SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.-No. XVI. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.-Mal: iii. 16.

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LIGHT is thrown upon this passage by a reference to the practice of chronicles, or books of record, being kept by Eastern princes, in which books were entered many matters of importance relative to the state. Thus, "When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel," and set to work to oppose it; Rehum, the chancellor, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote a letter against Jerusalem, to Artaxerxes, the king" of Persia, in which they petitioned the king in these words:-"That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same, of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed." The king, in consequence, searched the book of the records, and found as they said, and prevented Jerusalem at that time from

VOL. III.

being recovered from its ruins. So we read in Esther, that Mordecai the jew had discovered a plot of two of the chamberlains of king Ahasuerus, to dethrone or destroy him, and having made it known to queen Esther, she immediately told it to the king. "And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree, and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king." Some time elapsed, and no notice was further taken of Mordecai, except by the king's proud minister of state, Haman, who, mortified that Mordecai would not pay him the homage he received from the obsequious Persians around him, determined, in revenge, to destroy both him and his people. For this purpose he, as a favourite servant of the king, obtained a royal decree, which was on the eve of execution, when Providence remarkably interposed. One night, the king could not sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. It was found in reading them, that Mordecai had rendered the greatest service to the king in discovering the plot of his chamberlains, and, on further inquiry, that he had never been

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rewarded. This led to the elevation of Mordecai, the downfal of Haman, the preservation of the Jews, and the destruction of their principal enemies.

These little scripture narratives at once illustrate the expression of "the book of remembrance" kept before the Lord, "for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name." Such there were during the most wicked state of the Jews, just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the gracious eye of God was upon them. As the scribe of an earthly prince would record all the actions of distinguished subjects, so every one that feared and reverenced God was carefully noticed by him, and would be safe in the day of approaching calamity. "They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." We may stretch our thoughts still further, to that awful day of which the destruction of Jerusalem may e considered as a faint type, and then, when the wicked shall be consumed in the flames of Divine wrath, the great King of kings shall see, infinitely more clearly than ever monarch saw the register of his subjects'deeds, all the evidences of his people's characters, and great shall be the reward which his grace shall bestow upon them in glory. C.

CHEMISTRY. No. VI.

CARBON, SULPHUR, AND PHOSPHORUS. CHARCOAL is a well-known substance, easily procured by burning wood under sand at a red heat. It is a light, hard, sonorous, brittle substance, without smell; and is capable of resisting the most intense heat that can be applied to it, provided that air be excluded, or, in other words, if oxygen gas be not present. It possesses the useful property of being incapable of decay from age, for instances are upon record of its having possessed its original characteristics after the lapse of a thousand years.

The elementary principle of this substance is carbon; a principle that exists abundantly in nature. The diamond is a pure carbon, charcoal consists of carbon and oxygen. Diamond is a crystallized carbon, and cannot be scratched by the hardest steel; it is, in fact, the hardest substance in nature. When we compare the appearance of charcoal with that of the diamond, we are forcibly impressed with the extraordinary difference of visible impression produced by two sub

stances nearly analogous; for there is but a shade of difference in their composition. The one body is so constituted, that its particles are more firmly united together than in the other, and also somewhat more homogeneous in its composition: but, although no greater difference can be discovered between them, yet because of the commonness of the one, it is, to the man who knows not its value in scientific investigations, almost worthless; while a diamond, weighing only one ounce and one eighth, has been estimated at the enormous price of 126,000l. If it were not difficult, on account of their value, to obtain diamonds, it would be easy for the student to prove by experiment that they are of the same nature as charcoal; for if raised to an intense temperature, both substances form, by union with the oxygen they absorb, the same gaseous body, carbonic acid gas. Charcoal takes fire at 370° Fahrenheit, and, if kindled in oxygen gas, it is gradually consumed with a most brilliant flame; but the diamond will not ignite at a heat less than 5000° Fahrenheit. Charcoal possesses the property of slowly absorbing gases in very large quantities, and it has been stated that it will in some cases take up ninety times its own volume; but if it be afterwards immersed in water that is at a boiling temperature, the gas will be abstracted. It is often used for, and is a useful agent in the removal of taints of putridity from meats and utensils. It is one of the ingredients of gunpowder: it is used for the deoxidization of metals; that is to say, for attracting from them the oxygen they may have collected, so as to render them pure: it is the chief ingredient in bitumen and pit coal: it is the base of vegetable substances, and of a great variety of bodies in the animal and vegetable kingdoms: it enters largely into the composition of sugar, oils, gums, and resins, and frequently combines with oxygen and other substances. These statements are sufficient to prove that carbon is an important principle to the chemist, in manufactories.

