A SPONGE, AND WHAT IT IS. "WHAT is sponge made of?" said Georgie, gasping, snuffling, and winking under his Croton Bath. No one near could tell him; and the maid suggested that he needn't be askin' such foolish questions, but just be still and get washt;" and so the matter ended.

Now listen, little Georgie, and I will tell you what a sponge is.

The very sponge which washes your face was brought up from the bottom of the ocean, and was part of a living animal. For a long time sponges were supposed to be plants. Messrs. Aggazis and Gould, in 1848, called them so; but later observations have decided them to be animals; and they are placed in the class Protoxa, the class most resembling plants.

When first found in the water, their appearance is very different from this which you now see. This is the skeleton only, the part corresponding to our bones. When this was a complete living thing, deep down under the ocean, it was covered all over the outside, and filled in every one of these little holes with a soft substance, something like the white of an egg, and this was like our flesh. It was fastened tightly to a rock; and its colour was a dull bluish black on the upper side, and a dirty white below. It was formerly supposed to be a plant, because it was always fast in one place; but, for other reasons, it is decidedly an animal. All through this mass is a regular circulation, like

our blood and food. It has been seen to absorb nutritious matter-that is to eat, or rather, to drink. You see all over its surface orifices or holes; these communicate with each other all throughout. Into the largest of these, called pores, the sea-water is constantly entering, and out of the small ones called vents, it is regularly spouted out; and it doubtless finds in this sea-water minute animals which serve it for food, and increases its bulk.

And this strange animal produces others like itself. I will tell you how.

From the soft part a little globule is seen to float off, and, after moving about a while very briskly, here and there, as if looking for a place, it fastens itself to some rock. Next, gradually, begins to be seen the more solid skeleton (what we have here); the soft part increases, and so it grows; not very slowly either, for the divers find it at the end of three years, large enough to bring away.

To get these sponges from the the bottom of the ocean furnishes occupation for a great number of people. One thousand men are busy in the Ottoman Archipelago alone; and thousands besides, with many hundred boats, are engaged in the gulf of Machri, on the Barbary coast and elsewhere; so that in many villages there, from May to September, the best diving time, only old men, women, and children can be found.

The first kind is brought from the Ægean sea. At daylight there, in the summer time, when the water is pleasant, for it requires smooth water, the boats each with six or eight men and one pair of oars, will leave the shore, and proceed to where the water is eight or ten, or even thirty, fathoms deep; for those found in shallow water are very inferior.

Here they stop, and the divers prepare to descend. Each one puts a hoop around his neck, and to this fastens a bag, in which the sponges are put as they are gathered. In very deep water the diver uses a rope with a heavy stone to it. He sinks the stone to the spot he intends to reach, and thus it holds the rope steady, which he uses to assist himself in coming up again to the surface.

After being busy thus till noon, they return to some of those pleasant little nooks which abound on the shores of the Archipelago, to prepare what they have gathered for sale.

The first thing is to press out the soft part of the animal, and then to bleach the remainder in the sun; so they beat them, and stamp on them, and trample them till there is no more life left. The skeleton part is then washed, and spread in the sun

AMERICA.

until it is quite clean, and grows to be this dull yellowish colour; then it is picked in bags and sent to market for sale,-sent to all parts of Asia, Europe, and America, and mostly for washing purposes.

Little Georgie's mother, seeing a very nice piece, bought it for his use; and I think he will value her gift, and look on it with more pleasure, since he knows now what it is, and where it came from.

THE following letter from Dr. Eaton, of Madison University, to Dr. Stock, which has been kindly forwarded to us for publication, will, doubtless, be interesting to our readers:

"DEAR BROTHER,

We

"YOUR visit to us left an altogether and highly favourable impression. Your excellent addresses and personal intercourse with brethren were adapted not only to attract respect and affection to yourself, but to strengthen the fraternal bond, between brethren of the same faith on both sides, and, also, between the people of both countries. There should be a closer sympathy between the Baptists of America, and that class of Baptists in England, of whom you were the proper representative. Your people should understand and be encouraged by the fact that the great body of Baptists in America are one with them in faith and ecclesiastical order, and, further, that there is no wavering among us in regard to the position we hold. were never firmer on this ground, nor held it with more intelligent appreciation of its importance than at present. The active efforts made in behalf of Christian Union during a year or two past in this country, in some of which Baptists have participated, have resulted on the whole favourably to us. It has given us the opportunity, before the assembled representatives of other denominations in public meeting and discussion, to speak for ourselves in regard to our real position, and to state with all fullness, our reasons for stedfastly maintaining it. The effect has been to disabuse many candid minds of their prejudices against us on the ground of alleged bigotry and narrow sectarianism, and to convince them of our sincerity and logical consistency in ad

