1846.]

Notices of Recent Publications.

143

An Epistolary Declaration and Testimony of the Yearly Meeting of Friends, for New England, respecting the Proceedings of those who have effected a Schism therein; and also showing the Contrast between the Doctrines which they have promulgated and supported and those which have always been held by Friends. Providence. 1845. 8vo. pp. 66. An Address from Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting of Friends, to the Members of that Religious Society within the Limits of New England Yearly Meeting and elsewhere. New York. 1845. 8vo. pp. 48.

Narrative of Facts and Circumstances that have tended to produce a Secession from the Society of Friends, in New England Yearly Meeting. Providence. 1845. 8vo. pp. 44 and 24. Calumny Refuted; or, a Glance at John Wilbur's Book. Second edition. With a few prefatory Remarks. London. 1846. 8vo. pp. 17 and 92.

Considerations addressed to the Members of the Yearly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia. Philadelphia. 1846. 8vo. pp. 86.

THE accumulation of these pamphlets, all of which have been sent to us since the publication of the article on the "Schism in the Society of Friends" in a late number of our journal, shows how strong an interest the subject has excited. The first and second of them we had read, and used in writing that article. They contain a narrative of the events that led to the separation of J. Wilbur and his friends from the old Yearly Meeting, and a justification of his conduct in reference to that transaction. The third we had also consulted. It is published by authority of the Yearly Meeting and defends its proceedings on the ground, that "doctrines were not at all in question; but the support of Christian order and the Discipline." We conceive that it is neither tenable nor right, to insist that a matter of discipline should take precedence of a doctrinal difference that threatens to terminate the existence of the Society as a separate organization. The fourth is a defence of Mr. Gurney against the charge of departing from the doctrines and testimonies of the primitive Quakers. During the controversy between J. Wilbur and the Yearly Meeting, the latter uniformly treated it as a matter of discipline, and justified their proceedings against him on the ground, that by bringing charges of unsound doctrine against an accredited minister he was violating the regulations established by the Society for such cases; whereas Mr. Wilbur insisted that this was a far more important question than one of discipline, namely, a question of doctrine,- that Mr. Gurney taught doctrines inconsistent with those which the Society had always maintained. The Meeting would never consent to

a public examination of Mr. Gurney's opinions and a comparison of them with the standard authorities of their Church. In the Tract, "Calumny Refuted," this comparison is instituted. After reading it carefully we are constrained to say, that the resemblance between his doctrines and those of the early Friends is rather verbal than real, and that the allegation of a departure from the acknowledged standards of the Society is fully sustained. The last of the above mentioned documents is by far the most important to a correct understanding of this controversy, of any that have fallen under our notice. It is a review of the proceedings in the case of John Wilbur written with remarkable intelligence and candor. We think it must produce in the minds of impartial readers a conviction, that Wilbur's offence consisted in his strictures upon the doctrines advocated by Mr. Gurney, and in his assertions and offers to prove that they contradicted the fundamental principles of Quakerism.

We have no personal or denominational interest in this controversy. We stand as observers outside the parties concerned in it. And it seems to us very singular, that while members of various religious denominations, widely differing in their opinions from each other, can discover not only a difference between the doctrines of Mr. Gurney and those of the primitive Friends, but an absolute discordance between them, many of the Quaker Society can see nothing but harmony. To our minds the difference is as distinctly marked as that between rigid Calvinism and Arminianism.

M.

Catalogue of Works in Refutation of Methodism, from its Origin in 1729, to the present time. Of those by Methodist Authors on Lay-representation, Methodist Episcopacy, etc., and of the Political Pamphlets relating to Wesley's "Calm Address to our American Colonies." Compiled by H. C. DECANVER. Philadelphia. 1846. 8vo. pp. 54.

