tion I now beheld it. "But tell me farther," yet seest any thing thou dost not compresaid he, "what thou discoverest on it."-"I hend." Upon looking up, "What mean," see multitudes of people passing over it," said said I, "those great flights of birds that are I, "and a black cloud hanging on each end perpetually hovering about the bridge, and of it." As I looked more attentively, I saw settling upon it from time to time? I see several of the passengers dropping through vultures, harpies, ravens, cormorants, and the bridge into the great tide that flowed un-among many other feathered creatures sevederneath it; and, upon farther examination, ral little winged boys, that perch in great perceived there were innumerable trap-doors that lay concealed in the bridge, which the passengers no sooner trod upon, but they fell through them into the tide, and immediately disappeared. These hidden pit-falls were set very thick at the entrance of the bridge, so that throngs of people no sooner broke through the cloud, but many of them fell into them. They grew thinner towards the middle, but multiplied and lay closer together towards the end of the arches that were entire. numbers upon the middle arches.”—“ These" said the genius, " are Envy, Avarice, Superstition, Despair, Love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life." I here fetched a deep sigh. "Alas," said I, "Man was made in vain! how is he given away to misery and mortality! tortured in life, and swallowed up in death!" The genius, being moved with compassion towards me, bid me quit so uncomfortable a prospect. Look no more," said he, "on man in the first stage of his existence, in his setting out for eternity; but cast thine eye on that thick mist into which the tide bears the several 66 directed my sight as I was ordered, and (whether or no the good genius strengthened it with any supernatural force, or dissipated part of the mist that was before too thick for the eye to penetrate) I saw the valley open There were indeed some persons, but their number was very small, that continued a kind of hobbling march on the broken arch-generations of mortals that fall into it." I es, but fell through one after another, being quite tired and spent with so long a walk. I passed some time in the contemplation of this wonderful structure, and the great variety of objects which it presented. My heart was filled with a deep melancholy, to seeing at the farther end, and spreading forth several dropping unexpectedly in the midst of mirth and jollity, and catching at every thing that stood by them to save themselves. Some were looking up towards the heavens in a thoughtful posture, and in the midst of a speculation stumbled and fell out of sight. Multitudes were very busy in the pursuit of bubbles that glittered in their eyes and danced before them; but often when they thought themselves within the reach of them, their footing failed, and down they sunk. In this confusion of objects, I observed some with scimeters in their hands, who ran to and fro upon the bridge, thrusting several persons on trap doors which did not seem to lie in their way, and which they might have escaped had they not been thus forced upon them. The genius seeing me indulge myself on this melancholy prospect, told me I had dwelt long enough upon it. "Take thine eyes off the bridge," said he, "and tell me if thou into an immense ocean, that had a huge rock of adamant running through the midst of it, and dividing it into two equal parts. The clouds still rested on one half of it, insomuch that I could discover nothing: but the other appeared to me a vast ocean planted with innumerable islands that were covered with fruits and flowers, and interwoven with a thousand little shining seas that run among them. I could see persons dressed in glorious habits, with garlands upon their heads, passing among the trees, lying down by the sides of fountains, or resting on beds of flowers; and could hear a confused harmony of singing birds, falling waters, human voices, and musical instruments. Gladness grew in me upon the discovery of so delightful a scene. I wished for the wings of an eagle, that I might fly away to those happy seats; but the genius told me there was no passage to them, except through the gates of death, that I saw opening every moment upon the bridge. "The islands," said he, that lie so fresh and green before thee, and with which the whole face of the ocean appears spotted as far as thou canst see, are more in number than the sands on the sea-shore; there are myriads of islands behind those which thou here discoverest, reaching farther than thine eye, or even thine imagination can extend itself. These are the mansions of good men after death, who, according to the degree and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, are distributed among these several islands, which abound with pleasures of different kinds and degrees, suitable