WE have wished to say a few words to the readers of the Miscellany as we begin together a new volume with the commencement of a new year. But so many things lift themselves into notice, whether we look at the past or the future, when any such purpose is entertained, that we are tempted to relinquish our design. The past year will be memorable in the annals of the world. It has not been marked by military achievements, unless the success of Great Britain in her shameful war with China present an exception; but the fact that the peace of Europe has been unbroken and our own country been saved from the curse of battle deserves grateful mention and permanent record. Events have occurred which will render the last year conspicuous in the annals of misfortune. The elements have been permitted by Him who rules over the world to cause fearful destruction of life and property. The earthquake at Hayti, the fire at Hamburg, the terrible disaster on the rail-road from Versailles to Paris, are calamities that mark centuries. The Providence of God has been seen in other events that should bear instruction to the hearts of men. The death of the heir to the French throne under the circumstances which gave such a thrilling interest to the tale, and at a time when the stability of existing institutions was thought to be interwoven with his life,

may yet be productive of serious consequences. Recently within. our own land a light has been removed in whose illumination, as it fell on great questions of truth and duty, the wise and good rejoiced throughout the world.

The history of the United States the last twelve months offers many instructive lessons to the Christian as well as the politician. The depression of business, the prevalent uneasiness, the greater economy in their habits of life to which multitudes have been driven, and the loss of property or of employment to which others have been reduced, are facts which a thoughtful man or a soberminded people will not let pass without drawing from them profitable counsel. The change in the relations of political parties is fruitful in suggestion to those who control public opinion, or who allow themselves to be led by it. The examples of dishonesty and crime which have arisen in different parts of the country reveal an extent of unprincipled character that may cause many a sanguine heart to distrust its hopes for our future progress. Still the year has not failed to give us occasions for rejoicing. Health has prevailed throughout the land, and on the whole order and law have been respected. A treaty has been signed between our Government and one of the most powerful nations of the globe, which has averted the horrors of war, and afforded an example pregnant, we cannot but think, with vast good to the nations of Christendom. God has given us abundant harvests, and a judicious spirit of enterprise, even under circumstances of discouragement, has increased the facilities and benefits of communication. Philanthropy has called new servants to its tasks and sent them into the various fields which invite their labor; and though extravagance and injustice have marred the beauty of their efforts, they have accomplished much good, and prepared the way for much more. Religion too has seen able and zealous ministers flocking to her altar, and bearing thence the fire of Divine truth to purify the souls of the worldly or kindle the hearts of believers. Fanaticism indeed has taken large scope for its action, error has found voices through which to speak loudly and vehemently, and mischief has been done of which it is sad to think. But the good has exceeded the evil, and we have reason to believe that morality and piety, the love of God and the love of man, hold a wider sway than they exercised a year ago.

We cannot pursue

These are hints only to what might be said. them. But we are desirous to add a word upon the question prefixed to this article. Where does the new year find us? How do we stand as a denomination, and how as individuals? As a denomination, we cannot but believe we are in a better state than we were a year ago. We have gained something, and lost nothing. We have gained some outward increase. New congregations have been gathered, and so far as the restoration or rebuilding of houses of public worship is a sign of interest in religious institutions, our pages the last year have shown that the people are not insensible to their value. In this city three ministers have been added to our number, under whom the congregations with which they are connected are exhibiting a healthful prosperity. Our spiritual improvement we hope it is not vain-glorious to consider yet more worthy of remark. It is with humble gratitude that we speak of an increase of religious earnestness and activity in our body. The missionary movement, of which we gave an account in our last number, is only one sign of this growth. More interest is felt in social religious exercises. The services of the Lord's day, so far as our observation reaches, are better attended, and the attempts of the ministers to form Bible Classes or hold religious meetings during the week have been cordially met, or perhaps been suggested by their people. The obligation of Christian effort, in one's self and out of one's self, for one's own sake and for the good of others, is more deeply felt, and as a consequence we witness more of a religious spirit in society than a year or two since. If our judgment is correct, we have reason to believe that though there are differences of opinion and " differences of administration" among us, yet our strength is not weakened; and whatever there may be that is unsound in doctrine, or defective in practice, or injudicious in its forms of expression, the new year finds more of true religion in our denomination than did its predecessor.

