piled on Alps, all blazing and burning in gold ? Who hue not traced temples set in some lone, sweet isle, swept Jby the light waves of a tremu lous sea of purple.? In times when Superstition has seized her seep tre of iron and ruled nations, she has used the clouds as sybils for her oracles. Men of strong minds have seen chariots and the horsemen there of, in the clouds ; gaunt, mailed figures helraeted —all cap-a pie for war armies marshalled on tire vest fields of the sky--figures of terrible import, instruments of battle—these have foreboded ter rible disasters—none the less surely believed be cause disaster came. . We wonder not that in teose old times tyrants used their fancies magnified bv fear for weapons to encourage and subdue. We have watched the clouds for hours, marked the phases of the won derful the beautiful, the sublime. Saints and an gels have we outlined amid the tracery of the clouds. j,,' Not long ago as we were feasting our eyes on the gorgeous setting of a summer sun; three soft, white, clouds floated together, and were miniatur ed upon the deep, blue back-ground: a trio of seraphs. For a while it seemed no illusion—those three nngel faces wiihagiory halo around eajh head. Swiftly they floated along the bright ether, the snn shaking out the folds of hi3 golden curtains in the mellow distance. Now and then a ripple of shunshine tinged their soft tresses sometimes a touch of crimson deepened the hue of their flow ing garments. Again their foreheads seemed in clining and resting together, and we imagined that their white arras intertwined. Presently evening sent her summons to the cloud angels; they disbanded, and each took a separate way to the shining gates of the West. Olive Branch. From the Weekly Message. Another word to Young Converts. Dear Young Friends; Supposing you now have some experience on the subject of religion, I propose giving you a few more hints, calculated to promote your growth in spiritual things. First however let me enquire, how you are prospering. Do you pray ? Do you search the scripthres ? Are youTstriving to adorn the profession you have made by a pious walk, and a 'Godly conversation? That is, are you letting your light shine? Or in other words, do you carry about you those marks which will tell, even to a stranger, that you are a Christian? An incident which recently occured under my own observation will illustrate this point precisely*. Two young ladies met for the first time at a certain place, were introduced ; and soon be came intimate. After having become acquainted one of them remarked to the other “Miss M. I thought you were pious as soon as I cast my eye upon you.” “And why so” rejoined the other? “1 was not aware that I carried about me. any striking marks of a Christian; but I in turn thought the same of you at first sight; and as soon as 1 heard you speak, I was convinced of the fact. On a mutual explanation it was found, that each had judged of the other’s character from the plainlese of her dress , and by the way this is not a bad criterion ; since there are few young ladies in this age of refinement who do dress plainly, unless they do it from conscientious motives; and I would here venture the assertion, that, there are few deeply pious persons, who pay no regard to the injunction of St'. Peter : “Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, even the orna ment of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God, of great price.” And while it is es sential that these tilings be attended to ; let not the weightier matters be neglected. You have doubtless had temptations , for “lhe enemy of souls goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”; but have you been able to resist him ? And do you still feel that longing after Christ, that you did when first con verted ? Or have you under the natural bias of a depraved heart, often yielded ; and consequently been perplexed, with doubts and fears ? J udg* ing from experience, I suspect the latter to be your condition ; though it is not necessarily so. You desire to five for God ; but often, very often, the roots of sin, which still remain in you, spring up in tho form of anger, pride* envy, love of the world &c. And you arc grieved that your walk with- God is so imperfect. The Rev. Jjimes Caughcy mentions an incident in his travels, which strikingly illustrates this state of the Christian and as it is very probable most of you have never seen it; you shall have it in his own language. He was on board a steamer, and had retired to the cabin for the purpose of reading. Taking his seat some distance from a lamp, he says “It was not long before dark shadows to my great annoy ance, flitted again and agaiq over my book, in consequence of careless servaj^s, and unthinking passengers passing and repassing between me and thq