REV. DAVID LEWIS PARMELEE died in Litchfield, Ct., June 29, 1865, in the seventieth year of his age. He was the eldest son of David and Lucy (Lewis) Parmelee, and was born in Litchfield, Nov. 11, 1795. Having acquired a good English education in the best schools in his native village, he became, at the age of sixteen, a clerk in the mercantile house of Messrs. Norton & Beach, in Goshen, Ct., and remained with them five years. Upon the dissolution of the firm with which he had served a faithful and approved apprenticeship, he became connected in marriage with Miss Sally Stanley, only daughter of William Stanley, Esq., of Goshen, and commenced business as a merchant on his own account. Although he had been baptized in his childhood, after the forms of the Episcopal Church; and had, during the years of his minority, been a conscientiously strict Episcopalian, he was all the while an evident and earnest inquirer after truth, and a frequent attendant on the ministrations of Dr. Lyman Beecher, then pastor of the Congregational church in Litchfield. It was after his removal to Goshen, however, and while attending on the ministry of Rev. Joseph Harvey, that his mind became settled in regard to the great principles of evangelical faith; and then it was, as he believed, and afterwards manifested, that he became a renewed man. Still, being accustomed to exercise a careful judgment on all matters of vital moment, and not fully satisfied as to the character of his religious experience, he deferred making a public profession for several years, till, in a season of special revival, he obtained new light, and new evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and openly espoused the cause of Christ. However upright he had always been in his dealings with men, - however successful in his secular busi- and however honored, as he had been by his townsmen, in matters of public responsibility and trust, he now inquired, in reference to what should be his future line of service for Christ, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" He had, by his honest industry, and exact attention to all the details of business, acquired a competence as to property, and now, with some just appreciation of the value of the "true riches," he felt a strong desire to preach "the glorious gospel of the ness, blessed God." That he might carry this desire into effect, he entered upon a course of theological reading and study under the direction of Rev. Dr. Harvey, his former pastor, and after two years thus employed, offered himself before the Middlesex, Ct., Association, and by that body was approved and licensed to preach the gospel. After laboring for a season in several parishes as a temporary supply, he was, at the age of thirty-five, ordained and installed as pastor of the Congregational church and society in Bristol, Ct. Although entering on the public ministry thus late in life, compared with many, it was evident that God had ordered his previous course of training, even in things secular, as well as religious, that he might the better know how to take care of the church of God." He at once gave proof that he was "not a novice," and hence, not "being lifted up with pride," he did not "fall into the condemnation of the devil" (as some do). His ministry of ten years in Bristol was eminently useful and successful. The congregation was largely increased. Special revivals were enjoyed, and the church greatly strengthened and prospered. The town of Bristol then had, as it has now, an active, enterprising population, and their pastor's previous habits of life, exact and prompt, in all secular transactions, not only enabled him to know how and when to deal with them to their own benefit, but also led them the more highly to esteem him as a man, and to appreciate his services as a good minister of Jesus Christ." But the ministry of reconciliation faithfully performed in a large and increasing congregation, is a work wearing to both body and mind. So our departed brother found it, and at the end of ten years' constant labor, "instant in season, out of season," feeling the need of temporary rest, he sought a release from the people of his charge. He was accordingly dismissed, much to the regret of the church and of the ministerial brethren with whom he had been associated in ecclesiastical relations. He was not, however, allowed to remain long unemployed. The church and society in Litchfield, South Farms (now Morris), soon sought his labors, and he shortly after was installed as their pastor. The church had been feeble and divided, but his labors were blessed, promoting their union and strength; and his ministry of twenty years as their sole pastor, was one of great spiritual benefit to them and to their children. As a watchman on the walls of Zion, he was ever vigilant against the incursions of error. As a shepherd, entrusted by the great Head of the church with the care of the flock, like his namesake of old, "So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands." He was, at the same time, deeply interested in all the benevolent and religious