New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-09-22

tempted 10 take q conspicuous part 10 hnsts- hs
name may scarcely be known beyond limited
sphere. He courted popularity. IN earnest
and single-hearted man. he Absolutely tree
from all the arts by which reputation is often woa'
surrounding name with a dellsive celebrity that
fades away as soon as the earthly remains are
cold in the grave But still, who knew him will
be disposed to call in question the singular eniowmens
of his mind the depth and variety Of his learning and
the leading influence which be has exerted on the
opinions of the age
The distinction of Mr. Norton was. doubt, due, in
very considerable degree to the accident OF time in
which he commenced bis literary career. More than
most studious men, he formed connecting link be-
tween the past and the future He appeared precisely
at the turning point when the scholastic attanmcns in
vogue since the Revolution were about to ripen into
more generous culture In early ie he was far in ad
vance Of his contemporaries both in just conceptions
of the purposes Of education. in sound and exact learn
ing in absolute freedom of thought, in what then
deemed audacous holiness Of speculation and in the
command of a chaste and vigorous style. As regards
an indignant reputation of the hackles OF tradition
proud defiance of the opinions prevailing around him,
and an mistaken reliance on his intellectual con-
illusions we shall not be misunderstood when We des-
ignate him as the THEODORE PARKER of his day. His
speculatiOns in theology were regarded with equal
aversion by the religious bgot, the timid good and
the mental tyrant but he lived to them adopedby
those for whom he had the most respect, and TO be
treated leader of the movement, which at first re-
garded him as too bold aud INSCRIPTIONS for
safety.
Mr. Norton was born in the beautiful village of Hing
L. 4, H.. IL Ia
passed his childhood acquiring certain quantness and
prmtyeness of manners and conversation which will
be indeliby associated with his image in the memory
of his friends Graduating at Harvard College in 1904
at the age of eighteen he devoted himself to the study
of theology but at the same time continuing and
arcing his classical researches. His habits were of
too decidedly scholastic character TO qualify him for
the duties of the clerical profession. Accordingly,
after a temporary residence at BOwdon College as tu
tor he became connected with his Alma Mater first
tutor then librarian. and afterwards Professor of
Sacred Literature In each of these Offices his ntiu
ence was marked and, in many respects, sautary His
thorough scholarship served to give form and substance
TO the literary enthusiasm which, at that period pre-
vailed at Cambridge His refined and exquisite taste
east an air of purity and elegance around the spirit of
gance, afectaton, obscury of thought, and inflated
expression, operated as most wholesome influence on
the minds of his pupils He impressed on them the
importance of clearness of ideas and ofanguage, made
war on all sorts of pretenson and absury, and where
mider means were Intellectual demolished nonsense by
scathing sarcasm.
This diosyncracy was not without its disadvantages
as Professor in the Theological School 1t led him to
attach too much consequence to mere verbal nceties
and refnements In his devotion to the letter, he often
forgot the superiority OF the spirit His attenuated
criticisms apt to take the place of broad views OF
truth Cropping in an obscure corner, he would lose
sight of the grandeur and vitality of universal princi
pies Nor was be sufficiently inspired with respect for
individual convictions lie aimed too much to bring
bis pupils to common standard-and that hestandard
OF bis own mind Hence il required certain robust
ness of character not to be cramped by his influence
Professedy the champion OF free thought he was the
last to encourage it in others, whenever it took d.
rection in opposition to himself
In 1890 Mr. Norton resigned his Professorshp in the
COLLEGE, but continued to reside in Cambridge, where
with an extensive and admirablyselected library, he
engaged in the composition and completion Of the inn
portant theological works which have since been well
coined by such large classes of intelligent students
Among these his " Statement of Reasons for not Be-
lieving the Doctrine Of the Trinity, two volumes on
The Evidences of the Commences of the Gospels
and treatise on The Latest Form Of Inf1elity, are
the most elaborate and have called forth the most at
tenton Besides these productions he was the author
of numerous articles in the periodical publications OF
the day, some of which obtained a distinguished repu
ton under his EditOrship
His biographical sketches Of Buckminster and OF
Charles Eliot in the General Repository" as well as
the EuOgy on Professor Frsbe, with the Memoir pre-
fixed to the Writings" of that admirable person. are
among the most cbaste aud finished specimens Of char
acterdrawng in our language. Indeed in bis general
style of composition, considered in a negative point of
view, Mr.. Norton may be pronounced fautess model
Ii was transparent crystal The proper words fell
naturally into their proper places If be ever used
doubtful expression, we know not when or by
whom it was discovered. His words though never
tipped with fire, except in the excitement of cOntro-
yersy were surcharged with feeling In general, his
literary criticisms, though often severe, were acute
and sagaciOus. Sometimes, in the of Mrs He
mans be was disposed to indulge in undue praise. But
this falling cannot be said TO have been an habitual
trait of his character.
In the division which occurred some ten or fifteen
years ago among the so-called liberal regioniss Of
Massachusetts, Mr.. Norton took decided part on the
side of conservatism He was the first to sound the
alarm of heresy in the body of Christians whose main
distinction was the reputation of creeds He was the
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