Professor Huxley evidently belongs to that small exclusive class in philosophy (falsely so-called) who fancy what mankind possess in themselves, proprio vigo, a secret means in their wisdom, and by their science, of rectifying the world's disorders, and perpetuating the present status. of existence. Such men fail to recognise the fact that the present. kosmos (world) is not a finality, but only a means to an end: that mankind live under a government now which is only provisional, not permanent; that its days are reckoned and numbered, and are being rapidly exhausted, when the conduct of human affairs, social and scientific, political, civil, and ecclesiastical, as at present constituted, will pass into other and wiser and immortal hands, under the rule of the King of saints, and His associates. Such is the cherished creed of all intelligent Christians; but men who, like our professor, are ignorant and faithless of this truth, and of the coming overthrow of the present powers that be, whom God permits to rule, and has even "ordained" as a temporary expedient until the rightful Ruler of this earth and its people shall appear, and claim His supreme rights, may naturally enough decry a divine interposition which will supersede their wisdom by His, which is alone competent to rule the world of mankind. No wonder they believe not, nor read, nor heed God's word, which plainly proclaims their utter and speedy confusion and overthrow. These are the prophets of peace of the latter days, the optimists of the universities and schools of science, whose vain imaginings are described in the second Psalm, and other Scriptures, and whose pagan colleagues St. Paul confounded at Athens, as recorded in Acts, chapter xvii., to which the reader is referred.-Baltimore Gazette. THE ALTERED MOTTO. H, the bitter shame and sorrow Yet he found me; I beheld him Heard him pray, "Forgive them, Father!" "Some of self, and some of thee." Day by day his tender mercy, Healing, helping, full and free, Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient, Higher than the highest heavens, Lord, thy love at last hath conquered; MONOD. CORRESPONDENCE. THE CITIES OF BASHAN. DEAR SIR,-In reference to a pamphlet lately issued, entitled, "New Light on the Eastern Question,"-reviewed and extracted from in the October number of "THE RAINBOW," I would beg to submit to the consideration of your readers the interesting, if not remarkable, coincidence existing between the proposed re-possession, by the Jewish people of the country of Syria -as their divinely covenanted, rightful territory-put forth in that pamphlet, and the following statements of fact, recorded by Rev. J. L. Porter, of Belfast, in his valuble work of Oriental Travels, published some nine or ten years since, entitled, "The Giant Cities of Bashan, and Syria's Holy Places." In relation to the passage, Deut. iii. 3, 5, 14, Mr. P. writes: "In Argob, one of the little provinces of the kingdom of Bashan, there are no fewer than sixty great cities; fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; besides unwalled towns a great many." "Such a statement seems all but incredible. It would not stand the arithmetic of Bishop Colenso for a moment. Often, when reading the passage, I used to think that some strange statistical mystery hung over it; for, how could a province measuring not more than thirty miles by twenty, support such a number of fortified cities; especially when the greater part of it was a wilderness of rocks? But, mysterious, incredible as this seemed-on the spotwith my own eyes-I have seen that it is literally true. The cities are there to this day. Some of them retain the ancient names recorded in the Bible. The state of Bashan is, literally, crowded with towns and villages; and though the vast majority of them are deserted, they are not ruined. I have, more than once, entered a deserted city in the evening; taken possession of a comfortable house; and spent the night in peace. Many of the houses in the ancient cities of Bashan, are perfect, as if only finished yesterday. The walls are sound; the roofs unbroken; the doors, and even the window-shutters, in their places. Let not my readers think that I am transcribing a passage from 'The Arabian Nights.' I am relating sober facts. I am simply telling what I have seen-and what I purpose more fully to describe. But how,' you ask me, can we account for the preservation of ordinary dwellings in a land of ruins ? If one of our modern English cities were deserted for (even) a thousand years, there would scarcely be a fragment of a wall standing.' The reply is easy enough. The houses of Bashan are not ordinary houses; their walls are from five to eight feet thick; built of large square blocks of stone. The roofs are formed of the same material; hewn like planks, and reaching from wall to wall. The very doors and window-shutters are