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NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A SERMON PREACHED AT THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE, Jan. 19, 1840, on the Destruction of the Lexington by fire, Jan. 13th. By S. K. Lothrop, Pastor. Boston: pp. 24. 8vo.

A DISCOURSE delivered Jan. 19, 1840, in the First Congregational Unitarian Church, occasioned by the loss of the Lexington. By W. H. Furness, Pastor. Philadelphia: pp. 16. 12mo.

PUBLIC CALAMITIES; a Discourse delivered on occasion of the loss of the Lexington. By Orville Dewey. Printed in the (New York) "New World."

A SERMON OCCASIONED BY THE LOSS OF THE HAROLD AND THE LEXINGTON. Delivered at the Odeon, January 26, 1840. By W. M. Rogers, Pastor of the Franklin Street Church. Boston: Perkins & Marvin. 1840. pp. 18. 8vo.

IN most, if not in all, of our churches, the melancholy and appalling disaster of January 13th has been the theme of solemn instruction. Of the sermons occasioned by that calamity, which have been published, we have perused the four whose titles are given above. It is interesting to observe how they all gather their serious lessons around a few of the most sublime doctrines of religion, though following different trains of thought, and exhibiting the peculiar characteristics of the minds of their authors. The opportunity of moving the hearts and confirming the faith of their audiences, which was set before them by such a startling event, was judiciously employed.

Mr. Lothrop's discourse is eloquent in its simplicity and truth, and its affectionate spirit. He does not profess to solve the mysteries of Providence, or to explain the dark enigma of evil, but confines himself to that natural train of thought which a religious view of the many recent calamities, and the last in particular, suggests. The calmness of sentiment which pervades his discourse is both soothing and instructive.

Mr. Furness begins by censuring that absence of true sensibility in the mass of men, which deplores such a calamity so strongly and for

gets it so soon, and he exposes that fallacious idea which deceives us all, that we bear a charmed life and are individually safe. The uncertainty, the struggle, and the purpose of life, its dependence on the constant arm of Providence, its evident incompleteness without a hereafter, are all illustrated in the circumstances which attended that fearful night upon the wintry waters. Mr. Furness boldly and plainly, but not too violently, censures that haste and carelessness-that mad devotion to gain, which, mingling with the healthful progress of civilization and too often obtaining its praise, are goading on thousands of our countrymen to ruin in life, and to premature deaths. great stream which sweeps us along, is not the river of life that flows from the throne of God, but a raging torrent swollen by the thousand little rills of personal ambition."

"The

Dr. Dewey gave himself up to the expression of the deep and solemn thoughts, which presented themselves to his mind as he reflected and conversed upon the one all-absorbing topic of that week so fearfully commenced. He teaches that such a calamity should not drive us from the belief that "God reigns," for it is least of all in such a fearful blow that we can support ourselves without this belief. We are to include this dire calamity under the general discipline and allowance of Providence, and to improve it as one of those evils which teach us solemn truths. The preacher likewise censured that daring and reckless spirit which characterises our times, and softened the severity of the blows which of late our community has suffered by presenting the unnumbered catalogue of blessings which we enjoy.

"There is sorrow on the sea; there are evil tidings on the land. Why is it?" This sentence expresses the burden of Mr. Rogers's discourse. He details the experiences and the calamities incident to the sea, its every day sorrows and griefs, the moments of agonizing suspense, the living deaths which it witnesses, and then from this general enumeration he comes to those recent catastrophes which will make the present winter ever memorable for its sorrows in the annals of New England. In the ordinary calamities which happen on the sea, the sufferings are often nameless, or known only in a narrow circle. A passing sympathy, like the rippling of the sea over a sinking ship, moves our minds at the recital of their fate, and then the lesson of God's providence is forgotten. But now "the sorrow on the sea" has borne evil tidings to the land. The calamities which have happened on the great routes of our travel, removing a long catalogue

of those who filled honored positions in society, have touched a thousand hearts. And yet while the tenure of life is so uncertain, there is a voice of mercy coming from those graves in the icy waters; for it bids us to be ready, as death may come at any time and in any way. "It is most solemn truth, that God has pledged himself to no man how or when he will bring him to his grave." Enforcing this lesson, exhorting the unconverted, and noticing three members of the congregation and one of the church who within the year have suddenly perished on the waters, Mr. R. concludes his sermon. The preacher addressed an audience among whom there was probably not an individual whose thoughts were not intensely drawn to some one or another aspect of the late appalling calamity. The discourse is calculated to bind such thoughts upon the solemn truths of God's providence and man's dependence. It is earnest, calm, and close to truth.

