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We cannot think of any sect or name which we should not rather choose, as a stimulus to the mental powers, and a quickener of the heart, than Unitarianism. Pyrronism!it had an aim, and deduced its doctrines from first principles. The Gnostics! the Manichees! there was some latent foundation, on which they built their wildest dreams. Even Swedenborgianism has a glorious concentration of shadows, where one dream answers to another, and the vapours from every side unite and mingle in one cloud of sublime illusion. But as to Unitarianism, its blended dogmatism and doubts, render it inexplicable to the understanding, and powerless over the heart.

So much hope is placed by our author in future discoveries, and so little confidence is placed in present attainments, that he deems it necessary to stimulate young men to high reachings after truth, and new paths of knowledge. He declares with great indignation, that the chief employment of men has been to rear prison walls around the human mind. Speaking of Milton with sympathetic approbation, he says, "He would probably stand first among that class of Christians, more numerous than is supposed, and we hope increasing, who are too jealous of the rights of the mind, and too dissatisfied with the clashing systems of the age, to attach themselves closely to any party; in whom the present improved state of theology has created a consciousness of defect, rather than the triumph of acquisition; who, however partial to their own creed, cannot persuade themselves that it is the ultimate attainment of the human mind; and that distant ages will repeat its articles as reverently as the Catholic does the decrees of Trent; who contend earnestly for free inquiry, not because all who inquire will think as they do, but because some at least may be expected to outstrip them, and to be guides to higher truths. With this nameless and spreading class, we have strong sympathies. We want new light, and care not whence it comes; we want reform worthy of the name; and we should rejoice in such a manifestation of Christianity as would throw all present systems into obscurity."*

But we have our doubts, whether the majority of minds were made for these sublime improvements; and whether such exhortations, thrown out promiscuously to our young men, will not produce a fever for innovation, rather than the

* Review of Milton, pp. 46, 47.

power of discovery. We are pretty sure that no man ever acquired an original genius by eloquent exhortation. We question too whether, when a real inventor appears, he will not bring out his discoveries without all this parade of improvement. A man of real genius moves in his own strength, just as the oak grows and surpasses the shrubs around it, in the silence of nature. The fact is, there is more prattle about originality and shaking off old opinions, and new discoveries, in six pages of Edward Irving, than in all the volumes of Newton. We question whether these exhortations of Dr. Channing will advance real knowledge a hair's breadth,whether our young men will not be stimulated by them to reach after new terms and shadowy errours, rather than to the attainment of knowledge, and the discovery of truth. Is it not true that the power of advancing knowledge is rare, and whenever it appears, rises, like the sun, unbidden?

There are many other things in this volume which we had intended to notice. But we have already occupied more space in this literary vehicle, than courtesy to our fellow travellers might allow. We close the book with melancholy reflections. This man who reasons without premises, and speculates without results, is one who professes to guide souls to heaven. He tries to persuade himself, that he drinks his chill philosophy from the Bible; and with a religion before him which demands faith, he believes in scarcely any thing but a few naked negatives. The very virtues he inculcates, we fear rest upon wrong principles. He mistakes uncertainty and hesitation, for refinement of intellect and freeness of thought. Ambition, if not employed in the very work of blood, he calls the aspirings of a noble soul, and opposition to the strict and holy government of God, he mistakes for a just abhorrence of an antiquated system. He has not only gone astray himself, but has led many others with him. Like a blind Sampson, he pulls down the temple in which he stands, not only upon his own head, but upon thousands who crowd its avenues.

Such are the honest views of the writer of this article, given under his own name. He is unwilling to speak under the shelter of a mask. He has spoken with freedom, but he hopes without bitterness. If any impoper feeling has lurked in his heart, or any harsh expression has escaped him, he hopes to be forgiven. It is his sincere prayer, both for himself, and the author here reviewed, that they may know

the truth as it is in Jesus; and that being delivered by the good Spirit of God, from the pride of reason, and every unholy passion, they may receive the kingdom of Heaven as little children.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Outlines of Geology: intended as a popular treatise on the most interesting parts of the science, together with an examination of the question, whether the days of creation were indefinite periods. Designed for the use of schools and general readers. By J. L. Comstock, M. D., Author of an Introduction to Mineralogy, &c. Hartford: D. F. Robinson & Co., 1834. pp. 336.

