to arraign them before the tribunal of his understanding, and by the light of human reason to decide upon their claims to his belief, rejecting every thing that he cannot compre itself in their interpretation of religious truth. (and dies. And when he assumes to sit in Amid the confusion and uncertainty thus pro-judgment upon the great mysteries of Faith, duced, which bewilder and unsettle and send the mind adrift, without chart or compass to direct or guide it, an ample field is opened in which Philosophy may enter and pursue its sullen walk, wrapping itself in its own heart-hend, then the belief he has, is the creature less and calculating deductions, and summoning around it, as familiar and congenial friends, the cold and spectral shadows of skepticism and unbelief: enthusiasm also finds ample space in which to pursue its oft-times brilliant but erratic wanderings, and sees in the visions of excited zeal, undoubted revelation of sublime truth and unbridled license also clamors forth its shallow sophistry as it revels in very wantonness amid the boundless liberty which is accorded to it. of his own formation; and, being so, is always subject to his will, to be added to or subtracted from at pleasure. It has no claim, therefore, to be regarded with veneration, for Reverence can only exist towards that which is superior to ourselves, and not towards that which we have ourselves constructed. It is no wonder then, that creeds which have been fashioned according to man's ideas of fitness and propriety, should be looked upon as mere conventional arrangements, liable to conThis is the natural effect of the effort to stant change, to meet the ever-varying fastibring down religious truth to man's compre-diousness of the spirit of the age; nor that, hension; to limit that which is in its very under the practical working of this principle, nature limitless; to measure that which is there should be so much of discord and disinfinite by a finite understanding. Nor is the union, so little reverence and love. effort, merely to bring religious truths down to the comprehension of the wise and the learned, whose minds have become expanded by study and reflection, and who are therefore in some small degree prepared to receive them; but it is to bring them within the comprehension of the unlearned and foolish, as well; for ALL have an equal right, under this magna charta, to summon these truths beforether the licentious laugh nor the contemptuthem for judgment. It is no wonder, then, that great religious truths and doctrines lose their influence upon the minds of men. It is the natural, the almost unavoidable consequence of that spirit of intellectual licentiousness which gives loose reins to every man's private speculations, and allows them to strike out their own path, however contrary it may run to the broad high-way of truth, and to pursue their own wanderings, however erratic and devious may be their windings. How thankful should those be who have found a shelter from these evils within the protecting arms of the Church of God! There is the faith, preserved intact, the same as when "once delivered to the saints." It has not been mutilated or deformed to adapt it to the worldly or the philosophic spirit of the times through which it has descended. Nei ous sneer has been able to diminish aught of its purity or mystery. It is the work of God, and not of Man, and, therefore, it is now and always has been the object of REVERENCE. And so long as it is preserved, and we have the promise of God that he will be with it to the end-from the operation of that destructive principle of innovation which has buried so many systems beneath its flood of waters, so long will it continue to be the ark of safety. Its worst enemy is irreverence, for that enWhen these truths of Religion-which by courages a spirit of self-dependence and selftheir very nature are calculated to humble sufficiency, out of which spring, first quesman's pride, and to lift his eyes above himself tionings, then doubts, and then skepticism into that region where dwell a perfection and { and infidelity. As Christians, then, regardmystery too high for him to comprehending ourselves with distrust, let us ever enlose their influence upon his mind by being fashioned in the mould of human device, then the Reverence they inspired, soon languishes courage a spirit of humility, which is the germ of Reverence, and which produces the fruit of Faith. In this way, and in this way only, may we hope to escape the rock on which so many have made shipwreck of their Faith; and thus may we also aid in elevating our national character by evincing a due and proper respect and regard for the rulers who are set over us, and for the laws under whose protecting care our rights and liberties are secured. H. DEATH AND JUDGMENT. EATH! the very thought (bitter is the remembrance of thee to an imstrikes me with horror and amazement; but, alas! the first temporal death is nothing, if compared with the second eternal one, which must be the sad state of all who die in their sins. penitent sinner! The bitter agonies of the guilty sinner's mind, give him more exquisite