Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-04-06
litrraru.
THE FEMALE sKEPTIC,
FAITH TRIUMPHANT

error we think its god-iathers and god-moth-
ers are responsible it certainly is not amen
able to that criticism now 80 generally appi- |
cable-"tho TILE is the only good thing about
it, for Of this somewhat startling production
the rereyse is the truth. BY what mode of
reasoning book which presents on almost
every page the indications Of an earnest soul
struggling for the true and holy in life in ma
ture and in religion, could be attainted Of
"Skepticsm" we are at loss to judge, even
after most careful study Of its pages, and
are led to suppose that the author believes,
with Talleyrond, that words are but the
means for Disgusting our thoughts.
1t has been said that "autobiographies are
impertinences, and in many instances il is /
so, but while we feel pretty well convinced
that this is an autobiography, we acquit it of
all "impertinonce," for never were doubts
stated or truths investigated with less of the
er-cathedra style than here, and the personnel
Of the author is most modestly subdued
We hold to the belief that this work, which
is presented to us without sponsor, is the
production Of a mind "ull-a-wcaried' Of seek
ing for the truth where it was unfortunately
not to be found Having started on the jour
ney with maps and charts, the accuracy Of
which were all INFESTED, no wonder the trav-
elor was lured by false beacons and ignes
htui until she found herself lost amid the
wilderness Of doubt and skoptcsm.
We think we use the word she adyisodly.
for none but a female mind could thus wildly
portray al the quagmircs into which a cult
waited and wel-read intellect could founder,
and, moreover, we have here depicted to us
that inner life, giving rise to those "irrcprcs-
sible' bursts of feeling which woman only
can know, and Of which woman alone can
write understandingly.
The traveller who starts on such a peril
Gus voyage as we have above indicated, and
who has made no better provision for the
journey than many have done before her and
are still doing, must not lo surprised that it
terminates in most disastrous results results
which, il they do not siille the "siil small
voice, are apt to steel the heart against its
influence. Fortunately in this case. strong
mind was enlisted in the task, and having a
knowledge of the theories by which men seek
TO inculcatc certain axioms and dogmas, it
was determined to test their truth by the or
deal Of personal erperisncc, based upon
living up to, or rather doi0n 10, the teachings
of those theoretical religiouis,s. The result
is easily foreseen. Doubts begotten Of detect
ed ialsehood and faith shaken by realizing
that the results were non seqdtTs, led to a
hopeless disbelief in all human teachings
hiao Ho 'ochryma.
But this was not the only result-the mind,
warped by its past experience, and now hav-
ing an acquired, not natural, disbelief in all
good, turned to The Book for the solution of
the mystery which lesser oracles had so mis-
erably failed to eucidato. Now commenced
in reality the souls struggle struggle all
must suffer who seek to walk by sight and
not by faith that the faith did at last
come, is one Of the most beautiful contri-
buttons to that nevcr-fading garland which
Truth is ever wrestling from the hands Of
Skeptcism.
Unfortunately for our selflovc, the author
experience Of human teachers--men who seem
TO scale heavens heights to bring down to u,
living waters wherewith to satisfy oui thirst,
souls-had led her to the conclusion thai
their otrn needs had drained the cups, and thu.
they were compelled to "send her empty
away Who can read the following and not
bemoan the shortcomings Of men who should
be shining lights, illuming the dark paths o
those who, surrounded by the gloom of I'm
belief, are cropping their way to an unknown
land, the passage to which is marked only b.
the wailings Of souls lost for want of tina
Misunderstanding influence which ought to b.
presented in the lives of those claiming to b.
just men made perfect
'If knew one human being who had learned o
thrfa 10 be selfdenying and flrgisipg one who hal
learned the deep meaninR Of humility and the dou
meaning Of these words Re overcome with evil h
orerconie etH oHh good under wrongs that wiring m
last fore nf nature, and under temptations like those
the Manhood in the Wilderness then could believe tha
Christianity was no farce, but the gift Of God 10 sir
We have devoted so much to what must
esteemed the most important element in tn
book, that we are constrained very briefly L
notice the other features that 90 to make u
volume which, for intensity Of thought, ear
nestness of style, vividness of imagery, and
profound knowledge Of human nature-a
viewed from no ordinary stand points
valuable contribution to the literature Of
period, characterized we regret to say, by
lightness Of fiction, which we hope will Ell
long give place to more solid and healthy Pre-
auctions, among which foremost place mus
we think, be awarded to one which, swan-ik,
sings its sweetest notes in the FINAL struggl,
wherein is realized the blessing Of "Fait
Triumphant"
In future notice we may perhaps speak
the story of the book, which is well told, az
brings US in close communion with many
pleasant New England home, and reveals
us the daily happy life of many New En-
land daughter. The character Of MAY Blu
ton is NEST beautifully skeiched, and form
picture, the original of which-and we thir
there must be one-doubtless possesses attn
butes of no ordinary character, thus TO eyol
such LAWN, bo,n,,o iron, fbn hoo, - 80. 49,