The funeral rites named in the Scriptures are remarkably illustrated by the customs of the east to the present time. We give above a comparatively modern scene-women mourning at a grave recently closed. Burial, in warm climates, is necessary sooner than with us. We do not, therefore, wonder that bereaved persons should go to the grave in order to vent their grief, and bedew with their tears a spot so sacred to their hearts. In addition to this natural grief, there appears frequently in eastern countries a great deal of fictitious or feigned sorrow. Females are employed and paid for this purpose. They chaunt the praises of the dead, and bewail the departed in a most piteous and frantic manner. This is kept up for several days and nights. Instruments of music are also used. See Jer. ix. 17; xlviii. 36; Matt. ix. 23; Mark v. 38; John xi. 31. Men sometimes thus mourn, but females being more susceptible of the tender emotions, are more commonly employed. We express our bereavement by our dress; the orientals do it by various other ways, such as abstaining from food, sitting on the ground, casting dust on their head, and pouring out mourning lamentation and woe at the grave. The following custom is also occasionally observed: When grief is at its height, a person goes to each

mourner, and with a piece of cotton collects the briny tears as they fall. These are squeezed into a bottle, and placed in the sepulchre as a memorial of affection. To this practice David alludes in Ps. lvi. 8, Put thou my tears into thy bottle.'

་

HENRIETTA SOUTHEY.

This interesting young person was for some time a very consistent teacher in the Castle yard school, belonging to Surrey chapel, under the pastoral care of the Rev. James Sherman. She evidently realized the power of divine truth, and was anxious to serve her generation by the will of God. This she did, and greatly was she beloved by those who knew her most intimately. But her career was short. In March, she was seized with rapid consumption, and in one brief fortnight was she its victim! Her illness was more distressing from an entire loss of hearing which it occasioned. All intercourse, therefore, was by writing. By this method, she, at the very commencement expressed her belief that her complaint was consumption, at the same time she declared her hope that her soul was safe. Among other devotional books, she had her hymn book always on her pillow, and when asked what was her favorite hymn, she pointed to the well-known one, Jerusalem, my happy home.' On the Saturday before her departure, her father entered her room, and with the greatest eagerness she flung her arms round him, and repeated the solemn verse, 'Lo on a narrow neck of land, &c.' At times she was sorely tried with Satanic agency in doubts, as to the truth of Christianity. In answer, however to prayer, the God of peace bruised Satan beneath her feet, and gave her to realize the inward power and read the inward evidence of the glorious gospel. On the Sabbath evening, she asked what day it was, when she referred with the deepest affection to the sanctuary, where her christian friends were then engaged in worship, and, pointing upwards, said, she should soon be where congregations never disperse, and where Sabbaths never close. She then read several verses and repeated the first two, When I can read my title clear, &c.' and shortly after the Lord granted her a most easy release. Thus, on the evening of the Sabbath, April 2nd, did she calmly sleep in Christ, and enter on that other Sabbath, whose name is Heaven, and whose length is eternity. She died three days short of twenty years of age, but still she

died an hundred years old,' for she had accomplished the ends of existence in winning Christ for herself, and in winning souls for Christ. In this young person, we have another illustration of the excellency of Sunday schools, in maturing and in exercising the piety of those who seek the Lord early. Let those who are engaged in them, prepare to meet their God, and to give an account of their stewardship, as suddenly and as safely as did Henrietta Southey.

Notes on Books.

THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY. Manchester, J. Gillett.

A benevolent and talented lady, Mrs. G. Leece, has here depicted the plan pursued in a pious family, for training up the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Success crowned the plans. We are sure that Parents and Teachers may read this small fourpenny book with decided advantage. Three families furnished our Lord with eight out of the twelve apostles; and we feel confident that, under such a system as Mrs. Leece here describes, families would be infinitely beneficial to the church and to the world. We hope by the sale of this work the authoress will be encouraged to publish a second volume, which she has in her heart, on the modes of promoting industry and other moral virtues. We hear from a private source that the profits are pledged to a most benevolent object.

APOSTOLICAL INDEPENDENCY. By J. S. BRIght.

Snow.

We are sorry that this excellent manual has so long escaped our notice. It is a candid illustration of the congregational system. We much wish that each religious denomination would, in a similarly clear and respectful manner exhibit its ecclesiastical polity. Here we have the history, doctrine, discipline, and ordinances of the independent churches commended to our conscience in the sight of God.

BAINES ON THE MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.

