to the whole history of every art and science, and he enumerates the changes in theory and practice which have marked the progress of physics, geology, chemistry, medicine, the legal and political codes, &c. But these modifications do not in the slightest degree affect the truth or value of the science which is the subject of them. Philosophy and theology too must have their changing aspects from age to age. Centuries are required to elicit and harmonize truth, changes and reconsiderations are the conditions of progress and acquisition, conflicting theories and mental exercises continually augment the amount of truth, and diminish the amount of error.

The next article, by Rev. Mr. Thom, treats upon "The Pastoral Office as modified by the Progress of Character and of Religious Ideas." He presents three ideas which have constituted the standard of the Pastoral Office-that of an intercessory priest,-that of an instrument for exciting warmth of doctrinal belief,-and that of the friend of the heart and mind, the sympathiser in all moral interests, aspirations and anxieties. The last idea, which prevails among those who hold sentiments akin to our own, is then most eloquently and beautifully illustrated. The duties which it enjoins and the mode of discharging them, the responsibilities and the misgivings attending it, the delicate restrictions which it must admit, and the mode in which its happiest influences bear upon the private studies and the pulpit exercises of the pastor, are exhibited at length with such truth and feeling, that as we perused it we could imagine ourselves listening to the gentle tones of Herbert.

After some remarks upon the Poetry of Keats,-upon Developement of Character, and upon Dr. Carpenter's Harmony, we have another article by Mr. Thom, upon "Political Economy and Christianity." His object is to consider the alleged discrepancy between particular statements in the Christian Scriptures and the principles of science and economics. As to geology and physics, we have seen many labored attempts to reconcile Moses and Joshua with facts plainly attested by the earth and the heavens. The labor is thrown away, for a revelation is not designed to teach science, but moral duty, and to exhibit a standard of human perfection. If, however, any Christian precepts. can be found at variance with ethics or political economy, the question is a serious one. Mr. Thom then criticises the three passages-" It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle," &c.-"Take no thought for the morrow," &c." Sell what thou hast, and give to

the poor," &c.-and shows how, erroneously interpreted, they are at variance with truth, but that in another view they teach "the loftiest practical wisdom, and the serenest piety." Some quotations, from a sermon, of recent exhibitions of a fanatical and persecuting spirit in the Church of England, and articles of Intelligence conclude this number. No. IV. commences with a review of Dr. Channing's Essay on SelfCulture, and with remarks on the same subject, and its kindred topic, Self-Observation. In a notice of the "Pictorial Shakspeare," the great dramatist is recommended in the education of the young, and this particular edition of his works is highly lauded for its beauty and perfection. Next we have a valuable article on the Report of the Education Committee of the House of Commons, in which some melancholy particulars are advanced in relation to the popular ignorance, so widely prevalent in a land where the funds nominally devoted to the education of the people well nigh rival the wealth of the Indies. Surely there must be gross perversion and most unchristian dishonesty in their application. This number likewise contains a censorious examination of the late enactment in the University of Cambridge, by which attendance on the daily religious services is compulsorily enforced,-a Letter from a Traveller in Naples,-the Correspondence between the Unitarian and Trinitarian parties in the late controversy at Liverpool, and other articles of Religious Intelligence. From one of the last we learn that an awful admonition was passed upon Mr. R. Russell, a member of the United Secession Church in Glasgow, after he had been spiritually tried for attending several times upon the preaching of Mr. Harris, the Unitarian Minister in that city. Mr. Russell appealed to the Synod. What has "the Synod" to do with him?

No. V. The first article, by Rev. John J. Taylor, is upon the theme, "Protestantism a consequence of the Reformation, but not its completion." The tenor of his remarks is to vindicate that spirit of progress, which, acknowledging that much was done at the Reformation, contends that all was not done; that principles were then imperfectly disclosed, great ideas were faintly conceived, abuses but partially remedied, while the fundamental principle, the leading idea, the crying abuse, then recognised, are all pointing us still to further reform. At the period of the Reformation individual minds conceived and acted, while the mass of men were led. The progress then made and the principles adopted partook of the idiosyncrasy of the great leaders.

They first diffused the spirit of which all now partake, so that all have become independent thinkers and actors. We must abide the consequences and await the result.

Next is an article upon Shelly, in which, while the censure of his wayward and erring mind is truly expressed, it is mitigated by mild judgement and by well deserved praise for sincerity and conscientiousness. Under the title, "Every man his own Parson," is republished a tract, which fifty years since served the purposes of controversy in vindicating the rights of a reasonable, an instructed, and an independent faith. "The Pictorial Shakspeare" is again noticed, and some more interesting remarks are made on an inexhaustible subject. In a review of Carlyle's "French Revolution," the affected and vicious style of that writer is severely but justly censured, while his undeniable strength and vividness of conception and description are fully commended. His subject is then discussed, and the principles and leaders of that delirious strife are lucidly characterised. After a short discussion under the head, "The Nation's Religion preventing the Nation's Education," in which we are presented with some spasms of the struggle between an established system of doctrinal belief, and a demand for the State patronage of free and liberal knowledge,-this number concludes with Notices of some new books, and with articles of Intelligence.