light, f bore it for some time with great pa tienco, closing my eyet till the shadows flitted ' over (he page, and philosophizing on the benefit of tranquility in all the changing scenes of life. Each person being intent upon his own busines and pleasure, the studious stranger never once en tered^his thoughts. At last tho inconvenience be come too great for even philosophy to bear patien-! t\y, and it suggested a remedy. Observing that the tbroughfare lay between me and the lamp I concluded to draw so close to the source of light as to prevent any one coming between me and it. I did so, and hear my troubles ended ; the stir was as great as ever, but the voyagers found a passage behind me, and left me alone in wy glory. I now recollected how often since God converted my soul, my peace had been broken or destroyed by a great variety of agents, many of agents, many of them as unthinking, and as un designing as these passengers ; and why ? In nine instances out of ten my soul stood at such a distance from God, aa to leave a throughfare be tween me and him, which was perpetually oc cupied by these intruders; my soul being thus excluded from tho beams of the great source of light, happiness and comfort, 1 have been dark, cold, and unhappy.” " He then triumphantly exclaimed “Now I know the cause of all my troubles ; and the method of redress for all my grievances U revealed. From henceforth by the grace of God, I *hall endeavor to live so near the Lord, that no creature under heaven ahall be able to come be tween un. Then I «ha!l walk in cheeiful light under the sbunshine of his eountenanee, and shall read un interuptedly, ‘my title clear,’ to hia favor, apd to beaven. Then shall I cheerfully hear what ever may come, losses, and crosses, sickness or health, prosperity or adversity. Friends in such case may divert, or prove true ; may be spared to my embraces, or wither and die; and ■'brought tenderly alive to the whole ; yet the presence or absence of these, which some one -has compared to ‘candlelight in the presence of sun beamscan make no material difference to the soul upon which the ‘‘Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in his wings.” • , O ye who languish and pine, and sigh for rest ; will you not, like this good man, draw so near to God that nothing shall intervene between him and you ?’ Be entreateded to make' the experiment; and ften if the light does not satisfy your longing soul you can but resume your former position. O! Venture on him, venture freely, let no other trust intrude." Be not eontent to live in ‘the dark sea of un belief* while G >d is saying "Be ye holy.” He does not command without giving power to obey. ADY. “He that offends not in Word, the same is a perfect man.” How many are there to be found among those ‘who profess to be followers of Christ, who offend not in word? The Apostle James says, if we can govern our tongues, we can govern our whole bodies. He means, wo can keep our appetites, and passions in subje^ion. It must, then, be a very important lesson for Christians to learn to govern the tongue Then we shall be able to govern our whole bodies —to restrain our inclinations—to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, in a wicked world. The tongue, then, must be a very important member— occupying a very dignified position amomg the members of the body. It is capable of praising and blessing the great God who created it; and if under no control, it can also curse him, and its fellow creatures who were made in his likeness. James says if one seems to be religious, and cannot bridle the tongue, the religion of that per son is vain. Although it is a small member, it can accomplish great things; and when not under proper regulation, it can do a great deal of mis chief. It does r\ol sustain its dignity verv well at all times; but is very unmanageable ; it seems to take pleasure in slandering, backbiting and falsehood. It can find many ways and means to make mischief in churches ; in families ; among friends and neigh bors; at the same time it is capa ble of making a dignified, important, and valuable member in society, if under proper restraint. How desirable then that we should know how to em ploy it properly. To do this, when we find’it disposed to be unruly, we must watch it—govern it. It needs to be disciplined.^ We should think before we allow it to speek. Solomon says a ■wholesome tongue is a tree of life.’ An unwhol some tongue must then be a tree of death. But if it has been brought under she influences of the Christian religion, our conversation will, in general, be wholesome, and useful. It will exert an influence for good If we are worldly minded—fond of the fashions and follies of the world, it will be apt, to correspond with the slate of our minds. When we are disposed to be too loquacious, let us take care that in a mukidtffi of of words there be no sin. It was never intended that our tongues should be in perpetual motion In conversation on religious subjects, let us speak to instruct—to do good. About matters and things in general, let us speak with good sense ; with simplicity, and with a regard for the truth Let us say what we mean, and mean what we Much., time is consumed in light and frivo lous converation among Christians which the}’ would be ashamed to read, perhaps, if written down. The mind, by conversing on subjects be low its level contracts and lowers it. We should endeavor to oonverse up to the standard of our understandings. Our tongues were given us for a nobler employment than for foolish talking and jesting, which is forbidden among Christians. The Lord’s name is often used irreverently. His name should be used with great reverence and godly fear. Let us make ourselves better acquain ted with pur Bibles, and other good and useful books. Let us read our own paper, and get as many to take it as we can. This will elevate our thoughts, and we will not have i*"Taste for so much wordly conversation—about the fashions and about each other. .Such conduct will do for those who belong to the kingdom of salan ; but Christians; who have come out of it, shoufd have their thoughts, affections and co^rasetiou more on things above; whither our Saspnias gone, to prepare a place for those who love and serve him here, and who endeivor to make their members instruments of righteousness unto God. The year is passing rapidly away, and we should do all we cap to improve ourselves, and to benefit others, and if, after all that we can do to glorify onr heavenly Father, we are unprofitable servants what will become of us if we do nothing ? It would be well for us when we retire to rest, to review the various actions of the day. “How have my feet trod out their way1? What have I done that’s worth the doing 1 What have I said that’s worth the saying 1 What have I seen that I should shun ? What duty have I left undone I Or into what new follies run 1 Such self-inquires are the road That leads to virtue and to God.” Commerce or the West.—Some idea of the com merce of the West may be gained from a few facts, as follows; Number of the steamers in the Mis sissippi Valley, 253 ; Ohio Basin, 343 ; Northern Lakes, 164 'Total 760. Tonnage of the forego ing, 204, 725 ; crews, 12,607. And it is suppos ed that the tonnage of sait veseets, flat-boats and keel-boat? is equal to that of the steam marine.— And further, it is a low estimate for loss pf pro perty on these water lines annually, in consequence of disasters, etc., to place the amount from 112, 000,000 to $15,000,000. Olive Branch. South American Sheep* - When the Spaniards first discovered South Ameiica, they found in the regiop of the Andes a peculiar race of 9beep. There are two, and perhaps three distinct species of fftath American sheep : the Alpaca, the Lama, and according to some, the Vicuga, These all liv£M| the vicinity of the Andes, They resemble, in Some respects, the camel, and for that reason several naturalists have placed them irvtbe same genus’ wish the same But tnere seems to be. but little reas'bn for *this classification. These animals resemble tile sheep of our climate a great deal more than they do the camels of Africa. They Initio hump on their backs, as camels have. Still they resemble camels in one respect: they can go for a long time with-, out water, and have the same convenience for re taining water that camels have. The lama is not so valuable an animal for its wool ns the other two species, and is used in South America more as a beast of burden. The alpaca sometimes trained to carry loads, but not often. The laiWa is a good deal like the camef in this respect, though it is so small an animal that it can not carry very heavy loads. The lamas will fie down like the camel, to receive thir burdens, and to have them takert'off. Thousands of them are used about the mines in Chili and Peru. They are said to be safer than mules, in carrying burdens up and down the steep sides ot the Andes. " What valuable animals they must be among those mountains. What an illustration, too, of the wis dom and bounty of our Creator it is, that just such animals as camels and lamas were adapted particularly to such countries as the deserts of Arabia, and the mountains of South America. If it were not for camels, the Arabs could never cross those wide deserts ; and if it were not for such beast of burden as the lamas, the people of South America could hardly carry loads up and down he steep sides of the Andes. The lama carries from one hundred to one hun dred and fisty pounds, and on the steep places where he is usually employed, will walk with thisT loud twelve or firteen ra:les a day. When .they get weary, it is said tl-ey will stop, and scarcely any severity can compel them to go on. Somej of the accounts of these singular animals represent them as having a bad trick of spitting when they do not like their treatment. Some one who has been familiar with the anigial in South America, and who has seen it a great deal in use among the Indians there, present a very inteiesting account of its nature and habits. He says : “ The lama is the only animal associated with man, and undebased by the contact. The lama will bear neither beating nor ill treatment. They go in troops, an Indian going a long distance ahead as a guide. If tired, they stop, and the Indian stops also. If ths delay is great, the Indian, be ! coming uneasy toward sunset, resolves on sup plicating the beasts to resume their journey. If the lamas are disposed to continue their course, they follow the Indian in good order, at a regular pace, and very fast, for their legs are very long ; but when they are in ill-lmmor, they do not evea turn their heads toward the speaker, but remain motionless, standing or lying down, and gazing on heaven with looks so tender, so melancholy, that we might imagine these singular animals had the consciousness of another life of a happier existen ce. -The straight necck, and its gentle majesty of bearing, the long down of their always clean and glossy skin, their supple and rapid motions, all give them an air, at once timid and sensitive. It must be so in fact, for the lama is the only crea ture employed by man that he dares not strike.— If it happens—which is very seldom —that an Indian wishes to obtain, either by force or threats, what the lama will not willingly perform, the in stant the animal finds himself affronted by, word or gesture, he raises his head wilh dignity, or, without attempting toescape ill treatment by flight, he lies down, turning his looks toward heaven ; •large tears flow freely from his beautiful eyes, and in half or three-quarters of an hour he expires.— Happy creatures, who appear to have accepted life on condition of its being happy.” Family Friend. Homestead Exemption. The following extracts exhibit the various qualifications of the Exemption Bills now in force in the several Slates named, Maine—A lot of land, dwelling-house, and outbuildings thereon, as shall not exceed $500 in value. Vermont—The homestead of every housekeeper or head of a family, to the value of $500, and tlqe yearly products thereof. Massachusetts—The lot and buildings thereon occupied as a residence, to the value of $500, New York—The lot and buildings there on occupied as residence, to the value of $1,000. Maryland—All real estate acquired by marriage, during* the life of the wife from execution far debt of hilsband. • Georgia—Twenty acres of land, including dwell ing-house and*impi ovements ; value of house and improvements not to exceed $200, and the ad ditional amount of five acres for eaoh child under 15 years of age. ———— - — .— Florida—Forty acres of land to every farmer, and to every housekeeper residing in a town or a city, a house and lot not to exceed 300 dollars in value. Alabama—Forty acres of land when not in any town or city, and provided such does not exceed in value 400 dollars. 'Texas—‘■500 acres of land, when not in any to exceed in value 2;000 town or city lots, not dollars. Ohio—Every family a homestead not excecdui $500 in value. Michigan—Forty acres, with d walling-hou and appurtenances, when not in town or city; if in a town or city, a lot and dwelling house not to exceed in value 1,500, dollars. ding 1 occupied value Illinois—Lot of ground and buildii thereon as a residence, not exci $1,00°. .... Iowa—Forty acres of land not in a town or city or house and lot in a town or city, not exceeding 500 dollars. Wisconsin—Forty acres of land not in a town or city, or a town or city lot not exeeding in amount one-fourth of an acre. California—The homestead, consisting of a quantity of land, together with the dwelling-house thereon and its appurtenanoes, and not exceeding in value the sum of 5,000 dollars. New Jersey—A homestead to each head of a family, being the family residence, to the value of 500 dollars, not to be assets in the hands of the administrator but to remain for the benefit of the Widow, and until the maturity of the last minor child. South Carolina—A homestead of fifty acres of land, including the dwelling-house and appurtenan ces, not to exceed 500 dollars in value, and not to extend to any property situated within the limits of any city or town corporate. Virginia Christian Conferenca. This body assembled with the Church at Pro vidence four miles from the City of Norfolk on Thursday the 4th inst., and was organized by choosing Thomas J. Kilby, Esq., of Nansemond. President and Elder M. Barrett, Secretary. The