GREAT BRITAIN; their Existing State, and its Improvement. PRIZE ESSAY. London: Religious Tract Society. 8vo, pp. 250.

Two years ago the Religious Tract Society offered two prizes, severally of one hundred pounds and fifty pounds, for the best essay that should be produced on the present state of the working classes and means for their improvement. The offer grew out of the general interest excited and felt at the time and since in these important classes of the community. The essays before us are the two selected by the committee of award as those most deserving of the prizes. They are both most creditable productions, and well fitted to promote the end designed. The first is undoubtedly the best essay in many respects, but the second is also good; and the two combined, the one supplying some things wanting in the other, meet almost all that could be wished in the way of a full view of the present state of

our operative classes, our duty towards them, and our means of helping them.

To our young working men the essays are most valuable, and it is as important that they should be perused by them, as by those to whom they look for aid in their efforts at improvement. We only at this time introduce them to their attention, and on some future occasion will more fully notice their plan and contents.

THE LIFE OF JOSIAH HENSON, formerly a Slave, as Narrated by Himself; with a Preface by Thomas Binney. London: Charles Gilpin. 12mo, pp. 118.

This is a narrative of thrilling interest, displaying in truest colours the wicked system of slavery pursued in the United States, and the hard struggles of some noble and daring spirits amongst them to throw off its shackles and be free. There is an honesty and unvarnishedness about the story we like exceedingly, and many touching scenes might be selected from it. It gives a peep into the cottage home of a slave, and, what is more, a peep into his heart; and it shows that whatever be the colour of his skin, he has still all the affections and feelings of a man. It is our intention to give some extracts from it, and till then would commend it to our readers.

THE JESUITS; an Historical Sketch. London: Religious Tract Society. Monthly Series.

The whole

A little, but true and faithful, picture and history of one of hell's deepest plots against the purity, dignity, and true freedom of man, as well as against all that constitutes the kingdom of Christ. exposure and history of Jesuitical craft would fill large volumes with recitals of the foulest deeds that ever disgraced our earth, and present a roll of abominations which human nature in its lowest forms might well blush to own; but this little sixpenny book will give our young readers a sufficient sight of what they are and would be if ever raised to the like influence they once possessed. And these are the men and this the system whom many would smile into power, and fawn upon and help in this our land and time! OUR AGE AND OUR COUNTRY. Thoughts on the Past, the Present, and the Probable Future of England and the World, suggested by the Great Exhibition of the Arts and Industry of all Nations in 1851. By A. E. FEARCE. London: John Snow. 18mo, pp. 107. The Great Exhibition is the marvel and event of our times, and is drawing to us the eyes and interests of all the world. Men are looking on and surmising about it as they see its bearings on our own destinies and those of the world in general. Each will, no doubt, form his own field of probable issues, but all will unite in viewing it as pregnant with great and good results to man. Mr.

Pearce's views are those which the Christian and true lover of man will take, and do equal credit to his head and heart. It sets the Great Exhibition in much of its true light, and it appeals nobly and earnestly to christian people to turn it to that account which shall most promote God's glory.

PAMPHLETS.

GREAT SIGHTS: a Discourse delivered in Kingsland Chapel, on the Sabbath Evening preceding the Opening of the Great Exhibition. By the Rev. THOMAS AVELING, Minister of the Chapel. London: John Snow. 12mo, pp.

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THE BIBLE, the Greatest Wonder in the Exhibition: a May-day Lecture. By the Rev. JOHN KENNEDY, M.A., Stepney. London: James Nisbet and Co. 24mo, pp. 32.

Both works trying to turn, like Mr. Pearce's, the world's wonder to good account. The first with upgrown people, and the last with little children, and both practical and interesting.

CHRIST AND CHRISTIANITY : a Lecture delivered to the Working Classes, at the request of the Committee of the Christian Instruction Society. By the REV. THOMAS AVELING, Minister of Kingsland Chapel. London: John Snow.

A well-timed appeal in favour of Christ and his religion, and well fitted to remove the prejudice, inform the mind, and secure the respect of those to whom it is addressed.