to the relishes and perfections of those who are settled in them; every island is a paradise, accommodated to its respective inhabitants. Are not these, O Mirza, habitations worth contending for? Does life appear miserable, that gives At thee opportunities of earning such a reward? Is death to be feared, that will convey thee to so happy an existence? Think not man was made in vain, who has such an eternity reserved for him." I gazed with inexpressible pleasure on these happy islands. length, said I, "Show me now, I beseech thee, the secrets that lie hid under those dark clouds which cover the ocean on the other side of the rock of adamant." The genius making me no answer, I turned me about to address myself to him a second time, but I found that he had left me; I then turned again to the vision which I had been so long contemplating; but instead of the rolling tide, the arched bridge, and the happy islands, I saw nothing but the long hollow valley of Bagdat, with oxen, sheep, and camels, grazing upon the sides of it. THE LAST SACRAMENT. We kneel at the same altar, and present the same petitions which were once offered by those, "the loved and lost," who are now worshipping before the Throne of God, and we feel that their spirits, freed from the burden of the flesh, can yet sympathise in the devotions which fitted them for their home above. T was the close of a beautiful day, late in Autumn, when the balmy air, deep blue sky, and still rich and lovely foliage remind us forcibly of the departed glories of summer. The sun went down in unclouded beauty, his last rays lingering on the distant mountain tops, as Never, perhaps has this sentiment come to though unwilling to leave us, fit em- the hearts of christian friends, with a more blem of that more glorious Sun of Righteous-vivid distinctness than on the occasion just alness, which had that day shone in so many hearts, shedding abroad, light and life and spiritual warmth. For it was the close of the holy day of rest: the Christian Sabbath, so full of comfort and hope to the devout believer, a day on which thanksgiving and praise, had arisen from many hearts, widely separated, all in the same sublime words. What an interesting bond of union, between the past and the present, is the incomparable Liturgy, the form of sound words, prescribed by the Church for the use of her children. luded to. A little band of worshippers had gathered together, in the House of God, on this beautiful Sunday evening, to unite once more in confession of sin-in prayer and praise, thanksgiving and joy. Here was "high doxology, and here soul melting litany," and here too, the holy feast was spread, which all the faithful in Christ are invited to taste. A mother in Israel was here. Long had she worshipped in this Temple of the Lord, and united her voice in fervent supplication and heartfelt praise. Once more ed, our venerated friend had exchanged time for eternity. In the midst of health and happiness, while moving among us, with all her characteristic benevolence, and kind feel the language of prayer almost upon her lips, her summons came: "The main-spring was broken, the physical machine stood still.She walked with God, and she was not, for God took her." had she come up into the courts of the Lord, to present the offerings of a humble and devout heart, and once more, to eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and to drink his blood, that her soul might be nourished thereby.-ings, surrounded by those she loved, and with Alas! she knew not that it was for the last time: that she was worshipping for the last time in an earthly temple. Yet to her, the summons of her Lord, could never be unexpected or unwelcome, for long had she waited for the Bridegroom's voice, “Come ye out to meet me," with her lamp trimmeded and burning. She returned to her home to, meditate still on these awful realities, which had just occupied her thoughts, to speak of the things which belonged to her peace, to those united with her, not less by the bonds of Christian fellowship, than of the ties of nature. She retired to rest, and the peace of God was upon her.-————————————— -The hours glided rapidly away, and ere twelve more had pass What a change! One moment encompasswith infirmity and sin; the next, freed from the body, a glorified spirit, bowing before the Throne of God. May we live, as she died, in constant preparation for this awful event, that whether our summons come at an unexpected hour, or not, we may be found waiting and watching for the coming of our Lord. G. Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul, Jan. 25th, 1850. lence which we have marked out for it. We WE announce with pleasure to our readers that the "YOUNG CHURCHMAN'S MISCELLANY" has, by an arrangement with its Editor, become merged in the Evergreen. By this arrangement-should it prove as favorable as we anticipate-we hope to be enabled to carry out more effectually the improvements we have in contemplation, and to render our magazine still We conclude in our present number the more worthy of the extended patronage it re- "Narrative of a Conversion to the Holy Catholic ceives. We venture to believe that the sub- Church," written by a layman of a sister Diocese. scribers to the Miscellany will find in this union We commend this narrative to the careful peruof the two periodicals, a monthly visitor Bal of our readers. It treats of a subject highly which will contribute to the edification and in- interesting in its nature and incidents, contains struction of the FAMILY CIRCLE, the great object much valuable theological information, and is which we desire to accomplish. In this con-written with a calmness, moderation, and dignity nection we beg leave to thank our many friends, both near and at a distance, for the kind letters, and other testimonials of approbation, which we have received from them. These are tokens of interest which cheer us in our work. There are still many improvements which we wish to effect in our magazine. We have a very distinct perception of what a periodical of this kind should be, and we intend, if possible, to bring it up to the standard of excel worthy of the subject and the occasion. We need hardly suggest to our esteemed correspondent, that his favors will be always most acceptable. In the communication in our last number entitled "The Winds and the Sea Controlled," on p. 44, col. 2, four lines from the bottom, for "self imposed examination," read "self imposed exanimation" BOOK TABLE. A HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL an of the church--a sound faith, a pious heart, and genuine Catholic principles, views and feelings. More prominence is given in this volume than we remember to have seen elsewhere, to the agency in securing the consecration of our first Bishop, of a dignitary of the Church of England, whose name should be dear to us all, DR. GEORGE BERKELEY, Prebendary of Canterbury, son of the distinguished Bishop of Cloyne, whose name is not wout prominence in American history, and who had been himself distinguished by a nomination to a Bishopric, and by declining it. On pages 119-158, the reader will see such developements of the character of this true-hearted and admirable man, as must commend him to the reverence and love of all who revere and love the gospel and the Church. This is a truly interesting and valuable history, which should be read by every American Churchman. The Church of England in America; the ministers and members of the same section of the Catholic Church, when no more in national connection with the English Branch, but, in an unorganized state, maintaining with it, only the general tie of common faith and principles, that unites together all the parts, and all the clergy, and all the members, of the One Catholic and Apostolic Church; the comparatively speedy establishment of the first complete ly organized Church of God in America, the Diocese of Connecticut; the slower progress towards, and the completion of the organization of other Dioceses; the different principles and policy which governed and were adopted in that case and in these; the ultimate union of the whole in one National Church, in full communion, in identity of faith, and in all essential liturgical identity, with the older (English, Irish, and Scotch,) sections of the Anglican Branch of the Reformed Catholic Church; the history of this American Church; and the close interweaving with that history of the characters and services, and the permanent influences and results of the characters and services, of SAMUEL SEABURY and WILLIAM WHITE, names of unsurpassed worth: these present details than which ecclesiastical records hardly furnish any of deeper interest, richer in moral and spiritual consequences, and fraught with reflection on the wise and good dealings of God's providence and grace with his Church, more strengthening to the faith, and cheering to the hope of the chris-cessful issue of the great battle of Hastings, won In another number, we hope to write more at large on some highly important points suggested by this excellent volume, which is presented in a very neat garb; but of which we would recommend-if, as we hope, other editions will be called for--a little more careful correction of the proof-sheets. In a history, accurate dates are of vast importance. On pages 166, 167, the first General Convention is represented as held in 1787 instead of 1789. On page 175, Bishop Seabury's death, and Bishop Jarvis's consecration, are represented as having both 46 already" occurred in 1795; whereas the former was in 1796, and the latter in 1797. HISTORY OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. By Jacob Abbott, with Engravings. New York, Harper & Brothers, 1850. This is the History of the Norman Conqueror, who overturned the old, and established a new dynasty over the realm of England. The suc for William the Crown of England, which no subsequent efforts could rest from him. This volume like all those of th same series which have preceded it, is writt in a plain, nostentatious, but at the same time very attractive style. It is issued in a dress uniform with the others. REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS OF SUFFOLK AND recesses of character-a knowledge that gives great value to these Recollections; which are not only thus commended to the fullest confidence; but are rendered still more valuable for the judicious manner in which pious and edifying thoughts are interwoven.