was exhausted, it restored his spirits. The character of his devotion was at once fervent and rational, humble and serene. It mingled the deepest sense of human imperfection with the confidence of faith; the humblest penitence with the cheerfulness of hope. Never through the course of a long ministry, was he withheld by sickness from entering the pulpit on the Sabbath, except once; and then, though under the influence of fever, he sent for his neighbours, and the leading members of his church, and being placed in an easy chair, he spoke to them of the duties and the comforts of true religion."

The same person gives it as his opinion, "that Dr. Smith was among the ablest theologians, the profoundest casuists, and the most convincing and successful preachers of the age. He died as he lived, beloved and revered of all who had the happiness intimately to know him, and his memory will long be precious in the American churches."

Before the death of Dr. Smith, a great change had taken place in the spiritual and prosperous state of the churches in the Newcastle Presbytery. In the time of Whitfield, and the Blairs and Tennents, the great revival which spread over North America was powerful in this region; but after awhile a sad declension took place, and coldness and deadness for a long time prevailed. Moreover, by emigration to the West and South, many churches were left in a feeble state, for those who came in to supply the places of the emigrants were commonly of another persuasion, and added no strength to the congregations. On these accounts Pequea, which had for many years been the seat of lively piety, was reduced in 1791 to a small and feeble congregation, in which only a few of the relicts of the former numerous assemblies were to be seen. And for many years before Dr. Smith's decease, few were added to the communion of the church; not as many as would make up for the losses by death and emigration. This state of things he greatly lamented; and when his son John, with several other eminent ministers from Virginia, stopped at Pequea on their way to the General Assembly, as they had just come from the midst of an extensive revival at home, and were warm with religious fervour, he manifested the deepest solicitude that their labours might be attended with a peculiar blessing. He seemed on this occasion to be much excited, and to manifest a longing desire for a shower of Divine influence, that he might again witness such scenes as had now long passed away. On Monday, after the communion which had been celebrated, this aged minister was much encouraged by the fact that one man appeared to be cut to the heart, and came to his house, earnestly inquiring, "what he must do to be saved." But no general awakening took place, and that congregation remains in a comparatively feeble state until this day.

But though Dr. Smith in his latter days had no great comfort in his church, yet he enjoyed the unspeakable happiness of seeing his sons in the highest stations in the Presbyterian Church, and one of them, the Rev. JOHN B. SMITH, was made the instrument of saving benefit to many souls in Prince Edward, Va., where he resided, and in all the surrounding regions. He was also the first President of Union College, N. Y. And his eldest son, the Rev. SAMUEL S. SMITH, after founding Hampden Sidney College, in Virginia, returned to take charge of the College of New Jersey; first as Vice-President, and after Dr. Witherspoon's death, as President of the College. A. A.

Review and Criticism.

"THE HIDING-PLACE; or the Sinner found in Christ." By the Rev. JOHN M'FARLANE, LL.D. Published by Wm. S. and Alfred Martien, Philadelphia. pp. 370.

THIS is an inviting volume; the opening of which excites the expectation of enjoying a rich treat; especially to one who has felt the preciousness of that prophecy, "A man shall be an hiding-place from the wind," &c. Nor will such be disappointed in the perusal. It is a book of sterling value. With the strong and evangelical discussion of Flavel, it combines the lively and earnest appeals of Baxter. Its general structure reminds us of Serle's "Hora Solitariæ," and it possesses much of the sweet and elevating piety of that excellent work. After stating "the principles of the doctrine of Christ," in a short preliminary chapter, the writer proceeds to contemplate him as Jehovah; as Jehovah Jesus; as Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide; as Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness; as Jehovah Rophi, the Lord my healer; as Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace; as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my banner; and as Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. As these titles indicate, the several chapters present, in systematic order, the consecutive steps of our recovery from the ruin of sin, and our restoration to those privileges and hopes, which are secured to believers by the Mediatorial work of Christ. We heartily commend it to those who are seeking for sound scriptural views on this momentous subject, and who desire to find true, biblical theology presented in glowing and impressive language. They cannot read it with attention without deriving spiritual benefit.

"THE NIGHT LAMP. A Narrative of the means by which spiritual darkness was dispelled from the death-bed of Agnes Maxwell M'Farlane." By the Rev. JOHN M'FARLANE, LL D. Published by Wm. S. and Alfred Martien, Philadelphia. pp. 317.

This book is a very suitable companion to the "Hiding-Place," by the same author; the one containing the principles of the Gospel method of salvation, and the other furnishing an interesting example for the illustration of those principles; the one exhibiting saving grace in the abstract form, and the other in the concrete. Miss M'Farlane was the daughter, granddaughter, and sister of ministers of the Gospel. Her brother is the writer of the present Memoir; which, however, as the title imports, is not designed to narrate in detail the incidents of her life, but chiefly her religious experience, and even this mainly, as it was developed during a painful and protracted illness which preceded her death.

