delivered an earnest and animated address on the use of ardent spirits,... and he besought the Conference to use their influence to stop the use, as well as the abuse, of ardent spirits." There was something prophetic in that meeting, when on the one hand physiological and medical science, and evangelical propagandism on the other, met together in the field of Christian philanthropy to set the brand of condemnation upon a vicious practice, and to designate its only effective remedy. The whole temperance reform, as it is now known, was there in embryo. After Dr. Rush came a succession of worthies-Dr. Lyman Beecher, Heman Humphrey, N. S. Prime, Calvin Chapin, Wilbur Fisk, Abbott, Worcester, Channing, still widening into a great multitude, to enumerate which even Dr. Dorchester's marvelous statistical powers are unequal.

Of the period of "Organization," beginning with 1826, we have been a personal observer from the first, and since 1828 a participator, in minime.

The founders of these "cold-water societies" of fifty years ago --which were often among the least pretentious gatherings of the people in halls and school-houses, and as appendages to the debating society or the farmers' clubs-were building better than they knew, and their movements were the first symptoms of one of the greatest and most beneficial, because the most needed, moral and social reformations of the age; and like the first stages of all great movements, this was then quite incomplete in its character, and showing very faint intimations as to "whereunto these things would grow." And yet the germs of the whole plant, as it is now developed, with its prophecy and potency for still larger results, were all there; and in that fact lies the essence of its invincibleness and the pledge of its final triumph.

The history of the temperance movement, from its inception downward to the present, is both curious and instructive, well calculated to inspire hope, though in many cases it was very far from being wisely and ably managed. As it has been said of the Church that it must be of God, or it would have been ruined by those who have undertaken to manage its affairs, so the temperance cause evinces its indestructibleness by its survival and growth in spite of the treatment it has received from its friends.

But its outlook is full of hope. Its warfare is by no means nearly accomplished; in fact, it is just beginning in good earnest. There has been a good deal of skirmishing and sporadic uprisings, but the time has come for organized action, with the massing of

its forces, the open declaration of war to the death, and the placing of the array under competent leaders. What has been done need not to be depreciated, for all these stages of its development were necessary, and as they have done their work well and worthily, so now other men and methods must take their places. The Church has steadily advanced its positions, till, as a whole, it is now pretty closely abreast with the reformatory column, and the government, in obedience to the popular will, enforced by the convictions and the conscience of the masses, must take its place as the executioner in this conflict and victory. Our political parties have the alternatives presented, to adopt the prohibition of the liquor traffic among their chief purposes, or to go down under the power of the popular verdict. This may not, probably will not, come all at once, nor till after many partial defeats and partial victories, but the incoming of the tide or the changes of the seasons are scarcely more certain and irresistible than are such moral revolutions.

We are very glad that this book has been written, and we hope it may be very widely circulated and read. Its great practical value is in the fact that it must produce conviction and arouse men's consciences, just the things as to which our popular temperance movements have chiefly failed. But the day of decision has evidently come, and every man must take his place on one or the other side of the temperance question, which means on the better side, total abstinence for the Individual, and total prohibition for the Government.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Nature's Serial Story. By EDWARD P. ROE, Author of "Barriers Burned Away," etc. Illustrated by W. Hamilton Gibson and F. Dielman. 8vo, pp. 430. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Those who read serials in the Magazines-we never do-may have become acquainted with this work, as it has appeared in "Harper's" during the current year. Here the numbers are brought together in a really beautiful volume, with the exquisite illustrations that appeared in the monthly-altogether making a superior holiday book.

Mr. Roe is well known as a writer of fiction, and so well have his productions responded to the public demands that his books have had an exceptionally large sale. This one, though written in the form of a fiction, is evidently such only as to its

form and special details. It is a transcript from nature-the country homestead and its occupants, the fields and orchards and meadows, the forests and mountains, the sunshine and rain, the wind and the thunder-storm, the birds and the beasts and creeping things, with the changing skies and seasons. These are wrought into the personal story of a country family of the better class, with the inevitable summer visitant from the city. As a novel, the work is not of a high order, though it has the due amount of love-making; but to the lover of natural objects and scenery, as they appear to all such, with the vicissitudes of the changing year, and especially to one personally familiar with the things that are herein described, as is the writer of this notice, these descriptions possess a genuine charm. As a delineator of these things Mr. Roe is not to be compared with Thoreau or John Burrows; but he delights in nature, and succeeds in imparting some of his enthusiasm to his readers. This is, therefore, a pleasant book to have at hand, to be looked into at leisure times, when it will both please and instruct; and the pictures will bear often-repeated examinations.

Forty-fifth Year-Book of De Pauw University: Containing an Historical Sketch of the Institution; an Outline of the Organization: the Triennial Record of the Alumni; the Course of Study; the Catalogue of Students; and General Miscellany, for the year 1883-84.

After a successful career of nearly half a century, not without some vicissitudes and felt wants, "Indiana Asbury University," chiefly through the liberality of a single individual, advances. prospectively to the front rank of Methodist institutions of learning, and with its improved status also adopts the name of its chief patron. Its past career has been honorable, and now its outlook is full of promise. Its year-book, an octavo of 308 pages, presents an almost bewildering array of "schools" and "colleges" and "lectureships" and "departments," with accounts of the provisions made for their maintenance, and the successful prosecution of its work. Its faculty is an able one, with Bishop Bowman for its Chancellor, and Dr. Alexander Martin, who has successfully administered its affairs since 1875, as President and head of its local administration. The outlook of its affairs is exceedingly hopeful.

