Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

"A Memoir of Richard Hatch, late Student of the Baptist College, Bristol; interspersed with Select Remains; by the Rev. S. R. ALLOM," is a very neat volume, which deserves the perusal of every Christian family. It is compiled with great care, the selection of Remains displaying the taste both of the writer and the editor. It is affecting to see the hand of God cutting off the expectations of man, and removing the rising hopes of his church. While these things lead us to adore the infinite Supreme, they tend also to raise our desires to that betfer world, where all that are truly lovely shall be again found.

One of the most attractive and instructive writers of the present day is Mrs. Sigourney, of New Hartford. We have before us a very neat reprint of her "Evening Readings in History." Instead, however, of making remarks upon it, we shall introduce one of the twenty-eight articles it contains, with an illustrative engraving; simply adding, that the book in neat cloth boards, and gilt edges, sells for half-a-crown.

"MONDAY EVENING.-EGYPT. Will you, my dear young friends, come to our History party this evening? Or are you fatigued, and will you prefer your play?-No; I will not be so unjust as to suppose that you are already wearied in the pursuit of knowledge, and have so little perseverance as to desist at the beginning of the course. We will study together of Egypt. It is a very ancient kingdom, and possessed many

of the arts and sciences, while the rest of the world was in ignorance.-Find it on your atlas, and bound it, before you proceed further. What sea forms its northern limit? and what is the name of the river that passes through it from south to north? This river is the source of its great fertility; for as it seldom, if ever, rains in Egypt, its periodical inundations refresh the soil, and leave behind them a slimy substance, which enriches its luxuriance.

"Egypt is a narrow vale, on both sides of the river Nile, bounded by parallel ledges of mountains, aad divided into Upper Egypt, or Thebais, which is the southern part; Middle, or Heptanomis ; and Lower, or the Delta, so called from its resembling, in its triangular shape, Delta, the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet (A). The latter division was the most remarkable for fertility, and produced so much corn that it was anciently denominated' the granary of the world.' The whole of Egypt was about 500 miles in length, and 250 in breadth; or, according to some geographers, 600 miles by 300. Its climate is very warm, and from March to November the heat is excessive, with a red sparkling sky.

"The Nile is a river of a slow, turbid current; its waters are salubrious, when drank, being often purified by mixing with bitter almonds, and then being suffered to subside. It discharges itself by seven mouths into the Mediterranean, and rises in two small springs, so circular and so near each other, that they were originally called the eyes of the Nile.' The usual time of its inundation was

6

[graphic][subsumed][ocr errors]

in September or October, and its gradual increase, for some time before, was ascertained by an instrument of admeasurement called a Nilometer, and daily proclaimed by the public crier, When it had attained the height of sixteen cubits, or about twenty-four feet. the mounds that confined it were cut with great ceremony of rejoicing. The ancient kings cast a ring and costly sacrifices into the waters; it is even related that a young maiden was sometimes plunged therein, adorned with garlands, as the bride of the Nile; and to this day offerings of honey, rice, wheat, &c., are made, as an acknowledgment of the bounty of the stream.

"Immediately after the overflowing had subsided, the whole country assumed new robes of beauty, and profuse plenty. Innumerable canals distributed the riches of the Nile to distant vales; ingenious machinery bore it to the thirsty hills; while lakes and reservoirs abounded to send forth their silent streams in a day of scarcity, or to pour down in rills and cascades, from shady summits, verdure upon the drooping herbage of the dells. The Delta appeared like a vast garden cut into peninsulas, or like the islands in the Ægean sea, where boats were continually gliding, for convenience and pleasure, bearing the productions of the earth, and often adorned with flowers.

"Large fields, which lay at a distance from the Nile, by the labour of a single ox, turning simple machinery, were plentifully supplied with the fertilizing draught; pastures of the deepest verdure were whitened with flocks; the husbandman cast in his wheat, and saw with astonishment his harvest soon waving to the breeze; perfumes rose from the gardens, music warbled among the groves, and winter, which in northern climates is dreary and desolate, was here so delightful, that shrinking Nature seemed to fly to this enchanting abode, to put forth her charms, and to revel in bliss.