The book commences with a thrilling death-bed scene of her mother, who in joyful and triumphant hope, and a strong and vigorous faith, commended her little Agnes, a child of five or six years of age, to the care and grace of her covenant God. Her earlier education was superintended by her father, who survived her mother six or seven years; after which

she was left to the guardianship of other friends. Her religious impressions, though early felt, were slow in their development; being retarded, as the author thinks, by the perusal of Scott's novels. It was not till she began her passage through the valley and shadow of death, that she attained that peace of mind, which made her departure from the world like that of her mother's, happy and triumphant. The volume will be found a valuable "night lamp," to cheer the chamber of sickness. The title page is embellished by Miss M'Farlane's likeness, which gives some

additional interest to the narrative.

" MONITORY LETTERS TO CHURCH MEMBERS." Published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia. pp. 161.

These letters are anonymous; but as we happen to know, were penned by one of our most gifted and popular writers. For reasons unknown to us, his name is not given; concerning which we feel at liberty to remark, that the author's name on the title page, would, if permitted to be placed there, contribute to the circulation of the book; though doubtless there are good reasons for withholding it. But the intrinsic value of the Letters ought to secure for them an extensive perusal. They are twenty-two in number, and on twenty different topics, all of which are not only useful and important, but called for by the existing state of things in many of our churches. As the title indicates, they are "monitory," but their spirit is so Christian, and their language so courteous, that we can assure the reader, he will take no offence, even where he may find himself reproved. Kind and fraternal admonitions, such as are found in this volume, are highly beneficial to Christians, to "stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance," and excite them to greater fidelity in the duties of practical religion. We hope all our church members will procure the book and read it with care.

"TRAVELS IN Europe and the EAST.-A Year in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt." By SAMUEL IRENEUS PRIME. With engravings: in two volumes. Published by Harper & Brothers, New York, and for sale by Jos. M. Wilson, corner of Ninth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia.

The name of Irenæus is familiar to the readers of several of our weekly periodicals, and particularly to those of the New York Observer, to whose columns he has been a contributor for many years. His popularity as a writer of travels is equalled by few, and perhaps excelled by none. He is a close observer of incidents, possesses the faculty of pleasing description, and composes in a style well adapted to carry along the mind of a reader with continued, if not increasing interest to the end of the chapter.

The sixty-three chapters which compose these volumes, were published (or a large part of them) in a series of articles in the New York Observer during the author's absence, and soon after his return. They were read with much zest by the readers of that paper, many of whom manifested their interest by perusing them the moment the paper came into their hands. Those who admired them then, will be glad to see them reproduced in this beautiful and permanent form, with the attractive appendage of fifty or more engravings, illustrative of various objects seen by the

author in his travels. And to such as did not read them in the Observer, we may be permitted to say, that among the numerous books of foreign travel which have issued from the press within a few years, we know of none more readable than these two volumes. As a specimen of the author's style, and as an example of American genius in a distant land, we furnish an extract from the chapter describing his visit to the studio of our countryman Powers at Florence. We doubt not, it will be read with honest pride by every true hearted American. We commend it to the special attention of our young men, who may learn from it the importance of high aims and persevering exertions.

"Among the pleasant memories of a month in Florence, are the hours I spent with the great American artist, whose reputation is now the common property of the world. His studio is in Via la Fornace, and just over the way from Casa del Bello, the house of Mr. Kinney, my home while there. His history is to be studied by every young American.

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"The most remarkable work in the studio is the man himself. At the age of fifteen he was an emigrant from Vermont, his native State, to Ohio, and there, at the age of twenty-six, he made his first bust, a head in wax. It gives little promise of what has since appeared. Twenty years ago Mr. Powers went to Washington, and while suing his labours as a sculptor he enjoyed the friendship of Mr. Preston, of the Senate, whose brother sent Mr. Powers to Italy. Here he has been at work sixteen years. The first few years were lost to him, in consequence of his having taken orders for busts of his countrymen, which it cost him more to execute than they were to bring him, and he was for a long time compelled to work out of the marble with his own hands that which he now commits to artisans. Thus, in addition to the loss of all the early years of his life, which were occupied with merely mechanical pursuits, he sacrificed three more to engagements he had made in America. Yet in all these years of bondage his soul was at work upon something higher and better than had ever come from his hands, and perhaps, like the blindness of Milton and imprisonment of Bunyan, it was well for him and the world that he was not suf fered to put forth his hand until his soul had been refined by the fires of long years of trial, such as consume those who are not made of gold. Now he is less than fifty years of age; and when he was many years younger than he is, the greatest of modern sculptors, Thorwalsden, paid him homage. He is destined to inaugurate a new era in sculpture, and leave a name to posterity as the founder of a school which will attract the admiration, and finally secure the approving verdict of the successive ages of the Christian world. Yet great as this man is, his greatest beauty of character is his 'meek simplicity.' A model for a king in form and height, he would sit for a child, if his spirit found expression in stone or on canvas. I met him first in social life, and was all but grieved. The majesty of a man who conceives and executes works that hold in mute wonder and delight the most cultivated minds, was all concealed in the gentleness of a genial friend; but I fell in love with the man before I sat at the feet of the master. And he was just the same when I stood by him studying the glorious creations rising into beauty and life-like reality under his plastic hand. His studio was a gallery of glorious statuary when I entered it. Among the greatest of his works, is one just passing from under his hand. AMERICA is here presented in the form of a woman of youth, vigor, and promise, confident and earnest, with a face radiant with hope, faith, and energy. At her right, and supporting the figure, are the fasces, the emblem of strength derived from union, over which her mantle is falling gracefully. Her head is crowned with laurels, to show that union is victory as well as strength; and on her head the thirteen original States are represented by as many stars, forming a tiara, which she wears, her birthright jewels. Her left hand points to heaven. From the shoulder the drapery hangs carelessly, concealing much of the form, while one foot advances with a firm yet elastic tread, which speaks of the progress and stability of America with eloquence that cannot be misread."

