whole question, which was involved in what is known as the "Memorial Movement." It was preached, by invitation, at the re-opening of a Lutheran house of worship, in which his great-grand-father was pastor, in 1743; and which, mainly by the liberality of Dr. Muhlenberg, has been saved from going to utter decay and ruin. The Sermon, besides its local historical features, is devoted, mainly, to an exposition of the Unity in Faith between the Lutheran Communion and our own; and the Doctor expresses, freely and fully, his desire for a unity of communion and fellowship, between two bodies which have so much in common. In one respect, Dr. Muhlenberg represents a certain idea or truth more prominently than any other man in our Ministry. It is a truth, fundamental in its character, and is far more distinctly enunciated in the Augsburg Confession and Symbols, than in our XXXIX Articles, viz; The Life of Christ as the only true Life of the individual Christian, and of the Church. But, he will pardon us for saying, and it is really the main point where we differ from one, whose loving, earnest heart and life we hold in honor, that, in our judgment, the great want of our age and time is, not a concealment, but a clearer presentation, a more manifest exhibition of those Positive Institutions, which the LORD JESUS, through the HOLY GHOST, and by the Apostles, established, to be perpetuated to the end of time. As to the Doctor's theory of the "Prophetic Office," or of a Ministry of the Word, in distinction from the Ministry of the Sacraments, what we have already said indicates what we would say, more freely, if we had room. If we have read Eusebius and Bingham correctly, the most that can well be made of Origen is, that he belonged to the order of Catechists, though the term is not to be understood in its modern acceptation. We fully agree with the Doctor, that we have got to introduce a good deal more of Primitive practice into the Church, before we shall ever come back to primitive efficiency and power. We want Deacons who are Deacons indeed, and Deaconesses; we want Catechists, and Lay-helpers, men and women. We want to get rid, most of all, of the dead weight of a mere perfunctory respectability. And yet, and for this very reason, we are not to undervalue Ordinances and Institutions, which have both the authority, and the promised blessing of the HOLY GHOST; nor can we hope that the Church of our profession and our love, will ever receive the allegiance of Romanists, on the one hand, and the Methodists, &c., &c., &c., on the other, if we fail to present her, distinctly, in all her divine features. REV. DR. RANDALL'S Sermon, before the Board of Missions, at New Haven, Oct. 10, 1860. "Missions-The Church Work: Its Mode and Measure." Boston: E. P. Dutton & Co. 1861. 18mo. pp. 52. That it is the duty of the Church, as such, and according to the measure of its ability, to do Missionary Work, is the position which Dr. Randall takes and sustains. This is so nearly an axiom, that it would scarcely seem even to admit of argument. The only objection which we have ever heard, either against the position itself or against Dr. Randall's statement of it, is, that it might seem to conflict with that free and voluntary individuality of choice, which is every Churchman's birthright, and which is so requisite to vigorous, healthful Missionary life and activity. To this, as it seems to us, there are two, and only two things to be said. In the first place, the duty of the Church involves, of necessity, the corresponding duties of the individual members who compose that Church; and then there arises the simple and important question, whether, as a matter of fact, the Church, in her modes of action, has made such provision for individuality of choice, as is consistent with her own solemn responsibility to the Great Head of the Church. To this question, after what has transpired, there can be but one answer. We are not here discussing, at all, the question, "What is the Church?" nor whether ours is, or is not, a true Branch of that Church. We are simply announcing a principle of loyalty, which belongs to any organization, which claims to be the Church of Christ, and without which, that organization cannot work, lovingly and effectively. The Notes to Dr. Randall's Sermon help to explain his meaning, and are valuable. TRUMPS. A Novel. By GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS. Author of "Nile Notes of a Howadji," &c. Illustrated by Augustus Hoppin. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1861. 