equally fraught with danger of error. If for our sakes, or on our behalf, Christ died, it was because of our sins; and Paul teaches that it is by, or in, His blood, that is, His sacrificial suffering and death, that we are justified. While a transfer of guilt to an innocent person is, in the nature of things, impossible, the transfer of the pain, suffering, penalty, which is, under the moral law of the universe, the necessary consequence of sin, to an innocent being, is altogether conceivable, and ought to give no difficulty to seekers for a "reasonable Faith." The only difficulty then left is as to how the suffering of Christ could avail in taking the place of the penalty due for the sins of men. This we cannot explain. But why should any one therefore make or find it a stumbling block? What can we explain fully, through and through? Who can explain the origin of life; or, the origin of evil? Who can say why there is in every human heart the instinct of retribution, which, until it is changed by Christian grace, demands an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life? If even in science, and in regard to material things, men are constantly baffled in their endeavors after complete explanations, there is no occasion for "sound reason and common sense" to make hesi. tation about ascertaining, and then accepting, what is revealed concerning the Divine government in the moral and spiritual universe. "These things the angels desire to look into." We may hope to understand them, when we no longer see as in a mirror darkly, but face to face.

(To be continued.)

PROFESSOR BRYCE'S "HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE."In spite of the great increase of books, in late years, upon all points of government and political history, there must be many people who still have vague and confused ideas as to the cause, and ignorance as to the effect of the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire."

Under this title Professor Bryce, of Oxford, throws a clear and penetrating ray of light into the gloom of the Dark Ages, giving his readers one distinct picture after another of Rome and her relations with the Teutonic chiefs, her gradual separation from the Empire of the East, and her final coalition with Charlemagne in the year 800 A. D., when she bestowed on him the secular headship of the Holy Roman Empire. Henceforth the Emperor was to be to the governments of the world what the Pope was to the Church, the chosen of God, who should represent divine power, justice and wisdom among the nations, as the Pope was the vicar of God in the Church. Not the least interesting part of Prof. Bryce's most interesting book is his sketch of the origin and growth of the idea that a Roman Empire was a necessary condition of the existence of Church and State. There was no other imaginable form under which religion and government could live.

There must always be a representative of God in Church and State to whose care the world was committed, and who must be before all other po

tentates-mighty and glorious. Here then is the cause of the foundation of that Empire, which through the Middle Ages and even in modern times, has exerted such a wide spread influence among the continental nations as they slowly form. ed themselves into their present condition. The Pope and Roman people alike called upon Charlemagne to be the strong right-hand of the Church, and he gladly received from them the title of "Imperator Romanorum" as an added glory and dignity. In the following centuries under Franconian, Swabian, Hohenstaufen and Hapsburg Emperors, Professor Bryce presents in clear sequence and with vivid effect the inevitable alternation of power between Pope and Emperor, the gradual growth of strong German Dukes and even Kings, while their feudal chief was wasting his strength in asserting his position as Emperor of the Christian. world, and in quarrelling with the Pope; and the final mockery of a Roman Emperor powerless among magnates who divided his domains and rebelled against the ideas upon which his Empire rested. For into the superstition of the Middle Ages the light of the Reformation brought its strong fresh ideas of individualism and independent thought, breaking up in men's minds the image of one Church and one Government, chosen of God to be sacred and all powerful.

Then comes the closing scene, when in 1806 the last Roman Emperor lays aside the worn-out symbols of universal government and world-wide power, to take his rightful place at the head of one of the continental monarchies which have arisen on the ruins of the Holy Roman Empire.

No one can fail to be interested in tracing the relation of the present Emperor of Austria to Frederick Barbarossa, to Charlemagne, to Cæsar.

In conclusion, Prof. Bryce gives a most satisfactory account of the "New German Empire," showing how at last the many small monarchies and dukedoms of Germany have united under their strongest member, Prussia, and hinting at the possibility for the distant future of Austria's joining the union. This book contains, in addition to the direct subject matter, many interesting hints bearing on the Italian Republics, the Renaissance, the architecture of Rome, and continental history in general, embodied in a singularly clear and graceful form.

S. C. W..

"CHRISTIAN UNITY" is the subject of an address delivered at Darlington, England, by T. West, at one of a series of united meetings of nonconformist ministers, held under the auspices of the Evangelical Alliance, during the Week of Prayer, in January, 1884. The topic for the meeting at which the address was delivered was "Prayer for the Church of Christ-that it might be purified from its many corruptions and sins, that its members might be filled with the Holy Ghost, realize more largely their unity in Christ, and be more careful to manifest that unity before the world in friendly recognition of one another's gifts. . . . that the spirit of party might die out

The second obstacle is the existence of a State Church, which is liable "sooner or later to come into bitter conflict with the civil power" and to learn to dominate over the other sections or families. The third grand obstacle is the spirit that leads to the formulating of certain outward rites as tests of fitness for religious membership, instead of Christ's own test, "love to the brethren."

