There are things which remain, and which, if strengthened by faith, and prayer, and effort, will grow.

A few precious revivals have occurred to inspirit us. Reports are received of one within the bounds of the presbytery of Watertown, two in Oswego presbytery, seven in Oneida presbytery, and two in Otsego presbytery. Others might be reported were there the usua attendance of members at the present meeting of Synod, which is far from being the case.

Several of the churches which have not enjoyed special seasons of divine influence, report a steady manifest increase in numbers and in spiritual vitality. An increase of Christian stability, accompanied with occasional droppings of saving mercy, though they are not to be regarded as filling the void occasioned by the absence of the more powerful operations of the Spirit, or as the token of a high degree of Christian faithfulness, are nevertheless the signals of God's continued presence to many of our churches, which, in gratitude, we are bound to record. An increased attendance upon the worship and ordinances of God's house, and an enlargement of the spirit of missions and Christian benevolence generally, are also delightful features in most of the reports from our congregations. In relation to this last subject it is worthy of grateful record, that in some instances the efforts of our pastors to awaken among their people the spirit of missions, have resulted in so strongly impressing young men of piety and talent with a sense of God's claims upon them, that they have laid themselves upon the altar, and said, "Here am I, send me."

We would also record, with special pleasure, the fact, that the maintaining of the great doctrines of the gospel, and an enforcement of the discipline of the church, seems in an unusual degree to have received the atten tion of our pastors and churches. From these efforts, sanctioned as they are by Divine injunction and primitive example, we confidently expect the most glorious results. We hope and trust, that they will be continued and increased. And here it ought to be remarked, that the nature of the Abrahamic covenant, and the imperious

duty of infant consecration, appear to have been enforced by some of our pastors with the most salutary effect. Parents are feeling more of their responsibilities in this matter, and this ordinance is rising in the estimation of our churches.

The usual means for training the rising race for the church and for heaven are still employed among us, and in some cases with increased vigour and interest. Bible-classes and Sabbath-schools continue to shed their rays over the future prospects of Zion.

In some congregations the Westminster Catechism has been rescued from threatened oblivion, and made the basis of Christian instruction; thus, under the Spirit of God, laying the foundation for solid as well as devoted piety. Maternal associations are continuing to awaken a powerful interest among that class who, above all others, are fitted to lead the youthful mind to "the Babe of Bethlehem and the Man of Calvary," and it is peculiarly interesting to learn from some places that mothers, associated in this capacity, in their prayers take hold of the baptismal covenant with an undying faith, as the pledge of mercy to their offspring. These various efforts we hail, and we urge their continuance as the harbingers of the rising glory of the kingdom of Christ on earth. They seem to say to us, amid our gloomy forebodings for a risen and gospel-hardened generation, that another race are in training for a brighter day, when the long reproach shall be wiped away from the church.

Of the weekly prayer meetings and various monthly concerts we have but little to record that is favourable. It is, however, worthy of grateful notice, that, in some of our churches, our pastors are encouraged by the continued earnest supplications ascending from the female prayer meetings in addition to the ordinary meetings of the church for similar purposes.

A very small majority of the churches report that the cause of temperance is making more or less progress among them, while with others it is either stationary or on the decline. In the reports upon this subject, there is one feature which commands our particular attention,

and abounds with instruction. With scarcely an exception, the congregations where this cause of love and mercy is triumphantly progressing, are those where the principle of abstinence from all intoxicating drinks has either been already adopted, or is now under favourable discussion, while the temperance societies which are on the wane, are those which adhere only to the original pledge.

The cause of moral reform, and opposition to unholy American slavery, are each obtaining a small increase of Christian sympathy and action, and in some instances are nobly aided by the fearlessness and influence of our brethren who stand upon Zion's walls. Each of these enterprises has obtained the services of members of our body as agents to promote more thorough and better organized efforts.

The cause of peace has begun to excite some attention and prayer, and array some effort within our bounds. But upon this subject there is still a deplorable want of light and truth.

But for the Holy Sabbath -the abused, neglected Sabbath-alas! what shall we say? It needed no specific tidings from the churches to assure us of what is all the while passing under our observation, that we are rapidly approximating to that terrific example furnished by a modern European nation, which trampled this sign of God's paternal regard under foot, and paid for her infidelity with her blood. And what is most to be deplored, we have reason to believe that our Sabbaths have not been wrested from us by the violence of our avowed enemies, but have, to a fearful extent, been tamely surrendered by the professed followers of Christ. When the church shall be faithful to this institutionwhen those "who bear the Christian's sacred name" shall cease to pollute it by travelling, by worldly business or pleasure, by engaging in Sabbath-breaking enterprises, we fully believe that the moral power of the example, with the influence of their prayers, will, under God, restore it to that reverence which it claims, and it will again be a sign between us and God that we are his, and that he is ours. By stern, yet affectionate dis

cipline, let our churches cleanse their garments from sin under this head, and again they shall ride upon the high places of the earth.

Before closing this narrative, we must advert with pleasure to the efforts of one of our presbyteries to build up the waste places, and strengthen the feeble churches within its borders, by the employment of a missionary, whose labours during the past year have been owned and crowned with the blessing of heaven. In

another of our presbyteries the system of circular conferences, and the personal visitation of churches previous to each of its meetings, have produced the most salutary results. We are able to trace at least one revival to this instrumental agency.

Such and all other appropriate efforts we earnestly recommend to the immediate and constant attention of all our presbyteries and churches, that we may again and always enjoy the refreshings from the presence of .e Lord.

Finally, we are renewedly admonished by the warnings from the tomb, that our time is short, the season near, when our pastors and our people must answer for their mutual responsibilities at the bar of final judg

ment.

Over one of our revered fathers, the Rev. Publius V. Bogue, the grave has just closed. We trust he has gone to dwell with the Saviour whom he preached. Let the solemnities of this and all similar events be improved, as the monitions of the frailty of human life were, by the Master himself, when he said, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work."

RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOOKS.

Our last number contained a sketch of the Rev. JOHN HARRIS'S excellent Sermon preached for the London City Mission. It has since been published, under the title of "The Christian Citizen ;" and very few sermons of modern date are adapted to make so

great or so holy an impression. It is imbued with the benevolent spirit of the Gospel, and we hope will excite a spirit of zeal wherever it is read, which will be very generally.

Those of our readers, and they are not a few, who have been in the habit of reading the Rev. R. PHILIP'S GUIDES, and his LADY'S CLOSET LIBRARY, will be glad to learn, that he has just published the third volume of the latter series, under the title of "The Lydias; or, the Development of Female Character." It abounds with useful remark, presented in a novel manner, with the evident design of doing good; and is therefore entitled to the same degree of encouragement with which its predecessors met.

The Religious Tract Society has published a very neat little volume on "The Judges of Israel; or, a History of the Jews, from Joshua to Samuel." It is a very suitable companion to the " Journeys of the Israelites," and appears to be by the same writer. It is illustrated by neat wood-cuts, and will profit the thousands who may read it.

We have much pleasure in directing the attention of our readers to a new and thoroughly corrected edition of the excellent MATTHEW HENRY'S "Exposition of the Bible," now publishing in the octavo size, in 72 weekly shilling parts, by Robinson, of Ludgate-hill, more than one-half of which has proceeded through the press. Though the size of the volumes is smaller than has hitherto been selected for so extensive a Commentary, the type is large, and the work is well printed. The principal recommendation, however, of this impression is, the extreme care with which the work has been cor rected and improved, which will, we have no doubt, make this the standard edition of this admirable work, which will be read and studied for ages yet to come by every class of true Christians.