hering to our peculiar and distinctive principles as a denomination, and at the same time, of our genuine catholicity of Christian feeling. There have been some noble and generous utterances by the organs of other denominations in respect to the position of the Baptists. To be sure, there has been a good deal of a contrary character, but it has come from the smaller lights. It has been truly said that if the Baptists are right in their views of baptism, then restricted communion follows as a matter of course. The question between us and other denominations is narrowed down to this: What is Scriptural baptism? It is hence our solemn conviction that, as a denomination, we are set for the defence of the ordinances of Christ in their integrity, as instituted by himself. And here we shall hold:-Not on us, but upon those who have changed these ordinances, rests the responsibility of schism in the body of Christ. I trust we shall maintain our ground in the Spirit of Christ; speaking the truth boldly, but in love, and heartily rejoicing in the advance of evangelical principles, under whatever auspices. Another happy effect of the discussion in connection with the efforts for Christian Union, is the better understanding among our own people of the precise ground of our separation from other evangelical denominations. This was much needed. There are thousands who have become Baptists from education and association as in other denominations, with no very distinct views as to the peculiarities of our ecclesiastical position. The attention of these has of late been called to these points, and they are made clearly to see that our stand-point as Baptists rests on Scriptural ground, and is a matter of principle, and not of bigotry or caprice. We are hence becoming more and more a united body in the truth, and are pre

pared to make new advances on the kingdom of darkness with a more perfect concert, and more concentrated force. The prospects of the Baptists in America-ecclesiastical, educational, and religious-were never more hopeful and auspicious. May the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon us in boundless measure, and to Him be all the glory. The religious outlook in other quarters is also heart-cheering to the lover of all who hold the head, and love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. The two great sections of the Presbyterian Church, long dis-united, originally on the question of the proper way to deal with slavery, and on several points of doctrine, are coming together in a mutual spirit of fraternal confidence, and will, doubtless, by next year, again become one body. Unquestionably, in proportion to their numbers, the Presbyterians in this country have the ablest and most learned ministry, and the wealthiest and most intelligent people of any denomination. Happily, too, they are eminently sound in evangelical doctrine, and so their influence is potent for good. Our irrepressible Methodist brethren are acting with great energy and success; in numbers they lead all other Christian sects, and are advancing rapidly in intelligence, culture, and wealth. The Baptists are second to the Methodists in numerical membership, with a larger population under their ministry.

"I greatly rejoice in every event which tends to strengthen the friendly relations between the English and the American people. The visits of several eminent representative men from your side since the close of our bloody civil strife, have powerfully tended to promote a good understanding, and a good feeling in the best of our people with regard to the English people. I say the English people in distinction from the English aristocracy. We expect nothing from the latter in the way of friendship or sympathy. If they treat our nation and government with ordinary diplomatic courtesy, it is all we hope for. But with the English people we earnestly desire, and fondly hope for the most friendly and cordial amity, and especially with the Christian portion. The two people must never again come into a bloody war with each other. Causes of misunderstanding, and collisions of interests must be obviated by a more constant intercourse of the best and most influential minds of the two nations. The visits and addresses of such men as Goldwin Smith, Dr. McCosh, Newman Hall, and others, have been productive of the most essential service. Through them, the hearts of our

people have been drawn nearer to those of their kinsmen (represented by them) on the other side of the great water. The visit of Dickens too, though of quite another purpose and spirit, will not be without its value in bringing the two people nearer to each other. Dickens will return to England with 200,000 dols. or £40,000 gathered from American pockets, and for value received' we are willing to allow. He is greatly delighting the best society among us, by his readings of his own productions, already familiar as household words in almost every family in our land. I hope his well-filled pockets will make him very 'sweet' on us in his second instalment of American Notes' which he is reported as preparing. We have forgiven and forgotten the unhandsome things said of us in his first instalment a quarter of a century ago.

"But what of Fenianism? This has become a very serious disturbing element with you, and to some extent with us, I foresee the possibility of its creating considerable dissatisfaction among the English people toward us; but it should be understood that Fenianism is a foreign element; it has been imported from Ireland, and its inspiration comes from that quarter. The American people at large have no affinity or sympathy with it. We detest and abbor as much as Englishmen its bloody and murderous outbreaks. The danger with us is the use which politicians or demagogues may make of it. Both our great political parties need the Fenian vote, and will to some extent curry favour with the faction. There have been expressions on the part of some of our public men in this direction which are much to be deprecated; but they do not express the popular sentiments? Our people are quite willing to adopt the view respecting this whole movement from the leaders of the liberal party on your side. We have long held to the conviction that Ireland has not been wisely and properly dealt with by the English Government, and that a change for the better is imperatively demanded. It is this conviction which furnishes the only captital to the Fenians to work on among us, but from this it must not be inferred that our government or people have any sympathy or favour to show to the enterprise or measures of the active Fenians of the present time.