Conference being organized the introductory ad dress was delivered by Elder Wo. B. Wellons, of Suffolk. The address took strong grounds in favor of education and several other kindred sub jects ; and was ordered to be published. About 40 Ministers and lay delegates were in attendance from the Virginia Conference, besides several Minister! from North Carolina ; and Dr. J. R. Feese the General Book Agent of the whole connection from Philadelphia. Resolutions and reports on Education, Temperan ce, Sabbath Schools, and Ministerial operations the past year were presented and acted upon,— An Education Society was formed, the object be ing to assist young men called of God to the work of the Ministry to obtain a suitable education at the “ Graham Institute” a school of high character under the control of the denomination of Christians; and located at Graham, N. C. A board of managers was appointed to commence operations at an early day. One young man was set apart to the office of an Elder in the Church. A home missionary or Itinerant was chosen to travel through the bounds of the Conference. Several others were dirCfcted to different fields of labor. This society, is organized on the Congregational plan and most of their Churches are supplied by regular pas tors. The preachingduringthe Conference was with pow er and in demonstration of the spirit, The preach ers and delegates seemed much encouraged, a good number of members have been added to their Churches during the past year. The Conference concluded their business on Saturday evening and adjourned. Norfolk Herald Thb Christian Publishing Association. Met at Providence on tbe Slh inst, and organized by choosing Elder M. Barrett, Chairman, and Elder H. B. Hayes, Secretary. The report of the Execu tive Committee of the publishing Association was first lead and received. The electian of Editors to the Christian Sun resulted in tbe choice of Elder W. B. Wellons, of Suffolk, Va., Elder John R. Holt, of Graham, N. C., and Elder H. B- Hayes of N C., Publishing agent. The Christian Sun is the organ of the Christian denomination in the South and is exerting,a fine influence. After a very harmonious session durinig which lime much business was transacted, the Associa tion adjourned on Tuesday evening, the 9lb inst., and the members separated and went to their home much encouraged and strengthaned in their attach ment one to another. Ib Thb Catholics and Public Schools.—By an action of the School Boaid, last Friday evening, says the Cincinnati West Christian Advocate, tbe question of using the Douay Bible in the com mon schools is again to be discussed, The pros pect seems now that the Catholics will triumph, and that this edition of the Bible, with all of its glosses and notes, will be one of the text books of our children attending the city schools, Here we may see the end to which the Roman Catholic influences are tending. At present they cannot exclude the Bible, so they try to get in the Duoay or Catholic version, with the Romish explanations After a while, when they shall havd gained a suf fiient ascendancy, the i b >th that and the Pro testant versions will be excluded, Let the Pro testants awake to the defence of their safety. Salaries.-—Twenty-one colonial bishops of the Church of England receive a salary in ordinary of only $141,400. while the Bishop of London en joys a personal income of $70,000 ; but there are many "small items,” or extraordinaries, that we need not fear for these poor country bishops to starve. Moreover, little and insufficient as their salaries my be, they have more than Paul, or Pe ter, or James ever had in'this world. -- Mr. Webster’s Family.—Mr. .Webster was twice married first1^1807, to Grace Fletcher; se cond, about 1830, to Caroline Le Roy, of New York city. This lady survives him. The third volume of Mr. Webster’s works is dedicated to her All his four children were by his first wife, of whom only one (Fletcher) survives. Mr. Webster is the se cond Secretary of State who has died in office ' Mr. Upsher. of Virginia, was the first, killed Y»y u accident on the steamer frigate Princeton February 28, 1845-. Euiguafts for Liberia. Arrived in the Stea mer Fanny Lutterloh, Capt. Steadman, from Fayetteville, about 40 emigrants for Liberia; 10 from Chapel Hill, and 30 from Cumberland county We hear also, that there are a number more ou their way to this place. The vessel that is to take them has not arrived here yet. but we were bold by one of the emigrants that she was in below. * Some of the number look to be about-70 or 80 years of of age, but appear to he much pleased with the idea of going to Libeaia Wil. Com. Iowa Safe.