ing that it is coming. The old landmarks THE LATE PASTOR FLIEDNER AND THE that as far back as ten years ago a man of the | name of Taugney married a person of the name of Margaret Sullivan, and that the marriageceremony was performed by the district-registrar. Recently this couple have taken up their residence in the neighbourhood of the town of Tralee, in the county of Kerry, where they obtained employment from a resident landowner named O'Sullivan. The matter of their marriage, and the mode of it, having come to the ears of the priest, he required the wife to leave the county, or else he would excommunicate them both. This sentence caused them to be forsaken by all their friends, who refused to hold any further intercourse with them. An appeal was made to the Roman-catholic bishop, who did not even condescend to reply to it. The excommunication was carried into effect 'by bell, book, and candle,' with all the consequences of such a ban-the forfeiture of all friendship, acquaintance, and intercourse among the neighbours. Having seen the account of this case in the Irish papers, we made inquiries of a friend residing in the neighbourhood, who confirms all the details of the newspaper paragraph, He tells us that the matter of marriage by the church' is, in Ireland, something almost ruinous to the parties, by reason of the extravagant charges made by the Romish priests. Our correspondent says, 'The lowest charge is 30s., but in numerous instances it ranges from that to £25. All possible reasons are given for increasing the charge for fees. In many cases -the particulars of which I could easily furnish you with-pleas of relationship, however remote, are urged for most exorbitant charges. They urge that dispensations have to be procured from the pope, &c.; and so the poor people are mulcted in fines they can very ill afford. One case lately of this sort came before the quarter-sessions in Killarney. On the plea of remote consanguinity, the priest demanded £25 for the performance of the ceremony. This was paid; but, some time after, the man brought an action against the priest for overcharge, and the barrister presiding made the latter refund £15. With reference to the particular case on which we are now writing, our correspondent says: The ban of excommunication has been withdrawn; but this was after the protestant press had taken up the case; and yesterday (Sunday) the persecuted pair submitted to be re-married in the Roman-catholic church. I should add, that Mr. O'Sullivan has considerably suffered through the affair-his fields untilled, and crops greatly injured-because he would not dismiss the poor man, and thus secure the services of other labourers.' This incident is but one out of many like cases which are con"In 1865, there were four hundred and sixtystantly happening, but do not come to light. five sisters; and in 1866 the number amounted We have but to allow the church of Rome a to four hundred and ninety-one. Of these, little more power, and to grant her about one hundred remained in the central little a of that latitude she sighs after, in order to see institution, with thirty-five engaged in its such incidents reproduced a thousandfold both various branches on the spot. In the rest of in England and Ireland. We would have our Germany there are sisters at one hundred and readers to depend upon it, the spirit of perse- eighteen different stations, most of which, cution still lives in the papal system; and it though by no means all, are in the Rhenish and waits only for the long-looked-for turn of events Westphalian provinces of Prussia. Their work to give vent to it. God forbid the time should From a review, in "The Atheneum," of Miss Winke ever come; but we cannot help feeling and fear-worth's Life of Pastor Fliedner, more FLIEDNER did not trust to faith alone. He did not content himself with an avowal that the work was to be done, and that, if God willed, it would be done. He did the work. It was by his energy and self-devotedness, his readiness to help others, and his zeal in enlisting others in the cause, that his institutions were brought into being. There could be little doubt that they were wanted. There could be still less doubt that they would not grow spontaneously. If we look at the beginnings, either of the deaconess-house, or the hospital, or the prisoners' aid society, we must see that a breath would have sufficed to put out the flame. We have said that a small summer house was the cradle of the order of deaconesses. This summerhouse was the first asylum for released female prisoners; and for nearly a month after it had been used in that way it had only a single inmate. When a second inmate came, the summer-house was too small, and another house had to be taken. Stimulated by the success of his first work, which was undertaken for the good of prisoners, Fliedner was led to a second and greater work for the good of the sick poor. And thus the order of deaconesses was instituted; of which Miss Winkworth, in her preface, gives us these statistics : Jubenile Reading. A MYSTERIOUS PICTURE; OR, THE EFFECT "I have multiplied visions and used similitudes."