Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-01-21
n NASHVILLE:
WEDNESDAY. JAN. q, 1857.
our Book Table.

L HE AFOtTATE METHODlsT IkEAChEh Nus.
MADDN, D. D. Nashville Stevenson L Owen.
The author of the above work has ac-
quired an enviable reputation as Minis
ter of the Christian Religion. There does
not belong to the Methodist Church
Minister whose career in the pulpit and
out Of it, in all the walks of life, has fur
nished brighter example of the beauty
and excellence of true christian character.
We know of no messenger Of the Most
High for whom we entertain profounder
reverence. Richly endowed by nature, he
has constantly cultivated her rare gifts of
intellect and heart, leaving little, if any
thing, undone, to render himself an ac-
ceptable teacher of the Faith to which be
dedicated himself in early life. We have
long known him as an able and unselfsh
divine but we believe this is the first
offering he has made upon the altar of Lit
erature. To the mere critic it may not
present those points of excellence which
they desire but to the reader whose
search is for something to give him high
er appreciation of the Ministry of Christ
something to make him a better man and
a purer christian-it offers much that he
may treasure up. The style is somewhat
irregular, and Of unequal merit; at times
heavy and prosaic, and at others eloquent
and highly imaginative occasionally we
noted in our transit through the book,
passages of great beauty and vigor The
hero of the work, as the title indicates, is
a Minister of the Methodist Church he
finds him, mere boy, the associate of
vicious youths in city, who becomes, on
his approach to manhood, a member of
the church-emigrate to the west, be-
comes an exhorter, and subsequently is adj
mitted as a candidate for the Ministry.
Uneducated, grossly ignorant, his struggle
to make himself useful is severe, but he
gradually overcomes all obstacles, is adj
mitted as a preacher, and attains distinc-
ton. Up to this time he has been an up
right, conscientious and pious christian.
But elated with his success and led astray
by the attentions and batteries bestowed
upon him when he escapes from the cares
and drudgery of the circuit to be thrown
amid the gayetieS and Establishments of the
city station, he begins descent as rapid as
was his rise. Engaged to marry deSer-
wing girl in humble life, member of his
church, he deserts her,
"Crooks the pregnant hinges of the knee,
Where thrift may follow fsEning,"
Wins the regard and marries a wealthy
heiress outside of the pale of the church.
The circumstances attending this desertion
of his first love arc of such character,
that he is impeached before Conference,
degraded from the Ministry, and expelled
from the Church. From this epoch his
decline is accelerated, until having passed
through numerous phases, Squanderlng his
wife's estate in the meantime, and redu-
cling her and his children to want, he be-
comes vagabond, and dies an object of
commseration and contempt.
The lesson which his rise and decline af-
fords is one which the ambitious young
preacher may study to advantage. If prop
erly considered and acted upon, it will aid
him in overcoming the thousand tempta.
tons which Turk about his path, inviting
him to compromise his principles and wreck
his religion and reputation.
In one of the episodes to be found in
this work, DR. Maddin rebukes the depart
ures which have been made from the early
customs and habits Of Methodism, and the
concessions to the world y-minded and fash
onabIe which now painfully distinguish ma
ny congregations. These are subjects which
have deep interest for those who have
been reared in the faith of the Methodist
Church; but they are not such as are suit
ed to the discussions of these columns, and
we pass them by.
In conclusion we would add that the book
is handsomely printed and bound, and i;
for sale at the Methodist Book Concern il
this City.