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10.-The Jubilee of the Constitution. A Discourse delivered at the request of the New-York Historical Society in the city of New-York, on Tuesday the 30th of April 1839, being the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Inauguration of George Washington as President of the United States, on Thursday the 30th of April 1789. By John Quincy Adams. New-York: Samuel Colman, 1839. pp. 136.

The occasion, the subject and the author of this discourse are in happy keeping with each other, and such as to excite the highest expectations of the reader, when he opens its pages. In our own case these expectations have been more than answered. In discoursing upon the history of the Constitution of the United States, the venerable ex-president appears in his glory. He briefly presents the occasion and the spirit of the war, and the principles of the Declaration of Independence, and then traces, step by step, with consummate ability, the departure from those principles in the early endeavors to organize a confederation of the states, the disastrous consequences of that departure, and the admirable spirit and temper with which the present constitution of the general government was adopted in 1789. This early and interesting history, together with the flood of light. which it sheds upon the principles, progress and blessings of the government to the present time lift this discourse far above the level of ordinary patriotic addresses, and will make it an enduring monument, to which the American patriot and Christian may recur in all future time to refresh their recollections of the principles which lie at the foundation of our union, and to inspire their gratitude to the Great Disposer of all events for the blessings he has conferred upon us as a free people.

11.-The Metropolitan Pulpit; or Sketches of the Most Popular Preachers in London. By the author of " Random_Recol lections," "The Great Metropolis," "Travels in Town," etc. etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1839. pp. 416.

To

For the moral effect of the publication of this book 66 the upon popular preachers" whose talents and characters it attempts to describe, we would not choose to be responsible. They must already have attained to much of the grace of humility, or this publication can hardly be expected to be the means, to them, of more grace. us, however, who live upon this side of the waters, and whose intercourse with our parent land is becoming daily more intimate, it cannot but be interesting, and perhaps profitable, to know as much as we may of the characteristic traits and comparative talents and standing of the individuals who compose the christian ministry of London. We have read several of these "Sketches," from which

we judge the book to be written with considerable discrimination and abilty. It contains professed descriptions of fifty-three of the ministers of London, and the author expresses his regret at being obliged to omit, for the present, many distinguished names. The curiosity of American readers, however, will be excited by the circle of foreign divines here presented to their acquaintance, and we doubt not the book will be read.

12.-The Life, Times and Characteristics of John Bunyan, author of the Pilgrim's Progress. By Robert Philip, author of the Life and Times of Whitefield, the Experimental Guide, etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1839. pp. 498.

The church and the world have, long since, done justice to the character and genius of Bunyan. He has received all the heart-homage which can well be paid to a christian author, and stands in no need either of a vindicator or a eulogist. These considerations together with the prevalent impression, that, as Montgomery has well observed, his CHRISTIAN, in the " Pilgrim's Progress" is "a full length portrait of himself," have caused a century and a half to pass away without producing a Life of Bunyan. We have had numerous sketches of his life, but no professedly full biography, until Dr. Philip, having his attention directed to the experience of this remarkable man, in the course of his investigations for another object, has accomplished the work and made a valuable addition to our biographical literature in the volume before us. It is written in an attractive ⚫ style, and brings to light much that was before unknown or unnoti ced, as well as much to enlarge and illustrate what was best known in the history of Bunyan. It claims, indeed, to be as complete a Life of Bunyan, as his own documents or the traditions of his country can furnish at this late period. It will doubtless be a popular, as it cannot fail to be a useful book.

13.-A Critical Exposition of Mental Philosophy; or the First Principles of Metaphysics; embracing a Critical Analysis of Ideas, the elements of Reasoning, and the Philosophy of the Feelings and Will. Adapted to Academic and Popu lar use. By Leicester A. Sawyer, A. M. New Haven:

Durrie and Peck, 1839. PP: 316.

It is easy to write a book on mental philosophy. The subject is one, which, to every mind accustomed to reflect upon its own acts, presents an endless variety of details, out of which to form theories and conduct disquisitions. There is therefore absolutely no limit to the range which this subject presents to any one who is inclined to persue its investigation, unless he has good judgment and decision enough

to fix a limit to his own inquiries. This however is not often done with sufficient precision, and hence we have many theories of the mind differing from each other, in consequence of the different points at which the writers have entered the field, and the number and extent of the materials embraced in their discussions. Thus the true nature of the subject is not fully reached, or it is encumbered and obscured by additions of science falsely so called.

To avoid these incumbrances and produce a philosophy of the mind worthy of all acceptation, the inquirer should plant himself on those fixed principles of intellectual science, on which all reflecting men agree. These together with those mental phenomena which are supported by the testimony of universal experience, should constitute the foundation of his structure, and nothing should be "builded thereupon," which will not stand firmly upon this foundation, or which shall in any measure disturb or disarrange the materials of it. Having attained this agreement as to fundamental principles and facts, the next object to be aimed at should be agreement in the use and definition of the proper terms to express these principles and facts. If every new writer invents new terms, or gives new definitions to old ones, the result will soon be a confusion of tongues on this whole subject. This is one error into which we think Mr. Sawyer has fallen in the work before us. He has extended, for instance, the signification of the word mind, so as to embrace the principle of life in animals and vegetables, as well as in man, and speaks of " animal minds" and "vegetable minds." This, in our view, at once introduces confusion into the science, and leads the author to some absurd conclusions. Following out the theory indicated by this definition, and subjecting all " minds, human, animal and vegetable," to one general law, he infers the actual extension of mind and its "capacity of indefinite extension," "as the same vegetable mind which is now limited to the narrow dimensions of an acorn, is capable of being expanded to those of the largest oak, and the same human mind which is now restricted to the narrow dimensions of an infant body, is capable of being expanded to those of the largest man." He infers also the "indefinite divisibility of mind," and hence, the probability that minds are propagated by division, the mind of the offspring, (vegetable, animal, or human,) being a disconnected part of that of the parent, and a successor to it. The reader will judge whether this language does not confound mind with matter, and far overstep the proper boundaries of mental sci

ence.

