The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-04


the workmen were gathered, some employed in
constructing the building, others In preparing
railways, and yet others collected to be organ.
lied and drilled for employment in the army
at Sebastopol, and some of whom belonged to
different corps of the soidiery. Most of them
were novices," men of rough, out-spoken
frankness, and marked by all those traits Of
character, virtues as well as faults, that belong
to such q class.
A series of Bible readings was established,
to which they were personally invited to atteno,
as also on the services of the church on the
Sabbath. They did attend they were VISITED
also at their boarding houses in sickness
sought out when they had been tempted ana
yielded to evil influence, and never let 90 as too
degraded or unworthy while within reach Of
possible kindness or sy9Pathizing and untiring
effort.
No one can read their expressions of graft.
tude, as well as of their h. art breaking lamenta.
tions and despairing, anS these revving hopes,
without feeling that here was stuff to be wrought
into trophies of Gods triumph over the heart,
and that men of such stamp warranted all the
exertions put forth for their rescue; and they
were so wrought. Many of them did believe,
lived, and died, too, affecting the reality of the
chang.
Their is straightforward simplicity in the
various setches, o graphic power in the pref
sentatic of the scenes, placing the reader BY
the side of the souLbreashing home missiona-
ries, with the rude classes they sought to blesf,
that gives to these records of Christian love {.
most absorbing interest.
We hope the volume will be widely circula
ted, and we have not doubt that, if read, like
the Memorials of Hedley Wears" it will be Of
permanent benefit to many. There is touch,
ing pathos in the little incidents that now anG
then fash across the narration, that may make
the tear spring unbidden 80 the eye, and promps
the prayer, God bless tEem," on the selfdeny,
ing hearts whose devotion to the veal of the
wretched is 80 unostentatiously portrayed.
Many lesson of the power of truth and OF
Christian love is contained in these pages !,
many teaching of heavenly wisdom, to impress
the conviction, that whers there is will to do
good, there is way. Nos should the apparent
difficulty Illustrate the eneeavor of one who for
strength looks to God alone. In this respect,
the author has set understandable example,
and may there be not a few to initiate it.
Scenes Clerical Life The Sad Fortunes of Rev Amos
Barton Mr.. Cliffs Love Story. Janets Repentance,
By George Elliot riginallypubshed in Blac kwood 8
Magazine. New York: Harper & Brothers 1858
For sale by Taylor Masrys Washington, d. c. :
1t was with some impasience we waited for
the progress of these stories, as they appeared
in the successive numbers of Blackwood. We
are glad, therefore, to see them brought al
under one cover, thug forming No. 2OS O.
Harper's Library of Select Novels" as well
as to learn to whose pen; we are indebted for
them. We do not know whether to regard hin
as a new name in this linz of authorship it il
so to Us, though he may have been formel
anonymous contributor to the magazine. !
These scenes are all of them mainly sad, but
over the sombre shades there dit more cheering
beams the moral is gooe, and some of the in.
cidents take strong hola upon the feelings.
There is an easy, quiet Adv of narrative style.
without attempts at exaggeration, that looks az
if real life, if not truly depicted, may at least
have furnished the staple out Of which the web
has been woven.
The first of these stories is the shortest and
the last of them the longest of the three and
while all of them exhibit the writer's talent
most fsvorably, his skill and facility are per,
haps to be adjudged in the same order and
measure. There ID more Of romance, however
in the second of these tales.