The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-12
wn1r1Nas OF Dn. rnoaNwnnn.-The

WORKS, Wnlch appeared some months ago
in the New York Tribune, will be read
with interest BY the friends of the late
author in the South. Some expressions
in the article show, unmistakably, says
the Presbyterian h,den, that it is written
from q Northern point of view. But
with the exception of this, and of the
further fact. that the writer betrays IN
entire ignorance of the gentler and love-
lier qualities for which the character of
DR.. Thornwell was distinguished, the
article is coed one, and shows high
appreciation of the great Southern theo-
logian:
The Collected Writings OF Jamcs Hen
ley Thornwell, D. d., LID. Edited
by John B. Adger, y. d. vols, Svo
PIP. $50, 622. Richmond. Presbyterian
Committee of Publication.
The Presbyterian Church in this conn
try can boast of few more profound
thinkers, more erudite scholars, or more
acute and subtle reasoners, among the
illustrious names which adorn her histo-
ry, than the eminent divine whose works
are now published in q collective form.
DIR. Thornwell was remarkable for hi.
devotion to classical studies; he was sin.
gularly learned in the PHILOSOPHERS of
ancient Greece; his interest in the specu-
lative theories of the oldep time was no
less ardent than If he had not been so
devoted an adherent of tho doctrines of
revelation; but 1t was as an advocate of
the theological system of Calvin and the
Westminster Assembly, that he stood
most conspicuous among the cultivated
aad able men Of his day. A strong con-
servative both in his tastes and his CON
victions. he had no sympathy with the
course of modern innovation. He clung
to the creeds and confessions of his an-
cestors with q tenacity of which there are
few such uncompromising examples at
the present day. His chosen home was
in the bosom OF the Presbyterian Church,
and everything outside of that was a
barren desert. A more vigorous defend
or of the discipline and doctrine of that
communion has not been found within
its ranks.
DR.. Thornwell was largely endowed
with the positive element. He was no
friend Of compromise or concession.
Never halfway man in any sense of
the word, he stood upon his convictions
with firmness that amounted to appa-
rent intolerance. He had no patience
with the soft charity that is bland alike
to truth and error. It was probably the
ardor of faith, and unshakable self oon-
fidence that led him to take an active
part in Southern politics. and by his
potent eloquence. Us we'll as by his
weight OF character, to exert q pernicious
influence in urging the people of South
Carolina to rebellion, and in tanning the
passions which tempted them to ruin
after tie commencement of the war.
In theology, also. he was essentially q
polemic. He girded on his armor, not
so much to defend himself, as to fight.
His manner, indeed, was always courte-
GUS; he breathed too pure an air of
scholarship to descend to the coarse and
vulgar arts of controversy; but he loved
to strike, and to strike hard blows. OF
this there is abundant proof in the pre-
sent volumes. They are the first of o
series, which is to De completed in six
volumes, four of them containing his
theological works. to be published by
the Presbyterian Church in the United
States. and the remaining two to consist
OF his miscellaneous productions. mostly
OF metaphysical, political, or religious
character. The volumes now issued are
devoted mainly to AN exposition of sys-
tematic theology from the Calvinistic
point of view, with ethical discussions OF
various correlated topics. and the ''Dis-
courses on Truth" which at once COM
manded a vide influence at the time Of
their original publication as separate
work. The substantial contents of these
volumes will present strong appeal to
the energy and resolution of the theo.
logical reader. They cannot be mas
tered without strenuous study. They
open field of thought which suggests
the dreary specuiations of past age,
without the ullurements of mellower
dispensation. But whoever wishes to
make an excursion into the thorny will
dernes, OF Calvanistic theology will find
stalwart and courageous leader in the
author of this significant work.
TERRIBLE CALAMITY TO EDGEFIELD
PEOPLE IN THE WEsT.-Some fifteen
years ago, Henry NJ. Quattlebum, Esq,
of one of our most respectable families,
brother of those estimable citizens, still
with us, Col. VIM. and Capt. Peter
Quattlebum, and Of the late Col. John
Quattlebum, so long tax collector of our
"a. IL II