all the evils that afflict society, whether resulting from ignorance, selfishness, or crime, have been, and continually are, over-ruled for good, yea, for the greatest good of all. The wicked may bend their bow, and shoot at the upright, who may fall and die; or they may be wounded and recover of their wounds, as happily was the case with him on whose account we have held thanksgiving service to-day. In either case, the evil which was permitted prevented a greater, although we may not know the precise nature of the special one prevented; we may at least know that it would have been a greater evil to have deprived the assassin of the freedom of his will, than it was to permit the evil of assassination and its effects. That he should afterwards have been deprived of his natural liberty, and then made to pay the penalty of his crime by the forfeiture of his life in the world, affords no argument against the rule that even in his case the evil was over-ruled for good. We lay no stress upon any apparent penitence, or expression of goodwill towards the intended victim, or other circumstances connected with this assassin in particular, or any other assassin or murderer; nor do we inquire into the right of society to inflict judicial death upon its criminals. Our conception of the Divine Providence covers every possible question arising out of these two things-good is provided, evil is permitted. God is no partial God, no respecter of persons; He has created all men for heaven, and He is doing all that infinite love and wisdom can do to lead all men to that heaven for which they were created. We know from the testimony of the Word of God that all this is true; and we know further from the same infallible authority that many fail to reach that state of happiness, and voluntarily make evil their good; and in doing so bring upon themselves the evil of punishment from which infinite love cannot deliver them; infinite wisdom can find for them no way of escape, because they will not; nor can Omnipotence compel them, because the original gift of freedom cannot be taken away. Thus, we conclude that hell exists from the liberty of man, and not from the will of the Lord,—that it is not a place where arbitrary and eternal punishments are inflicted, for sins committed here; thus, that neither the snares which the Lord is said to rain upon the wicked, nor the horrible tempest of fire and brimstone, which is declared to be the portion of their cup, refer to any punishment externally or arbitrarily inflicted upon the wicked, either here or hereafter; but express, in the language of Correspondences, the spiritual condition of those, among men, who reject the counsel of God against themselves, and cherish evil lusts in their wills, with all the false persuasions they generate. For did not our Lord, in the world, speak of hell as the place of the departed wicked, "where their worm dieth not, and where their fire is not quenched"? The fire and the worm being spoken of as alike subjective, and not objective, clearly indicates that the fire is the raging lust of evil, and the undying worm is that ceaseless gnawing of unsatisfied desire, which must ever attend the confirmed love and life of evil. The tender expostulation of Divine love, "Why will ye die?" and the reproof of the Divine Incarnate wisdom, "Ye will not come unto me, that ye might have life," concur in establishing the truth of the doctrine of the Divine Providence we have been endeavouring to sketch. And may we, my brethren, be duly impressed with the life lessons it includes ! AMERICAN PERIODICALS. As I find that my former communication on the subject of the "New Jerusalem Messenger" has excited a good deal of interest among the readers of the Repository, and has induced not a few to become subscribers, I have thought that a similar notice of the other periodicals published by our American brethren might be equally acceptable and useful. Besides the "Messenger," the General Convention publishes the "New Jerusalem Magazine," and the "Children's New Church Magazine." The former is now commencing its forty-first volume, and occupies much the same position in the New Church in America that is held by the Intellectual Repository in this country. It is not, however, burdened with so extensive an intelligence department; doubtless because the "Messenger" absorbs nearly all Church news into its more frequently recurring issues. When I add that the Convention Magazine is about one-third larger than the Repository, it will be evident how great is the scope afforded to our American essayists, in so far as space is concerned; they have, in fact, about double the room that the Editor of the Repository can place at the disposal of his contributors. This circumstance will perhaps account for the variety and wider extended interest which the "New Jerusalem Magazine" is enabled to afford to its readers. With respect to its worth and style, I can only, of course, give my own feeling and opinion. It is a magazine that every spiritually-minded New Churchman ought to read; nor can any such person fail to do so without a great spiritual loss.. Its pervading tone is quiet, meditative, non-polemical, and eminently calculated to foster the spiritual life of those who are more advanced in the knowledge and intelligence of the New Church. It is not often that the mind of its reader is drawn away from the subject to the style of the writer. The general style is decidedly unpretending; but all that is aimed at is well accomplished. The reader is disgusted neither with the obtrusiveness nor the ignorance of its contributors. At the same time nearly every article contains original