never-failing attachment to their mountain | he will sooner or later make his permanent home in that land to which his steps are wending; the theme of his reflections is even now in sentiment: homes. Go where they will, let them be as fortunate as they may, they rarely or never think of a permanent settlement, but look back to Italy, and the Apennines as the place of their rest. The object of all their toils and travels, their great and their sole ambition, is to become the owners of a house and a little bit of land, if not on the precise spot, at least in the immediate neighborhood of the villages where they were born. Notwithstanding the vicissitudes of life, to which they above others are subject, there are continually, instances of these men, after years of wandering, returning to their native villages in the possession of a comfortable independence. The returned wanderers, become the oracles of their neighborhood. They can talk of foreign countries, and cities, and habits of life, and relate all the adventures they encountered on their travels. The fame and the magnificence of cities, the characteristics of the people among whom they have spent their years of absence, have been thus sounded from one end to the other of their mountain homes. Oh, the transporting, rapturous scene, Sweet fields arrayed in living green, There generous fruits that never fail, There rock and hill, and brook and vale, Filled with delight, my raptured soul TAK W. BEDOUIN COURTESIES. TAKING our way along this valley we met some Bedouins of the same tribe as our escort, and the gentle courtesies of civilized life pass as duly between our Arabs and their brethren as between the most polished of our own age and country. They kiss hands and touch their hearts and foreheads--that most graceful form of Eastern salutation. Thus exchanging compliments they pass on. The special rule in these salutations is always observed. If an inferior salutes a superior he takes his superior's hand, and kissing it, puts it to his forehead; but the superior, unless he is rough and rude, snatches away his hand as soon as the inferior has touched it, and then the latter puts his own fingers to his lips, and afterwards to his forehead. It is usual also for the superior, in turn, to put his hands to his lips. This takes twice as long to describe as to practice. It is a most graceful act accomplished in a moment. It was customary among the ancient idolators, and still among the Mahometans, to venerate the Unseen whom they cannot touch, by kissing their own hand and put There are many harmonizing points, in the description of these wanderers, and the experience of the Christian. Like them, he has a zealous ambition to become the happy occupant of a mansion, but it is beyond the skies. Like them, he is naturally poor; and in his efforts to become rich in love, and joy, and peace as it is in Jesus, Oh what mountains of difficulties has he not to climb! what happy circles of relatives and friends he is compelled sometimes to leave behind him, to gain the object of his heart's desire. Often does it happen, that the fruits of his business labors, are swept away by encountering the "trade wind," just as he is nearing the haven of retirement. As ating it to their foreheads. And so we have compensating element for all his crosses and reverses and submissions in life, he takes to himself the sanctifying influences of Christ's sufferings in the flesh; the Christian is thus buoyed up-yea, his journey is made pleasant, by the hope, that an illustration of the words of Job, himself an Arab-"If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness, and my heart hath been secretly enticed, and my mouth hath kissed my hand.”Journal in the East. REMINISCENCES OF A PASTOR. “IT Concluded from last No. [T grieves me," said Mr. L., "to think of my past life. I never had such a view of the goodness and mercy of God as I have had of late. The more I think of it, the more sinful does my life appear. My base ingratitude, my wilful rejection of Christ, my malicious opposition to the gospel, causes me to feel that for one so vile there is no hope." Said the pastor, "These views are the result of the enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit operating upon the heart, and afford the best evidence that God is still waiting to be gracious. The Spirit enlightens, he points you to Christ and his cross as your only hope, your refuge from coming wrath. But you must submit yourself unreservedly to Christ. By unbelief you grieve the Spirit. It is a form of rebellion." Said Mr. L., "I think I see my error. O the blessedness of those who can believe, 'Lord! I believe, help thou mine unbelief.' Pray for me." The pastor united with him in prayer. At another visit, the pastor found him rejoicing in the hope of eternal life. The language of his heart was, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, let all that is within me bless his holy name." Still, there was one thing that troubled him. It was the influence of his past life. "What shall I do? My example will live after me." "From this sick bed," said the pastor, "you may do much to counteract that example." How he might most effectually counteract that example, now became the object of prayer and serious thought. On one occasion, he requested, if consistent with the rules and regulations of the Church, to be admitted to the communion. Said the pastor, "Do you think that would make your salvation more certain ?" "O no," said Mr. L., "I have thought much of my past life. My infidel friends and others may think and claim that I died an infidel. I want to prevent this. I want to say as emphatically as I can say, that I die in the full belief of the