MISS E. C., AND WHAT SHE InherITED. Very soon after making my residence in the City of New York I took a class of ten misses in the Sabbath-school of the C-Street C. Church. Among them was a Miss E. C., a very intelligent and finely cultured girl of about sixteen. It is my habit to make the subject of temperance and the danger of drink prominent in my Sunday-school teaching. So few meet the question at all, that it seems to me quite in place to use the very first opportunity to declare my views. There had been a pleasant revival in this church during the winter previous, and many young people had united with the church only the Sabbath before my coming. E. C. was one of the converts. On this, my first Sabbath with the class, the lesson admitted a full expression as to the evils of drink, and I pressed the matter of entire abstinence as the only safe ground. I referred to cases and recited known facts when a single glass or indulgence had proved disastrous, and barely hinted at "inherited tendencies.' Miss E. C. was greatly agitated, perhaps offended, while I was presenting these thoughts, though I think she said nothing. But the same week she came to my house and said "Mr. S., I would like to talk with you about myself." "Very well, Miss E., I shall be happy to hear you, and to serve you if in my power." "My mind has been greatly disturbed with doubts and fears ever since communion day, when I joined the church." "Why, my dear girl, what could have caused such feelings? Do you mean that your distress was caused by something that occurred on so sacred and blessed an occasion?" "Yes sir, and what you said in class last Sunday about intoxicating liquors and the danger to some of even tasting, brought to mind my strange feelings when I tasted the wine at communion." "Can it be possible that in partaking of the symbols of our Christ's dying love you were tempted?" Oh, yes sir, and that is what distresses me so. I will tell you all about it. When I took the bread it was very sweet to "discern the Lord's body," and by faith to feed my soul on my Saviour's love. But just as soon as I touched the wine to my lips, I wanted to drink-oh, so much! I felt that I must drink all there was in the cup, and should if I dared. But oh, how bad I felt, it took my thoughts from the love of the Saviour. I was sure I had grieved and dishonored Him. My heart sank clear down and made me so miserable. Yes sir, it took away all my hope, and, teacher, I fear that I am not a Christain at all. Oh, what shall I do ?"

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Here the poor girl broke quite down. As soon as she could command her feelings, I said: "My dear E., do you want to turn back from serving God, and trying to live a Christain life?," "Oh, no sir, no sir! that would be dreadful. I want to be a real earnest, true disciple of Christ, and be prepared to meet my sainted mother in heaven. Do please tell me what made me feel so, and was it a very great sin?" "One thing I can tell you, it was the temptation of the devil. That is certain. The Lord gave you grace to resist in some measure, and He will help you to overcome. But let me ask you, do you drink wine or other intoxicating drinks at other times ?" "No sir, never. I never tasted of wine or any kind of liquor till that time, and have been taught not to use any thing that has alcohol in it."

I then gave her such instructions as she seemed to need, and she left encouraged to go on in her Christain course. But I learned during our interview that her father, before his conversion, had been a moderate drinker, and that her grandfather had kept a hotel and at times drank badly. These facts unlocked the whole secret. I did not tell her that secret, but enjoined her to pass the " cup" always, if it contained alcoholic liquor. To her, and all such at least, the alcoholic cup, wherever found, must be the "cup of devils." This dear girl, like multitudes of others, inherited the terrible "dipsomaniac" appetite. Just when she ought to have been safest, Satan was entrenched and set to buffet and worry her soul and quench her hope-so easily and so certainly is this latent demon aroused. Not only the reformed drunkard who has sought refuge in Christ and his offspring are imperilled, but the children of habitual moderate drinkers are as certainly affected by transmitted "vitiated vitality," and as often become drunkards through this fatal inheritance. Incredible as this may seem, so testify the best physiologists who have most thoroughly examined this subject. The Second Commandment teaches the same thing as a warning. Ought not the Christian Church to make it impossible for the weakest to be "betrayed by a kiss" of the serpent alcohol at her sacred feast? Is there necessity or excuse for alcoholic wine at the communion? Would not unfermented "fruit of the vine" meet the case, and can this be had reliably?

[From what we have learned of the preparation called "Fruit of the Vine" we infer that it adapted to the communion use. Our neighbor, Mr. G. E. Sickel, of the National Temperance Society, No. 58 Reade Street, this city, will be glad, doubtless, to furnish the information desired. It is stated that upward of 1,000 churches in England, and 1,500 in this country have rejected fermented liquor for communion uses.-ED. P. J.]

