commend the Selection before us. It unites the indispensable grace of a Christian spirit, by which it is pervaded, with poetic beauty; and so entire is its freedom from doubtful or sectarian phraseology, that it may easily become the manual, and a favorite one too, of Christians of various denominations.

WHAT THINKEST THOU? A Sermon preached in the Twelfth Congregational Church, Boston, Sunday, March 5, 1843. By Samuel Barrett, Minister of that Church. Printed by request. Boston. 1843. pp. 24, 8vo.

THE pastor of the Twelfth Church has given an example, which we wish might be often followed. He has taken occasion in the course of his usual pulpit services to answer, with entire frankness and as fully as the limits of a single discourse would permit, a question frequently addressed to him in private-concerning "the views which he entertains on several topics of religious doctrine and inquiry." The sermon before us contains a statement of the preacher's opinions on the chief subjects of religious discussion. It is a statement-not an argument nor an exhortation; and as such, is clear and satisfactory. Two preliminary remarks are suggested by the difficulty which many persons suppose lies in their way, if, "without much leisure for personal investigation," they attempt "to judge between the conflicting claims of different systems." Two simple rules will remove this difficulty; first, compare the prominent features of those systems with the leading principles of the Christian religion," as taught and exemplified by its Divine Author; secondly, "glance at the chief points of the proposed systems, to see how they are adapted to man's nature," for "God, being equally the Maker of man and the Inspirer of Christ, could not have revealed a religion through the one, for the use of, and yet unfit for the nature he had given to, the other."

Mr. Barrett then, in successive paragraphs, replies to the inquiries" what thinkest thou of human nature?" "of man's power relatively to the duties his Maker requires of him?" "of sin and its consequences?" "of virtue and its rewards?" "of Divine Providence ?"" of the chief end of God's moral government ?" " of

Christ and the cross?" "of the outward means of grace?" "of the Gospel in its entireness, as regards its claims, sufficiency, and influence ?" "of God himself?" To these several inquiries the answers are explicit, and such as we think are alone justified by a true interpretation of Scripture. The discourse is generally marked by an unadorned perspicuity of style, but in one paragraph— upon the sufficiency and influence of Christianity-it rises into a strain of lofty and sacred eloquence, which, if our pages would allow, we should be especially glad to lay before our readers.

PREPARATION FOR DEATH. A Sermon preached in the Church in Brattle Square, March 5, 1843, the Sunday after the Interment of Hon. Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court. By S. K. Lothrop, Pastor of the Church in Brattle Square. Bos1843. pp. 20, 8vo.

ton.

THE occasion of this discourse appears from the title-page. The death of Judge Thacher, who had for nearly twenty-five years been a Deacon of the Brattle Street church, (of which his father was once pastor,) "bearing the vessels of the altar to the congregation, dispensing the charities of the brethren, and discharging all his duties as an officer of the church with an earnest, prudent and faithful spirit ;" and who for twenty years on the bench of the Municipal Court had "shown himself fully competent to meet the exigencies of the times and of his position, and amid the increased and increasing labours and difficulties of his office had discharged its duties with singular ability, with an integrity unimpeachable, with a firmness and independence never intimidated, with a mercy prudent and discriminating in its judgment and exercise, with a knowledge of principles and precedents that made him seldom in error, and with an indefatigable industry and fidelity that entitle him to the grateful remembrance and considerate regard of the community he so long and so faithfully served;" the death of such a man, filling such relations, could not be suffered to pass without notice from the pulpit. Mr. Lothrop used the occasion worthily and profitably,-first turning the thoughts of his hearers upon the preparation which we all need to make for death, and then giving

a sketch of the life and services and character of his departed friend. "Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die," (Isaiah xxxviii. 1,) is the text. This setting our house in order-or true preparation for death-" does not consist in gloomy thoughts and anxious fears upon the subject," but in "moderating our attachment to earthly and visible things," even to "those objects of this world, which are innocent, beautiful and holy in themselves," and "placing it in complete subjection to our love of God and duty, of truth and heaven;" in "discharging with fidelity those duties, and cultivating assiduously those qualities of character, which in the review of life and at the hour of death can alone give us peace and hope;" and in "learning to look upon death ever in the form it wears in the Gospel"-" as a mere event in the progress of existence"-" in truth a new and better life."

Judge Thacher was born in Malden, December 22, 1776, and died in Boston, February 22, 1843. "His birth and death thus occurred on days memorable in the annals of our country—the landing of our Pilgrim ancestors upon the rock of Plymouth, and the birthday of Washington; and his life and character were not unworthy a descendant of the one, and a countryman of the other.”

THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. By Rev. H. H. Milman. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1843. 3 vols. 12mo.

