New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-02-19
Nkm3 1ork Dailu Gribm,re
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
JAMES ON THE PROBLEM OF Ev1

the e1ceeolDR IDetOrlcdi sklu winch cpaIectefiLe
oil the productions Of Henry James, the present
work will challenge the interest Of lovers
Of theological discussion, by its weiehty
dogmatic contents, and the living tran
script which it offers of the religious prog
rem Of the writer. Even those who are
not readily attracted BY positive statements
concerning the sphere Of the supernatural, can
scarcely resist tie appeal to their sympsthies in
the frank hearted confessions Of an earnest and
generous spirit devoted to the pursuit and con-
temptation of ideal truth. II 10 always Gu
Fious process to trace the development of fpecu-
la.ion in the superior minds of the race, and
whether, in its final conclusions, 1t reaches the
stand point of IN Athabasus, Spinoza, or q
Swedenborg it is always fertile in instruction to
the susceptible and comprehensive thinker Re-
gsrced in this point of view, the work before US,
which aims at cemen,iDg new union between
Philosophy and Christianity, forms in itself an
enticipg subject of philosophical examination.
Its strictly theological character forbid' the at
tempt to DO justice to it's claims in the columns OF
secular journal, and we shall accordingly leave
tha task TO ADLER and lees preoccupied pens than
%.
ressonipgs of Mr.. James will find the most ample
appreciation from minds that have not yet at
tanned 10 firm and serene convictions, and who are
.til hopefully-or perhaps hopelessy-employed
with solving The riddle OF existence aud the destiny
Of man. The votsry of positive science and the
devotee to ecclesiastical traditions will find little
In his pages to win their spproval-the former
~ l. Of
supremacy of Revealed Religion, and the latterby
bis pondercus gatherings Of the ancient strong
holds of faith.
In few significant paragraphs oftbe suggestive
preface which introduces the volume, Mr.. james
presents the key to his theological system, aud
they should not fail to be well studied BY the
reader before graphing with the main argument
of the work. The distinction between natural
religion and revealed religion, according to the
author, consists in the different aspects under
which they regard morality. The former, affirm
ing the absolute character Of morality, ,uPposes
that the good aud the evil man are intrinsically
different persons, and that hence the Divine att-
tude toward the one is full of bengnity and
toward tie other full Of wrath. Revealed reli-
eon on the contrary, assets the relative charsc.
ter of morality maintaining that the revelation of
God in conscience WAS intended to be subordinate
to bis ultimate revelation in Christ. Moral dis
tinctions, accordingly, are merely type Of pro-
founder spiritual distinctions, which proceed e1-
clusvely from the relation of the soul to Christ
Natural religion, moreover, afirms the rectitude
Of human nature; revealed religion afirus the
corruption Of human nature; the one finds the
remedy for Elm in the reformation Of the sinner;
the other holds to a redemption Of man from the
power of bis nature and the consequent renewal
of heavenly influence in his heart. The essence
Of Christianity 10 the doctrine of redemption. ~
assures the redemption of man in enc mission o.
Christ, and enables him r. -'Joice N inc o,"'o
&c rsoon.,.,-d nature. This rede nPton
.goo..S uy the assumption of human nature
.,. mart of God. In Christ, God became man.
and man became God, embodyiDg in an ear'hiy
form the total royalty and the total sancutyoi
Heaven. Hitherto, philosophy has received no
I,ht from revelation. 1t has remained mere
parasite of natural religion. But n'w = begins
70 deyour its ancient prop, and to prepare issen
for superior ties.
The writer informs US that he has found no help
from philosophy in solving the question OF human
responsibility. With studious effort he has At
temutsd to discover the consistency between evil
In the AZURE and the perfection OF the Creator
But in vain. Neither the lights OF philosophy
nor the instructions of his ecclesiastical teach
era could afford him sure guidance. At last he
6nds the word of the enigma in the theology Of
Ssedepborg. Following the hints thus furnished,
he has written the present volume, which must
be regarded as more complete exposition Of bis
views than any Of his previous works-they be-
inc only incidental indications of the truth. while
his apprehension of its full proportions and bear
ipes was yet extremely partial and inhrm.
They were little more than an outcry against
prevailing esrors and prophecy OF advancing
tnowledee: but the fufllment of their promise
il to be sought in the letter now Issued
The established ecclesiasticism although mad
eouste 10 the spiritual wants Of man, and involv'
inc a tissue of contradictions In its own charAc-
ter, 10 not to be superseded BY any newer organi-
cation. We are all of Us, argues Mr. James,
more or less in subsection to its Influences ana
for himself he would be slow to recommend
orcible separation. d" If we are to have an eccle-
,ssticism, let it be that which has come down 70
us hoary with human use, which is associated
with the worlds best names and memories when
has always, in spite of thousand inhrmlHes'
pilloyed the reverend head of age, difused
timely awe in the be art OF childhood. nursed the
sentiment of human brotherhood until science