The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-11-28

corder gives the following interesting
sketch of Rev. Peter Bayne, whose work.
upon the Christian Life" recently re-
published by MeSsrs. Gould & Lincoln.
is oX1iting the interest of the Christian
world
Peter Baync.
AUTHOR OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, SOCIAL.
AND INDIVIDUAL"
Byron said of himsefaftcr the public
alton of one of his poems, that he a
woke one morning and found himself fa.
nous" The same way with equa! truth
and propriety be said of Mr. Bayne Tn
known to fame before the publication of
his " Christian Life" his name is now
upor every ybody's lips. Like a star of
the first magnitude, he has all at once
flashed out of the dark, and henceforth
is destined to shine with permanent lus-
tire in the armament of literature. His
book has taken captive, with delight
FIJI surprise, the hearts and intcllccts of
all who have been so fortunate as to fall
in with it. 1t is quite natural, there
fore. that curiosity should be all asog to
learn somewhat more respecting this
brilliant. but hitherto unknown author
Who is Mr.. Rayne2 What are bis an
tecedents | am able, fortunately to
give brief answer to these inquiries.
A letter now in my posses sion, from cne
of his College mates furnishes a few par
riculars respecting him, though less than
we could all wish.
Like his comreers in literature, CaI
lyle and Macauay, Mr. Baync is
Scotchman. lie is native Of Aber-
deenshire, and was graduated at Maris-
chall College in the city Of Aberdeen.
He sui seluently studied Divinity at
Edinburgh, where also he "re-studied
Philosophy undcr some of the most emf
nent Pr fcssOrs Of that celebrated school.
1t is understood he was particularly par
ial to the system of Sir William Ham
lton, of which. indeed. there are indica-
tions in the Christian Lite.n Ecclesi-
astically, he is connected with the Free
Church. which DR. Chalmers so glorious
ly led out of bondage. AT present, be
is residing in London, where be is Gcyo.
ting himself to literature. Although
qualified for the Christian mini'ty it is
minated by my informant that lie may
not choose to take license to preach
Before publishing the u" Christian Life,
he had written several articles for the
Magazines which attracted much attcn-
ton in his own country. One of these
was an article on Alison, the Historian.
Sir Archibald was SO much pleased with
this, that he addressed a letter to Mr..
Bayne, in which he speaks of the article
as making nearer approach to thor
ough understanding Of hii principles
than anything that had been written.
Another piece which has been much ad-
mired, is an article on Coleridge. Mr.
Bayne is yet a young man, and, BY ami
versdl consent, has most brilliant fa-
turo before him.
Tie great public has already put its
"imprmatur upon the Christian
Life" bat cannot refrain from giving
here one or two extracts relating to it,
from private letters IN ny possession.
The first is from Dr. Mott, tho venerable
President of Union College. lie says.
-" have finished the reading Of
Boyne's Christian life" and am thank
ful for having had an opportunity to read
it. Il il no common book. In spirit it
is kind aud candid, in argument clear
aud conclusive in style poctical and sug-
gestlve. 1t should be read hy scientific
men to cherish in them reverence for
the Bible, and by Christian men 10 Sc
cure their respect for the teaching Of
science. 1t meets iufdclity on lis own