29

THE CHILD'S LAMENT.

THE NEW-YEAR.

NOTICES.

NOTICES.

MORMONISM AND THE MORMONS: a Historical View of the Rise and Progress of the self-styled Latter Day Saints. By Daniel P. Kidder. New York: published by G. Lane and P. P. Sandford, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberry-street.-We have heard and read much incidentally of the Mormons; but until we saw this book, we had no conception of the extreme depravity and exemplary wickedness of its prophet, patriarch, and leading patrons. It is in the abstract, blasphemy; and in the concrete, a combination of deceivers such as were scarcely ever before associated under the pretense of religion. We cannot do a better service| to the public, of the kind, than by urging all to procure Mr. Kidder's book, in which this system of unmitigated wickedness| is exposed in all its repulsive features of fraud and villany. We have not space for an extended notice of the book, but will simply say, that the author conclusively proves the following statements, recited as conclusions at the close of the work: "1. The Mormon Bible originated with men destitute of a good moral character.

"2. The primary design of its publication was pecuniary

profit.

"3. Said Mormon Bible bears prima facie evidence of im

"8. That system has been and still is propagated by means of deception.

"9. Mormonism, at the same time it pretends to be the fullness of the Gospel,' is intrinsically infidel, and opposed to Christianity. It can never be reconciled with the principles of a pure religion.

"10. Its legitimate effects are to degrade and heathenize society."

BUSH ON THE MILLENIUM. "A Treatise on the Millenium; in which the prevailing Theories on that subject are carefully examined, and the true Scriptural Doctrine attempted to be elicited and established." New York: J. & J. Harper.

1832.-Whether a second edition of this Treatise has ever been

printed, we know not. Probably the peculiar views of the author were not sufficiently popular to demand succeeding issues. In the present state of excited feeling on the subject of the millenium, we think the perusal of this Treatise,by a learned and accomplished writer, would not be amiss. It is particularly valuable for its historical notices of the opinions held by Jews, and early and later Christians on this subject. This part of the work takes up about seventy pages.

The principal object of the writer is to furnish a just explication of those texts in the Apocalypse, which are supposed to pledge to us a future millenium. He begins with the twelfth chapter of Revelation, explains the symbolical import of the' Woman clothed with the sun and crowned with stars; and of the Dragon, which he considers a symbol of Paganism. From the twelfth he goes to the twentieth chapter of Revelation, and argues the identity of the Dragon throughout the Apocalypse, then explains the binding of the Dragon, fixing the date of this event with reference solely to Paganism, and says that

"No facts in the chronicles of the past are more notorious, than that Paganism under Constantine and his successors did, after a desperate struggle, succumb to Christianity in its triumphant progress; and that the religion of the Gospel, after subsisting for one or two centuries posterior to the age of Constantine in a state of comparative purity, did gradually become corrupt in doctrine, carnal and secular in spirit, and arrogant in its claims, till finally it allied itself to the civil power in a union which gave birth to the ecclesiastico-politico dominion of the.

31

Roman pontificate, for so many centuries the paramount scourge of Europe. As it is unquestionable, therefore, that the ascendency of Paganism in the Roman empire was succeeded by that ceeding the Dragon, so we are led to consider the binding of the Dragon, i. e., the suppression of Paganism, as commencing about the time of the rise of the Beast, and nearly coinciding with the first thousand years of his reign."

of Antichristianism, symbolically denoted by the Beast's suc

This extract will suggest to the reader the general conclusion at which the writer arrives, viz., that the millenium is past, and that whatever prosperity may await the Church in her future travail and conquests, is post millenial, and not properly embraced in the Apocalyptic visions.

Professor Bush is an interesting writer, and however widely we differ from him in our views of the Apocalypse, we read his book with deep interest and gratification. His opinions must leave him at liberty to expect the destruction of the earth at any time; and we understand that he says in recent lectures, delivered in New York:

"If we take the ground of right reason, we must believe that the present age is one expressly foretold in prophecy-that it is

just opening upon the crowning consummation of all prophetic declarations. The first inquiry is, what are we taught to expect? It is evidently something stupendous, something finalthe last act in the great drama of the world. We cannot agree with those who believe that the physical destruction of our earth is predicted and close at hand; though if their premises once be granted, we cannot see how their chronology is to be disputed. We firmly believe that we are now upon the borders of the momentous changes predicted. We have clear intima. tions from prophecy that the last times shall be distinguished for a laxity of morals and manners, for the prevalence of a spirit public profligacy and corruption, and for all the evils by which of lawlessness and license; for party legislation, for general

we are now surrounded. These are facts to which we cannot shut our eyes, and over which it is not easy to go to excess in lamentation."

TALES AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR YOUNG PERSONS. By Charlotte Elizabeth. New York: John S. Taylor-It contains fifteen chapters, or "tales," written in an agreeable style, and full of wholesome instruction and admonition. Just read the following from a chapter on "the Bee," as a specimen of Charlotte Elizabeth's manner:

hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, "The counsel given to us in Scripture is, Whatsoever thy nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.' The poor bee labors all the summer, that it may, in the winter, eat the fruit of its industry; but we rob it of its sweet store, and far too often are the harmless creatures put to death at the same time, losing all that they have so toiled to lay up. With the diligent Christian this never can be the case: for thieves cannot break through nor steal the treasure which is reserved in heaven for him; and death itself is but the entrance to his eternal inheritance.

"Let me hope that a bee will never cross the path of my young readers, without awakening a serious thought on the lesson which God has fitted it to teach: and may we all be found with equal diligence and steadiness, occupying the stations

assigned us by his almighty wisdom and everlasting love!"