torments, than the severest pains of his disease; and he feels some tortures of hell even here on earth: But with the godly person it is not so. Death may, at first, look frightful, it being a violent separation of soul and body; but the good man, having lived piously in expectation of death, has a delightful prospect beyond the grave, even of immortal life and glory; he looks back with pleasure on the dangers he has happily escaped, and finds himself on a sudden surrounded with new and unknown pleasures and delights. On this moment, for aught I know, depends a happy eternity: O then may I so number my days as to apply my heart unto wisdom! My house, my farm, my business, have hitherto taken off my mind from providing for death. But all these possessions must be left: then shall I wring my hands and say, O that I could live my life over again; then would 1 count godli Did Death, which is the end of all things here, put a period to our beings, it would be so far from being dreadful to the impenitent, that they would rejoice at it, as being that which would rescue them from what they dreadfully fear, the suffering eternal punishment for their grievous sins and provocations in this life; but this is the tormenting thought, that Death presently brings us into a state, which will never have an end: Oh! how terrible must this be to a person unprepared for this surprising change! Why then do I strive to add house to house, and field to field, as if I were to dwell here for ever? No, no, Death will soon close my eyes, and deprive me of every earthly satisfaction. Have you never seen a neighbourness the greatest gain, and love God's comdie? Do you not remember how sad and mournful was the scene? In a little time his case will be your own; and you are not sure, but it may be in a year, a month, nay this very hour. Remember the thoughts you had upon a sick bed. What resolutions, what vows of better obedience did you then make! How earnestly did you pray that God would be pleased to grant you a longer continuance upon earth: How fully did you After we have passed through the gates of propose to correct your passions, and strive death, we shall be carried away to the reagainst the sins to which you were stronglygions of departed spirits, there to be reservinclined; and which therefore particularly ed unto the judgment of the great day. Nor endangered your salvation. O Death, how is this all, to dwell for a time in a state of mandments more than gold, yea, than much fine gold. I resolve, therefore, God being my helper, frequently to meditate on death, and to act now, as I shall wish I had acted, when I come to die. Then shall I be always prepared; and when I cease to live with men, I shall dwell with God, and converse with saints and angels in the kingdom of Heaven. separation; another day will quickly come; that they expected or deserved. Must not the grace of God be exceeding abundant towards them in rewarding their poor services with an exceeding and eternal weight of glo Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for begetting us again to this lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. a day of public accounts, and restitution of But now I turn my eyes and see, methinks, the ungodly rising last, shaking and trembling at their approaching doom. O with what dejected eyes, and trembling hearts, do they stand, expecting their Judge! What shall they do, when wherever they look, they behold nothing but black despair? Above, the justly offended Judge ready to condemn them: below, hell gaping to devour them. In that day a book will be opened, and every one's accusation read, men's consciences at the same time bearing witness, and accusing them in that fearful judgment' Miserable and lost souls! what shall they do, when the terrible voice of their Judge shall strike them suddenly down, with, Go ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! Once they had a day of grace, but they The just shall look up with joy, and clad in the garments of salvation, shall triumphantly sing, "Let us rejoice, for now our redemption draweth nigh; behold, Christ cometh in the clouds of heaven, and his reward is with him. Come, Lord Jesus, thou long desire of our hearts; come quickly thou full delight of our souls; come and satisfy us with thy mercy, that we may rejoice before thee all the days of eternity." Look yonder, O ye righteous, where he comes, high in power and majesty, attended with thou-hardened their hearts, and would not hear sands of his holy angels, who shall divide the voice of God mercifully calling them to his sheep from the goats, and place them amendment of life. And now this is God's on his right hand. I behold, methinks, the day, when he shall speak in terror, and punrighteous rising with joy and exultation inish ungodly men for their evil deeds. Then their faces, as knowing that the reward of all their pious labors draweth near. I hear, methinks, the decisive sentence of their eternal happiness pronounced, Come ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. the unutterable joys their souls shall feel, when these heavenly words shall sound in their ears! joys, which