New-York daily tribune., 1866-02-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LIFE OF ROBERTSON.

l." " s"U M Fd;tsd bv sTC pYoPD A. BgoOEg, NJ. A.
| 2yob. l2mo. Boston: TiekDor Feds .
The singular influence obtained by the late All
Robertson as leader in the religious world is due
to the vital and magnetic force OF ms charae'o''
leather than TO the fine endowments OF nis 'n'oneu''
l,r his gifts of racy and impressive eloqueuee ''
l,preared TO have none Of the arts "nlch oi'eH oo"
Inapd popularity in the pulpit; be was D! no "'"A'
u-oaiov Of learning and scholarship; nor was Ne
remarkable for the originality and boldness Oh
Ehoneht which sometimes sways the mind OF an
audience more than oIatoTy hut his personal qua','
lies possessed the rare and subtle attraction "nieh
Ioade him almost an object Of idolatry during HIS
hfe and which have connected his name WIN the
host beautiful and sanity remembrances'
The germs of his character became visible al an
lsrlv ace. He was radiant and eager child, inii
ii health and spirit, deghuDg in air and suANgn''
Ind active exercise. Everything in external nature
woke in him vivid interest. lie found an III
lnse pleasure in watching the bannts and hapi's oi
bIimals, especially Of birds. A true specimen oi
Don't and vigorous boyhoOd with muscles OF lron,
excelled his companions in manly games anu
Ihletc sports At the same time, he had an en-
kusiastic love of reading, and tale OF ehivairy or
finance would keep him within doors on thc
tchtest day. He often fancied himself knight,
hiking adventure, and laying down his life for
Ldens in distress. With TINS dreamy temIera-
hnt he combined the sensitiveness of nerve and
hing which so strongly marked his subsequent
b. Even at this early period, he betrayed a NOR
self-distrust, which often sank into hopelessness'
Iche father Of young Robertson was ali officer IL
royal artillery. The boy inherited q passionfor
litary life. IL YVES rocked and cradled,' he says
simself, TO the roar Of cannon, and the very
of such things sounds 10 me like home. A
Jew, suggesting the conception of real battle,
t'esses me to tears; l cannot see regiment
puvre, nor artillery in motion, without ehok-
ensaton." 1t was the secret wish of his heart
ter the army, in spite of the intentions OF MS
II, who thought that the character of has son,
his deep religious feeling. were united for
lok life. The church was proposed 10 him as
fession, but all tho instincts of bis nature ro-
d at the choice. Every feeling was bent on
lining O position in the army. He omitted
ing suited 10 make him sn accomplished officer.
became a frst-rate rider, good shot, and an
llent drauchtsman.
lie persuasons Of his friends, however, length
iced him to change his purposes and study for
lhurch. His doctrinll views at the commence
II of his ministry were those OF the Evangelical
tol, with decided leaning 70 moderate Calvin
The prevailing tone of his mind al this time,
lone of sadness. His Imagination ran away
bis Judgment. His spirit consumed thebody'
lpidy lost the vigorous health Of lis boyhood,
lien into state Of depression. His sadness.
lever. was balanced by the fuilness Of life anS
love of the beautiful which were afterwaTd such
kinent traits in his character. He retained his
lhfulness of heart, even TO his latest years, and
L found fresh delight in the enjoyment Of hu-
ltv and nature. "The wool Of life, he says,
bark but it is shot with warp of gold.' His
ial duties we're discharged in the spirit Of a
lex. The love of arms was still strong passion.
yten expressed the conviction that IN military
the highest self-sacrfce be wes capable Of
have been accomplished. When be spoke Of
Il, not merely as an incident of war, but as the
kation Of death for noble cause, BIS hps would
kr. his eyes fash, and his voice tremble with
bined emotion. Ills whole view Of existence
iolored by the passionate longings Of his youth
igage in the life Of a soldier. Bat this feeling
lot diminish his devotion 10 his sacred calling,
strength of character which made him feel so
the surrender OF one profession inspired him
lferyid energy in another. He transferred the
courage and zeal with which he would cheer
ihave died for men in battle, to the warfare
ltho strongholds Of Sill.
Ifrst. be yielded TO the influence Of an ascetic
tsiasm. His peculiar temperament exposed
o many hindrances in the pursuit OF high
e Of excellence. He endcavored 20 overcome
by susterities. He spent large part of his
be on tho poor lie abstained almost entirely
lanimal food. Ho compelled himself to rise
He was rarely seen in general society. His
Ite. and for time, almost his exclusive read
las Of a strictly devotional character, especially
kps biography. Ills sermons. at this stage Of
fperience, we're highly doctrinal, stamped with
lrit and the phrases Of conventional theology,
gh full Of forcible appeals to the conscience.
!abound with the Characteristic ideas against
he was sfterward wont so earnestly to pro-
The aus;erities Of this period were all set
las he approached the epoch OF spiritual ma
Removal 10 Brighton which was the seat 0;
tst active and successful labors in the min
Twas the commencement Of a great change in
lperience. Hitherto he had followed the rou-
Ii tradition and custom. His manhood,
not smothered, was sadly weighed down by
lrmalites Of his profession. He had never
L. the whole force Of his mind TO bear on the
td themes, Of which he was the exposltor.
Is like the swimmer, fearful of venturng into
tater; now he struck boldly out into the open
From this time his course was uniform, con-
founded on convictions which never wa.
IL Ia. Ill hn rnnni,rnac ,f his robla