The Monthly's New Year's Greeting.-We cordially wish our readers a Happy New Year! May peace, prosperity and happiness crown their lives throughout the year. In our December number we told of the many good things we have in store for the year 1876, and our present number we

DWIGHT L. MOODY.

trust will be deemed a good beginning. We propose to make the next still better. We have a number of admirable papers awaiting space, and expect many more.

We especially desire to give in the MONTHLY during this year appropriate papers upon Literature, Art and Sciencewith special reference to their earlier aspects and development in this country; to do this satisfactorily, we shall have to ask some of our good friends to assist us with materials and data, or to write such papers for us when they can do so conveniently. In this number, we have a capital paper on an early book, not American but relating to America, and one on a more recent artist and his works; and we should much like to receive one or two of a like sort for each number.

The United States Congress.-On Monday, the 7th of December, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States convened in their respective chambers. The attendance of spectators was unusually large, the spacious galleries being crowded to their utmost

capacity. The recent death of Henry Wilson having left vacant the Vice-Presidential chair, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Hon. Senator Ferry, of Michigan, presided over that body. The Senate being Republican, as hitherto for the past fifteen years, its organization excited little interest, and the chief public interest concentrated upon the organization of the Lower House, which, as our readers are aware, contains a Democratic majority for the first time since the inauguration of the rebellion. There was naturally a wide-spread interest in the question as to who was to fill the chair lately honored by Mr. Blaine, and who to occupy the subordinate official stations. Hon. Michael C. Kerr, of Indiana, is the new Speaker, with the following gentlemen in the several positions named:

Clerk, George M. Adams, of Kentucky; Sergeant-at-Arms, John G. Thompson, of Ohio; Doorkeeper, Lafayette N. Fitzhugh, of Texas; Postmaster, James M. Stewart, of Virginia, and Chaplain, Rev. T. L. Townsend, of the District of Columbia.

Of these Mr. Fitzhugh was Sergeant-at-Arms of the Confederate House of Representatives.

The President's Message was submitted on Tuesday, and is a most creditable State paper. Mr. Grant's peculiar forte is, saying exactly what he means in plain English, which all who read can comprehend; he indulges in no rhetoric figures or flourishes, stoops to no evasive expressions, but speaks out in unmistakable terms; though one cannot always endorse his views, it is a satisfaction to know just what those views are, and to believe that, whether erroneous or correct, they are the honest views of an honest man honestly expressed.

Oertel, the painter, is said to be at work in Lenoir, Wes. tern North Carolina, executing a large picture for the Cen tennial Exhibition.

Moody and Sankey, and their Work.-" These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also," and now that they have fully and successfully entered upon the work of turning our part of "the world upside down," we cannot longer defer a brief notice of the men, their work, and their success. We are the more constrained to do so because "certain lewd fellows of the baser sort" have sought to secure notoriety by, so far as the enlightened laws and principles of toleration of our country and age will admit, imitating their prototypes of Thessalonica, and have violently assailed and denounced the evangelists who are going about proclaiming, in opposition to the "prince of this world" and his representatives, that "there is another king, one Jesus." It is a little remarkable, and yet we think not surprising, that, among those who are pursuing the unchristian and perhaps unwise policy of slander and detraction, are some avowedly religious papers. For example, The Index, in speaking of the work in England, says: "That' the work of God' was very largely one of man's is evidenced by the announcement that its expenses, during the few months of the campaign in England, amounted to nearly $150,000. Even radicalism, we have faith to believe, might boast of a revival could it devote a similar sum to the purpose." Another "liberal" religious paper says of the Brooklyn meetings: "All Brooklyn is reported as crazy over Moody and Sankey. We have lived to see the time when religion, pure and undefiled,' is reduced to the level of a cheap theatrical sensation. Some people prefer the acting at Wallack's and Booth's to that of the Brooklyn Rink." And there are others of the like "liberal" spirit. Now, without assuming the special championship of Messrs. Moody and Sankey, we cannot

refuse to record our earnest hope that God will continue to bless these workers in their labors as we think there are indubitable evidences that IIe has hitherto blessed them. The MONTHLY is not a "religious" periodical in the common acceptation of the term, but it is unqualifiedly favorable to any honest and earnest effort to do good, whether the plans and methods or the means and instrumentalities brought into exercise be in all respects just what our preconceived notions approve or not. At any rate, we have no desire ever to be found"fighting against God," or frowning upon anything that even seems to be cheered by His smiles.