Dr. Comstock is known as the author of several valuable popular treatises in different departments of science, prepared we believe with care, judgement, and good taste. The present work is his latest production, and appears to be judiciously compiled from all the best and most recent sources. We know of no book so well adapted to the readers for whom it is intended, or which brings together in a moderate compass so full and clear a view of the most interesting facts and theories of this science.-But it is chiefly the spirit and tone of the work, which leads us to notice it at this time. It is throughout not only entirely free from that arrogant and sceptical disposition, which is glad to find in the facts of natural science ground to contradict or discredit revelation; but it is religious in its tendency and results. The reader will find in the articles concerning the Deluge, the coincidence of geology with the Mosaic History, the Days of Creation, the Indian Astronomical Tables, the Egyptian Zodiacs, and the Beds of Lava at Etna, a fair account and a sufficient refutation of the infidel objections to revelation urged in connexion with these topics. The conclusions of the author in favour of the Bible, are supported by the authority of the best names of the scientific world. It is of course impossible within our present limits to enter into a discussion of these topics. We may at some future time endeavour to go somewhat thoroughly and extensively into some of these questions, particularly that concerning the Days of Creation. Our present object is merely to call attention to this work, and to say that we are glad to see a popular book written in the spirit which this work exhibits; not because we are predetermined believers in revelation, and would wish to fetter investigation and suppress the facts of science, but because we believe, (and we have on our side all the names of the highest authority,) that all the facts of science may be explained, and have been explained in perfect consistency with revelation. We have no fear in submitting the Mosaic account, or any other portions of the Scriptures to the severest scrutiny, provided it be impartial and thorough; but we are always sorry and indignant to see the objections of a shallow infidelity brought out in popular works to perplex the faith of common readers, and to furnish support to those who, from moral causes, dislike the Gospel and are glad to find objections to the truth of the Bible. Difficilis est in philosophia pauca esse ei nota, cui non sint aut pleraque aut omnia: those only have a right to speak confidently in matters of philosophy who have thoroughly examined the whole ground. We often call to mind an observation we have somewhere met: in all the beggarly elements of this world's wisdom, there is nothing poorer than the philosophy of infidelity.

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, translated out of the Latin Vulgate, diligently compared with the original Greek, and first published by the English College of Rheims, Anno 1582, with the original Preface, arguments and tables, marginal notes and annotations. which are now added an Introductory Essay, and a complete topical and textual Index. New-York; published by Jonathan Leavitt, 182 Broadway. 1834.

To

The warfare between the Protestants and Romanists, which had been so long suspended, is now reviving in all the spirit with which it was waged in the sixteenth century. The indifference and spurious liberalism which has prevailed for so long a time among Protestants in this country with regard to the existence and spread of Popery among us, is now to some extent removed. That Popery has not only got footing in our country, but is strengthening and extending itself in every direction, is made obvious by facts which are every day disclosed. The efforts made by the Papists to establish their religion here, are conducted with that secresy, and skilful accommodation of themselves to circumstances, which have ever characterized the propagandists of Romanism. Many have therefore doubted both whether such efforts are made, and whether the spread of Romanism, in the modified form in which it appears among us, is to be regarded as an evil. Could the Christian community be made to see and feel, that Popery, involving all the absurdities and impieties which awoke the opposition of the Reformers, really exists still, and holds multitudes among us fast bound in its fatal delusions, there would doubtless be an end of the apathy which has prevailed on this subject.

The republication of the Rhemish Testament-a work which has been authorized by the dignitaries of the Catholic Church-will furnish ample evidence of what Romanism is, and that it is unaltered in any of its essential features. In the portraiture which is here given of it, by its own painters, we see the supremacy of Peter, the infallibility of the Pope, the worship of the Virgin Mary, the prohibition of the Scriptures, communion only in one kind, transubstantiation, penance, purgatory, and all the other errours and corruptions which made this system hateful to the early Reformers. Should it be said, that although this Commentary on the New Testament may be regarded as a just delineation of Romanism as it was, or as it still is in Europe, it cannot be allowed to exhibit that system as it now exists in our free and enlightened republic; it might be answered that the doctrines specified may be equally deduced from the Gospels of the Rhemish doctors, printed by Wm. Duffy, Georgetown, D. C., 1817, and "approved by Leonard, Archbishop of Baltimore," and from other works approved and circulated in the Catholic Church.

The original edition of the Rhemish Testament was published in 1582, and though often republished since, had become very scarce. Its republication at the present day, we think, therefore, very timely. Those who wish to inform themselves respecting the true nature of this mysterious system, which so early darkened the rising day of Christianity, and whose lingering clouds seem ever ready to close again, and shut out the light of heaven, will do well to study this volume. It is not improbable that the church in this country may be compelled to contend with this spiritual hierarchy, which has been transplanted from its native region of despotism, and strangely thrives in the soil of civil freedom. It certainly, then, behooves especially the ministers of Christ, and all who love his cause, to prepare themselves for this contest, by making themselves fully acquainted with the real principles of Romanism.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

The United States.

OUR country has been in an extraordinary state of agitation through the last few months, and the distress of the commercial community is regarded as unprecedented, except in periods of war or extreme danger. The condition of the country, connected with the prospects of trade, was peculiarly favourable the last autumn; and intelligent men generally agree in the opinion, that one of the chief causes of the change which has taken place was the removal of the public deposites, amounting to eight or nine millions, from the Bank of the United States. This measure, which has occupied a large share of attention in both houses of Congress, has been represented by some as having exercised but a secondary influence upon the state of the country while others have regarded it, in connexion with the measures which preceded it, and those which were resorted to by the Executive in order to produce it, as having given the great blow to public confidence. The opposition of the President to the Bank, and his supposed intentions to resist its rechartering, seem to have rendered monied men apprehensive of the security not only of that stock, but of other stocks; and this acted also upon individual credit, and an almost total suspension of business in the principal cities, was the result.

Public confidence is now to some degree restored, and business has partially revived. But the effect of this derangement must be felt for a long time to come. The measures of government by which the general prosperity of the country has been affected, have had an influence as might have been expected, upon the state of political parties. The disastrous influence of political mismanagement upon the best interests of the community, has happily awakened multitudes of the intelligent and virtuous to the discharge of long neglected duties to the government under which they live.

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