a

quit his moral point of view, he did not too much sanction the theory which regards the imagination with a suspicious eye; considering it as a mere embellishment of human nature, luxury to be sparingly allowed; or even as a positive seduction, to be placed under the vigilant police of the other faculties. The singular combination of profound natural feeling with this prosaic cast of thought furnished, perhaps, the true interpretation both of the habitual characteristics, and of the extraordinary passages of his life."

"The directly religious instruction of the school, in all respects admirable, owed its efficacy chiefly to the quality to which, in truth, all power on earth is given, viz., its deep and absolute sincerity. Nothing was taught, or even casually said, because it ought to be believed, or had been believed, or had better not be disbelieved; but only because it was, at that present time, in full and devout belief. There was no such thing as a dead particle in your father's faith; it was instinct with life in every fibre. Religion, in his house, was not that shadowy, dreamy, distant thing which it often becomes; and many who came thither were startled, I doubt not, to find it there on the spot, and awake, and positively busy with the duties of every day. It was from this cause, I suppose, that he never disgusted even the most careless with religion,- a preeminence in which, so far as I know, he stands almost solitary amongst teachers. For my own part I believe that in the training of the mind's devotion, there is no medium between total failure and complete success; that the instructor must either effect an undisputed conquest or suffer a sad defeat; and that whenever a pure veneration is not yielded, there will follow an utter distaste. And it may be doubted whether to such vivid and simple conviction as your father's Christianity displayed (where its natural influence is not intercepted) success is ever denied. There was something in his voice, mellowed by the spirit within, that made the reality of God felt; something that broke through the boundary between the seen and the unseen, and opened that 'secret place of the Almighty' whence sanctity descends on all human obligations. I can never lose the unspeakable feeling of happy sacredness which he diffused over the Sunday; and after all the changes of twenty years, its morning and evening come to me still in the same colors that awed and refreshed my boyish mind. And often, amid the labors of that day, or under that preparatory travail of the soul whose severity few suspect, and which it is fitting to bear in silence, have I remembered the peaceful Sabbath hours purchased by your father's faithful service, and thought any toil repaid which can shed such consecration on the seventh part of human life."" - pp. 344 – 351.

We can barely glance at the period extending from 1829 to 1840, the date of Dr. Carpenter's death. It is marked by the death of his first colleague, Mr. Rowe, and the installing, first, of Mr. R. B. Aspland, and afterwards, Mr. G. Armstrong in his place as co-pastor; and by the active part he took in the movements for the abolition of slavery in the West Indies, in the struggle for reform in 1831, and in all political affairs in which the interests of Dissenters were involved. He was gratified at this time by the visit of Rammohun Roy, and of several American friends, Dr. Tuckerman, Dr. Channing, and Mr. Phillips. So great was the relief he experienced from the active and energetic labors of his young colleague, Mr. Aspland, that he pronounced those years, in which he was connected with him, the happiest of his life; as he was less oppressed by cares and toil which were burdensome to his spirit, and could devote himself more uninterruptedly to such as were after his own heart.

"On Christmas day, 1836," says his son, "he expressed his belief that it was the happiest period of his life. Strangers, who only knew him by the active services in which he was engaged, spoke of him as ' venerable,' and considered him as one advanced in years. He was now fifty-six, and liked to speak of himself, as his friend Dr. Tuckerman had done, as on the sunny side of fifty; he felt that he had not been idle in the vineyard, and that others might now bear some of the burden and heat of the day."- p. 403.

In 1838, Dr. Carpenter published his second edition of the Apostolical Harmony, dedicating it, by permission, to the Queen, a piece of effrontery on the part of a Unitarian dissenter, that, as will be remembered, made a great commotion among the bigots of the Church, and the tory party. This was the last public act of his life. Unfavorable symptoms successively showed themselves, until it was deemed advisable. that he should relinquish all duty, and try once more the virtues of a foreign tour. Accordingly, on the 18th of August he left London for Antwerp, and passing through the Netherlands, a part of Germany, and Switzerland, reached Rome on the 1st of December, and there spent the three winter months. In the spring, after passing a month in Naples, it was determined to proceed to Turin, and, to vary the journey, a passage was taken on board a steamer for Leghorn. It was on this passage that the melancholy event of his death occurred. We

give the sad narrative in the words of the biographer. The boat sailed on the 5th of April, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

