you shall find good fruit in the regenerate life, and the external will not merely look fair, but be really so.

The Rev. Dr. Cumming remarks on this subject, "Man's constant prescription for the elevation of man is to alter his circumstances; God's grand prescription] for the improvement of man is to change his heart. Man's plan is to give the patient a new bed; God's divine plan is to give the patient health. Man goes to the circumference, and tries by civilizing to get inward and ultimately to Christianize; God's plan is to begin at the centre, Christianize the heart, and then civilize the whole circumference of the social system."

Let the illustrious example of the sturdy Saxon inspire each one of us to nobler life. Let us be animated to deeds. of heroism. Let each one determine that he will accomplish something for his kind, something for the human brotherhood. Let us not be so base as to daily use the measure of liberty which the Reformers worked to give us, without doing something ourselves to extend its dominion. Sneaking selfishness dictates a course of life which brings inglorious ease; but the Christian Hero wars for spiritual freedom, not for himself only, but for the whole brotherhood of Man.

The faint-hearted may learn from the life of Luther to seek for a faith which shall make them strong. Luther, with God, was stronger than Popes, Priests and Kings without God.

The Reformer did not shut himself up in seclusion to mope over the ills which appeared to be incurable, but contended for the truth, as he saw it, with manly vigor. His love of right was not a mere sentiment, but an inspiration brought out into life.

Luther lives in History. Germany claims him, but he belongs not exclusively to her-he lived for the great family of Man.

Carlysle says of Luther's works in 24 quarto volumes, "they are not well written" (he speaks of their style.) "But in no books have I found a more robust, genuine, I will say noble faculty of a man than in these. A rugged honesty, homeliness, simplicity, a rugged, sterling sense and strength. He flashes out illumination from him; his smiting idiomatic phrases seem to cleave into the very root of a matter." Richter says "his words were half battles." talented Roman Archbishop tells us "he had a lively and impetuous eloquence, which charmed and led away the people."

Bossuet, the

Melanchthon said, "No writer ever came nearer St. Paul than Luther has done."

Luther's words were bright, cutting, keen-it requires a sharp lancet to open a foul ulcer.

Luther moved with power-might of intellect-might of will -could less force have shaken the dry bones of Romanism?

His course was brilliant; but 'twas not the glare of a meteor, flashing for a while, then passing off into nothingness; but the course of a star, shining with brighter and brighter radiance, and still illuminating the world.

The Bible Student.

BOTANICAL SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE.

BY PROFESSOR BALFOUR.

The subjoined remarks by Professor Balfour to the students of the Edinburgh University, will be read with interest and profit :

I have thus given a hasty sketch of the nature of botanical science and of its bearing on other departments of knowledge more especially on medicine. I have shown the position which it ought to occupy, as a preliminary training science in the medical curriculum; and I have pointed out the importance of students passing an examination in it, and other natural sciences, before entering on strictly professional studies. In conclusion, I would remark that botany is a science calculated to give pleasure to every mind. It can be prosecuted at all times, whether in the closet or in the field, in the highway, or on the hill-side; on the cultivated plain, or in the wild mountain glen. Every flower on which we tread becomes a useful object of contemplation, and a means of pleasing recreation.

The associations connected with the practical prosecution of botany are peculiarly interesting. Those who have joined in botanical excursions know the feelings of delight with which the floral treasures of the plain and of the mountain are gathered. They will appreciate the friendships which are formed during such trips; and they will be ready to acknowledge their im

portant bearing on the development alike of the physical and mental powers. In the prosecution of science, however, we ought ever to remember that, unless our duties are conducted with higher views than the mere acquisition of secular know, ledge, they will not promote their proper object. There is a knowledge which puffs up, which spoils, through philosophy and vain deceit, and does not edify.

In the present day there is much of Pantheistic and Rationalistic error among the followers of science, and the student must be warned of the quicksands on which he is. apt to make shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience. Sometimes we find that persons who spend their lives in the study of nature flatter themselves that a love for the works. of God is an evidence of genuine religion. This is a great

delusion. "A sincere and ardent love of science may induce. a man to devote his whole time, talents, and wealth to the acquisition of facts, and the confirmation of brilliant theories. This may be all done by one regardless of the mind of God, as revealed in his word; and while enriching his intellect and widening the domain of scientific learning, the man may, in heart and life, be a very enemy to the moral government of that Being whose works he is so fond of exploring."

