ting on the plank that covers the frame which contains the cylinders. He drives this agricultural equipage in a circle, round any great accumulation of just-gathered harvest, keeping at a certain distance from the verge of the mission, I apprehend that there is no necessity, even on the principles of the Sanhedrim, for that body to come to a determination on the points; for the mission of John who was before me, is, it seems, a question yet undetermined in that body; why then should not mine? Be-heap; close to which a second peasant stands, sides, John professed himself the fore-runner of me: order and equity therefore, require that his pretensions be first examined, if the examination be necessary; and till these two objections be removed, may, without any disobedience to the authority of the Sanhedrim, decline telling by what authority I do these things."* The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. To understand the propriety and force of this expression, it should be remembered, that it was written in Palestine, where the threshing floors were not under cover, as our barns are, but were formed in the open air. It is requisite, likewise, to know, that the mode of threshing in use among the Orientals, reduced the straw into very small pieces, while it beat out the corn; and that the mode of separating the one from the other was by throwing the whole up with shovels against the wind. To this there is an allusion in Homer, (Il. xxiii. lin. 588.) Ως δ' ότ' απο πλατες πτυσφιν μεγάλην κατ' αλώην РОРЕ. "After the grain is trodden out," says Dr. Shaw, "they winnow it by throwing it up against the wind with a shovel." And Thevenot observes, "When the straw is cut small enough, they put fresh corn in the place, and afterwards separate the corn from the cut straw, by throwing it in the air with a wooden shovel, for the wind drives the straw a little farther, so that only the fine corn falls to the ground." A similar mode obtains in Persia: "Travelling onward," says Sir R. K. Porter, "we found bands of peasants engaged in the different rural occupations of the season; some separating the grain from the straw, others cutting down the corn that had been left standing, but performing the business with a sickle so far unlike ours, as to be scarcely bended in the blade. The threshing operation is performed by a machine, composed of a large square frame of wood, which contains two wooden cylinders, placed parallel to each other, and which have a turning motion. They are stuck full of spikes, with sharp square points; but not all of a length. These rollers have the appearance of holding a long-handled twenty-pronged fork, shaped like the spread sticks of a fan; and with which he throws the unbound sheaves forward, to meet the rotatory motion of the machine. He has a shovel also ready with which he removes to a considerable distance the corn that has already passed the wheel. Other men are on the spot with the like implement, which they fill with the broken material, and throw it aloft in the air, when the wind blows away the chaff, and the grain falls to the ground. The latter process is repeated till the corn is completely winnowed from its refuse, when it is gathered up, carried home, and deposited for use in large earthen jars. The straw also is preserved with care, being the sole winter food of the horses and mules."'* ISAIAH i. 8. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers. The following passage from Mr. JOWETT'S "Christian Researches" will serve to throw light on the words of the prophet. "Extensive fields of ripe melons and cucumbers adorned the sides of the river (the Nile); they grew in such abundance, that the sailors freely helped themselves. Some guard, however, is placed upon them. Occasionally, but at long and desolate intervals, we may observe a little hut, made of reeds, just capable of containing one man; being, in fact, little more than a fence against a north wind. In these I have observed, sometimes, a poor old man, perhaps lame, feebly protecting the property. It exactly illustrates Isa. i. 8. And the daughter of Zion is leftas a lodge in a garden of cucumbers.' The abundance of these most necessary vegetables brings to mind the murmurs of the Israelites, (Numb. xi. 5, 6.:) We remember-the cu cumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: but now our soul is dried away.' With an Introductory Essay, by Thomas Though we think this volume its splendid rivals from the Lor its graphic illustrations, yet it ce parable with the very best of the rary and devotional character of tions; and we therefore cordial it, especially as the profits of its devoted to charitable purposes.” THE CITY OF THE SUN; a Pat by the Author of "the Chris &c. Edinburg: W. Oliphant. pr. 2s. 6d. bds. An increasing demand for reprints of our standard religious writers, is not among the least gratifying signs of the times. These two volumes belong to a series of "select Christian Authors, with introductory Essays," now in course of publication by a spirited bookseller at Glasgow. The works of Wilberforce and Scudder have been too well appreciated by the religious public to need our recommendation. The introductory Essays are worthy the