not in its nature vigorous, might it not confidently have been said, This must be the crisis of Christianity? If it be not inwardly sound -if it have not a true hold of human nature-if it be a thing of feebleness and dotage, fit only for cells, and cowls, and the precincts of spiritual despotism-if it be not adapted to the world of actionif it have no sympathy with the feelings of men,-of freemen ;-noth ing can save it: no power of princes, no devices of priests, will avail to rear it anew, and to replace it in the veneration of the people; or at least in any country, where has been felt the freshening gale of intellectual life. The result of this crisis need not be narrated.

Another species of trial was in store to give proof of the indestructibility and victorious power of Christianity. It remained to be seen whether, when the agitations, political and moral, consequent upon the great schisms which had taken place in Europe had subsided, and when the season of slumber and exhaustion came on, and when human reason, polished and tempered by physical science and elegant literature, should awake fully to the consciousness of its powers; whether then the religion of the Bible could retain its hold of the nations ;—or at least of those of them that enjoyed without limit the happy influences of political liberality and intellectual light. This was a sort of crisis which Christianity had not before passed through.

And what were the omens under which it entered upon the new trial of its strength? Were the friends of Christianity at that moment of portentous conflict awake, and vigilant, and stout-hearted, and thoroughly armed to repel assaults? The very reverse was the fact. For at the instant when the atheistical conspiracy made its long-concerted, and well-advised, and consentaneous, and furious attack, there was scarcely a pulse of life left in the Christian body, in any one of the Protestant States. The old superstitions had crawled back into many of their ancient corners. The spirit of protestation against the superstitions had breathed itself away in trivial wranglings, or had given place to infidelity-infidelity aggravated by stalled hypocrisy. The Church of England-the chief prop of modern Christianity, was torpid, and fainting under the incubus of false doctrine and a secular spirit, and seemed incapable of the effort which the peril of the time demanded: none of her sons were panoplied, and sound-hearted, as champions in such a cause should be. Within a part only of a small body of Dissenters (for a part was smitten with the plague of heresy) and that part in great measure disqualified from free and energetic action by rigidities, and scruples, and divisionswas contained almost all the religious life and fervor anywhere to be found in Christendom.

Meanwhile the infidel machinators had chosen their ground at leisure, and were wrought to the highest pitch of energy by a confident, and as it might seem, a well-founded hope of success. They were backed by the secret wishes, or the undissembled cheerings of almost the entire body of educated men throughout Europe. They used the only language then common to the civilized world, and a language which might be imagined to have been framed and finished designedly to accomplish the demolition of whatever was

grave and venerated;-a language beyond any other of raillery, of insinuation, and of sophistry; a language of polished missiles, whose temper could penetrate not only the cloak of imposture, but the shield of truth.

At the same portentous moment, the shocks and upheavings of political commotion opened a thousand fissures in the ancient structure of moral and religious sentiment, and the enemies of Christianity, surprised by unexpected success, rushed forward to achieve an easy triumph. The firmest and the wisest friends of old opinions desponded, and many probably believed that a few years would see Atheism the universal doctrine of the western nations, as well as military despotism the only form of government.

It is hard to imagine a single advantage that was lacking to the promoters of infidelity, or a single circumstance of peril and ill-omen that was not present to deepen the gloom of the friends of religion. The actual issue of that signal crisis is before our eyes in the freshness of a recen. event. Christianity-we ask not whether for the benefit or the injury of the world—has triumphed ; the mere fact is all that concerns our argument.

The spread of the English stock, and language, and literature, over the North American continent, has afforded a distinct and very significant proof of the power of Christianity to retain its hold of the human mind, and of its aptness to run hand-in-hand with civilization, even when unaided by those secular succors to which its enemies in malice, and some of its friends in over-caution, are prone to attribute too much importance. The tendency of republicanism, which obviously has some strong affinity with infidelity-and the connection of the colonies, at the moment of their revolt, with France -and the prevalence of a peculiarly eager and uncorrected commercial temper, and the absence of every sort and semblance of restraint upon opinion-were concurrent circumstances, belonging to the infancy of the American Union, of a kind which put to the severest test the intrinsic power of Christianity, in retaining its hold of the human mind. Could infidel experimenters have wished for conditions more equitable under which to try the respective forces of the opposing systems?

And what has been the issue? It is true that infidelity holds still its ground in the United States, and there, as in Europe, keeps company with whatever is debauched, sordid, oppressive, reckless, ruffian-like. But at the same time Christianity has gained, rather than lost ground, and shows itself there in a style of as much fervor and zeal as in England;-and perhaps, even, has the advantage in these respects. Wherever, on that continent, good order and intelligence are spreading, there also the religion of the Bible spreads. And if it be probable that the English race, and language, and institutions, will, in a century, pervade its deserts, all appearances favor the belief that the edifices of Christian worship will bless every landscape of the present wilderness that shall then "blossom as the rose."

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

1. Memoir of Rev. Edward Payson, D. D. late Pastor of the Second Church in Portland. Portland: Published by Ann L. Payson, 1830. pp. 444.

A Review of this interesting Memoir may be expected in a future number of the Spirit of the Pilgrims. Meanwhile, our readers, we hope, will anticipate us in reviewing the work, and forming a judgement for themselves.

2. The Testimony of Scripture to the Obligations and Efficacy of Prayer, more especially of Prayer for the Gift of the Holy Spirit; in three Discourses. By Gilbert Wardlaw, A. M. Minister of the Gospel, Edinburgh. Boston: Peirce & Williams, 1830. pp. 142.