DR. STEARNS'S DISCOURSES on the First Church in Newark, No. II.

The subject of the Adopting Act being incidentally mentioned, Dr. Stearns gives in a note, an unpublished letter of Pemberton,* then recently settled at New York, to Dr. Coleman, dated September 30, 1729. He had feared that "the subscription controversy would be the cause of a great disturbance and division in our Synod. Providence has been better to us than our fears. The debate is peaceably and satisfactorily ended. The conclusion of the Synod was ordered to be printed, that our happy agreement might be as universally known as our debates." The Act of Synod, in 1736, declaring that they adopt the standard "without the least variation or alteration, and without any regard to the distinctions" of necessary and essential doctrines, was called forth by the defence set up by Hemphill, that he had adopted the Confession only in its necesssary and essential doctrines. Andrews tabled charges against him before the Commission, in April, 1735, and Dickinson defended the action of the Synod in disowning him. Franklin ridiculed the idea of subscription; "may not a Synod in George the Second's time do all that a Synod did in Oliver's day ?" Dickinson preached two sermons in Philadelphia, and republished the Adopting Act, showing that it was a "proper inclosure for a religious society," and no unscriptural imposition. Hubbel, of Westfield, was singled out by Franklin for especial derision, for his opposition to Hemphill. Soon after was republished, in Philadelphia, all the proceedings in Ireland on the Subscription question, and the defence of the non-subscribers, with Halyday's argument against creeds. The Act of 1736, was cordially acquiesced in by all parties, and affirmed by the Brunswick brethren in the strongest manner, not, as is impudently asserted in a certain quarter, to make capital.

Dr. Stearns mistakes in the case of Walton, as though he were a man without credentials. Born in New London, graduating at Yale, he came to Crosswicks and Cranberry at the urgent solicitation of "his townsman," Morgan, of Freehold. He was likely to have brought everybody over, but his "folly and nonsensical importunities" lost him "his honour, and he is gone." He then set up school in New York, and vainly tried to have his case remitted to Long Island Presbytery. He then went to Rye and White Plains, and through his exertions, the Connecticut legislature granted a brief, to collect money to build a church at the White Plains. His stay was short. He died in 1764.‡

The third minister of Newark, Mr. PRUDDEN, had been settled at Jamaica-he was the grandfather of the Rev. John Nutman, of Hanover; Mr. Nutman's daughter was the first wife of Jonathan Sergeant, and the mother of the wife of the Rev. Dr. John Ewing. His successor, Mr. Wakeman, was, like Mr. Prudden and the younger Pierson, the son of a minister, he was settled at the age of twenty-one, and died about four years after. His marriage, his death, and that of his only child, and the marriage of his widow, are recorded on the Town books of Southampton, L. I. The next minister, Nathaniel Bowers, was probably the son of the Rev. John Bowers, first minister of Derby, Conn., and then of Rye, N. Y. Mr. Bowers was invited to settle in Greenwich, Conn., and perhaps did so; and after a year of service in Newark, he was installed there in September, 1710, probably the day before or after the ordination of Dickinson at Elizabethtown. Morgan preached on the latter occasion, on the Great Concernment of the Gospel, and impressing the necessity of proper qualifications for the ministry, said: "A tow lace ill beseems a silken garment."

Dr. Stearns seems inclined to think, that John Brainerd was not installed as the successor of Burr in the pastoral work, although Smith in his funeral discourse speaks of his preaching at a funeral in the family of his successor,|| and although the Synod unanimously gave their advice, May 17, 1759, that it was his duty to leave his present charge at Newark and resume his mission to the Indians; in the afternoon," it is ordered, Mr. Brainerd being now removed from Newark,

* MS. Letters of Andrews and Morgan, in Am. Antiq. Coll.

† Ecc. Papers in State House, Hartford.

Yale Catalogue.

S Ecc. Papers, Hartford,

In the copy of the monumental inscriptions, two of Brainerd's children are mentioned as having died in September, 1758: probably one of the dates should be 1757.