History of the English People. By JOHN RICHARD GREEN, M. A. Volume III. 8vo., pp. 451. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1879. We welcome heartily the appearance in American dress of the third volume of this magnificent history. It nobly sustains the high expectations we expressed in presenting the first volume to our readers in the Quarterly Review for April, 1878. It is occupied mainly by the seventh book, on "Puritan England," covering the period from 1603 to 1680, and gives also the first ten years of the eighth, on "The Revolution," closing with the explosion of the Popish plot and the death of Shaftesbury. The volume opens with a brilliant description, running through thirty pages, of the condition of England at the death of Queen Elizabeth, which is characterized as one of the turning-points of English history. It notices the growth of social wealth, and of the national and religious spirit, and the influence of the Bible upon literature, social life, and religion, which brings it to the consideration of Calvinism, and so of Puritanism in itself and in its relation to the people, to the Church, to politics, to the crown, to society, and to culture, and then to the rising Arminianism. This discussion is peculiarly in place in a history of the people of England, and is a fitting prelude to the narration of the events of the struggle, which properly begins with the second chapter. The same fact, namely, that the work is a history of the people, has led to the writing of the narrative from the people's standpoint. The struggle is of the people against James and Charles, rather than of James and Charles against the people. Thus, more clearly than in other English histories, are we able to see the real causes of, and steps in the development and growth of English institutions. Mr. Green is a most delightful writer. His periods flow as smoothly as Macaulay's, and they have the fire of Motley, but are without the glassy coldness of the former, or the occasional roughness of the latter. He is the peer of both, and sometimes surpasses them, in vigorous philosophic thought and power of logical expression. He is master of the art of so placing events in their proper relation that they are plainly seen to follow one another according to all known laws of human action, as effect follows its cause. Anticipating with pleasure the issue of the fourth and final volume, we commend the work to our readers as eminently worthy of a place in their libraries on the same shelf with their choicest books. The Wesleyan Christian Advocate. Periodicals. Dr. Atticus Haygood's excellent paper, published at Macon, Georgia, for August 30, has the following significant passage in a letter reporting the proceedings of the British Conference for the current year:— Then the African Methodist Episcopal Church was very enthusiastically represented by Bishop Campbell. Of this Bishop and his address the "London Methodist" has this to say: "In the open Conference the speech of the Rev. Dr. Campbell, representative of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was the most effective of the evening. Dr. Campbell is a negro, very clever and eloquent. His address made many glorify God for his work among the colored people of the Southern States of America. It must be noted that the word "clever" is a vile Anglicism about synonymous with our "vile Americanism," talented. And from the passage it appears that one colored Church of our country at any rate has been able to find a man for Bishop able to command the admiration of English Methodism. And it also seems that even a paper of the Church South is able to publish the fact that a colored Bishop bears the palm before a gifted English audience. We are unable to say whether there is in the colored ranks of our own Church the man who would do honor to the high office of Bishop or not. But we believe it very desirable that if there be the man, he should be found, both because he is fit for the office, and because he is an Afric-American. We do not, indeed, much desire to encourage the ambition of colored men for political office. We cannot but think that if the Southern whites would concede the undisturbed right of negro suffrage, and the negro concede the privilege of the official position for a while, a peaceful compromise of present difficulties might be attained. But in the Church it is different. The colored men of our own Church are very likely to view the reasons for the non-election of a colored Bishop at this time as evasions. A spirit of distrust will very probably arise, and the loyal feeling be abated. In the argument with the other colored Churches the balance will be against us. A colored Bishop, if elected, might perhaps hardly be acceptable, unless preeminently qualified, to some of the Conferences; but to such Conferences he would desire not to go, and the arrangements would be made in the Board of Bishops in accordance with the existing preferences of both sides. But it is from broader than denominational interests we would argue the question. The elevation of the colored race to a proper position as men and citizens can be at present done less by political than by humanitarian methods. Enable the Afric-Americans to possess and display a higher value of intrinsic character, and oppression will, in due time, be ashamed of itself. The schools, the Churches, the literature of the day can work this transformation. Every negro of commanding ability brought into position to exhibit his quality gives a lift to his race. A Frederic Douglass, a Langton, a Blyden, a Greener, a Campbell, is a refutation of the lie that condemns the race to serfdom. Our Church has largely led the way in redeeming the colored people, and we are sure that our next General Conference will not falter in its duty. The time now is, when, here at the North, the man who sustained the cause of slavery begins to feel that a more than African blackness rests upon his reputation. The Theological and Homiletic Monthly. By Rev. R. N. SLEDD, D.D., Editor and Publisher. $250 per annum, in advance. 12mo., pp. 80. Richmond, Va.; George W. Gary, Printer. 