3. Christian Progress: a Sequel to "The Anxious Inquirer after Salvation." By Rev. John Angell James. pp. 271. Mr. James felt that the impression should be deeply made upon Christians, especially the young, that they must advance in the divine life. This hand-book, therefore, discusses, after an Introduction, the necessity, nature and means of progress; mistakes concerning it, hinderances, motives and encouragements. It is superfluous for us to commend either the style or spirit of Mr. James. 4. The Pastor's Wife. A Memoir of Mrs. Martha Sherman. By the Rev. James Sherman, successor of Rev. Rowland Hill, in Surrey Chapel. Abridged with the sanction of the author. pp. 342. There is something interesting in the unpretendingness of this memoir. Mrs. Sherman, a lady of quite respectable family, of a lovely disposition and attractive person and manners, without any extraordinary pretensions to learning or talents, addressed herself industriously, on her marriage, to preparation for her duties as a pastor's wife. She became very useful and much beloved. The great excellence of the Life consists in its presenting a model not calculated to discourage; something imitable, yet most truly valuable. 5. The Illustrated Family Christian Almanac for 1855. Certainly a very full and admirable Almanac, well selected and arranged, and beautifully printed. 6. The Life of William Tuttle, the self-made Man and consistent Christian. By Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle, Rockaway, N. J. Second edition, abridged by the author. pp. 192. We must not get the idea, because these books are issued in a series, or bound alike, or by the same Society, that they have no characters of their own. Mr. Tuttle holds a free pen, his thoughts and style are his own, he does not make himself prominent, but his subject stands out from the canvass. We do not exaggerate when we say that this is an admirable book. We need in America the quiet and natural; the homelier virtues to be exalted; factitious 1.fe to be shorn of its unreal and evanescent splendor. Here is a man who, by patience in honesty, economy, industry and kindliness made his way gradually upward, happy and cheerful the while, from positive poverty to entire competence, blessing and helping every one within his reach, and almost translated to heaven by a sudden and painless death. We do not know how it is with others, but we could not read the simple and tasteful record of such goodness, without softened feelings. We are glad the Tract Society are publishing so many volumes; while we would not undervalue the small tract, yet there is a permanence about the bound volume and the well written book, that we cannot but think calculated to accomplish more. One can hardly underrate the importance of these great publishing Societies, and we think their aim should be higher and higher. We do not think their mission accomplished, until they are able to stereotype books that will command the attention of the country. They should enlist men of genius to write; they should select the highest and purest literature that can be obtained, and they should never rest until the imprimatur of a religious society, instead of making dim impressions of dullness, will excite the expectation of keen intellectual and emotive enjoyment. The Tract Society have established a branch of the Institution at Philadelphia, in charge of the Rev. N. W. Goertner, D. D. It appears to us excellently managed, and the urbanity, activity and tact of Dr. G., is doing much to remove prejudice and awaken interest. There need be no collision between this Society and our Doctrinal Tract Committee. We understand the American Presbyterian Church as intending, to maintain its own position, to be ready to do its own work, and, if necessary, to fall back on its own centre and conduct any interest whatever through its own organs; but as, by no means refusing to cooperate with voluntary associations, in doing good in their appropriate spheres. In short, it means, we think, neither to be imposed upon on the one hand, nor to be narrow on the other; but while remaining an unit and an entity, to do good in every way, with other churches or without them, just as Providence may open the way. XII. Proceedings of the Convention of the Young Men's Christian Associations, held at Buffalo, June, 1854. The Young Men's Associations, at their Convention, adopted resolutions to form a Confederation, which is to go into effect so soon as twenty-two societies concur in the measure. Mr. Neff, of Cincinnati, an active member of the oldest institution of the kind in America, formed Oct. 11, 1848, has kindly furnished us with some interesting information on the whole subject, which we regret that our meagre limits compel us to condense. The objects of the Associations are