inspiration of the Bible, but to help him to understand what the Bible contains. It consists of seven conversations on the following subjects: "Divine Authority of the Bible;" "Natural Geography of the Scene of Scripture History," comprising an account of the seas, rivers, deserts, mountains, and natural scenery of Palestine and the adjoining regions; "first Period of Scripture History," extending" from the creation to the settlement of the Jews in the land of Canaan;""second Period of Scripture History," " from the settlement in Canaan to the birth of Christ;" "third Period," from the birth of Christ to his ascension; "fourth Period," comprising the labors and sufferings of the apostles; and the "Conclusion." The work contains four maps, exhibiting different views of the places described, which will help much to illustrate the geography and history of the Bible. The whole will be found instructive and interesting, and will add not a little to the facilities afforded to the youth of this age for becoming acquainted with "the Oracles of God."

4. A Discourse delivered at Plymouth, Dec. 20, 1828, on the two hundred and eighth Anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. BY SAMUEL GREEN, Pastor of the Union Church, Essex street, Boston.

Boston; Peirce and Williams. 1829. pp. 36.

This discourse presents a sketch of the religious history of New England of the persecutions which drove our fathers hither; of their principles, characters, labors and sufferings; of the rich spiritual blessings with which their "loss of all things" was more than compensated; of their purposes, prayers, and expectations; of the extent to which these expectations have been realized; and the manner in which they have been, in part, defeated. The author refers, as might have been expected, to the defection, in some of the churches, from the holy principles of their founders, and to the manner in which this lamented apostacy has been introduced. In treating this part of the subject, he uses "great plainness (not bitterness) of speech," the language of grief rather than reviling, such as the spirit of Paul might have dictated, when he said, "1 have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart-for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh."-The discourse is almost entirely historical, and, with the notes, embodies much valuable information. We hope it may be extensively read.

5. A Sermon delivered in Boston, May 26, 1829, before the Pastoral Association of Massachusetts. By JOHN H. CHURCH, D. D., Pastor of the Church in Pelham, N. H. Boston: Perkins and Marvin. pp. 24.

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1. "As

as the

The subject of this discourse is, Preaching Christ. "To preach Christ truly," says the author, "is to preach him just as the Scriptures do. How then do the Scriptures present him?" Man;" 2. "as God;" 3. "as the only Mediator;" 4. second Adam;" 5. " as a propitiation through faith in his blood;" 6. "as the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth;" and 7. as a Priest and a King on his throne."

After some general remarks by way of application, the author concludes his discourse with a serious and affectionate address to his brethren in the ministry.

"What," says he, "my brethren, do we so much need as the Spirit of Christ? It is easy to imbibe the spirit of the day, and with this spirit to take up the weapons of our warfare, and, as we think, to wield them very dexterously. But is there no danger that we shall do it as men, and not as the servants of the meek and lowly Jesus? Here, I apprehend. is no small danger. The prevalence of a wrong spirit, I most fear. For this the disciples were rebuked, when they suspected no such thing. How much we may grieve the Spirit of God, in earnestly contending for his truth! Do we not then lose more than we gain? Does not vital godliness decline, while the outer works of our holy religion are ably defended?"

All the readers of this sermon will not agree with Dr. Church in his manner of explaining the doctrine of justification; but all serious Christians will agree that it is a very plain, appropriate and instructive performance, well worthy the attention of those to whom it was delivered,

A Sermon delivered before the Auxiliary Education Society of Norfolk County, at their Annual Meeting in the Union Society of Braintree and Weymouth, June 10, 1829. By CALVIN PARK, Ď. D., Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Stoughton. Boston: T. R. Marvin, pp. 24.

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This discourse is founded on Dan. xi. 32. "But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits." In order that the people of God now may accomplish great things, or "do exploits," Dr. P. shows, that they must "form great designs;" they must digest a proper system of measures to be employed in accomplishing these designs;" they must have a becoming confidance in their own powers; must have courage, fortitude, perseverance; "must be united among themselves; and must continue instant in prayer. After a brief but pertinent illustration of each of these points, the discourse concludes with several reflections. The following is a specimen of the author's manner :

"Christians have great reason to rejoice that they are placed in such circumstances as require the accomplishment of great actions. Eminent characters are more indebted for their eminence, to uncommon occasions than to uncommon talents. This remark holds true when applied, not only to statesmen, philosophers, and poets, but to divines-to ministers of the everlasting gospel. The Apostle of the Gentiles was called to act on great occcasions. He felt their importance, and realized his responsibilities. He acted up to the dignity of his station. He displayed the greatness of his soul, and the benevolence of his heart, in the exploits he accomplished for the prosperity of the church, and the glory of his Divine Master. What uninspired man ever had a more pressing occasion for performing great actions than Luther? At times the existence of the whole church was under God, depending on him alone. He perceived the magnitude of the interest he was called to sustain. He summoned up all the powers of his mind, arrayed himself in the panoply of God, and moved, "himself a host." He feared no cardinal, no pope, no emperor, nor any other being than the Lord Jesus; and by a series of mighty deeds he gained his object-he saved the church. Our illustrious Edwards lived when the cause of truth was sinking and called aloud for some champion to come forward in its defence. He heard the call, and, by the exploits of his pen, his praise is in all the churches."