Christian religion, and I do not know how to do so more effectually, than by uniting myself to the people of God, and by partaking with them the emblems of the broken body, and the shed blood of our common Lord and Saviour." The pastor replied, that it might be done, that the pastor and council might meet at his house and admit him to church-membership, and administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to him. It would be necessary for him to be baptized, that our mode of baptism was by sprinkling. Said Mr. L., "I have always inclined to the belief that baptism should be performed by immersion." "But," said the pastor, "in your case would it be prudent to administer the rite by immersion?" "No, I think not," was his reply. The pastor replied, "In instituting the ordinances of the Church, did not the Saviour design that their application should be as general as the gospel, and as immersion cannot be administered in all cases, can it be that he prescribed it as the only mode ?" "True," said Mr. L., "it is reasonable to conclude that he did not. The pastor then gave him the views of his Church, together with the scriptural proofs in favor of the validity of sprinkling, and left him with the request that he should reflect upon it. At the next visit, Mr. L. said his mind was settled, and he renewed his request to be received into the Church according to its usages. On the following Wednesday evening, the pastor invited the council to accompany him to the house of Mr. L.—and after singing a hymn, and prayer, and the usual examination of fitness for churchmembership, he was baptized and participated with us in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. It was a solemn scene. We all felt that it was good for us to be there. Angels, no doubt, rejoiced in heaven and shouted aloud, "the dead is alive, the lost is found." Mr. L. enjoyed great peace of mind in view of what he had done, and until his death he manifested a consistency of character that commended itself to all who knew him, and he died in the triumphs of the Christian's hope. We followed him to his grave, and felt that he was a brand plucked from the burning. This narrative is recorded not to encourage, but to warn those who are deferring the work of their repentance until a death bed. To crowd into such narrow limits that for which the whole of life is given, is hazardous, and will plant the dying pillow with thorns. It is recorded as a monument of grace, to the efficacy, the praise and the glory of the cross of Christ. DANVILLE, Pa., November, 1857. IT MUSIC. BY CORA WILBURN. T is not only in the Concert room, nor in the festival, that the power and beauty of music is made manifest: it is like light and air and sunshine, universal, and, alas, as little appreciated as these common blessings. It must be surrounded by all the pomp of outward adornment and display, and earth's great names must be affixed to its hallowed inspirations before music becomes fashionable. Passing by the music utterance of Nature's myriad voices, we hasten to the crowded assembly, under the delusion that music can there alone be heard. breeze's touch, illumined by dancing sun gleams, or the moon's silvery track of light, what sweeter, holier music can earth proffer to the dreaming heart and poetic fancy? A fairy lullaby that aerial strain of breezy melody sweeping across its tranquil bosom, to the murmuring wavelet's accompanying harmony; and the dip of oars, the leisurely recurring flap of sails, how musically, how dreamily beautiful. Melody holds reign within the domain of waters, whispering the cradle-song of peaceful rest, and the tempest's sublime love sigh of the treasure-laden South, to the North wind's tones of howling victory and devastating fury. Deep toned music in the rolling thunder, in the rain-drop's fall of sorrowing continuance, or mournful soothing music, pattering upon the grass and thirsting leaves. Music in the salutation of tree and flower to the passing breeze; in the rustling leaves that "sere and yellow," then the autumal earth. Music in the familiar bark of the welcoming house dog; in the pet bird's fluttering recognition; in the rustling of garments, betokening the approach of one we love. Sweetest melody in the "one dear voice;" and a strain of heart-treasured sadness, tender and soft and low, in the farewell spoken long years agone. In the heart's fervent prayer, Heaven's accents of persuasive eloquence, and in the truth-seeking, forgiving soul dwells its charmed power and spell of beautifying might. In music's tones lies hid the soul of prophecy; angelic revelations of future blessedness and completed life. Its strains enwrap the heart in dreams that are foreshadowed glimpses of the Future's glory, not vain, fantastic imaginings, but soulIn the ocean's upheaving waves, when given anticipations of immortal love and foam-crested and storm-darkened they war joy. Its lofty inspirations thrill the soul as it were, against the impending clouds; with consciousness of its powers to achieve or when in hoarse threatening murmurs all noble ends, to overcome the besetting they break along the sanded beach, there tyrannies of worldly cares and false allureis music, sublime, powerful, heart-awake- ments. Music, the angel guide to the soul's ning strains of solemn warning; recording best affections and holiest aspirations, ever voices, whose burden is eternity! dwells with Faith and Hope, and with ceWhen softly flowing beneath the gentle lestial touch ever leads the soul aloft. True, it is beautiful and soul-satisfying to listen in rapt attention of heart and ear to the overwhelming grandeur and impassioned power of music's language, as given from the full-toned