upon it are only found in composition; but as they cannot be actually shown, by decomposition, to be compounded of other and simpler elements, they must, in the present state of the science, be regarded as being elements themselves. Many of them are the bases, which uniting with oxygen (or other elements) constitute well-known substances. Thus, potass is a compound formed by the union of oxygen with the metallic base, potassium. It is very probable, however, that these bases are compounded of some other elements; and that the almost endless and bewildering variety of substances, organic and inorganic, with which the world is replenished, proceeds from a few simple elements to which the creating Word gave existence, and on which the creating Wisdom has impressed the laws which fit and prepare them for union and combination into other substances, and then, for further combination into substances still more complicated, till the world, with all that is, and all that it contains, stands before us. All this must have been in the mind of the Creator before its actual existence by his will and power. What is the knowledge of the most industrious and most successful chemical philosopher, when thought of at the same time with that of the all-knowing God, whose works were created in his own wisdom, and are never properly studied, unless studied as illustrating it, by being considered as expressions of his own knowledge, and power, and will? Chemical study, as every other study, should be so conducted as to supply materials of adoration and praise. Wonderful are the works. But what is the Author? Heaven and earth are full of his glory! Glory be to thee, O Lord, Most High!

SENTENCES FOR REFLECTION.

Be careful throughout thy earthly business, to carry an heavenly mind.

What matter is it if thou beest not happy on earth, provided thou beest so in heaven?

If thou lookest too often in thy glass, thou wilt not so much see thy face as thy folly.

Thou wert better have the whole world against thee, than be against thyself.

Life flies so fast, that if thou usest not to-day, thou mayest

want a to-morrow..

Live in thy body as if thou wert to lodge in it to-night, and to leave it to-morrow.

Labour to be such a one in thy life, as thou wishest to be found at thy death.

Since other men's tongues are not within thy teeth, how canst thou hope to govern them?

If thou art a good man, thou wilt never put money in the scale against virtue.

From our perverse will arises passionate desire: yielding to this, it becomes settled habit; and settled habit, unresistingly indulged, becomes a constraining necessity. And thus, by these links, interlocking with each other, the chain is formed which binds us in the hard and bitter bondage of sin.Augustine.

In seeking to know the lives of others, how curious are men; but how slothful in seeking to correct their own! They want to learn of their neighbour what he is, but they ask not of God to show them what they are themselves.Ibid.

Then is our life truly blessed, when we can fully rejoice in the truth. Ibid.

Then when, denying ourselves, we fully cleave unto God, labour and pain will seem to cease, and our life, full of Him, shall be life indeed. - Ibid.

Give, O Lord, what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt. Ibid.

LITERARY ARTICLE.

We have no wish to make our young readers controversialists. We never like to see a youthful polemic. A disputative temper is one of those branches of our fallen nature which we desire not only to correct, but to subdue; and in its stead to implant that modesty and that teachableness which are not only so becoming in the youthful character, but which contribute so decidedly to a real improvement, both intellectually and morally considered. But all this is quite consistent with a firm and enlightened attachment to truth, as opposed to what now is unhappily so common in some quarters, a latitudinarian indifference to all religious doctrines, as if all were alike, equally invaluable, or-as the disposition really implies, whatever the profession and language may be equally valueless. Truth should be held in connexion with charity, without which nothing can profit us; but charity to man should always be associated with the love of truth as revealed by God, and as referring to him.

Some years ago, what is called the Calvinistic controversy was carried on with great zeal; and it is to be feared that the zeal was not always "the pure flame of love." There is now a much happier state of things. Evangelical Arminians and evangelical Calvinists are prepared to see in each other the higher character of Christian believer, and so to differ in doctrine as at the same time to maintain the bond of Christian brotherhood. And this is as it should be. There may be the agreement of affection where, as yet, there cannot be the reconciliation of differences so far as opinion is concerned.

As for ourselves, we regard the establishment of a truly evangelical Arminianism as one of the greatest blessings of which the Wesleys were made the honoured instruments. Orthodox in reference to the great articles of the Catholic Trinitarian faith; fully evangelical in reference to the great Protestant doctrine of justification, in its cause, condition, and issues; they at the same time declared most explicitly their belief that, in the Scriptures they found the doctrine of the universal love of God to mankind, in Jesus Christ our Lord. The societies which they formed, and the congregations which they collected, as well as the Ministers by whom they were succeeded, have pursued the same truth, through evil and through good report; and to this day, what is called Wesleyan Methodism, is, in point, of doctrine, a happily arranged system, in which are closely combined, orthodoxy, Protestant evangelism, and Arminianism.