two-fold. To benefit the members themselves, young men associate, open a reading room, where they hold meetings, and which they fill with a library, periodicals, &c. The members become acquainted with young men who are strangers in the city, assist them as to employment, boarding houses, &c. and visit them when sick. Then they endeavor to be useful to others. In Cincinnati, for example, they have seven mission Sabbath-schools, containing over 600 scholars. The membership is not confined to professors of religion, nor, of course, to persons of any one denomination. An Association, we are glad to see, has recently been formed in Philadelphia. It is difficult to overrate the importance of this movement, rightly carried out. It has pressed very much upon our minds, that the National Confederation might accomplish an object greatly needed in America and hard to reach; we mean the creating a correct public sentiment in regard to such subjects as, for example, duelling, gambling, honesty as the best policy in politics as well as every where else, the difference between manliness and rowdyism, the substitution of exercise and sports in the open air for lounging and night revelling, the impropriety of indecent fashions and dancing, &c. &c. Young men, speaking in a robust and manly, yet cultivated spirit, might give us what we so greatly need, a social civilization. XIII. Address delivered at the New White Department of the House of Refuge, on June 1st, 1854, in celebration of the opening of that Department of the Institution, for the reception of inmates. By his Excellency William Bigler, Governor of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1854. pp. 24. This is the true glory of exalted station; to give its influence to the efforts of philanthropy to elevate the lowly and the degraded. The Governor of Pennsylvania has in this address reflected lustre upon the executive chair, and gained a hold upon the hearts of the people. XIV. Conversion: its Theory and Process, practically delineated. By Rev. Theo. Spencer. New York: M. W. Dodd. Philadelphia: Willis P. Hazard, 1854. pp. 408. This work is intended for those who receive the Bible as true. Disheartened, the author informs us, by the want of precision in instruction to religious inquirers, he investigated the subject "for more than a quarter of a century, during which time he conversed with thousands of careless persons, convicted sinners or doubting Christians." He has aimed to reduce the whole matter, as far as possible, to scientific accuracy. The form is a conversation between a Pastor and an Inquirer. It is our earnest hope and prayer that an outpouring of God's gracious Spirit may turn the public attention to discussions of this nature, the most important that can possibly occupy the human mind. XV. Armenia: A Year at Erzeroom, and on the Frontiers of Russia, Turkey and Persia. By the Hon. Robert Curzon. New York: Harpers. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. 1854. pp. 226. Map and wood cuts. It will not take long to dispose of this book. Mr. Curzon cannot do any thing, in the book way, positively bad, but this is pretty near it. His "Visits to the Monasteries," which we will not insult the reader by supposing him to be ignorant of, was so admirable, and cost him so little labor in writing, that he has been spoiled by being petted, and has thought that he had only to scribble any thing that came into his head, to make a good book. Even his scribblings contain a good deal that is amusing and instructive, but Mr. Curzon is capable of doing so very much better, that the greatest kindness we can do both to him and the public, is to inform him that he has made a failure. XVI. Utah and the Mormons. From personal Observation during a six Months' Residence at Great Salt Lake City. By Benjamin G. Ferris, late Secretary of Utah Territory. New York: Harpers. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. 1854. pp. 347. This book seems to give an impartial view of Mormonism. Mr. Ferris has received, as was natural, a very unfavorable impression of it, but there is nothing fanatical in his statements. Many of the disclosures are very disgusting, though perhaps necessary to be made. Polygamy, with a tendency constantly worse towards every degree of licentiousness, is openly allowed. There is a full account of the origin and progress of Mormonism, and a good, though sketchy, view of the country. The work has no special literary merit, but is lively and may easily be read. CONTENTS OF NO. X. ARTICLE. I. GLIDDON AND NOTT'S TYPES OF MANKIND. II. PRESENT VIEWS OF THE ATONEMENT. 1. Dr. J. P. Smith on the Sacrifice of our Saviour. 2. Dr. Symington on the Atonement. 3. Dr. Richards on the Extent of the Atonement. 4. Dr. Beman on the Atonement. XVI. Ferris' Utah and the Mormons. ib. |