the thoughts of man cannot conceive; which the tongues of angels cannot express! The redeemed of the Lord receive this sentence with transporting thanks and hallelujahs, and will be amazed at the greatness of their salvation, so far beyond all shall they suffer the vengeance of eternal fire, and live in torments which will be without intermission, without end! O my soul, who art now taught these dreadful truths, as things afar off, know, thou shalt then be preOsent, and see them with thine eyes, and be thyself concerned. Think now, O careless sinner, what you would then give, if you had repented in time. Therefore, repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Watch and pray, that you peace of God, and live with nity. may die in the him to all eter BOOK TABLE. WOMAN IN AMERICA: Her Work and her Reward. By Maria J. McIntosh, Author of "Charms and Counter Charms," &c., &c. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton. 1850. 8vo. pp. 155. The influence exerted by woman, though quiet and unobtrusive, is almost incalculable. They understand very little of the dignity and importance of woman's mission, who would draw her from her appropriate sphere, the domestic hearth, into the arena of politics or the whirl and excitement of public life, in any of its phases. It is at home that her influence can be wielded with the greatest efficacy. It is in the retirement of her own family, removed from the noisy world without, and alike undisturbed by its smile or its frown, that she can accomplish great results. There she can direct, control, and fashion the minds of those whom God has given her to rear and nurture; instil into them the principles of religion and virtue; prepare them for the work which, as men, the future will require of them, and thus through them exert a moral power upon the destinies of her fellow-men, which it is impossible to estimate. The author of the above work feels the importance of this subject. As a woman she realizes that the capabilities which have been given her, are peculiarly adapted to the circumstances in which she has been placed, and therefore, that they should not remain unemployed. The sensitive nature, the refined feeling, the retiring modesty-peculiarly the attributes of womanwhich, uncontaminated, shrink from contact with the rude world, find a fitting expression and sphere of usefulness in the domestic circle. There is her field of action, for the due and proper care of which, she must hereafter render her account. The author earnestly presses this truth upon the attention of her country women; and there is ample room for her appeal. The destiny of a nation is controlled, more than we are apt to realize, by the character of its women. The name of WASHINGTON Commands the respect and love of all Americans; but who can say what Washington would have been, but for the care and devotion of a pious and virtuous mother. The women of our land have a higher and a nobler duty to accomplish than to surrender themselves to the dominion of an indolent and luxurious ease, or to waste their time and en feeble their physical and intellectual faculties amid the petty jealousies and unworthy strifes of worldly fashion. Their's is a destiny loftier and more exalted. A destiny, which, in its We hope that this little volume may arrest the importance and results, reaches into eternity. attention of those to whom it is addressed, and lead them to pause and reflect upon the talent entrusted to their care, and to resolve that henceforth they will apply it to the purposes for which it was intended. THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from the invasion of Julius Cæsar to the abdication of James the Second. By David Hume, Esq. A new edition, with the author's last corrections and improvements. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1850. Hume's History of England, is one of those standard works of English literature without which no library is complete. Written in a chaste and flowing, yet vigorous style, the facts of history are presented in a form which at once attracts the attention, and transports the reader into the midst of the scenes that are described. As an historian he is, comparatively, free from prejudice, and the matters which he states for facts are, for the most part, reliable. He must, nevertheless, be read with caution, for his sentiments on religious subjects are especially atheistical, and not the less dangerous on account of their being oftentimes clothed in insidious language. His history, however, is not as objectionable on this account as some of his other writings. The volume before us, which is the first of the series, is published in a very neat form, with clear type and on good paper. It contains a very handsome engraving of the author, and we predict for it a very extensive sale. THE LIFE OF JOHN CALVIN. Compiled from authentic sources, and particularly from his correspondence. By Thomas H. Dyer. NewYork: Harper & Brothers. 1850. 