"France is making way, through all the obstruction | of her revolutions and uncertainty as to her political destinies. Strangers cannot be shut out. Books, letters, opinions of all shades have their sway, and make their appeal to the ears of her inquisitive people. They themselves travel, and, as is common with men of aspiring genius, they affect the society of those from whom they can learn the most. England and America lay open their capital of mind to them. They would shoot far ahead of us in their theories of liberty, but yet stand again to inquire what it is that gives the solidity and firmness, the peace, security, and permanence, to the share of it that we enjoy ?

They will find our sound Protestant principles to be at the bottom of this, and that sincere honesty and faithfulness form the sleepers on which our structure of patriotism is reared. Some have been struck with the respect shown to the laws in our country, the power of self-government among the people, the interest taken by all in the preservation of peace and good order. There is no boastful assertion of liberty, nor restless struggle to maintain it. We are settled in its peaceful enjoyment, under a stable government, and well-defined laws. There is nothing romantic or highflown in our appreciation of our advantages. We feel our difficulties and draw. backs, which are many. A sober, hard-working people are, in our day, the people of "merry old England!" Our strong point, the salt that preserves us, is the sound piety, the practical scriptural religion that has place among us. Through these we rise from our defeats, renew our endeavours, and still press onwards. The attention of our stranger friends has been drawn sometimes of late to this trait of our nationality, as exhibited in the private walks of life. They remark the intimate union in families, the harmony and order, the respect to relative duties, observable by those who penetrate our dwellings, and share for a season our domestic hospitality. Those who have not seen religious services conducted but as a performance, with the ceremonial of time, place, and outward objects of devotion, have been caught as with a new impression, in seeing the father of a family open and read the Word of God, "that maketh wise unto salvation," among his assembled household, inviting them afterwards to prayer, and carrying them with him to the throne of grace, to acknowledge their common sins, mercies, hopes, and consolations.

We rejoice in the scope given by the freedom of the British soil, for the pent-up feelings of exiled indignant patriots to find utterance. Fervent sympathy, hearty counsel, renewed patience, reviving hope, have of late visited many a dejected spirit under our cloudy sky-while the avenues to future influence and communion on subjects whose interest does not terminate with this life, have been opened to a greater extent than ever before. Our London Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, the marvel of this summer, will be fruitful in consequences beyond those immediately designed by its ingenious projectors. A happy conception it has been for fusing down the barriers of exclusive nationality, and drawing together, on terms of friendly communication, the active practical middle classes from all countries, from whom the wealth of nations is derived, and by whose interests their peace and prosperity are cemented and continued-and Providence, doubtless, has ulterior designs. Traffic in the world's gewgaws, and good understanding on matters of secular inte

rest, is not to be the terminating object of this latelyformed convention of the people of many lands. We live in "the last times," and, as we have reason to believe, not far from the winding up of a grand historic era, when "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge be increased"-knowledge and science we may presume in every line; but chiefly and always converging toward the central point in the Divine economy, the manifestation of the character of God, and the establishment, through human agency, of his reign in righteousness over the family of mankind. (To be continued.)

RAGGED SCHOOLS IN GERMANY-THE RAUHE HAUS, NEAR HAMBURG. In the Numbers of this Magazine for March and May, we gave some account of the German Home Mission. We showed what its general principles were, and also what was the field of its operations. We are still far from having exhausted the subject, and accordingly proceed to give some account of the personal labours of Wichern, who may be regarded as the representative of this movement, and whose life is spent in the cause of true Christian philanthropy. Many of our readers must have heard of the Institution over which he presides,—the "RAUHE HAUS," near Hamburg,-a name which has no particular meaning, and was simply the appellation given to the locality before it became the field of this interesting moral experiment. The circumstances connected with its origin will go far to explain its general character, as well as to show from how small beginnings the greatest Christian undertakings have risen. In 1832, a society existed in Hamburg whose object was the visiting of the poorer districts of the town, the instruction of the ignorant, the comforting of the sick, the reclaiming of the outcast and profligate. One case of special destitution occurred to which relief was granted. The children were sent to school, work was provided for the other members of the family, and yet the result was, that the whole family fell back at last into the deepest degradation and profligacy. Similar cases were constantly occurring, until the conviction gained ground that assistance must be rendered in another way, and that the true method of rescuing such children from the ruin of body and soul, was the establishment of an institution for their especial behoof. Those who were engaged in the work of this society were unable to supply the necessary means for such a work. One of their meetings broke up with the resolution, that all of them should make the subject one of special prayer, and the hope was even then expressed that God would speedily vouchsafe to them some token of his goodwill. When the members of the society met each other, the common inquiry was, whether they were praying earnestly that God would crown their labours with success. Nor was their faith in his promise misplaced: for, at that very time, one of the members of the society was visited by a person almost entirely unknown to him, who, with no knowledge whatever of their plans as a society, handed him 100 dollars, with the request that it should be devoted to the poor. It was farther added, that, if possible, the money should be applied to some Christian institution; and, best of all, to one which was in the course of being established. It would be difficult to give a better example of an answer to

