ghany, Wheeling, and Ohio. Concerning this Convention, a correspondent writes in a private letter, that it "was owned of God as an important means of stirring up this great interest in the field covered by these four Synods. It had more to do with the work, not only there, but throughout the land, I am firmly persuaded, than journalists seem willing to allow. I doubt whether ever so large a body of ministers and elders in contiguous fields were so simultaneously and ardently enlisted in the Master's work, as in Eastern and Central Ohio and in Western Pennsylvania, from the day the Convention adjourned. So far as I observed, no peculiar interest developed itself, except in spots here and there, until after the concerted humiliation and prayer, observed early in January, and earnestly advised and agreed upon by that Convention. On that day hundreds of churches were gathered together in that field; unwonted numbers met; ministers preached with unwonted zeal for Christ's glory; and Christians prayed with great fervour. The Spirit had commenced his work, and the flame of sacred influence spread so rapidly that the world and the Church too were astonished."

In February, a similar Convention was held in Cincinnati, composed chiefly of ministers and elders from the Synods of Cincinnati, Kentucky, Indiana, and Northern Indiana. The attendance was large, and the exercises, which lasted between two and three days, contributed much to deepen and extend the religious interest in the bounds of those Synods. In May, a third Convention was held at Xenia, Ohio, called by members of the Reformed Presbyterian, Associate Presbyterian, and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches. The last two bodies have since become one, and are now known as the United Presbyterian Church. That Convention was largely attended, excited unusual interest, and produced the happiest results. Other smaller meetings were held in different sections of our land for religious conference, preaching, and prayer; and they all doubtless had their influence in imparting an impetus to the movement which was to reach in due time (and has since reached) the farthest shores of our widely extended country.

6. God has been pleased to employ the officers and private members of the Church to an unusual degree in promoting the revival. The noonday prayer-meetings in our cities have been generally conducted by business-men. Clergymen have often taken part in them, but their principal management has by common consent been yielded to laymen. Indeed these meetings were first proposed by a layman, and probably at every meeting since, laymen have, more or less, both exhorted and led in prayer. Their lips have also been opened at other times and places to speak a word for Jesus; and many have been brought to Christ through their instrumentality. Young Men's Christian Associations, composed mostly though not exclusively of laymen, have likewise been particularly active in various ways in promoting the revival. They have devoted much

time in sustaining prayer-meetings in different places, have exerted their influence to induce others, especially young men, to attend, and have contributed liberally to provide accommodations and pay incidental expenses.

Some apprehensions have occasionally been expressed that the laity might encroach on the functions of the ministry, and that Young Men's Christian Associations might assume the position and prerogatives of the Church. We cannot say that there has been no ground for these apprehensions. But though a few impulsive and inexperienced persons have now and then manifested some tendencies of this character, they have given us no alarm. The controlling influence has invariably been in favour of ecclesiastical order. Christian ministers and churches have been duly respected, and the arrangements for religious meetings on the Sabbath have always been made, we believe, as far as possible, so as not to interfere with the regular public services in the churches. We have also been informed that at the prayer-meetings conducted under the direction of Young Men's Christian Associations, no person is permitted to lead one of the meetings until he becomes a communicant in some evangelical church; thus showing that they design to act virtually in the Church, and not outside of it; to build it up, and not to create a separate and independent interest.

The Church of Christ is a divinely constituted body, and no professed Christian society can ignore it and assume its place without a criminal disregard of the authority of Christ, and a virtual renunciation of their Christian name. The Church is divinely organized by the appointment of ministers and other officers; and persons not divinely called to the ministry cannot encroach on its peculiar functions without committing sacrilege. But there is ample room for all to employ their gifts in doing good without leaving their appropriate spheres. Prayer and exhortation are not the exclusive functions of ministers of the Gospel; though unhappily few of our church-members compared with the whole have hitherto been willing to engage in these duties in a public manner. We rejoice that the present revival is developing the latent talents of the Church in these particulars, by calling into active exercise the gifts of our business-men. Their ability and willingness to pray and exhort in social meetings, instead of being regarded with apprehension by ministers, should be hailed as tokens of Divine favour. Pastors will be greatly aided in their labours by these auxiliaries. Instead of discouraging them in these efforts, or circumscribing the number of those who shall take part in them if qualified, we would say with Moses, when Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp, and when Joshua said to him, "My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them!"

The instrumentalities which are specially needed preparatory to

the introduction of the millennium, are faithful and zealous ministers, and earnest, active, and benevolent church-members. With reference to the former, Christ instructed his disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth labourers into his harvest. This prayer has been long on the lips of God's people; but it has never been answered so fully as it is likely to be now. The large increase of materials for future ministers indicates the near approach of that mighty revolution which is to be accomplished by means of a preached Gospel. When "the Lord gives the word, great will be the company of those that publish it." With regard

to church-members, we have an illustration of their increased activities prior to the millennium, in the extraordinary manifestations recorded in the Acts of the Apostles concerning the Pentecost. Peter intimated that the glorious things they then saw would characterize, in their substantial features, the Gospel dispensation, and especially the period of its final triumph. When God "pours out the spirit of grace and supplication" (as he is now doing) on his redeemed people, gives them a holy courage to "stand up for Jesus," and imparts that enlarged and practical benevolence which has for its object the conversion of the whole world, we may reasonably conclude that his "set time to favour Zion is come." May the Lord give grace both to ministers and people to meet the responsibilities which devolve upon them at this eventful period. J. W.