TO OUR FRIENDS AND PATRONS.

Ar the close of another volume of the Spirit of the Pilgrims, a few words to our friends and patrons may not be unseasonable or impertinent. This work was instituted for a high and holy purpose. Pecuniary profit, as even a part of its object, never once entered the minds of its founders. They neither expected nor intended that it should be a means of enriching them. It was consecrated to Christ and the church, and was designed to meet the exigencies of the church, whatever these at any time might be. It was "designed to defend, explain, and promote that system of religion which was planted on this soil by the first settlers of New England, and to cherish all those great and beneficent institutions which they left as an invaluable legacy to their descendants." With what measure of ability the work has been conducted, and how far it has answered the high purpose of its founders, it does not become us to decide. We can only say, that with singleness of heart, with earnestness and diligence, we have done what we could. We have spared no expense, and have shrunk from no labor or responsibility, which the interests of the work have seemed to require. As to the amount of good accomplished by our labors, it is also proper that we should be silent. That they have not been without marked and manifest effects, we presume all around us, friends and foes, will bear us witness. Of the nature of these effects, different opinions will, of course, be formed. In our own opinion, they are of such a nature, as to afford us, not only satisfaction, but encouragement to persevere in the course on which we have entered. We do not mean by this, that the character of our work will be precisely the same in time to come, that it has hitherto been; for circumstances may not require the same. If the enemies of our faith please to retire from the field of controversy; while they are silenced and held in check, it will not be necessary to devote so much attention to them. We may safely assign a larger portion of our pages to the more agreeable task of stating and applying truth, of inculcating the precepts and urging the motives of the gospel.

It will be seen, from what has been said, that the Spirit of the Pilgrims is to be continued. Its cessation would cause a paan among the impugners of our faith, and cover many of its most intelligent friends, we know, with mourning. It cannot cease, therefore, and it shall not. But it is for our friends and patrons to decide, under what circumstances it shall be continued-whether it shall go heavily and dubiously on, dragging out a feeble and precarious existence; or whether it shall proceed with vigor, and confidence, and strength. With our past subscription, we have no reason, in view of all circumstances, to be dissatisfied. The times are pressing; and we have never, except in a few instances,

employed agents to solicit subscriptions, preferring that support of this kind should be freely offered. On this account, our list of subscribers is rather select than numerous, embracing certainly the more intelligent part of the Orthodox community, but yet only a small part. We feel bound at this time to say to our friends, and especially to our clerical friends in the country, that we need their co-operation, in procuring us a more extended subscription. If the work is worth publishing, it is worth reading; and if it is to be continued, it must be supported.

It would be easy for those, on whom rests the pecuniary responsibility of this work, and if books were to be estimated by their bulk alone it would be wise, to dismiss their Editor, dispense with the labors of their present contributors (among whom are some of the first theologians in New England), beg such matter as they could, and borrow the rest, and so furnish to their subscribers a much cheaper publication. But the truth is, that such a publication, to stand in the place of this, and meet the object contemplated by this-would do no good-it would be worse than nothing. The Spirit of the Pilgrims must be made, in point of literary and theological ability, as respectable as possible, without regard to considerations of expense. The encouragement we have received forbids us to doubt, that a work of this character is felt to be needed, and will be vigorously sustained.

We take this opportunity of expressing our obligations to those whose communications have hitherto enriched our pages, and of soliciting their continued assistance. We solicit, also, the assistance of all, who think favorably of the work, in extending its circulation. Did we not think an importance attached to this request, not to us personally, but to the cause of truth, we would not make it. How easy would it be for most of the clergymen who patronize this work, to obtain enough subscribers among their people to receive a copy gratis; and by this means the circulation might be nearly doubled.

We only add, that the next volume will be published in the same style, and on the same terms, as those which have preceded it. Those who wish to discontinue their subscriptions are requested to give notice to the Publishers previous to the first of January, at which time the publication of the third volume will commence.

Dr. Beecher's Reply to the Christian Examiner on the Damnation of Infants, may be expected in our next.