12mo. pp. 502. Mr.. Curtis is one of the popular writers of the day, in whom it is not difficult to detect more than an unbelief and indifference as to the great Doctrines and Institutions of the Gospel. It is something, that such men seem to feel compelled to gild over their noxious doses, in order to make them acceptable to the public. Both in style and sentiment, there is a degree of coarseness and indelicacy, which we were not prepared for, in an author of so much reputation. CATECHISM ON THE CHURCH. By Mrs. D. C. WESTON; Author of "Calvary Catechism." Second Edition. New York: Gen. Prot. Ep. S. Sch. Union and Church Book Society. Mrs. Weston, in her admirable "Calvary Catechism," has made the little ones of the Church her lasting debtors, and in the "Catechism on the Church," has done equal service for pupils more advanced. The questions and answers are so plainly laid down, that a child may read them, while information is imparted concerning the Church, which every adult should know. It is an invaluable book for the Sunday School, and advanced classes, and is, also, a very convenient volume to aid a Pastor in preparing classes for adult Baptism and Confirmation. The instructions on all points are clear and conclusive, and, that much neglected topic of Infant Baptism is so presented as to leave no doubt concerning its obligation and value. This book, although a small volume, is so thorough a treatise, that, if its lessons are carefully learned, it will make well-informed, intelligent Churchmen. It gives no uncertain sound concerning the distinctive teachings of the Church, and yet, every point is so well established by an array of authorities and proof texts, as to show a conscientious regard to truth. In recommending this little book to Pastors and teachers, we feel, that all who wish for an aid in giving Church instruction in the Parish or the school, will value, highly, this interesting and instructive Catechism by Mrs. Weston. THE CHURCHMAN'S CALENDAR, for the year of our Blessed Lord Christ, 1861. Designed to exhibit an actual View of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in all the World. No. 1.. This Calendar is the successor of Swords' Pocket Almanac, and follows the Forty-fourth Number of that series. By the Rev. A. CLEVELAND COXE, D. D. New York: Church Book Society. 1861. 18mo. pp. 72. The plan of the Editor, Dr. Coxe, is admirable. It is to give, in popular form, and at a trifling cost, as far as possible, an annual view of the Catholic and Apostolic Church in all the world, with its chief Bishops and prominent institutions. He says, that "in his arrangement of the existing Churches of Christendom, he has followed no guide but the ancient Catholic Law." We have, therefore, a statistical and tabular acount of, I. The Oriental Churches; II. The Latin Churches; III. The Anglican Churches; IV. Abnormal Churches; V. The Tridentine Church es. There are, also, lists of the Bishops of the English, Irish, Scottish, Anglican, Colonial, Swedish and American Churches, with the dates of their consecration. There are, also, scattered throughout this little volume, scraps of history, pertinent and valuable. Hereafter, tabular views of the various Christian Sects will be given. In order to keep up the series permanently, this Calendar should also, we think, include a full Clerical list of our own Church, and such Diocesan Intelligence as the great mass of our own Clergyman and Laymen need to have, and will have before them; that the work should be issued promptly; and then published so cheaply, that it can be scattered almost gratuitously. In other words, make the "Churchman's Calendar" a necessity, and then issue it in as cheap a form as pos sible. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT of the American Printing House for the Blind. Published by order of the Mississippi Board, Louisville, Ky. 1860. 8vo. pp. 48. The enterprise brought before us in this Report is a new and most important one. While nearly all of the States provide for the instruction of their Blind, no especial provision has ever been made for printing books, either for school purposes or general improvement. All printing, thus far, has been done by private means, or by the Institutions themselves; and it is entirely insufficient in quantity and variety. For some time past, Mr. D. SHERROD, formerly a pupil of the Mississippi Institution for the Blind, has been, and is still, engaged in the endeavor to establish a Publishing House, through the instrumentality of which it is proposed, permanently and adequately, to supply the Blind with books. The enterprise is solely of his own conception and execution; and it is gratifying to state that he has met with encouraging success. Mississippi, which has taken the lead in this matter, has granted a Charter of Incorporation, and so also has Kentucky. Mississippi and Tennessee and Louisiana have each given $2000 to