1838.] Report of the Bishop White Prayer Book Society. 245

bishop proceeds to argue the general question, with a force and precision of argument and language, we think beyond his wont. The conclusion to which he comes is unquestionably the true and just one. Religion is our basis, recognized and acknowledged, and christianity is our choice-one involved by necessary implication in the whole frame work of our constitution and laws, the founders of them having "only exercised the right of selection where some selection must be made, and then chosen the only wise and good." In support of this conclusion, he adduces partly in the discourse, but chiefly in the appendix, the leading legal authorities on this question. The grounds on which he puts the essential connexion between religion and the true prosperity of the nation are twofold:

1. That the most powerful and permanent sources of disorder and wretchedness in the community, are those which no laws but those of God can reach and regulate.

2. That God has so determined it.

That this deeply interesting question, whether or no we be a christian government, has here received its full and satisfactory solution we have not asserted, and we do not think; not only do the limits of a pulpit discourse forbid such extension, but more than that, it is a question that runs so deep into our nature, as to require an analytic power of reasoning, and a depth of learned research to treat it as it deserves, such as few, very few, can bring to the task. To master that argument would require the learning of Warburton, the acuteness of Butler, and the moral force of Johnson, combined with the constitutional jurisprudence of a Marshall, Kent, and Story. We are gratified, however, to see rising up from so many quarters indications of right reasoning on this subject; and among others, a recent work from our city press, which will probably call forth a more enlarged expression of our opinions in the next number of the Review. In the meantime, we most cordially commend the discourse of Bishop M'Ilvaine, and above all his argument, to the serious attention of our readers.

13-The Fifth Annual Report of the Bishop White Prayer Book Society, at its Annual Meeting, May 16, 1838. Philadelphia: Pp. 15.

THE Bishop White Prayer Book Society has been in operation four years; during which time it has distributed 17,671 copies of that most excellent of all formularies of devotion, among the poor and the dispersed members of the church-among sailors in the navy, prisoners in penitentiaries, and some for the use of foreign

missions. This society, therefore, has been doing a labor of love, and doubtless of much usefulness; we regret to find that its funds, and consequently its means of action, are diminished. The reviving prosperity of the country, still more the reviving zeal of the church, we trust, and indeed doubt not, will soon restore them. The report, in addition to its general interest, may be further recommended as containing a just, however oft repeated eulogium, on the liturgy of the church In the appeal to churchmen by a prayer book society, such can never be out of place; and it is an argument beginning, we think, to operate powerfully far beyond those limits. The christian world has of late years, more especially in our country, had a pretty effective homily read to them on the Pauline text, 1 Corinthians, xiv. 40, "Let all things be done decently and in order."

14. An Address to the People of New Jersey on the subject of Common Schools. Burlington, N. J.

WE are no great friends to primary meetings, and self-constituted sources of legislation for the correction of evils in the community; but if there be a case excepted, it would be the cause of education; and if any fruit could justify them, it would be such an address as the present. Though emanating from a committee, it is unquestionably the production of the right reverend bishop of the diocese of New Jersey; and indeed it is easy to recognize in it the direct vigorous home style of his ever ready energetic pen, and we know nothing among his popular efforts more worthy of it. This address is the result of a voluntary school convention, that met in Trenton on the sixteenth of January last. Their powers devolving upon a general committee, sub-committees of correspondence were by them established, with a view to gather facts, diffuse information, and organize public influence in favor of the object. To these sub-committees, a circular and queries, from the central one, have been directed; and, finally, to "the people of New Jersey" the address now before us sent forth. All this, doubtless, is well done and skilfully done, and nothing but good can be the result; and yet it is a machinery that in other hands would be equally effective for evil. It presupposes "good," in order to produce "good" and it is certainly a high test of the prudence or virtue of a people, when the ship of state can be habitually put under this high steam movement without endangering its safety or its course. But, after all, there is one practical defect in all legislation for schools, arising out of the popular will: the executive department

is not, and will not be, made sufficiently energetic-the people are willing enough to legislate, but not to give power-the children forsooth are to be instructed, but the parents are wise enough; school houses are therefore to be built, but no plan shall be imposed-school books used, but none chosen-libraries shall be purchased, but the choice of books unguided; and thus it often comes to pass, (saving the majesty of the sovereign people,) that what Anacharsis said of the Athenian state is true of ours, namely, that it was one in which the wise deliberate and fools decide! As patriots, we wish well to this and all similar popular efforts; but then, as christians, we pray also that they may be wisely guided to all good.

15.-A Lecture on the Literary Opportunities of Men of Business, delivered before the Athenian Institute and Mercantile Library of Philadelphia, April 3, 1838. By HENRY REED, Professor of English Literature in the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: 1838. 12mo. pp. 36.

