their progenitors. The prudent investigator will allow that his ancestors may have been nearly as wise as himself, and he will treat their labors with reverence, weeding out, with a careful hand, what time has shown to be error, but leaving what he does not know to be such, until future inquiries have thrown more light upon the subject; not tearing it away, to be replaced by conjectures, perhaps still more erroneous.

We have thus endeavored to show, in the first place, that there is an actual advance in our course towards perfection; that there is an improvement, not the less certain for being gradual. Secondly, that this improvement is not steady and uniform, but subject to many relapses and retrocessions. Thirdly, that this course of things will probably continue for ages to come, nation after nation springing up and going to decay in the same manner in which they have done in time past; but yet that there will be an ultimate improvement. Religion will gradually become better understood, more powerful in its influence, and more extensive in its prevalence over the world. Lastly, that this improvement will take place not by a rapid march, but by a slow and interrupted course. If the world is now near six thousand years old; and religion, science, and the arts, are as yet but in their infancy, we can hardly expect that they will soon arrive at maturity.

But it may be asked, of what utility are inquiries of this kind? Why is it necessary to trouble ourselves with regard to the fate of our earth, long after we shall have ceased to exist, and our own destiny shall be sealed? We answer, that the question itself is of no practical importance, except as it relates to the fact of the capacity of our race for improvement. The real question which concerns us individually is; can we do anything to improve our race? The young and the sanguine answer, that immense effects may be produced by individual exertion; stupendous projects are every day starting into being, by which results, which have hitherto appeared incredible, will be produced; that this is the era of reform, and everything that is old is giving place to others, that are new and improved. They point to the higher and more correct notions of popular liberty that prevail, and are extending everywhere; to the greater facilities of intercourse between nations and provinces; to the general diffusion of knowledge and literature; and to the more energetic efforts employed in behalf of religion and morality. The older and more phlegmatic reply,

that they doubt whether these innovations are improvements; they have seen schemes, from which the most beneficial results were expected, fall to the ground and abandoned for the older modes of proceeding. Opinions, which they have always held as unalterable truths, are now generally rejected, or even derided. Institutions, which they have always venerated, and which were consecrated by time, have been violated or destroyed. The new ideas of liberty seem to them the precursors of licentiousness, anarchy, and disorder. In religion, what they have deemed most sacred has been violated; and vice, immorality, and neglect of religion, have increased.

Perhaps there is less harm in the views of the former, than in those of the latter. The more men believe they can accomplish, the more they actually perform; and if they fall short of their expectations, they nevertheless accomplish more than if less had been attempted. The evil is that they become discouraged by repeated failures, and fall into the views of the other class.

He, on the other hand, who is rather a spectator than an actor in the game of life, may be more impartial in his conclusions. He will separate the bad from the good, and allow that amidst many failures. there is some progress. That if crimes and vice increase, in any particular community, virtue increases also, and the efforts for the promotion of religion and morality become more strenuous. If crimes of greater magnitude are perpetrated, there are also greater deeds of magnanimity and liberality, and more generous devotion to the amelioration of the less fortunate portions of society. That while one nation goes to decay or becomes corrupt, another rises fresh in moral and physical health. The acquirements of the former are not lost, but are transmitted to the latter, and thus the tide of improvement rolls on, wave after wave gaining upon its predecessor, although there may be a retrocession in the interval.

We are not, therefore, to be discouraged because the results of our labors, and those of others, are not attended with all the good which we have expected. We may be satisfied with the knowledge, that every individual can contribute his share towards the improvement of society. We have heard it stated, and with truth, that were every individual to do what he might do, and ought to do, with regard to his own character, the world would be reformed at once.

E. W.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

1. A Discourse, delivered in the Church in Brattle Square, on Sunday, May 3, 1840, occasioned by the death of Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., LL. D., late President of Harvard University. By FRANCIS PARKMAN, D. D., Pastor of the New North Church. Boston. 1840.

2. A Discourse on the Life and Character of the Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., LL. D., formerly Pastor of the Church on Church Green, Boston, and late President of Harvard University, delivered in the Church on Church Green, May 3, 1840. By ALEXANDER YOUNG. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown. 1840.

3. A Discourse on the Life and Character of the Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., LL. D., late President of Harvard College, pronounced on Thursday, June 5, 1840, in the New South Church in Boston, before the Pupils of President Kirkland, and the Government and Students of the University. By JOHN G. PALFREY, a member of the Class graduated in 1815. Cambridge: John Owen. 1840.

WE have waited for the appearance of the last of these eulogies, in order that it might contribute its portion to the memorial of Dr. Kirkland, which we have desired to preserve in our pages. We have felt that we have needed the assistance of other minds, to enable us to give even a sketch of the mind and character of the late President. How could we do justice to that various learning, which made him equal to all occasions, and to that easy felicity of manner, which threw a careless grace over offices which prove to so many others cumbrous and unbecoming; to that wisdom which probed into the heart of affairs and the bosoms of men, and that simplicity which won confidence, disarmed suspicion, and reassured the ignorant and timid; to that seasonable dignity, which he wore like a robe, but without sternness and without formality, and that gaiety of spirit and demeanor, which was the delight of his intimate friends, but never degenerated into irreverence or levity; to that justice, which dealt its awards with an equal hand, and that kindness, which flowed out from the kindest of hearts, and would hardly be checked even by the unworthiness of its object. When we allude to the improving intercourse, which for many years was granted us with this sage instructer, this sound divine, this practical Christian, this man of many gifts and virtues; to the happy influence which he exercised over the years of our college life, we only call to re

membrance obligations, which many others owed him. The benefits, which, as a clergyman, as President of our University, as a favorer of all good institutions, he conferred on the community, the community showed that they had not forgotten, when, though a long period of retirement and comparative inactivity. had intervened, they lately flocked round his coffin with as fresh an interest, and with as ardent an offering of tears and honors, as if he had died in the prime of his powers and usefulness; and, perhaps, with a tenderer remembrance.

