erence to our own improvement, and with reference to the advance of the colored races. For our own part, we have always considered it as a most injudicious proceeding to attempt to force the peculiarities of our white civilization of the nineteenth century upon all nations of the world.

There are several other points bearing directly upon the question of the unity of mankind, and the diversity of origin of the human races, which we ought perhaps to have discussed here, such as the zoological characteristics of the individual races, and their special limitation, their transitions, and their mixture, and the question of hybrids in general; but these are subjects extensive enough in themselves to require to be discussed separately. We have no intention for the present to enter upon the discussion of facts not strictly connected with the philosophy of the question, and we leave this subject with the hope of having removed many doubts and much hesitation.

L. A.

NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

Discourses on the Rectitude of Human Nature. By GEORGE W. BURNAP, D. D. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1850. 12mo.

pp. 409.

AN elaborate analysis of this work, with illustrative extracts, had we space for them, would justify to the judgments of our readers the commendations which, when simply stated as our own estimate, may seem indiscriminate and exaggerated. We wish every person interested in such subjects, either as a private student or as a public teacher, would carefully peruse these Discourses; for there are very few persons, however well read and trained in theology, who would not receive instruction, pleasure, and moral benefit from them, - whose views would not be rendered clearer and more systematic. In giving our judgment o the work so briefly as we are compelled to do, we fear we shall not be able to convey an adequate idea of its value, but we hope it will itself find so extensive a sale and study as to render any review unimportant. 13

VOL. XLIX. 4TH S. VOL. XIV. NO. I.

This is eminently a timely publication,—just the kind of work which is now most appropriate and needed. It takes up a subject of universal concern to men, of vital moment in theology, takes it up, not at the stage where it was vexed centuries ago, not in the prescriptive word-weighing way in which such themes used to be discussed, but where it now stands among intelligent men of opposite opinions, handles it with distinguished clearness of reasoning, generousness of sentiment, natural variety of appeal, and does as much toward the complete settlement of the question as one book could possibly be expected to do. In fact, we are convinced that any unprejudiced person who will fairly weigh the arguments stated on these pages will be fully satisfied of their accuracy, of the correctness of the Unitarian views of Human Nature. The whole character of the volume, therefore, renders it a most fit offering to the reading public of these times. The plan of the book is a happy one. By discussing the subject under separate topics, and in sermons full of direct address, a variety and a practical character are secured which could not easily have appeared had it been formally arranged in chapters, and coldly composed in the third person. Although decidedly a theological, it is equally a practical production. By no means its least value consists in the moral and religious lessons and motives that spring so forcibly from the truths it establishes. The subject-matter is laid out in twenty-four discourses, each complete in itself, though skilfully arranged in a cumulative order with the rest. The conception of this method is felicitous, as being lucid, popular, and full of details, while at the same time it is comprehensive and philosophical in a striking degree. It contains an exposition of the whole question in itself, and in its mutual relations with collateral subjects, as they appear in the light of reason, morals, religion, consciousness, experience, observation, Scripture, and ecclesiastical history. The entire ground is traversed.

The execution of the work is as excellent as its plan. In thought and sentiment it is vigorous, catholic, full of earnestness and decision, and the high level of its tone is remarkably well maintained. It abounds in fine specimens of analysis and argumentation, though the author does not claim particular aptitude for the subtilties of metaphysics. In style, it is a model both of pure English and of direct force. There is no difficulty in telling what he means. He uses words in the common signification, and has no parenthetical clauses in his sentences. The rectitude which he demonstrates for human nature seems reflected in his statements, for they are strikingly straight. The rhetoric of these Discourses is free from conscious ornament. Their distinguishing merits in this particular are perspicuity, chasteness, and energy, though, as would naturally be expected from such a combination, they contain many passages of rare beauty.

We especially commend the frank, unflinching firmness and consistency with which the author utters his honest thoughts, without fear or favor. Those who believe in John Calvin and in the Westminster Catechism concerning total depravity have used this freedom so often and so much that they cannot complain of it in an opponent. It is right that the whole, uncompromising truth should be boldly spoken out on this subject, and on this side of it. It needs to be done, it is high time it were done. If Unitarians as a body have been wanting in one thing, it has been a decided, unequivocal, full statement of their theological opinions.

There is one thing more especially for which the author of this volume is to be honored. We mean, for the labor he has evidently bestowed upon it. In these days of hot haste, diffuseness, and shallowness, he who devotes years of toil to a subject, and gives us a publication crowded with the results of laborious research and patient thinking, is emphatically worthy of respect and gratitude. He presents a motive to those of us who are obnoxious to the charge, if not of personal indolence, at least of public indifference. These Discourses are packed and loaded with substance. Although the book is quite large, there is not a division of it which is not full of condensed materials. It would, we think, be difficult to bring forward a single suggestion of importance on the subject which it treats, that is not clearly presented in it, so thorough, so wellnigh exhaustive, is it. There are no marks of crudity or slovenliness in it, but nearly every page reveals traces of deliberation, signs of extensive and accurate learning. In taking it up, one might expect to be led through a thirsty land whose springs are dry, but he will find it invested with interest and full of freshness. At least it has been so to us.