WE notice this publication for two reasons; first, that we may speak of the new edition of the Family Library, by the Harpers, (the volumes of which, in paper covers, are sold at half the cost of the former edition,) and may commend this series as among the best and cheapest works in this day of cheap printing and various reading; but chiefly, that we may advise every one who does not already own this History of the Jews to purchase it, and read it. It does not seem to have enjoyed the favour to which it is entitled by its tone of liberal criticism, its historical accuracy, and its graceful style. As a popular commentary upon the historical writings of the Old Testament, we know none in our language that should be preferred.

INTELLIGENCE.

ORDINATION AT SACO, ME.-On Thursday, April 13, 1843, Rev. John T. G. Nichols, of Portland, lately graduated at the Divinity School in Cambridge, was ordained as Pastor of the Second Church in Saco, Me. The services were conducted as follows:-Introductory Prayer, and Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Parkman of Dover, N. H.; Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Nichols of Portland, Me.; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. Mr. Edes of Kennebunk, Me.; Charge, by Rev. Mr. Peabody of Portsmouth, N. H.; Fellowship of the Churches, by Rev. Mr. Bartol of Boston; Address to the People, by Rev. Mr. Whitman of Portland, Me.; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Bridge of Standish, Me.

Dr. Nichols took for his text Romans i. 16: "The Gospel of Christ— the power of God unto salvation." He spoke, in the introduction, of the strangeness of the annunciation as it must have seemed to those to whom it was made, and as it still seems to some even at the present day; but the preacher thought that the developments in physical science teach us what to expect in regard to spiritual things, and that comparative Providence gives probability to revealed religion. The origin of our religion might be obscure and yet its value not diminished, for that consists in its reality, and not in the incidents accompanying its origin. This was illustrated by the Jennerian discovery of vaccination; there is the reality--it is expelling one of the severest maladies from which our race has ever suffered, and multitudes are enjoying its saving power who know nothing of the circumstances of its origin. The need of some regenerating power, both in regard to individual character and the hopes of society, is universally felt. Allusion was made to the views of a Professor of History in one of the English Universities in respect to the improbability of much farther improvement among men, through want of a new race to carry it forward. The preacher expressed but little respect for this "Millerism of statistics." What we need, he thought, is not a new seed, but improved methods of culture; and these are furnished in the Gospel of Christ. After these introductory remarks, Dr. Nichols proceeded to point out the sources of power in the Gospel. The first source of its power he found in the fact, that the Gospel began with God and was from him,—not only in its origin, but also in those influences granted to give it extension in the world and control over the heart and life. The second source of power he found in our faith and self-surrendry. Here the preacher gave a beautiful

exhibition of the power of the Gospel as a preparatory influence in removing all false notions and preparing the way for a final work of grace upon the heart. The third source of the power of the Gospel he found in its adaptation to elicit the sympathies of the human heart. Having completed the body of his discourse, Dr. Nichols pointed out the feelings suitable to the occasion. These, he thought, were solemnity,―prayerfulness,-singleness of devotion to the glory of God,—and a deep religious sympathy in each other. In conclusion, he alluded touchingly to his own relation to the pastor elect and commended him to the kindness and love and prayers of his people.

Mr. Peabody, in the Charge, directed the attention of the pastor to but one branch of his duties-that of preaching Christ as "the way, the truth, and the life;" and not only so, but as the motive power of the Gospel, calculated to warm the heart, enlist the affections, and give strength and energy to the enfeebled will.-Mr. Bartol alluded to his having been brought up under the spiritual instruction of the father, and as a companion of the son, to whom he now extended the hand as well of private friendship as of the fellowship of the churches.-Mr. Whitman reminded the people, that the good results expected from the labors of their pastor would never be realized unless they as individuals would perform faithfully their duties. He directed their attention to the importance of seeking for personal religious improvement, and of cherishing a spirit of religious sympathy among themselves and towards all who might come among them. He exhorted them to manifest towards their minister the spirit of forbearance, of confidence, and of frankness.

There was a movement in the Council before the Ordination which seems worthy of record. It was suggested that of late Ordaining Councils in our denomination had neglected to examine the candidate previously to assisting in his ordination. It seemed to be the general wish, both of the clergymen and of the lay-members of the Council, to revive the old practice of examining the candidate. Some, it is true, doubted concerning the propriety of this course, and wished for further time for reflection before coming to a decision in regard to it. It was admitted that churches had the right to ordain their pastors without the assistance of an Ordaining Council, but it was contended that they had no right to insist that the members of such a Council should take part in the ordination unless they were satisfied of the qualifications of the man to be ordained. There was not time for a full discussion of the subject; but the feeling in favor of a return to the old custom was so general and so strong, that Mr. Nichols was examined by the Council before they voted to proceed to his ordination.