Under

The Alliance had shown gross inconsistency in that while it issued a call for prayer for unity (in the church) in the friendly recognition of one another's gifts, and for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, it had by its conditions of membership expressly excluded the Society of Friends, because they do not observe the Lord's Supper, and the Unitarians, because they deny the divinity of Christ. this head the author has stated the true Scriptural basis of unity in the church of Christ-"Love to God and man." "History and experience have shown that established churches everywhere have aimed at uniformity of creed and worship, and this has been the fruitful source of strife and discord among the churches." When the rites and ceremonies are made the test of Christian life, the true test, "love to the brethren" is lost sight of, and all kinds of irregularities of life and conduct are overlooked if conformity to these shadows

be observed.

The Lord's Supper has everywhere served as the stronghold of the awful assumptions of priestcraft. Friends have always held that the occasion of the Lord's last supper was the Jewish Paschal Supper, and that the purpose of our Lord was to draw off the minds of his Jewish followers from the Mosaical type to himself.

To give a full idea of the value of this excellent address would be to transcribe the whole of it to the pages of the REVIEW.

It is suggestive throughout, and ought to be widely and well read. It would, in the light of it, seem strange indeed that any Friend should feel impelled to take such a backward step as to subject himself or seek to subject others to these rites.

HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE.

The silver polishes are almost infinite in number, and the housekeeper is tempted to try each new one as it comes out, to see if it will not prove more efficacious than the last. If we go to the root of this matter, and consider the number of known substances which will effect the desired end, namely, that of cleaning and polishing silver or silver plate, we shall find that they are very few. The solids used for this purpose are whiting-which is calcium carbonate, more or less pure-diatomaceous earth, finely pulverized sand, and rouge, which is fine red oxide of iron; the liquids, alcohol and ammonia, whose office is to remove grease. In thirty-eight different kinds" of silver powders and liquid preparations for cleaning silver, examined in the "Woman's Laboratory" at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, no other substance was found. Some were mixtures of two or three of these ingredients, some were simply fine whiting, or perhaps fine precipitated calcium carbonate, or diatomaceous earth. The liquid preparations consisted of alcohol or ammonia, with calcium carbonate, the bottle requiring to be shaken before using. The only preparation which has been found differing from these mentioned is one labelled, "A complete electro-plating battery in a bottle." This contains a solution of silver cyanide, and deposits a thin film of silver on the article to which it is applied. It is not a desirable preparation to have in the house, as it is extremely poisonous, and does not bear on its label sufficient warning in regard to its use.

It is useless to try these new and wonderful compounds, one after another, using money in this way without any compensating gain; it is better to decide upon what to use, what will best effect the purpose, and procure that, knowing its composition and its properties. No safe solvent for the compounds of silver which produce tarnish has been found that is, no solvent which will not affect the silver itself. The action of whiting, rouge, sand, and diatomaceous earth is simply to rub off the tarnish, although some silver is inevitably removed in the process. It is of great impor

tance that these substances should be so fine as not to scratch the silver; and unless we have the time and patience to float off the fine particles from the coarse whiting to be obtained at the grocer's, as our grandmothers did, it is better to buy the fine precipitated chalk (calcium carbonate), and pay the price asked for it.

Diatomaceous earth, known commonly as "electro silicon," is a most excellent substance for.re

moving tarnish from silver. It consists of micro

As the sky darkens around you, hide deeper in the Cleft Rock.

siliceous skeletons of diatoms (minute sea animals), which are found in some localities in immense deposits in the earth. Its composition is the same as that of sand, but being so very fine, it will not scratch, as any but the most finely pow dered sand must do,

Jewelers' rouge, which is usually added only in very small quantity to the silver powders in the

market, merely as a coloring matter, is fine ferric oxide. Its composition is the same as that of ironrust, but, owing to the method of its manufacture, the color is different.

Ammonia and alcohol are useful, and if a few drops of ammonia water be added to the water in which silver is washed, and the articles rubbed briskly afterward with a piece of chamois skin, it will be found often that a rubbing with powder is unnecessary.

Ammonia is excellent for cleaning glass, and indeed there are very many household uses to which this substance may be put; it should, however, never be used for cleaning brass, as it dissolves copper and copper salts. It is best to buy it of the dealers in chemical and druggists' supplies, as that furnished by the apothecaries varies very much in strength. Get the strong ammonia water, and dilute it with about three parts of water for use.

The best material for cleaning brass is oxalic acid. As this is a poison, of course the article after cleaning should be thoroughly washed, to remove the excess of acid and the salts formed by it with the copper and zinc of the brass; but it is safe if used intelligently, and the oxalate of copper formed is a much less poisonous substance than the compound of the innocent acetic acid-the acid of vinegar-with copper, copper acetate being one of the most dangerous of the copper compounds.