"Vast fields of flax concealed beneath softest green their silken fibres, capable of being wrought into the most delicate textures: and in Scripture this production is mentioned, "fine flax cometh from Egypt." Here also abounded the lotus, or the bread-fruit; producing a farinaceous berry about the size of an olive, which, being pounded and dried in the sun, is made into cakes resembling in colour and flavour the sweetest ginger

bread. Botanists describe many species of the lotus, but this of Egypt seems rather to have been a thorny shrub, and is mentioned by Park in his travels in Africa, as still growing abundantly, and furnishing the natives with a delicious liquor.

"The papyros, or byblos, grew here spontaneously, and the Egyptians have the honour of first discovering its use for the purposes of writing. Mankind, before this invention, impressed their ideas, with great labour, upon stones, bricks, leaves, and rinds of trees, plates of lead, tables of wood, wax, and ivory; and even upon the skins of fishes, the intestines of serpents, or the backs of tortoises. Upon tablets of wax they wrote with an instrument called the stylus, which was pointed at one extremity to engrave the characters, and broad at the other to efface them, if correction was necessary. From this custom arose the proverb, Oft turn your stylus, if you would have a perfect piece;' which means, that you must frequently alter if you would excel in composition. From the stylus, also, was derived our word 'style,' signifying the manner in which a person expresses his ideas.

"The papyrus was fond of a moist soil, and grew plentifully on the banks of the Nile. Pliny describes it as sending forth, from a thick root, a great number of triangular stalks, six or seven cubits in height, and adorned with long leaves like the bulrush. Sails, ropes, and naval rigging, mats, blankets, and clothes, were likewise manufactured from this plant. Paper was made, by first cutting off the head and the root of the papyrus, slitting the stem lengthwise, dividing its filaments carefully with a penknife, extending them smoothly on a table, and cementing two or three of them together with the glutinous water of the Nile. These were afterwards dried by pressing, smoothed by being beaten with a mallet, and polished by rubbing them with a globe of glass.

"Where the water of the Nile could not be obtained, the leaves were cemented by a paste made of the finest wheat flour, with warm water, and a sprinkling of vinegar. After the Romans conquered Egypt, they made great improvements in the preparation of this fabric, and strove to bring it to perfection. Paper manufactories were established in various parts of the country; but the most celebrated one was at Alexandria. Perhaps,

my dear young friends, I have wearied you with this long account of a plant, which

Spread its robe, transparent, pure, and strong,

A ready tablet for the sons of song."

"The Duty of Christians to each other in the Maintenance of Holy Conduct." By the late Rev. ANDREW FUller, is a penny tract, published by Ward and Co., which ought to be in the hands and heart of every member of a Christian church.

The Rev. B. Richings, A.M., of Mancetter, in Warwickshire, has recently published "A Narrative of the Sufferings and Martyrdom of Mr. Robert Glover, of that place, a Protestant Gentleman burnt at Coventry 1555," with accounts of several of his friends. It is a narrative which most forcibly illustrates the power of genuine religion, and the awful tendency of Popery. It will at once be found to interest the attention, to inspire gratitude for the high privileges we now enjoy, and detestation of the awful system by which the practices of persecution were cherished. Richings has our best thanks for this interesting volume, while we hope that many other ministers of the Christian church will investigate the history of their respective neighbourhoods, and show what Christianity has done in past days for its friends.

Mr.

We had almost forgotten to add, that this volume is embellished with two very neat lithographic engravings, and is sold by Seeley and Son.

"Female Biography of the New Testament, with preliminary Notices of the condition of Women in all ages." By the Rev. THOMAS TIMPSON, is a very valuable and interesting little volume, admirably adapted to the family circle. We recommend our female friends immediately to add it to their libraries.

"The Corner Stone," by the Rev. JACOB ABBOTT, the author of "The

Young Christian," is an important and interesting volume. It may contain a few debateable points, but on the whole it is adapted to great usefulness. The edition published by Ward and Co. has been revised by the Rev. R. Philip, who has also prefixed an Introductory Essay, and added Notes. The volume contains also a fine steel engraving, and is sold for a shilling less than any other edition.

We are really glad that in the first number of our work we have the opportunity of recommending the excellent SAMUEL LAVINGTON'S "Sermons to Young People," a new edition of which, with a profile, memoir, &c., has just issued from the press. To those who know these sermons, not a word need be said by way of recommendation; and those who have never seen them, can with difficulty imagine how much evangelical instruction, delivered in an original, familiar, and striking manner, is in reserve for them. The volume is sold for half-a-crown.