enterprises of the day; his own agent in presenting these objects to his people; and thus bringing them up, by precept and by example, to a creditable degree of activity in the cause of temperance, of education, of home and foreign missions, and of all those human and Divine charities which tend to make the world better and happier, and to bring honor unto God. Having no other family than his beloved wife, and having made ample provision for her earthly comfort, he gave, by his will, valuable legacies to several of our more important institutions for enlarging the kingdom of Christ. During the last four years of our brother's life, in consequence of waning bodily health and strength, he gave up the responsible charge of his church, and removed to Litchfield, so that the village where he had his birth, was also the place of his death. Yet still he continued to serve his Master as occasion and health permitted, sometimes by preaching and administering the special ordinances to his own beloved church, sometimes to neighboring churches, often in the ecclesiastical councils of his own Association, and always in the village conference and prayer meetings. Rev. MOSES ROBINSON died at Steamboat Rock, Iowa, 2 September, 1865; aged fifty years, four months, and six days. He was a son of Cephas and Matilda Robinson, and was born in Burlington, Vt., 26 April, 1865. He was graduated at Middlebury in 1839, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1842, and received license from the Presbytery of New York in the spring of 1842. Returning to Vermont, he married, 20 July, 1842, Elizabeth M. Smith of Monkton, and immediately went West to engage in the home missionary work. He preached in Livonia, Ia., 1843-44, and was there ordained as an evangelist in the spring of 1843; in Brownston, La., 1844-45; in Wadsworth, Ohio, 1845-46. Finding that his health required a change of climate, he returned to Vermont in 1846, and was acting pastor at Danville four months, and at Enosburgh three months. At Enosburgh he received a call to the pastorate, which he declined, but by mutual agreement he was constituted pastor by vote of the church, with the privilege on either side of dissolving the relation upon three months' notice. He preached at Enosburg, from 1 March, 1847 to 1 June, 1851, and then became acting pastor at Newport, where he remained four years, during the last three of which, he preached on alternate Sabbaths in Newport and Brighton. In the summer of 1855 he removed to Iowa. He preached in Iowa City five months, in Waterloo seven months, and about 1 June, 1856, became acting pastor at Steamboat Rock, where he remained till his death. Books of Interest to Congregationalists. IN looking through a volume published in 1841 by the Presbyterian Board of Publication, entitled "Records of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America," embracing the official minutes of their early bodies from 1706 to 1788, we repeatedly ran across the name of John Brainerd, particularly in connection with the Indian missions; and we wished for information about him. That want is fully met in a remarkably valuable contribution, not only to religious biography, but to history.-"As the friend of Whitefield, the Tennents, Presidents Edwards, Burr, and Dickinson," - well says the biographer, as the trustee for twenty-six years of the College of Princeton; as the Moderator of the Old Synod of New York and Philadelphia [the then Presbyterian Church]; as one selected to fill the place of President Edwards at Stockbridge, on his transfer to Nassau Hall; as a chaplain in the old French war on the frontiers of Canada; as the first domestic missionary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States; as a faithful missionary to the Indians for more than twenty years; and, above all, as a holy and consecrated man of God, I think there are materials in the life of John Brainerd to justify the tardy presentation of his journal and biography to the public." John Brainerd's name has been, and always will be, eclipsed by that of his brother David. The life of the latter, drawn by the pen of the elder Edwards, and hightened in interest by his tender ties with one of the family of that eminent man, has long had its 1 The life of John Brainerd, the brother of David Brainerd, and his successor as Missionary to the Indians of New Jersey. By Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D., pastor of "Old Pine Street Church," Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Publication Committee. 