reputation of their writers; and will, no doubt, induce an extensive circulation among those who This is a little volume of more would otherwise shrink from times of old- interest, and therefore has claim fashioned divinity. Mr. Wilson gives a very tion of parents and the friends of interesting view of the revival of religion, in any of its competitors. The this country, during the last thirty years, as dently no hackneyed scribbler, connected with the publication of Mr. Wilber- of talents above the common force's book; and offers some suggestions as to chosen an interesting subject the manner in which the revival may be farther and handled it with great abilit advanced. Dr. Chalmers, in introducing "the is to delineate the origin and pr Christian's Daily Walk," sketches the simila-gious error in Society, and trac rity between the toleration which Christianity from which it proceeded. The y met with, from the pagan world, so long as it is carried back to the patriarch interfered not with their own superstitions; morning of man's existence-to and the "complacent toleration for a mitigated denominated the poetical era and misconceived Christianity," so prevalent when pastoral life generally pre in our day; he then proceeds to contrast the difan ingenious tale, written som ferent spirit of two men," one of whom works, style of Mackgowan's Life of J and that most incessantly, from the love that ner's Death of Abel, the author he bears to the wages, and the other of whom picture of that dread of the div works, and that just as incessantly, from the and that consciousness of guilt unconquerable taste and affection which he has mankind fly from the divine pre for the work itself;" recommending Scudder's refuge in idolatry. His view of treatise to those who aim at the delightful serwell supported by the doctrine vice of the latter. The books are neatly printed, Paul, Rom. i. 20; on which he ha and the price is moderate. his eye as the text of his whole THE WINTER'S WREATH; or a Collection of "The Wreaths" of winter, though cheerful amidst the general sterility of nature, are usually but sorry substitutes for the beautiful and varied productions of spring; divested as they are of those varied colours, delicate forms, and fragrant perfumes which delight the senses when Flora reigns. We can assure our readers that this is not the case with "The Winter's Wreath" which now adorns our table, in which are interwoven some choice and fragrant flowers, culled from the brink of the Castalian fountain, and the banks of Kedron. We shall have credit for this statement, when we enumerate the names of W. Wordsworth, W. Roscoe, T. B. Macauley, T. Gisborne, J. Hughes, H. Stowell, Hannah More, Felicia Hemans, Margaret Holford, and Charlotte Grant, of Laggan, as amongst the contributors to its beautiful and instructive pages. Amidst so many valuable papers, it is difficult, and, perhaps, invidious, to select one or two for special commendation; but we must say, that Mr. Macauley's translation of the Ode on the Deliverance of neunzio Da Fili. A TREATISE ON THOSE DISEAS EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIREC ED WITH INDIGESTION; comp mentary on the principal Alldren. By David Unwins, M. L ing Member of the Medical Soc and late President of the Mea London. 8vo. pp. 274. A considerable part of this we ed, with great acceptance, in th view, in the course of the last y published in a separate form, ments, both for the use of the m sion, and of general readers. It the author, "The habits of the sanction three distinct species of ing. One erudite and technic sively calling upon professional cond the contrast to this, avowin making every man his own phy third being only so far profess readable by the profession, and on lar as to be interesting to the man telligence. It is in the third clas to rank the present attempt." eating, impure air, exercise, ba tions are particularly valuable, and adapted to popular use. THE ANTIDOTE; or Memoirs of a Modern Freethinker: including Letters and Conversations on Scepticism; and the Evidences of Christianity. Two Volumes. 12mo. 9s. and it is not unworthy of such a connexion. The undesigned coincidences in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, noticed by Mr. Blunt, are twenty-four in number; and between these sacred books and Josephus, they are such as the most consummate ingenuity could not have produced in fictitious narratives; and, with others of a similar kind mentioned by Paley, are sufficient to produce, in every candid and ingenuous mind, a full conviction of the truth of the evangelical history. The author has executed his task with great acuteness and ability, and has placed several passages of Scripture in a somewhat new and interesting light. HISTORY OF THE WALDENSES, from the Earliest Period till the Present Time. By the Author of the "History of the Reformation." 24mo. pp. 296. 