The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-02
abe 3s6ism.

.ale by Taylor Maury, Washington, D. c.
The title of this book is strange misnomer.
How much of philosophy there is in it, it would
take keen discernment to discover. The au.
thor has not even given definition of what he
means by SectdriaRism From the drift of his
remarks, we conjecture that he includes under
this term every departure from the Established
Kirk OF Scotland; at least, nothing else seems
to be so sacred in his eyes as the old usages
that have been handed down for many genera
tons, coupled with the Presbyteriansm of the
sternest cast of bygone days. The idea of an
organ with choir of singers, or Watts's
Psalms and Hymns, instead of the old Scotch
paraphrases, appear to have made him shud-
der, and ready to say, 4" my soul, come not
into their eommunon!" We have no obiec-
ton to the authors holding to his tenets, and
clinging to his favorite usages in the stiffest
and stanchest manner; but to dignity with the
name of philosophy such medley of distorted
statements, gathered from newspapers and
books, and alike from friends or foes, relating
to different denominations in our country, we
cannot but think is most disingenuous trifing.
However he may pride himself on his diligence
and research, and take credit for the service
he has done his co-religionists, we believe his
book, were it to have many readers, would ex-
ert bad influence on the cause of Christ.
Enough already is there of cutlery from open
infdels and opposers against Christianity and
Gods people, as being divided into various
branches, without its friends lending arms to
| Al. Ia A.. pIo:lx
Intentionally or not, has in this volume ma
ligned some of the best and truest ministers
men whose hearts are in their work, and, not
content with standing still, are willing to go
| forward and increase in knowledge, availing
themselves of every new form in which light
may reach and penetrate the darkness of the
sinful heart 1t would be equally in the power
of the most bigoted Papist to deal blow at
every other branch of the Church, on the ground
of departure in usages and modes of worship,
as we'll as particular Misunderstanding DR..
BIS own favorite Presbyterianism call it
| the Philosophy of Sectarianism. Why not
rather write work on the Philosophy of Chris |
tan Charity, basing it on that most beautiful
portraiture of this divinest of virtues in the |
18th of lst Corinthians We opine he would |
find there a truer field Of labor, and perhaps,
if imbued with more of its spirit, might then
give to the world revised edition of the PHI |
losophy of Seetarianism. His present effort is |
as unphiosophical as it is unworthy of min
lister of Christ. We trust it is not fair ex-
hibition of what he is in his preaching or in
tercourse with his brethren S.
QUESTIONS OF rHk SOUL By J. T. Hecker New York ;
ID. Appleton Il Co. 1885 For sale by Taylor & Maury
Washington, d. C.
This book is beautifully printed on fair white
paper. We at once recognise the press from |
ship. So far, so good. The form in the ar
rangement in the topics of the volume is at
tractive. Commencing with the question of
mans destiny, the author proceeds on to dis
cuss various phases of human experiment, till |
he comes to the Model Man, the Church of
Christ, Professionalism, Rome, &C., and reach
ing his conclusion, as he would seem to infer,
by inevitable and fair conclusion. The style
in which he writes is most perspicuous, and in
many parts beautiful. Yet, after all, though
it contains many excellent things, much to
which we can heartily subscribe. Who Mr..
Hecker is, we know not. But, with all the fair
seeming of his reasoning, we think there is
vein of sophistry, plausible indeed, yet evident
ly aiming as its end to establish the fact that
the Roman Catholic Religion is the only one
which meets the temporal and spiritual wants
of men. He cites, very adroitly, the directions
given to Paul and Cornelius, in proof that the
Protestant Church is all wrong in pointing each
one to the Bible as the great source from
whence he is to draw his views of Divine truth;
but omits to quote the Saviour's direction to
search the Scriptures, and the high commenda-
ton bestowed on the Church of Berea, and va
rous other passages which initiate most con-
clusively against his position. While pretend
ing to be an inquirer led on to conviction, &C
cording to a candid examination, it would have
been at least more ingenious course to state
too the objections that lie in the way of his the
ory. This he has not done; and so, with ap-
parent freedom from prejudice, it is a deeply
concealed, one.sided attempt to present belief
in the Roman Catholic doctrines of the Church,
Confession, Monasticism, as well as reliance on
human mediation, as that which is best adapt
ed to the wants of man and of his immortal
soul. If so he thinks, he has a right to his
opinion; but we must demur to his representa-
ton of Professionalism as fair one. What he
has stated is in part true, but more, and the
more important in its connections, has he left
unnoticed. This is scarcely manly method
of treating such a subject To those who ad-
NIT the great maxim, that the Bible is the Judge
to whom we must make the final appeal, wheth
err of the clergy or laity, and who are willing
to study it, and learn for themselves, the falacy
of Mr.. Hecker's arguments will easily be seen;
but there are others who may be led by the
pleasing style and specious reasons to admit
the conclusions, with scarcely thought how
very weak some of them are. s.
THE GOLDEN REED; or, The True Measure of True
Church. By b F. Barrett New York d. Appleton
& Co 1856. For sale by r. Farnham, Washington,
DC.
Another issue from the Appleton press. An.
other discussion on the nature of the Christian
Church. But there is nothing covert here.
The purpose of the author is openly stated. at
aims simply to show that the new Christian
Church, which is based upon the word of God,
as expounded in the theological writings of
Swedenborg, and nationally understood, is a
universal and truly Catholic Church." 1t is,
therefore, Swedenborgian view of the Chris
tian Church. This is all fair, and deserves