of stone, hung upon pivots projecting above and below. Some of these ancient cities have from two hundred to five hundred houses still perfect; but not a man to dwell in them." Does it not appear, from the foregoing statements, set forth on reliable authority, that a place is already prepared in, at least, a portion of the promised inheritance, for the people of his inheritance who is "the Mighty God of Jacob ?" Yours, dear Sir, very sincerely, Lee. J. H. "DISCOVERED" OR "BURNED UP." 2 PETER iii. 10. DEAR SIR,-Your correspondent "Clement" is right in supposing that the word "discovered" in my translation represents the text of Tregelles, which in this place has “ εὑρεθήσεται.” This reading seems to have been adopted with some confidence by Dr. T., seeing that he does not, in this instance, as in some places, give an "alternative reading" in the margin as possessing nearly equal claims with that placed in the text. As, however, this able textual critic uniformly gives, in his notes, any available evidence against as well as for the reading he adopts, we are able to state the results of his researches in this instance. It appears, then, that although Dr. Tregelles has unhesitatingly preferred the reading named above, yet he found other readings sustained by ancient-though not the most ancient-witnesses. Substituting the names of the Codices for the letters by which they are known among scholars and adding their dates the evidence may be summarised thus:— First-ευρεθήσεται (“ shall be discovered," or "found "):-Vatican MS., IV. CENT.; Sinai. IV. CENT.; Moscow, IX. CENT.; sustained by the following ancient versions,the Bodleian Syriac, the Harleian Syriac (margin), the Thebaic, and the Armenian.* Second —αφανισθησονται (“ shall vanish"):-Ephraim MS., v. CENT. Third-κατακαησεται (“shall be burned up"):- Alexandrian, v. * To these Tregelles adds: "(Præm. 'non' Bdl. Theb.)" Not feeling sure what importance to attach to this, I give it as I find it. CENT.; sustained by Codex Colbertinus, IMPT. CURSIVE OF XI. CENT.; Codex Passionei, ONE OF THE LATER versions, the Clementine Vulgate, UNCIALS, IX. CENT., and the following the Harleian Syriac (text), the Memphitic, and the Ethiopic. Fourth-καταησεται (? "shall be violently tossed"):- Codex Leicestrensis, XIV. CENT. [Is this a mere clerical error for the previous reading, by the omission of two letters, thus: κατα [κα]ησεται ? J. B. R.] It should be added that Jerome's Latin version, according to Codex Amiatinus, VI. CENT., is wholly without the final clause of this verse.† Leaving these critical details for "Clement" and others- more com petent than I can pretend to be to deal with, for my own part I must in the meantime beg to fall back on the fact that Tregelles, with the two most venerable Greek copies to sustain him, has given the "first" of the above readings as at least most nearly approximating to the sentence as it fell from the pen of the sacred writer. It occasions me no surprise that "Clement" should regard "shall be discovered" or "found " as a "hard" reading. I remember my own surprise when I first came upon it. Mindful, however, of the wellknown dictum, Prefer the harder reading, I looked narrowly to see whether this hard one was not after all much to be preferred. I thought I saw something. I imagined I saw earth's wondrous frame laid open, her internal forces disclosed, &c. And then, with more pru †The "Speculum of Augustine" has the following: "Et terra et ea quæ in ipsa opera omnia eorum omnium pereuntium, qualia debent edere exsecrabilibus escis et impietatibus, non expectantes præsentiam diei Domini." dence, I concluded that my feeble powers of exegetical divination could be no law for others. In any case, if "Clement" will tell us what he can see by looking again, he may rely on a most respectful hearing from Yours very truly, iterature. Das Kommen des Herrn fur die Seinen, &c. (The Coming of the Lord for his Own. Essays to promote the knowledge and attaining of the near and great object of hope for those who believe in Christ.) By William Rheinland. Part I. Frankforton-the-Maine: H. L. Brönner. IN this preliminary portion of his work, the author, who writes under a pseudonym, does not develope the whole of his argument. His first essay, "The Promise," quotes and comments upon selection of texts in which the Saviour promises future manifestations of himself, or, in which the apostles express similar ideas. The second essay is on "The Duty of Watching and Waiting for the Lord." The third is on The Evil Results of not Watching and Waiting for the Lord's Coming ;" and the fourth is on "The Right Method of Waiting for the Lord." The coming of Christ, it is maintained, will be a real and visible coming, and the Lord will appear personally to gather and glorify his people. The temper in which he should be expected, and the qualifications required of