-Hos. this evening, Bessie?" inquired Reginald Bowman the younger. "Papa is going to take us to see an entertainment at the Town Hall." "Yes," chimed in Cyril; “but he will not tell us, exactly, what is to be seen: he wishes to surprise us. In due time the carriage was ordered; and the children, full of anticipation, started with their kind father for the Town Hall at in these places is of different kinds; but in most they undertake the management of hospitals, poor-houses, and schools belonging to the corporation of the town: in a few they are matrons of prisons: in some instances they superintend the charitable foundations of private societies; and in twenty-seven places they undertake xii. 10. parish-work, under the direction of the pastor and congregation. In most cases, at least two sis-"HAVE you heard of the treat we are to have ters work together; but in the case of parishes and infant-schools one sister frequently takes the post alone. Besides these German stations, they have hospitals in Constantinople and Pesth, and schools at Constantinople, Bucharest, and Florence. At Rochester and Pittsburg, in the United States, they have an hospital and orphanage; and they have large and flourishing schools, hospitals, and orphanages at Jerusalem, Beyrout, Smyrna, and Alexandria, which occupy permanently thirty-nine sisters. The year 1866 was one demanding unusual exertion on the part of the institution. War, cholera, and small-pox, in an epidemic form, visited Germany during the summer, and brought a vast amount of suffering in their train. The various Deaconess-houses' of Germany furnished two hundred and eighty-four nurses to the army, besides receiving a considerable number of sick and wounded into their stations; and of these nurses fifty-six were from Kaiserswerth. Thirty-six sisters were sent to places where extra help was needed for cholera patients, besides those who, in many instances, were already Upon arriving at the hall, they were rather on the spot; and altogether more than four frightened by observing several pots or physicthousand cholera cases were nursed by Kaisers-jars which had the word "poison" printed on werth deaconesses alone." That this is, indeed, a remarkable achieve ment cannot be denied; but, though the chief work of Fliedner's life, this order of deaconesses is not the only work. He began, as we have seen, by an attempt to reclaim prisoners. He proceeded to found hospitals and to provide work for women either as nurses, matrons, or superintendents; but there are other women for whom work is found already, and who are not sick or in prison, yet whose temptations and difficulties need a different care. What Fliedner did in Berlin for maid-servants must have had results as striking as some of his more prominent works, though not so easy to be computed. In the one case, we know what has been done: we do not know, in the other, what has been resisted. Yet, as prevention is better than cure, and more insight is required to guard against future dangers than to prevent the recurrence of those which have once taken place, we may give Fliedner as much praise for his servants' house of refuge as for his prisoners' asylum. Although they had not been informed as to the precise nature of the performance they were going to witness, yet, from certain remarks which had fallen from neighbours, they formed some idea of it, and they had a confused notion that the performer was a man to be feared, as he was reported to be able to do wonderful things with the people who were placed under his hands. Some accounts said that he could send you to sleep in a few minutes or moments, and make you do anything he chose; and so severe was his treatment, that one young man had been seriously injured, and had not yet recovered. them, and they supposed that these contained some mixture or powerful drug with which the mysterious man was assisted in operating upon unfortunate creatures placed under his charge; and, when they heard that he selected subjects for experiments from among the audience, they crept close to their father, lest they themselves should be chosen and requested to mount the platform. When any strange-looking man made his appearance, they regarded him with awe, until he took his seat among the company. After waiting a considerable time, a small man with very dark piercing eyes, and an excessivelypale face entered the room, and a number of young men and boys, apparently farm-labourers, followed him. These were ranged in order on the platform; and they certainly looked either ashamed or alarmed, and seemed to wish the performance was over. The operator walked a few times in front of them; and, as he directed his fierce eyes towards them, they quailed like victims in the tiger's power. He addressed a few words to the wondering spectators, and then, having taken something from the pocket of his soiled white waistcoat, he went up to the first boy and passed his hand over his face. This seemed to have the effect of rendering him partially insensible: the rest were treated in the same manner; but some were not so easily influenced as the others. When all had been reduced to the condition required, the mysterious man began to show the wonders of his art. A few words were spoken in a commanding voice to the sleepers; and immediately they all arose and began to exhibit signs of extraor dinary activity. Judging from the attitude and actions of one, he must have imagined himself engaged in sawing wood; and he exerted himself vigorously, Another seemed to be in the act of threshing corn, another in turning a heavy wheel; indeed, all were busily employed, and appeared to be working in good earnest. Suddenly they ceased; and the mysterious man began to run about the platform: they followed the example; then he jumped over forms and chairs; and the rest did the same; and their agility was remarkable, considering their heavy clownish appearance. At the conductor's bidding they pulled off their coats or smocks, and commenced fighting: anon peace was restored; and they shook hands in the most affectionate manner. In fact, the performer seemed to have the most perfect control over the parties employed. They worked or sat still, they