RECOMMENDATIONS.

SHERLOCK'S LETTERS: OR, A LAYMAN'S APOLOGY, &c. Of this popular work, the following recommendations are derived from sources of unquestionable authority.

I. The Albany Daily Advertiser, of July 28th, 1833, has the following editorial notice:-"The following article is from the pen of a gentleman of high literary reputation, who, from our own knowledge of him, would be the last to recommend a work that was not deserving

A LAYMAN'S APOLOGY, &c.-We are pleased at having in our power to announce that a prospectus is in circulation for publishing in a book form the SERIES OF LETTERS which appeared originally in the Washington County Post, under the signature of Sherlock. These letters, of which there are nine, are addressed to Thomas Herttell, on the subject of his speech in the House of Assembly against the appointment of Chaplains. The subject is treated in various interesting points of view, as connected with the public welfare, and the authenticity and essential utility of Divine Revelation. To the original letters the author has added a preface and a body of notes and illustrations, of a very interesting nature. He has, moreover, dedicated his work to the Ladies of the United States, in a sound and eloquent appeal to their good sense and calm judgment, of which we have had the perusal, and in which he shows briefly, but clearly, how much the female sex are indebted for their present elevated condition in society to the benign influence of the christian religion. We are happy to add, that the subscription list is filling rapidly; and we have no hesitation in recommending the work as one which will be perused with pleasure and profit by every enlightened well-wisher to the best interests of mankind.

II. The Rev. GILBERT M'MASTERS, of Duanesburgh, in the -county of Schenectady, in a letter to GERRIT L. Dox, Esq., of Albany, late Treasurer of this state, says "I cordially approve of giving a permanent shape to the letters of "SHERLOCK," by republishing them in a distinct volume. He treats his subject in a popular and impressive manner, and the public cannot read them without profit. It is hoped the subscription will authorize the publication forthwith. I had indeed contemplated a discussion of the subject he has taken up. My plan would have led to a manner more abstract than he has chosen, and consequently less adapted to produce immediate salutary effect. I feel myself hap

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pily relieved from fulfilling my purpose by these Letters of "SHERLOCK." Please give him my respect and thanks."

III. The Rev. NOAH LEVINĜs, Elder of the second Methodist Episcopal Church, in Albany, in a letter to the author, under date of August 3, 1833, approves of the work in the following terms: Having examined," says he, "the nine letters, signed "Sherlock," and addressed to Thomas Herttell, on the subject of Chaplains to the Legislature of the State of New-York, I beg leave to say, that I consider them in principle right, in argument sound, and in execution beautiful. These letters, together with the proposed notes, will, I trust, prove a valuable acquisition to the cause of truth.

"As to the propriety and even importance of imploring the blessing of Almighty God upon the legislative proceedings of the general and state governments, there can be no doubt in the mind of any unprejudiced person; but whether laws should be enacted to pay for these services, or whether ministers of the gospel should receive this pay when offered, are questions which perhaps are not so well settled. It is believed by some, that the pecuniary consideration in this question formed but the ostensible reason for the opposition to chaplains, while the real motive was opposition to prayer. Under these circumstances it were devoutly to be wished that by some means or other the legislature might be placed in circumstances under which the real motive might develope itself. With these views, I heartily recommend your work to the patronage of the public."

IV. The Albany Daily Advertiser, of August 16, 1833, has the following editorial notice:

"Prove all things: hold fast that which is good."-The following notice of a work, which will shortly be published, if sufficient patronage be obtained, we copy from the last number of the Albany Quarterly, to which we will barely add, that few men among us are better qualified to judge of the merits of such a work, than Dr. WILSON, the learned and venerable editor of this periodical.

9. Prepared for the press, Sherlock's Letters to Thomas Herttell, Esq., late Member of the Assembly of New-York State. "This defence of Christianity is eloquent and impressive. It will consist of about 300 pages, 12mo. It is designed to prove that the opposition to prayer in the halls of Legislation, is to be regarded with sorrow by every friend of his country. Though we do not pledge ourselves for all its illustrations, yet we can recommend the book, as calculated to promote the cause of truth and righteousness."

V. The following is extracted from the editorial department of the same paper, of August 27th, 1833.

A LAYMAN'S APOLOGY, &c.-From a short communication in one of the numbers of the Albany Evening Journal of last week, under the signature of "A Genuine Antimason," the public were left to infer that the work above mentioned has relation to Anti

masonry. In justice to the author, whoever he may be, whether Dr. PROUDFIT or Mr. SOUTHWICK, to both of whom the work has been imputed, we are called upon to say, that it has no connection whatever with party politics. To prove this, it is only necessary to mention that several hundred gentlemen of this city, many of them of the highest standing in all parties, have subscribed liberally for it. We understand, from unquestionable authority, that it is equally free from sectarianism.

VI. The Rev. JOHN B. STRATTON, Elder of the first Methodist Episcopal Church, in Albany, says of these Letters:—“I recommend them to the notice of the ministers and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the friends of virtue and religion generally, as being well worthy of their attention: And as I understand, the author is preparing them for the press, I have great pleasure in recommending their publication, believing that their circulation through the state would greatly subserve the interests of our country, and the cause of Christ."

VII. The Rev. Dr. SPRAGUE, of Albany, in letters to the Rev. Dr. Matthews, Dr. Brownlee, &c. of New-York, speaks of the APOLOGY, as "an interesting and valuable work, which I have read with much interest;" and again, as a work, the circulation of which "will, I have no doubt, ultimately redound to the furtherance of the cause of evangelical religion."

VIII. The Rev. Doctors BROWNLEE, DE WITT, and Knox, of the Dutch Reformed Church, in the City of New-York, have approved of the work, as follows:

A LAYMAN'S APOLOGY, &c.-This work I have read with great pleasure. It consists of Nine Letters, addressed to Thomas Herttell, Member of the Assembly for the city of New-York, 1833. That gentleman had taken an active and zealous part in the floor of the Assembly, respecting chaplains and public prayers. He and his associates labored in revealing to the Christian state of New-York, a secret, which they had discovered, namely-that their legislators needed no Christian prayers; and that the office of Chaplain was useless, improper, and unconstitutional.

This novel and unexampled combination of the Infidel and the Jew, on the floor of the Assembly, to press their novelties upon us, which was viewed with grief and indignation by the Christian public, called forth these able letters of SHERLOCK. They were published originally in the (Salem) Washington County Post, and were read with avidity, and the deepest interest at the time. They are now revised and enlarged, and are about to be offered to the public in a small neat volume; and we doubt not they will be read with the greatest interest and delight, by every christian, and lover of his country.

The author, a veteran writer, well known to us, who has entered the field in opposition to the Infidel and Jewish combination against the good order and christianity of our country, manifests a good deal of tact in the management of his cause: he is always