To those who have ever been engaged in historical inquiries, or in tracing the origin and progress of opinions, controversies, or sects, of whatever nature, nothing need be said in commendation of an undertaking like that of Mr. Decanver in this publication. His" Catalogue" embraces, as he informs us, the titles of "two hundred and seventy-seven anti-Methodistical works, fifty-five by Methodist Authors, eighty-two miscellaneous, and twenty political." A few explanations and comments are sometimes added, particularly in regard to Mr. Wesley's "Calm Address to the American Colonies," 1775. Wesley's "calmness," it was remarked, "is only to be found in his title pages,"

no uncommon occurrence.

L.

1846.]

Notices of Recent Publications.

145

M. T. Ciceronis De Natura Deorum Libri Tres. Accedunt Nota Anglica. Cura C. K. DILLAWAY, A. M. Tom. I. et II. Philadelphiæ. 1846. 12mo. pp. 150, 144.

Two exceedingly neat little volumes, containing Cicero's treatise on the Nature of the Gods, with English notes by Mr. C. K. Dillaway, whose labors in editing entitle him to the gratitude of the friends of classical learning among us. The volumes form the eleventh and twelfth of his series, the merits of which are too well known to require an extended notice at our hands.

L.

A Sermon, preached at the Ordination of the Rev. Oliver W. B. Peabody, as Pastor of the First Congregational Church and Society in Burlington. By WILLIAM B. O. PEABODY, D. D., Minister in Springfield, Mass. With the Remarks of Rev. JOHN CORDNER, on giving the Fellowship of the Churches. August 14th, 1845. Burlington. 1846. 8vo. pp. 24. A Discourse on the Cambridge Church-Gathering in 1636; delivered in the First Church, on Sunday, Feb. 22, 1846. By WILLIAM NEWELL, Pastor of the First Church in Cambridge. Boston James Munroe & Co. 1846. 8vo. pp. 65. The Deceased Pastor still speaking to his Flock. A Discourse delivered March 14, 1846, in the North Church in Salem, the first Sabbath on which the Church was opened after the Decease of the Rev. John Brazer, D. D., late Pastor of the Congregation worshipping in said Church. By JAMES FLINT, D. D., Pastor of the East Church. Salem. 1846. 8vo. pp. 22. A Discourse delivered at the Dedication of the Chapel of the Church of the Saviour. Sunday, April 19, 1846. By the Pastor, R. C. WATERSTON. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1846. 8vo. PP. 23.

A Discourse delivered in the First Church, Boston, before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, June 1, 1846, being the CCVIIIth Anniversary. By GEORGE E. ELLIS, Pastor of Harvard Church, Charlestown. Boston. 1846. 8vo.. pp. 31. A Lecture on Temperance, delivered in Harvard Church, Charlestown. By GEORGE E. ELLIS. Boston. 1846. 8vo. pp. 22. The Memory of the late James Grahame, the Historian of the United States, Vindicated from the charges of "Detraction" and "Calumny" preferred against him by Mr. George Bancroft, and the Conduct of Mr. Bancroft towards that Historian stated and exposed. By JOSIAH QUINCY. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1846. 8vo. pp. 59.

Poverty: its Illegal Causes, and Legal Cure. Part I. By VOL. XLI. -4TH S. VOL. VI. NO. I.

13.

LYSANDER SPOONER. Boston: Bela Marsh. 1846. 8vo. pp. 108. Boston: A Poem. Boston Crosby & Nichols. 1846. 16mo. pp. 46.

DR. PEABODY'S Discourse exhibits his usual quiet beauty and truthfulness, and well illustrates the great and silent influence of character in a minister. - Mr. Newell's is one of the most beautiful historical discourses which we have ever read. It is alike admirable in conception and execution. The gathering of the first church in Cambridge, as appears from Winthrop's Journal, was an occasion of great and general interest. Taking this event as the central point and thus giving to his discourse the unity of a historical picture, he groups around it the men who were then eminent in our New England Church and State. For the back-ground of the scene, he has the winter and the forest, and the rude beginnings of the town. He brings before the eye of the spectator the Winthrops, Dudley, Vane, Haynes, Cotton, Hugh Peters, and others, who were then the leading spirits of the colony and worthy of perpetual memory. This general picture he has illustrated by numerous notes and an appendix, showing a careful accuracy of research, which must make the discourse as valuable to the antiquarian as it is interesting to the general reader. - Dr. Flint does not go into any biographical details, but inculcates the serious lessons to be derived from the death of one accustomed to speak on the great themes of religion on death and eternity. Mr. Waterston's Discourse, interesting as it must have been to the hearers, will have a permanent value, as giving some account of the origin of the society to which he ministers and the principles on which it is established. — Mr. Ellis's Discourse before the "Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company" contains a noble plea for peace, urged in language which, though plain and decided and showing a manly independence of thought, cannot, we think, be justly charged with discourtesy to those at whose call it was delivered.