Sulphur is a substance so generally known, that it requires but a brief description. It is found in greater purity than any other principle with which we are acquainted. It is generally found in the neighbourhood of volcanoes, and is usually in a crystallized state. Sulphur is a brittle and combustible body, of a pale yellowish colour; it burns with a blue hue; melts at 184° Fahrenheit, is volatilized, or passes into a gaseous form at 289°; and takes fire at 302°. Its specific gravity is about 2°. It is of great use in

most important combinations with the metals, the earths, and oxygen.

Phosphorus is more rarely found than either of the afore mentioned substances. It may be produced from both animal and mineral compounds; but is usually made from the bones of animals. It burns at a very low temperature, 148°Fahrenheit, and may be melted at a temperature of 90°. If a small portion of phosphorus be dropped into a Florence flask, nearly filled with water, and a sufficient heat be produced to raise the temperature of the water to the boiling point, balls of fire will be seen to ascend towards the top of the flask. This experiment proves the extreme inflammability of the substance. This statement is also proved by the fact, that phosphorus has a slow combustion at common temperatures, and consequently always appears luminous in the dark. As this substance is frequently used by youth for the sake of sport, it may be necessary to caution them to use it with much care, or the most disastrous effects may be produced.

CHINA.

(Concluded from page 127.)

7. RELIGION.-There are three systems of religion prevalent in China,Confucianism, Tahooism, and Boodhism. Confucius lived about five hundred and fifty years before Christ. His religion, something like the rationalism of the present day, states that what a man believes is of little consequence, provided he leads a moral life. His precepts are many of them good, so far as they extend; but are radically defective in principle. His instructions had reference chiefly to social intercourse. His system was calculated only for the learned and contemplative, and hence had no influence over the common people. To remedy this evil, Tahoo introduced his system, but went into speculations respecting the nature and relations of gods; so that his system was not embraced by the common people.

Boodhism was next introduced, from Ceylon. Boodh was originally a mortal man. The fabulous account given of him is, that after various transmigrations, some of which were into the meaner animals, on account of his sins, and after having suffered in hell 80,000 years, he resolved to reform and become a god. He was then born the son of a Hindoo king, and raised himself by austerities to his present

Over the various countries of the east, Boodh is the principal object of worship. In China, he is Boodh; in Thibet, the Grand Lama, &c. When this cycle has passed, he will be absorbed in the supreme divinity, and another god will take his place. This religion is said to have more devotees than any other. They may worship as many other gods as they please, or believe as they please, if they only believe in Boodh. Of the introduction of Boodhism into China, the Chinese writers give the following account. In the year 65, or about thirty years after the crucifixion, the emperor was informed in a dream that the holy one was born in the west. The ministers of religion recollected that something was said in the sacred odes of the rise of such a personage. They concluded, therefore, that the period had arrived when he was to appear. The emperor despatched ambassadors to the west, to bring some disciple of the new-born sage. They proceeded as far as Ceylon, and brought thence some priests of Boodh; when, being friendly, the government rapidly propa gated their system, which soon became the popular religion of the country.

8. INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY. -Christianity was introduced into China by the Nestorians, in the seventh century; and was continued for three or four centuries. What now remains of it we cannot at present know. The roman catholics entered China about 1550. When this religion was declining in Europe, the Jesuits were making great efforts in the east. They met with great success. By means of pictures, and imposing ceremonies, and by their knowledge of astronomy, and by allowing the Chinese to retain their customs and practices, if they would only profess the Catholic religion and be baptized, they converted great numbers. It was at length suspected they were meddling with the affairs of government: persecutions arose, and they were driven from China. As the character of their converts was not changed, of course they soon fell back to idolatry.

9. PROTESTANT MISSIONS.-Dr. Morrison, the first protestant missionary, entered China in 1807, and was for a while

associated with Dr. Milne.