In a controversial aspect, we regard this as one of the most noteworthy and valuable performances that has appeared here for some time. If it could obtain the circulation and candid perusal among other sects which its intrinsic weight warrants, it would not be without wide, permanent effects. We beg to commend it to the notice of our Calvinistic brethren. The subject it examines is beyond all question the most important one in theology. The ability with which it is treated in this instance deserves to be met. The mass of arguments here gathered demand attention, challenge an answer, and defy refutation.

Toiling at a distant post of our faith, unaided and alone, the author has found time to put to press a series of publications, of which this is the seventh volume, whose theological characteristics have reflected honor upon the denomination to which he belongs in particular, whose intellectual force and moral purity have won the high consideration of the friends of education and virtue in general, and whose solid merits of substance and style

have made them valuable contributions to the literature of the country. The present work, upon the whole, we consider his ablest and best. It shows improvement over the others in unity of purpose, flexibility of treatment, tenderness, and experimental truth of religious expression. Dr. Burnap's industry, his hearty endeavour to do something useful in his day and generation, is a bright example to us all. Long may he live to illustrate it.

Communion Thoughts. By S. G. BULFINCH, Author of "Lays of the Gospel." Boston: Wm. Crosby and H. P. Nichols. 1850. 16mo. pp. 204.

to

THIS book has come to meet, if we mistake not, a widely-felt want. Our religious literature, with all its variety and richness, has been greatly deficient in works of this particular class; be accounted for in part, probably, by the fact, that such different views have been known to exist among us with regard to the communion rite; and more, by the experienced difficulty of guiding aright and worthily expressing the sentiments and feelings which should attend upon its observance. With the exception of a small work, compiled, many years ago, by Dr. Lowell, as one of the series of the "Christian Monitor," and which is not now to be found on sale, we know of no work especially devoted to the use of communicants in our churches, to aid and direct them in a worthy participation of this holy rite. The work recently published, entitled "Sermons on Christian Communion," though good in its place, is general in its plan, embraces much which has only an indirect bearing upon the communion service, and is, besides, too formidable in size and price to become widely diffused. It is not, in fact, and was not designed to be, a communicant's manual. Such is the book now under notice. It is a book which the disciple may take up as he draws near the Master's table, and in which he may find all the most touching and quickening thoughts that the occasion is calculated to suggest to a devout mind, expressed in graceful yet simple language, and accompanied with forms in which the devotional feelings may find at once utterance and enlargement. It is a book, too, for one to profit by at other times, which may be taken up, from day to day, to make permanent, by its thoughts and reflections, the influences of the service for which it had been the preparation, and to quicken and deepen the whole religious life. And it is not a book for the communicant alone; but is designed, in part, for those — and they are many — who, though seriously disposed, and Christians in faith and endeavour, have yet never felt the obligation as clearly resting upon them to come to the

Lord's Supper. Such will do well to look into this little book. They will find in it the leading arguments for the observance of the rite well and compendiously stated; the various objections in relation to it fairly weighed and considered; the most impressive and fervent appeals for it, tempered by the calmness of a rational and well-balanced mind. They will find that an earnest advocacy, at least, of rites and forms may be consistent with the highest spirituality; if they are not led, as we think they will be, to the belief that there is a use of them by which such spirituality may be promoted. We cannot but anticipate for this work, from the character of its contents, and the spirit of genuine devoutness which breathes through it, a welcome and wide reception among our people, and most desirable results thereby to our churches. And we cannot but hope that ministers will take pains to make it known, as a means of inciting thought in a most important direction, and of seconding and sustaining their own preaching and conversation. What better book could be placed in the hands of the seriously-minded among non-communicants, to win them to that observance which seems to seal them as more truly Christ's, and which, in the testimony of millions, living and departed, has stores of holy influence for the devout observer? and what better book could be placed in the hands of communicants, as an aid to the realization of such influence on themselves? know not of any. The book is divided into five parts; - the first, relating to the Lord's Supper, and made up of arguments and persuasives to its observance; the second, presenting the Saviour in the several prominent and endearing relations in which he stands to us; the third, containing exercises in self-examination and prayer, with passages of Scripture, expressly for the communicant; the fourth, relating to the Christian walk; and the fifth, containing pieces in verse, not before published, kindred in character with those poetical meditations by which the author has given new interest and beauty to so many passages of

the Saviour's life.

We

The Elements of Astronomy; or the World as it is and as it appears. By the Author of "The Theory of Teaching," &c. Boston Crocker & Brewster. 1850. 12mo. pp. 376.

We know from experience, if we may be allowed such reference to personal history, that an author sometimes yields to the wishes of the publisher in choosing a title. As "The Elements of Astronomy," we should give this book very high praise. Crowded with facts, clear and intelligible in its statements of principles, abounding in familiar, generally correct, and often happy illustrations, and free from technicalities and pedantry, the