3s. 6d. The public attention has, of late, in an unusual degree, been directed to the history of the Waldensian church; and the result has been an increased conviction of the consummate cruelty and wickedness of the Romish hierarchy, and a deep sympathy with the descendants of those noble confessors in the valleys of Piedmont, who maintained the truth during the dark ages, and who were preserved in existence by a special interposition of God's power. The volume before us contains a con From the statement given in the preface to this work, it will be considered by most readers as a kind of Religious Novel, founded on facts. It is there said, that "though the facts related are well known to the writer, due care | has been taken to frustrate any attempt to ascertain the parties more immediately concerned." We confess, that this is a species of writing which we do not much admire; as we are persuaded that the time spent in reading novels is worse than lost, even when it only creates a love of fiction, and a distaste for more soild and useful information. But when so much is done by Infidels, in every possible way, to diffuse their pernicious principles among the young and frivolous, who have no inclination to read more serious and elaborate works in defence of Christianity; we cannot wholly withhold our approbation from an attempt like this before us, to meet such readers half-way; and to suit their present taste, (though not the best,) so far as it may be done innocently, and with the hope of leading them onward to something more excellent. Though this work will not be read without interest, it is not formed to conduct the reader into the airy regions of fic-densed account of the principal facts connected tion, where a multitude of incidents are imagined, to produce a useless agitation of the passions, and foster a sickly sentimentalism, which has no truly moral influence on the character, while it generates a fatal nausea at the sober realities of life. The facts here related are few, and there is little that can be called incident; while the whole is highly probable, and goes, either directly or indirectly, to show the baneful tendency of infidelity, and the truth and excellence of our holy religion. The letters and conversations contain a popular statement of some of the most obvious arguments in defence of Christianity, and a refutation of the every-day objections of Infidels. The work will answer a good purpose, if it only excite in the reader a desire to study the more solid and instructive productions of Grotius, Paley, Lardner, and others, who have placed the whole subject in the most convincing light, and whose works will exist, and continue to be read with pleasure, when the trash of unbelievers is forgotten, or only remembered with disgust and execration. THE VERACITY OF THE GOSPELS AND ACTS OF Coincidences to be found in them, when com with the history of that wonderful people, adapted by its brevity to the use of young persons, and by its cheapness to the families of the poor. We anticipate great good from the extensive circulation of this and similar works among the youth of Great Britain. DISCOURSES ON THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST the HOLY SPIRIT; Divine Influence, and its Connexion with Instituted Means. With Notes and Illustrations. By William Orme. pp. 275. 5s. Though the two first discourses in this volume, which are on the Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, do not appear, from their title, to be very closely connected with the remaining three; yet, as the author justly remarks in his preface, when we consider the view here taken of the former topic, we find "a series of discussions on the method and extent of the forgiveness which Christianity announces to the world, the necessity of divine influence to render its proclamation effectual, the means provided by God for this purpose, and the established connexion between the Spirit's influence and the faithful employment of those means. We fully agree with the author in the very sober and judicious Discourse of Archbishop Sharp upon the same text, in conjunction with these of Mr. Orme. Whatever may be the conclusion at which he may arrive, on such a hearing of the case, he cannot but receive benefit from the process of the investigation. The other three Discourses of Mr. Örme will be read with pleasure and advantage by the truly pious of every denomination, who will find them well calculated to increase within them the spirit of prayer and dependance upon God, and to produce a deep conviction of the propriety and necessity of personal activity in the promotion of their own salvation and that of others, in the use of those means which God has appointed. The author's observations on the spirit and temper of Missionaries, and of Ministers in general, are especially worthy of universal attention. The Notes and Illustrations contain more matter than the Sermons to which they are appended. Though there are several things in them well worth reading, we cannot but consider the whole as an incumbrance to the work. Mr. Orme is, cer tainly, a better Preacher than a Metaphysician. Many things in these Notes and Illustrations are at least matters of doubtful disputation, and go to neutralize the excellent feelings which a perusal of the Sermons is likely to excite. Cold disquisitions on the abstract questions of liberty and necessity, ill accord with animated exhortations to prayer, and to zeal and activity in the cause of Christianity and benevolence. WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICA- Poems, chiefly Historical, wit trating the State of Ireland for th Years: by the Rev. John Graha tor of Tamlaghtard. The Evidences of Natural and ligion: by the late Rev. Dr. Ger A Volume of Original Hymns Mann. The Primer, a Book of Priva forth by Order of King Edwa Second Edition: Edited by the ter, B.D., F.R.S. 12mo. A Series of Discourses on the Protestant Religion in German before the University of Camb tion. 8vo. Rev. Hugh James Rose, M.A. A Second Series of Discourses fore the University of Cambridge Hugh James Rose, A.M., Vica 8vo. The Christian Year; Though the Sundays and Holidays throug Second Edition. 