In Scotland, from the time of the Reformation, the doctrine held by the great body of the people has been Calvinism. It was the doctrine of the Established Church; and, in almost every instance, that also of the different classes of seceders who separated from the Establishment chiefly on questions of discipline. Latterly, however, there has been, in several instances, an embracement of Arminian tenets. Some time ago this was connected with the adoption of what we conceive to be very dangerous errors. Men were represented as universally pardoned through Christ's atonement, and the faith to which they were called was the belief of this in reference to the individual himself. Against such an Arminianism, (if, indeed, it deserves the name at all,) Calvinism had very great advantages. But, more recently, there appears to have been the assertion of a true, that is, an evangelical, Arminianism. We have seen several works in which what we believe to be the truth was well stated, and well argued. The last of these is one which has just come to hand; and this has so much pleased us, that we have made it the subject (generally speaking) of our present paper. This is its title :

The Harmony of Universal Atonement and Unlimited Grace with the Character and Word of God, exhibited in a Series of Discourses. By the Rev. Richard Webb, Minister of Canon-street Church, Glasgow. 12mo., pp. 192. George Gallie, Glasgow.

THE volume consists of a short preface, and eight discourses, in which the whole range of the subject is calmly and very ably considered. A few days ago we were pleased to see a brief notice of Mr. Webb's work in a decidedly Calvinistic publication, in which the Editor, while (as might be expected) professing that no change had been wrought in his own opinions by the perusal, bears a willing testimony to the absence of all controversial asperity. We can recommend the volume as a brief but lucid exhibition of the entire controversy. Let this freedom from asperity be still preserved, and the discussion of the subject cannot fail to be useful. Give truth fair play, and let it work without being associated with uncharitable tempers, and eventually she will win the day, on whichever side she is found.

Besides the volume mentioned above, there is another which has just been laid on our table which will be, we think, very interesting to many of our readers, especially to such of them as are Sundayschool Teachers, and Missionary Collectors. Among the Wesleyan Missionary stations, some of the most important, and at the same time most inobtrusive, are those which are fixed among the North American Indians. Brought into contact with the European settlers, and their descendants, the aboriginal tribes seem almost as if they were doomed to extinction. For many years, not only have their posessions been greatly limited, but their numbers gradually diminished; and while they retain their wandering habits, and seek their living in dependence on the chase, they appear to have no chance of succeeding in competition with the whites. But the case alters when they become truly christianized. With Christianity, civilization, with all its tendencies to location, and settlement, and agriculture, and trade, is introduced among them; and the melting, diminishing process, is stayed. The elevating power of Christianity has not only been shown in the letters sent from Canada, and the Hudson's-Bay territories, by the Missionaries who have gone forth among the Indians, but it has been very pleasingly illustrated by those two fine specimens of Indian converts, who made such an extensive acquaintance with British Christians, Peter Jones, and John Sunday. Our readers, who recollect the Missionary visits and addresses of these excellent men, will be glad to have a collected and condensed account of the Indians, so far, at least, as they are connected with the regions over which the British standard waves, and where British rule is acknowledged. A small volume, printed at Montreal, written by a Wesleyan Missionary in Canada, has just been sent to us, and we take this, the earliest opportunity, of noticing and recommending it. Mr. Mason, we believe, has had a number sent to him for sale, so that copies can be had by being ordered in the usual manner. We have read the volume with great pleasure, and we are persuaded that it will be a welcome addition to the shelves of the Sunday-school library. The only drawback on its value will be found to be in the manner in which it is got up. Its contents are deeply interesting, and are furnished by one who is evidently well-acquainted with his subject, and who writes from personal observation. But Canada printing certainly is, in point of correctness, far behind London printing. Typographical errors, indeed, are, comparatively, only of minor importance, especially when the substance of the work in which we have found them is correct. At the same time, we had rather not have found them; and as justice to the writer, as well as to our readers, calls for this notice of the volume, so justice to ourselves, as well as to our readers, requires that we should mention these defects. They do not at all affect the value of the work, though they certainly do operate as a drawback on the character of the volume. Still, notwithstanding this defective getting up, we can promise our young readers a real treat in the perusal. Its title is,

Indian Researches: or, Facts concerning the North American Indians ; including Notices of their present State of Improvement, in their Social, Civil, and Religious Condition; with Hints for their future Advancement. By Benjamin Slight, Montreal. 12mo., pp. 179. Sold by John Mason, London.

A small work has been recently published at the Methodist Book-Room, which we very earnestly recommend. It is,

The Guide of Youth: a Sermon to the Young. By the Rev. John H. James. 12mo., pp. 24. John Mason,

MR. JAMES is a young Minister, may we not be allowed to say, of no ordinary promise? - the son of a Minister who, while living, was alike greatly respected and extensively useful. The Sermon was addressed to a number of young persons at Liverpool, and was printed in the Wesleyan Magazine. The Book-Committee, on perusing it, believed that its circulation in a separate form would be very beneficial, and therefore recommended its publication. Mr. James has therefore prepared it for the press, adding a paragraph or two in reference to the time of its appearance, -the new year. We wish we could persuade all our readers to procure it for themselves, and to read it with much seriousness and prayer. Were they to do this, they could scarcely fail of being very deeply impressed, and induced, instead of halting between two opinions, humbly but firmly to decide that henceforth, by God's grace, they would live to his glory. Parents would do well to procure several copies, (it is printed both handsomely and cheaply,) and present one to each of their children. We trust that Mr. James will be honoured by the Great Head of the Church, in being made, through this excellent sermon, the instrument of extensive and lasting good.