine, throwing out of account the make-believes, require some little stretch of credulity. We incline to the opinion that the Rev. Mr. Murray would be a good companion at a camp-fire when the pipes are lighted and the company lie off for a yarn. He has certainly given us a good book for the home-circle, and it takes the contagious laugh of a whole company to make it thoroughly enjoyable. But aside from its rich tales of adventure, the book is a refreshing one; as vigorous and inspiriting as the mountain air to which it owes its existence. It gives one a new longing to behold the wonders of the wild and beautiful region it describes; and will doubtless turn the faces of many tourists to its lakes and mountains. We commend it to every one seeking a summer resort; for in cheapness, health and positive enjoyment, a three to seven weeks trip to the North Woods must stand unrivalled as a summer recreation. Mr. Murray tells us what he has found it, after trying it for five successive years: "Not until you reach the Racquette do you get a glimpse of the magnificent scenery which makes this wilderness to rival Switzerland. There, on the very ridge-board of the vast water-shed which slopes northward to the St. Lawrence, eastward to the Hudson, and southward to the Mohawk, you can enter upon a voyage the like of which, it is safe to say, the world does not anywhere else furnish. For hundreds of miles I have boated up and down that wilderness, going ashore only to "carry" around a fall, or cross some narrow ridge dividing the otherwise connected lakes. For weeks I have paddled my cedar shell in all directions, swinging northerly into the St. Regis chain, westward nearly to Potsdam, southerly to the Black River country, and thence penetrated to that almost unvisited region, the "South Branch," without seeing a face but my guide's, and the entire circuit, it must be remembered, was through a wilderness yet to echo to the lumberman's axe. It is estimated that a thousand lakes, many yet unvisited, lie embedded in this vast forest of pine and hemlock. From the summit of a mountain, two years ago, I counted, as seen by my naked eye, forty-four lakes gleaming amid the depths of the wilderness like gems of purest ray amid the folds of emerald-colored velvet. Last summer I met a gentleman on the Racquette who had just received a letter from a brother in Switzerland, an artist by profession, in which he said, that, "having travelled over all Switzerland, met with scenery which, judged from a purely and the Rhine and Rhone region, he had not artistic point of view, combined so many beauties in connection with such grandeur as the lakes, mountains, and forests of the AdirAnd yet thousands are in Europe to-day as ondack region presented to the gazer's eye." tourists who never gave a passing thought to this marvellous country lying as it were at their very doors." Mr. Murray commends this region especially to the seeker for health, from its pure air and the prevalence of pine and balsam which make the very atmosphere redolent of healing. His wife has accompanied him every season with great benefit to her health; and among the parties visiting there are many fragile women and delicate children who camp out for weeks without the slightest danger. But the necessary ends of rest and recuperation are supplemented, in Mr. Murray's case, by the pure physical enjoyments of his |