Much of our brass now in use is covered with a coating of shellac varnish, which protects it from tarnish, and requires no cleaning as long as the varnish remains intact. If, however, the coating be broken and we desire to remove it and clean the brass underneath it, it should be remembered that shellac is soluble in alcohol, and it may be rubbed off with a cloth wet with this substance, the brass cleaned, and a new coating of shellac applied.

Knives are usually cleaned by rubbing with brick dust or emery powder. When put away for a long time, particularly in summer, they should be oiled slightly to prevent rust.

We should be careful to keep our "household chemicals," such as the strong ammonia water, oxalic and hydrochloric acids, in suitable bottles, carefully labeled, and in a place where no one can have access to them who does not understand their use. Used intelligently, they will be a help in solving some of the problems of our daily lives as housekeepers.-Marie Glover Holman, in Christian Union.

MADAGASCAR.

The Monthly Recora says: Since our last issue we have had letters from Madagascar which have caused us much anxiety, bringing as they did news of the serious illness of Dr. Fox. Along with William Wilson, Dr. Fox started, as arranged, with the native evangelist who was going to Manandaza, in the Sakalava country, on December 1st, but when they had got as far as Mandridrano, Dr. Fox was taken ill, and it became needful

for them to return at once. On the way home, however, he grew much worse, and our friends turned aside to Ambohibeloma, a station of the L. M. S., where they were most kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Collins, who are residents there. There our friends remained for several days, poor Dr. Fox being too ill to proceed. Mrs. Fox was sent for, and finally, as unfavorable symptoms set in, Dr. Guldberg, of the Norwegian Mission, was summoned, who pronounced Dr. Fox to be suffering from an acute attack of Malagasy fever. Our friends speak in most grateful terms of the very kind help and sympathy of Mr. and Mrs. Collins during this time of trouble. It was ultimately concluded to move Dr. Fox into town, and this was done, the sufferer being slung in a hammock and so carried into his own house, where he lay in a critical state for some time. The mail just arrived (April 9th) has, however, brought us word that Dr. Fox is very much better. He has written home himself, and, though still unfit to resume his duties, he was hoping to do so after an extended holiday.

We have felt very much for our friends at Antananarivo in this time of anxiety, and for the many friends and relatives of our dear friend in this country, whose anxiety, during the past few weeks has been great, and we are thankful for the better news now come.

After many efforts to procure some assistance for Dr. Fox, the committee have at last been successful, and we are glad to be able to add that Dr. John D. Allen (who is not a "Friend") is about to sail for Madagascar this month, to help in the work of the Medical Mission. We trust that he will prove a valuable addition to our little circle there.

We are glad also to hear the good news of the safe arrival of William and Lucy Johnson and John Sims at the Capital, after their long and toilsome journey. Their arrival during the time of Dr. Fox's illness was quite opportune, and appears to have greatly encouraged our Mission band.

LOVE IS STRONGER THAN DEATH.

I returned home from the chase, and wandered through an alley in my garden. My dog bounded before me. Suddenly he checked himself, and moved forward cautiously, as if he scented game. I glanced down the alley, and perceived a young sparrow with a yellow beak fall down upon its head. He had fallen out of his nest (the wind was shaking the beeches in the alley violently), and lay motionlesss and helpless on the ground, with his little unfledged wings outstretched.

The dog approached it softly, when suddenly an old sparrow with a black breast quitted a neighboring tree, dropped like a stone right before the dog's nose, and with ruffled plumage, and chirping desperately and pitifully, sprang twice at the open, grinning mouth. He had come to protect his little one at the cost of his own life. His little body trembled all over, his voice was hoarse, he was in agony-he offered himself.

DIED. HACKNEY.-On the 17th of Fourth month at the residence of her father, near Unitia, Loudon county, Tennessee, Maud Hackney, daughter of F. R. and M. J. Hackney, in the 21st year of her age; a member of Hickory Valley Monthly Meeting.

Although her illness was of short duration, she left the assurance that she was ready for the change. A short time before her death she told her friends that she loved her Saviour with her whole heart and was waiting to go, and asked them not to grieve for her. HEALY-Died after a short illness, on her 83d birthday, Third mo. 18th, 1885, at the residence of her son-in-law, Thomas L. Brooks, of Washingtonville, N. Y., Abigail Healy; a member of New York Monthly Meeting. She retained her mental faculties remarkably. She bore with unusual fortitude the trials of her

long and eventful life; always cheerful and hopeful, her presence shed peace and happiness upon those with whom she mingled; while her strict integrity and conscientious Christian life were a bright example to her relatives and friends, and made her a consistent and esteemed member of the church. It was the earnest desire of her heart for many years, that in watchfulness and prayer she might be found ready when called to her heavenly home. "The memory of the just is blessed."