the object, and pledged $10 annually for each white blind person in those States. In all, $25,000 has already been raised, and the Printing House is to go into operation at once in Kentucky, at Louisville. By Charter, every school for the Blind, located in a State whose Legislature or citizens contribute to the funds of the American Printing House, shall, in proportion to the funds contributed, be entitled to copies of every book published by said House, to be distributed gratuitously to such blind persons as are unable to purchase them. The lists of the Boards of Trustees comprise names of the highest reputation, and entire confidence may be placed in them for the wise disposal of funds. The address of Mr. D. Sherwood is at Louisville, Ky. REV. DR. W. W. LORD'S SERMON in Christ Church, Vicksburg, Miss., Apr. 21, 1861: "Our True Government: and our obligation to maintain it." REV. DR. W. W. LORD'S SERMON in Christ Church, Vicksburg, Miss., Feb. 17, 1861: "The Clergy and the Civil Power; and the moral proofs of a true Government." REV. J. H. PADDOCK'S SERMON in Christ Church, Detroit, May 13, 1861, before the Detroit Light Guard. "Our Cause, Our Confidence, and our Consequent Duty." REV. DR. CHARLES MASON'S SERMON, in Grace Church, Boston, on the National Fast Day, Jan 4, 1861. REV. H. W. BELLOWS' SERMON, in All Souls' Church, New York, Apr. 21, 1861. "The State and the Nation-Sacred to Christian Citizens." GENERAL R. K. CALL'S (of Florida) LETTER to John S. Littell, of Germantown Penn. "Union-Slavery-Secession." THE NECESSITIES AND WISDOM OF 1861. A Supplement to the Sixth Edition of "Slavery and the Remedy." By Samuel Nott: Boston: 1861. Of the above pamphlets and Sermons called forth by the present Civil War, the two last, General Call's Letter, and Mr. Nott's Supplement, enter directly into the real merits of the whole question; and both of these contain statements of impor tant facts which it is impossible to ignore, and which will have to be considered and provided for, before our domestic difficulties can be settled. Millions on millions of money and rivers of blood must be the price of the present exasperation and bitter prejudice, North and South, and then there will come cool reflection and sober deliberation, and there will be heard, we believe, the voice of true patriotism and Christian philanthropy. SECOND REPORT of the "House of Mercy." New York, March 1, 1861. STRICTURES on the Two Letters of Provost Whitaker in answer to charges brought by the Lord Bishop of Huron against the teaching of Trinity College. By a Presbyter. London, Canada West. 1861. 8vo. pp. 96. Having, in our April No., given a full account of the origin and nature of the charges brought by the Bishop of Huron against Trinity College, it seems unneces sary to notice at length the defense of the Bishop by a Presbyter, in the pamphlet before us. The whole question is a simple one. It is whether the Standards of the Church of England are to be received in a Scriptural, Primitive and Catholic interpretation, or as frittered and explained away by modern Protestantism. That the English Reformers, in the great work to which they were called, did take for their guide, the old rule, the "Semper, ubique, ab omnibus," is as certain as any fact of history. And yet it is easy enough to torture individual expressions of some of those Reformers into the support of almost anything. But such attempts are neither fair nor honest. We are sorry to see some of the statements of this pamphlet; they indicate a reading thoroughly one-sided and a bad temper. NINTH ANNUAL REPORT of the Missionary Society of St. Paul's Church, New Haven, Conn. 1861. The report thus states the results of the missionary labors of this parish during the last nine years. "This Society, through the blessing of God upon its efforts. has gathered two large Sunday Schools, two flourishing Congregations, and erected two Church edifices. Through the labors of its Missionaries, seventy-five adults. and four hundred and fifty one children, have received the Sacrament of Baptism; and one hundred and eighty-five persons have been admitted to the Communion of our Church, through the rite of Confirmation. And finally, this Society, as the almoner of your charities, has disbursed for Church extension, at home and abroad, more than $21,000." Bird, G. C. Johns, May 7, Bishop, Odenheimer, May 27, Blake, John Falkner, Potter, H. May 23, 46 Burgess, H. B. Kemper, June 3, Cummins, Alex. G. Williams, Apr. 10, Chapel, Alexandria, Va. St. Mary's, Burlington, N. J. Epiphany, New York City. St. James', New London, Ct. Grace, Camden, S. C. Holy Trinity, Middletown, Ct. May 22, Holy Trinity, Middletown, Ct. Holy Trinity, Middletown, Ct. Chapel, Alexandria, Va. |