Bousehold Choughts.

A ROYAL PRINCESS.

[We have given in former numbers of this Magazine some interesting illustrations of Queen Victoria's household character; and we are glad to find that her distinguished daughter, lately married to Prince Frederick William of Prussia, possesses similar views of family affairs. The following extract is from an exchange paper. -ED.]

HOW VICTORIA'S DAUGHTER MANAGES HER HOUSEHOLD.

THE Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph writes as follows: The reserve maintained at the royal palace has given rise to various rumors, which have caused much delight to the good people here. The heroine of the incidents I refer to is Princess Victoria. You must know that on state occasions there is comparatively little ceremony observed here, while the every-day life of the royal family seems to be regulated more strictly on the principle of etiquette than that of Queen Victoria. A Prussian Princess,

for instance, is not allowed by her Mistress of the Robes to take up a chair, and, after having carried it through the whole breadth of the room, to put it down in another corner. It was while committing such an act that Princess Victoria was lately caught by Countess Perponcher. The venerable lady remonstrated, with a considerable degree of official earnestness. "I'll tell you what," replied, nothing daunted, the royal heroine of this story, "I'll tell you what, my dear Countess, you are probably aware of the fact of my mother being the Queen of England?" The Countess bowed in assent. "Well," resumed the bold Princess, "then I must reveal to you another fact. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland has not once, but very often, so far forgotten herself as to take up a chair. I speak from personal observation, I can assure you. Nay, if I am not greatly deceived, I noticed one day my mother carrying a chair in each hand, in order to set them for her children. Do you really think that my dignity forbids any thing which is frequently done by the Queen of England?" The Countess bowed again and retired, perhaps not without a little astonishment at the biographical information she had heard. However, she knew her office, and resolved to prove not less staunch to her duties than the Princess.

A scene similar to the one narrated recently happened, when Countess Perponcher, on entering one of the remote chambers, took the Princess by surprise, while busily engaged in the homely occupation of arranging and stowing away a quantity of linen. But all objections the Countess could urge were again beaten back by another equally unanswerable argument taken from the everyday life of the mistress of Windsor Castle.

After having gained these two important victories, Princess Victoria, true to the auspicious omen of her name, carried the war into the enemy's camp. The chambermaids, whose proper business it is to clean the rooms, discharge the duties of their position in silk dresses. The daughter of the richest sovereign in the world decided to put a stop to this extravagance. One fine morning she had all the female servants summoned to her presence, and delivered what may be considered a highly successful made speech. She began by telling them the expense of their dresses must evidently exceed the rate of their wages. She added that as their wages were not to be raised, it would be very fortunate for them if they were allowed to assume cotton articles of clothing. "In order to prevent every misunderstanding," the Princess continued, "I shall not only permit, but order you to do so. You must know that there ought always to be a difference in the dress of mistress and servant. Don't think that I want to hurt your feelings; you will understand my intention at once, if I tell you that" and now came the same unanswerable argument from the Court of St. James. She told them briefly that at that Court people in their position performed their duties in cotton, and that she liked to be ruled by her mother's practice.

Bistorical and Biographical.

ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

BY CAMEROY.*

THE relation of the Newspaper Press to the accuracy of future history is of great importance. These papers will soon be appealed to as sources of information, and their statements be made the basis of conclusions, which will have their influence in shading or brightening the pages of the record that may hereafter be made. They ought, therefore, to be correct, and especially, when what is thus put forth touches upon the past, and affects the conduct and character of men, who are no longer here to speak for themselves. We wish, therefore, to call attention to some things which have recently been asserted respecting the origin of the American Bible Society, which we deem inaccurate. And, we do this the more readily, knowing that the facts in the case will be to no one more acceptable than to the esteemed individual who has fallen into these mistakes. Our object is truth, and such is his.

In his second letter to Dr. Vermilye, Dr. Van Rensselaer stated that "the American Bible Society was founded in the city of Burlington, New Jersey, in 1816." This mistake was pointed out, and was promptly corrected by the author, as we knew it would be. But, in correcting this mistake, he has fallen into others, quite as great, and must have again "relied upon tradition," which he admits to be very uncertain and treacherous." His mistake, he thinks, was in using the word "formed" where he should have employed the word "originated or planned." He, therefore, puts the affirmation in a new shape, and states as "fact,"

1. "That the American Bible Society was originated and planned in the city of Burlington, New Jersey;

2. "That the public meeting at which the first measures were taken, was held in that old Quaker city; and,

3. "That Dr. Elias Boudinot was the chief agent, in Providence, in founding the Society."

We call in question the accuracy of these statements. What "tradition" may be in that old Quaker city, we know not, but certain it is, that the records of the past are against these several positions, as we shall endeavour to show. The idea of a national institution of this kind was first suggested to the New York and Philadelphia Bible Societies, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in 1810. The suggestion, however, was not favourably received by either of these Societies. Indeed, the directors of both returned a decided negative to the proposition. And thus the matter rested for some time. But the explorations made in different parts of the country in reference to the destitution of the Bible, necessarily called attention

These Letters originally appeared in the New York Observer. It is generally known that "Cameroy" is the Rev. JAMES W. MCLANE, D.D., the Collator of the new edition of the Bible.-ED.