The Discourses which we have noticed all make a tender and respectful mention of Dr. Follen, one among the ill-fated company, whose loss is widely deplored. It has been a gratification under this sad bereavement to observe the cordial and instant acknowledgment of his worth which burst from all lips. In different pulpits of this city, from which the religious opinions which he held would have been a ground of exclusion during his life, we understand that he was mentioned in terms of sincere admiration.

DELUSION; or the Witch of New England. Boston: Hilliard, Gray & Co. 1840. pp. 160. 12 mo.

WE have read this unpretending little book with much interest. And yet it seems to us rather the promise of excellence than the maturity. The conception and execution of the story as a whole are imperfect; but the rays of a delicate genius are thickly strewn through the pages. We do not think the subject most suitable to the peculiar powers displayed,-that being stern and terrible, these sweet and graceful. Neither are the parts very well woven together and made to conspire to one end. And though the traits of single characters are beautifully touched, the various individuals are not made always to bear that living relation to each other, which is the mark of dramatic merit. There are some tokens of inexperience in laying the plot of a

story. But with these abatements, we must own this a work of rare beauty. And the beauty lies in single expressions, original turns of thought, new and striking images, and sometimes in the force and fitness of a word. We hesitate not to say there are unequivocal appearances of a genius capable of better things. The common style of the host of authors is so merely imitative,—a repetition not only of scenes, situations and characters, but of phrases and figures, that it is refreshing to receive any thing from native intellect and taste. There is an evident real sensibility, which this fiction but veils, which gives some of the nicest strokes, and without which no ingenuity can trace the secret channels of the human breast. This, combined with genuine power and exquisite delicacy of imagination, makes our author, if we may take an illustration from the art of painting, a fine colorist, if she will study a little more severely the drawing, and mutual relations in character;—which we hope she will do in a new attempt.

BIBLE STORIES, for the use of Children, Part II. containing Stories from the New Testament. By the Rer. Samuel Wood, B. A. 2d Edition. London: 1839.

18 mo.

Mr. Wood is well known among us as deeply interested in the happiness and instruction of the young. He has seen so much of the world as to be convinced, that the earlier the seed of goodness is sown the deeper will be its root, that the world which has gradually deteriorated by the neglect of the young, can be restored to virtue and piety only by the systematic discipline of the mind in its opening powers and exercise. That the simplifying of the elements of wisdom and truth is an honorable labor, no one at this day will care to deny, but the honor is increased when an educated man devotes himself to the labor in spite of the common opinion, that fame belongs to those who are engaged upon the summit rather than at the foundation of the great pyramid of knowledge. Mr. Wood has set forth the beautiful and touching narratives of the Saviour's life, his parables and his miracles, in a style which all children may comprehend. He has illustrated the text with Scripture references and notes, and has so disposed the narratives that the teacher may enforce the lessons by question and answer. In some few instances he has slightly changed the language of the Received Text. Of all literary undertakings there

is none which involves more conflicts of taste, opinion, habit and doctrine than this. Mr. Wood has in this matter exercised great judgment and caution. Many of his verbal changes are agreeable and discriminating. In a few instances we should dispute with him. His little book will fill an honorable place in the increasing host of good influences.

THE LECTURESS; a Tale. By the Author of "My Cousin Mary." Boston: 1839. pp. 124. 18mo.

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"My Cousin Mary" is a better story than "The Lecturess," in our judgment. We cannot respond to the unqualified commendation that has been bestowed by many on the latter book. It has many good features, and it may teach many good lessons. To a strong discriminating mind, if such a mind needed it at all, we can conceive that it may be very useful. But it is an overcharged delineation altogether. It is unnatural and improbable. Not that the opinions expressed are more ridiculous or extravagant than many into which women now-a-days, (and men also,) on both sides of the "woman question." But the conduct ascribed to this Lecturess is more ridiculous and extravagant than any we have known or heard of. We are not bold enough to say that there never was a woman so absurdly foolish, for it would be hazardous to set limits to the follies of womankind-or mankind. But the case is at the best an extreme case; and therefore is not a fair representative of a class either of advocates or actors. Yet this is the aspect in which the writer seemingly would have it viewed, and in which at any rate many will view it. In that respect it is unjust. On the other hand, it is fair in giving the full strength to the opposite arguments, and as a matter of reasoning both sides are well represented. But as a matter of conduct, both parties show themselves fools; the wife in her treatment of her husband and her first duties, the husband in his treatment of the wife and her insanity. The tale, however, as such, is well told and possesses a strong interest. Some of the impressions that it leaves are of the deepest and best kind; especially that in favor of perfect confidence and uniform openness between those who hold to each other the nearest of all earthly relations. The catastrophe is too sad, but if any need the lesson, let them ponder it.

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