The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-12-30

essay sparkles with lively and pointed |
expressions that make it interesting to
the end. But there Is place for Gwen
dolen" to improve Her spelling is not
always correct. She forgets sometimes
to write proper names and to begin SEN
tences with capital initial. She would
do well to pay some attention to punctu
alton. She digresses little from her
subject at times. The essay abounds in
common sense views of every day matters.
Let the authoress take courage and try
again.
Hector" has produced carefully pre-
pared and well digested essay. His rea-
soning about the antiquity of the Sab
bath is satisfactory. He is an honest
and earnest writer. He misspells some
words. He might also improve his pune
tuation. His sentences are sometimes
little stiff He has some repetitions, or
he refers to the binding force of the Sab
bath more than once. We may be mis-
taken; but it seems to me that Hector"
throws little slur on the Puritans. Now
We have always thought good deal of
that people; and it seems to US that they
were exemplary Christians in every way;
and no less in other matters than in their
views of the Sabbath. But of course we
do not discount "Hector's" essay on ac-
count of their difference in our opinion
The essay is not very well proportioned.
Too much time is occupied with the "au-
thenticity" of the Sabbath. The remain
der is not as exhaustive and satisfactory
as the first part of the treatise.
Calumet" has q strong hold on his
subject. He goes to it and through it
with masters tread. He is evidently
scholar and reasoner. He is pithy
and keen in many of his observations.
We find the following fault with the
essay: l. 1t is not in all its parts relevant
to the subject. 2. 1t is not as well ar
ranged as it might be. Some things that
ought to be under the first head appear
ed under the second. 5. 1t contains too
much quoted matter. 1t is true that these
quotations are very good and very in
structive; but we would prefer to have
the ideas in the writer's own language
The appendix is interesting but scarcely
relevant. 1t is plain that "Calum ct" has
mind of his own; and plenty OF it
His observations on the marriage con
tract and other matters are indicative of
penetration and comprehensiveness. He
would make good lawyer This ess ay
is full of thought and good Judgment.
Chalmers" introduces his subject with
a very appropriate and beautiful figure
He is straight forward writer, thor
oughly in earnest. His sentences, if they
are not always elegant, are always forci
BILE and occasionally lofty. He has al
argument for the observance of the Sab
bath that we cannot see the force Of L
is where he holds that universal Sabbath
work would result in overstocking tn,
market. 1t may be SO; but that would
result from other causes than the non
observance of the Sabbath. That part o
of the Sabbath to the civil law is not a
good and accurate as preceded it. Blu
taken all in all, it is very good.
"Philo" has sent in an essay, elegan
in matter and manner. The penmanshil
is neat. The style is flowing and grace
full. The author takes hold of subjec
without ceremony, and goes righ
through without showing any sign of ex
haustion. The writer's exposition
of the relation of the Sabbath t.
the civil law is unequaled by any of hi
competitors. 1t is clear. accurate ant
discriminating. Had the first half o
the essay been equal to this he woul;
have won the prize.
'Dafydd Gersoden Ap loan" is not in
ferior to "Philo' in the mechanical pre-
paration of his essay. His sentences tot
are faultless. After taking everything
into consideration, we have concluded
that this is the best essay. Our reason
for so deciding are these: l. This essa!
is more even in its merits than any o
the others. There are points where it i
inferior to the corresponding points il
some of Its competitors. But this ha
the highest average merit. 2. Shoulc
this essay be published it is better calcu
lated than any of the others to do good
1t is throughout to the point, convincing
and persuasive To Dafydd Gersoden Al
loan" then we award the prize.
We are sorry, gentlemen of the Com
mittee, that your conditions preclude tn
i
possibility of recognizing properly ant
rewarding suitably the great labor ant
high merit of the other essayists But
am hoping, from the character of thei
productions, that they are running for
prize of the high calling where all VIII,
run well, win.
Yours respectfully,
G. II. HUMPHREY,
Pittsburgh, Sept. 81. 1875.
Spelling Reform; or the need Of Pho