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his power. Here may we view the faint efforts of Time, overthrown in an instant. Changes there are; but the work of an hour has defeated the slow progress of decay. The lightning of the thunder-storm, the blowing tempest, the engulphing flood, the overspreading avalanche, have effaced from the surface of nature the impress of Time, and left nought, in the change, to remind us of age. Surely there are scenes in life which seem created to awaken in mankind, the recollection, that even Time can lose its power. Who will not feel the nothingness of the pleasures, the cares, - nay, even the sorrows, of our petty span, when, for a moment, he dwells with his heart and soul upon the thoughts of an eternity! Yes! it will sober the gay, it will comfort the grieved.” — Vol. III. pp. 14-27.

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The following sentiment is worthy of notice. It is not in European circles only, that its reality may be found.

"It is melancholy to think, how often the spontaneous agreeableness of an amusing companion is considered sufficient atonement for the deliberate vices of the profligate man. Vol. I. p. 51.

We had marked many pages from which to make extracts, but it is difficult to choose, where it seems a wrong done to omit. We cannot forbear to add the description of the Pontine marshes, once the site of numerous cities, and of busy millions, but now a desert, over which the traveller hurries fearfully, hardly daring to breathe the air, without which he cannot live, lest it should be fraught with death.

"They had now reached the Pontine marshes. The moon was up, and its pale and sickly light came well in harmony with the plain of death which they traversed. Herds of buffaloes and horses occasionally broke the low, unvaried line of the horizon, whilst the shadows cast from the trees on the side of the road, marked the straight line of their route. By daylight, it is here a saddening sight to see the earth decked out in all the brightness of its freshest verdure, to see the cattle grazing, and the horses, scarcely tamed by man, exert their speed in playful wildness. We think that scenes like these, should tell of peace and plenty, to the man who treads the soil; but we look around and see, that disease has preyed on every form; and on every cheek seems set the pale, cadaverous stamp of sure decay. We behold man, to whom all things were given for his use, thus droop and die, where other creatures live, and vegetation thrives. Here are the condemned of prisons, sent

to delay the doom their guilt has sealed. It is fearful to watch the work of justice, wrought by this slow-consuming poison; and still more shocking to gaze upon the mark of crime, that sits with death upon the convict's face; reminding us, each moment, of the life that has unfitted him to die. But night drops a veil over sights like these." - Vol. 111. pp. 250 – 252.

We must venture to suspect this lady of an aptitude to be touched by the absurd and the ridiculous, and to have intended a little wholesome correction. Her representation of a charity school, founded in vanity, is well done. We readily concur with her in every sentiment, which she has expressed in the conversation between Dacre and lady Emily, in which she shows what real charity to the poor may, and ought to be. If our limits permitted, we should extract the whole of this discussion, because it is founded on the practical and the useful; such opinions ought to be known, and acted upon, in every land, where there are indigent persons, and where there are persons considerate enough to care for the indigent, and benevolent enough to help them. These are sentiments of the authoress, which accord with those of Degerando, eminently the benefactor of the poor.

Books are sometimes indications, though they cannot be called proofs, of the writer's own character. This lady need not reluct at being judged of, in these respects, by her book. There is often found in her pages a vein of piety, and a just perception of moral excellence. One always takes a general impression of a writer, and of a work, which may not be sufficiently defined to be expressed in words. The impression which this work has left on us affords the inference, that the writer is very capable of portraying, in an imaginary production, the power which her own sex have, and the influence which they might have, on the welfare and happiness of society. Men are usually so much involved in moneymaking, politics, or pleasures, (which would not recommend them to a refined and elegant woman,) that they contribute little to the charms of social life. It is not extraordinary to find instances of the most frivolous conversation among men, who have gained celebrity in literature or science. Perhaps they resort to such entertainment, as a compensation for their dry and solitary labors. Whether from these, or some other causes, men are disposed to consider life, 49

VOL. XVII.

