The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-22
Gbs Rs6ieh.


New York: Carter d Brothers 1885 For saIa n,
Gray Balantyne, Washington. d. C.
Mr.. Ryle is not altogether unknown to the
Christian public of this country. Two or three
small works of his have already been published
by the American Tract Society, and they are
such as are adapted to be most useful. We
are glad, therefore, to see several others brought
together into one volume for the present work
IS collection of three lectures, delivered to
the Young Men of the Church of England So
ciety, and some other short pieces, all possess
ing the same general characteristics Among
so much that is diffuse, the great fault of the
present day with many writers, it is refreshing
TO md volume which has the rare merit of
the directness, terseness, and richness, of the
one now before us. Mr.. Ryles Lectures are
like the plain talk of man of sense, well read
IN history, and earnest in presenting and en-
forcing truth. In this respect they may be
read with profit by preachers and public speak
ers. What he says he utters in few words,
to the point, and they have weight. Over the
whole there is thrown the energy of man who
feels that his message is no trihng one He
has no time to stop and Gull out choice express
slons, II the more common homely ones at hand
will equally serve his purpose. The three Lee
lures on Bishop Latimer, Baxter, and White
held, contain great deal of truth in short
compass. He has well studied the characters
OF the men, he makes us acquainted with them
the times in which they lived, the influences by
which their character was wrought, and the
way they did their work. He is hearty in his
praise, and as hearty in his condemnation
whenever he deems it deserved. We like him
for this. Far better do we like such spirit,
even if we cannot at all times agree in its con.
illusions, than the time-serving, halfway deal
ing, that is often so unworthily lauded. Mr..
Ryle says to his audience, "Let us not leave
the good old ship, the Church of England, until
we have some better reason than at present be
seen. What though she be old and weather
beaten what though in some respects she may
want repair! what though some of the crew be
not to be depended on! still, with all her faults,
the old ship is in far better trim than she was
century ago."
Now, we like the manly boldness with which
clergyman of that church avows his attach.
ment, and, though we have no part in her exter-
nal forms, can sympathize with the utterance
of his call-"Let US stick by the Church :"
and we could wish there were many, as he. not
afraid to stand up for the sound Bible teaching
of her Latimers, Ridleys, and other glorious
old martyrs. We like his manliness, too, for
coming forth in defence of the Puritan Baxter.
and giving to Oliver Cromwell the need of
praise due to him when he says, "That Oliver
Cromwell was one of the greatest Englishmen
that ever lived, l feel no doubt at ALL No
man, probably, ever won supreme power by
the sword, and then used that power with such
moderation, as he did. England was probably
more feared and respected throughout Europe,
during the short time that he was Protector,
than she ever was before, or ever has been
SINCE"
We should like to quote the whole passage,
in which he speaks of him, if we had room.
We cannot, however, refrain from adding a
short extract from his portraiture of the Puri.
tans, as, addressing the young men before him,
he says" Never forget that the happy and
profitable freedom you enjoy was only won by
long-continued and intense struggles, by the
blood and suferings of undetermined men, of
whom the world was not worthy; and never for
get that the men who won this freedom for you
were those much-abused men, the Puritans."
Another passage in his Lecture on Whitefeld,
which is noble one, is where, after pointing
to the amazing po,cer that one single man pos
sesses, he SAYS, Away with the idea that num-
bers alone have power. Cast away the old vul.
gar error, that majorities alone have strength
Get firm hold of the truth, that minorities al
ways move the world. Think of the little flock
that our Lord left behind him, and the one
hundred and twenty names, in that upper cham
Der in Jerusalem, who went forth to assault the
heather world. Think of George Whitefeld,
assailing boldly the ungodliness which deluged
all around him, and winning victory after vic
tory"
Mr.. Ryle's estimate of Whitefeld is, that he
was probably the greatest and most successful
preacher the world ever saw. He gives o brief
analysis of the elements of his power as
preacher, which is instructive.
Besides these Lectures, there are some sixty
pages, entitled, Twelve Hints to Young Men,
on the following topics: Ought not young
man to think What are your prospects Have
you not something to lose !? 1t can be done
Who is afraid !? Does pleasure pay? No gains
without pains. The souls poison. The souls
remedy. The safety lamp. Lose nothing for
want of asking who is your friend 2" These,
Io1 d III
have somewhat to say unto thee !" make up
the small duodecimo volume of $50 pages. |
They are all rich in thought. His method of
treatment is graphic, and he deals with men as
if he meant to reach their consciences and
hearts. 1t is a book especially adapted to
READ It, and allow its influence in forming their
opinions and purposes. There is such frank |
and direct mode in his appeals, that they cannot
but like it, whether or not they yield to them.
The author, we believe, has recently closed his
earthly labors. Of this, however, we are not
certain and, if not, we hope he will add yet
manv more as useful lectures as these to the
means of instruction for the reading public.
8.
TIE SOUTHERN Cross SOUTHERN CROWN. or, the
Gospel in New Zealand. BY Miss Tucker, author OF
ssThe Rainbow in the North Abbeokata,n &c New
York: Carter Brothers. For sale by Gray Balan-
tyne, Washington, ID. c.
In the Southern Ocean there lies an island
about 43O miles long, by $50 broad. Its see
merry is beautiful and varied, with a rich profu-
sion of flowers, shrubs, and trees, all its own.
Its forests are grand, their foliage of dark