ACTON; OR THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. A collection of thoughts and observations designed to delineate Life, Man, and the World. Mucrones Verborum-Pointed Speeches. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1849; 12mo. pp. 384. This volume must be classed among the novelties of the season. Its tasteful illustrations are as unique as its plan. The author arranges his maxims under four classes, of which, the Crystal, the Hour Glass, the Rainbow, and the Fountain, are his chosen symbols; and under the one or the other of these heads, almost every thing in life, from the cradle to the grave, passes under review. The writer's observations are almost always striking; sometimes pithy; occasionally witty; now and then a little common-place; and usually just. If, as a whole, the style is less sententious than the "Lacon" of Colton, the volume embraces a wider variety, and is pervaded by a deeper sentiment. It shows an extensive acquaintance with the world; and by one who knows how to discriminate between the alledged and the real motives which govern the "Circle of Life." GRACE LESLIE A Tale. From the last London edition. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1849; 12mo. pp. 310. The incidents in this story are drawn from every-day life, and really seem to have the charm of reality. The fair authoress delineates character with that nice and delicate discrimination, in which the best writers of her sex so often excel. Young misses who have proud or naughty tempers, as well as those adorned with gentleness and the nobler virtues of the true heroine, will find in this volume an excellent mirror. HISTORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. By JACOB ABBOTT. With engravings. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1849; 12mo. pp. 278. This is a beautiful book; written in a neat style; handsomely printed; tastefully illustrated; and will be sure to catch the attention of the youthful reader, and prompt to more thorough acquaintance with this great hero of antiquity. The intoxication of success, as seen in the dazzling career of this youthful warrior, is a sad commentary upon human nature. "TRACTS FOR CITIES," and "TRACTS FOR THE PEOPLE." New York: J. S. Redfield. We have before us specimens of two series of tracts, under the above general titles. Their design seems to be to awaken attention to important evils and dangers now arising from the state of society in our country, and to suggest remedies for them. The topics to be discussed embrace a wide range, and thus far the Essays are ably written. In one of these series we have a treatise on the Uses and Abuses of Air, its influence in sustaining life, and producing disease, with remarks on the ventilation of houses." This subject is discussed with much learning, and the facts adduced and substantiated relative to diseases and proper ventilation of habitations, are of the most important character. While these facts are more especially applicable to the crowded cities of the old world, they are of immense importance to us in respect to the nursery, the treatment of the sick, the construction of sleeping apartments, of school rooms, churches, and hospitals. The "Tracts for cities," before us, treat upon the "Social position and influence of cities," ""the temptations of city life," and the importance of "mental improvement," on the part of young men. These subjects are not discussed by quack reformers, or shallow-brained empirics, but by some of the ablest writers and profoundest scholars in our country. While the remedy for moral and spiritual evil, in cities and elsewhere, lies far deeper than these Tracts seem to suppose, we are glad to see the evils themselves portrayed in such vivid colors. A single fact respecting the career of young men in cities is thus given: "It has been estimated that not one in ten, attempting business in our large cities, and not one in a hundred VOL. II.NO. I. 17 commencing as clerks, have succeeded." In stimulating to high mental efforts, and improvement, the writer cites as examples of success under every discouragement, Franklin, Rumford, Arkwright, Stephenson, Whitney, Davy, Bowditch, Warburton, Murray, Drew, Clarke, Ben Johnson, Linnaeus, Herschel, Gifford, Simpson, and others, all of whom struggled with poverty and obscurity. DR. TOTTEN'S LETTER about Jubilee College, addressed to a friend in Hartford, Connecticut. Dated Nov. 24, 1848. From this letter we gather the following satisfactory particulars pertaining to Jubilee College. The College is situated in Peoria County, near the centre of Illinois, on elevated ground, covered with a native forest. The system of education is essentially Christian, and the College is a Theological Seminary as well as a College of Arts. Twelve clergymen have received their education, wholly or in part, within its walls; it has now six candidates for Orders; seven parishes, embracing more than 200 communicants, have already been established; and the Church has become the leading denomination of Christians in that part of the State. The following is a concise statement of its pecuniary affairs: The property belonging to the College may be safely estimated at a little over sixty thousand dollars, but most of it is now unproductive. It owns 2500 acres of land in its immediate vicinity, and 1760 in other parts of the State, and in Michigan. This last is intended to be sold, and by provisions of the charter must be sold, within three years from