QUARTERLY LIST

OF

NEW BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.

An Exposition of some of the Doctrines of the Latin Grammar. By Gessner Harrison, M. D., Professor of Ancient Languages in the University of Virginia. Part I. Charlottesville: Printed by James Alexander. 1839. 8vo. pp. xx, 119.

Under a very modest title, we have here a learned and elaborate production, such as only a few scholars, we suppose, in America are competent entirely to appreciate. To such a competency of etymological and ethnographical lore, we will not offer a claim; but we perceive enough to convince us that in this beginning-for it is no more-Professor Harrison has broken ground in a work which must assume a great place, as leisure, and wealth, and the rewards of learning increase, among American scholars. Comparative Grammar, in its connexion with Ethnography, has been touched in one or two "monographs" of our distinguished professors Anthon and Gibbs. Besides these, and the book before us, there have been few intrusions of Cisatlantic scholars into this field.

The aspect of the work is decidedly German. If it were less so, in regard to the partition and notation of the chapters and lesser divisions, it would be more comely and more useful in the esteem of English and American scholars in matters of taste we are less ready to admire the Germans, than in matters of research. Professor Harrison shews himself familiar with the works of Bopp, Pott, and Grotefend, Ramshorn, Billroth, as well as those of the more common grammarians of Europe. But the etymological inquiries here presented are plainly conducted upon an original plan, and by means of an analysis which cannot rest satisfied with any thing short of elementary principles. Some of these, Professor Harrison has sought for with extraordinary research, and presented with satisfactory clearness. To express our frank opinion respecting this truly remarkable volume, we regard it as establishing, by a single successful effort, the position of its author as one of the most accomplished philologists of our country; but, at the same time, as strikingly defective in regard to those little palliations and embellishments of a peculiarly dry and, except to the initiated, uninviting study, of which it is

the interest of Etymologists to avail themselves. Hence it will not be read by those who are not previously enamoured of the subject: by such it will be placed on the shelf of great standard works. We think the country has a right to look for a treatise from Professor Harrison, on the structure of the Latin, and its Indo-Germanic correlates, such as has not yet appeared in the English tongue. As it is, we commend the instructive brochure to all who aim higher than the mark of our trivial, catch-penny school-grammars.

Lectures upon the History of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. By the Rev. Henry Blunt, A. M., Rector of Upper Chelsea; late Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge; and Chaplain to his Grace, the Duke of Richmond. Second American Edition. Philadelphia: Herman Hooker, Northwest corner of Chestnut and Fifth streets. 1840. 12mo. pp. 462.

The circulation of Mr. Blunt's writings is the best proof of their adaptation to the popular taste; and we rejoice that such is the character of all his productions that they instruct the common mind without tasking it. In an age of hurry, when hard study is becoming rare, and when the author who seeks public favour must triturate his doctrine down to the capacity of undisciplined thinkers, such a talent as that of Mr. Blunt is invaluable. The subject of the volume is most precious-the history of our Lord-and it is treated in an evangelical and pleasing manner. If there is nothing great, there is much that is delightful in this neat and convenient volume. The American publisher, who, as our readers may know, is a gentleman of piety and education, has conferred many favours on the Christian public, by the good books which he has sent forth in an agreeable form. We respect his undertakings, and cordially wish him success.

A Catechism of the Rudiments of Music: Designed for the Assistance of Teachers. By C. F. Worrell, Resident Licentiate of Princeton Theological Seminary, and Teacher of Music. Second Edition Enlarged. Princeton: John Bogart. 1840, 18mo. pp. 114.

The judgment of all nations has been in favour of Catechisms, as a mode of conveying elementary instruction; or of lodging in the pupil's memory correct and comprehensive formulas. After all the pretences of rival school-books and contending boarding-schools, and the crambe recocta of grammars and other helps on the 'productive system,' the 'inductive system,' the 'analytic system,' and all the other systems which it is the interest of book-makers and book-pedlers to invent,-we say, after all these pretences, we speak advisedly our conviction, as having laboured many years at this oar, that the true, natural, philosophical, and only successful method of beginning any art or science with children and other learners, is to charge their memories with the elements. The question whether they understand the terms in the first instance is in our view a question de lana caprina; we leave it to be discussed by amateur menders of education. Now Music, like other Arts, connected with VOL. XII. NO. 4.

77

Science, is to be taught in this way, and we think Mr. Worrell has hit the nail on the head, as to plan. We will not applaud all the details of the book while we perceive in it every thing that is essential and much that is new, and consider it the basis of an excellent manual. Musicians must give an opinion as to the particulars. It is evidently a work of great care, and we know it to be the production of one who can verify all he says by the best of all vouchers in education-experience.

Introduction to Ethics, including a critical survey of Moral Systems, Translated from the French of Jouffroy. By William H. Channing. In two volumes. Boston: Hilliard, Gray and Co. 1840.

This work forms the sixth volume of " Specimens of Foreign Standard Literature, edited by George Ripley." The design of Mr. Ripley to render more generally accessible foreign works of established reputation, is entitled to general support. The Lectures of Jouffroy on Ethics contained in the volumes before us, are replete with discriminating and judicious criticisms on the various popular systems of morals, and give a general survey of ethical writers, which is both interesting and instructive. We regret being obliged to dismiss a work of so much importance, with so slight a notice.

A Narrative of the Difficulties in the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., in the years 1838, 1839 and 1840. pp. 38.

