The Book-Shelf. BRIEF NOTICES OF BOOKS. THE SILENT REVOLUTION; or, the Future Effects of Steam and Electricity upon the Condition of Mankind. By Michael Angelo Garvey, Esq., LL.B., of the Middle Temple. London: W. & F. G. Cash. This is a deeply interesting, most amusing, and highly instructive book. Its title hardly gives an idea of its singularly worthy contents. The first chapters of the work bring together various interesting facts about the domestic manners of England, its national condition and character till within a very brief period, and curious extracts of laughable as well as painful occurrences are recorded, exhibiting the state of things amongst us before the mighty revolution brought about by better and more rapid means of intercourse. Then follow several chapters, showing the bearings on education, civilization, religion, &c., of readier means of communication of thought and feeling between various parts of our own country, as well as intercourse with other lands, still illustrated in the author's own way, from his peculiar field of reading. And then come the writer's views of what must inevitably be the bearings of these things on the future character and condition of the world. The work, as we have said, is deeply interesting, and highly instructive. Its style will be seen by an extract we have made from it in our present month's pages. We have only to add, that there is nothing in all his expectations and forecastings but what is to us most sober, reasonable, christianly, and right. The great fault with books of this class is, that they develop too often extravagant schemes of human progress, and indulge in sentiments counter to Christianity. There is nothing of all this here; and the work thus commends itself as a fit book to be put into any of our young people's hands. "THEY THAT SOW IN TEARS SHALL REAP IN JOY." A Story for the Young. Translated from the German of Franz Hoffman. London: Ward and Co. A beautiful and interesting tale, which will greatly please our young folks; but rather too much made up to suit the plot, and too full of lucky turns and incidents to afford them much guidance in similar circumstances to those set forth. Perhaps the best about it is, that it shows how a trust in Divine Providence, coupled with calm and ready submission to present circumstances, will generally end in the happiness and wellbeing of their subject. So far it will do good, and encourage some to hope and wait for the end, when otherwise they would be cast down. The love of the family whose history is given, their kindness and noble generosity, together with their conduct under trial, are very beautifully drawn. THE DAY-LAMP OF LIFE. London: Nisbet and Co. A very tastefully got up little work, with ornamented borders to the pages, and very beautifully printed in colours. A nice present, at the end of a year, to a young person. It consists of brief extracts from Persian fables and poems, which are full of allusions to the lamp, and which stand as mottoes to the various chapters, following out the leading thought so given. These chapters are headed: The Day-Lamp of Life; The Lamp in Danger; The Neglected Lamp; The Communion of Kindred Minds; The Dim Lamp Revived; The Bright Burning Lamp; The Spirit's Farewell. The reflections are devout and practical, breathing a christian spirit, and bearing generally on the sustaining and improvement of the christian life. CHRISTIAN PROGRESS: a Sequel to the "Anxious Inquirer after Salvation Directed and Encouraged." By John Angell James. London: Religious Tract Society. "The Anxious Inquirer," with its world-wide reputation, has always seemed to need a supplementary work from the hands of its honoured writer, to take up the young Christian just at the point where it left him. The counsels and directions it contained led, if they were carried out-as in many instances we rejoice to know they were to the cross of Jesus. But there they left the soul, just ushered into a new world, filled with anxieties, hopes, and longings never felt before, yet wanting light, direction, and counsel, as to what to think and do. Many have ac cordingly asked often if Mr. James would not follow up his first effort with a second, and supply the needed book. The volume before us is designed to do this; and, so far as we can judge, is eminently adapted for it. Its object is expressed in its title, and its contents are a succession of chapters of counsel to the young Christian, to aid him in securing that high christian standing, and make that christian progress which it is desired that he should. As a book for young saints we think it truly valuable, and coming out the fruit of the matured piety and experience of its beloved author, bears with it no little weight, and must secure to itself no little favour. SWITZERLAND; Historical and Descriptive. London: Religious Tract Society. Monthly Series. A very charming little book, condensing much information about the ever interesting land of Switzerland. The tale of the leading features of its eventful history is well told, and the description of its chief points of interesting scenery, though brief, well and intelligibly given. THE SCRIPTURE TEACHER'S AsSISTANT, with Explanations and Lessons; designed for Sunday Schools and Families. By Henry