"It was thought that, if the weather had been fair, he might have been refreshed by his voyage; but unfortunately the sea was rough, and the rain prevented him from remaining much on deck. At 6 o'clock he dined, and had not at that time complained of sickness, though he was evidently uncomfortable. Former experience proved that he was easily disturbed, especially when in delicate health, by the motion of a vessel; and he was always peculiarly dependent on free ventilation. His friend, soon after his meal, was attacked by sea-sickness, and was compelled to lie down ; Dr. C. was at that time sitting in the cabin, not far from his bed, in company with three or four other gentlemen, who afterwards retired. He was seen walking on the deck till about 10 o'clock that night; and was subsequently observed standing on the cabin stairs, apparently for the sake of fresh air, the rain being then too violent to allow of any one remaining above. This was the last time that he was seen; but it appeared the next morning that he had retired to his berth, and had unlocked his bag, and removed some of the contents, as if preparing to go to rest. It is probable that, whilst thus engaged, sea-sickness overpowered him, and that he went on deck; when it pleased God suddenly to remove him, in a manner which there was no human eye to witness, and of which no human tongue, therefore, can confidently speak.' That he should not have been observed is the less surprising as the night was very dark and stormy, and there were only two men upon deck; the vessel was violently tossed, so that one of the paddles was occasionally out of water; and probably one of these lurches occurring, when he was leaning over the side, oppressed with sea-sickness, he lost his balance and fell overboard.

"As soon as his absence was noticed the next morning, the most anxious search was made; but nothing beyond the facts already stated could be ascertained. If any doubt had been entertained as to his death, all uncertainty was removed by the discovery of the body, about two months afterwards, on the coast near Porto d'Anzio, a small sea-port about 50 miles S.S.E. of Rome. In obedience to the sanatary laws of the country, the remains were interred on the sea-shore, and covered with lime. His watch, purse, and pocket-book were restored to his family, through the English Consul." - pp. 441,

442.

Thus perished, when as yet he had not reached his sixtieth year, this genuine man and devoted minister of Christ. We

have closed the volume of his memoirs with increased admiration of his character, of the usefulness of his life, of the beauty and energy of his virtues. In his ardent love and pursuit of knowledge, in his untiring activity and laborious industry, in his thirst for improvement and all good reform, in the perfect liberality of his mind, so that no narrow prejudice seems ever to have found a lodgment there, in the candor and fairness of his judgments, in his strict honesty and conscientiousness, in the unaffected warmth of his religious affections and his devotedness to the great work which he took in hand, in the spirit of humanity with which he sought to do good to all, especially to the poor, the ignorant, and the oppressed, in his piety and philanthropy, he is an example to be held of all in lasting and honorable remembrance. If any have heretofore only known and respected him as a scholar and a critic, or followed him as a leader, let them study his whole character and life as unfolded by his son in these memoirs, and they will revere and love him as a Christian and a man. We would gladly transfer to our pages portions of the closing chapters of the volume, in which the son presents in a comprehensive summary, the distinguishing features of his father's character; but our limits forbid.

We have already expressed our general sense of the manner in which the task of commemorating the virtues of the father has been executed by the son. The duty could hardly have been entrusted to a more competent hand. As far as we can judge from our knowledge of Dr. Carpenter's character gathered from other sources, he seems to have escaped the peculiar dangers of his position, and to have presented it truly as it was, without exaggeration of its excellences on the one hand, or a timid withholding of just praise on the other. He has furnished a volume, in a style of appropriate simplicity, not only of eminent value, as an ecclesiastical record, but interesting and instructive in the highest degree, as a book of practical religion.

all.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

Thoughts on Moral and Spiritual Culture. By R. C. WATERSTON. Boston Crocker & Ruggles, and Hilliard, Gray, & Co. 1842. 12mo. pp. 317.

A BOOK at once eminently spiritual and practical, one that may be used in the closet, by him who would fan the devotional flame on his heart's altar, or abroad, as a manual by the Christian who would carry his piety into action, is a thing to be at all times cordially welcomed.

At the present moment especially, is there a demand for works like the one before us. Serious, substantial reading is in request, for many are setting earnestly about the great business of life, and craving every possible help. Books are sought that will warm and elevate the soul; and he who, like our author, glows while he writes, yet forgets not the lessons he has learned in actual, constant collision with man, may be expected to send forth such an one, -one every way calculated to do good. He has not disappointed us. The volume consists of disconnected addresses and essays, interspersed with poetry. Some of the addresses have already been published; but the work is none the less valuable on that account. They contain suggestions that we are glad to have brought together in a permanent form, and all may be fitly included in a work professedly treating of Moral and Spiritual Culture. No subject could be better adapted to the times. It is to the importance, the necessity of such culture, that we are now especially roused; and he who helps us begin or carry on the work wisely, while a fresh, strong impulse prompts it, is a benefactor indeed.

The three first essays, on "Childhood," "Growth of the Mind," and "Religious Education," are full of tender and beautiful thoughts, mingled with remarks of the most practical nature, drawn from experience, and applied with discretion. To that large majority of men and women, who are either parents or teachers, nay, to many others, such as elder brothers and sisters, who are in fact teachers, whether they know it or not, we would recommend this part of the volume. It must of course contain many ideas that are not new; but they are clearly expressed, and so vividly illustrated, that they are likely to have effect. It is of no conseqnence how often a truth has been uttered, if it has been uttered to no purpose. He who first sends it home to the soul may be to us its true author. It is on its efficiency, on its power to produce effects