But we turn to the Discourses before us, and, where we find all that could be said of the late President so well said, willingly forego any further observations of our own. In the Discourses of Dr. Parkman, Mr. Young, and Dr. Palfrey, a noble and enduring monument has been erected to the memory of Dr. Kirkland. His warmest and most intelligent admirers could ask for no more fitting memorial than they are here presented with. We shall draw as largely from them as our limits will permit.

Dr. Parkman's discourse, from the words of the evangelist, "He was a burning and a shining light," though less in extent than either of the others, contains a biographical sketch, brief, but comprehensive, and an estimate of Dr. Kirkland's character, just and impartial. It is not a eulogy, but the rendering of a true verdict. It is the offering of a discriminating mind, and an affectionate and grateful heart. We draw from it the following

outline of Dr. Kirkland's life.

"The late John Thornton Kirkland was born in the State of New York, within that part now included in Herkimer county, on the 17th of August, 1770. He was the son, and a twin-son of Rev. Samuel Kirkland, who, partly through the influence of the celebrated Whitefield, with whom, in the course of his frequent visits to America, Mr. Kirkland formed an intimate friendship, united doubtless with the promptings of his own ardent mind, devoted himself to the arduous, and, as it sometimes proved, the hazardous work of a Missionary to the Indians; during his residence among whom some of his children were born; and the impressions which were made by the scenes of their early childhood never were effaced. The mother of Dr. Kirkland was a lady of distinguished gifts, which she consecrated in a meek wisdom to the education of her numerous family; and the fruits of her maternal faithfulness, though she lived not to witness them, were seen in the character of this, her elder son.

"His name, John Thornton, was given him in honor of an individual, known as an eminent merchant in London, and specially as the head of an excellent family, himself and his descendants for two or three generations remarkable, not more for their wealth than for their philanthropy; and he above them all, by the large sums, which, for a long series of years, he annually bestowed in aid of young men, who gave promise of usefulness in the ministry. It was probably by his friendship for Mr. Whitefield, who was himself patronized in his youth by VOL. XXIX. - 3D S. VOL. XI. NO. II.

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the elder Thornton, and accustomed to celebrate his benefactor, that the father was led to bestow upon his son this honored name.

"During the revolutionary war, which rendered hazardous a residence among the Indians of Oneida, his father removed with his family, for their greater safety, to the western parts of Massachusetts; and in the pleasant village of Stockbridge, which at different periods has been honored as the residence of many eminent individuals, young Kirkland spent some of his youthful days. He was there bereaved of the care of his excellent mother, of whom he retained the tenderest remembrance, and for the benefits he derived from her character and cares, he was accustomed to express his deep obligations. From Stockbridge he was sent to Andover, as a pupil of the Academy in that place; and in 1785, with the patronage of the excellent Judge Phillips, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth, for whose character he ever cherished a high respect, he became a member of Harvard University.

"For the winter vacation of 1787, while yet in the midst of his collegiate course, he was engaged to enter upon the instruction of a school. But the rebellion of Shays occurring at that time, and the Commonwealth requiring the services of some of its most active citizens for its suppression, young Kirkland, releasing himself from his school, enlisted as a soldier. He continued in service with the troops under the command of General Lincoln, till the object for which they were called, was honorably accomplished; exhibiting thus early the fervors of a patriotism, which always glowed in his breast, which with him was not a name or a pretence, as with some who boast largely, but a sentiment and a principle, prompting his most generous feelings and his noblest thoughts.

"After the completion of his academic course, in 1789, during which he gave indications of the eminence he was destined to attain, he became the Tutor of Metaphysics in the University, pursuing at the same time the studies of his chosen profession, till upon the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Rev. Oliver Everett, he was unanimously invited as his successor to the pastoral charge of the New South Church in this city, being ordained to that office on the 5th of February, 1794.

"Here, in a relation which was ever dear to him, he remained more than sixteen years, making full proof of his ministry; and by the weight of his preaching, though in the usual acceptation of the term, it could never be called popular; by the assiduity of his pastoral cares, which, though not manifested in a frequent social intercourse with the whole flock, still gave no occasion to the humblest to complain that they were overlooked, and in instances not a few, left durable impressions, as I can testify, at once of his discernment of the human heart, and his skill and tenderness in healing its sorrows; and, perhaps, still more, by the influence of his talents and character through the whole community, he became in a remarkable degree the object of the respect and love of his congregation. Among his hearers were many of the most distinguished citizens of the Commonwealth, who at once honored him as their pastor, and cherished him as their friend. And in the mutual confidence they maintained, which was extensively shared by other eminent individuals, in various walks of life, Dr. Kirkland found some of his choicest personal satisfactions, and the means also of his widest influence."- pp. 9-13.