FRIENDS' FREEDMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF

PHILADELPHIA.

The first of the evening anniversaries of "Yearly Meeting week" was that of the Association for aid to Freedmen in the South. It was held Fourth mo. 20th, in the committee-room of the Arch Street meeting. house; Dr. James E. Rhoads being chairman.

The Report of the Executive Board gave account of the assistance rendered to five schools-at Raleigh, N. C., with 271 scholars; Christiansburg, Va., 209; Salem, N. C., 106; Rutherfordton, N. C., 63, and Pocahontas, Va., 59. The expenses of the work have been for the year about $2500, besides $1000 appropriated to Captain Schafer's school-building at Chris. tiansburg. About $4000, from all sources, have been received during the year. As to the benefits conferred by preparing colored teachers for the South, strong testimony has been rendered, through Hampton Institute, and by Captain Schafer and many others.

Joshua L. Baily referred to the probable future of the Southern States, to show the urgent necessity of educating their colored inhabitants. At the end of the war, there were about 4,000,000 of these in the South; in 1880 they were 6,000,000; probably now a million more. According to the Census, the increase of the colored population is 34 per cent, in ten years; of white people, 19 per cent. Moreover, illiteracy increases at a more rapid rate than population, in both races. In the South Atlantic and Gulf States, 31⁄2 millions of negroes and 21⁄2 millions of whites cannot read or write. Of these States probably 48 per cent. are entirely illiterate.

Huldah Bonwill mentioned some facts showing the need of aid for the Pickering Institute for colored pupils, at Timbered Hills, Kansas. Samuel Morris, Anna R. Crew, John B. Wood and others remarked upon different features of the Report; including the evident demand for industrial education, both at the South and in the North, for colored people. Allusion was made to the promising enterprise for the establishment of an Industrial department in connection with the Institute for Colored Youth of Philadelphia, An example of the immediate success of such an effort

upon a smaller scale was mentioned as having recently occurred in Alabama.

Dr. Jas. E. Rhoads referred to the beneficial labors of Alida Clark as showing what can, and needs to be, done in behalf of the freedmen; while the energy displayed in the analogous work of improvement of the Indians in the West, and that of New England Friends at Brumana, Syria, may stimulate us by their example.

It was suggested that the present may be a suitable time to renew the interest of many persons in this subject, by a public meeting in Philadelphia; and that proposal was referred to the Executive Board for consideration, and for such action as may be deemed suitable. The mind of the Association was, that the field of labor for the education and elevation of the Southern freedmen is boundless, and its importance to the welfare of the whole country momentous. It is, therefore, no time to allow ourselves or the community to become apathetic in regard to it.

FRIENDS' FIRST-DAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA.

The annual Bible-school Conference was held this year without the preparation of any special essays, addresses or questions for discussion; the time being sufficiently occupied with the reading and consideration of reports from the twelve schools which are more or less intimately connected with the Association.

The first of these schools, now twenty-nine years in continuance, was the Bethany Union School; of which Marcellus Balderston is Superintendent. It is in a prosperous condition; with more than 400 scholars. Its usefulness is not confined to Bible teaching on the first day of the week; but it includes also a Saving Fund, in which the deposits last year were not much less than a thousand dollars; also a Library, and a Band of Hope for Temperance work. The mission fund subscribed by the scholars amounted to between one and two hundred dollars. The Superintendent testified that "there has been no lessening of religious interest in the school during the year." It is a notable fact that the present Superintendent is only the second to occupy that position since the origination of the school, twenty-nine years ago.

Twelfth Street school, of which Asa S. Wing is Superintendent, is next in duration, having been opened in 1859. It was mentioned, however, that some papers have recently been found, which refer to a Firstday school in Twelfth Street meeting-house in 1832; begun by William M. Collins and Charles Yarnall. A member of the Association present mentioned that he was a scholar in William M. Collins' class, not much after that date; but the reason for its discontinuance did not come within his knowledge. The number of teachers and scholars on the roll of the Twelfth Street school is 61; mostly the children of Friends. This is one of the only two Bible schools now held in any of the meeting-houses within the limits of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. A Young Men's Bible class has been conducted in the same house, through a part of the past winter, at the close of the First-day morning meeting; and a Young Women's Bible-class, in another room, at the same hour. While neither of these classes is as yet large, C. L. and M. P. Nicholson, who lead them, are encouraged to per severe in their endeavor, with hope of their increase.

The John S. Hilles Memorial school, of which Richard Wood is Superintendent, was formerly held in the Locust Street Mission house, above Ninth street; now it is in the Catharine Street House of Industry. Franklin E. Paige is Assistant Superintendent. The number of teachers and scholars on the roll is 140.