12 mo. pp. 496. P. H. W. place as a classic in religious biography. But the younger brother deserves the labor which a fitting biographer has now given. The extract we have quoted is an epitome of his life. Patient investigation seems to have discovered every item still lingering either in record or tradition. Somewhat scanty materials have been grouped into a full-shaped biography. The work bears evidence on its face of careful research and we have had some experience in such matters-into everything which could furnish a date or a fact. Original letters and other papers are liberally introduced; and much collateral religious history. The result is a trusty and exhaustive record; and, written in a capital style for such a record,—a remarkably interesting and satisfactory book. There is not a "dry" page in it. John Brainerd became a Presbyterian. He was licensed by the New York Presbytery; but he was of Congregationalist stock, and trained in its fellowship. We have failed, probably from carelessness, in finding the date of his church-membership; but he was a native of that Haddam which was so prolific in eminent men. Of the local influences which doubtless had some, and the religious influences which had more power, no more graphic description could be given than that in the Life of Emmons (ed. 1861, I. 2-8), by Professor Park, who, if he was known only as a biographer, would be known as unsurpassed by any living writer in that department. If John Brainerd lived and died a Presbyterian, this memoir shows what faith and vigor he carried with him from the Congregational order, in days when Connecticut Congregationalism and Presbyterianism had little to separate them. The biography gives full accounts of the family, -a labor of love to one of that stock; not the least of the sources of interest to Congregationalists. It is enriched also with satisfactory historical and biographical notes, and is the best contribution to this kind of literature lately issued. Anything truthful pertaining to the life and character of our late Chief Magistrate is of interest and value to every truly loyal American. Dr. Holland has had, and has secured, unusual facilities for obtaining the materials and confessedly has the ability to arrange them for making a book at once reliable and attractive, "a book for the people," and we are sure the people will want and will appreciate it. The engraved likeness of his subject is the best we have ever seen. We are cordially grateful to the author of this work for his patriotic labors, and to the publishers for the faithful manner in which they have given them to the reading public. It is a worthy memorial of Abraham Lincoln, our martyr President. The military biography of "Stonewall Jackson "2 is well worth reading, to see what a sturdy character the strongest Calvinism can make; and how a good man can be on the wrong side sometimes. Stonewall Jack son's Christian character none can doubt. In spite of his error, the country will yet be proud of his strong piety, earnest faith, and thoroughly Puritanic zeal. This biography is a very readable book; especially so to one who served in a corps to which "Stonewall Jackson" was a living and lively reality in the Valley, at Winchester, at Strasburg, at Cedar Mountain, at Manassas, and at Chancellorsville. The book, however, is not always reliable as to facts, though doubtless the writer was entirely honest. The events of "Banks' retreat" are far from accurate; and the battle of. Winchester, occurring therein, is wonderfully colored. The account of Cedar Mountain battle gives us 32,000 men, against Jackson's "two divisions and a portion of a third." The fact was, we had less than 8,000 men, and were badly overmatched. The author mentions ten brigades of the rebels as actually engaged; we had five. Our pages, 1 The Life of Abraham Lincoln, by J. G. Holland, Member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Springfield, Mass. Published by Gordon Bill. 1866. pp. 544. 2 Stonewall Jackson. A Military Biography, with a Portrait and Maps. By John Esten Cooke, formerly of General Stuart's staff. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1866. 8vo. pp. 470. We have no right to express any opinion upon Dr. Murphy's Commentary on Genesis, just introduced in fine shape to the American public, until we have had opportunity to examine it. It has the indorsement of Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson, however, in these words: "I would commend it as a timely antidote to much of the negative and destructive criticism upon the Pentateuch which has so largely obtained in Germany, and of late in England also, rather than as a complete solution of the many sacred questions in language, in science, and in history which pertain to the socalled Books of Moses.' The merits of Dr. Murphy's work, are a nice critical analysis of the text, a candid consideration of all alleged difficulties, a common-sense view of the principles of interpretation, and a philosophical clearness and comprehensiveness in the statement of inference or of doctrine. It consists of an exact literal translation of such passages as contain either verbal or grammatical difficulties, and of a critical and exegetical commentary based upon the grammatical construction of the text, and framed in view of the best lights of modern criticism and science. Thus, in the narratives of the creation and the deluge, our author unfolds, step by step, the literal meaning of the sacred writer, and evolves from the Hebrew a sense which accords with the facts of astronomical and geological science." Theological students and pastors will be gratified to find a new edition of Dr. Pond's Lectures.