EDITOR'S TABLE. A better opportunity was never presented to the American Church for contributing to the spread of the Gospel as embodied in the Catholic and evangelical system which she has received in regular transmission from the Apostles, than is found in the recent accession to our country of California. Nor could there be a call urged by higher considerations of duty, or more reasonable prospects of the happiest results. Among the emigrants to that distant region are to be found large numbers of our most intelligent and worthy citizens, and a fair proportion of our fellow members of the Church. To secure to these, and provide for all others whose hearts may be moved thereto, the spiritual privileges of the Church, is a matter of deep interest, and presents to us a department of Christian charity, appealing to the very best feelings of men and Christians. Our friends who have gone, and are constantly going, thither, are unavoidably exposed to heavy expenditure in getting there, in getting settled there, and in making the necessary arrangements for engaging in the duties of their respective callings in life, and (those who have them) in removing thither their families. Hence the call upon us-would we act towards them the part of brethren of the same country and the same faith, and have them enjoy those social and civil blessings and privileges which can re-kept up, added materially to its effect. It is sult only from cultivated intelligence, pure true, no facts were stated, and no parties desigmorals, and sound religion-to aid them, and nated by name; but this only made the matter aid them cheerfully, and aid them liberally, in more formidable and terrifying to those whose establishing among themselves the means of in-associations and habits of thought produced in tellectual, moral, and spiritual culture. There is every prospect that as soon as their worldly affairs have taken a good start, and are well under way, their churches and seminaries, and other religious and literary institutions, will be well sustained by them, and be made, in the more settled portions of the territory, means of extending their benefits to others. action, of which favorable results are beginning to be reported, by the Domestic Committee of the Board of Missions-will not, it is hoped, be suffered soon to flag. A new call now exists for it in the case of the Rev. R. Townsend Huddart, a highly respectable Presbyter of this Diocese, an accomplished scholar, and long experienced and successful teacher, in the higher branches of literature and science, and a gentleman well-learned in human nature, and in the means of giving proper influence and efficiency to social intercourse. Satisfied that he is one whose accession to their society will be cordially welcomed by our California friends, and be found beneficial to the cause of the Church and of learning among them, we respectfully tender to him our best wishes for his success and happiness, and commend to the serious attention and favorable regard of our readers, his "Appeal in Behalf of the Church in California," which has been circulated, and copies of which may be had, gratuitously, at No. 6 Cortlandt St., in this city. THE charge of a "Romanizing clique" in this Diocese, and particularly in this city, has, for a long while past, been oft-times raised in certain quarters. The apparent earnestness and the real eagerness with which this clamor was them a too easy credulity. Secret and concealed We can The great call for this immediate help, so much needed, and so rich in promises and prospects of usefulness, led to the very gratifying California movement of the Church in this city about a year ago. We rejoice much to hear that a blessing has attended it-the most encouraging accounts having been received from the Rev. Mr. Mines, of whose self-devotion to labor in that region, it was intended to be, by God's Such was the unnatural and overwrought blessing, a help and strengthener. state of mind into which many very excellent and The spirit then manifested,- -soon followed by truly conscientious people had been thrown whom had been for some time previously to his secession an assistant to the other, have left the Church for Rome. Not another Clergyman belonging to this Diocese; with perhaps two or or lay-woman; nay, if we may credit our senses, not even one of those "simple minded young gentlemen" has been seduced by the honeyed words of false teaching to abandon and forsake the faith into which they had been baptised. The Romanizers have gone from among us to pay a new "allegiance" elsewhere. For their sakes we grieve, but for the peace of the Church we rejoice. Their numbers are few, and their upon the subject of Romanizing." It was a mania, which, like the teeth of a mad dog, threw every one into spasms whom it took hold of. Danger, imminent and wide extended, was proclaimed, but the particulars were not forth-three reported exceptions not a single layman coming. The imagination was excited, and then allowed to revel