Shobab: A Tale of Bethesda. (A Poem.) By JAMES A. WHITNEY, LL.D. 16mo, pp. 145. New York: N. Tibbals & Sons.

The versification is good, the style elevated, and the imagery poetical.

Harper and Brothers are issuing, in extra weekly numbers, Stormonth's "Dictionary of the English Language." It will extend to over twenty numbers, which together will make a volume of more than 1,200 pages. The type is good—not large-a fac-simile of the English copy, being made from duplicate plates. It is certainly a valuable work, embodying all that has been so well and ably wrought out in precedent works of its class, especially Webster's. Its Vocabulary is comprehensive, the Pronunciation is clearly made out, the Etymologies full and learned, and the Definitions precise and clear and rich. The appendixes now usually found in dictionaries will appear, wholly rewritten, corrected, and greatly enriched.

Indian History for Young Folks. By FRANCIS S. DRAKE. With Numerous Illustrations. 8vo, pp. 479. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Though abounding with valuable information, in common with nearly all the records of affairs between the white men and the native savages of this country, this book is not pleasant reading. The conduct of the whites toward the Indians has usually been characterized by injustice and unscrupulousness, and that of the latter by dishonesty, treachery, and barbarous cruelty. The usual manner of telling this sad story has not been felicitous, for at one time there has been the picturing of the "noble red man,' and at another the most sickening stories of savage bloodthirstiness and brutality, though in this volume these features are somewhat softened, perhaps at the expense of historical accuracy. The account here given extends from the earliest advent of Europeans to this continent to the recent past. It is well written, both as to style and the grouping of subjects, and without much of the false sentimentality that is usually found in such writings. It is apparently the story of a doomed race; for in the presence of white men of the Anglo-Saxon race savages of all nations, whether in war or peace, seem to waste away and die out.

Sketches and Rambles in Holland. By GEORGE A. BOUGHTON, A.R.A. With Illustrations by the Author and Edward A. Abbey. 8vo, pp. 142. New York: Harper & Brothers.

These are rollicking "sketches" of very miscellaneous "rambles" in the "Low Countries," and of scenes viewed through artistic eyes, and sketched with a view to the picturesque, with a slight dash of the comical. The narrative and descriptive matter is well done, and very readable, the latter quality being enhanced by the large print and clear white paper. The illustrations are characteristic and somewhat quaint, and very well executed.

Teachings and Counsels. Twenty Baccalaureate Sermons.
President Garfield. By MARK HOPKINS, D.D., LL.D.
York: Charles Scribner's Sons.

Few men have been better qualified to teach and advise young men than the venerable late President of Williams College; and no doubt the circumstances among which these discourses were delivered called out his full powers; and, now that he has vacated the position which he so long adorned, it is well that his "Baccalaureates" should be preserved in book form. His graduates will prize them; and they will do good wherever read.

Some Literary Recollections. By JAMES PAYN, Author of "A Confidential Agent," etc. 12mo, pp. 205. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Judith Shakespeare: Her Love Affairs and Other Adventures. By WILLIAM BLACK, Author of "A Princess of Thule," etc. 12mo, pp. 391, also 4to, Franklin Square Library. New York: Harper & Brothers.

William Black is perhaps about the ablest of living novelists, and "Judith Shakespeare " will not damage his reputation.

Sonnets and Lyrics. By JAMES A. WHITNEY, LL.D. 16mo, pp. 42.

Love and Mirage; or, The Waiting on an Island. An Out-of-Door Romance. 18mo, pp. 239. New York: Harper & Brothers.

By

The Lesson Commentary on the International Sunday-School Lessons for 1885.
Rev. JOHN H. VINCENT, D.D., and J. L. HURLBUT, D.D. 8vo, pp. 333. New
York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe.

My Aunt Jeanette. By Mrs. S. M. KIMBALL. Three Illustrations. 18mo, pp. 296.
New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe.

Berean Question Book for 1885. 1885. 18mo, pp. 224.-The

18mo, pp. 185.-The Berean Beginner's Book for Senior Lesson Book for 1885. 18mo, pp. 191. New York: Phillips and Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe.

Apostolic Life; as Revealed in the Acts of the Apostles. By JOSEPH Parker, D.D., Minister of the City Temple (London). Vol. II. 8vo, pp. 353. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.

Dr. Parker makes the grand, heroic men of the infant Church move vigorously and life-like before us, and their imperial oppressors he covers with shame and confusion. The various and exciting incidents connected with apostolic times are given with marvelous exhibition of exegetical skill and graphic delineations.

Sir Moses Montefiore. A Centennial Biography. With Selections from Letters and Journals. By LUCIEN WOLF. Illustrated. 12mo, pp. 254. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Sir Moses, among all other strange happenings, has the unusual opportunity of knowing what will be said of him when dead; and as Mike said, when gazing at a showy funeral cortege, "Any man might be proud of such a funeral." That such should be the case with a Jew is a remarkable sign of our times.