THE DIVINE TESTIMONIES; their Wonderful Character. A Sermon, preached in Exeter Hall. By THOMAS ARCHER, D.D. London:

John Snow. 12mo, pp. 31.

Very true, telling, and interesting; well suited to give to senior scholars and young men, to make them read more and prize more the Book of God.

RELIGION OF THE HANDS.

"I am bringing up my daughter," said Lord Byron, "in a Catholic convent; for, if she is to have any religion, I desire that she may have her hands full." How well does this random sneer characterize the religion of which he speaks! It is a religion which gives full employment to the whole man, except the essential part of him. It employs the feet in pilgrimages and processions, the knees in genuflexions, the hands in crossing, the tongue in Pater-Nosters and AveMarias, the lips in kissing the toes of marble apostles, and the shrines of pictured saints; it occupies the eye with the pomp and circumstance of imposing exhibitions, the ear with its solemn anthems and miseries, and the imagination with the terrors of purgatory; but it leaves the understanding groping in a darkness which it has no disposition to dispel, and the heart weltering in a corruption which it has no means to eradicate.

GOOD THOUGHTS.

How happy is the man that can assume this character tó himself-a sinner saved! Stop and consideris it thine? Oh, then, what miracles of mercies have been revealed to thy

heart! He does not renounce the law as a rule of life; he is still under the law of Christ; and love to Christ makes him return obedience as his privilege. Besides, among his New Testament blessings he has obtained with Christ his head, an obedient heart.

Like a fair taper she shined to all around her, to everybody but herself.

Study not to be a fine preacher: Jerichos are blown down with ram's horns. Look simply unto Jesus for preaching food, and what is wanted will be given, and what is given will be blessed, whether it be a barley or wheaten loaf, a crust or a crumb. Your youth will be a flowing stream, or a fountain sealed, according as your heart is. Avoid all controversy in preaching, talking, or writing: preach nothing down but the devil, and nothing up but Jesus Christ.

There is no armour for the back in the panoply of the christian soldier: show thy shining breastplate of righteousness, advance toward thine enemy, and God shall protect thee behind. "The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward."

Fancy not that you lose your pleasures when you lose your sins, and that living to God will be an

An eminent minister in Wales, hearing of a neighbour who followed his calling on the Lord's day, went and asked him why he broke the sabbath? The man replied, that he was driven to it, by finding it hard work to maintain his family. "Will you attend public worship," said Mr. P―, "if I pay you a week-day's wages?" "Yes, most gladly," said the poor man. He attended constantly, and received his pay. After some time Mr. P. forgot to send the money; and recollecting it, called upon the man and said, "I am in your debt." "No, sir," he replied, 66 you are not." "How so?" said Mr. P, "I have not paid you of late." "True," answered the man, "but I can now trust God; for I have found that he can bless the work of six days for the support of my family, just the same as seven." Ever after that he strictly kept the sabbath, and found that in keeping God's commands there is not only no loss, but great reward.

BIGOTRY ILLUSTRATED.

The venerable William Jay, in one of his sermons at Surrey Chapel, a few years since, illustrated his views of bigotry among different branches of the "household of faith," by the following anecdote:-

Some time ago, a countryman said to me, "I was exceedingly terrified, sir, this morning: I was going down a lonely place, and I thought I saw at a distance a huge monster; it seemed in motion, but I could not discern the form of it. I did not like to turn back, yet my heart beat; and the more I looked, the more I feared; but as we approached each other, I saw it was only a man; and who do you think, sir, it was?" I know not."

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"Oh! it was my brother John."

"Ah!" said I to myself, passing away from him, as he added that it was early in the morning, and very foggy; "ah!" said I, "how often, in a lonely place, and in a foggy atmosphere, has brother John been taken for a foe! Only approach nearer each other, and see clearer, and you will find, in numberless instances, what you have dreaded as a monster was a brother-and your own brother."

CURIOUS CLOCK INVENTED BY A

PEASANT.

On the right bank of the Lot, near the bridge of the Aiguillon, lives a farmer, named Joseph Casson, who is about twenty-five years of age, and has received no other education than is usually given to the children of the village peasants. This man has produced a genuine masterpiece,