among the terrifying shapes it had called into existence. Legions of white robed priests, of laymen, and of women, and perfect crowds of theological students, in the character of "simple minded young gentlemen," forming a mighty army, were seen through the dim perspective of the future, going out from the time honored portals of the CHURCH and marching with portentous tramp to bow them-apostacy will do the Church, from which they selves at the feet of Roman idols. In this vis- have separated themselves, far less injury than ion a dark cloud was seen suspended over the would their remaining within her fold, with Church. Her sons were turning traitors to her hearts and affections alienated and estranged. authority, withdrawing themselves from her Before they went from among bosom where they had been nourished with the were a cause of offence, and served as a prefood of life, and yielding themselves to embraces text for those who love agitation more than at once corrupting and degrading. The cry peace, to stir up strife in our borders. While was so loud and so long continued, and the we have cause to be thankful that so few have charge was at the same time so vague and ill-been deluded, may the present unfortunate exdefined, that expectation was raised to the high-amples be a warning to all sound Churchmen to est pitch. Intimations and suspicions the most be more earnest and zealous in holding fast the absurd were eagerly caught hold of, and greedily form of sound words. swallowed, but not being quite so easy of digestion, served only to stimulate the fancy and send it off on excursions still bolder and more fantastic. The curtain has at length been drawn, the fearful danger has been revealed, and another mouse has been born into the world. The mighty army of apostates, which loomed up through the mists of an over-heated fancy, now that these mists have been cleared away, can be seen and counted. Two Clergymen, one of us they OUR subscribers will please bear in mind that the terms of our magazine are two dollars, payable in advance. Remittances may be made through the mail, at our risk, and a receipt will be sent in the next number. Regularity and promptness on the part of our patrons will insure regularity and promptness on ours. trust that those who wish our periodical well will remember this suggestion. We BOOK TABLE. THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN, Laid down in a more editions." We cannot wonder at this Plain Familiar Way for the Use of All. With when we are farther informed who have used Private Devotions for Several Occasions. From the latest London Edition. New-York: and approved of it. Thus: "We are told that Stanford & Swords. 1850. 12 mo. pp. 333. it was the custom of the learned and excellent To those acquainted with the standard theolo- BISHOP BULL, one of the greatest ornaments of gy and piety of the purest branch of the Cath- our Church, to read a chapter out of the Whole olic Church, this admirable volume, first pub-Duty of Man, in addition to the performance of lished in 1658, contains its own best recommen-Family Prayers, in his house, on Sunday evedation in the preparatory pages. From thening." "The amiable and pious ROBERT NELPreface by the editor of the last English edition, son, a name equally eminent among the lay we learn that "few books have obtained a members of the Church," speaks of it as "that more general circulation, or have passed through excellent book, than which we have none more fit for general and constant use." "Izaak Walton bears testimony of BISHOP SANDERSON, that he, in his retirement, had the Church Prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him out of the Whole Duty of Man." "Another eminent divine of our Church, the celebrated DEAN STANHOPE, esteemed this work so highly that he recommended it as a model for style in the composition of sermons, in a letter addressed by him to a young relation who had entered into holy orders;" observing, "Happy is the man who can form his style, in plain practical preaching, upon the rational, instructive, and familiar way of the Whole Duty of Man." DR. HENRY HAMMOND says of it, “The subject matter of it is indeed what the title undertakes, THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN, set down in all the branches, with those advantages of brevity and partitions, to invite, and support, and engage the reader; that condescension to the meanest capacities, but withal, that weight of spiritual arguments; wherein the best proficients will be glad to be assisted; that it seems to me equally fitted for both sorts of readers, which shall bring with them a sincere desire of their own either present or future advantages." with that of the author, as a valuable aid to a HARRY AND ARCHIE; or, First and Last Com- An affecting story of an orphan boy, who, while preparing to receive his first communion worthily, was fatally injured in his attempts to rescue some children from a burning house. His first and and last communion was administered