the present time. Besides this property in land there is a grist and saw mill on the Kickapoo creek, distant about three and a half miles from the College. Besides the College building there are on the premises two boarding houses, one for the students and the other for the men employed on the farm; five dwelling houses and a store. The remaining possessions of the College are, the goods in the store, the live stock on the farm, and farming utensils. Putting down the buildings at cost, the productive property of the College may be estimated as follows: College farm of 800 acres, having inexhaustible beds of bituminous coal, $10,000 Farming utensils and live stock on the farm, including 2000 sheep, 40 head of cattle, 20 horses, and 70 or 80 swine, Grist and saw mill, Dwelling houses, out houses and store, Value of goods in the store paid for, 9,000 7,000 9,000 6,000 $41,000 The unproductive property is estimated as follows :— 170 acres of unimproved land in the county of Peoria, Other lands in the State and in Michigan 1760 acres, College building and boarding house, $5,100 4,400 9,000 College library, 3,200 volumes, and philosophical apparatus, 4,500 600 $23,600 Whole amount, $64,600 THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. The Sermon at the Consecration of Grace Church, Newark, Oct. 5, 1848. By the Bishop of the Diocese. Text, Ps. xcvi, 9. Theme, Beauty; Consecrated Beauty; Acceptable to God as an accessory of worship. No man could have written this sermon but a Christian Poet; and no Poet could have written it but Bishop Doane. There is more poetry in it, and better poetry than in most of what appears under the name. It glows with truthful conceptions, and lofty imagery, and Christian sentiment, all in harmony with the subject and the occasion. REV. PROF. HAIGHT'S MATRICULATION ADDRESS, before the Students of the General Theological Seminary, on Ember Monday in Advent, 1848. New York: D. Dana, Jr., 1849; 8vo. pp. 20. The text chosen is Titus ii, 6: "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded." The spirit of this text is applied peculiarly to the formation of religious opinions and habits on the part of candidates for Holy Orders. The discourse is characterized by the sound sense of its instructions, and the plainness and faithfulness with which they are presented. We quote a sentence or two. "What must be the result of reckless speech, of the exhibition of wayward tempers, and of affected singularity in deportment, and this on the part of a few only of the whole number? Melancholy experience gives the answer. Suspicion, and distrust, and antipathy, have been excited." Let it be known, and known distinctly, that the admirable spirit of this discourse thoroughly pervades the Seminary, and that public confidence will be commanded, which the self-conceit and spurious Catholicity of a few novices in theology are sufficient to destroy. ST. MARY'S HALL. Sermon on Nurture, with Catalogue and Prospectus. Burlington, 1849. St. Mary's Hall and Burlington College contain nearly three hundred pupils ; and in St. Mary's Hall more than twenty Professors and Teachers are employed. The course of study is comprehensive, embracing Christian Morals, English Literature, Criticism, Composition, Chemistry, the Natural Sciences, the Italian, Spanish, French, German, and Latin Languages, Drawing, Writing, Music, Painting, Mathematics, Physical and Intellectual Philosophy, Secular and Sacred History, &c. There are two terms in a year of five months each, for each of which the charge is $150, in advance. While most among us are dreaming about "Christian Nurture," and quietly building castles in the air, Bishop Doane is awake, and hard at work. There is an earnestness of zeal, a fearlessness of determination, a disregard of popular whims, a comprehensiveness of plan, and a straightforward undeviating fidelity of execution, in the Bishop's projects, which, with God's blessing, will not be in vain. THE WEEKLY EUCHARIST. No. IV. of Pastoral Tracts, printed chiefly for the members of the Church of the Holy Communion. By Rev. W. A. MUHLENBERG, D. D. New York, 1848. This neatly printed and well written tract is the substance of several discourses on a more frequent celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The following are the topics discussed: The Liturgy proper; the weekly celebration of the Eucharist contemplated and provided for but not made obligatory; the weekly Eucharist desirable; the chief objection to the constant celebration of the Eucharist; the objection answered; advantages of the weekly celebration; a practical question answered; counsel in regard to more frequent Communion; effects of custom; an explanation; the Sunday Eucharist. If any of our readers have noticed, or think they have noticed, a tendency in later times to a development of formalism or ritualism, to the neglect of, or the substitution for, the inward and subjective life of God in the soul, we think they may be assured that the present contribution from the pen of Dr.Muhlenberg is to be excepted from such suspicion. It is written with an earnestness and yet a kindliness and gentleness of manner, and with a full appreciation of the objections which may be sincerely and conscientiously urged to the plan which he recommends. Perhaps it ought to be added, that the Morning Prayer being offered as usual in the "Church of the Holy Communion," at an early hour, the Communion Service of course commences with the Litany. In the large