orchestra, the masterly performance of the great works of genius; but not for all this, though duly honored and appreciated, should we neglect its beautiful and varied expression throughout Nature's far-spread domain. O Jesus, Saviour, glorious Lord, O Christ, our Prophet, Priest and King, Redeemer, the Incarnate Word! To Thee, in humble faith we cling. O'ershadowed by the Holy One, The Virgin Mary gave thee birth, The Son of Man, God's only Son, The child of heaven, the child of earth, Who meekly stood mid Pilate's bands Thy Spirit is not left in hell, No change thy sacred body knows, But dungeoned spirits hear the swell Of triumph o'er th' infernal foes. Three days and nights, then like the morn, All beaming, didst Thou burst the tomb, Undying life from death new born, And glowing with immortal bloom; Up to the heavens ascending high, Enthroned till heaven and earth have fled. Thence with Thine angels shalt Thou come, III. In faith, O Holy Ghost, we bow: Gift of the exalted Saviour's love, Come make our hearts within us glow, Thou Comforter, Celestial Dove. One holy church, Thy work sublime, Though worn and weeping never faints, But keeps through every age and clime, The pure communion of the saints. Grant us the trust in sins forgiven, The faith that triumphs in the strife, That soul and body raised to heaven, Shall share in everlasting life. Amen! O sealing word of faith, Faith fades in sight, Thou fad'st not then, The voice of prayer grows mute at death, But heaven still shouts, Amen, Amen. In God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, I believe. and in Jesus, our Lord Christ, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, (God's) only Son suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: the third day He arose from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty: from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy church Catholic; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. THE idea of absolute space, unoccupied by a single living being, and by a single particle of matter, suggests such a state of cheerless vacuity, of unbroken silence, of absence of all movements, and of all enjoyments and sympathies of sentient beings, that the principle of intelligence or mind recoils from the contemplation of the supposition of a universal void; and rejoices in the relief afforded by the contemplation of the occupancy of space by other kindred intelligences, and by a FIRST CAUSE, or CREATOR, and also by the beautifully arranged mechanism of the uni verse. The presence throughout all space of a supervising intelligence, to plan and sustain the beautiful systems, and the orderly arrangements of matter, and their orderly workings as mechanisms, is one of the first and most sublime truths recognized by human intelligence. Although all space must be considered to be pervaded by an omnipresent power, yet it has not been deemed expedient by the Great First Cause to endue subordinate intelligent beings on this earth with organs of perception adequate to discovering the actual occupancy of any portions of space by his presence therein. This remarkable fact manifests an apparent design to leave the discovery of the existence of an omnipotent power to the reason of the intelligent beings, who are thus left to act as free agents on this planet, without being immediately overawed by his overwhelming presence. Whenever we attempt to form a conception of infinite extent of space, we feel our limited faculties of intelligence to be incompetent in every way to embrace the idea of INFINITY. We very naturally commence the attempt, by adding together a series of linear admeasurements of the most extensive known intervals of space, such as the distance of the remotest visi ble stars, the light of which only reaches our planet in the form of a nebular haze, like that of the "milky way" in the hea vens. Astronomers have calculated that, with the ascertained speed of the transmission of the influence recognized by the action on the material nerves of the eye as the phenomenon of light, (at the rate of 12,000,000 miles per minute,) a period of several hundreds of years must elapse for this influence to be extended through the wide interval of space that separates this earth from the remotest visible stars. We may imagine similar huge intervals of space to be extended beyond the remotest of these dimly visible stars, in a successive series, each equal in number to the intervening miles between such distant stars and our planet. After grasping the idea of this sublime extent of space, it remains still to add series to series of similar extents of space, continually, until, whilst thus occupied, we may imagine our heads to become blanched with the silvery hairs of age; and still the task of computation of infinity would be only begun. Thus this attempt becomes finally directed to the calculations of the series of ages requisite for continuing the computation, until another infinity, the infinity of time,-eternity, becomes a prerequisite for estimating infinite space. Finite beings realize that they have the command of only brief periods of finite time; and with reasoning powers bewil dered, and aching heads, they draw back from the attempt of estimating both the extent of infinite space, and of infinite time; impressed with the overwhelming idea, that all the space occupied by the solar system is actually too minute to be noticed as an element of the computation of infinite space. A circle formed by the figure of a serpent, with his tail recurved to his mouth, was a favorite emblem adopted in Egyptian hieroglyphics to represent eternity, or continuity without beginning and without end. Although this illustration is suffi |