tell me therefore, it is clear that you do not believe it yourself." This conclusion is frequently drawn the writer in talking with the poor has been told-" Yes, this sounds well, and no doubt if it were so, things would be better than they are, but nobody else thinks thus," and the ill effects of this practical lesson of unbelief, meet us at every turn. It is worse than useless to dispute over points of no practical import, while the land is fast relapsing into an absolutely pagan ignorance.* Who that loves the souls of men can turn from the great question of how they are to be made partakers of a happy immortality, to the position of an altar; or the form of a pulpit, or the compliance with an obsolete rubric, at best but an ordinance of man; or the exhibition of candles, or the attitudes of the minister, or any other of the thousand questions which have given rise to "Whilst the clergy are wrangling on points of doctrine, Infidelity is advancing nearer and nearer its strongholds, and taking possession of the mind of the people. The state of the population is not such as to warrant them in wasting their energies on subjects that are left undecided, instead of applying themselves to their proper work."-Extract from the Bishop of Winchester's Charge, delivered August, 1850. so much ill feeling between the clergy and their parishioners? It is useful and fitting no doubt, that all shall be done “decently, and in order,” but these things have no influence on the salvation of souls, and should be reduced again to their proper position, as civil ordinances of the land we live in,—not questions of vital importance. Let us all rather join heart and hand in the noble work of teaching those sunk in the animal life, the brighter hopes which await them: let us show them that there is a happiness of which they have as yet formed no idea, but which when once felt is not forgotten; and when they have come to that knowledge and felt that happiness, we may safely leave them to their human instincts to pursue it. They and we may then walk together in the steps of our meek and lowly Master through life, and when that is over, share together in his exaltation. THE END. C. WHITTINGHAM, CHISWICK. Already published. No. I. Philosophical Theories and Philosophical Experience. (Second Edition.) No. II. On the Connection between Physiology and Intellectual Science. (Second Edition enlarged.) No. III. On Man's Power over Himself to prevent or control Insanity. (Second Edition enlarged.) No. IV. An Introduction to Practical Organic Chemistry. No. V. A Brief View of Greek Philosophy up to the Age of Pericles. (Second Edition.) No. VI. A Brief View of Greek Philosophy from the Age of Socrates to the Coming of Christ. (Second Edition.) By the same Author, Pericles, a Tale of Athens in the Eighty-third Olympiad. 2 vols. post 8vo. 18s. (Longmans and Co.) No. VII. Christian Doctrine and Practice in the Second Century. No. VIII. An Exposition of Vulgar and Common Errors adapted to the Year of Grace 1845. An Introduction to Vegetable Physiology, with References to the Works of De Candolle, Lindley, etc. No. X. On the Principles of Criminal Law. No. XI. Christian Sects in the Nineteenth Century. (Second Edition.) No. XII. General Principles of Grammar. No. XIII. Sketches of Geology. No. XIV. On the State of Man before the Promulgation of Christianity. No. XV. Thoughts and Opinions of a Statesman. No. XVI. On the Responsibilities of Employers. No. XVII. Christian Doctrine and Practice in the Twelfth Century. No. XVIII. The Philosophy of Ragged Schools. No. XIX. Will be published in June On the State of Man after the Promulgation of Christianity (being Part I. of the concluding Treatise; it will include the History of Christianity as far as the death of Constantinus Magnus.) EDITED BY SOME WELL-WISHERS PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM PICKERING, I. PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIES AND PHILOSOPHICAL EXPERIENCE. SECOND EDITION. "To give forth sound views of science and great philosophical principles, in brief and clear language, is the aim of the Well-Wishers to Knowledge,' and most successfully have they laboured....We are satisfied that our readers will heartily thank us for having introduced to their knowledge the 'Small Books on Great Subjects,' and derive as much delight from their perusal as we have done."-Critic, June, 1844. II. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSIOLOGY AND INTELLECTUAL PHILOSOPHY. SECOND "The writer has drawn his materials from the writings of physiologists of the highest repute, so that this lecture may be perused with profit by the professional as well as the general reader... Our readers will best understand our idea of a good lecture upon an abstract subject, by perusing the one from which we have quoted.”—British and Foreign Medical Review, April, 1843. "We hail the appearance of these works as the commencement of an enterprise to which all who love their fellow-creatures must wish well-that of inducing men to think, and of affording them the means of doing so to good purposes."-Philosophical Magazine, December, 1843. "We welcome the present volumes, assured that every person who reads them will rise from their perusal with the tone of his mind strengthened and improved."-Literary Gazette, November, 1843. III. ON MAN'S POWER OVER HIMSELF TO PREVENT OR CONTROL INSANITY. SECOND EDITION, ENLARGED. "This little essay possesses the same claims as the former to the attention of the general reader, in the truthfulness, simplicity, and, at the same time, the comprehensiveness of its views."-British and Foreign Medical Review, June, 1844. IV. AN INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. "We approve its execution, and highly recommend its perusal and study. Much interesting and useful information for the farmer, gardener, and valetudinarian, is to be derived from it, and profit to every reader from the thoughts and conclusions which pervade it."-Literary Gazette, March, 1844. |