The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-08
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PRIVATE THoueHrs UPoN RnIaIos CHRISTIAN LIFE
| BY William Beverage, D. d. Two vols l2mo New
York: Robert Carter Brothss. 1887. For sale Oy
| Gray & Ballanyne, Washingtoa, D. c,
A new edition of an old and valued book
It's merits are too well know, and the influence
it has exercised is so undenable, that it needs
no words of ours in its favor Among works OF
this cast, it is recognised as a standard one;
true guide to the child of God, and deserving,
too, the perusal of all, for no one can csndidly
and seriously go through its pages without feel
ing that he ought thereby 10 become wiser
and better man. We hope it may find many
now to prove our expression of its worth by
their own experience. Tbepresent edition is
| a neat and convenient one for use.
CHAPLAIxs OF THE GENERAL Government; With objec-
tons to their Employment Considered Also List OF
all the Chapains to Congress, in the Army and Nav,
from the Formation of the Government This Time.
BY Lorenzo d. Johnson author Of" Churches and Pas
tors of Washington" New York: Sheldon, Blake
man, Co. 1856. For sale BY Taylor & Maury,
Washington, d. C.
The title of this book is sufficiently explana-
tory of its object. 1t is designed to embody the
main objections to the employment of Chap
lains as officers of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and who shall--as such-be
elected by either, and receive a regular and
stated compensation for their services. The
author would not set aside prayers and preach
ing in the Capitol altogether, but favors the
plan of inviting the resident pastors of the city
TO hash dufio in I 10 a
mooted question, on which more might be
urged on either side than we find here. Mr..
johnson has drawn together the arguments
which have been used in the discussion, and
gives US extracts of the debates, and various
collateral matter. Whether his objections do
not have their foundation rather in the abuse
of the custom than in any inherent defect, may
be matter of some doubt and whether the
effect of a permanent arrangement, snch as is
proposed as a substitute for the existing one,
might not be subject to other evils and difficult
ties if not the same now experienced, may like
wise be deserving of consideration. How far
the regular pastors of the churches could, with
out infringing on the prior claims of their own
people, undertake anything like the full amount
of duties a Chaplain should hold himself under
obligation to render, in not merely performing
the public daily requistiOn, and preaching on
the Sabbath, but also in visiting the sick when
desired, and, so far as practicable, exerting the
influence Of true Christian minister, is a seri-
GUS question to enter into the examination of
the subject in its full bearings.
The volume is mainly interesting on account
of its historical references and whether or not
the opinions advocated be adopted, it will be
read as an acceptable compilation of various
matters relating to this ttpic.
The Churches and Pastors Of Washington, D. c. To-
geher with Five Hundred Topics of Sermons delivered
in 1855 and 1856 To which added, List of all the
Church EdIhces and their Localities. BY Lorenzo D.
Johnson, &c. New York NJ. w. Dodd. 1857"
This book is for the most part mere COM
pilation of certain notes or reports of Sermons
preached in the different churches of Washing
ton City, as originally published in the National
IntelLigencer; and, taken thus Uerbatim and put
together, without date, has often very incon-
gruous aspect. AS indicating the kind of preach
ing, it may be of soma USE though compare
lively little judgment could be formed from
these meager transcripts, and still less from the