The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-11
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phases of society, in many parts of our country,
than that of the itinerant Methodist preacher.
Moving from place to place, and thus miugling
with different communities every one or two
years, he can see the workings of the influences
which pervade numerous bodies of men. His
duties, too, bring him into contact with the
feelings and opinions of others and thus it is
in his power to portray, if he possesses the
requisite skill, the changing aspects of life.
The present volume aims at this. 1t is pro-
fessedly the record of the life of one who, be-
ginning as an exhorter, passes through the sue
cessve stages of the Methodist itinerant min
istry, up to that of presiding elder and super
animated preacher; and thus the author seeks
to develop the operation of the system from
the position of one who is able to form and
render an opinion. 1t is not all sunny side"
nor all "shady side" The former, on the
whole, predominates, though the trials and
hardships are likewise mentioned. OF course,
the author regards with favor his own system !;
and this is well. 1t is somewhat singular, how
ever, that we find no description of certain of
its features which are regarded as peculiar,
such as the campmeetings, &C.; from this we
should almost infer he did not approve of them.
Some of his views in reference to the claim of
the people on the minister's wife, to take the
lead in efforts of the female members of the
church, we presume will not find entire accept
ance; though he battles the current expecta-
ton strongly, as if it was in his mind point
of not a little Importance. In parts of the
work the author is intensely sectarian. This
we do not object to in such book-for there
is some truth in the old adage, after all, awe
like good hater; and for man to define
himself strongly and clearly, where there is &C.
casion for it, is well enough. But our author
gratuitously steps aside to attack other demon
nations and this he does, too, by grossly
caricaturing their belief, and where there is
not the least necessity for anything of the kind
This is the more remarkable, as an exhibition
of his feelings, since afterwards, in all the va
rious places of residence and preaching, his
itinerant wholly ignores the existence of any
other religious denomination, or speaks of the
slightest intercourse with its professors-does
not mention them, except by way of general
allusion to certain features of their system, to
condemn them. The book has many good
things in it, notwithstanding and, willingly
pardoning the authors Partially for his own
views, though somewhat Extensively as well as
unjustly manifested, we have read it with inter
est, as may, no doubt, many of our readers. 1t
is marked with various errors of grammar,
and sometimes a sovenliness of style, which
can easily be corrected in future edition, if it
should reach one. There is one fact, which is
illustrated in it, that is based on principle of
human nature, and which often accounts for
the peculiar exclusiveness of individuals 1t
is this Those who pass from one Sect de-
nomination, or party, to another, are always
among the hottest adherents of the one they
have joined and the most likely to misrepre-
sent that which they have left. Men, when
they abandon any set of opinions, swing over
with strong impulse to the other extreme.
So we find it in the representation of this book.
There is, however, much in the development
of character, that applies equally to the con-
gregations of other churches as to the Method
lists; and the sarcastic hits at practices re-
Mr.. Pindar, Mr.. Crary, &C., as here depicted.
The TONGUE OF FIRE; or the Power of Christianity BY
William Arthur, A. NJ, author of The Successful Mer-
chant" New York: Harper & Brothers. 1o56 For
sale by Franck Taylor, Washington, d. C.
We do not remember ever having seen /" The
Successful Merchant" by which this author
appears to be known; but the present volume
is well written, and passages in it are eloquent.
His style is clear, and inspired with q life and
earnestness which takes strong hold of the
reader, as if the man so dealing with him had
deep interest in his best welfare. He por-
trays with a graphic pen the scenes that may
have been supposed among the waiting disci-
Piles ere "the day of Pentecost had fully come"
and the baptism of fire had descended upon
them, in fulGment of the promise of the Saw
Jour, as we'll the spiritual, miraculous,
and ministerial effect" that more Immediately
manert benefits to the church," deriving from
the whole valuable practical lessons. AS the
volume is inscribed to the Rev. DIR. Hannah,
one of the late delegation of the Methodists of
Great Britain to this country, we presume the
author is a minister of the Gospel belonging
to that religious denomination but there is
nothing sectarian, by which any one would be
otherwise led to SUCH conclusion. 1t is q
book that ought to find its way to many
Christian heart and no one such, we think,
can lay itself open to its urgent persuasions,
without feeling that every child of God has
l,,b,, 70 f1lf of oin I'D
unbelief, and being made to inquire, "Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do?" 1t is an OPP
perfume appeal in this day of comparative
declension, when the spirit of the primitive
church needs to be brought anew into the va
rious assemblies of Christ's people, to invigo-
rate their faith, give true direction to their
zeal, enkindle their love, and bind them by
holy charity together, in the great purpose of
fulfilling the command of their Redeemer, to
preach the Gospel to every creature. Well
may the author pray, and every lover of the
cause of Christ join him in the prayer, for
baptism of the Holy Spirit, and for a new
tongue of fire, to descend and sit upon not
only every preacher, but every private Chris
| tan, and make their effects to be felt if not
as once in miraculous manifestations, yet in
those decided proofs of the presence of God in
Christ, which shall convince gainsayers, and
hasten onward the triumphs Of the latter day
of glory. The authors views of preaching
and worship are excellent. While, of course,
setting piety of heart above mere human
| training, he is no advocate for ignorance, or
| disregard of education He wishes tho trptbs