talked or remained silent at his bidding. One was commanded to leave the room, and go to a butcher's shop and bring away a joint of meat. The order was obeyed; and in a short time the boy returned, carrying a leg of mutton in triumph. There were many other curious orders given and obeyed; and, when the performance was over, the spectators conversed upon the strange scenes they had witnessed. The squire of the parish looked upon it as a mere sham, and thought the boys were confederate with the mysterious man. A medical gentleman could not say what kind of drug would be likely to produce stupefaction so instantaneously, but imagined that ammonia was used to restore consciousness. One gentleman thought that there was something supernatural about the whole affair; but the general opinion was, that the performer, by the aid of some powerful drug, by peculiar movements of his hands, and by his commanding voice, rendered the lads susceptible of his influence. And it was further supposed, that raw uneducated boys, taken fresh from the plough, and being exposed to the gaze of numerous ladies and gentlemen, were halffrightened with their position, and easily persuaded to do or say anything. the other hand, a very well-conducted lad was induced to steal a joint of meat. There is no doubt but that he was in such a state of agitation or stupor, or misapprehension, that he did not consider he was called on to commit a robbery in jest. The great enemy of souls, who often leads people astray, tries to make them believe that they are not doing wrong by fol lowing his advice. Pray to God that you may always remain under his influence, so that you may think and speak and act aright. Jesus Christ died on the cross to reconcile you to God: he loves little children, and desires to make them happy. May God be my Guide, May he support me Beneath the yew's shade, To mansions above, J. P. EVENING PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND BY JOHN DAVID HAY HILL, Esq., LL.B. SICKNESS. I will not, however, give a decided opinion GOOD God, all that thou doest is right and just. upon this point; for several clever and well in- I lie down satisfied that my sickness of body is formed men were most sorely puzzled; nor have for my soul's health, and I beseech thee to preI heard that the matter has ever been satisfac-vent Satan from tempting me to hard thoughts torily explained. Let me, in conclusion, make a few remarks upon "influence," which the subject seems to suggest. Youthful reader, you are most certainly under either good or bad influence. There is a motive power within you, directing you to do either good or bad actions. It is very important that you should submit yourself to be guided aright; and as you grow older this importance will be more clearly seen and felt. Those young men and boys placed themselves in the hands of the performer, and allowed him to do with them as he thought proper: they were not exercising their own wills, but his. As he directed them, so they acted or refrained from acting. Some of the actions were right and proper sleepy lazy-looking youths became brisk and diligent: all their energies seemed to be exerted, and their strength exercised. On of thee. My blessed Saviour was deeply tried, and all for me and a world of sinners. If I sleep not, let thy Holy Ghost fill my mind with thoughts of him, and be content to wait in patient sickness till I see him, no longer a suffering but a glorified Saviour. Yet, if it be thy good pleasure that I recover, let it still be my earnest endeavour to keep him before me in all the sweet holiness of his life; and may I try, by thy divine help, to follow him. Hear me, I beseech thee, my Father, for his sake. Amen. Our Father, &c. A DYING PERSON. My Lord and my God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave himself for me, have mercy upon me for his sake, and graciously stand by me if my soul should be called away this night. Hide me in my Lord's righteousness. Put on me his wedding-gar ment, so that my faith may end in the sight of SICKNESS. Lord, my sickness presses heavily upon me; but I am still thine; and, by the blessed Spirit's grace, I feel that I am thine, and that I must not repine, for my Lord, thy blessed Son, was a Man of sorrows. Yet I am a poor infirm creature, liable to be led away from thee by my enemy the devil, unless thou, Lord, undertake for me, and camp about my bed, and say unto my soul, "I am thy salvation ;" and unless also thou make my body the object of thy tender care, so that its influence over my mind and my soul, worked upon by Satan, may not be able to spoil the happiness I have in trusting thee, and owning thee for my God and loving Father. Lord, I am content, so that thou desert me not. Let my sickness continue, increase, or end in death, so that I depart not from thee. Nothing can satisfy my soul but thou in Christ, my allsufficient Saviour, through whom my only Mediator also, I now pray. Amen. Our Father, &c. A DYING PERSON. EVEN. LESSONS. 