out his elegance; and you exhibited the intricacies of Aristotle, but without his exactness."' p. 279, 280. The next passage we shall quote, is from a sermon. "When fields are desolated-when ancient and towering cities are torn from their deep foundations-when the tempest pours its undistinguishing and unrelenting rage alike against the throne of the monarch and the cottage of the peasant-when all the harmless enjoyments which solace, and all the useful arts, which adorn social life, are at a stand— when industry droops, without the means of employment-when misery sighs, without the prospect of succour-when indigence pines, without a pittance of daily bread-when the blood of man formed in God's own image is deliberately and systematically shed by the hand of man-when the orphan weeps in solitude and silence, and the grey hairs of a father are brought down with sorrow to the grave, surely, amidst such scenes there is something upon which a man of reflection may be permitted to pause, when he recollects that, for all these, they who counsel, they who executeaye, my brethren, and they too who rashly approve, must one day render a strict account before that Being 'unto whom all hearts are open, and all desires, however secret, are known."" "That Dr Parr,' says his biographer, 'seriously disapproved the custom of depositing the trophies of war on the altars, or of suspending them within the temples of a holy and benevolent religion, appears from the following passage;— "In all probability there was more good sense, more good nature, more tenderness towards man, more humility before God, in a compact between certain heathen nations, by which it was stipulated, that, in order to prevent any arrogant, lasting, and insulting memorial of the contests, which might arise between neighbouring countries, no armour should be hung up, no pillars should be erected, but an inverted spear only should be placed on the spot of victory. So strange, however, and arbitrary are the changes of language, that the word trophy, which, in its original signification, specifically and emphatically implied the inoffensive, unassuming, temporary mark of military superiority, should be transferred to those prominent and permanent signs by which the haughtiness of conquerors would perpetuate the fame of their achievements, and expose the weakness of their vanquished foes to the scorn of distant ages.' pp. 398-400. We trust that the second volume of the work before us, will give us more frequent glimpses of Dr Parr's private and domestic character and manners. They are too scanty in the present volume; but, if we may judge from the passage which we shall next select, he might be made to interest us as a man, no less than as a scholar. One of his pupils had died in his family, and the Rev. Mr Morley gives the following account of a scene at which he was present. 666 Visiting him at Hatton, in obedience to a summons which I received," says Mr Morley, "I found him in the greatest distress. Such, indeed, was the bitterness of his grief, that you would have thought a darling child of his own had died. The day was spent most sorrowfully; and the next morning, after a messenger had been sent to convey the melancholy tidings to the unexpecting parents, the doctor went in search of comfort to his friend and neighbour Lord Dormer. Returning home in the evening, and entering the library, where Mrs Parr, her two daughters, and myself, were sitting, he sat down, without speaking, by the fire, and sobbed like an infant. His attention was, however, soon called to the preparations necessary for the funeral, in the midst of which, the wonted vigor of his mind returned; and he dictated to me one of the most pathetic and impressive funeral orations, that, perhaps, have ever been penned in any language. What follows will never be effaced from my memory. We were smoking our pipes the evening before the interment, when it was told to the doctor that the coffin was about to be screwed down. He sat quietly a few moments, and then hurried me along with him to the chamber, where the deceased lay. There, after taking a last view of the corpse, he ordered the whole house to be assembled; and falling on his knees, while his grief seemed as if it would, every moment, stop his utterance, he burst forth into an extempore prayer, so piously humble, so fervently devout, so consummately eloquent, that it drew tears from all present." pp. 368, 369. We have attempted but a hasty and superficial notice of the present volume. We may perhaps give a connected view of the life, character, and writings of Dr Parr, on the completion of the work. NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. 19. The Glory of the Latter House. A Sermon, on the Dedication of the First Presbyterian Church in the City of Boston, delivered January 31, 1828. By James Sabine, Pastor. 8vo. pp. 20. THIS sermon deserves notice both because of the singular fortunes of its author, and the ingenious felicity with which its text is adapted to the occasion. The author is a subject of interest because of the strange and unexplained treatment which he and his church have received from the hands of the reigning sect, by whom they have been excluded from one house of worship, and driven to erect another on the marshes at the very confines of the city. It was at the dedication of the latter' house, that this sermon was preached; and the words of the text contain the assertion, very significantly applied by the preacher, The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lordof Hosts.' The application of these words may be gathered from the following passages of the sermon. It is a fact too well known, that the church and society now present, are assembled to day, to dedicate the second House of Worship built expressly for their sacred use, in this city. I shall do but little