thought, and new ideas; so that the most advanced mind may always rise from its perusal with the pleasant sense of having gained something. There is one feature of this magazine which greatly enhances its value to New Churchmen in this country. The reports of the eight associations of the Church in America are regularly stitched up with its pages, as well as the journals of the General Convention. The association reports occupy from thirty pages each downwards, and are full of interesting matter. The "New Jerusalem Magazine" is published monthly, twelve numbers constitute a volume, and the July number is the first of each volume. Persons who desire to subscribe this year should therefore begin at once. The price is the same in America as that of the "Messenger," and the magazine can be sold here for rather less, as the postage is not so heavy. The "Children's New Church Magazine" in its present beautiful form is quite new, dating only from the commencement of the present year. It contains the same number of pages as the " Repository," and the size and shape of the page may be best described by saying that it is the same in width and about an inch shorter than the page now before the reader. Each number contains pictorial illustrations, and generally a song or child's hymn, with original music furnished by Mr. Root, of Chicago, the talented compiler of " Chapel gems." The songs that have thus far appeared have greatly increased the value of the magazine, and should be known to all our musical friends of the Church who are interested in the singing of children. It would be difficult to speak too highly of the character of the stories and other articles contained in the "Children's Magazine." They are all written by New Church authors expressly for its pages, and our best writers are employed in this labour of love and usefulness. Never before have our little ones had so high an advantage and privilege brought within their reach as the publication of this magazine affords them. Every New Church parent should take it to read to his little home congregation on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Nothing but want of acquaintance can prevent their doing so, since the price of the magazine brings it within the reach of all. Indeed, the use of a publication of this character is so exalted, it is of such extreme importance that our children should be interested as well as instructed in the truths of the Church, that no price could be considered too high, no sacrifice too great to obtain the presence of such a treasure in the household. I am quite willing to have what I say put to a crucial test. Let the children themselves be my judges. Take the magazine on trial for six months; let your children read it if they can; but in any case be sure and read it to them, and then let them give their verdict whether you are to continue to take it or not. I have no fear for the result. The typography of the "Children's Magazine" is clear and bold, the paper fine and strong, and each number is firmly stitched in a handsome chromo-lithographed cover. It is issued monthly, six numbers forming a volume; subscribers may therefore commence either in January or July. I take so much interest in both these magazines, and am so desirous to increase their hitherto sadly-neglected circulation in this country, that I have asked the publishers (Messrs. Carter & Sons, of Boston) to make me their agent, to which they have consented; and I am therefore in a position to afford full information and all other facilities to persons who desire to make further inquiries about them. If more convenient, they can communicate with either Mr. Alvey or Mr. Ledsham, either of whom will be happy to act for them. I shall be glad to lend a specimen number of the "New Jerusalem Magazine," or of the "Children's New Church Magazine," to any one who will write to me, and I will also give full particulars regarding prices. The only condition I annex is that all who apply to me for a specimen number of the "Children's Magazine," will try the experiment of reading it aloud to their children. This notice of our American New Church contemporaries would not be complete without mention of the "New Church Monthly," which is the organ of the Congregational Union, of Philadelphia. This periodical owes its existence almost entirely to the energy of the Rev. B. F. Barrett, its editor, who stands away from, and perhaps in opposition to, the Convention. The Congregational Union has done good service in calling the attention of the church to the present imperfect and antiquated translations of the Writings. It has also issued several of them as new translations, one of which was reviewed in the August number of the Repository. The interest attaching to the "New Church Monthly" is principally in connexion with this important subject. The price of this periodical is the same as that of the "New Jerusalem Magazine." It is certainly dear, as it contains only 48 pages of matter per month, in large type. In so far as neatness of execution goes, it is perhaps the first periodical ever brought out in the church, and furnishes an example which some of our other magazines might do well to imitate. Glasgow, Aug. 19. J. F. POTTS. MISCELLANEOUS. NOTES ON SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS PROGRESS. WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.