-They win the readers to thoughts of the wise and good, and draw them into the desire and effort to be "followers of them." known beauty and excellence of his style, are among the least of his qualifications. For nearforty years, he has been faithfully and industriously engaged in the pastoral duties of the parish of which, for half that time, he has been the Rector. This has brought him, during the A very interesting volume: as is that pub-whole period, into intimate and affectionate inlished a few years ago, by the same author, tercourse with three congregations: and this, having a similar reference to Queens County.-under the advantage, not only of the respect Both embody a large amount of information re- and confidence due to his profession, but also specting important facts, and minute details, of those qualities which win for the man, the connected with the war of the Revolution, in its gentleman, and the christian, general esteem, especial relation to Long Island-a district of and in the more limited circle of particular country that had not a little to distinguish it du- friendship, free access to the heart. Thus has ring the Revolutionary struggle. he had ample opportunities of studying human There is a very important intermediate peri-nature, and gaining a knowledge of the inmost od between the occurrence of events valuable to the historian and the biographer, and their being properly in their possession-that period, namely, in which eye and ear witnesses are gradually departing this life, and contemporary correspondence, pa, ers, pamphlets, &c., are becoming extinct. It is of great importance to gather their testimony and statements into permanent volumes of collections, which,, while immediately interesting, become valuable stores The following are the departed friends of of materials, for future use. To the more gen- whom these recollections are given:-Susan B. eral and solid qualifications of the enlightened Low, Ann Raymond, William Irving, William scholar, Mr. Onderdonk adds peculiar fond-S. Irving, Cornelius R. Duffie, John Henry Honess and aptness for making such collections.-bart, Robert Troup, Jane Chandler Hobart, The volumes now noticed are most creditable Charles Graham, Jacob Lorillard, Alexander proofs of this. He has availed himself of op- H. Crosby, Mary Goodin Hobart, Thomas Lyell, portunities of information, which, in a few John C. Rudd, Edward H. Delafield, David B. years, might have been entirely lost. Readers Ogden. We have probably no readers who will of the present day will find in them a body of not here find the names of individuals of whom highly interesting description, anecdote, and their own personal knowledge, or much that they memoranda; and the reader in times to come have heard, will constitute a strong additional will be indebted to them for im rtant facilities motive for desiring to peruse this excellent and afforded to the historian and biographer. interesting volume, of which the mechanical One solemn and valuable lesson may be learn-execution is also a very inviting feature. ed from these volumes-the tremendous evils? of war, in the demoralization, the wide-spread suffering, and the savage cruelty, which it spreads over even the fairest regions that furnish the fields of its operations. He that can think lightly of war is unworthy of the name of man and christian. He that can unnecessarily contribute directly or indirectly to its being stirred up, is a curse to his fellow men. " THE REVELLERS, THE MIDNIGHT SEA, AND THE THIS work is the last and among the best of the series of allegories with which our Sunday School Union has lately been favoring the public. RECOLLECTIONS OF DEPARTED FRIENDS, By the Like its predecessors in the series, it is a repubRev. William Berrian, D. D., Rector of Trini-lication of an English book. It adds to the many ty Church, New-York. pp. 219, 24 mo. New-obligations we are under to the venerable Church York, Stanford & Swords, 1850. of the land of our fathers. There is perhaps not an individual now living in our Church better qualified for writing such a book than its respected author. The well The book is an admirable specimen of the excellence to which the art of printing has attained. It vies with the very best of foreign |