The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-22

copies may not Dc 20 matreQ; put mere are TOO
many missing and broken letters and defective
Impressions for 90 good book, and We cannot
In honesty avoid referring to the fact. The
de- Of the so-ealled tale is to show how chill
drsh, not only Of the rich or those in moderate
circumstances, but even the very poor, may
Ainister to the wants and afford relief amid
their trials to such a. are poorer or any wise
needing aid. These families, parents and chill.
dren, of Squire at the Hall, a well-to-do farm.
or, and q shop.keeper, dependent on his small
sales for support are the most prominent as
such, though interlinked are various other fam
lilies and persons, whose history and characters
are finely sketched, giving beautiful portrait.
ures of humble faith, patience, hope, and other
Christian virtues, amid scenes adverse or pros.
porous. The chain grows longer and brighter,
as we turn page after page, all ending in re-
wards that gladden. the readers heart, while he
imsgines himself looking on and joining in the
marriage festivities of Jem and Patience, and
the welcome home of the young Squire and his
bride. There are incidents and scenes of
touching pathos, and pictures of quiet beauty
or homely ease and unpretending virtue, which
20 glide in, and take their place one after an
ether, that We hardly know whether to wish to
linger or press forward in the perusal. There
might have been somewhat more condensation
in the general reflections or description, but, as
whole, there is little on this account to censure.
The aim is to depict the ministries and rewards
of true charity or love to our fellow men, in
obedience to the command of car Father in
Heaven, and show what childhood and youth
can do in thus working for God. Many useful
lessons, too, of economy and prudence, of wise
and tender regard for the feelings of others, are
incidentally taught, and thus the volume is full
of beautiful and allimportant instruction. Pa
rents and children alike may read it, and learn
from its wholesome counsels.
The second of the volumes, Passing
Clouds" &C., belongs to "Carter's Firesde
Library" and deserves its place. In some re.
spects, We prefer it to the other. 1t is neatly
printed, of size mere adapted for children,
and the manner of its teaching is full as good,
if not even better. 1t is not stated whether it
is reprint of an English tale or of American
authorship, but from some of its characteristics,
we judge it to belong to the former class. There
.-------.- u. p1oH, uuu ruu cenUerIng OF the
interest on the character of Emily Harold, and
the mode in which she gains her trinmphs of
love and wips her way amid difficulties, with
the blessed results of her perseverance, not only
on her own happiness in future life, but also on
the envious Isabel barton and wrong tempered
Ann Dawson, presenting at every step in the
progress of the tsle new illustration of the duty
inculcated, makes the story one of great excel.
lence. The spirit it sets forth of the reliance
on the Saviour's merits, and the earnest piety
it breathes, the transitions of sorrow and ioy.
its sweet and lovely unloading and outbloom.
ing tenderness, - when Willie and Lidia ara
the objects Of kibdness and affection. Isabeps
injustice, confession, and reparatien, all throw
charm over the little tale, which ought to
make it q fsvorite in many family circle and
Sabbath school.
Hymns of the chssch Militant New York: Robert
Carter & Brother> 1855 For sale by W. BaIlantyne.
Washington, d. e.
There are, prepably, hardly any two persons
who would sgres as to the number, quality, or |
particular hymns, all Of which should be insert.
ed in collection for the use of others. Indi-
vidual tastes and wants, diversities of religious
views and tenaperaments, naturally have q
share in the determination of the character
such q book she'll bear. We could point to
collections where poetical feeling seems to have
been almost lost sight Of; and not merely some
of the choral gems of devotional lyrics have
been ignored, but, worse still, others have been
most barbarously murdered, as We might say.
in order better to suit some real or fancied de.
feet in doctrinsl views, or otherwise; and TINS
an authors lines ere 80 travestied that he could
scarcely know hia own work-at least, would
feel quite unwilling to acknowledge that which
was palmed off on the public under his name.
There is often q great disregard of the object
for which piece of devotional poetry is writ.
ten or adapted. 1t makes much difference
whether lines are intended or suited for choral
o. congregational singing, or indeed to be sung
1t all. Some pieces are not of that sort of
metre that they can well be 90 used in church
nusic. Then, again, there are varieties of
hymns which are needed or tolerated only in
lines Of revival, or e peculiar glow of devotional
'pirit-and, though answering for the lecture.
'oom, or meeting for social prayer and praise.
rave no claim to place in hymn-book for
GENERAL use. .lis "a -'3o3,
The author Of this book is Miss Warner.
already known by her Wide, Wide World"
Qaeechy," and, later still, the arrangement of
Scripture under different heads or titles. after
he plan Of Locke's Commonplace Book of the
Bible, Talbofs Analysis, &c. Her design is not !
o furnish . collection of hymns for church
se, but rather for Individual devotional ex. I
rcise. II admits, Therefore, of the insertion of
variety of pieces into which the train of
bought and feeling may run in private con. |.
emplation, and 50 the use of many excellent I
tanzas that are better suited to be read than i
ung. We have not asy very extensive collec.
ions in the English language of this chsr.c.
sr-such, for instance, ~ in German j. Knapo,s
Evangelischer Liederschatz, !" containing more
han 1900 pieces, arranged under suitable
eads, embracing many Of high excellence. q
Miss Warner has culled from numerous an. +
hors and collections, and we find in her book
many beautiful hymna which have not found ,
lace IN the general collections. The volume I
therefore, comes in a. supplementary to those s
iready given 10 the public.
Ut the utility Of postical pieces as the medi. :
ms through which the devotional feeling of
'hristians may be cherishsd and strengthened.
% one viii doubt How many In their lone !
ours, or in seasons eff difficulty and trial, al. 9