Althans. London: E. Butt. We have before spoken in commendation of this work. The present edition is a re-issue, but without any alteration. Teachers will find it a very cheap, useful, and suggestive arrangement of lessons; the first part from the life of Christ, and the last from Old Testament history, the Psalms, Proverbs, and prophets. ILLUSTRATED SCRIPTURE REWARD each with a pretty cut and hymn illustrative of some event in Old Testament history. To scripture class teachers in our Sunday schools these cards will become very acceptable, as they may give them to their young people as rewards, and to Forty-eight ornamental cards, learn the hymns. Chapter of Varieties. THE LAST PRAYER. eternity; his heart was hardened against God, and he feared nothing. A short time after he had been thus warned, he went out on horseback as usual, in the morning (his horse was young and spirited); after riding for some time, he determined in his folly to attempt the ascent of one of those steep and narrow bridges so frequently met with in those parts (and from which a person cannot, until they arrive at the summit, discern anything on the other side); he proceeded madly urging forward his horse, but scarcely had he finished the ascent, when a flock of sheep on the other side, hitherto unperceived, likewise gained the top, the horse shied, hesitated a moment, then rushed precipitately over the edge of the bridge into the chasm below; assistance was quickly obtained, but he seemed to be breathing his last. He Some years ago, in a mountainous district of Wales, there resided a youth who had been piously and respectably educated; but he early manifested a disposition to turn aside from the paths of piety and rectitude. Many trembled for him, and earnestly was he entreated, ere it was too late, to consider the path he was pursuing, and the end to which, if persevered in, it would inevitably lead. But, alas! the counsel of those who sought his eternal happiness was unheeded. He seemed resolved to drink still deeper of the imaginary pleasures of the world, and if at any time the voice of conscience regained its power (and he listened with rather more attention than was usual to the entreaties of his friends), his answer to them invariably was, "There is plenty of time yet; God is very merciful; a few moments for repent-spoke-what words of prayer, think ance on a death-bed will make amends for all,-just a few words of prayer then, and all will be well." It was in vain that he was reminded that life was uncertain; at any moment he might be called from time into you, did he utter at that moment? prayer it was, truly, in its most awful form; those words were, "The devil take all!" Thus his end added another testimony to the truth of that scripture, "He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." A JUNIOR TEACHER. I DO NOT CARE. Oh! do not say so. Never say so. The very phrase indicates a reckless sort of spirit, which can scarcely accord with wisdom or prudence. I do not care, is the language of a madman who "scatters arrows, firebrands, and death," regardless where they fall or what mischief they work. I do not care, is the heraldic motto inscribed upon the arms of the great rebellion against Almighty God. Every impenitent sinner turns a shield, bearing this device, against every attempt made to draw or drive him from the ranks of this ungodly rebellion. Say to him, "My friend, your course of life is wrong in itself, essentially wicked, and manifestly ungrateful." The practical reply is, I do not care. But ruin, irremediable, is the sure result of persistence in impenitence. I do not care. Your kind parents and all your friends are prayerfully solicitous for your salvation, and deeply distressed by your ungodliness. I do not care. You are drawing along with you, by the strong cords of influence, others in the path, whose end is destruction. I do not care. Truest interests for this world are hazarded by impenitence. I do not care. trembling at guilt and dreading its doom, is stifled by, I do not care. The whispers of the Holy Spirit, sweetly wooing the soul to the obedience of the gospel, and the embrace of Jesus, is drowned by, I do not care. Every argument and appeal, every invitation and warning, every promise and threatening, are rendered inefficient by, I do not care. Even among the disciples of Jesus is this most unlovely phrase sometimes heard, and still more frequently expressed in conduct. The life often speaks what the tongue would falter in uttering. A poor member of the church is suffering, and needs that the unostentatious hand of charity should be extended for relief. I do not care. A brother is sick, confined to his chamber, and a kindly visit, a cheering word of sympathy, a manifestation of Christian interest, would relieve a wearisome hour, and prove a balm to his fainting spirit. I do not care. WANTED AN HONEST, INDUS- We lately saw an advertisement headed as above. 'An honest, industrious boy;" it conveys to every boy an impressive moral lesson; an honest, industrious boy is always wanted. He will be sought for-his services will be in demand-he will be respected and loved-he will be spoken of in terms of high commendation—he will always have a home The cry of a troubled conscience-will grow up to be a man of known |