majority of our Parishes, so scattered are the congregations, and such their occupations, that a system might be impracticable, which might not be so, under different circumstances. However this may be, there is in this argument before us, a recognition of the Christian life, as a great and all-pervading reality, such as distinguished the early from the modern Church. The view held by Dr. Muhlenberg of the nature of the Holy Eucharist, is, we think, that taught by Hooker, and the great mass of sound English Divines; and he carefully eschews those unguarded statements which are so liable to abuse. THIRTY SECOND ANNUAL REPORT of the American Colonization Society, presented at its Annual Meeting, Jan. 16, 1849. Washington, 1849; 8vo. pp. 60. Judging from the Report before us, and other documents which the pamphlet contains, this Society is entering upon a new era in its history. During the past year 443 persons, mostly liberated slaves, have been sent to Liberia, from 13 different States; and the receipts have been a little more than 50,000 dollars. Since the organization of the Society in 1816, it has expended about one million of dollars, and has furnished passage for upwards of 4,000 emigrants. As the fruits of the Colony, the Republic of Liberia has commenced a national existence. Its Declaration of Independence was dated Aug. 24th, 1847. Within the past year, its national independence has been acknowledged by the English and French Governments. Its line of sea-coast extends upwards of 300 miles, with an average breadth of 45 miles, and contains excellent harbors, a salubrious climate, and a fertile soil. Monrovia, the Capitol, has a population of 1,000, and considerable commerce. Free schools supported by law, two high schools, a Lyceum, and two newspapers, are established. The Colonization Society, which numbers among its officers many of the most distinguished men in every section of the country, is memorializing some of the State Legislatures, for appropriations. From the memorial to the Legislature of Virginia, we extract the following noble passages : "From this rim of light, central Africa will be illuminated; its darkness, intellectual and moral, will be expelled; its fertile lands reclaimed from sterility; its physical resources regenerated; and Africa-whence civilization and the arts passed into Greece more than 3000 years ago, through Rome to England, and thence to America-Africa, the land of heroes, and scholars, and Christians, of Hannibal, Hanno, Jugurtha, Terence, Origen, Tertullian, Augustine, and Cyprian-of a race that wrought the pyramids, chiselled the proudest monuments of marble, and left in her tombs the evidence, that she has done all for the material body but to give it eternal life, this Africa, will be again raised to her place among civilized nations, received to the circle of the human family, and for the civilization she has centuries ago imparted to others,-repaid by Civilization and CHRISTIANITY too." In this connection we add, that this new Republic seems to us a most promising and important field of missionary effort, hitherto overlooked. The nascent civilization of the Republic, must be a powerful auxiliary in planting, permanently and speedily, schools and parishes of the Church. CATALOGUE of the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, containing names of its Board of Trustees, Officers, Students, &c. &c. 1849. To Churchmen at a distance, unacquainted with this long established Institution, and especially to those at the South, who prefer to send their sons to the North for an education, preparatory to admission to College, or to an entrance upon mercantile pursuits, we commend with much confidence, the Academy at Cheshire, under the superintendence of Rev. Mr. Paddock. Its location is pleasant, healthful, and accessible; its course of instruction thorough; and its government parental and efficient. By means of its endowment, its expenses are moderate. THE LORD OUR HELPER, A Sermon preached Nov. 29, 1846, on occasion of Divine Service for the last time in St. James' Church, Greenfield. By Rev. TITUS STRONG, D. D., Rector of the Parish. Greenfield, 1848. We perceive by this Sermon that we were mistaken in our last number, in associating the Rev. Dr. Strong with the first establishment of the Church in Greenfield. He commenced his ministerial services there in the spring of 1814; and was the first, and has been its only Rector. The Parish was organized Sept. 24, 1812, under the direction of Rev. Philander Chase of Hartford, Ct., now Bishop of Illinois. The sermon gives a brief sketch of the history of the parish, and inculcates duties essential to its future prosperity. ECCLESIASTICAL REGISTER. SUMMARY OF HOME INTELLIGENCE. ORDINATIONS. Birchmore, John W., Brownell, Place. Whittingham, Dec. 4, 1848, St. John's, New York City. Whittingham, March 4, 1849, Trinity, New York City. Name. Bishop. DEACONS. Time. Barton, John G., Bishop, T. M., DeLancey, Elsegood, J. J., Potter, Hudson, Henry N., Lord, W. W., Logan, Edw. C., Gadsden, Merick, J. A., Potter, Doane, Doane, 66 Sept. 24, 1848. Dec. 24, 1848. March 2, 1849, St. Peter's, Philadelphia, Pa. Dec. 24, 1848, St. Stephen's, Philadelphia. Dec. 27, 1848, Holy Innocents, N. J. Dec. 24, 1848, Trinity, Geneva, New York. Whittingham, Advent, 1848, St. Andrew's, Pr. Anne, Md. Potter, PRIESTS. Dec. 66 Dec. 66 Johns, 66 Whittingham, March 4, 1849, Trinity, New York City. Cobbs, Potter, 66 Dec. 18, 1848, St. Thomas, Morgantown, Pa. |