those who would joyfully greet him, are fully described. The author is particularly urgent upon the duty of a living faith and vital godliness; and insists upon the -duty of preparing in every right way for the great manifestation of Christ. He also depicts in vivid language the advantages which the righteous will enjoy. righteous will enjoy. It is evident that in this pamphlet, we have only the basis for further explanations and arguments. The manner of the writer is earnest, warm-hearted, and persuasive. In the third essay, the evils which have resulted from the churches neglecting the great duty which the author enforces are powerfully described. แ Hoffnungs-Lieder eines auf das Kommen des Herrn Wartenden. (Songs of Hope; by one who awaits the Lord's Coming.) Basel: C. F. Spittler. THIS little book contains forty poetical pieces, headed by as many texts, and expressive of the desires and hopes of one who looks for better days to come. The nature of the topics may be inferred from the titles of the first few compositions "The Sabbath of God;" Come, Lord Jesus;' "The Patience and Faith of the Saints;' "Joseph and Benjamin;" "Prayer and Conflict;""The Supper of the Lamb; ""The Lord's last Knock." The poems are written in a devout and scriptural tone, and are altogether in accordance with the general title. The author everywhere breathes a spirit of earnest and anxious waiting for times of glory and blessedness, which he believes the Lord's people are to see. coming of Christ is, of course, a prominent idea, and around it are clustered all those bright imaginings and expectations which are in accordance with that idea. The earnest breathings after holiness, and for the true glory of the Saviour, are admirably adapted to excite the warmest and best emotions of the Christian's heart. Some of the pieces are very grace The fully written, and all of them will be read with pleasure by those among the disciples of Jesus who can read the language in which they are written. A Narrative of the Proceedings of a Great Council of Jews, assembled in the plain of Ageda in Hungaria, about thirty leagues distant from Buda, to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ; on the 12th of October 1650. By Samuel Brett there present. Printed at London for Richard Moon at the Seven Stars in Paul's Church-Yard, near the great north door, 1655. (Price 3d.) London: Longmans & Co. A copy of Samuel Brett's narrative is preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. From this a reprint has been taken, without altering spelling or punctuation, and without curtailing passages which might have been left out. It is a curious and interesting pamphlet. It is an old witness to the well-known fact, that the Jews will never become Christians so long as popish idolatry calls itself Christian. As far as its influence extends, popery has been the bane of both Jew and Gentile. Woe unto it! The Veil lifted from Israel. By T.K. De Verdon. London: Partridge. THE object of this book is to show that the Anglo-Saxons are of Israelitish origin, the representatives of the so-called "lost" ten tribes; which, in fact, so far from being lost are the most powerful nation in the world, whose colonies are filling the earth, and causing the desolate places to bloom as the rose. NOTICES. "A. JONES."-Incidental proofs of our Lord's divinity are of frequent occurrence. Eph. iii. 19 is one that the thoughtful reader cannot overlook. If Christ be only man how could all believers be filled up to all the fulness of God, by the knowledge of his love? Water rises to its level, but no higher. No effect exceeds its cause. In the higher properties of Christ's love it surpasses knowledge; its strength and results are beyond our mental grasp. This fact, of itself, implies the superhuman; but then, what we can know of it fills us with the fulness of God; therefore, Christ is divine. A GENTLEMAN in Madras writes:-"I have often wished to thank you for the peace and comfort I have enjoyed since I became acquainted with you through the RAINBOW. The doctrines you teach staggered me at first, but now I see how true they are, and wonder that I did not see this before. I thank our dear Lord for enabling me to believe the truth, and for putting it into your heart, and the hearts of others, to publish these things for the good of men. You will never know in this life the great good your RAINBOW has done and is still doing. I pray God to bless and prosper you, and to spare you many years for the great work in which you are engaged. A LADY writes:-"I wish to express my sincerest thanks for the light on many important points of Scripture the RAINBOW has given me. I more and more appreciate its teaching. It has helped me to understand and love the Bible. In fact, it has made it a new Book to me. If my testimony to the peace and comfort of the doctrine of Life only in Christ |