New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-01
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SWINGS TRUTHS FOR TO-DAY.


sen, hcClurg, COMPANY
r,o oro;nt tt,o Of this volume gives clue to the
.ransnarcnt simplicity and manifold richness OF Its
nortents II consists of series OF discourses on the
d;narv topics of the Christian life, and apparently
ol,vered in the usual routine of pastoral service,
but eyincing an originality of thought, truthful
ness of purpose, warmth of humanity, and fine
grace of expression which are not always found in
che productions of popular pulpit orators The habit
of addressing an eager audience for the purpose OF
immediate effect can scarcely fail to engender ten
dency towards mental exaggeration, to impair the
purity and sweetness of spirit which forms the at
mosphere of religion, and to throw the speaker into
state of heated excitement in which he is tempted
to court the arts Of sensation instead Of trusting TO
the simple earnestness of truth The fewnoble excep
tons in the experience of every week only serve 10
place the fragrant examples Of the contrary in more
conspicuous light Innate vulgarityiof nature cannon
be concealed beneath the robes OF the preacher VINO
MINIS to startle rather than to persuade, and who
neCects the fires of the altar for the paint and paste
beard of the stage. With this class OF pTetenders
che author of the present volume has no aihnty'
The most remarkable feature Of his disoourses Is
their manly directness They are equally free from
ahectaton and extravaganza. There is no striving
after effect no sensational surprises, none Of the clap
traps of false rhetoric, but every utterance Is
marked by modesty, refinement and singular force.
The discourses are pitched in so moderate key
that they leave the impression of great reserved
power, the preacher makes no display Of his rich
resources, but you are convinced that you are
listening to o man of earnest thought, Of rare
culture, and of genuine humanity. His forte
lie evidently not that of doctrinal discussion. He
deals in no nice distinctions of creed. He has no
taste for hair-splitting subtletes, but presents
broad and generous view of human duty appealing
TO the highest instincts and the purest motives of
axfxry T., @ha AL, ole oaDf
holds the rightful supremacy in our nature. &" If
ono will sit down with this black history of the
racel open before him. how beautiful upon the back
ground viii all deeds Of righteousness appear. deeds
that conformed TO infinite right of neghbor.
Whether you recall all the tenderness there has
been in the world between parents and children be-
tween friends between rulers and subjects, and the
susce Of law and of courts each fact will reveal at
once the divneness of righteousness, its whiteness
ats sweetness"
There is nothing society much needs to-day not
divine righteousness. hut human Righteousness For
churches dsgraced our very homes are often
made 6esSe our oTv na mas % se4 0s sory
or Of fable did even me Atlantis ants OF PSIG,
lived in sweet, open sunshine for thousand years,
ever such glory Of learning, invention or art
escaped fable and have become clothed with realityi
The peole Of the blessed nation described by Hesiod
1iyed, indeed, thousand years each, but not amd
shouSht and education but only 10 sunshlne not in
4
taDeous frutsi not near temple OF the Most High,
hui only in land where the winds were sweet, ana
OF animal and peace, our nation with only its
threescOre years for each citizen, and with its tombs
and sorrows for ell at last is the grandeur OF God
compared with the smile Of infant in its first vague
dream. Such republic dwell in this day could
entered into classic Imagination for the fancy
cannot flow beyond the possibilities OF It's age, and
of such inventions, Of such one God, and of such
ycrship. was wholly beyond the best human dream;
But now, what lie 10 that comes 10 mar this scene
What Is It that makes the humble citizen and the
with sadness that almost at times makes them glad
that there before them which shall soon be to
that caste shadow upon this great picture Of human de-
veopment II is the outlook Of unrgheOusness. Could
dreamers might possess in peace their elysian world
OF perpetual suPehne, and fruits, and OF thousand
at0psl ehaIp OF public and private honor, would
paper as thu the facts now are is history
mingled glory and shame, charity and ayarlee, kind,
loved the world as to send His SON He have sent
a nGS 50 not Hsyf to win rom Us H
heye," but also the words Lord, WIZ follow Thee
rId hsDS an bosora6ie te the God who SO loved it"
must fnd In human virtue the CHIEF arena oil As love
and power and grace.
The literary execution Of these dscourses is nc
aess admirable than their ethical tone and religious
Ypirt. They betray an intimacy with the choicest
fruits of Ietered knowledge, and without any artit-
ciaI nicely in their composition they are marked by
a chaste elegance of dictOn, temperance and
beauty of illustration, and modest refinement OF
thought which are the signs and the rewards OF
liberal studies.
THE FOUR CIVILIZATIONS OF THB WORLD. By HESAT
HIEoFH l2mo. Up. 4l6 }. b. MpPincon Co.
The period of history embraced in this volume
extends from the first records Of civilization, which,
according the author Date from three thousand years
before Christ 20 the middle of present century
After rapid sketch Of the social condition of and
Africa In early ages he proceeds to the civilization
of Europe before the introduction OF Christianity which
he describes s being in elemental state, showing
little improvement the preceding systems, preserving
many of their most repusive features, and founded on
she subsection Of the to the interests OF the few
1t was the dominant theory that the majority OF man
ind were born to slaves and that the minority were
sheir natural masters. Political power, wealth, and
education were monopozed by the upper classes, while
she people remained In poverty and ignorance. The
fourth civilization with Christianity which gave
new impulse to the history Of the world. The
great achievement OF the new religion, in secular
point Of VIEW was the establishment Of the principle Of
equality. Christianity the religion Of democracy.
No creed before appeared that displayed such
Solicitude for the poor and oppressed Justice and
peneyoence its corner stones. religion 60 full
of consolation and charity was indeed revelation 1t
d no wonder that the church spread rapidly among the
copie nor that It resisted and prosecuted by the
ossessors Of power Every previous religion had been
propsgated by belonging TO the governing class,
and maintain subsection lof the lower orders
The Christian religion the first that preached
sy Of the humblest condition. 1t not only opened
ahs portals Of heaven 10 the oppressed and weary
Believer but tended TO effect his emancipation EARTH
Brom that time during dreary interval middle
ages and down 10 recent period the history OF France
and England lie sketched In general outlines but with
vuf1cient minuteness Of detail to enable the reader
so recall the grand panorama which de-