No. VI. Mr. Thom discusses the fruitful topic of the "Nation's Religion and the Nation's Education." He contrasts the promise in the Saviour's beautiful emblem of the tree of faith sheltering all people, with the tree of the Establishment which allows only of birds of one species and of one note. With just severity he presents the claims of a free and generous sympathy in wisdom and virtue, as trammelled and despised for the sake of enforcing an impossible uniformity of belief. In the next article Eichhorn's theory of the composition of the first part of the Book of Genesis, from various distinct documents, is elucidated. "The Complaints of a Layman" may be regarded as the honest expression of a grief, shared by many, and not seldom uttered. They account for the apparent indifference of many cultivated minds to religious literature and discourses. The unfurnished preacher ascribes the unfruitfulness of his labors to the stoniness of the soil, when it should rather be attributed to poor seed or husbandry. The indifference of many to religious literature may in great part be accounted for, by the technical and exclusively professional character

of religious compositions; their ungenial and tasteless style, and the poverty of thought and illustration which characterise them. The next article meets with judicious pleas the common superstition, that the doctrines of Unitarianism are less safe to men, and less honorable to God, than those of Orthodoxy. Mr. Thom then traces a parallel between the successive steps of the developement and progress of an individual and of the human race. An article on "Immortality," which is, in substance, drawn from the German of C. W. Flugge, traces the conception and growth of that idea in the human mind, and expounds the New Testament instruction and promises concerning it. "The Pictorial Shakspeare" is again noticed. Large extracts are made from Mr. Dewey's Discourse at the dedication of the "church of the Messiah." "The Trance of Las Casas" is translated from the German, some brief doctrinal Reviews, and articles of Religious Intelligence conclude the number. Among the last we were sorry to notice an account of a division in the Unitarian chapel at Edinburgh, originating in a Protest, by a few of the members, against the form of Declaration demanded of those who belong to or who join the society.

SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION; with other Kindred Subjects, illustrated and confirmed in a Series of Discourses designed to throw Light on the Way of Holiness. By Rev. Asa Mahan, President of the Oberlin Collegiate Institute. Third edition. Boston: D. S. King. pp. 193. 18mo,

We have read, with much interest, this work written by Mr. Mahan, President of the Collegiate Institute in Oberlin, Ohio. Its object is to present the arguments in favor of the idea of the attainableness of perfection in the present life, and to answer the objections brought against the doctrine. Perfection is defined to be a perfect discharge of all our duties to God and man. President Mahan does not agree with the sect of "Perfectionists," technically so called, but professes to value as highly as any one all the means of improvement, the ordinances of Christianity, the sabbath, and set times for prayer, private, social and public. He states that the perfection of which he speaks is progressive, that as our powers are developed we shall ever

advance. Hence,' he says, 'perfection in holiness does not imply, that we now love God with all that strength and intensity with which the redeemed spirits in heaven love him.'

The views advocated in this volume appear to have been adopted by considerable numbers, who hold that the direction of our Saviour, 'to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect,' is to be received literally and acted upon confidently. With many of the views and reasonings, and those which would probably be most satisfactory to a Trinitarian, we cannot agree; but as regards the general doctrine in its general statement, there seems to be little difficulty in assenting to it. At any rate, it is an encouraging and exciting view to those who can receive it, that it is in our power to obtain entire mastery over our passions and appetites, and to become entirely consecrated to the service of God. The higher our aim, the farther we shall reach,' is as true in regard to Christian progress, as to progress in any of the employments and pursuits of life. The statement of the doctrine in this volume, however, and in other writings of its advocates, has been severely rebuked in many quarters. President Mahan is accused of opening the floodgates of antinomianism, and leading the way in the overthrowing of the ordinances, institutions, &c. of Christ; and the American Education Society has thought it necessary to withdraw its aid from such of its beneficiaries as are pursuing their studies at the Oberlin Institute. Whether there be so much of fanaticism in the doctrines and measures advocated by the managers of that institution as to render it dangerous, time must show.

A DISCOURSE ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE HON. THOMAS LEE, late Judge in the District Court of the United States, pronounced in the Unitarian Church, Charleston, S. C., on Sunday evening, November 3, 1839, by Samuel Gilman, D. D., Pastor of the Church. Charleston: 1839. pp. 31. 8vo.

THIS discourse was delivered by request of the Corporation of the church, expressed in a meeting held for the purpose of mourning the loss, and honoring the eminent virtues, of its subject. The meeting and the discourse both illustrate the text, "The memory of the just is