THIS little pamphlet we deem a jewel, and that too of the first water. It were little to say it is worth its weight in gold, for that would scarce mount it to a pennyweight, or to measure it by its bulk, for it can be held between the finger and thumb without feeling it; and yet we know many folios, both in philosophy and divinity, that would kick the beam if weighed against it, for good sense, right feeling, and judicious advice, set off too with all the beauties of an unpretending simplicity of style and manner. Nor is this all our author is original without pretending to be so, and brings down the high truths of philosophy to bear upon his cause, with a familiarity and a kindliness that proves he has not studied in vain in the school of Wordsworth. It is, we believe, to his past labors that we owe the recent American edition of that wisest of poets, and the present shows that he has drank deep of that most safe, refreshing, and unintoxicating of all poetic fountains of Parnassus. Our only quarrel with this address, is the form in which it appears, which is wholly unworthy of its merit. If "spare cash" were a little more plenty with reviewers, we would ourselves have undertaken to amend this error, and by a handsome New York edition, to attain the double end of giving to our citizens a lesson of wisdom they need even beyond those to whom it was originally addressed; and also of mixing up our claim to public merit with that of its accomplished author.

16.- Saint Jonathan, the Lay of a Scald. New York: 1838. 12mo. pp. 48.

THERE is more merit in this light-toned poetical satire, than we were led to expect from its most unpromising title, and awkward epistle dedicatory. In the prose of its author we discern the pen of the youthful aspirant, but in his rhymes are forced to recognize the truth of Bacon's adage, that "poetry is a plant that groweth up without seed." On the whole, we see in it talent, and that (speaking comparatively) of no common order; but such as we think will soon win for its author a foremost rank among American poets, at least in the style of poetry he has here chosen. His lines have point and force in thought, as well as expression; and he varies from grave to gay, and satirical to tender, with a freedom, and sometimes a grace, that would be far from discrediting an experienced pen. Doubtless all this is an easier task than at first sight appears. "L'abandon" is perhaps after all the great secret of such poetry. Give reins to fancy, and then, in the counsel of Britomart, "be bold-be bold-be bold." Therefore it is, among other reasons, we are no enthusiastic admirers of this "Poesia Bernesca," to which the talents of Byron first gave popularity, and have, as it were, "domesticated" in our more staid homeborn literature. This leads us to another objection. Byron's paternity has stamped on all such poetry somewhat of a Satanic taint, from which few that have followed him have wholly kept free; the brimstone goes with them even into the sweet and pure beauties of nature. That our author is not wholly out of the spell, may be argued from his motto prefixed, "fie thou dishonest Sathan ;" though we cannot flatter him in the belief that his exorcism has been completely successful. But for the better view. The satire of our unknown poet is both well placed and well put, and right and good ends are always at the bottom as well as mostly at the top of all he says, whether of wisdom or foolery. He promises, we see, a second canto better than the first, and doubtless he can perform what he promises; and yet, as he kindly terms us, my tender cousin of the new church journal," we will venture to exercise the privilege of an elder, as well as a clerical relative, and give him a word of parting advice. The motley coat he wears, even in satire, is a wearisome dress; let him not then wear it too long. He indeed disclaims it, and has besides shown himself well entitled to clothe his verse in its nobler garb of truth and soberness. Nor is this all; we would say further to him, young as we think him to be-talented as we know him to be-let not the praise of a popular poet withdraw you from the duties of a man and a christian; be not betrayed into becoming a regular trader in the poorest of all the commodities of a poor trade; and remember, that he who caters unwholesome stimulants for the craving intellect of the public, can have no right to rank himself on the "Temperance" side, when the question comes up, of the bodily appetite.

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17.-Liberty and Law; a Lecture delivered before the Young Men's Association in Geneva, New York, November 8, 1837. BENJAMIN HALE, D. D., President of Geneva College. Geneva: 1838. 3vo. pp. 24.

LAW.

THIS is a noble theme, and nobly treated; firm in his principles, our author is equally fearless in the expression of them. Such a discourse cannot but do good. The times need it; and in the hands of men of talent and station, the argument must at length tell upon the public mind. It is one which reason demonstrates, and experience verifies. LIBERTY CAN NEVER BE DIVORCED FROM It is a marriage so sanctioned by God, that man cannot separate them. Under the guardian roof of law alone it is that liberty can dwell there alone is she the mother of peace, and order, and all the gentle train of social and domestic virtues. Wandering from that home, she becomes the harlot, and the harlot-mother of force and rapine, and all the progeny of crime and blood. Such is the eternal law written in heaven, and stamped upon the things of earth. This argument is ably put by Dr. Hale. His position is, that "liberty exists by its own limitations;" and, consequently, that states can continue free only by "submission to law." It was the answer of one of the wisest of the wise men of Greece, that that was the freest form of government where the law ruled and not will; and it is wonderful how little advance the philosophy of twenty-five hundred years has made upon the completeness of his answer. That herein lies our danger, all admit; but it is not every one that is willing to open his eyes to the fact, that our freedom has been already tarnished, and that mob law is still trampling liberty under foot. But laws, to be law, must be wise and good. How shall this be secured? This question, as a necessary adjunct, is also ably argued, and the inability demonstrated of mere intellectual culture to fit men for the task of wise governments. Knowledge alone will not do it ;” — we must not only fill the mind, but form the character we must make education moral as well as intellectual." We argue well (we would add in conclusion) of the prospects of Geneva college, from the fact of its having such a head as Dr. Hale, and are satisfied that it will repay to the state a thousand fold the patronage it receives, if it do but send forth its alumni, imbued with the noble and right principles of "liberty and law," so ably advocated in this address of its president.

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