more, at this stage of our address, than refer to the sad story, by saying, that in the former house we had to contend with a great deal of wickedness, and were extreme sufferers asylum from our spiritual adversaries, and in the contest. In this house we hope to find an peace in the enjoyment of divine ordinancesthese things realized, and the glory of this latter house will be greater than of the former, and the possession of peace will be, to us, a gift of high value, for which the God of peace will be entitled to our most unfeigned gratitude, and most exalted praise. pp. 3, 4. are come together to consecrate, is the second The house we have builded, and which we built for the same congregation, a second house, not because the first was too strait, and a larger one needed-not because the former was old or worn out or destroyed by devouring elementsnot because it was willingly relinquished and righteously given up. No. But because the congregation were chiefly poor or in humble life, and and violent dealings of their rich brethren, and unable to defend themselves from the oppressions the more to be dreaded wordly policy of sister churches. But these circumstances will be noticed in a way more becoming the subject, and the place severally under separate articles. pp. 9, 10. solemnity of the occasion, by giving them a 1. The moral character of this establishment which we dedicate to day, will excel that of the former, in that this house has been built and the society organized in perfect agreement with the law of the State, as expressed in the Statute Books. p. 10. 2. The character of this church will abundantly exceed all that was ever attained by the former, if we continue to assert and maintain that principle of Christian Liberty, upon which we have ventured off, in the face of surrounding ecclesiastical tyrannies. The former house, with much that belonged to its moral concerns, had its beginning in a most disgraceful dependance; its founders and chief supporters were men who loved this present world. In the lust of power,in the pride of office,-in the hope of gain, their cupidity was insatiable. pp. 12, 13. This house was not built for the love any of its proprietors have to office, or honour, or emolument, or party. No! it was erected by a concentration of charities, for a poor people, who much needed such an asylum. p. 12. 3. Should the affairs of this church be conducted upon principles of strict honour, with a due regard to the feelings and just expectations of all parties in the compact, then the character of this house will very much exceed that of the former house. p. 13. 4. Finally. If the people now brought to this house, should harmoniously settle down into a state of spiritual quiet, and persevere in the exercise of that temper which maketh for peace; then not only will the character of this establish ment exceed that of the former, but the promise made in the text to Israel will be fulfilled very happily in our experience. And here will I give you peace, saith the Lord of Hosts.' p. 16. The subject thus introduced, and thus applied, cannot fail to make one impression, at least, upon the minds of all in this assembly who are at all acquainted with the history and experience of this society. The impression is this, That here is a stand taken for Christian Liberty-the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us Free. Yes, brethren, this is the infallible and indelible impression. This house was not erected as a standard of orthodoxy, nor for the dissemination of heresy, nor for party, nor for novelty, nor for any mere experiment whatever; not because another church was wanted, but purely for Liberty-Liberty of conscience, that liberty of which a powerful party is endeavouring to plunder us, and of which all that are feeble in the church will be ravished unless they rally around the standard Christ has lifted up in Zion.' pp. 16, 17. for which many will heartily thank him. Those who are desirous of putting into the hands of mourners the means of soothing their feelings, and beguiling some lonely moments of their sadness,' will find this a valuable addition to their list of books adapted to this purpose. We could make serious exception to a few sentiments and expressions; but they are not of sufficient consequence to impair the general merit of the book. 21. The Prospects of Christianity. A Sermon, delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. Warren Burton, as Minister of the Third Congregational Society in Cambridge; March 5, 1828. By F. W. P. Greenwood. Boston. Bowles & Dearborn, 1828. 12mo. pp. 22. THE text of this discourse is Rev. xi. 15; And there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.' As exhibiting proof of the gradual accomplishment of this assurance, a sketch is attempted of the external, and of the internal or domestic progress of Christianity. After a few remarks illustrative of the fact, that the Christian portion is the civilized portion of the globe,' the preacher has the following remarks, which we make no apology for presenting to our readers, though they must necessarily occupy considerable space. Such is the outline of the principal possessions of Christianity; and we ought to be encouraged, when we consider that Christianity embraces a We do not profess any great sympathy large proportion of the numerical, and by far the for the doctrine or government of the Presbyterian Church, but we desire to honor every stand taken for christian rights and liberty, and wish it God speed. 20. The Cypress Wreath, or Mourner's Friend; a Selection of Pieces adapted to the Consolation of the Afflicted. Greenfield, Mass. Phelps & Clark. 