to him on his dying bed. THE TESTAMENT IN THE LITTLE COFFIN, or the THE DOVE; an example of attachment to home. Two books for children issued by the Sunday School Union. The former a history of a little boy who died at the early age of seven years, but who, under the guiding care of a pious Bull, Nelson, Sanderson, Stanhope, and Ham- mother, had even then attained to a good degree mond are very safe guides for Christians. May of holiness. The latter, an account of the habtheir principles, piety, and learning, increase its and peculiarities of the Dove, interspersed among us more and more! It is a blessed priv-with numerous interesting and instructive anecilege that Christians have now so easy access to a work thus approved by them. THE DEVOTIONS OF BISHOP ANDREWES, transla- Bishop Andrewes was one of the most eminent, It dotes. We recommend them both to parents who wish to put their children into the possession of good reading. THE HISTORY OF ALFRED THE GREAT. By Jacob Abbot. Harper & Brothers, New-York. 16 mo. pp. 270. One of Abbott's Historical Series, issued in of the many eminent saints of the Reformed Catho-the same beautiful style with the preceding vollic Church. This little volume is of a class, encouragement for the reproduction of which is among the most favorable signs of the present time. consists not of finished forms; but is rather a suggester of points meet to be embraced in the pious breathings of the soul in its devotional retirements. It furnishes the proper matter, method, and order, of sound evangelical devotion; which the Christian may very profitably make his guide when pouring out his heart in such wise as, at the time of prayer, it may be moved; or which he may expand in preparing for his use fuller written forms. The principles and spirit of such devotions are among the Church's rich-DARK est treasures, and particularly "necessary for these times." The short preface of the American editor, the breathing of a spirit congenial umes. It contains an outline of the life of the Great King Alfred, the founder of the British monarchy, and consequently some account of the early state of Briton. His successes and reverses, his deeds of prowess in the field, and his wanderings and adventures while seeking safety from his foes under the disguise of a laborer-not forgetting the berating he received from the cow-herd's wife, in whose service he was employed, for letting the cakes burn that he was directed to watch-are graphically described. It is handsomely illustrated with wood cuts. SCENES OF HISTORY. By G. P. R. James, Esq. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 8 vo. pp. 419. 1850. James stands in the front rank of English nov elists. He generally takes historical events as We have had time to do no more than glance over the pages of this romance. Those fond of thrilling incident, and of mental excitement, will find in this work scenes where their imagination can be excited and indulged. We have seen enough of it to convince us that its author By THE EARLY CONFLICTS OF CHRISTIANITY. pp. 288. THE WHALE AND HIS CAPTORS, or the Whaleman's Adventures, and the Whale's BiograThe object of Dr. Kip in this work is to point phy. By Rev. Henry T. Cheever. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1849. 16 mo. pp. 314. out, clearly and distinctly, some of those great This volume while it recounts many scenes of difficulties and obstacles against which Chrisdanger and adventure experienced by those tianity in its infancy had to contend. These he who are engaged in the whaling service, and treats of under five separate heads-Judaism, relates anecdotes of thrilling interest, conveys a Grecian Philosophy, The Licentious Spirit of great deal of valuable information in regard to the Age, Barbarism, and The Pagan Mythology. the character and habits of the whale. Amuse-He shows how these, in the very zenith of their ment and instruction are happily blended, and power and strength, opposed themselves to, and this little work will be a favorite with the boys. strove to crush, that infant Church which was It is embellished with wood cuts, and hand-founded by Jesus of Nazareth, and against somely got up. THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT The above work is to be completed in six which, though small in numbers and greatly despised, He had promised that the gates of hell should never prevail. And he points out how that Church, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, resisted the aggression of these unchristian influences, and growing in strength and numbers, finally weakened their power, and at longth completely overcame them. This volume is issued in the Appleton's usually handsome style. A HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN AMERICA. By Samuel Lord, Bishop of Oxford. New-York: Stanford & Swords, 137 Broadway. 1849. 8 vo. pp. 357. We acknowledge the receipt of this History of the Church in America, by Wilberforce, but must delay a particular notice of it until our next. |