Dwight L. Moody born in Northfield, Massachusetts in 1837. In his boyhood, displayed great originality and force of char

acter and the power of leadership that characterizes his present movements. At eighteen years, he entered the boot and shoe store of his uncle in Boston, his parents were Unitarians, and he had been brought up in their belief; but he became a member of the Sunday-school attached to Dr. Kirk's Congregational Church, where an evangelical sermon had the effect of making him uncomfortable, and he determined not to go again; induced to go back the next Sunday, the serious impression was renewed, and having obtained joy and peace in believing, he applied for admission

IRA D. SANKEY.

to the church on the 16th of May, 1855. The committee, by whom his application was considered, recommended delay until he could acquaint himself thoroughly with the fundamental truth of Christianity. After six months he was received into the communion of the church.

He removed, in 1856, to Chicago, where he obtained a situation in a shoe store. Desiring to make himself useful, he went into a Mission Sunday-school, and asked for a class. The answer to his application was, that the school was fully supplied with teachers, but that if he could gather a class for himself, he would be allowed to occupy a place in the schoolroom. He succeeded in bringing in eighteen boys, and he enjoyed this sort of work, and handed the class over to another

teacher, and continued bringing in recruits until he had filled the school. He soon organized a separate school for the benefit of the lower classes, in one of the most forbidding parts of Chicago. It was called the "North Market Hall Mission School," and it became one of the most famous of the West, the attendance reaching one thousand. Mr. Moody decided to give up his business and devote his time to the work hs had planned for himself.

Mr. Moody's work lay in a part of the city in which Roman Catholics and Germans abounded. Being no singer, he secured the help of a friend to sing for him, and for the first few evenings they spent the time alternately singing hymns and telling stories to the children. Very soon the children began to manifest a lively interest. Meetings were held every evening, and prayers offered and addresses delivered, the parents began to attend these meetings, and some of them were greatly blessed. Some of those then converted through his instrumentality, have since been among Mr. Moody's most valuable and active helpers in Chicago. An independent church grew out of the school and Mr. Moody became its unordained pastor. It was a hive of Bible readers, tract distributors, lay preachers, and missionary visitors.

Mr. Moody is not a man of education or culture; his manner is abrupt and blunt, his voice is sharp, rapid, and colloquial, and he never attempts anything like finished or elaborate composition. But he is in downright earnest. He believes what he says, says it as if he believed it, and expects his audience to believe it. There is nothing of novelty in the doctrine which he proclaims. It is the old Gospel,-old, yet always fresh.

Ira D. Sankey was born at Edinburg, Pennsylvania, in 1840. In early life he displayed a taste for sacred music, and after joining the church at the age of fifteen, he actively promoted the training of Sunday-school children in the singing of hymns. It was in Indianapolis, at a national convention of Young Men's Christian Associations, that Mr. Moody first heard him sing. The two men found that their views and wishes harmonized, and they decided to work together.

Mr. Sankey has a fine, full, soft, baritone voice, well trained, and over which he has complete mastery. His singing is plain and natural, with wonderful distinctness of articulation, and unaffected feeling. A certain class of hearers attend the services solely to hear Mr. Sankey.

There is no occasion for us to repeat the story of the successful European tour of Messrs. Moody and Sankey, nor of the auspicious opening of their work in this country. Their success everywhere is one of the marvels of our day, and those who deny that the presence and blessing of God attend them and crown their labors, must concede to them personally and collectively a degree of power that is rarely pos sessed by two men. For our part we prefer to believe that it is the Lord of Life whose power is working by their instru mentality.

Sound, we Think.-A Toronto Presbyterian pastor was lately taken to task by his Presbytery for some questionable utterances in his pulpit, and in the course of his reply he gets off the following, which is sound enough, whatever the views for which he was arraigned may be:

"I think most men will admit that, were we now for the

first time framing a Confession which was to be the test of office in the Church, the result would be a document containing fewer propositions than the Westminster Confession, and leaving more room for difference of opinion. The tendency of Christian thought nowadays is to regard fewer and fewer articles as essential, and so to make it possible to embrace within one Church a larger body of believing men."

The Gospel recognizes but one Article of Faith as absolutely essential, and that is "that Jesus, the Christ, is the Son of God," at least, such was the creed of the eunuch whom Philip baptized into the Church, and of the jailer whom Paul baptized.