1823. pp. 103. THE pieces in this volume are, almost without exception, poetical, and are gath ered from approved authors at home and abroad. The selection appears to us to have been very happily made, combining the two requisites of beautiful poetry and religious consolation. The Editor, who, as we learn from the preface, is the minister of the Episcopal Church in Greenfield, has done a kindness to the afflicted largest proportion of the moral power of humanity. What then are the probabilities that these boundaries will be enlarged? This is the next inquiry and I am disposed to return a favorable answer to it; though it must be in a great measure hypothetical, as it must be founded on reasoning from apparent causes to probable effects. I argue the continued progress of Christianity, in the first place, from the active spirit which is abroad among Christians to extend the advantages of their religion in every possible, and I believe I may add, impossible way. It would be a great mistake, however, to speak of christian missions as anything new. What was it that planted the gospel in the northern portions of Europe, in France, Germany, and more especially in England, where the gospel has seen its brightest ornaments, and effected its most glorious objects, what was it, I ask, but missions which word I use in its most comprehensive sense, from Rome? From the earliest ages, the church, has been diligent in enlarging its dominions; sometimes peaceably, sometimes forcibly, sometimes wisely, and sometimes weakly, sometimes by fair means, and sometimes by foul; in short, by methods tempered and characterized by the opinions and condition of the age, and the views, motives, and genius of the various actors in the work. Many of these enterprises perished abortively; of many others we see the fruits. The spirit which produced them has been the spirit of Christianity, in a greater or less degree, and under one aspect or another, ever since its birth. It is not, then, because this spirit is new and young, but because, being old, it is fresh and untired, and seems within late years to have acquired increased vigor, that I infer from it the further advancement of our religion. "Of all the manifestations of this zeal for the foreign dissemination of the gospel, it would be impossible to speak with equal favor; nor are the means which it employs to be regarded with undiscriminating approbation. Appeals have been made to christian compassion and charity, which were outrages on common sense, and serious accusations of the character of God. No man, who has preserved one spark of reason unsuffocated by the prejudices of a system, can believe, what has been so frequently told him from the press and the pulpit, that while he is hesitating to furnish his contributions to missions, thousands and tens of thousands of his fellow beings are dropping into the yawning pit of everlasting perdition. It is too absurd, presumptuous, horrible. But such representations have had their effect. They have had, indeed, two opposite effects. While they have by their very violence produced their intended impression on some minds, they have so offended others, as to estrange them wholly from the important cause in view. "It has been thought too, that missionary stations have been selected, and immense means hazarded in defiance of all human probability, and all just expectations of success; and this conviction has deterred many from cooperating in the work. However well grounded these charges may be, I am persuaded that they have unfortunately had an undue weight when they have turned the attention of men from the great end of the exertions which are making, the diffusion of christian knowledge, habits, and happiness. I do think, that in view of this end, all defective, or apparently defective means, not absolutely immoral, should be overlooked, or regarded with charitable indulgence, even though we may not see fit to adopt them. Though we cannot approve, we need not revile. There has been too much said, and it has been said too bitterly, as was hinted before, concerning these means; they have been brought forward too prominently on both sides, they have been a veil of obscurity before the allimportant end, and a wall of partition between those who should have met, and who, one of these days, will meet. If I were requested to contribute my aid toward a mission to Turkey, or to China, I should answer, No; whatever I can spare, must be devoted to what I consider more feasible purposes. I see no probability of your success. You may, it is true, convert thousands, you may do wonders; but if you do, I am absolved from blame, for while I remain in the world I must govern myself by a consideration of probabilities. I have no other rule; and by that rule I judge your project to be absolutely chimerical. Nevertheless, if you deem it your duty to go, and if others deem it their duty to send you, go, and I shall say, that, though not wisely, you do well and when you have died, as many othere have, in a far off land, in the midst of strangers and heathen, and without a single convert, or the hope of a convert, to cheer your departing soul, I shall sorrow for you with a true sorrow, and believe that though in the sight of men you have entirely failed of success, you will be abundantly rewarded by that Almighty Being, "To whose all-pondering mind, a noble aim, Faithfully kept, is as a noble deed; In whose pure sight all virtue doth succeed." 