The labours of Dr. Morrison, in translating the whole Bible into Chinese, are well known. The Rev. Mr. Bridgman, of the American Board, arrived in 1830.

Dr. Wisner then enumerated the American and English missionaries now in or near China, and on their way thither. Gutzlaff has proved, he said, that China may be entered; that access may be had to the Chinese. Here he has been labouring since 1831. The Bible and tracts are now distributed in great numbers. Converts have been made, particularly Leang Afa, the first Chinese convert, who was a printer by trade. It has also recently been ascertained, that Chinese blocks can be stereotyped.

10. PROVIDENCE RESPECTING China. -Several years since, the enterprise was commenced by the Bible and Tract Societies of sending Bibles and Tracts to foreign countries. The design was well received and responded to b the churches. About three or four years ago, Gutzlaff resolved to enter China. The result is well known.

SIMPLE MACHINES-THE LEVER.

WHENEVER a machine is used, it is intended to accomplish one or more of the three following purposes:-1. To direct the force which is put into action by the moving power. 2. To change the velocity of a force, and to produce one suited to the object required: or, 3. To assist or regulate the intensity of a force, and to enable it to perform just that which is required.

All machines, however complicated they may be, consist of a number of simple machines, such as levers, wheels, and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges or screws. These are the elements of all machinery, and the principles and action of any mechanical arrangement may be discovered, with a little attention, if the principles of these be perfectly understood. They are sometimes very erroneously called the mechanical powers, for they possess no actual power, but merely offer a means by which a power may be directed in such a way as to produce the greatest possible result, by directing the force, changing the velocity, and regulating its intensity. Some writers have treated of the simple machines under three classes, the lever, the pulley, and the inclined plane; and, strictly speaking, the wheel and axle can only be considered as a modification of the lever; and the wedge

is the fulcrum, the muscle attached to the bone near the socket is the power, and the limb is the weight.

The condition of equilibrium in the straight lever is, that the power multiplied by its distance from the fulcrum, shall be equal to the weight multiplied by its distance from the fulcrum. Let the weight, for instance, be 1,200lbs., and its distance from the fulcrum be one foot, and let the power be 200lbs at a distance of six feet, and the lever would be in equilibrio, for by multiplying together the weight and its distance, it will be found that their product is equal to the product of the power multiplied by its distance. The immense value of the lever in appropriating power in the most advantageous manner will be immediately perceived from a consideration of this law. Suppose that we have a great weight to raise with a small force, it is only necessary to remove the power so far distant from the fulcrum that it may compensate for the great superiority of the weight which we shall bring as near to the fulcrum as possible. We might, therefore, raise an enormous weight with a very small force, provided that the cohesion of the substance employed as a lever were sufficiently great to oppose the strain to which it would be subject.

It will be hardly necessary to remark, that in the lever of the first order, the weight and the power act in the same direction; in the levers of the second and third orders they act in opposite directions; and it is equally evident that in a lever of the second order the power must be less than the weight, because it is more distant from the fulcrum, while in a lever of the third order it must be greater than the weight, because it is nearer the fulcrum.

Compound levers, or, in other words, systems of levers, are sometimes employed in machinery, and the power then acts upon the weight through the intervention of a series. In the annexed figure we have a system of levers, consisting of three; all of which belong to the first order. W is

GIFTS TO KINGS.

THERE was a law much observed among the Persians, that when the king rode near the residence of his subjects, each one according to his means should set something before the king; husbandmen who were occupied in the tillage of the earth, or handicraftsmen, brought what was neither contemptible on one hand, nor costly on the other, but oxen, or sheep, or corn, and others wine. As the king walked or rode by, these things were set forth by every one, and were called gifts, and accepted by him. Others, who were more needy than these offered milk, or palms, or cheese, and even sweet-meats, and the first-fruit of their lands or gardens. These were esteemed as a symbolical acknowledgment of the allegiance due on the part of the subject to his sovereign.

In Psalm xlv. 12, it is said, that the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, or as the hebrew means, an act of homage; in token of submission. In Hosea x. 6, the calf of Bethaven is threatened with being carried as present or gift to the Assyrian king, as a formal declaration of subjection to his authority. In Lev. ii. 1, the same hebrew word occurs, and is rendered meat.