Fidelity of a Conscientious Switchtender.-A switchtender had just taken his place to change the track in order to turn a train which was in sight so as to prevent a collision with another train from an opposite direction. At this critical moment, on turning his head, he discovered his little boy playing on the track of the advancing engine. He might spring to the rescue and remove him safely, but then he would not have time to turn the switch, and hundreds of lives might be lost by his neglect. In an instant his resolu tion was taken. "Lie down!" he shouted to his boy, and the child, happily accustomed to obedience, promptly threw himself on the ground and the whole train thundered over him, the passengers little dreaming how much their safety cost that father. The trembling man rushed forward fearing to find only a mangled corpse, but no words can express his joy at seeing his child alive and unharmed. The next day the Emperor, having heard of the circumstance, sent for the man, and presented him the medal of honor for his bravery.—Berlin (German) Volksblatt.

A Missionary of the English Baptist Society recently baptized a Bengalee gentleman at Baraset. This conver Babu Kali Krishna Mittra-was educated at Serampore College, and, although not a full believer in the Gospel, had for years been a promoter of female education and other reforms in Hindu society. After years of prayerful study of the claims of Christianity, his faith in the all-sufficient Saviour has become so strong as to require of him that he should be baptized. The many respectable Hindus with whom he is connected are in great trouble about him. They cannot cast him off or bear to see him a Christian. Some of them are trying to persuade him to become an apostle, while others represent him as having become deranged.

The meetings of Mr. Schauffler at Brünn, Moravia, are still forbidden by the Austrian authorities; but there are evidences of considerable interest among the people. The discussion in regard to the Evangelical movement continues, an extraordinary number of Bibles have been sold, and sympathy is frequently expressed for the American missionary thus silenced. A native brother, who has not as yet been interfered with, is gathering many to listen to the Word of God. In no country has the Gospel been more persistently stamped out than in Moravia and Bohemia, and we rejoice in the beginning of grace which God is making at Brünn and other parts of this spiritually-oppressed country.

There have been a good many instances of lawyers becoming preachers, and among them were the late Charles G. Finney, of the Presbyterian Church; Dr. Francis L. Hawks, of the Episcopal Church, and Dr. Littlejohn, Bishop of the Diocese of Long Island. There have been a good many instances, too, of players becoming preachers, of whom the late Spencer H. Cone was an eminent example.

The National Congress of Venezuela has sent the following response to President Blanco's message: "The Congress solemnly approves of your conduct in the struggle of the Government against the pretensions of Rome; and it thanks you for not having allowed a foreign power to dishonor the sovereignty of the country." Which shows that one may be a good Catholic and a good citizen at the same time.

A Good Wife Appreciated.—The annual contributions of $5,000 from the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh has recently been received by the United Presbyterian Mission in Egypt, in one of whose schools the Maharajah's wife was educated. For eleven years this gift has come to the Mission, and by this time has become the very substantial tribute of $55,000 in value of the wife in whose honor it is given on each anniversary of the wedding-day.

The Pew-Rent System is bad enough under its best developments, but, if reports be true, and they seem unquestionable, it reaches its climax of ungodliness in the method practiced in Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, where strangers are admitted on the payment of a shilling at the door. The system is lately making some discussion in the English papers and has called out a sharp rebuke. A writer in the Christian World thus tells his story:

"We arrived at the Tabernacle about half past ten o'clock, and being admitted at the gate, on payment of a shilling each, dispersed into different pews in the first gallery. By-and-by a lady came into the pew where one of my friends sat, and, without asking him to retire, inquired whether he had a ticket. My friend respectfully replied that he had none, but had given a shilling on entering. The lady then brought forward her father, who, with passionate rudeness, ordered my friend out of the pew, and accused him of annoying his daughter which was just as untrue as it was unkind. On hearing what had passed in the pew behind me, I began to feel the insecurity of my own position, which was speedily verified. Two ladies, accompanied by a gentleman, came into the pew I occupied, for whom I at once made way, and, as there was still ample sitting room, I felt disposed to remain, but was given to understand by one of the ladies that I could not be accommodated. A lady and gentleman close by us all the way from Jamaica--were treated exactly in the same fashion, and others we overheard, in another pew, declaring that they had paid their shilling for their seat, and would not be put out of it."

We have heard of some cases not much better, but none worse, in some of our aristocratic city churches.

