JOURNAL OF A RESIDENCE IN CHINA, and the Neighbouring Countries, from 1830 to 1833. By David Abeel, Missionary of the American Board of Missions to South-Eastern Asia. Revised and reprinted from the American edition, with an Introductory Essay, by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Wriothesley Noel, M. A. Nisbet and Co.

WE are always glad to see any work that tends to lay the dark places of the earth open to the commiserating gaze of God's people. The mighty empire of China, so recently unsealed, as it were, to us, is a field to which we have more than once directed the attention of our readers: the miserable condition of their own sex, in that region, presenting a peculiarly strong claim on the sympathy of Christian ladies. Mr. Abeel's narrative conveys much information, considering the limited time that he could devote to researches that would furnish occupation for a long life. We have a terrible picture of heathen cruelty and crime, with a lamentable one of Roman Catholic ignorance and subtlety, ingrafting its own idolatries upon those of the Pagan, and turning both to account, in the unsanctified path of worldly gain. The volume is very sketchily written; but it could not have been otherwise. We recommend it, as presenting, from the vast territory of this gigantic empire and its environs, a thrilling appeal to Christian philanthropy-' Come over, and help us!' It is astonishing to us, how so many careless daughters' can be at ease in Zion, with such claims, both at home and abroad, upon their zeal and self-denial in the despised cause of the gospel of Christ.

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PRAYERS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. Hatchards.

JUST the words to be put into the mouths of young children. So simple, as to be well understood by them so short, as not to weary their attention: so sound, as to keep before their view their own state, as sinners, the love of God the Father, the atonement of God the Redeemer, and the necessary help of God the Sanctifier. Each little petition is headed by an appropriate text of scripture, and followed by a hymn. We have seen it voluntarily adopted, and regularly used by a little child, from the hour that it fell into his hands.

HINTS designed to regulate the intercourse of Christians. By W. B. Sprague, D. D. Pastor of the second Presbyterian Church in Albany. With a recommendatory preface, by W. Urwick, D. D. Robertson and Co., and Hamilton and Co.

WE intended to have noticed this volume some time ago; and regret that it escaped our memory so long. The world, we know, is much addicted to inveighing against the world. Each individual, generally speaking, has some pathetic complaint to make, or some condemnatory conclusion to draw, with regard to that body of which he forms, it would seem, an isolated member, amiably free from the contamination that pervades the rest. The same habit prevails among

those whose privilege it is to be "not of the world." Almost every professor of vital godliness has a complaint to bring against the bulk of religious people, that their conduct is too inconsistent, their conversation too unprofitable, to meet his idea of what a Christian ought to be. Unhappily there is but too much reason for the complaint; and, in the eye of Him who left us an example, with an injunction that we should tread in his steps, the gold must be changed indeed, the fine gold become dim. His disciples are too ready to forget their most impressive title their most important character-" Ye are the salt of the earth."

Now, ardently desiring to see this evil vigorously resisted, and the people of God walking more worthy of their high calling, we took up Dr. Sprague's book, hoping, from its title, that it bore strongly upon the second great point connected with the order and beauty, the stability and effectiveness of Christ's militant church. The first point being, unquestionably, that of communion with God, we place next to it, the intercourse of Christians one with another. We found, in the preface of Dr. Urwick, a just and philosophical view of the subject; and in the work itself precisely what we desired to meet with. It is luminously arranged under heads, treating of the object, grounds, and mode of conducting Christian intercourse. Of its hindrances, occasions, opportunities and perversions: of its bearings, in the family circle, with youth, between the higher and lower classes, and in epistolary correspondence ; added to this, we found a mass of valuable matter on the important topic of the intercourse of Christians with the world. We advise all our friends,

who look with a grieved eye upon the serious shortcomings of religious society, to suspend their lamentations until they have read this book, and measured themselves by its sensible and scriptural standard. Then, according to the homely and unanswerable adage, each person mending one, we shall hope to see the whole community radically and permanently improved.

POLITICS.

'Well! uncle, you have got into a scrape.'

'Me, my dear child! with whom, and on what occasion?'

'In our last conversation, on the memorable 20th of June, you said something exceedingly unjust, which you must forthwith disavow. Your words were, "When the highest authorities in the church league with the rulers of the state to crush what both are bound to uphold"-and so on.'

'I was speaking of Ireland.'

'Yes; and by the highest authorities in the church. it is understood that you pointed out the four Irish archbishops.'

'No, no, no!' exclaimed my uncle, much annoyed; who could suspect me of so calumnious an intention?

'Nobody who knows you, my dear uncle; but you ought not to have used the plural number.'

Ay! indeed; that's true. I am sorry I spoke so vaguely. You know 'tis a common thing to do so; but in this case I perceive that it was very wrong. Why did'nt you point it out at the time?'

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Simply, uncle, because I did not remark it. The fact is that a friend, cooler than you are, and wiser than I, shewed me the error; and talked so sensibly too, that I wished you had heard him.'

'It was the part of a true friend,' observed my