FAMILY SERMONS.

Sermons accompanied by suitable Prayers, designed to be used in Families. Edited by the Rev. J. R. Beard, of Manchester, Eng. First American from the Second London Edition. Boston. L. C. Bowles. 1831. pp. 480, 8vo.

This is of an excellent class of publications, always needed, and, we are happy to say, generally welcomed. The favorable reception given to the discourses of Newcome Cappe, and, since, to the posthumous volumes of Buckminster, Thacher, and Abbot, not to mention those of living preachers, and the uniform demand for good practical works, is a gratifying proof of the religious taste of the community; and, we hope, may encourage our best writers and best men to supply it.

The plan of this volume recommends itself by many advantages; it being the compilation of one, and the production of many; uniting, thus, sufficient unity of design with a grateful variety of style and matter. Its object is not controversy, of which, as of another half exhausted topic, we are almost ready to say, with Dr Parr,—' enough there is, and more than enough,'but the advancement of practical piety and true goodness. It is particularly intended, says the editor, to help the observance of that 'imperative and pleasant,' though, we are sorry to add, neglected duty of family worship. Partly with this view, a prayer is appended to each of the sermons. Of these prayers, some will be found excellent. In others, may be observed what is often found in compositions of this class, writ

ten for a set purpose and for publication, a defect in simplicity, or in the language appropriate to prayer; which should invariably be that of direct address, not being intended to teach men, but to offer our worship and requests to God.

Of the sermons, we can cordially say with the American editor, that they present clear and animating views of some of the most interesting topics of religion, well adapted at once to convince the understanding and to affect the heart;-free from empty declamation, and some of them abounding in passages of true and pathetic eloquence.' In so brief a notice as our present limits prescribe, we cannot select, as we might desire, from any; but among those which we have looked over with particular pleasure, we may mention that on Family worship,' by the editor; those on the Duty of bearing one another's burdens ;' that on the Importance of the religious and moral education of the young;' one of which has been reprinted as a tract, by the American Unitarian Association; one on 'The best preparation for a time of sickness ;' and another on the certainty of a day of judgment, in which the great doctrine of impartial retribution according to character, is with great solemnity set forth.

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Among the authors of these discourses, we see with pleasure the names of some whom we have known, and of others of whom we have heard; successors in their respective places, of wise and holy men, who have gone, and themselves serving their generation faithfully according to the will of God. We rejoice to welcome these fruits of their labors, and to present them to our American friends, as in the beautiful vol

ume before us, in so attractive a dress. May a blessing from Him, who alone giveth blessing, attend this and all the efforts of these, our English brethren, for the advancement of evangelical truth. And, though separated at a wide distance in the scenes of our duties, may we and they be found fellow-workers with God and with Christ in the great cause of human sal

vation.

COMPLAINTS AND CALUMNIES AGAINST HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

Letter to Governor Lincoln in relation to Harvard University, from F. C. Gray. Second Edition, with an Appendix.

This Letter deserves, and we believe, has obtained an extensive circulation, and the friends of the University, of truth, and good learning, will thank Mr Gray for the important service he has rendered the public by issuing it at the present time. Something of the kind seemed called for, by the violent and reiterated attacks upon the college, chiefly by the advocates of the modern exclusive doctrines. The friends of the University, we believe, never had greater reason than now to rejoice in the tokens of its prosperity and success. But there is a sect or party in the state, which seems dissatisfied with the freedom of thought, and especially freedom of religious inquiry enjoyed within its venerable walls. It stands aloof from all sectarian views and influences. It is in the noblest sense of the term a liberal institution; requiring no creeds or subscriptions; authorizing no persecution on account of re

ligious opinions; but laboring diligently to promote the cause of sound learning, of pure morals, and a rational piety. This is the only fault its enemies can find with it. It is anti-sectarian, and it is the only literary and theological institution in our land that is so. This is its great distinction, and with the ample means of education it affords, places it on an eminence, and gives it a lustre and dignity. And hence the dissatisfaction manifested in regard to it. It is not under orthrdox control, not exclusive. It is not pledged to any party or sect, and will not be; and hence these lamentations over its degeneracy.

Such is the source of the bitterest complaints against Harvard University. Other causes of dissatisfaction, if they exist, are very trivial, and would soon, we suspect, be found to vanish altogether, were the objection arising from its anti-sectarian character once well disposed of.

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'There are not so many students in Cambridge,' it is objected, as in some other colleges.' But there are none, says Mr Gray, in which an education can be obtained nearly so complete,' and something is done every year to make it still better;' and what parents will consider more important than all besides, there are none in which the morals and manners of youth are more carefully and more successfully guarded and improved.' Then the complaint that Harvard is deficient in numbers comes with a very ill grace from those who by 'secret cabals or open clamors,' by all the arts of misrepresentation and intrigue, are endeavoring to deter parents from sending their sons to it for an education, telling them that by doing so they 'put at hazard their salvation and that of all their pos

terity.' But after all, to what does this charge of deficiency amount? Harvard has more students than any other college in the Union, with the exception of Yale, which offers greater inducements to a certain class of pupils in the much larger amount of charitable assistance it affords. At Yale, as Mr Gray informs us, 'one hundred and forty-four undergraduates receive charitable aid, and only thirty-four in Harvard,' and without that assistance the number at Yale would be sensibly diminished. We are told,' he adds,' that some Colleges attract more students from other states than Harvard. This is true. But she attracts many more students from her own State, than any other Institution from the State to which it belongs. Which is the greater praise ?'

But complaint is made with regard to the expenses of an education at Cambridge, and it is true they are greater there than at some other colleges. But this results from the nature of things and not from any fault of the college.' Rent, fuel, and food, are undoubtedly cheaper in some other places, Amherst, for instance, than at Cambridge, and in this respect colleges in the interior have an advantage over Harvard. But those articles are cheaper at Harvard than any where else near it, and this by the exertions and at the expense of the College Government.' The students are furnished with board at one dollar and seventy-five cents a week, and with rooms at half the sum they cost out of college, and with wood at the lowest rate it can be afforded, bought in the cheapest season, in large quantities by the Institution, and dealt out to the students as they want it, without profit.'