ART. VIII.-CRITICAL NOTICES. Third Series. New-York, 1840. 1. The School District Library. THE publishers of these series are, beyond doubt, rendering a very important service to the community. The cause of school district libraries is identified with the best interests of the people; and there is no way in which it can be effectually sustained but by successive publications, in a collective form, of cheap and good books. We are happy to perceive that the Messrs. Harpers continue rightly to appreciate the obligations they have assumed in this matter; their third series is an admirable one, in all respects worthy of being placed by the side of those which have preceded it; and this, as far as our knowledge extends, is, without any exception, the judgment both of the public and the press. The number of original works in this series is greater than in either of the former, and we notice among their authors the names of some of our best writers and most distinguished scholars Washington Irving, Dr. Nott, Professor Renwick, Dr. Potter, Professor Upham, Mr. Mackenzie, &c. Halleck and Bryant have also contributed three beautiful volumes, consisting of selections from the British and American poets. The subjects treated of are exceedingly well chosen, and embrace the most interesting departments of useful knowledge. It would be difficult, we think, to find in any other collection of the same compass so great an amount of varied information. While every thing of a sectarian nature has very properly been excluded, we are glad to see that there is a due proportion of valuable religious matter in the present series-such as Counsels to Young Men, by Dr. Nott; Portions of the Family Instructor, of Professor Sedgwick's admirable Discourse on Study, and of Dr. Johnson's inimitable Moral Essays. In one respect the volumes in this collection are worthy of all commendation; they are thoroughly pure in language and in sentiment, a circumstance of vital importance in books intended for such an object. There are several works, both original and selected, which on account of their striking merit we should like particularly to notice; but, as our space is limited, and we are desirous to say something in relation to the great importance, &c., of the library system as established in this state, as a means of diffusing useful knowledge among the people, or, in other words, of educating the entire mind of the community, we must content ourselves with this general expression of opinion. It is now about six years since the subject of school district libraries first attracted the attention of a few individuals among us, deeply interested in benevolent designs, and especially in the improvement of our system of popular education. They hoped, by the establishment of these libraries, to awaken a spirit of inquiry and desire of improvement among our youth, that would lead them to habits of self-cultivation, and, at the same time, were persuaded that no method so effectual could be devised for the spread of useful information, and the enlightenment of all classes in the community. These views they presented to the legislature of the state of New-York, and in the spring of 1835 an act was passed, authorizing the inhabitants of any school district to raise by tax the sum of twenty dollars the first year, and ten dollars in any subsequent year, to be applied to the purchase of books for a district library. This act, however, being simply permissive, while the subject itself was entirely new, attracted but little attention, and only a very small number of districts availed themselves of its provisions. Still, the friends of the measure were not discouraged. They again pressed it upon the notice of the legislature with renewed earnestness; and, in April, 1838, that body, in a spirit of enlightened liberality worthy of all praise, appropriated from the income of the United States deposite fund (the whole of which had been nobly set apart for purposes. of education) the sum of fifty-five thousand dollars annually for three years, to be apportioned among the school districts according to the number of children between the ages of five and sixteen that they were respectively reported to contain, with the condition, that it should be expended by them within the year, in the purchase of books for a district library; directing, at the same time, that an equal amount should be raised by a tax on the people at large, making together the sum of one hundred and ten thousand dollars, to be applied annually, for the period before named, to this object. This period was extended, in the following session, from three years to five; after which, as the law now stands, though the same amount will continue to be distributed, the inhabitants of the districts will be at liberty to employ the money so received, either for the maintenance of a library or the payment of teachers' wages, at their discretion. We cannot doubt, however, so thoroughly convinced are the community at large of the importance of perpetuating the system so happily commenced, and of giving to it the fullest development, that the latter period will be further extended, or, what is perhaps still more probable, that the discretionary clause will be entirely withdrawn, leaving it mandatory on the districts, without any limitation of time, to expend the money for the support of a library, and for nothing else. The first distribution of library money was made in the spring of 1839. In his report, presented to the legislature the following spring, the superintendent states, that over six thousand districts had provided themselves with libraries, comprising in all about two hundred and fifty thousand volumes. But as this was only the first starting of a new and widely extended system, the returns had necessarily been very imperfect, and the number of districts that had actually purchased libraries was probably over seven thousand, and the whole number of volumes not less than three hundred thousand. The number of efficient school districts in the state may be set down at about ten thousand, and the delinquency of the remaining three thousand districts, supposed to have been without libraries, had been owing, we may presume, in most cases, either to the remoteness of their situation, or the smallness of the sum received by them, or the want of proper knowledge how to proceed. The superintendent not having yet presented his report for the last year, we can only refer to the governor's message, recently delivered, for information as to the progress of the cause up to the present period. In this he says, "There are very few districts which have not complied with the act providing for the establishment of school district libraries, and there are at this time in these various district libraries about one million of volumes. These libraries generally include history and biography, voyages and travels, works on natural history and the physical sciences, treatises upon agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and the arts, and judicious selections from modern literature." Thus in the two first years of the experiment, two hundred and twenty thousand dollars have been distributed, not far from a million volumes, with few exceptions, of good and useful books have been procured, and are scattering light and knowledge over every portion of the state, and nearly all our school districts are furnished with libraries. These, it must be admitted, we think, are highly gratifying results, and full of promise for the future. We congratulate, therefore, the early and untiring friends of this measure, on the signal success that has crowned their efforts, and the community at large, who have so honorably sustained it, and who will not fail to reap its rich benefits. Of their own noble state, that leads the way in this great and good work, its citizens may feel more justly proud; and we would say to every state in our glorious Union, "Go, and do thou likewise”—that throughout all our borders there may be established the united influence of intelligence and virtue. 