Ward & Co.

We have already tendered our heartiest thanks to Mr. Baines, for his exertions in defeating the late infamous educational bill. In this small volume he has recorded the results of his great efforts. The statistics are most valuable. They demonstrate the power of the voluntary principle, and rescue our manufacturing population from the, odium to which it had been exposed. Most sincerely we say, that every school and every friend to education must have a copy of this admirable work. So highly was it valued in one place that a copy was deposited with other precious documents and coins in the foundation stone of a new edifice.

THE SUNDAY SCHOLAR AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL: London, Tract Society. A very good small reward book, for little girls in sunday schools. It is a reprint of a series of articles which appeared from the able pen of Mrs. J. Bakewell, in 'the Sunday Scholars' Magazine.' On comparing them, however, it is impossible to avoid seeing, that many clauses and expressions have been omitted; and in our candid opinion, the interest and usefulness of the work have been thus far diminished.

Hamilton & Co.

OUTLINES FOR THE PULPIT. BY DR. ADAM THOMSON. Preachers of skeletons have been called skeletons of preachers. Certainly the use of this volume will not expose our clergy to that charge. We have closely examined several of these outlines, and can certify, that in doctrine they are sound -in matter deep, rich, and weighty, and in style good and interesting. They

amount to sixty, and appear to be condensations of some of the most important subjects on which Dr. Thomson has dwelt during a long and honoured ministerial course. We may see in them such an attachment to the word of God as will explain the secret of his noble efforts for its diffusion, by means of the Scottish board.

The Portion.

OCT. 8.-THE DEATH OF LAZARUS.-John xi. 1-27.

NOTES.

Ver. 2. 'That Mary,' see chap. xii. 3. Ver. 6. 'Abode two days,' that the death might be more evident. Ver, 9. Twelve hours, &c.' the Jews always divided the day and night into two equal parts. Christ meant that while the day of opportunity lasted he wished to do the work of God. Ver. 10. In him,' hetter translated in it, that is, in the world. Ver. 16. The word Thomas is Syriac, and the word Didymus Greek; both mean a twin; it is common to take another name when travelling in other countries; this Thomas was willing to go and share with Jesus the persecution which was expected. Ver. 18. 'Fifteen furlongs,' about a mile and three quarters east of Jerusalem, near Mount Olives. Ver. 20. 'Sat still,' probably on the ground, the posture of mourners; Job. ii. 8; Ezek. viii. 14; Matt. xxvii. 61; see engraving, page 229. Ver: 21. Then said Martha, &c.,' she as yet did not know why Jesus had permitted the death. Ver. 25. Though he were dead,' that is, though he should die. Ver. 26. 'Shall men die,' that is, not die eternally, nor die naturally if found alive at Christ's second coming.

QUESTIONS.

1. What did the sisters of Lazarus do when he was sick?-2. Does their conduct and their message teach us any duty?-3. Why did our Lord allow this sickness to visit that happy, holy, family? Heb. xii. 6, 7.-4. Does religion save us from trials, or does it support us under them? Rom, viii. 28. 5. How did Jesus know that this sickness would not end in the final removal of Lazarus from the world? 6. Why did Christ tarry where he was two days longer?—7. If he delay to answer our prayers, to what must we ascribe it?-8. How did Jesus speak of the death of Lazarus in verse 11?-9: Why may the death of good men be compared to sleep?-10. What made Christ glad that he was not at Bethany when Lazarus died?-11. The disciples of Christ were afraid that Jesus would be destroyed by the wicked Jews, what should encourage us when religion is violently opposed?-12. Many Jews came to mourn with the bereaved sisters, what is our duty under such circumstances? Rom. xii. 15; Ecc. vii. 2.-13. Was Martha right or wrong in her opinion in verse 21 ?— 14. Could Jesus have healed Lazarus even if he had been absent? Matt. viii. 8-13; Luke xvii. 14; John iv. 49-53.-15. Has he all power in his hands?-16. What promise did Christ give Martha ?— 17. Shall we know our brothers and friends after the resurrection? 1 Thes. ii. 19; Luke xvi. 9; 2 Cor. iv. 14; Philemon 15.-18. Was the resurrection known to the pious Jews? Job. xix. 25; Dan. xii. 2. -19. Do we now see God's power displayed in raising up new bodies from old ones? John xii. 24; 1 Cor. xv. 36.-20. Who is to effect the general resurrection? 1 Thes. iv. 16.-21. Why is our believing