New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
GAIL HAMILTON ON STUMBLING BLOCKS.

Inc estmlneter CatecMsm anu the say pioOA r.
form. She reioices both in Calvinism and Congle'
gatonalism, and doubtless imbibed the principio'
of the New-Engand Primer withher mothers nillA'
Her politics are in advance of the old Essex uhoo'
but her religion has the true stamp Of the OLD ESSEX
orthodoxy. She breathes the atmosphere VI u'
anism as her native air. The doctriheS VI ain
Street Church and Andover Seminary uie " hei 'ne
marrow and fairness of the Gospel. she "oui0 mol
hesitate IN 20 10 the stake for unconditional cleo
ton and original sin Her sweet satisfaction in the
"horribIe decree" is probably no less intense than
os that of the seraphic Genevan refermer himself
Still in spte of this-or, shall it be Said, in conse-
uuence of this-her writings betray large, gener-
ous loving bold, and free spirit She is Of the
most independent thinkers in our current literature
No one apparently is less under the dominion of
preudioe or pSescnpuoh. On every subject to
which she deyotes her pen, she presents her own
views and they are always fresh and raey. She is
never without word Of affectionate sympathy for
her opponents rof strenuous rebuko for her friends
No tncture OF party spirit, of pride of opinion OF
the love of intellectual conquest vtiatos the just
Ress and impartiaty of her statements or the kind
iness and good temper of her appeals She does
not Dnnu ner eyes 10 IEuile VI PtNP4c b,Niu'N
they GO to the same church with herself; nor does
she lose sight of the human graees and virtues which
are found among the adherents of creeds the oppo-
ate Of her own.
In the present volume, Gail Hami.oy iiscourses
mainly on some of the social aspscss of the prcva-
lent religion of New-EPG:.and, or more strictly
pPeakng perhaps Of Massachusetts, or to bring her
Hrctures within stil closer limits, Of the ancient
and rock-boIDd county of Essex. Without calling
in question single point of doctrine OF prnclpie
of faith SIZE detects certain unsavory and unlovey
elements in the religious spirit of the day which
draw forth now her eloquent expcstula,on, and now
her pungent reproof. The faults Of temper, the
errors of every day household life the uDhandsome
and repulsive manners, the neglect OF the tender
and graceful amenities which smooth over the
rough places of the workingdsy world arc the chief
themes upon which she descants; and If she deals
in more potent applications than phrases sweetened
with honey and perfumed with rose-water, 1t is
clearly because she believes that the magnitude Of
the evil demands caustic and cleansing remedies.
She may sometimes give too loose rein TO her
formidable sstircal powers; but the temptation TO
indulgence is great; and in what may be deemed her
most extravagant illusions there is usually found
basis of truthful observation and sound common
sense.
In the ESSAY entitled "The Proof of Your Love-"
Gail Hamilton contends that the usual tests Of
Christian character TO which appeal is made in the
pulpit and in religious literature Of toonterna,
too subjective, a nature 10 be used with the most
whelesomeCeffects Frames Of mind Of which 30
much account is made in forming an inventory Of
a1lx 81 rofua
Most of the eopiou, extracts from private diaries
which enter so largely into religious memoirs
are not only tresome and useless but absolutely
pernicious.
II Won wish TO know whether you are Christian in
Qure OF yourself whether in and for the love OF GOD
you seek 20 make happy those about you by Smiles and
pleasant sayngsf Is it matter Of eonceFnment when
sit down 20 your breakfast 10 cay bright word OF
sympathy endearmeni payfuness or cheer 10 your
wife, your son. your daughters DO You give Tommy
bfenary toss ., yVS rscs h N ssT Go oo N
her own HART Do you notice the little arrangements
that have been made for comfort and convenience
DO yon compliment the cook on the nice coffee or TIE
light buckvheat cakes the beautifully brown toast
which she sets before yOup ricaIly " the cook bears
your Oyn name, when the cat guts up her son paw
down TO rub her fur and thus make her happier fox your
thought Of her-oT. Law Of the hedee and Pcrsians
forbGs her the dining ro0m do you throw her bit OF
bread 70 console her excf IL the faithful dog rewarded
by bis share lot only Of food but Of favoTtismf II
have yourself en- aversion 70 cats ana
dogs do yOu s sec 20 II that their lives are not burden
to them II you meet child crying in the street do
you endeavOr 70 console HIM DO you ever buy pen
nys worth of candy fOr the ragged boy who Is boxing
at il with eager eyes through the shop window on Christ
mas ever Do you take pains and then 10 speaf
CHEEKY word 10 the widow whose only son has gone on
long voysget As your SONS and daughors approach
maturity does their obedience and affection increase OF
diminishf Do they go ont from your house a. from
prison from heme-Wit eager feet indeed but with
. tender lingering of the last When you come into
the house do Won bring sunshine with you' ~ there ID
cloud your brow, do your family seem more an1-
ons disspate IT, or 10 get out Of your wsyf II your
you the other side Of the street do they
over t. join you do they turn down alley 20 avoid
yOu. Keep on their own side I'LL they obliged 70
rTossf DO the clerks In your warehouse the Carpen.
trs who building your house. the Irshmcn who
hyng your pipes the povInan who h furrowing your
and the gardener who IL pruning your trees like
hsve pass by for the peesaatness Of your manner
IN commencing their labor the cOurteousness with
which you listen their complaints requests or the
quiet consideration with which you suggest attentions
and Improvement Do mothers like 70 have their SONS
work your firm during the Summer months and do
the boys like 10 comet In short ere you comfortable
person to live With Are yeu pleasant 10 have aboutf
The same essay furnishes some pregnant hints on
the kind Of religion that Is most needed, which in
the view Of the worthy Gail presents a somewhat
different type from the most approved quality set
forth in the churches.
The religion that the world Is dying for 10 not treas
nre yalued and cherished indeed but cherished under
glass case In the best room carefully busted and vis
bic only days Of high festival We want religion
that is atmosphere, wrapping us about above ana
below going down into the lungs In deep draw inspra
lions 10 purify and eDezgSe fDterlng INTO inc biood
10 tint and quicken; spreading out in the sklD 10 pro
ect and adorni piercing nosome cellars to dlspe the
noIious death-dealing vapors; mounting into the par
ors and bedrooms and kitchens 70 sweet ano
healthful perneang and interpenetrating althings;
SAVIOR Of life unto lie.