But where does it find us as individuals? In a course of im

provement, or of deterioration ? On the Lord's side, openly and firmly adhering to him; or with the world, seeking its vanities and adopting its follies? Each one must answer these questions for himself; we cannot answer them for one another. But we may remind one another that they are important questions, of such serious import

that not to consider them is the part only of spiritual blindness or a bad and fatal bravery. If we refuse to consider them, they will not pass unheeded. God, "the righteous Judge," marks our course and measures our progress, in whatever direction it may be. If the old year leaves us no better than it found us, we must "in that day "render up an account of wasted privileges, abused mercies and slighted discipline. If the new year finds us still 66 halting between two opinions," children of the world in our hearts though convinced that we ought to be the children of God, we are running a fearful hazard. This may be the last " new year we shall ever see. But whether it be or not, the duty of self-consecration to God through Christ is an immediate dutywhich we defer at our peril, and make harder by delay. To those whom this year finds "walking with God" it must bring pleasant recollections and yet pleasanter hopes. To those whom it finds in the ways of sin it brings bitter reproaches and solemn monitions. While the former enjoy its words of comfort, may the latter listen to its warnings.

E. S. G.

DEATH A DESTROYER, AND DEATH A REDEEMER.

I WISH to make some remarks on death the destroyer, and death the redeemer of our race,-death carrying the body and all which belongs to that down to an endless grave, and death lifting the soul and what belongs to that up to an eternal life.

1. Death the destroyer. The sighings of the autumnal wind, and the surgings of the sea when the storm is past, the downfall of the great, the vanishing away of whole generations, the ruins of cities and of empires, all bear witness to the powers of death the destroyer. Nothing here is too low, nothing too high, as this comes breaking up our plans and crushing us down into the earth. No language can paint its dark dominion, or the blackness of their despair over whom its shadow is cast, while their hearts are not yet quickened with that spiritual life over which even death can have no power. It overwhelms all alike. The poor man's sorrows and

the rich man's pride, the wrongs men suffer and the wrongs they inflict, the triumphs of the world and the world's disgrace, the lights and shadows of life, its hopes, anxieties and fears, sink down before its presence. Our possessions turn to dust, our beauty to ashes. The bonds of society are rent asunder, and all the relations of life dissolved. Parents are torn from children, children from parents, the sister shall no more behold her brother, the brother no more be cheered by her love. Husband and wife, lover and friend are hurried away, as if there were no life to be crushed out from young hearts, and the ties that bind together the aged were not hard to break. Our friends are torn from us, we are torn from them. The elements themselves are subject to the same destroying power. Before it "the stars of heaven shall fall, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when shaken of a mighty wind." "And the heavens shall depart as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island shall be moved out of its place; and the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains and the mighty men, and every bondman and every freeman shall hide themselves and say to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us, for the great day of the destroyer's wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" "

Such is the power of death the destroyer. And we need its dark and painful teachings. Before it the fevered pulse of life is checked, and we may pause and come to ourselves amid the cares and labors and pleasures that are whirling us away. When the great have fallen, and all their honors could not defer one hour the appointed time, how is our ambition chilled and humbled in the dust. If a spirit of envy or too keen a rivalship have come over us, and we have indulged in hard feelings or unkind words towards others, how are we softened and subdued as death enters their habitation and brings down all their hopes. Or if we have felt ourselves hurt by them, how does every revengeful thought melt down into sorrow, as the eye that looked unkindly upon us is closed, and the tongue that spoke reproachfully is stiff in the silence of death. If-as sometimes will be-if in families coldness have found its way, and those formed to lean upon each other and share together their joys and sorrows have at any time become estranged,