2 Kings ix. 1 John ii. 2, 3 John. Agabus, by a symbolic prophecy, such as the writings of the ancient prophets often present to us, warned the apostle that, if he persevered in his journey to Jerusalem, he would be bound with fetters, even as he bound himself with Paul's girdle.' St. Paul's companions now caught the same fear, and joined his other friends in their entreaties. But the apostle silenced all further interference by the warm and manly expostulation, What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? My love to you would dictate any personal sacrifice. My soul is melted by your affection. But do not, I pray you, do not weaken my resolve in so critical a moment. My mind, my conscience, my duty, all bid me resist your tender importunities; for I am ready not to be bound only, but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' How imposing and exalted is St. Paul's bearing! We may not be called upon to equal him in his conflicts; yet let his bold example kindle in our own breasts when it becomes our own duty to suffer for the reproach of Christ and his truth. Can the disciples escape sufferings? The very war of his passion' may be the triumph of his faith. Let us here learn to steel our hearts in this warfare against the seductions of erring friends, and the intimidation of our soul's enemies. He that belongs to Christ must be ready not to be Lord, I pray for peace, comfort, and even joy in departing, should it be thy good pleasure to take me to-night. All these are the purchase of my Saviour's blood upon the cross, and given to the humble penitent by the blessed divine Comforter, who proceedeth from thee and thy dear Son, the promised Holy Ghost. I know I am a sinner, yet I, even I, dare to hope for mercy, because thy Son has died for me in my nature, yet in the fulness of thy Godhead, as owned by the penitent thief when he said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Thus I rest in humble faith without presumption, bitterly grieving over my sins, but trusting thy redeeming love. Hear, Lord, I beseech thee, for Jesus' sake.bound' only, not only to bear minor evils with Amen. Our Father, &c. a brave heart and in patience, but to die' also -to suffer any pain or hardship, even to the loss of life itself, for the name and the cause and faith of Christ. When St. Paul's friends beheld his undaunted resolution and fortitude, they felt the grace given him was from on high, and ceased saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.' The die was cast. "And after those days," writes St. Luke, "we took up our carriages, and went to Jesusalem" (Adapted from Brewster). "Let us pray God that he quicken our hearts with grace, so that we may do his will on earth as the saints do in heaven. Yea, let every on of us, that sayeth, Thy will be done,' look that he do it in his living. For God looketh more to the deeds than to the mouth. And do we not in those words pray also that our flesh withstand not our spirit, nor hinder it in doing If the words of thy mouth pray God that his will be fulfilled in thee, and thy works say Nay,' thou dost but mock him, and he referreth thy prayer to thy undoing" (Wycliff). God's will? H. S. THE ROCK ON WHICH THE CHURCH OF A Sermon, BY THE REV. JOHN HALL, B.D., lead us to noticeFirst, Our Saviour's declaration respecting the foundation of his church. Secondly, His intimation of its perpetuity. And, thirdly, The nature of the authority with which Peter and the other apostles of Christ were invested. May the Spirit of God be pleased to seal instruction upon our minds while we meditate upon this important sub Honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral, and Rector of ject, that the blessings connected with it St. Werburgh's, Bristol. may be our portion in time and in eternity. THESE words occur in the gospel appointed to be read in our churches on St. Peter'sday. The church of Rome, or its priest-"Thou art Peter," he referred to the adhood, have been accustomed to quote them for the purpose of maintaining that in consequence of their being addressed by our Lord Jesus Christ to his apostle Peter, that apostle became the head of the church of Christ, the vicar or substitute of Christ on earth, and that the popes or bishops of Rome are his legitimate successors in that capacity. But an examination of the context will ever show that Peter had no such appointment as that which is claimed for him; and his own writings testify that he had no idea of the kind respecting himself. And, as for the popes of Rome being his successors, there is not a shadow of proof for the arrogant assumption. An opportunity was given to put it forward, merely on account of Rome having been the metropolis of the world; and therefore, when Christianity was adopted as the religion of the Roman empire, its bishop obtained preeminence on that account. But it is very remarkable that, in this same chapter, our Saviour should have addressed the apostle Peter, shortly after the high commendation in our text, in very different language: should have said to him, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence to mc, for thou savourest not the things that be of dress which he had made to him at the time when Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus: "When Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation a stone" (John i. 42), or (in Greek) Peter. It is evident that our Saviour called Peter "blessed" on account of his confession to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." This had been revealed to him by God, the Father of heaven; that is, it was in consequence of divine teaching that he had believed this truth, and made this confession. That it was upon this great truth, or the belief of it, that the church of Christ was built, as on a rock, appears from the manner in which Peter commenced his ministry; not by exalting himself, as the popes of Rome do, but by teaching and preaching Jesus Christ, as having been crucified and slain by wicked hands; but having been raised from the dead, and having ascended into heaven, and shed forth the promise of the Holy Ghost upon his apostles; in consequence of which they called upon the people to "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins," that they might also "receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" for |