ness. The claims of Prelacy the author subjects to the severe test of the Bible, reason and history. It treats historically of England, before the times of Wickliffe ; of Wickliffe and his times; of the reign of Henry VIII.; of Edward, Mary and Elizabeth; of the conflict of principle; of Puritan sufferings; of the judicious Hooker; of James I., and the going to Holland; of the voyage to America; of the Pilgrims at Plymouth; of the storm gathering in England; Charles I.; Archbishop Laud; founding of the Puritan churches; rise of the civil war; the Rule and Judge of Faith; on the alleged right to impose liturgies and ceremonies; on schism; the Church, its officers, discipline; Episcopacy; Apostolic succession, &c.,

From the Presbyterian.

The author presents, in his advertisement, a summary of his designs in this publication, which are "to set forth the causes which brought the Pilgrims to these shores; to exhibit their principles; to show what these principles are worth, and what it cost to maintain them; to vindicate the character of the Puritans from the aspersions which have been cast upon them, and to show the Puritanic system of church polity, as distinguished from the Prelatic." All this is accomplished with both zeal and knowledge, and the whole narrative, extending back to the early times of the Puritans, and embracing a most important period of ecclesiastical history, is full of ab. sorbing interest, not merely to the descendants of the Pilgrims, but to every American Christian. We have met with no work, which, to our mind, presents so satisfactory, and yet succinct a history of the times and events to which it refers.

From the N. Y. Baptist Recorder.

We

The work of Mr. Hall was undertaken con amore,—his love of the Puritans is deep and unbounded. He has collected his facts from an extended course of reading, and expressed his thoughts in a style which, if not brilliant, is lucid and earnest. We hail with much pleasure all such contributions to our Historical Literature. hope those who have read Dr. Coit will read Mr. Hall. Their conclusion will be that though the Puritans were mortal, and are justly chargeable with many inconsistencies and errors, they were still a noble race, the trace of whose influence is found in the best institutions of the world.

From the N. Y. Evening Post.

The object of the work, as he states in the preface, is to set forth the causes which led the Pilgrims to establish themselves on this continent, to exhibit the nature and value of their principles, and show the sacrifices at which they were maintained, to defend their character against the attacks levelled against it, and to vindicate the puritanic system of Church Polity.

The work is not historical merely, but in a good measure controversial, and the author wields the weapons of controversy with no little dexterity and vigor. The Puritans were a class of peculiarly strong and decided character-a character which impressed itself upon the age in which they arose, and the influence of which yet survives. The author is a warm admirer of this class, and defends their memory with zeal. He takes occasion to discuss the claims of prelacy at much length, not only in its historical but in its other aspects. We have no doubt that the work will be favorably received by the large religious denomination to which the author belongs.

From the Albany American Citizen.

We cannot forbear to express our conviction that it is a work of great merit, and has no common claims, especially upon the regard of those who have the blood of the Purttans flowing in their veins. Its historical details evince the most diligent research, and its vigorous and masterly discussion of important principles, shows a judicious, discriminating, and thoroughly trained mind. As the subjects of which it treats, have, to a great extent, a controversial bearing, it cannot be expected, that all will judge in the same manner of the merits of the book, but we think all who possess ordinary candor must agree that it is written with no common ability, and contains a great amount of useful information.

From the Hartford Christian Secretary.

After an Introduction, containing a glance at the condition of England before the days of Wickliffe, we are presented with a history of Wickliffe and his times, the reign of Henry VIII., and the rise of the Puritans, from whence we trace them in their conflicts, visit them in their prisons, follow them in their wanderings, and come with them to their first rude dwellings in the American wilderness. We behold the foundation here rising

under their hands, until the wilderness became transformed into a fair and fruitful field. The principles of these noble men are exhibited and explained. The matter of Church Polity is discussed, and the claims of Prelacy are brought to the test of reason, of history, and of the word of God.

From the Christian Intelligencer.