- One of the wonders of modern times is the rise and progress of Wesleyan Methodism. Commencing with the dawn of the Second Advent, it has gone forward with a celerity and vigour that has no parallel in the religious history of this kingdom. From the beginning it has been marvellously adapted to the wants of the people In an age of the merest for malism, of spiritual deadness, and almost total indifference to everything of a religious character, Mr. Wesley and his companions manifested in their own conduct, and earnestly preached to the people, the reality of religious faith and life. Their preaching combined with religious earnestness many mistaken sentiments, and appealed more to the fears and hopes of the people than their intelligence. Met at first with the most violent hostility on the part of the hireling pastors whose indolence and wickedness they rebuked, and having to contend with many disorders and divisions among their disciples, their labours have yet issued in the establishment of a community which is now flattered and courted by those who at first despised it, and is recognised by all as a power in the state. Its annual "Conference is something more than an assemblage of The Conference consists of ministers only, the lay element, which of late years has crept into the management of its affairs, being confined to the various committees which exercise the influence We of the body, under the control of the president, during the year. To within very recent times, the proceedings of the Conference have been regarded as arbitrary and illiberal. Most of the separations which have taken place have arisen on this ground,-the ground of discipline rather than doctrine. Springing from the labours of men who never willingly separated themselves from the Established Church, the Conference and the ministers generally have always manifested a strong leaning towards the establishment. The progress of ritualism on the one hand, and rationalism on the other, has rendered the church less and less attractive to the strong Protestant feeling of this community. This change of sentiment was expressed by the president in his inaugural address. After defining the position of the body as the via media, he said "It is only in this position we can view without embarrassment questions touching church disestablishments and endowments. are not the allies, much less the partizans, of a State Church. Neither are we Dissenters, in the proper, strictly historic, and Anglican use of that polemic term. And it is whilst we hold this midway position we are still prepared to regard, as our minutes of Conference frequently affirm, with respect and with affection the State Church, so long as she remains faithful to her calling, whilst at the same time we are equally ready, equally unprejudiced, in casting off and letting go any church that proves false and recreant to her principles and her pledges." This change of sentiment is further shown in their reception of a remarkable letter from Dr. Pusey. The object of this letter is to enlist the sympathy of the Conference in efforts to resist the passing of Mr. Coleridge's bill for the opening of the colleges. The Conference, however, could not be induced to take part in the matter, and the ex-president was instructed to communicate this decision to Dr. Pusey. The Conference, consisting of about 500 members, is occupied in the review of the public institutions of the body, and the stationing of its ministers. There are upwards of 1,300 ministers, many of whom change their place of abode after each Conference. These ministers travel in 560 circuits, and minister in nearly 6,000 chapels to up wards of 340,000 members, and to congregations of considerably over a million souls. OTHER WESLEYAN COMMUNITIES.The Conferences of some other of the Wesleyan bodies have also recently been held. Nothing of marked importance seems to have distinguished their annual assemblies. All seem distinguished by the most prominent features of the general body. The annual inquiry into the characters of the ministers, the reports from the several districts, the government, between the annual sessions, by committees appointed by the Conferences, and other features of ecclesiastical government, are common to all. The means of ministerial education is best provided in the old body, and the ministers, as a body, seem to reach a higher standard. Greater liberality of thought is manifested in the separated bodies, but the same system of doctrine prevails in all. This is intensely Protestant, and not unfrequent expressions of strong feeling against Roman Catholicism and ritualism occur in their proceedings. None of these bodies seem to be making very marked increase in numbers. A very large proportion of the districts return to the Free Weslevan Church Conference a decrease, and in some cases this is considerable. The increase in the entire body is very small. In the parent body the increase is 5,000, which is less than one to each of their chapels. This slow increase of members while their chapel accommodation is increasing, arises, we are convinced, in great part from a growing repugnance to the popular doctrine of justification by faith only, and its kindred dogma of instantaneous salvation. Thus, while congregations are large and chapels continue to be built and occupied, the attendance at prayer meetings and class meetings declines; and the number of members makes little or no progress. All these are signs of the times. They are indications of growing changes, which no efforts of the conferences can effectually resist. They will go on until they change the habits of thought and the conceptions of doctrine and duty throughout these entire communities. BOOK OF JASHER.-An allusion to this book in the House of Commons (though under mistake for the Book of Enoch), has led to an interesting correspondence in the "Times." The writers who commenced this correspondence have |