ordination sermon at Detroit. That Bishop McCrosky's arguments are weak, and inconclusive, can occasion neither wonder nor regret on our part; but we do grieve to find such a man asserting as a truth which he "most fully believes," that "if the positions advanced [in this sermon] cannot be sustained Christ has left no church on the earth and no ministry of reconciliation." That is to say, unless the Bible teaches that the twelve apostles were first ordained "to preach the gospel" and "baptize;" then "to bless the elements of bread and wine in remembrance" of Christ; and then "were raised up to the very same office which Christ himself held," "in his human nature, as head and governor of the church"-unless the Bible teaches this it teaches nothing! It would be less absurd to say that unless the primacy of Peter can be proved, it never can be proved that there were any apostles. We can assure Bishop McCrosky that whatever "the powers of the successors of the Apostles" (falsely so called) may be, they do not possess that of making the most clear and fundamental truths of scripture stand or fall with the puerile conceits of modern controversy. He may rely upon it, that the certain existence of a church on earth and of a " ministry of reconciliation," will be known and believed in, as a truth of revelation and a ground of rejoicing, long after men have even ceased to inquire how many "commissions" the twelve received, and to make distinctions where nothing short of a creative power could ever make a difference. The offensive feature of this sermon is not the use of "words calculated to irritate or wound Christians who hold different views;" for this the author has according to his promise, "been most scrupulously careful to avoid," Nor is it his maintaining paradoxical opinions by imaginary proofs; for this is an infirmity too common to provoke the slightest feeling of displeasure. But the crying sin of the performance is its popish tendency to place church government upon a level with the gospel, and to suspend the very offer of salvation, or at least the authority to make it on the petty details of a far-fetched hypothesis, which one generation of sane men after another have perused the scriptures without seeing there or dreaming of. Had Bishop M. confined his rash assertion to the fundamental principles of prelacy, it would have been enough, nay too much for a wise and good man ; but the "positions advanced," upon the truth of which the very being of a church and of a ministry depends, include the sickly dream of a triple ordination in the apostolic body and the impious dogma that "episcopal bishops" are not only the successors of the twelve but of the Saviour; that "every thing that could be performed by a mere human being was given by the Saviour." "He was, as the Apostle declares, the Head of the body, consequently this headship was transferred, and, all the power necessary to preserve and regulate the body." When the One Head of the Church, whom we believe in, has forsaken it, we shall be glad to have these substitutes, and not till then. Meditations and Addresses on the subject of prayer, by the Rev. Hugh White, VOL XIV-NO. III. 68 A. M., curate of St. Mary's parish, Dublin. First American, from the tenth Dublin edition. New York: Robert Carter, 58 Canal street: pp. 237. We cannot but think, that the religious public, and especially the Presbyterian church, in the United States, are laid under great obligations to Mr. Carter, of New York, for the many reprints of valuable European books, which he has edited in a cheap and neat form, suited to the wants of our country. But his publications are not all from writers of the Presbyterian denomination. The popular little volume, which we now notice, is from the pen of a pious minister of the established church of Ireland, who being prevented by infirm health from engaging in the active duties of his office, has been led to adopt the medium of the press, as a substitute for the ministrations of the pulpit.' That the publication has been well received in the country where the author is known, needs no other evidence than that it has gone already through ten editions. And in our opinion, it deserves to be extensively circulated in this country. The subject of prayer is here treated as a spiritual exercise, and the sentiments of the author appear to us not only pious, but sound and judicious, and very seasonable in the state of religion among us. We do, therefore, cordially recommend it to the perusal of all who desire to be instructed in the right manner of performing this important duty. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God, Joseph Butler, D. C. L., late Lord Bishop of Durham. To which is prefixed an account of the character and writings of the author. By Samuel Halifax, D. D., late Lord Bishop of Gloucester. New York: Robert Carter, 58 Canal street. While Bishop Butler's Analogy of natural and revealed religion is in the hands of almost all readers, and has become a text-book in many of our institutions of learning, the other works of this eminent author have not been in common circulation, in this country. We are pleased, therefore, to see his whole works collected in one handsome volume, printed in a good large type, and sold at a reasonable rate. It would be worse than superfluous to eulogize the writings of this extraordinary man. In some important respects, he stands pre-eminent and alone, as an author. In profundity and impartiality he has no superior. He possessed the rare power of collecting and concentrating the feeble and scattered rays of light which to most minds were invisible, or which they had not the power of so presenting, as to render them visible to others. And while we cannot concur in all his opinions, we believe that there are few books better adapted to discipline the inquisitive mind, and to habituate it to a patient and candid pursuit of truth. Comly's Spelling and Reading Book. With Notes for Parents and Teachers; adapted to the use of Public Schools, and Private or Family instruction. Philadelphia: Thomas L. Bonsal, No. 33 1-2 Market Street. 1842. Is published quarterly, in January, April, July, and October, at three dollars per annum, payable in advance. The present Volume is greatly improved, as an examination of it will show; and subscribers are requested to remit promptly, IN ADVANCE. It is a standing rule of the Publisher to send the Repertory to those subscribers who do not give notice of discontinuance by the 1st day of January. And even when due no tice is given, the work will not be discontinued, till all arrearages are paid, unless at the option of the Proprietor. This notice is, therefore, given to prevent any mistake or returning of numbers; and the rule must be adhered to by agents. Subscribers changing their residence will please notify the publisher-communication to be post-paid. Subscribers are requested to avail themselves of the kindness of postmasters, in remitting money; as they can forward it free of postage. Persons wishing to subscribe, will please address (postage paid) M. B. Hope, No. 29 Sansom Street, Philadelphia; giving, with some particularity, their Post Office address, and stating the way in which they wish their numbers sent. The price of the Repertory, even when the postage is added to the farthest point in the Union, is not more than that of some other works of a similar size, exclusive of postage. List of Agents. PENNSYLVANIA. GEORGIA. Athens, Rev. N. Hoyt. Lawrenceville, Rev. John S. Wilson. ALABAMA. Mobile, H. B. Gwathney. Hope P. O., Rev. Thomas Morrow. MISSISSIPPI. Natchez, John S. Coulson. Columbus, Rev. James A. Lyon. LOUISIANA. New Orleans, Wm. P. Campbell. Rev. G. Marshall, for Pittsburg and Theol. Se- Baton Rouge, Rev. J. Woodbridge. minary, Alleghaneytown. Congruity, Rev, Samuel M'Farren. Washington, Rev. William P. Alrich. Northumberland, John B. Boyd. TENNESSEE. Denmark, Dr. Ingram. Nashville, Rev. Dr. Edgar. Oxford, Rev. D. L. Gray, Knoxville, Rev. R. B. M’Mullen. KENTUCKY. Louisville, Rev. W. L. Breckinridge. онто. Cincinnati, Rev. J. Burt, Steubenville, Rev. Henry G. Cominga INDIANA. Indianapolis, Rev. Wm. A. Holliday. |