1879. A graceful literary and religious magazine, started by a talented minister of the Church, South, that has attained the seventh number, and "still lives." Long may it live. It need make no apology for existence. It gathers a fine collection of gems, original and selected, of essay, exegesis, sermon, and disquisition, with contributions from the editor's own facile pen. It seems a bold single-handed enterprise; but it supplies a want, and we hope it will win an ample and permanent support from the large ministry and membership of the Church, South. Miscellaneous. Missions and Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By J. M. REID, D.D. Two vols. 12mo., pp. 471, 462. New York: Phillips & Hunt. 1879. These very valuable volumes came too late for a book notice. Pastor and People; or, Methodism in the Field. By Rev. T. H. POTTS. With an Introduction by Rev. J. M. REID, D.D. 12mo., pp. 278. New York: Phillips & Hunt. 1879. A very readable and pertinent series of miscellaneous paragraphs on a variety of topics connected with our interests and usefulness as a Church. China and Japan. A Record Made of Observations during a Residence of Several Years in China and a Tour of Official Visitation to the Missions of Both Countries in 1877-78. By I. W. WILEY, D.D., one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 12mo., pp. 548. Cincinnati: Hitchcock & Walden. New York: Phillips & Hunt. 1879. We expect to furnish a full article in review of Bishop Wiley's very interesting volume. Impressions of Theophrastus Such. By George Eliot. 12mo., pp. 234. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1879. 8vo., pp. 416. Boston: H. A. Studies on the Baptismal Question; Including a Review of Dr. Dale's "Inquiry into Vol. I. Sermons and Lectures. By WILLIAM ELBERT MUNSEY, D.D. 12mo., pp. 481. Macon, Ga.: J. W. Burke & Co. 1879. The Orator's Manual. A Practical and Philosophical Treatise on Vocal Culture, Emphasis, and Gesture, together with Selections for Declamation and ReadingBy G. L. RAYMOND, M.A. 12mo., pp. 342. Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Co. 1879. A True Republic. By ALBERT STICKNEY. 12mo., pp. 271. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1879. The African Repository, July, 1879. (Washington City: Published by the American Colonization Society.) The Expositor, June, 1879. Edited by Rev. SAMUEL COX. (London: Hodder & Stoughton.)-1. Ecclesiastes, chapter i, verses 1-11. 2. Christ Demanding Hatred. 3. The Book of Job.-VI. The Soliloquy of Job, Second Monologue. 4. A Word Study in the New Testament; Part II. 5. Annas and Caiaphas. July-1. The Rhetoric of St. Paul. 2. The Book of Job.-VI. The Soliloquy of Job, Second Monologue. 3. A Word Study in the New Testament; Part III. 4. Ecclesiastes, chapter i, 12-18. 5. A Biblical Note. August.-1. The Paradox of Christian Ethics. 2. The Book of Job.-VII. The Intervention of Elihu. 3. The Second Epistle of Timothy. 4. Zion the Spiritual Metropolis of the World. 5. The Christology of St. Paul. 6. A Biblical Note.-Gal. i, 19. September.-1. Ecclesiastes, chapter ii, verses 1-11. 2. The Book of Job.VII. The Intervention of Elihu. 3. The Second Epistle to Timothy, Chap. i. 4. Abraham Justified by Faith. 5. Additional Note on Rom. ix, 5. ART. XI.-REV. REUBEN NELSON, D.D. THE REV. REUBEN NELSON, Doctor of Divinity, whose recent death has so filled the Church with sorrow, was born in Andes, in the State of New York, December 13, 1818, and died at his residence in the city of New York, February 20, 1879; so that at the time of his death he had just entered on the sixty-first year of his age. He was awakened to a sense of his sins and brought to Christ when he was fifteen years old, and immediately upon his conversion he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and from that time onward till his death he was an active, devout, earnest, and sincere Christian, strongly attached to his own Church, and yet bearing a heart full of fraternal love to all true Christians of every name. From the beginnings of his religious life his intelligent zeal in Christian work was so conspicuous as clearly to foreshadow his subsequent successful career as a public preacher and teacher of the Christian faith. At the early age of seventeen years he was regularly licensed as an ex horter, and began under this authority to hold meetings for prayer and exhortation. In the exercise of his gifts and duties in this office he was so acceptable to the people and so successful in his work, and the fruit of his labors was so abundant, that no one doubted that he was truly called of God to the ministry of his word, and within one year from the time he received license to exhort he was licensed to preach the Gospel. It has occurred but seldom in the history of our Church that one so youthful in years has been thrust into an office of so great solemnity and responsibility, and his rapid promotion by the spontaneous suffrage of his brethren who knew him most intimately bears testimony to the exalted place he held in their affection and confidence. Believing himself to be called of God to the office and work of the holy ministry, and being convinced of the importance of a thorough education to fit him for the highest usefulness in his vocation, he devoted himself at once to academic studies, and prosecuted his course with untiring industry and with distinguished success. In August, 1840, being then in the twenty-third year of his agc, he was admitted on trial in the Oneida Annual Conference, and was appointed as the third preacher on Otsego Circuit. At the Conference of 1841 he was appointed as the third preacher on Westford Circuit. During these two years he did his work faithfully and successfully on the circuits to which he had been assigned, and at the same time fulfilled the duties of Principal of the Otsego Academy, located at Cooperstown, in the State of New York. In 1842 he passed his examinations in the Conference studies, was admitted into full connection in the Conference, ordained to the Order of Deacons in the Church, and appointed Principal of the Academy which had already been under his supervision the two preceding years. Near the close of this year a partial paralysis of the vocal organs made it impossible for him to speak aloud, and he was compelled to resign his place in the institution over which he had presided with notable ability for three years. At the Conference of 1843 his name was placed in the list of superannuated preachers, a relation in which he remained for one year. During a portion of this year he was employed as a private tutor, teaching Latin and Greek to some young men who were preparing for college, though he was obliged to give his instructions most of the time in a whisper. By the close of the year he had so far recovered his voice as to able to resume his work in the ministry. In the year 1844 the Oneida Conference founded the Wyoming Seminary, in the beautiful and historic Wyoming Valley, locating it at Kingston in the State of Pennsylvania, just across the Susquehanna River from the city of Wilkesbarre; and, as was eminently fitting, in view of his scholarship, character, and reputation, Reuben Nelson was appointed its first principal. He held his position at the head of this school, and conducted its affairs with distinguished ability and success through a period of twenty-eight years; excepting only two years-the Conference FOURTH SERIES, VOL. XXXI.-52 |