The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-12
LITERARY NOTICES.

ham, Pennsyivania avenue, Washington, D. @.
We have seldom been more interested in any
book than in this. 1t contains passages from
the experience Of a young and hopeful min
lister, honest, well endowed, but inexperi-
enced, whose first call was to q fashionable
Church, controlled by wealthy Conservatism,
but at the same timo troubled by reckless
Radicalism. On the one side stands brother
Peppery, fercely cycling him askance, and de-
nouncing him as q time-server, if he detect
any indication of the wisdom of the serpent; ;
on the other is brother Fiscal, smooth, sleek,
and respectable, who bristles up at direct
application of Christian truth, as if it were an
offensive personality.
There is nothing commonplace, nothing ex-
a clear, vigorous style, utters great deal of
truth in a piquant way, is often witty and
satirical, but rarely, if ever, ill-nstured.
One of the prominent characters in the vol
ume is MIR. Arlington, q calm, dignifed, urbane
parsonage wealthy, worldly, and conservative
The poor young minister, under controlling
sense of duty, had expostulated with brother
Fiscal, highly respectable hquor-dealer, on
the mischiefs resulting from the tipping he en-
coursged. The next Sunday, brother Fiscaps
pew was'empty-it was rumored that he had
gone to Plush street church, to take comfort
under the ministrations of the Rev. MIR. Downy
The parish was disturbed-the absent brother
was a moneyed member, and Mr.. Arlington
did not like to lose him. The. young minister
therefore found it necessary to preach SER
mon suitable to the occasion, taking for his
text the words, Gam | therefore become your
enemy because | tell you the truth" He
spoke plainly, truthfully, and produced of
course sensation. Mr.. Arlington was rather
amazed, but continued tranquil. With bland
smile, he invited the young minister to take
tea with him. He was full of kindness; his
courtesy was impressive; but at last, indirectly
and most insinuatingly he approached the
matter which lay near his heart-the true
method of preaching the gospel, so as to avoid
displeasing anybody. After skirmishing
conversation, at last Mr.. Arlington became q
little more explicit.
"You remember" continued Mr.. Arlington
addressing his daughter that while Brother
Stringent was rending our parish by urging
his reform doctrines, Mr.. Downy was filling
up the Plush street church by course of lee
lures on the Depravity and Doom Of Babylon.
Never were heard in Bubbleton such popular
discourses. Everybody praised them. Even
those whom nobody suspected of having any
interest in religion, commended them in the
highest terms. Mr.. Downy was compliment
II =. Il L.. L
as you will remember, was suspected Of SNUG
Cling and who is popularity supposed to be
quite destitute Of devout feelings, presented the
preacher with superb set of silver. Aud ia
cob Bonus, hard as he is said to use his tenants,
presented the pastors wife with a splendid
cloak and set of furs. Moreover, the parish
grew 80 compact and popular, that the income
Of the Plush street church was enlarged the
value of five hundred dollars Thus, while our
minister run himself out and brought his par
ish into reproach, Mr.. Downy, by his superior
discretion and knowledge of his peoples wants,
run successful and honorable career, and ex-
tended his influence even to those not common
ly reckoned Christians"
Miss Arlington's face had been bent over
her book, during this statement. At it's con-
clusion, she raised it for an instant exhibiting
q look of most indignant scorn, and then, as if
over the page in silence.
"Yet | sm told" pursued MIR. Arlington,
that Mr.. Downy's discourses were calculated
to exert powerful Influence against sin, in all
its forms. He is said to have denounced the
wickedness of the Babylonisns in terms really
terrific and their wickedness as everybody
knows, includes all that is known at the pres
emit day so that, in point of fact, he denounc-
ed the sins of his own people, while assuming
only to aim at those of the ancients Young
Cyrus Thistleblow says, that the impsssioned
manner with which the preacher exposed and
execrated the denominations of Babylon, re-
minded him of Macready, in his most power
full passages; and he gives it as his opinion,
that young men of fashion enjoy lecture at
the Plush street church, nearly as well as they
do tragedy st the Federal street Theatre.
The comparison shows that they must regard
the lecture as very solemn thing, notwith-
standing it does not drive them from the church,
provoked and indignant at the rudeness of the
preacher. But you seem unoommonly thought
full, Louisa and you, also, Brother Chestern
was endeavoriDg to calculate said Miss
Arlington, how many centuries must elapse
after the destruction of Bubbleton, before it's
sins would become a proper subject Of pulpit
censure!"
AS for myself, thought il best not to re-
veal the subject Of my thought, lest it might
be deemed rude. Such revelation of opin-
ion, moreover, was not to be heard every day,
and did not like to interrupt it by an express
sion of disapproval that saw would be fruit
less, in case of such hardened and perveree
worldliness.
Mr.. Arlington saw the i0it of his daughters |
observation, and was proud enough of that to |
pardon the shock it gave his naked sophistry. |
He continued, therefore, with incredible seren-
ity:
"You see, then, how strongly q man may
denounce sin, if he will but consult prudence |
and the natural feelings Of his hearers. Thus
Brother Chester, you might give us few dis |
courses on the crimes of the Antediluyians, or |
the apostacy of the Jews or the vices and |
skepticism Of the Athenians or the abomina- |
lions of Corinth and Rome and incidentally |
denounce all the transgressions forbidden in |
the Decalogue, which, as you viii admit, would |
DO most thorough moral preashing | have |
little doubt that course of lectures on ,some |
such topic would prove immensely popular, as |
they would crafty certain historical taste
and antiquarian curiosity natural to q cultiya- |
ted people"
We should like to give, per contra, some of
the sayings of brother Peppery, but have not
room.
LIFE's LESSON. Tale. New Yorki Harper 4
Brothers For sale by Franck Taylor, Pa. avenue.
Washington, DC.
This is singular productions tale with |
put plot, without any surprises, mysteries, or |
dramatic passages, and with no more Incl |
dent than falls to the lot of human beings gen.
orally, and yet of fascinating interest We |
Irt~ a.