* He tells us they have been all re-written, and some of them "have received important modifications." They are replete with sound orthodoxy and good com mon sense. We earnestly wish them a wide circulation. Will not some loving steward of Christ place a few hundred copies at the disposal of the American Home Missionary 3 Lectures on Pastoral Theology, by Enoch Pond, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary, Bangor. Draper & Halliday, 58-64 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. pp. 395. $1.75. 4 A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Genesis, with a new translation. By J. G. Murphy, D.D., T C. D., Professor of Hebrew, Belfast. With a Preface by J. P. Thompson, D. D., New York City. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1866 8 vo. pp. 535. Society, for gratuitous distribution among its needy laborers in distant and destitute fields? A copy in the hands of many a self-denying man we wot of would help him to many a better sermon. That Christ will come to reign personally upon the earth again, may be doubted, for many reasons besides the one great reason, viz., the utter want of proof from the Bible that He will thus come. This little volume 1 gives the views of a "layman" on this subject, which has called forth the efforts of abler men. He writes with evident sincerity, and his reasoning will aid in confirming those who are now inclined to adopt his opinions. The subject of Baptism is still open for discussion. Little new may be said now; but to collate all that has been best said, and to put it into an available form and yet not beyond the reach of our common readers, is a work requiring great patience and perseverance. Mr. Ingham has given to his countrymen, and sent a few copies over to the benighted of America, the fruits of his toil in this direction, modestly calling his great work, "A Hand-Book on Christian Baptism." It is rather a Thesaurus, or Cyclopædia. In the main, it is fairly written as a controversial book. We dissent from his interpretation, of course. He brings to his aid the opinions of the ablest Baptist writers, and of some very critical scholars. He makes very much of the concessions of different writers who have opposed the exclusive immersion dogma; and taking a sufficient number of them, he finds that collectively they yield all the immersionists claim. In our view our brethren have not been wise in husbanding their resources, and fortifying themselves at every available point, as they might have done. But if it be conceded that this entire question turns on the settlement of ten disputed points, and ten writers take them in hand, and each yields five and with 1 Views of Prophecy concerning the Jews, the Second Advent, and the Millennium. By a Layman. Philadelphia: Smith, English & Co., No. 23 North Sixth street. New York: Sheldon & Co. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Cincinnati: Geo. S. Blanchard & Co. 1866. pp. 94. 2A Hand-Book of Christian Baptism, by R. Ingham. London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Stationers Hall Court.. 1865. pp. 624, octavo. For sale by Gould & Lincoln, 59 Washington street, Boston. 8vo. pp. 136. Price $4.00. the other five satisfactorily to himself settles the question, and so through the ten, each giving up one-half of his defences, and in the other half fortifying his position and driving his assailants from the field, does that prove his cause weak, or his position untenable? To us it proves the reverse. But to all who wish to see the largest, the ablest, and on the whole the fairest treatise in favor of immersion as the only mode of Christian baptism, we heartily commend this book. If the more water the better Christian, let the floods open and receive us all! There is an abridgment of the above work in pamphlet of 76 pages, price 75 cts. The history, faith, and polity of the Baptists have received the attention of D. B. Cheney, D. D., in a lecture delivered before the Addisonian Society of San Francisco, and published in that city by Towne & Bacon in a pamphlet of 60 pp. It is well written and is well printed, taking the usual denominational views of the questions that divide that sect from others. mons "Precious Truths," sixty VERY short serless than two pages to each - on very important themes: "Words to the Winners of Souls, by Horatius Bonar, D. D.,”— excellent and suggestive; "Enoch Roden's Training," 233 pp.; "The Good Fight," 208 pp. — admirable and attractive; "Reef Village, or What a Few Can Do," 168 pp.; "Polished Diamonds, by Rev. John Todd, D. D.," 72 pp.-just like the able author, whom our youth claim as their own; "The Fisherman's Daughter," 143 pp.-interesting to young readers. The same fertile source of reading matter have issued the "Freedman's Second and Third Readers," well fitted to the purposes for which they are designed. 3 The Structure of Animal Life. Six Lectures delivered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, in January and February, 1862. By Louis Agassiz. New York: Charles Scribner & Company. 1866. 8vo. pp. 136. |