In his Lecture on Temperance he treats an old topic in an impressive way, leaves the beaten track, and sets forth important views and arguments in a style of great clearness and force. The object of Mr. Quincy's pamphlet is fully expressed in the title. It is only necessary to say, that the vindication is, as it seems to us, complete, and leaves nothing more to be desired on the part of the friends of Mr. Grahame. We freely accord to Mr. Spooner the praise of benevolent intention, but must suspend a decision on the merits of his publication in other respects till its completion, this, as he intimates, being the first of four Parts. -The Poem entitled "Boston" appears to be an offering of sincere and warm admiration of the living and the dead, but, as a poetical production, we cannot say we think it entitled to praise.

1846.]

Religious Intelligence.

147

INTELLIGENCE.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Ecclesiastical Record.-Ill health and other causes continue to render changes in the ministry of frequent occurrence.-Rev. Dr. Dewey of New York having informed his people of his inability to supply the pulpit as their minister, an arrangement has been made, by which his connexion with them is dissolved, except so far as to leave him under an engagement to preach to them three months in each year.Rev. Mr. Sears of Lancaster, of whom we spoke some time ago, as laboring under disease, after resuming the duties of the pulpit and finding himself unequal to their discharge, has been requested by his people to take a still longer period of release from all public and parochial service. Rev. Mr. Muzzey of Cambridgeport has, on his own request, received a dismission from his pastoral charge.-Rev. Mr. Pierpont of Lynn has also relinquished his ministry in that place. -Rev. Mr. Parkman of Dover N. H. has sailed for Europe, intending to pass between one and two years abroad. His pulpit will be supplied during a part of his absence by Rev. Dr. Thompson of Barre.Rev. Mr. Dall, formerly of Baltimore, has taken charge of the ministry at large in Portsmouth N. H. for two years.

The corner-stone of the meetinghouse which the congregation that attend on Rev. Mr. Waterston's ministry are erecting in this city, was laid with religious services on the Wednesday morning of anniversary week, May 27, 1846. An address was delivered by Mr. Waterston, prayers were offered, and appropriate hymns were sung. - The Unitarian society at East Boston have taken a lease of a meetinghouse formerly occupied by the Universalists, and are increasing in number. A new society has been formed at Elgin, Ill., through the labors of Rev. Mr. Conant.-We observe in some of the religious papers notice of the gathering of a Presbyterian church in Boston. - We cannot but remark upon the practice which has lately arisen, and seems to find much favor, — of giving names to houses of public worship, erected by Congregationalists. In our own denomination we have already three churches "of the Saviour;" two churches "of the Messiah;" one "church of the Divine Unity;" and one "church of the Unity;" besides "the church of the Pilgrims," and we know not what other designation may have been found for other edifices, like those which in former days we were content to call by the plain title of meetinghouse, in such or such a town, or in such or such a street. We should be glad if a word of ours might help to discourage a practice which has so little to recommend it. To our ears it savours of a fondness for the ways of those Communions from which our fathers thought it their glory to depart, and we cannot bring ourselves to like this turning of words, with which we ought to have the most sacred and tender associations, into titles of earthly edifices, by which they soon lose their sanctity and real meaning. It appears to us that both correct sentiment and pure taste must pronounce against the prevalence of such a custom; nor do we see any possible advantage of which it can be productive.