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-N. S. VOL. XII. NO. III.

rather as a triste affair, and to be consoled by pleasures in which women have no part. Hence we see so many who are pains-taking and selfish; bent on accumulation, or on profitless distinction, or on disgraceful profusion. As the world goes, not a few of the fair sex may come in for a share of reproach, or commiseration. That which one would like to see from the authoress of "Dacre," is, a delineation of woman in her appropriate sphere. It belongs to her sex to discern the utility and beauty of all that was given to please and adorn. The other sex have little of this discernment, until they have been to school to woman. Thus men consider the plumage of the feathered race, and listen to their notes, as an affair of natural philosophy. The endless variety of tints, which the flower garden discloses, is to men an affair of botany. The changing of the seasons, when these are not associated merely with business, politics, or pleasures, has a tendency to make men sad. But all such objects touch the feeling heart of woman, and indicate to her what her own rank should be in intellectual and moral beauty. It is an often-repeated remark, that the refinement of society depends on the freedom from restraint which women enjoy, excepting that only which they impose upon themselves; and as women are not lawgivers, they must thank those who are, for having raised them to an eminence which enables them to humanize, polish, and refine their lords and masters. But this freedom may be misused; and this lady may have intended to show, that in her opinion it is so in her own country. If we have in "Dacre" a just representation of fashionable life in high circles, she may have meant a delicate chastisement where one would think it to be much needed. But, perhaps, there may be another mode of reforming, as applicable to society as to pupils. Reproach does not always do the good intended; when example and encouragement may be more successful.

Christian woman is commonly delineated in an unattractive manner, because she is not made to show her qualities in the daily intercourse of society, and in every act of life; but is brought out as though for dress occasions, and as though Christianity were made only for another world, and not for this. We know not, from reading this novel, how such uncourtly opinions, as to the best lights in which woman can be exhibited, would accord with the prevailing sentiments of

the circles, which one reads of in "Dacre." It may, however, be imagined, that if the trammels of form and fashion could be broken through, such principles of action might add to the sources of human happiness, in no small degree, even among classes who know of no stronger necessity than to contrive means of being pleased.

But it might better become us, perhaps, to limit our remarks to American society, in which, among the fashionable imitators, they would be quite as applicable.

In taking leave of the authoress of "Dacre," we have to tender our acknowledgments, first for awakening that eager curiosity, which drives one through her volumes; and, secondly, for the pleasure and instruction which a deliberate perusal has imparted. One who has written so well, the first time, cannot have written for the last, as well as the first. When she reappears, she will find that she has established a fame which will not need, however modest the motive, the veil of a relative's name, however illustrious.

ART. VI. Review of the Phrase" For Substance of Doctrine."

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THE long "Statement" which appeared in the Christian Register, September 20th, signed by "the Professors of the Theological department of Yale College," was to us an interesting document. It made us better acquainted with some facts of real importance. We had not been very well acquainted with what had heretofore been required of the President and other officers of the College, as to subscribing "the Confession of Faith in the Saybrook Platform, which is substantially that of the Westminster Divines, with the changes which at different times had occurred in the form of subscribing. We were pleased with the account given of the frankness and independence of President Stiles. We have verily thought that serious objections might be stated to the practice of subscribing a formulary as agreeing with it "for substance of doctrine." Perhaps, however, nothing better could have been done at that time, than to give assent in that form. Dr. Stiles, however, did not hesi

tate to let it be known, that he did not accede to all the articles; and he might doubtless say with truth, that, taking the Confession as a whole, he agreed "for substance of doctrine." From that period, this mode of subscribing appears to have been generally adınitted and preferred. It now seems to be an established mode at that College. When this form shall have been duly analysed, and clearly understood by all parties, it may appear less objectionable than some have imagined. Yet the form may have both its disadvantages and its advantages, and have been rendered in some degree necessary by the imprudence of men of earlier times. Some of the supposed disadvantages and advantages we shall briefly mention. Among the disadvantages may be the following.

Many good men may be suspected of acting a deceptive. part, and of pretending to be more orthodox than they really are. It may also be truly said, that this mode of subscribing tends to give an undistinguishing celebrity to all the articles of the Confession alluded to, and to such as are really regarded as erroneous, as well as to those which are believed to be correct. Hence, of course, less care will be taken to inquire respecting the truth of the articles, and to correct such as are erroneous. Too long already have the Westminster Confession and Catechism obstructed the progress of light in our country; and whatever tends to keep alive an undue reverence for those formularies must be injurious to the cause of truth and love.

Clearly to discuss and duly to appreciate the advantages of the New Haven method of subscribing articles of faith, we should take into view such facts as the following: Many of the churches of our country have been founded on a professed belief in the doctrines taught by the Westminster divines, or abridged formularies supposed to be nearly in accordance with those doctrines. Not only so; several theological institutions have been founded to teach and give celebrity to those doctrines; and donations have been made for the support of these institutions, on condition that those doctrines should be believed, avowed, and taught by the professors, and no provision was made for such an exigency as an increase of light, which would render it impossible to obtain honest and well-qualified men for professors, who would subscribe these articles without reserve. Besides,

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