"This small volume is one of the number that almost simultaneously appeared among the Dissenters in Great Britain, during 1828 and 1829, pertaining to the subject of Revivals of Religion. Much interest has been excited there on this subject, and several of the most eminent clergymen, particularly among the Independents or Congregationalists, have earnestly examined, and written upon it. Among the sermons which have been published, those of Mr. Wardlaw are peculiarly valuable, for their admirable and perspicuous arrangement of the truth, on the subjects of which they treat. The remarks on the Prayer of Faith are lucid and satisfactory, without passing into extravagance on the one hand, or indifference on the other."*

Appended to the work, is an Extract of a Letter from the Rev. D. Peter, Theological Tutor of the Academy at Carmarthen,' dated Feb. 7, 1829, giving an account of a general Revival of Religion in Wales, which had then been in progress more than a year. The writer is unable to state definitely how many have been added to the Baptist and Calvinistic Methodist Churches, but is confident that between three and four thousand have been added to the churches of the Independents!!

3. Dyspepsy Forestalled and Resisted: or Lectures on Diet, Regimen, and Employment, delivered to the Students of Amherst College. By EDWARD HITCHCOCK, Professor of Chemistry and Natural History. Amherst J. S. & C. Adams. pp. 360.

We recommend this amusing publication to the consideration of all those, who are addicted to intemperate eating and drinking, to the use of tobacco and opium, to luxurious living, and a neglect of exercise ;—to all, who are already suffering the deplorable consequence of these practices, or are in any danger of falling into them ;-in short, to no inconsiderable portion of our entire population, and more especially to students, and persons engaged in sedentary pursuits. If duly studied and regarded, it may save them much expense, trouble, mortification, and suffering—from days of melancholy and nights of anguish— from premature infirmity, disease, and death.-The fourth lecture in the volume is the same as the Prize Essay by Professor Hitchcock, lately published under the direction of the American Temperance Society.

15. The Infant School Manual, or Teacher's Assistant, containing a View of the System of Infant Schools. Also a variety of Useful Lessons prepared for the use of Teachers. Worcester: Dorr

& Howland, 1830. pp. 292.

* Advertisement to the American Edition.

4. Daily Food for Christians: being a Promise, and another Scriptural Portion, for every day in the year; together with a verse of a Hymn. First American from the eighth London Edition. Boston: Perkins & Marvin. 1830.

The object of this little manual is sufficiently indicated by its title. It will be found a very suitable companion for the pocket or the parlor-suggesting, with each recurring day, a profitable topic of reflection, and thus administering to all who use it a portion of meat in due season.

5. Letters on Female Character, addressed to a young lady_on the death of her mother. By Mrs. VIRGINIA CARY. Second Edition, enlarged. Richmond: Ariel Works, 1830. pp. 220.

6. Advice to a young Christian, on the Importance of aiming at an elevated Standard of Piety. By a Village Pastor. With an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. Dr. ALEXANDER of Princeton, N. J. Second Edition, revised and corrected. New York: G. & C. & H. Carvill, 1830. pp. 196.

7. The Brighter Age: A Poem. By J. B. WATERBURY. BOSton: Crocker & Brewster, 1830. pp. 94.

8. Regeneration, and the Manner of its Occurrence. A Sermon from John v. 24, preached at the opening of the Synod of New York, Oct. 20, 1829. By SAMUEL II. Cox, D. D. Pastor of Leight Street Presbyterian Church. New York: Jonathan Leavitt. pp. 42.

9. Influence of Religion on National Prosperity: a Sermon delivered in Portsmouth, N. H., April 1, 1830, being the day of the Annual Fast. By JARED B. WATERBURY, Pastor of the Pleasant Street Church. Portsmouth: John W. Shepard. pp. 28.

10. An Evangelica! View of the Nature and Means of Regeneration; comprising a Review of Dr. Tyler's Strictures.' By Evangelus Pacificus. Boston: Perkins & Marvin, 1830.

pp. 40.

11. Vindication of the Strictures on the Review of Dr. Spring's Dissertation on the Means of Regeneration in the Christian Spectator for 1829, in reply to the Reviewer and Evangelus Pacificus. By BENNET TYLER, D. D. Pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Portland, Me. Portland: Shirley & Hyde, 1830. pp. 63.

12. The Freedom of the Mind, demanded of American Freemen ; being Lectures to the Lyceum, on the Improvement of the People. By SAMUEL NOTT, JR. Boston Crocker & Brewster, 1830. Pp. 131.

This volume contains seven Lectures, on the following subjects: I. American Opportunity. II. Leisure in the Midst of Business. III. Self-Improvement. IV. Mental Pleasures open to the Public. V. The Claims of the Rising Generation. VI. The Demands of Business. VII. The Freedom of the Mind made Perfect.

13. The Parable of the Ten Virgins, illustrated in six Sermons. By JAMES WOOD, London, 1822. Amherst J. S. & C. Adams,

1830.

pp. 132.

14. Memoir of Mrs. Eleanor Emerson; accompanied with Dr. Worcester's Sermon occasioned by her Death. Third Edition. Boston: L. W. Kimball, 1830.

With an Appendix.

pp. 154.

It appears from the representations of our Lord that many, in the last great day, will experience unutterable disappointment. They expected admittance into heaven, but find it shut against them, and themselves excluded. Of the ten virgins, who went forth with their lamps to meet the bridegroom, only five were received to the marriage feast. The others came and cried for admittance, 'Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.' 'Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' 'When once the master of the house has risen up, and shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are ; then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets; but he shall say, I tell you I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.'

May it be deeply impressed, upon both writer and reader, that we are hasting together to the judgement; that to these eyes and ears its amazing realities will soon be revealed; and if so many, who indulged hopes of heaven, will be disappointed in that day, and find themselves forever excluded, are we sure that we shall not be of the number? The bare possibility of such an event