area of at least two hundred and fifty, and, as he now thinks, probably three hundred and fifty, square miles, in which was none other than Baptist Churches." "The Baptist was the almost universal religion in all the region round about where he was raised." Before he was twenty years of age he became a member of that communion. In 1837 a copy of the Magazine and Advocate found its way into his hands, and a year later he, for the first time, listened to a Universalist sermon preached by Rev. Allen Fuller. It made a wonderful impression on his mind, and, he says: "From that day forward, through the forty-nine years-(this is written in 1887)-that since has passed, the writer has been a firm, unwavering believer in the doctrine of the final restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.' Having not long after this put himself under the direction of Mr. Fuller in regard to the reading which he should pursue in order to fit himself for the work of the Christian Ministry, Mr. Clayton preached his first sermon on the first Sunday in December, 1841, in Greenville County, S. C. For three years thereafter he was engaged most of the time in sceool-teaching, and preached but little; but since that period, preaching has been the chief business of his life. In 1845 he entered into an arrangement to preach one Sunday in every month in each of the following places: "Feasterville, Fairfield District, as the Counties were then called; Huntsville, Laurens District; Partlow's, Abbeville District; and in Newberry District; the other Sunday alternating between Fredonia and Hartford Churches. For these services he "was to receive the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars." He was ordained at the session of the South Carolina State Convention of Universalists, convened at Hartlow's, in the summer of 1845. Mr. Clayton's field of Ministerial labor has been in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas; a benighted region as regards general acquaintance with Universalism, and one in which his fate was often like that of Paul, illustrated by "fighting with beasts at Ephesus." In this region his life has been a continual struggle and sacrifice, one which devotion to the cause of truth could alone have given him courage to endure. At the time of the beginning of our late war with the Southern Confederacy, prejudice had been in a great measure conquered in this field of Mr. Clayton's labors, and something over and above expenses incurred by the preacher was being received for his services. But for seven years, dating from 1861, the fields were untilled, and the country has not recovered from the poverty which the war created. In a few localities there are signs of new life, but a new generation is to be met, instructed and organized. Mr. Clayton is still laboring among them with the old time zeal and ardor, and is hopeful of good results. The story of his life-work as a Universalist preacher is interesting and profitable reading, and we commend it to our people at large, and especially to our younger preachers. It will be a revelation to most of them concerning the darkness and ignorance still existing in many communities in our land in regard to the Universalist faith. As a history of Universalism in the States named, Mr. Clayton's book is more complete than anything ever before attempted, and in regard to some of these States it is the first fully-stated reliable information in print. Many of the facts here related by him we should have been glad to have known some years ago, when we were seeking in vain for information concerning Universalism in the South. The labor of preparing the volume must have been great, and considering the itinerating habits of the author, exacting; and we trust he may receive large patronage from those for whose information he has written. Our people ought to know the condition and possibilities of our cause in the South, and Mr. Clayton's book will put them in full possession of the facts. The Sermon Bible. 1 Kings to Psalm lxvi. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son. 1888. pp. vi., 520. $1.50. This is the second volume of an extensive Homiletic work to which we called attention in the QUARTERLY for last July. The volume before us covers the Books of Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and the first seventy-five of the Psalms. It is unique, being much more than a collection of skeletons of Sermons. Its outlines of Exposition and Application of texts are generally admirable, and in this respect the volume will be a great help to the preacher who either desires to test the validity of his own view of a text, or who, being in doubt as to the manner of getting the most possible out of his text, is curious to know how the passage has been made available by others. Preachers of no one sect seem to have been favored by the compiler, and great Catholicity of treatment predominates. A marked feature of the book is in the work done by the editor in referring to commentaries, general theological treatises, and sermons by the most eminent preachers of our own time and of former times. So far as we have examined, we are sure that great care has been taken in selecting the best for these references, and in avoiding the merely commonplace and inferior. We are confident that The Sermon Bible will occasion no disappointment to the preacher who consults it. He may not always approve the outline that is presented him, but he will find his own inventive power quickened, and many valuable suggestions presented which would not otherwise come to his notice. The Story of the States. The Story of Louisiana. By Maurice Thompson. Illustrations by L. J. Bridgman. Boston. D. Lothrop Company. 