'But all missionary projects are not of the same character. In several of them, circumstances have been prudently consulted, and, as in the case of the Sandwich Islands, a hopeful state of progress has been the reward. It is one of the consequences, indeed, of the spirit of which I have been speaking, that it is so highly excited, and so constantly on the alert, that whenever opportunities are presented, they are seized; the mere shadow of an opportunity is caught at; and it is only reasonable to suppose that some openings must occur favorable to the introduction of christian doctrine. Great means may be, to all appearance, thrown away; money, and more precious life may be sacrificed; unnumbered errors may be committed, in the career of experiment; but the diffusion of christian faith and practice, which it is but bare justice to all sects to say, invariably go together, must in some degree be the issue; and God only knows whether the final good does not overbalance the losses which were suffered, and the mistakes which were committed in bringing it about. It is not a question, at any rate, which I shall undertake to decide. There are two further considerations which present themselves to me, as reasons for believing that our religion is making external advances in the world. One is, that civilisation is pressing hard on the confines of barbarism. The desire of gain, the energies of commerce, the spirit of discovery, the spirit of adventure, and the feelings of humanity, are, from time to time, wresting fair and broad lands from barbarie dominion; and as yet there have been no reprisals. Civilisation is in its nature the superior power; it is in its nature a progressive power; and as Christianity is its natural ally, they are advancing together. All the acquisitions and settlements of new territory are making, and have been for a long time made, by the natives of christian countries, who have taken their religion with them; not always, indeed, as we could wish, for the treasure has often been contained emphatically in earthern vessels ; but for future good, as it is the character of our religion to purify itself from the corruptions of sordid admixtion or contact. In proof of the above position, I have only to refer to the vast British possessions in India, where Christianity, aided by the influences of civilisation, and supported by the countenance of physical power and authority, must at last become predominant over the artificial distinctions of caste and in spite of the resistance of long rooted superstition; and, for my second example, to the colony in New Holland, which, though strangely planted at first, is already considered as an important appendage of the British empire, and will grow up at last into an independent and powerful nation. 'I might also speak of the promises which are held out by the American and European colonies on the coast of Africa; but I must pass to the other general consideration, which is, that as reason, mental cultivation, benevolence, and unrestrained national intercourse achieve their triumphs, and effect their apparently destined objects, Christianity must gradually approach toward supreme dominion. Under one modification or another, it must accompany the progress of the human intellect, and the enlargement of the human affections. There is no other religion which can bear the search of light, or can breathe the atmosphere of high moral feeling. There is a strict affinity between it and all that is good in our nature and great in our destiny; and though oceans and ages intervene, they will find each adopt a religion which will approve itself to their Whether the falsities and absurdities 22. Deathbed Scenes and Pastoral Conversations. By the late John Warton, D. D. Edited by his Sons. From the English Edition. Philadelphia. Carey, Lea, and Carey. 2 volumes in one. 8vo. THIS is a posthumous work, purporting to record conversations which actually took place between a minister and his parishioners, and designed to serve in some degree, as a manual for the information and direction of a minister in his daily intercourse with sick persons, and VOL. V.-NO. II. 22 other members of his flock.' It embraces a great variety of religious topics, both doctrinal and practical. It is upon an excellent plan, which offers opportunity to treat many subjects in a familiar way and by familiar illustrations, and might be imitated to great advantage for the purpose of instruction upon many subjects of religious knowledge and duty. The tract of the Unitarian Association, On some Corruptions of Scripture,' is an example of this manner; and every minister might furnish instances of the same from his own experience. The work before us is written in behalf of the English Episcopal Church, whose authority and doctrines it earnestly advocates; on page maintaining them against the Evangelical party, and on another zealously enlisting in defence of the Athanasian creed. There is a great deal of talent in the book, and the practical portions may be generally read with edification. one 23. On the Nature and Remedy of Sin. A Sermon, preached at the Dedication of a new Meetinghouse in Walpole, N. H. Feb. 20th, 1828. By Rev. T. R. Sullivan. Keene, N. H. 8vo. pp. 24. MR Sullivan has chosen an important and difficult subject, to the handling of which, however, he has shown himself equal. The advocates of the doctrine of native depravity have changed their ground in our time, and are content to say but little of its derivation from Adam. The depravity of man's nature, is implied, we are told, in his destitution of religion. He has nothing in his constitution of which religion is the result without a special Divine interposition; nothing in his constitution by which he will become religious, as by the cultivation of his natural faculties he becomes learned, refined, or moral.' This doctrine is met in the sermon befere us by an appeal to experience and observation, by which alone, in the silence of scripture, the question can be determined, and which are clearly, to our minds, in favor of a contrary position. Those interested in such discussions will find much light thrown upon the subject, which Mr Sullivan has presented in various points of view, in all of which he has treated it with much clearness and ability. The remedies of sin are stated to be two;-the mediation of Christ, and the influences of the spirit of God. The author's opinions on either of |