Library.

In this department we give short reviews of such NEW Books as publishers see fit to send us. In these reviews we seek to treat author and publisher satisfactorily and justly, and also to furnish our readers with such information as shall enable them to form an opinion of the desirability of any particular volume for personal use. It is our wish to notice the better class of books issuing from the press, and we invite publishers to favor us with their recent publications, especially those related in any way to mental or physiological science.

THE VOICES. ("The Voice of Nature," "The Voice of a Pebble," "The Voice of Superstition," and "The Voice of Prayer.") By Warren Sumner Barlow. Sixth Edition. Boston: 8vo; fancy cloth. Price, $1.50. Colby & Rich.

According to the author his view of The Voice of Nature, is founded on the idea of

One God with one revokeless plan,

Embracing every world and man;
That man should learn to comprehend,
That all to good results doth tend."

The Voice of a Pebble "aims to teach the individuality of matter and mind, fraternal charity and love."

The Voice of Superstition, "presents the conflict that many suppose exists between their Maker and an imaginary evil being."

The Voice of Prayer "aims to inculcate the idea that,

No law is suspended should earth everywhere, Unite in one chorus to swell the same prayer."

That the prayers heard by the Lord are those which blend with deeds, regardless of color, class, or station.

The author adopts for the discussion of these profound themes the meter and manner of Pope, chiefly, and many of the passages remind us of the reasoning of the " Essay on Man." For instance, this:

"That God ordained the whole is understood,
To ultimate in universal good;

Yet hath no less decreed that man shall be,
Within a given sphere an agent free;
As fishes well secured in globes of glass

Are free within, though none without can pass;
While they like us look outward all around,
May often wish a larger range was found.
.But highest wisdom hath ordained this plan,
'To focalize the feeble powers of man;
Where each may freely choose a field of thought,
May grope in darkness, or be wisely taught;
Where all will learn as laws are understood,
To harmonize with universal good."

We think that the "Voice of Superstition" has the smallest claim of the "Voices" to rank as poetry, but we can understand the author's

difficulty in treating the subjects embraced within it, and make full allowance for any halting in the progression of his verse. The burden of this diversion of the volume seems to be the inconsistencies of Bible narrative, in reciting the dealings of God with man, particularly referring to passages in the Book of Numbers. Where he stands in opinion may be gathered fron

"But never can I entertain the thought,

A'God of Love' these horrid scenes hath

brought."

And we are thus led to the inference that to believe all there is in the Bible savors of superstition.

DRESS AND HEALTH; or, How to be Strong. A Book for Ladies. Pp. 187; cloth; Price, 30 cents. Montreal, Canada: John Dougal & Son.

A plain, practical discussion of the relation of dress to the health of our girls and women. Written, or rather compiled, in a pleasant style, drawing from many of the best authorities foreign and American, for facts and suggestions, it is the sort of book to help one in the conflict with illness and disease-producing fashion. It is a startling exponent of the sins and follies of people who in matters not associated specially with dress, may evince a good degree of intelligence and wisdom. And it does not leave the convicted of error comfortless, but presents methods and patterns for the making of neat, tasteful, and elegant garments, which will permit the blood to circulate, the lungs to expand, the stomach to digest, and the other bodily organs to perform their proper functions.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF LINDA GILBERT. With Statistical Reports and Engraving of herself.

Miss Gllbert is well known for her earnest and persistent efforts to improve the condition of prison life, especially to provide the means for the mental instruction of the unfortunates of society who spend much of their time in forced confinement. She has accomplished a vast amount of good in her self-elected sphere, and is not yet weary in well doing. The book is readable and suggestive, and should have a wide circulation. Price, in cloth, $1.25.

THE PACIFIC TOURIST. William's IIlustrated Guide to the Pacific Railroad, California, and Pleasure Resorts across the Continent. Full cloth, price $2; flexible covers, $1.50. New York: Henry D. Williams.