which is gone through once a-week. Thereafter one of the boys reads the passage from the Bible which has been selected in his special "family" as the lesson of the week. The same course is followed with regard to the other families-and thereby a special knowledge is acquired by each with regard to the lessons that are being taught to the rest. The second part of the service is a practical address by the master, from a portion of the Bible. A book of Scripture is generally gone through-and the passage spoken from is read aloud by all at the close. The third part of the service consists in celebrating the birthdays of the children on their anniversaries. Each child on entering the institution receives a little book inscribed with an appropriate text, to which special attention is then called. The same course is followed on the anniversary of their baptism, and of their admission to the institution. The design of these arrangements is to keep such events constantly before the mind, and to impress on the children the great spiritual lessons connected with them. In addition to these, there are occasionally occurring the anniversaries of particular events connected with the history of the Rauhe Haus, like those which we have referred to. These serve well to kindle the hearts of the children into gratitude for the deliverance wrought out for them in being rescued from destruction, and in being made to partake of such special kindness at the hands of their benefactors. At the beginning and close of a month, special reference is made to kindred institutions, and prayer offered up for those connected with them. In addition to all this, the ordinary feasts of the German Church are regularly observed, such as Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. It must be evident that every thing is done by such arrangements to interest the children in the religious services in which they daily engage, and we cannot wonder that much spiritual fruit has been brought forth where so much of the good seed has been sown. We know not a better example than that supplied here of what Christian education is-by which we do not mean the making the lessons of religion stand coldly apart from every thing else, nor the regarding them as one thing to be taught among many-but rather the pervading the whole economy of the school with Christian doctrines, and motives, and duties.

Another of the buildings we spoke of was the place where the work of the different trades is carried on. Wichern makes the motto of the institution "ORA ET LABORA"-and the closest connection subsists between religious services and daily occupations. By this union, he seeks to train up those committed to his charge for a life of active exertion here, and a life of happiness hereafter. The two buildings stand side by side, as if to teach them that we live under the law of labour, and under the higher law of prayer. He himself says, that the difference consists in this-that labour separates men into different groups the further the division of labour goes, but that prayer unites them again into one holy family in the Lord. This Arbeitshaus was erected in 1836. From the very first, something was done to train the boys to habits of industry, whilst they received the lessons of education, and the higher lessons of religion. One of the first efforts of this kind was the making of wooden shoes like those worn in the north of Germany. A large poplar tree in the garden was cut down, and all proceeded to the task with boyish glee. It was soon discovered that many items of expense in the institution could be saved by

the labour of the boys, and hence different trades followed, until now the place is a busy hive of industry. All the more common occupations are carried on-such as those of tailors, shoemakers, bakers, masons, gardeners, &c. The girls also are as regularly employed in washing, cooking, serving, &c. Last of all, a most important addition has been made by a printing and bookbinding establishment. The expense of this was defrayed by some friends of the Rauhe Haus, and work was begun in January 1842. The first thing that was put to the press was the 23d Psalm. The press is of vast service in publishing the different reports which are being constantly issued, as well as supplying the materials of instruction for the school. One publication printed in the place deserves especial notice, entitled, "Die fliegende Blätter des Rauhen Hauses." These registers contain full accounts of the proceedings of this institution as well as of similar institutions in other lands, and their design is to awaken a more general interest in the whole work of the German Home Mission, as explained in previous Numbers of this Magazine. An agency has also been attached to the institution in Hamburg for the sale of the productions which issue from the press. Many small publications are being printed, fitted especially for those in the position of the children who attend the Rauhe Haus.

One department of the Rauhe Haus we have not yet noticed, namely, the Brüder-Anstalt, which is occupied with the training of young men for the different departments of Christian labour-as in sick institutions, in prisons, in the work of colporteurs, city missionaries, missionaries to emigrants, and the like. Up to last year, above 70 of this class had passed through Wichern's hands, and we believe that about 30 are generally resident with him. His institution has thus the double character of a ragged school, and also of a normal school for training those who devote their lives to such a work. They are generally men taken from the working-classes, who pursue their several callings at the same time that they are receiving instruction for their higher avocations. Wichern superintends their mental and moral training, and directs them in their whole labours among the children. He devotes special attention to the work of grounding them in the principles of home missionary labour, and has abundant opportunity to illustrate these practically in their whole intercourse with the several pupils.

His own language is, that "the whole institution— the Brüder-Anstalt would fall to pieces if it were thought that he was merely to instruct them in the practical part of education. The truth is, that we live and labour together for the sake of the children, and that our just calling is to love the children in the love of Christ-to watch over them now that that love may become more strong, whatever their future occupation may be."