8vo. pp. 458. A correct biography of any man whose weight of character has stamped his name upon the page of history, is an instructive work. The office of the biographer is, however, too apt to become merged in that of the panegyrist, and the real character of the subject of the biography not to be always faithfully portrayed. That John Calvin possessed many traits of character which justly entitle him to esteem must be ad of that movement under the auspices of Martin Luther and other continental protestants; the doings to which the Roman Church was roused at the Council of Trent; and the Anglican Reformation; are the general heads, under which a vast amount of instruction and sound argu mitted; and that these were in a measure counteracted by qualities of an opposite nature, cannot be denied. His cruel and unrelenting persecution of Servetus, for opinion's sake, which was not satisfied until his victim had been consigned to the flames, is sufficient evidence how bitter was that spirit of intolerance with whichment is given. A matter of prime importance he regarded those who opposed his views. The author of the present work appears to aim at impartiality in his statements, which renders his work the more valuable. He has also writ-protestantism, and that of the other nations of ten it in a style which cannot fail to interest the reader. It is issued in handsome form, and contains a very superior engraving of Calvin. LATTER-DAY PAMPHLETS. Edited by Thomas Carlyle. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1850. in the true Christian view of the whole subject, is here clearly and most satisfactorily presented-the essential difference between English Europe: the principles of the former tending more and more to the pure gospel as a centre; and those of the latter, to divergency therefrom. Much boasting as there is of the right of private judgment, none but the loosest free thinkers hold to it without allowing that there is a We have received No. I. of these pamphlets, point at which it ceases. Where this point is, To us, any thing which bears upon it the impress is the question; and this, strictly speaking, is of THOMAS CARLYLE, secures for it a hearty and the only one on which any who have the intera cordial welcome; not that we agree with him ests of the Gospel at heart, will allow that the in all his views, but that we always find much mass of Christians have a moral right to the into admire. There is also an originality and dulgence of their private judgment. Perhaps quaintness of thought, as well as of diction, and the most current application of the fact, at presa depth of meaning in his writings, which invest sent, is the loosest and most selfish one. A man, them with a peculiar charm, at least to us. The clerical or lay, who talks a great deal about the number before us, which is a tract on the politi-protestant right of private judgment, will still decal state of Europe at the present day, will be nounce those who hold the doctrines, for instance, followed by others, on the same subject. of popery, socinianism, mormonism, universalism, as no Christians, indeed as sinners against to the Effects of Baptism in the case of In- the obligations of evangelical truth. The reply fants. With an Appendix containing the Bap-may be, that such doctrines are believed, in the tismal Services of Luther, and the Nuremberg judgment of those who hold them, to be agreeable and Cologne Liturgies. By William Goode, to the Bible. This can be met only by denying M. A., F. S. A. New-York: Stanford & their right to follow their judgment: and this Swords. 1850. resolves itself into the mere meum and tuum.— My view of Scripture is different, and you must conform to it, if you will hold Scripture truth, THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND as We have received the above work at too late an hour to do any thing more than give it a notice. To those of our readers whose curiosity may lead them to peruse it, we would say, that an answer to the position it assumes, by Arch-limit of one's right of private judgment is the line deacon Wilberforce, is now in press and should be read in connection with it. - Ro THE THREE REFORMATIONS: LUTHERAN- We consider this one of the most valuable pamphlets of the day. It is adapted to the consideration, and intelligent understanding and settling, of some of the most interesting questions now under discussion among Christians. The deep corruption of the Church of Rome; rendering necessary the reforming movement of the sixteenth century; the progress and issue and escape the sin of heresy. Here, then, the drawn by the private judgment of another. There is more modesty, but no more saving of the principle, in throwing the limit a little farther back, until it reaches the opinion of some learned man, or the decision of some existing ecclesiastical organization. Luther, or Calvin, or Wesley, or Whitefield, has written so and so: or so and so determine such and such Church standards. This abuse of the doctrine of private judgment, or rather this proof that much that is said of the doctrine, is mere delusion, is well noticed by Dr. Hook, in the pamphlet before us. A difference of opinion exists as to whether a certain doctrine is true Christian doctrine. Reference is made to the Bible. Some understand the Bi |