8vo. The Infantile School System rally practised. 8vo. Elements of Physics; comp Philosophy of Imponderable Ma Heads of Caloric, Optics, Elect ism, and the Elements of Astron and concluding Part: by Niell A An Essay on the Application cal Analysis to the Theories of Magnetism. The First Volume of the wor lish and Scottish Reformers: Theological Institutes: by the Rev. Richard Rev. Thomas Russell, A.M. Watson. Third Volume. The Doctrine of the Greek Article, applied to the Criticism and Illustration of the New Testament: by the Right Rev. T. Fanshawe Middleton, D.D. late Lord Bishop of Calcutta. Second Edition, revised by the Rev. J. Scholefield, A. M., Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge. 8vo. Narrative of a Residence and Travels of Three Years on the River Columbia, southwards towards California, and in the Adjacent Countries in the North-Western parts of North America; and an Account of a Journey across the American Continent. With Appendixes of Natural History: by David Douglas, A.L.S. in the service of the Horticultural Society of London. 8vo. Mornings in Spring; or Retrospections, Biographical, Critical, and Historical: by Nathan Drake, M.D. Two Vols. 8vo. A History of Scotland: by P. F. Tytler, Esq. F.R.S.E. Arcana of Science and Art, for 1828; being the Popular Discoveries and Improvements of The Second Part of Morison' the Book of Psalms. Eclectic Theology; or, a Cor of Divine Revelation: by the lat Greathead, F.S.A. One vol. 8 Religion in India, a Voice dir tian Churches, for Millions in th Octavo. 9s. The Bible Story Book. Seco the Rev. B. H. Draper of South Morse (Rev. C.) on Religio Reply to Bishop Burgess's Cat The Police Constable; or O the Cause of the Increase of C Means of Prevention, &c. &c added, the Duties of a Police C Elements of Mental and N 8vo. By George Payne, A.M. In one volume, octavo, Marri By the Rev. H. C. O'Donnoghu Elements of Geography, on a 3. Fast for Gedaliah's death, 2 Kings xxv. 25. 5. Fast for the sentence against the maker of Lessons, Lev. xvi. Numb. xxix. 7-11. Isa. 15. Feast of Tabernacles, or of ingathering. First fruits of wine and oil offered, Lev. 21. Hosanna Rabba, the seventh day of the Lessons, Gen. i. 1.-vi. 9. Isa. xlii. 5.-xliii. 23. Rejoicing for the delivery of the Law; and 30. The New Moon. Each Month has two days for the celebration of the New Moon; the first and the last day. Weather, Productions, &c. begins. Ripe dates, pomegranates, pear plums, citrons, and oranges, are now obtained The sebastus, also, yields fruit, and the cha nubi ripe pods. Cotton is now gathered; an also the second clusters of grapes, which blos somed in April. MARCHESVAN. The Second Civil Month: Eighth Sacred Ditto 6. Fast for Zedekiah, whose eyes were pu Jer. lii. 10. 19. Fast on Monday and Tuesday, and the Monday following, to expiate faults com mitted on occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles. 23. Feast in Memorial of the stones of the al tar, profaned by the Greeks; which were laid aside, in expectation of a prophet, who could declare to what use they might be applied. 1 Mac. iv. 46. Lessons, Gen. xxviii. 10-xxxii. 3. Hos. xi 7.-xiv. 3. 25. Feast in memory of the recovery of some places from the Cuthites, on the return from Babylon. Weather, Productions, &c. The rainy season now commences; the extreme heat is abated (although still great in the day-time), the air being much refreshed by cold in the night, by which the dew is frozen. The rains which now fall, called the early or former rains, are sometimes accompanied with thunder. The winds are seldom very strong, but variable. The mercury in the morning stands, for the most part, before the rainy days, at 72 deg. It does not rise, in the afternoon, above 5 or 6 deg. After the rains, it descends gradually to 60 deg. The variation of one day, seldom, on rainy days never, exceeds 3 or 4 deg. During this month the days are very hot, and the nights extremely cold. The rainy season commences towards the end of the month. The mercury remains the same in the beginning of this month as it was at the latter end of the preceding one; except that it rises higher in the afternoon. In rainy weather it About the middle of this month wheat and falls 3 or 4 deg., till it gets down to 65 deg.; barley are sown, as also during the two fellowbut the variation of one day does not exceed ing months. White-blossoming chick-pea, len3 or 4 deg.; and when it rains, 1 or 2 deg. tils, purple flowering garden spurge, small Lightnings are very frequent in the night-smooth-nodded vetches. sesannum |