We must draw to a close by noticing what the general results of the labours of the Rauhe Haus have been. The entire number of inmates is about 120. Multitudes of children have passed through the institution, and no better proof can be given of the good it has done than the fact, that many of them have revisited it-that those who may be employed in Hamburg often spend their Sabbaths there-and that those whose lot is cast in some distant place have sent it some lasting memorial of their gratitude. Many look back to it as the place

where they were first taught to hate sin and to love the Redeemer, and by its blessed influence they are now enabled to maintain, in their several spheres, a life and a conversation becoming the gospel. Above 80 teachers have been sent forth to labour in different parts of the vineyard-carrying with them the spirit and the plans of the noble-hearted founder of the Rauhe Haus. Some of these are labouring among the outcasts in the large towns of the continent-some have followed their countrymen to the banks of the Ohio and the Mississippi, and some have gone to the heathen of the South Seas and of Hindostan, to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. It is impossible to survey this whole work without feeling, that however humble a sphere of Christian activity be, it yet supplies abundant scope for the exercise of the highest talents and energy, and Christian worth. Of this, the life and labours of Wichern supply a precious example. We give all honour to men like Sheriff Watson, the Earl of Shaftesbury, and Dr Guthrie, whose names are associated with this cause of Christian philanthropy at home; but we must not forget, that as far back as 1833, a Ragged School was established in Germany, and that it has the honour of more fully developing the principles and illustrating the practice of such schools than any in Great Britain.

well feel that his task is indeed an arduous one, demanding for its right and successful accomplishment powers, acquirements, and graces of no common kind and degree. It may be useful to prosecute for a little the view thus suggested.

The attempt to write an introduction to any portion of the New Testament implies an accurate acquaintance, not only with the language in which it was written, but also with the manners and customs of the people, and all the peculiarities of their condition at that special period. Without such knowledge, the attempt would be absolutely preposterous. Scholarship, both extensive and accurate, is therefore quite indispensable for the production of such a work; and that, too, not the mere knowledge of words and idiomatic forms of expression, which constitute the body of a language, but a clear perception of those minute turns and shades of meaning which are its life and spirit. Even this is not enough; for though it might produce a very good grammatical inquirer, it would not enable its possessor to understand and explain either references to manners and customs, or historical allusions, which are often necessary to a full conception of the text. Such an acquaintance with these matters as might almost enable the writer to transfer himself to Jerusalem, or Athens, or Corinth, or Ephesus, or Rome, and to reproduce their characteristics as if present and alive,

TESTAMENT.*

THE third and concluding volume of this learned and elaborate work has recently appeared; and considering the important and extensive subject which the author has had to investigate, it is not without reason that he expresses his "devout thankfulness to God that he has been able to complete his arduous task." That the task was indeed an arduous one, must be evident to every person who has even but a partial acquaintance with the numerous and difficult questions included within the scope of what are termed Introductions to the Sacred Scriptures. Such topics, for example, as the following fall to be discussed, as introduction to almost any given epistle:-Authorship of the epistle-Its canonical authority-The persons or church to whom it was addressed-The time and place of writing-State of the parties addressed-Object which the writer had in viewAgreement of the contents with the specified purpose of the writer-Its original language-Its integrity and genuineness - Its authenticity. Other topics may come under observation in the case of peculiar writings; but every person must perceive that any thing like a full discussion of such as we have enumerated, cannot fail to involve matters of the utmost importance to every reader of the Sacred Scriptures. There is not, in short, a single topic on which Scripture can be either assailed or defended, which opponents can darken and misrepresent, or defendants can illustrate and vindicate,-that may not legitimately be investigated under the general title of "Introduction." In such a work, therefore, all the arguments of infidel and rationalist writers may be brought under review, and treated according to the judgment and discretion of the writer; and any man who ventures to undertake such a work, may

* An Introduction to the New Testament; containing an Examination of the most important Questions relating to the Authority, Interpretation, and Integrity of the Canonical Books, with reference to the latest Inquiries. By Samuel Davidson, D.D. Volume III-The First Epistle to Timothy, to the Revelation.

the writer of an introduction, the design of which is to place us in the best position for understanding an epistle written to, or even from, any of these places. Few, indeed, are the scholars, either in this or in any other country, who can thus conceive and reproduce the past. But a still higher qualification is necessary. When we think closely on the subject of the epistles, in particular, we can scarcely fail to perceive, that having, in the first instance, a special aim in view, and being designed to convey instruction expressly adapted to the state of heart, thought, and habit in those to whom they were addressed, and coloured by the mental peculiarities of those by whom they were written, they cannot be fully understood and explained without a very intimate and profound perception of all that was peculiar, both in those to whom they were addressed, and in those by whom they were written. To comprehend fully the Epistle to the Romans, for example, it would be necessary to become, on the one hand, a member of the church at Rome, and, on the other, the apostle Paul. Or, in those epistles which refer to the incipient Gnosticism of certain churches, to understand and introduce them fully and correctly, it would be necessary to feel all the insidious tendencies of Gnostic opinions, and the clear, strong, searching power of the counteracting divine truths produced for their refutation. A man unacquainted with Gnosticism could not write a suitable introduction to an epistle addressed to people tainted with that early heresy. A man unable to soar into the lofty spiritualities of the apostle's reasoning, would be as incompetent to the task. be able, therefore, intelligently to understand the position, feelings, opinions, beliefs, and character, both of the writer of the epistle, and of those to whom it was written, would appear to be a qualification absolutely indispensable for any man who aspires to the achievement of writing a suitable introduction. Thus viewed, we know of but one suitable introduction to any portion of the Sacred Scriptures, namely, the Epistle to the Hebrews, which is an in

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