There are some other fanciful positions assumed in this book, from which we must beg leave to dissent, but which the limits of our notice will not allow us to discuss. On the whole, though this publication indicates considerable study of the subject, and contaius some sound principles and valuable remarks, we are sorry to add

that in our judgment the author has failed to adapt it with any probable prospect of success or profit, either to "Academic" or 66 popular use.

14.-A Review of Edwards's " Inquiry into the Freedom of the Will." Containing I. Statement of Edwards's System. II. The Legitimate Consequences of this System. III. An Examination of the Arguments against a Self-Determining Will. By Henry Philip Tappan. New York: John S. Taylor, 1839. pp. 300.

It

This is a work the appearance of which is ominous of good. indicates an existing and a growing spirit of free inquiry and of liberal thought. It may be considered as representing the views of a portion of the religious community upon a subject the most interesting and difficult in the whole range of metaphysics, and of deep practical importance. It is the most elaborate and extended professed review of Edwards on the Will,' that has appeared in this country, with the exception of the Examination' by the late Dr. Dana of New Haven, the successive parts of which were published in 1770 and 1773. We are glad to see a work embodying the results of more recent investigations in this department, as it will bring the subject more fairly into the field for discussion, and the great mass of our theologians and metaphysicians, who stand substantially on the ground of Edwards, will know with whom and with what they are to contend.

Prof. Tappan seems to enter upon his task in a spirit of manly impartiality. He thinks that the progress of independent inquiry upon the subject has been greatly retarded by its connection with theological controversies, and is determined that his own shall be a purely psychological investigation. He proposes to submit the theory of Edwards to the test of consciousness, and so far from weakening the supports of evangelical religion, he hopes by this independent process to place it on a surer basis.

In the first part of the work is presented an analysis of the five sections which comprise the first part of the Inquiry into the Freedom of the Will.' On the basis of this analysis, the author presents a Compend of what he understands to be the Psychological System of President Edwards. This is followed by a brief comparison of the systems of Edwards and Locke.

The Second part presents "The legitimate Consequences of Edwards's system," both those which are derived from it by its advocates, so far as they are logically deducible, and those which are inferred by its enemies, who wish by a reductio ad absurdum to overthrow it. The legitimateness of some of these consequences is at least a fair subject for dispute.

SECOND SERIES, VOL. II. NO. III.

334

The Third part is designed to refute the arguments of Edwards against the self determining power of the will, and against a contingent determination. With reference to the reduction of a self determing act of will to the absurdity of an act before the first,' the author states that such reasoning would be fatal to all causality, even that of motives, that it is contrary to the testimony of consciousness, and to the virtual admissions of President Edwards himself. The real point in dispute he considers the necessary or contingent determination of the will-and to that part of the subject he devotes the remainder of his work. To give an abstract of this defence of a contingent will would be impossible in the limits of this notice. We hope to be able in a subsequent and more extended article to give our own views of the positions here so ably maintained, to several of which, we do not yield our assent.

The becoming respect and veneration exhibited by the author towards the distinguished theologian whose theory he assails, may be seen from the following passage. 'The great man with whose work I have been engaged, I honor and admire for his intellectual might, and love and venerate for a purity and elevation of spirit, which places him among the most sainted names of the christian church. But have I done wrong not to be seduced by his genius, nor won and commanded by his piety to the belief of his philosophy? I have not done wrong if that be a false philosophy. When he leads me to the cross, and speaks to me of salvation, I hear in mute attentionand one of the old preachers of the martyr age seems to have reappeared. But when we take a walk in the Academic grove, I view him in a different character, and here his voice does not sound to me so sweet as Plato's.'

This work, we learn from the author, is to be followed by another, now in the course of preparation, which will present "the true doctrine of the will as determined by an appeal to consciousness," and as connected with moral agency, and the precepts of the Bible.

Additional Notices of New Publications.

We have prepared notices of the following books, which we are obliged to defer.

Fuhrmann's Manual of Recent Theological Literature. German. 1836. Memoir of Mrs. Sarah L. Smith, late of the Mission in Syria, under the direction of the A. B. C. F. M. By Edward W. Hooker, Pastor of the First Cong. Church, Bennington, Vt. Boston: Perkins & Marvin, 1839. pp. 407. One of the very best memoirs we have read.

Mc Donner; or Truth through Fiction. By Jacob Abbott. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, 1839. pp. 283.-An intensely interesting book.

Narrative of a Journey to Guatemala in Central America in 1838. By G. W. Montgomery. New York: Wiley & Putnam, 1839. pp. 195.

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