—Abner Kneeland and his assoc iates went to Iowa with the fixed purpose to take possession of the state and wholly exclude the Bible They did all they could to enlist eastern infidels to the enterprise, and labored with their might to bring all around them under the power of unbelief ; but disappointment awaited them. Missionaries entered the field, and preached Christ and him crucilfkd. every school-house became a chapel and every valley vocal with songs of salvation; many of those who went thither as infidels were convert ed to God, and one of them devoted himself to the Christian minstry : and at present scarcely anything like avowed infidelity is to be found in the state. Late and Important From Mexico. Mew Orleans. Nor. 0,—-By an arrival By an arrival here the Picaynne has late and highly important advices from the City of Mexico to the 28th October, and from Vera Cruz to the 2d instant, being nine days later than the accounts brought by the previous arrival. The steamer Powhatan, under command of Commodore Newton, having on board Judge Conk ling, American Minister to Mexico, arrived at Vera Cruz on the 1st instant. The Judge was to proceed in a few days for the City of Mexico, to assume charge of his official duties. A plot, which was fortunately frustrated in its designs, nad been discovered at Mariano to as sassinale President Arista. The plot was brou gbt to light by Senator Ramerez, the minister of foreign relations. The revolutionary party in Guadalajara were making great headway, and the rebellion wore a formidable aspect. plan had been offered to tranquilize the coun try by convoking a convention to reform the Constitution and electa new President. The recall of Santa Anna is also urged. Utaja was invited to head the movement, but he declined as also did Gen. Velasquez, to whom the same proposition was made. The revolutionary movements in all parts of the country continue, and it is reported that the Government troops were about to join the insur gents, which was not Unlikely, as alt confidence seems lost, and no change, it is thought, can be for the worse. Affairs in Ireland.—Pauperism continues to decrease throughout the country. Some of the poor houses in the agricultural districts have scar cely any inmates besides those lunatic or incuria bly diseased and infirm. Business seems to be greatly improving. The duties on articles consumed in (he quarter ending the 10th u!t.> are nearly £6,000 in excess of the same period last year. The Irish Bank returns are also indicative of increasing prosperity. The increase of circulation is to the enormous ex tent of £367,000, as compareff^with the period of last vear. There is also an increase of nearly £367,000, The late Rev. Eugene M’Namara a Roman Catholic clergyman, and a native of Clare, lately died in Paris, worth about £48,000 v II is stated that 100.000 head of sheep and blach cattle have been'purchased at the great Scottish fairs for transportation to Ireland. Railroad in Russia.—The great railroad which was built by American engineers betwen St. Petsrsburg and Moscow is 400 miles long, and has a double track the whole length. It is sub stantially built, and the trains run at the rate of thirty miles per hour. For regularity and speed it perhaps has no equal in our country. As in all monarchical countries, there are cars of different clause?. For the first class of cars, the price of a ticket for the 400 miles is fifteen dollars, for the second class it is ten dollars, for the third six dol lars. From the records of the St. Charlesstreel lock -up, Boston, we learn that during one month there were 75 commitments of females, of which 44, or more than one-half were common drunkards. What an argument to induce women to nse their influance with fathers, brothers, and husbands to sustain the Liquor Law ! In Texas they can hire Mexican ‘ peons ’ for 12 cents a day ; while a slave—wear and tear—costs the planter full 60 ceDts a day 1 Slavery won't be a popular institution long, if it twists the plant er’s pocket book in that way. * If every cask of liquor produced io the coun try, were to be taken as it left the manufactory, and spilled in the gntter, and the cost paid out of the common treasury, the loss to the country would be less than it actually is under the ordina ry course of the traffic."—JV. Y. Journal of Com merce. The Banks in both England and France have been forced into an expansion of their issues, and our banks will doubtless be placed ip a similar position. Australia is now but in her infancy and California promises to more than double- her present production. There were sixty deaths from yellow fever, and nine from cholera, at New Orleans, for the week ending the 8th. The Green Mountains were covered on the 10th inst., with a mantle of snow to the depth of two inches. The new constitution for the State of Louisiana has been adopted by about 2000 majority. RALEIGH M ARRET. Corrected. Weekly for the Christian Sun, by * II B. Hayes