New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-16
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE SATURDAY NOVEMBER u.s. 1861.

NAL discussion Of the profound problems presented
| 10y the philosophy Of religion, The author aims at
opening path Of practical uses, free from the per-
pexiiies Of SPECULATION Attending no Inconsistencies
10 tie intellect aud with sufficient light and warmth
to attract tie steps Of the inquirer by it, own con-
venieuce and safety irrespective Of external appeals.
Indeed the pc stor Of the preacher was one Of pc
cuIiar interest and demanding al the resources OF
what may perhaps, without oIense, be termed tbeo-
logical diplomacy. With natural temperamont OF
remarkable energy and afdcr, keen aud subtle 10
telect, frank sincerity of tone, and the incest
sen3o OF honor and integrity, no has been led
10 exercise the functions Of a mediator be-
tween the extremes Of opinion that have been
manifested during tie powerful intellectual ermt MA
ZION Of tic last thirty year in New-England Singu-
ary appreoiatiye of the most delicate logical d5tnc-
lions, not without sympathy with the progressive
tendencies Of the age, and with the rarest freedom
from every faint Of bgouy prejudice in bis ccmpo
sition, he ciines with certain conservative rever-
once to the ideas and institutions Of the past, I'M
willing 10 lay rude hands on any cherished belief
tradition, and dealing with every doubt and difficulty
in speculation with certain tender consideraeness
rather than with the bold and vehement decision Of
the iconoclast. This cautious habit, doubtless, inter-
.eres with the rhetorical effect Of bis discourses,
though it must enhance their moral inilueuee. 1t
preserves him from the audacy Of expression which
il often regarded as the test Of eloquence. Occa-
toIally it impairs the continuity Of thought, by fire.
quent caveats and limitations, and prevents the
unity Of impression which is essential to conviction
The preacher il 20 much in dread Of taxing false
STEP that he sometimes only marks time on his post
or moves in a circle. His main positions are subject
10 such numerous qualifications, that it almost de-
mands an intellect as lucid and sagacious bis own
to seize the happy medium and decide on what II
truth and what is error. A striking example Of thi.
il presented in the very fnt DISCOURSE entitled
" The Mediator" II starts with tho position
that the sense Of mans need Of mediator
has been y universal feeling in the human
race. Christianity did not give birth TO the idea but
has tended to purify TO exal and in some respects to
limit it, But why my mediator continues the argn.
ment Some say that the Deity cannot freely forgive
Gin. But such cOnddent assertion on the part OF
philosophers and theoogisns as TO what God eau do,
or cannot do, is extremely distasteiul 10 religious
modesty. On the other hand it is Idle to reason
against the necessity Of a mediator on the ground
that God is mmutlbe, and therefore cannot be
changed in his purposes respecting msn by what Il
third person can ray or do. But even If this were
10, it would not materially affect the question At
issue, which, in fact, is not whether God needed
mediator, but whether man needed one. The Scrip
lures, whenever they speak of the mediation Of
Christ, always refer TO s benefits to mankind. AZ
ter this array OF exceptions and limitations, tie
preacher comes TO tie question, What are the bene-
fits Of the meiationl We obtain an answer by the
same oircuous process. lth common to mentionthe
outward and public benefits which are derived from
this source. But We may be misled by the state
rnent l. may lie argued that because these benefits
are now shared by unbelieyCrs, the mediation IL OF
20 account But there is a falacy here. The benefits
q Christianity presuppose the establishment and prev
alence of Christianity, which could never have been
except on condition Of faith in the proper medi iior
ship Of its founder. All, therefore, il TO lie looked
upon as the fruit Of this faith, though now shared
10 certain extent, by those who reject the faith
Bu, to oon.de- the inward and personal benefits Of
the mediation which alway5 suppose faiih
in the participant. The Grst advantage
s HAT We have q teacher declaring tie di-
vine will aud purpoFe with authority. The
question IL not whether we really have q mediator
acting in this capacity, but If we had one what good
would thereby Be gained il is sometimes sad that
the doctrine Of revelation through mediator,
though important in tie early age Of tie world, is
becoming obsolete, OF al least comparatively un-
Necessary. But this is lot So A change in the mat
ter there obviously H. What was most wanted in
the beginning was information; what is most wanted
now Is eyidenee not that we may be saved from our
errorr, but from our doubts. The need, therefore,
though not precisely the same, IL just as real andjust
as greet, now ~ formery.-ln this method Of nice
and ceancut distinctions the subject is discussed
der other points Of view, showing singular subtley
Of thought and keen and conscientious discrimination,
but entirely without the intrepid pottyenees Of as
sertio1 which usually forms a powerful element in
popular oloquepee.-Trom the example which we
have selected it must not he suppose that these
mons treat exclusively, chiefly, Of doetrinal sub
ocs; in the main their contents Of highly prac
teal character; they aim TO enforce tho truths of
religion which remain TO the preacher, after the
stringent and skopica ordeal Of modern analysis;
they abound in broad and noble views of life, wise
admoniiions and councils and earnest though quiet
and rational appeals, 10 the highest motives.
RFroRrs OF CASES ARGUED AND DETERMINED
N TIE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT VI MAsSA-
CHUsErrs; BY ChAELE> ALlEs. Vol i. s'o' PIP
90. LATHE, Brown L Co
Amour the Influences under which American Law
has approached the character of a scientific and har-
monions systen. the recorded opinions Of tho judi.
CARY Of Massachusetts hold place Of no ordinary