[blocks in formation]

"The Rule of Life:" or Guide to Practical Godliness, deduced from the sacred Scriptures.

"Sketches." By Mrs. SIGOURNEY. "Village Conversations." By a Country Pastor.

"Christian Melodies-The Gospel." 66 Redemption:" or the New Song in both worlds. By ROBERT PHILIP, of Maberly Chapel.

"The Negroes' Jubilee," a Memorial of Negro Emancipation, August 1, 1834, with Historical Notices of Slavery and its Abolition. Dedicated with permission to T. F. Buxton, Esq. M. P. By T. TIMPSON, author of the "Companion to the Bible," &c.

[blocks in formation]

THE family is not a human institution. By certain invariable and perpetual laws of human nature, God has secured its existence in all nations and ages of the world. Some theorists have endeavoured to overturn it, but Jehovah has laid the foundations of it too deep and strong for them. Extraordinary efforts may, in some detached and limited portions of the community, produce a temporary suspension of these laws. But what they substitute will be artificial, and when the application of what is artificial ceases to be made, society must fall back spontaneously into the channels which God has indicated for it.

One of the most remarkable features of this extraordinary institution is the successive changes it undergoes in the course of its history. When the young husband and wife first enter upon the new relation, how little do they foresee what is before them! As they take possession for the first time of their new house, and enjoy its cheering aspects, its regularity and quiet, and its expression of domestic peace and joy, how little do they anticipate the trials and the vicissitudes, and the deep and yet unseen fountains of joy and sorrow which lie in their future way. In a few years how changed! One after another has been added in various ways to the company, which begun with only two, until at length they find themselves presiding over a numerous circle of children, and relatives, and domestics; the father and mother both involved in responsibilities, from which they would have altogether shrunk, had they anticipated them at the beginning.

In a few years this happy circle must be broken in upon and scattered. Death comes in and makes one and another his prey. Others gradually arrive at maturity, and leave their father's roof to seek other homes, and to return no more to the ark, which sheltered them at first; and at last, the father and mother are left alone, to spend their declining years at their solitary fireside, to look back upon scenes of activity, and trial, and enjoyment, which can never return. Such is the outline of the history of thousands of families.

Another peculiar feature of this institution is, the immense power ex

D

ercised by the head of it. The master of a family has his wife, his children, his domestics, and the other inmates in his power, to an extent which is not equalled by any other authority. He has their happiness' and in fact their character, almost entirely in his hands. He may make his house their quiet and happy home, the abode of peace, and contentment, and piety; or he may agitate it with eternal discord and confusion. He may train up his children in such a way, that they shall love and honour their parents, and be a blessing to them, to their dying day, and be joined with them in everlasting happiness in heaven; or he may, by neglect and unfaithfulness, make them thorns in his side, while they remain at home, bitterness and a curse to his declining years, and a source of unmixed and never-ending sorrow in eternity. There is no power like it. The father of a family, though his dominions are bounded by narrow limits, still has, within those limits, almost unlimited sway.

The reason is, because it takes hold at once of the heart and the character. That boy of yours is as much under your power as it is possible for a human soul to be. It is not merely, that he is more entirely in your hands, that you can control his time, his employments, his earnings, his amusements—it is not that you can now make him happy by your kindness and care, or render life an intolerable burden to him by an oppression from which he can find no refuge, but it is, that you have all his future years at your disposal, and can determine whether misery or happiness shall fill them up. It is true, that in a few years he must leave your roof, and then you must cease to have any direct control over him; but in the mean time, you may instil principles and form habits which will make him a curse to himself, even when you shall no longer be able to inflict direct suffering. And on the other hand, you can so mould and form his character now, that rich and happy fruits of what you do, shall descend around him in rich profusion, long after you have slumbered in the dust. In a word, you may now fix in his heart a poisoned barb, to fester and rankle there for ever, or you may apply the balm of the gospel to heal existing wounds and secure his perpetual peace and happiness.

The master of a family is thus a monarch, whose power and responsibility are immense. He not only has the peace and happiness of those committed to him almost entirely at his disposal for the time being, but the effects of his influence over them run on through all the years of his life, and often through the ages of the life to come. power and responsibility for any man to bear alone. see its extent we should all feel that it is too much. tend that we should exercise it alone. We ought to be in our families

It is too much If we could really God does not in

« VorigeDoorgaan »