We venerate the character and the principles of the Puritans of New England. Their history we have long since regarded as one of the most important triumphs of conscience and truth our world has seen. Our country will never cease to feel the blessed influence of their faith and principles; and we rejoice in the conviction, which is more and more confirmed by every year's observation, that the Puritan theology will spread itself widely over our land, and especially on the Sacramental question, will be the prevailing view of American Christians. We read with interest, accordingly, the accounts of the Pilgrim Celebrations, year after year, and wonder not that such enthusiasm should be manifested by those who claim lineal descent from the Pilgrim Fathers. That some things occur in connection with these occasions, which look very unlike the Puritans, it is mortifying to see. There have recently been some sad incongruities enacted. What, for instance, has fiddling and dancing and carousal, and all the paraphernalia of the ball-room, to do with Puritanism? If one of the good old Puritans should rise from his rest, and come to the door of a Pilgrims' ball-would he not more readily fancy that the sons of the Cavaliers were exulting in the riddance of them, than that the sons of the Pilgrims were celebrating the holy triumphs of a self-denying piety? There is, to our minds, very much that is wrong here. And then, how comes it that Unitarianism is so ardent in the Pilgrim Celebration? What fellowship has the Puritan system with Unitarianism? We were inclined to ask, where, on the last Pilgrim Anniversary, were the Orthodox ministers-the men who occupy the Puritan posts-of Boston? Have they given all into other hands-or do they seek other modes of showing their regard for the principles of their fathers, which they deem preferable to the formality of uncovering their heads as they pass the spot of hallowed memory? there is any anniversary which should be kept with truly religious service, it is this; and every proper means

If

should be employed, that the descendants of the Puritans should know in detail their fathers' history, and the principles for which they suffered.

In this view, Mr. Hall of Norwalk has done good service-but his work, in its benefits, goes very far beyond this. We noticed his book briefly, a few weeks ago, and now, after a careful reading, are prepared to speak more decidedly concerning it. We know of no work, which, in the same compass, gives so clear and satisfactory a view of the origin and progress of the principles of Puritanism. There are evidences of careful and patient research, and a comparison of the best authorities, in every chapter. The picture of the Laudean policy is one that has its counterpart only under the bloody Mary, or on the opposite side of the channel. We hope to be able to give the whole of this, that our readers may know more of the man, whose High Church views Puseyism sympathizes in, and whose execution it celebrates as martyrdom. The history of the successive colonies to New England is given with peculiar distinctness--and from the reading of it, we have derived a clearer knowledge of the several localities occupied. The style of Mr. Hall is vigorous, and his whole treatment of his subject manly. Our country congregations cannot fail of being well informed, with such courses of lectures as these.

As this work has grown out of the late outbreak of Prelatic exclusiveness-and especially in Connecticutthe author goes into the examination of the peculiar notions of Episcopacy. The controversy has called out several able works, and though this appears last, it loses nothing in interest, and is anticipated by nothing which has been published. In the chapters embraced in this part of the volume, there is a series of original and conclusive reasoning. A certain Mr. Chapin, as well as Bishop Brownell, comes in for his share of the showing up. In the concluding chapter, a curtain is drawn, and we are furnished with a view of some things worth seeing-note, for instance, the topics-" Episcopacy and Republicanism"-" Episcopacy in the American Revolution"--" Reproaches against the Puritans"-" The Table Turned." On the subject presented in this last topic, Dr. Phillips was led to say something in his late dedication sermon; the detail here given is amazing.

Mr. Hall closes his volume with a review of Dr. Coit on Puritanism, and exposes him fully. Every man of New England origin, who possesses any of the Puritan

spirit, we should think, would make himself acquainted with this book. We commend it to every reader.

After these remarks concerning the book in general, there is one circumstance to which we would call special attention. Who has not heard of "the Blue Laws of Connecticut"-who has not felt aggrieved that good men should be concerned in their enactment? Behold, they are an absolute fiction--a mere Munchausen affair-according to Mr. Hall, the work of a Rev. Mr. Peters, an Episcopal clergyman, a Tory, who abandoned our country at the opening of the Revolution, and fled to England. Mr. Hall very justly expresses his amazement, that this man's fabrications should be brought out in a recent impression, with special commendation.