The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-17

idols: In the earliest ages of heathenism, arti-
fetal idols did not exist, for the plain reason
that no one possessed sufficient skill or means
to make them" A singular assertion, when
we reflect what kind of idols the heather even
now have in many parts of the world. So, after
quoting DIR. Wards book on the mythology of
the Hindoos, AS his authority for certain view
entertained by them, he subjoins, in a note, that
such q thing is "sheer nonsense" and must be
explained fguratively. The author overlooks
the great fact that, amid the vast diversity in
which Paganism has shown itself, we have to
| look to a variety of forms of origin, and that
to reduce all under one head is impracticable.
1t is, no doubt, easy for the theorist, as he ex-
amines existing systems, tossay how this and that
mythology must have sprung into being but in
these attempts to trace them to one rational
design, too little weight is given to the scriptur
al view, if indeed it be not often wholly ig-
nored. The apostle Paul, in the first chapter
of his epistle to the Romans, has given US the
truer solution of the question, when he says
that, processing themselves to be wise, they
become FOOLS" and also elsewhere, that " men
did not like to retain God in their thoughts"
and therefore "he gave them up to believe a
lie." Apologies for idolatry and the gross SEN
sualism of paganism can hardly be admitted,
when we have Gods own word as surer guide
to direct our views. We are surprised that our
author has 80 little reference to the Bible on
this topic, and we can attribute it only to the
fact that the speculations of the writer's to whom
he acknowledges his particular Indebtedness,
for the most part, regard the book of God
scarcely as of higher authority than profane
history.
The village story entitled Edith Hale is evil
IDENTIFY the production of person who has OBJ
served life and manners, and is acquainted
with various species of literature. The Illus
trations, borrowed sometimes from classical
subjects, sometimes from German philosophy
or history, and at others from Scandinavian
mythology, prove that the author has turned
his attention to all these sources of knowledge.
The tale is one of struggling poverty and vir-
tue, rewarded at last, though the ordeal of trial
has been a severe one. Edith's character is
well drawn-better than most in the book. The
style at times wants ease, and becomes artif-
cial. Some of the portraitures are in their
various features out of keeping with others,
and perhaps the general impression as to GER
tain of them is not what the author aimed to
produce. Taken as WHOLE the attempt to
trace the thread of Providence in the tangled
web of life is credtable one. But all this
might have been done, we think, with as sure,
| ii rba faot had 70 han,
ted. Its length renders it somewhat tedious,
and the reader, in looking for the winding up,
will often hurry over, and it may be, omit con-
Meeting links. The book is gotten up in the
usual neat style Of its publishers.
The next three works on our list are small,
but few pages each. In matter, however,
they make up for extent. Our readers will re-
member the notice we gave of the life of Cap
tain Wears, and we hope that before this they
have provedpeits correctness by their own de-
light in the perusal of the book itself The
Victory WOn, by the same author, is the &C.
count of the conversion and the last few months
of the life of man of superior intellect and
education, who from an infdel, unwilling, even
amid his failing strength, to hear prayer, or
think of his prospects for eternity, by Gods
grace was brought to see his error, to embrace
the truth with his whole heart, and In a meek
and humble endurance of wasting disease,
from his dying bed, like the departing orb OF
day, to send forth, as it were, radiance OF
glory, reflected with softensd beams from that
world into which he was just entering. Ths
reality of the change wrought in his heart is
striki1gly presented in his conversations; and
what but the power of the Holy Spirit could
so have caused sold things to pass away, and
all things to become newt" 1t is written as in
sunlight; and it comes up from the very grave,
with voice to bid the dying sinner, as he is
I hurrying on from time to eternity, to look to
Jesus and live. 1t vas through His atoning
blood pardon was sought and found; and when
all was over, as the once lost, now saved, had
made request, the large card was reversed,
that had borne inscribed the wordg on which
the dying eye was last fastened" The Son OF
Man is come to seek and to save that which is
lost" 81 want nothing, now, but further
revelation Of the beauty of the unseen Son Of
God," there appeared 70 those who came to
gaze on that lfeless corpse the chosen farewell
words of cheer and triumph, Thanks to God
who giveth Nc the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ" The victory was won, and being
dead he yet speai1eth, to cali every reader to
become, as he did, follower of them who
through faith have inherited the promises
Our readers Can need 20 more from US, to make
them to listen to his voice, conveyed to Us in
the pages by one to whom as the instrument
he owed his awakening and conversion, and
Ehe heard his humble confession, witnessed
his calmness, caught his parting smile of peace
and looked on "the clear, deep, spiritual eye
appraised" while "lighted up by the lingering
ray Of the soul which was with its God"
OF DR., Williams and DIR. Rice's Discourses
it is enough to sag that their titles indicate
their subjects, and their authors aaye the
reputation as able ministers of the Gospe
; which guarantees them to be worth reading
', They are printed in nsst and convenient duo
decimo form, rather in the usual pamphlet on.
of sermons and this, too, will, no doubt, ait
much in securing more extended circulation
A useful book, published by Miller, Orion
, 4 Mulligan, New York and Auburn, 1856, de
! signed as Guide to Travellers, and furnishing
t a variety of information respecting several o
, the Western States, also he's been placed In
, our hands, by the courtesy of the press from
. which it is issued, The title shows its charac
t ter, which appears to be sustained, as far a
s moderately sized volumes can occupy SO exten
{ sive ground. Its author states that he has vis
m I'D 10 4ha R<Nnk