8vo. pp. 337. $1.50. The Story of Vermont. By John L. Heaton. Boston. D. Lothrop Company. 8vo. pp. 319. Illustrations by L. J. Bridgman. $1.50. These are the third and fourth volumes of a series which bids fair to be the rival of all American Histories in the use and love of the young people, for whose reading it is being especially prepared. "The Story of Louisiana" is written in that happy and graphic manner which at once assures it popularity and success. It delights, amuses and instructs; abounds in wonderful romances, stirring battle scenes both with foreign and with domestic foes, and the peculiar facts and fancies in a life of mixed races, many-sided political fortunes, and singular diplomatic fencing, intrigues and bargains. Occasionally, as we read, we feel regret that more space could not have been given to some who, as Xavier (or Sevier), figured so conspicuously in the troubled times of the State in defeating the schemes and plots of Wilkinson and Burr, but we remember how difficult it is to bring the consideration of so many topics into fair proportions, and are convinced that Mr. Wilkinson has made good use of the mass of material at his command, both in its arrangement and in the literary form in which he has presented it to the reading public. The Story of Vermont, as told by Mr. Heaton, does full justice to the sturdy, self-reliant, industrious character of the settlers and their descendants. The early struggles of the State in asserting its rights against the claims of neighboring colonies, its patriotic efforts during the three great wars in which the nation achieved its independence, vindicated its rights on the seas, and suppressed a giant rebellion, are treated in a most interesting and judicious manner and with due regard to proportion in the space to which the author was restricted. Local customs and traditions, prominence in anti-slavery and temperance reforms, farm life and its labors and enjoyments, sketches of eminent citizens, instances of the strong, grim sense of humor manifest in days of hardship and peril, are narrated in an entertaining manner; and the modern phases of life and business are briefly but comprehensively portrayed. The native Vermonter may well be proud of this story of the fortunes and achievements of his State, and all American citizens can justly glory in their association with such a band of patriotic heroes. Quoting Benedict's "Vermont in the Civil War," Mr. Heaton informs us that "Vermont alone of the free States, sent to the war ten men for every one hundred of its population, and out of a total enrollment of thirty-seven thousand men liable to do military duty, stood credited with nearly thirty-four thousand volunteers." Mr. Heaton adds: "No Vermont regiment lost its colors in battle. The soldiers of no other Northern State took so many Southern flags in proportion. No other Northern State had anything like so high a percentage of killed and wounded." Appended to each volume of the series are chronological tables giving an epitome of history by dates of significant events, an outline of the Constitution of the State, and a list of the best books on the general and local history. Parents who procure these volumes for their children will make a good investment. All the books noted under the head of " Contemporary Literature " are on sale at the Publishing House, 30 West St., Boston, Mass. OR, SOME OF THE CONCESSIONS OF ORTHO- DOXY IN THE DIRECTION OF UNIVERSALISM. BY J. W. HANSON, D.D. "It is a splendid work to circulate in these stirring missionary times. It 176 pages. 16 mo. Price 50 cents. Universalist Publishing House, BOSTON, MASS. Western Branch, 69 Dearborn St., Rooms 40 and 41, Chicago, THE UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, in its new and convenient quarters, NO. 30 WEST STREET, BOSTON, MASS., with its greatly increased facilities, will be able to give more attention than ever to its Sunday School Supply Department. Everything required for use in a Sunday School furnished at short notice. The Sunday School Helper for 1889. Printed from new type and enlarged and improved. The Editor is JAMES M. PULLMAN, D.D., who possesses peculiar qualification for the position and whose work is giving general satisfaction. A new paper has been added to the series called "HOME STUDY." The Helper should be in the hands of all Universalists who desire to study the Scriptures whether connected with Sunday Schools or not. We have a large number of such subscribers. Sample copies sent free. PRICES: THE SUNDAY SCHOOL HELPER (with Six Lesson Leaves, either Helper Lesson, or Primary Lessons, or part of both) $1.50 per year. Without Lesson Leaves, $1.00 per year. Extra Leaves, each 12 cents per year. Home Study, six lessons a Sunday, for a year, 50 cents. In all cases free of postage. ADDRESS UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS. |