It is pleasing to think that there are many men of science who are pointing out the true method of God, and who are showing that secular and religious knowledge go hand in hand. The attempts to produce opposition between the works and the word of God have utterly failed. True science is always in harmony with religion. We say this most advisedly. We have never, and we can never arrive at a point where the discoveries of science and the truth of Scripture are at variance. The more we advance in knowledge, the more do we find harmony between them. There is often apparent discrepancy arising, not from an increase in our knowledge of true science, but from a deficiency of information, and a perverted view of the phenomena of creation; from men becoming vain in their imaginations, and having their foolish hearts darkened, thinking themselves wise and becoming fools.

Recent scientific statements by men of authority have led to a more earnest study of the Word of God, not merely by divines, but by Christian men of science; and we are

1

daily seeing the clear light of truth dissipating those mists and doubts with which it had been obscured.

It is often said that in science we may discard the Bible, for it is not meant to teach science, and that, even although when viewed in the light of modern discovery, there may be some lesser errors in it, still this does not take from its authority, as containing a revelation from Heaven. This is most fallacious reasoning. It is true that the Bible is not meant to teach science; but we maintain that it is equally true that it is in no case inconsistent with science. There is no scientific error in it. In this respect it is the Book of books. It is the inspired word of God, truly theopneustic through

out.

Unless we have verbal inspiration, we have nothing. The Book not merely contains a revelation from God, but it is, in its words and minutest details, given by Him. Holy men of old wrote as inspired by his Spirit. That the Bible should stand thus pre-eminent throughout all ages, and that it should ever be on a level with science, however advanced, is sufficient to convince the most skeptical of its Divine origin. I cannot better express this than in the words of an anonymous writer, who says:-"A book so written as to touch upon every subject of human research, and, without anticipating discoveries which man can make for himself, not to contradict them when made is a miracle of wisdom and knowledge of the highest order. It implies not only an acquaintance with the facts of science, but with the manner in which the human mind would deal with them. The author of the words, on which everything depends in the case must possess, at once, perfect knowledge of the past of creation, and of the future development of human thought. The reasoning is altogether independent of the accuracy of our scientific knowledge. This book is suited to the extent of our knowledge, as it is, and has been so for 3,300 years. We do not believe that a single work can be produced on any of the natural and experimental sciences, written a hundred years ago, in which some gross errors cannot be discovered. All such books have Here is a book written 3,300 years ago still grown old. green, and in which apparent discrepancies from advancing knowledge invariably prove the germ of fresh agreements."

The impossibility of producing a book thus adapted to the whole domain of science, and the whole march of time, renders

it a miracle of the highest order, and one, of all others, fitted to convince us, by internal evidence, that in the words of the Bible we have the very words of God.

Let your enlightened recognition of the facts of science be ever accompanied with the earnest study of revealed truth; and, while you are active and zealous in the duties of your worldly calling, "be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.".

A NEW TRANSLATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT from the original Greek has been recently issued by H. T. Anderson, of Harrodsburgh, Ky. Published at Cincinnati for the author.

DR. LANGE'S NEW COMMENTARY.-The first volume of this new Commentary, covering the Gospel of St. Matthew, has just been issued, under the editorial superintendence of Dr. Schaff. The Commentary is threefold; critical, doctrinal and homiletical, and possesses peculiar features of very high merit.

BIBLE CLASSES FOR ADULTS.--The Bible classes of the various churches are highly useful, but, as usually conducted, there is room for many improvements. At this time we shall merely hint at some changes which may be advantageously made.

1. The ordinary method of committing to memory and reciting the lesson, however advantageous to young children of a Sabbath School, is not suitable to adults or advanced Bible students; the time occupied can be much better employed in enquiries as to the meaning of the passage.

2. A quiet place of meeting should be selected. A school room, wheae there are sounds of a hundred other voices reciting the same or a similar portion of the Bible, is not favorable, to close application or reverential feeling. In spite of the student's wishes, the mind will become too often distracted, and wandering, if not vacant.

Gospels.

3. Subjects should be chosen for study rather than passages of Scripture. In this way the whole Bible can be brought under review in a single year; usually a couple of years are consumed in the consideration of one of the 4. If the class contains several advanced leadership be in rotation. If they are all teacher be selected who is eminently qualified by piety and Biblical knowledge, and "apt to teach."

students, let the beginners, let a

5. Instead of dwelling so much upon the history and geography, etc., of the Bible, "dig as for hidden treasures," ex