The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-27
Gbs $sbish.
sEED-GRAIN FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUS
sION-A FEW WORDS MORE

different expressions of dissent from the wri-
ter's opinion. 1t is by no means uncommon, that
an author and an authors friends cannot regard
the estimate made of q favorite work in the
same light as do others not so situated. AL
have right to judge for themselves, from their
respective points of view, and to express their
judgments to the public, provided they seek to
perform their parts in honesty and with fdel-
ity. Disclaiming anew, as the editor of this
journal has already done for him, the least
motive or inclination "to do Intentional injus-
tice, or lightly wound the feelings of any one"
the writer of that notice still feels that he may
allude to the structures passed upon him, and
state the grounds on which his judgment was
founded, leaving all to approve or to condemn,
as they may deem best. "The Constant Read
err" &C., is most welcome to his insinuation,
Hinc nle lachryme, and to the terms of
ungentlemanly and unchristian invective."
No reply is needed. The explanation of "a
Valued Correspondent" though not intended
for publication, differing in its tone, is sppreci-
ated, and acknowledgment is due to the kind
ness of heart that dictated it, yet the writer of
the notice cannot accept that explanation as
his own. He had read not only the title and
the preface, but also carefully gone through
the whole two volumes. 1t was with no little
pain he found them what in his view appeared
30 defective. 1t would i'll comport with his
sense of responsibility to God for whatever
appears from his pen for the press, to utter his
judgment without such examination, or, having
formed such an estimate, to withhold it, if he
gives forth any. That he may often be liable
to bias, from his religious opinions, he does not
deny. No doubt every one is so, and he claims
no exemption from the imperfection which be-
longs to all. But, in giving utterance to his
estimate of the works of authors, he must hon.
estly state what he regards as defects, or seri-
to them or their friends. Nor in case book
seems founded on wrong principles, and con.
tains what deserves condemnation, can it ex.
cuse it from what he believes truthful report
of that which lies before him, though the author
is a woman. And aside from those relations
of more public interest brought under notice,
the need of grateful praise may be Justly due
for heightened graceful accomplishments, ge-
MUS, and all those qualities admiring friend
ship loves to honor in the private and domestic
circles where she moves.
The book bears the title of "Seed-Grain for
Thought and Discussion" Is it designed for
teachers and young pupils, for discussion in
schools ? Is it collection of skeletons of
thoughts, merely pithy, suggestive apothegms,
as a means only of intellectual discipline or
mental training? And, if so designed, is it
only such book 30 Selection of Sentences
and Short Passages to excite interesting and
useful Metaphysical and Philosophical Discus
sion 2" Can it be 80 regarded? Why then
long extracts-in some cases of four, FIVE, SIX
or eight pages each-from one author? Had
it been merely thus pointed to the abstract
questions of mental discipline, mental philoso.
ply, or ethics, and appeared without really
moral or religious bearing of any kind, the
question raised respecting it would have been
a very different one. But can any one hon.
estly examine it, and not see that it has q reli.
gious bearing? Can any teacher use it with
out giving it such bearing? Can any one
go through, page after page, note the majority
Of names and the spirit Of the extracts, and not
form his conclusion at once as to what is the
religious system of the compiler Whether
right or wrong, have not these opinions, as a
whole, shaped the selection and the dealing
with the authors taken? This is the issue, and
here lies the question. The compiler had
perfect right to set forth and stand by her opin.
ions--it is not denied-and there is the same
right to call in question such views, if deemed
erroneous, by any one else, when they are made
public. But is there an equal right to select
and mingle in extracts from writer's SO heaven.
wide from each other as to make them form
parts of one system, anything but such as some
of them could approve2 Would Jeremy Tay-
lor, John Hume, Richard Cecil, and men of
such character, choose to be found as with a
similar utterance with Martineau, Newman,
Sterling, and those who agree with them, with.
out at least the opportunity to speak out the
fuller depths of their hearts2 The opening
subject is, Holy Lining. And was there moth
ing strange, that on such topic, no quotation
should be made from any author referring to
Gods word as the great guide of life, and Jesus
Christ the most perfect one of all that ever
appeared in humanity at least, as the great
Example? Did Jeremy Taylor in his book from
which quotations are drawn, furnish no such
reference, and would he have deemed its omis
sion light one? Can there be found in the
whole two volumes single quotation fully and
clearly presenting the Bible as the great rule
of faith and practice? Does the compiler not
so regard it? Does not it at least claim, as if
from God, to be so? And when over the whole
of life in its broader as well as minuter rela.
tons the discussions travel, how is it that there
is so little allusion to that book ? To the
Christian public, generally, these are not ques-
tons of trivial interest. Is the name too of
Christ, brought forward comparatively so sell
dom and with so little disinterestedness of char.
acter, too holy one to be used-more so than
that of God, freely used page after pager Are
"the solemn and awful doctrines of Revela.
ton" too solemn to be pointed out to the Young,
as His teachings who has connected them
there with this life and that which is TO come?
If the writer of the notice sees here, as he be-
heves, serious omission, and in it lies dan.
gerous principle, could he help uttering his
warning2 And if he did not do 80, would he
not be recreant, indeed, to his responsibility
His impression of the compilation 10 not singu.
lar. One instance has lately come to his knovl.