The first Presbyterian church in Brooklyn was organized in 1822 under the pastoral charge of the late Rev. Mr. Sanford. At the time of its formation, it consisted of only ten members, and though two churches had subsequently been formed from it, in the beginning of 1838 it embraced five hundred communicants. Its property was worth probably from forty to fifty thousand dollars. Soon after the settlement of Dr. Cox, as the pastor of the church, four new members were added to the session, a majority of which was thus secured in favour of the contemplated course of the pastor. On the 21st of July 1838, it was proposed in this recently modified session "to separate the church from its connexion with the Presbytery of New York by declaring it an independent body." This proposition was adopted by a vote of seven to two. When however it was laid before the congregation, it was first postponed and then withdrawn. After Dr. Cox and his friends had consummated their secession from the Presbytery of New York, two of the elders, Messrs. Van Sinderen and Colt, three trustees and about a hundred members determined to remain faithful to their ecclesiastical connexion. An application on their behalf to the trustees, for the use either of the church or lecture room as a place of worship, when not otherwise occupied, was promptly refused them.

The Presbytery of New York, as a matter of course, decided that as Dr. Cox and seven of the elders had irregularly withdrawn from their jurisdiction, the pulpit of the first Presbyterian church was thereby rendered vacant, and

recognised the three adhering elders as the session of that church. These proceedings of the presbytery called forth an "Explanation and Reply," signed by Dr. Cox and the seven elders who acted with him. In this document those gentlemen made the following declaration respecting those members of the congregation who differed from them, viz. "To accept the full value of their pews and all they personally owned, though this was offered amply and promptly, they would not; theirs was the whole of the establishment, and we must recognise their claims, and come to their terms, or all negociation was vain. How was it reasonable or possible, for men in their senses to offer more than we did; while they retained their high assumptions, and would take all or nothing." This declaration filled the opposite party with astonishment. They had never heard of such an offer, and being perfectly willing to accede to it, they addressed a polite note by their committee to David Leavitt, Esq. one of the signers of the above mentioned Explanation and Reply, offering to accept of the terms alleged to have been offered to them. Mr. Leavitt replyed that as a private individual he could do nothing, but that if they would address the session or Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, he had no doubt their application would receive due consideration and respect. Baffled in this attempt at an amicable and equitable accommodation, the congregation determined to address themselves to Dr. Cox and his elders who had signed the Explanation and Reply. In neither of these communications did those who differed from Dr. Cox assume the style and title of the First Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, they simply refrained from giving that title to the opposite party. To their last communication they received from Dr. Cox a flippant and insolent reply in which he says, "The First Pesbyterian church of Brooklyn, is, and long has been recognised and identified by the laws of our country, and its Session and Board of Trustees are casily accessi ble. If any technical, or other reasons prevent you from addressing either body, we have only to say your wisdom is peculiar, and that you are fairly entitled to all its occurring privileges." He concludes by wishing them "much of the wisdom that is from above, and the spirit of uniform obedience to its influence." Now it is perfectly evident that neither party could, consistently with their principles or their legal claims, recognise the other as the true First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn; and that any proposition from either side which proposed an accommodation on the ground of such an acknowledgement from the other, was mere mockery. Aware of this, those who adhered to the Presbytery of New York demanded no such suicidal acknowledgement from the opposite side, they urged that the matter might be settled without such concession. The last mentioned attempt at a compromise was made in February, 1839. Another abortive attempt was made in June 1839, and finally another in December of the same year. This last attempt was made in such a form as was supposed must put all chicanery at defiance. The gentlemen who acted in the business, called themselves a committee "of the congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Jacobus," and addressed themselves" to those representing the congregation under the like care of the

Rev. Dr. Cox." They declared themselves authorized to consent to any agreement calculated to give each division of the congregation a just proportion of the funds, and in case of difference between the parties, to refer the points of difference to the decision of arbitrators. This communication met with the old response, that the persons addressed could not act as individuals, but any communication, "if addressed to the Trustees of the First Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, will be laid before the congregation for disposition by them."-And there the matter now rests.

We believe no unprejudiced man can fail to regard this Narrative as being as highly honourable to the one party, as it is derogatory to the character of the other. And we hope the same dignity and forbearance which have hitherto marked the proceedings of our friends in Brooklyn, may characterize all their future measures, knowing that it is often better to suffer wrong and to be defrauded than to assert even our most obvious rights, with the hazard of compromising the honour of the gospel. The more extended circulation of this Narrative, though it must prove very unfavourable to the waning reputation of Dr. Cox, is due to truth and to the exemplary conduct of the minority of the congregation.

A Discourse delivered before the General Association of Connecticut, at its Annual Meeting, New Haven, June 1840. By Nathaniel Hewit, D. D. Hartford, 1840. pp. 26.

The points discussed in this sermon are 1. The religion of Christians, being divine, is one and the same in all of them. 2. It is by means of their union in faith and obedience, that Christians are united with each other. 3. When united in faith, and submitting to the authority of Christ and his Apostles according to the written word, differences in other respects appear among Christians, they are to be borne with reciprocal meekness, always keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

The most interesting feature of this sermon is its bold defence of the Saybook Platform as the bond of union among the Connecticut churches. As that Patform is, as to doctrines, in almost verbal agreement with the Westminster Confession, it is a cheering indication to find its authority advocated before the General Association of that state. This circumstance gives the sermon a claim to attention, which is well sustained by its intrinsic value. And we doubt not that Dr. Hewit will find that his able and uncompromising advocacy of the Puritan standard of doctrine, has strengthened the hands and encouraged the hearts of the friends of truth in all parts of our land.

Salvation by Grace. A Sermon, delivered at the Funeral of the Rev. John Hubbard Church, D. D., who died at Pelham, N. H. June 12, 1840, aged 68. By Leonard Woods, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary, Andover. New York: 1840. pp. 16.

Dr. Woods had for almost fifty years enjoyed the intimate friendship of the venerable man over whose grave he was called upon to minister. He wisely