Whether one contemplates a trip across the continent or not, he will find this publication deeply interesting. The regions west of the Mississippi furnish the material which the artist and the writer have wrought into its beautiful and instructive pages. The details of sights and incidents which are met by the traveler on

the way to San Francisco are comprehensive, while hundreds of superb engravings furnish the eye realistic impressions of the grandeur of Rocky mountain scenery, and of the varied life, human and brute, which the vast prairie and hill regions of the Far West sustain. Mr. Williams has combined many features of value to the general reader in his new guide. Possessing a practical knowledge of the country from frequent visits, his suggestions and counsel with regard to business facilities and opportunities here and there, and the economic management of a trip have a special significance. Many historical sketches relating to interesting localities, and many portraits of men and women prominent for their connection with the development of certain towns, or cities, or districts, are distributed through the text. The mining and agricultural wealth of the great Rocky Mountain States is treated with an appreciative hand, and, in fact, everywhere wide information and cultured taste are conspicuous qualities in the make-up of the book. We are told that it represents $20,000 worth of literary and artistic labor. Whatever it cost, the price is exceedingly low as compared with the intrinsic qualities of the book.

THE CENTENNIAL SCHOOL SINGER; Containing Songs of Patriotism and Peace for the Children of the American Union. By Geo. Henry Curtis and Wm. Oland Bourne. Oblong. Price, 40 cents. New York: Bigelow & Main, 1876.

The title of this work and the names of its compilers are a sufficient suggestion of its merit. It is just the thing for the time, and the selections are made with taste and with generous breadth of patriotic feeling. The children from Maine to Texas may gladly and fitly unite in rendering these soul-stirring songs of patriotism and peace." The work opens like a rocket with "The Boston Tea Party, 1773," and in its progress gives us Lexington, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Yorktown, the Star Spangled Banner, The Marsellaise, etc.

The work is fragrant with the songs of the fathers of the Revolution, with many gems of later time, making it the book for the million, and before this Centennial year closes, we doubt not the schools and families of our broad land will be full of these rich melodies. In some cases they will remind us of old wine in new bottles; but it will be pleasant to know that in all cases the grapes were gathered from the same old vines of Patriotism, Union, and Liberty.

MAGAZINES AND PERIODICALS RECEIVED.

No. 15, VOL. 4, OF HARKNESS' MAGAZINE Overflows with Centennial enthusiasm. It contains much matter of historic interest to Americans, beside a good variety of general reading which

is not marred so far as we have seen by a single indecorous thought.

IN THE WEATHER REVIEW for May, the Signal Officer informs us that the Review is made up from the reports of observations taken at "eighty-eight Signal Service, U. S. Army stations, and fourteen Canadian stations, at 7:35 A. M., 4:35 P. M., and 11 P. M., daily, and telegraphed to this office immediately afterward; monthly meteorological records of observations, taken at four hundred and sixty-five stations, including those from the volunteer observers, U. S. Naval Hospitals, U. S. Army Post Hospitals, Canadian stations and Signal Service stations; reliable newspaper extracts; special reports from various sections of the country, and Marine Records.

The most noticeable features were the barometric pressure averages higher than usual in the sections east of the Rocky Mountains; the frequent occurrence of tornadoes, especially those of the 6th in Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana; the temperature averages nearly 4° below the normal in the St. Lawrence Valley, and 2°.5′ above in the Lower Lake region; late frosts in Mississippi and Tennessee; large excess of rainfall in the Western Gulf States, Tennessee, and Upper Mississippi Valley; severe snow-storms along Lake Superior, on Pike's Peak, and in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming Territories; very few reports of droughts; the destructive thunder and hail-storms; ice-fields in Lake Superior, Straits of Mackinaw, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and near St. Johns, Newfoundland; grasshoppers in Minnesota, Dakota, Wyoming and Montana; an aurora on the 25th.

THE DELINEATOR FOR JULY. This popular periodical occupies a position of its own in an approximation to a common-sense treatment of fashion matters. Besides giving fully and clearly the newest general information as to the va rious departments of the mode, it handles the practical details so that everybody can understand them. Yearly subscription, $1. New York: Messrs. E. Buttrick & Co.

THE FOREST AND STREAM HAND-BOOK FOR RIFLEMEN. Giving forms for organization of Rifle Associations, By-Laws, Rules for Practice and Competition; Practical Hints concerning Ranges, Targets, Scoring, Rifles, Shooting, etc., and a list of Rifle Associations in America. Illustrated with maps, diagrams, etc. By Major G. C. Starr, Secretary American Rifle Association. Contains many practical suggestions for shootists. New York: J. B. Ford & Company. Price, cloth, 50 cents.

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN PHONETIC ALPHABET. By Eliza B. Burns. Approved and recommended by the Alphabet Committee of the American Philological Society. New York: Burns & Co. Price, 10 cents.