"Our political situation' I am sorry to say is still far from being satisfactory. The antagonism between the President and Congress is complete and exceedingly bitter, and thereby Reconstruction' is greatly retarded. The President is stub

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bornly and passionately doing all he can to thwart Congress in its measures to reconstruct the rebel states. He has gone over fully to the Democratic party, or rather to the Rebel party. In the meantime Congress is firm and resolved to carry out its plan, and for this purpose it is feared, by not a few Conservative Republicans that some questionable measures have been adopted to head off the scheming of the President and his abettors. Many of this class staid away from the polls at the late elections, and let the Democratic party gain some important victories. This was certainly not true patriotism, but it was alleged that nothing but such a result would arrest the radical element in Congress and the Republican party which its majority represent, in its headlong course. However this may be, one thing is certain, that the victories of the Democrats at the last election have ensured the nomination of General Grant by the Republican party. I regard his nomination as a virtual election. The Democrats cannot put forward any man of their party that will come in sight of Grant in a popular election. The present hope of the best men in the country rests upon the elevation of our great General to the Presidency. He is radical enough

for the people, and unbounded confidence is reposed in his integrity and patriotism and in his practical sagacity and true statesmanship.

"When will English travellers who write books about America come to understand American society? Hepworth Dixon's book seems to be written in a friendly spirit, and yet no greater mistake was ever made and no greater libel upon the good sense, morals, and religion of American society ever perpetrated, than his noting the Oneida Community' and the Mormons as illustrations of the religious tendencies of the American people !!

"A more preposterous non-sequitur never emerged from the most muddled of brains. These monstrous developments of human depravity did not come out of any tendencies in American character or society. The Oneida Community live some 16 miles from this place, in the same county. They have been there more than a quarter of a century and number between 200 or 300. They form no part of American society and have no social relation outside of their enclosure except relations of traffic may be called social. They sell the produce of their industry and accumulate property without forming any other connection with outside people. Parties of pleasure frequently call there to

partake of pleasant repasts which they serve up, but as a community they are completely isolated. There is no tendency of society in that direction, much less a religious one. And the Mormons-why they would have died out long ago, had it not been for continual accessions from foreign lands. Religious tendencies of American society indeed! 0 Hepworth Dixon! But I have written already too much for me. Yours in Christian love,

"GEO. W. EATON."

SOHO CHAPEL, OXFORD-ST., LONDON.

ON Tuesday evening, February 11th, the twenty-eighth anniversary of the Sabbath School connected with this place was held, and was largely attended. A considerable number of friends partook of tea, after which, Mr. Wilkins the pastor, took the chair at half-past Six o'clock. Mr. Attwood opened the meeting with prayer. The chairman then addressed a few words of hearty welcome to the assembled audience and called upon Mr. Freeman (in the place of Mr. Hall) to read the report, which was one of a most simple and unadorned character. From it we learn that the school has had a year of useful labour and encouraging prosperity. The number of scholars is sixty-five boys and sixty-eight girls whose attendance average morning sixty-four; afternoon, ninety-three. The number of teachers is eighteen, twelve of whom are members of the church. Six teachers have been baptised by Mr. Wilkin during the past year, three who were recently scholars also have been baptised and added to the church during the same period. This we regard as a favourable and encouraging feature of the Report, showing not only the blessing attending Sabbath School instruction but also the harmony between the school and the church in point of effort and sentiment. The library of the school has been used to an unusual extent during the year, and the circulation of healthy magazine literature has extended to nearly 4,000 copies. A prosperous and well attended Bible class is held on Monday evenings conducted by the pastor. With regard to the Strict Baptist Mission it was reported that the sum of £14 had been collected

The adoption of the Report was moved by Mr. Wall, of Gravesend, seconded by Mr. Box, of Woolwich, and carried unanimously. Mr. D. Crumpton then gave an address on education in general and Sunday school education in particular, showing that the present tendency to ignore the voluntary efforts of religious people and to depreciate Biblical teaching was a dangerous sign of the times. He thought that Bible truth was the great want of the day. Mr. S. Milner then followed in a few vigorous and graphic remarks bringing out this fact in a striking light. Education alone and by itself he regarded as tending to facilitate the commission of crime rather than the reverse, unless accompanied with the restraint of moral principle. Education may be made subsidiary to the inculcation of religious errors of every discription. Even education in God's truth needs God's spirit to accompany it, or else the taught, while knowing the right will still prefer the wrong. Yet it is important to teach the truth to the young, the outcry against creeds being either hypocritical or foolish. Sovereignty, he contended, overrides all religious training which was both a caution in one sense and an encouragement in another. The meeting, which was a crowded one, was concluded with prayer by Mr. G. Wyard. Several anthems were admirably sung by the scholars during the evening and were listened to with much interest.

WEST BROMWICH. THE Baptist friends, West Bromwich, held their annual tea meeting on Monday, December 29th, 1867. After tea, a public meeting was held,

when Joseph Cooksey, Esq., (Independent), was voted to the chair. The chairman congratulated his Baptist friends on the great change and improvements they had made in their sanctuary, and wished them every blessing in the future. The entertainment which followed consisted of music, readings, recitations and addresses. The evening was found by all to have been a thoroughly enjoyable one. The aged were profited and the young were delighted. The proceeds from the tea were £13, which were appropriated to the liquidation of the debt incurred by the recent alterations.

[The above was unintentionally omitted last month.-ED.]