James Lick has notified the regents of the University of California that he has decided upon Mount Holly as the site for his proposed observatory.

Cheap Cookery.-We noticed, while visiting a large steel-making establishment recently, that the workmen at noon ingeniously utilized the ingots of steel, which lay cooling in the yard, as cooking-stoves, and seemingly prepared their dinners over the heated metal as easily as over a fire. The idea is a good one, and might be adopted with advantWe believe age by the men in all metal-working concerns. that the custom is not common among the workmen in this country, nor in the iron-works in England, though it owes its origin to and has long been practiced in the tin-melting establishments of Cornwall. It is considered quite a civility there to offer a visitor a chop nicely broiled over a recentlyrun ingot of tin. The big hammer block, we were told as an especial wrinkle, is the best place to fry things, as it is smooth and usually just hot enough. Ingots are ordinarily rough and generally somewhat too warm. In winter time, a workman can economize considerably, and at the same time get a hot dinner, by thus utilizing the wasted heat of the metal.

The report of Hon. John Eaton, the United States Commissioner of Education, for 1874, shows that the total school population of the States and Territories is 13,875,050; enrolled in the public schools, 8,090,081; average daily attendance, 4,522,567; total number of teachers, 246,300. The total income of public schools for the whole country is $82,158,905, of which $81,277,686 is for the States and $881,219 for the Territories.

At a recent meeting of the Dakota Indian Mission of the American Board, the question was raised whether the time had not come for the Dakota churches to send out a missionary of their own to the wild tribes. This movement for a native missionary society was very warmly received, and a committee was chosen to make collections in the churches, and report a plan of work at the next meeting.

The Catholic Telegraph, in commenting on Professor Proctor's change of base, claims that evolution, in any but the most sweeping sense, is entirely compatible with the Catholic faith. It points out that St. Augustine taught the development of life from the inorganic; and that the Fathers were nearly all agreed that the creative days were vast periods, of which our days are only the faintest types. Even man, so far as he is an animal, may be safely viewed as a product of evolution. All these questions, the editor claims, belong to science, and not to religion. He insists only that the soul be reserved for an immediate act of the Creator. The entire article is ably written.

Some freethinkers made themselves very merry over an alleged increase of insanity in England in connection with the Moody and Sankey meetings, Mr. M. D. Conway being especially happy in his remarks upon the subject. Unfortunately, the recent reports from the asylums, fail to justify the assertion. It is too bad that so much wit should be lost. We suggest, in order to save it, that these jovial gentlemen should next try their hand on the cases of insanity which sin has occasioned.

"That is to say, of churches in 1850 the Roman Catholics had 3 1.5 of the whole; in 1870, 5 7.10; of church-sittings, 1850, 4 7.10; 1870, 9%; of property, 1850, 10 3.5; 1870, 17 2.10.

"Here is a gain; but percentage runs higher where the figures are low. And as to property, theirs lies mainly in great cities, and has risen rapidly in value. We still have on our side 68,332 churches, 19,674,548 church-sittings, and $293,498,015 of church property."

A picture of Gilbert Hunt, the colored blacksmith, who saved the lives of a number of persons at the burning of the Richmond Theatre, December 26, 1811, has been placed in the State Library of Virginia.

Specie Payments." Let Congress this winter enact: "I. That the holders of greenbacks, upon presentation of them to the Treasury Department, be entitled to receive in exchange therefor 4 per cent. gold bonds of the denomination of $50 or $100, or any multiple of $100.

"2. That these bonds, having thirty years to run from the date of issue, be made legal-tenders in the payment of all debts and contracts made before, say, the 4th of July, 1876. "3. That the legal tender for all contracts made after that date shall be the coin of the United States, except when payment otherwise may be expressly stipulated."

These are suggestions of the Chicago Tribune, and to them The Independent forcibly replies:

“The true theory for specie resumption is the direct one that proposes the payment and retirement of legal-tender notes, and the substitution therefor of bank-notes. Here is the central idea, and to it all measures looking to the end should be adjusted. What the country needs is to get rid of legal-tender paper in every form, and not to substitute one kind of such paper for another."

Union Services of Evangelical Christians in the City of Mexico.-The missionaries of all the Protestant churches have been meeting in the forenoons, and the people, in numbers varying from eighty to two hundred and fifty, in the afternoons, in order to pray for an outpouring of the Spirit upon the whole work in the Mexican capital.