2. Oxford Divinity compared with that of the Romish and Anglican Churches: with a special View to the Illustration of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith, as it was made of primary Importance by the Reformers; and as it lies as the Foundation of all Scriptural Views of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the Right Rev. CHARLES PETTIT M'ILVAINE, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of Ohio. 8vo., pp. 546. Philadelphia: Joseph Wheaton & Son. 1841. THE doctrines of the Oxford divines, as set forth in the celebrated Tracts for the Times, and other publications, have been considered by many, both Protestants and Romanists, as a departure from the true doctrines of the Reformation, and a virtual return to those of popery. In two Catholic discourses upon the rule of faith, which we heard last May in Baltimore, one of them from the celebrated Bishop England, these divines were quoted in proof of several distinguishing doctrines of the Romish Church. And, in our view at least, the authorities were pertinent to the purposes for which they were employed. Bishop M'Ilvaine has conclusively proved, in the work whose title is given above, the identity of Oxfordism and Romanism. His discussion is wholly theological, and he directs his attention to one great and leading doctrine, viz., "justification by faith." This doctrine is by these divines confounded with sanctification, and so rendered entirely nugatory. They assert the "real identity, in matter of fact, between sanctification and justification," and allege that "justification and renewal" are "convertible terms." Justification is represented as "coming to us through our sanctified wills and doings." But their notions of sanctification itself are equally crude and antiscriptural. They hold to "baptismal regeneration," i. e., that the soul is really renewed by this external ordinance. So according to this theory, baptism is the grand instrumental cause of human salvation in all its parts! These doctrines the bishop proves to be fundamental in the Romish theology and wholly antiprotestant. Numerous other developments of the peculiar dogmas of Rome, growing out of these capital errors, are detected by the bishop. It has sometimes been said, "A great book is a great evil." According to this maxim, many will be disposed to find fault with the work before us. Perhaps for popular effect the author might in many places have condensed to advantage; but, for our part, we read the book without weariness to the very close. The quotations from the reformers are full and pertinent, and reflect much light upon their theology. Though we must not, by this notice, be supposed to indorse all the bishop's views, yet in general we consider him quite evangelical; and, upon the whole, would most earnestly recommend the work to all who wish a clear, extended, and comprehensive view of the character and tendency of Oxford divinity. The mechanical execution of the work is truly creditable to the publishers. They have given this excellent work, of an excellent author, a most beautiful dress. 3. The Convert's Guide and Preacher's Assistant. By Rev. T. MERRITT. 18mo., pp. 260. New-York: published by George Lane. 1841. THIS manual, as the title imports, is especially designed for the benefit of those who are young in religion. The directions and instructions which it contains are the fruit of much thought and deep experience in the things of God. It constitutes a concise body of practical divinity, and cannot fail to be eminently useful in helping the convert, be he young or old in years, to a right understanding of his duty, and the means of defense against the numerous snares which may be laid for his feet. It will be found an effective "assistant" to the faithful pastor in feeding the lambs of the flock with the "sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby." 4. The Wesleyan Student; or, Memoirs of Aaron Haynes Hurd, late a Member of the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. By JOSEPH HOLDICH, A. M. 18mo., pp. 288. New-York: published by G. Lane. 1841. WHEN a young man works his way through numerous difficulties to eminence as a student, and by excessive application fritters away the wheels of life before he completes his collegiate course, we naturally inquire, To what purpose is this waste of strength and talent, in the mere work of preparation for a course of usefulness, which is never realized? The interesting little volume before us answers this question. We here have a messenger of God, if you please, a missionary, sent out of the woods of Canada into our higher literary institutions to do his Master's work. That work was well done, and the fruit will long remain. We have not space adequately to describe this excellent Memoir of an excellent and most promising young man. But we would most earnestly recommend it to the attention of all who want a rich repast—a feast of rational entertainment and of spiritual instruction. Especially would we commend it to the young, and more especially to students, and still more especially to those who have at any time sustained the relation of a student in the Oneida Conference Seminary, or the Wesleyan University. To such it will have a peculiar charm. 5. The Obligations, Subjects, and Mode of Baptism. By Rev. HENRY SLICER. 18mo., pp. 262. New-York: published by G. Lane. 1841. THIS work is upon a subject which has been discussed on both sides by many able and learned divines, and yet there seems little prospect of a termination of the controversy. The author treats the subject as a controversialist; and bringing his antagonist to the test of Scripture and argument, he exhibits in a clear and strong light the weak points of his theory. Though perhaps we ought to say, his touches are sometimes too caustic, yet our author has, doubtless, shed much light upon this truly vexed question, for which the public ought to be grateful. MR. BROWNSON Complains that injustice is done him in our January number, in making him oppose "the institution of marriage," whereas he only denies it to be "a religious institution-a sacrament, rather than a civil contract." We are happy to learn that Mr. B. does not maintain what our correspondent considers the legitimate consequences of his positions; but would be still better pleased, should he see proper explicitly to retract his language on that subject. We have not room for Mr. B.'s letter, or we would insert it entire, though it is quite too small a covering to hide the absurdities of his system. |