BACKBITING. By Charlotte Elizabeth. New York: J. S. Taylor.-This little book should be faithfully consulted as a cure to that vicious propensity, so common to us all, to vail the virtues and expose the weaknesses of our neighbors.

THE RHODE ISLAND COTTAGE; or, a Gift for the Children of Sorrow: a Narrative of Facts. By a Presbyter of the Church. New York: J. S. Taylor.-This is a tale of grief, used for the great and good purpose of teaching the afflicted so to improve adversity, that their "light afflictions, which are but for a moment, may work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT of the Young Men's Bible Society, of Cincinnati. 1842.-This Society has, in seven years, issued and put in circulation 20,123 copies of the Scriptures. Its distribution, last year, amounted to 6,665 copies.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

and a rallying of the friends of Zion to the work of faith and the labor of love.

NOVELS.-As we were sailing down the river a few days We have enjoyed the privilege of attending some eight or ten since, several passengers, among whom were a Presbyterian and two Methodist clergymen, discussed the subject of novel read-protracted meetings since the close of the Ohio annual conference, and at each there was a glorious display of God's saving ing. One and another uttered their views, till at last it was averred by a member of the company, that "Novel-reading is power. The result has been an addition of more than four hunthe crying sin of the Church-that it is a fearful curse to socie-dred to the Church, and the conversion of a large majority of the young members. ty-that it generates more evil than intemperance ever did, and that a reformation is needed in this particular, as much as in the use of alcoholic drinks." Some seemed startled at this; and apparently to moderate the zeal of the speaker, one mentioned that a very respectable and devout clergyman had a few days previously recommended to his daughters the perusal of the Scottish Chiefs and Thadeus of Warsaw, as very proper books for young ladies. If the company present were surprised at the morals of a minister who could recommend novels for the entertainment of the young, they were certainly not less surprised at his taste in recommending such novels as those

here mentioned.

It is time for all who love Jesus to awake, and enter into the labors of the harvest. The fields are white and waiting for the sickle. The ministers of Jesus should be active. Every energy should be enlisted in this rising cause. It seems that efforts to save souls are, through the ready aid of the Spirit, unusually efficacious and fruitful. What encouragement. Seed now scattered abroad, does not "lie buried in hope." It soon returns into the hand of the laborer.

Is the millenium come? Surely it is not distant. We are in sight of its holy and happy scenes. The light of a new day streaks the heavens, and the Sun of righteousness is about to be more fully unvailed to a dark and perishing world. Come, Lord Jesus-come quickly!

THE CHURCH IN CINCINNATI-To be misunderstood, misrepresented and opposed, is the appointed portion of the people of God. Ordinarily, these things cannot move the true disciples of Jesus. But when they come, not from open enemies, but avowed friends, they are exceedingly severe. They pain, not merely by the mortification which they inflict on the re

We cannot conceive who this servant of Jesus is, nor where he was educated, nor by what model he formed his morals or his literary taste. Is he a Methodist? Has he read his Discipline? Does he practice the cure of souls? Is he in the habit of reading quarterly in some congregation those general rules of moral conduct which forbid "the reading of such books as do not tend to the knowledge and love of God?" Had he just descended from the pulpit or come out of his closet, when he recommended to the young daughters of his friend, the "Scot-maining corruptions of the heart, as its pride and self-will, but tish Chiefs" and "Thadeus of Warsaw?" However these things may be, we pray God to forgive a minister of his who could so far forget, or pervert the sacred influence of his office, as to speak in this manner to young persons, whom the apostle had commanded him to exhort to sober-mindedness. We should have thought no worse of him if he had counseled a child of ours to procure a pack of cards, and spend a few hours daily at games of whist. Indeed, we believe the latter is an innocent employment compared with the perusal of such books as the above. Whist would be a waste of time, but the reading would be this, and somewhat more. It would be insinuating poison into the affections, and corrupting the whole heart.

by wounds which reach our nobler and sanctified affectionsour fraternal sympathies. It is well known to our readers, that an astounding development has been made through the public press, of most savage and cruel conduct on the part of several children, members of different branches of the Church, towards an aged and abused parent. That some persons should charge on the Churches concerned the moral delinquency of these their members, was to be expected; especially as the charity of their brethren had rendered them slow to believe evil of the accused, and not swift to arrest, judge, and punish. We are not disposed to charge the political press, or its agents, with wrong, either in motive or conduct, in the part it has taken with regard to these matters. All such questions we cheerfully submit to God. But we cannot avoid the conclusion that the relig ious press has been over fond of tracing the specific immoralities of the accused to a sinister influence or tendency in the Gospel doctrines and institutes of the Church. How absurd, for instance, to assume that the doctrine of future endless punishment for unrepented sin, provoked the filial wickedness of these children. Suppose in the midst of their cruelty, a man professing to be a minister of Jesus, had gone to these persons and exhorted them thus: "Friends, you are very wicked in allowing your avarice to withhold from an aged and suffering

Nothing can be more killing to devotion than the perusal of a book of fiction. We know this from sad experience. Let any one who cannot or will not otherwise be convinced, leave her closet in a devout frame, and read for half an hour the best production of this sort extant. If she please, let it be the Vicar of Wakefield, one of the most innocent and tasteful novels in any language; and if her devotion does not evaporate under its witching influence, we shall doubt if her religion is genuine. If these lines should meet the eye of the young persons so unfortunately counseled by a respectable and pious clergyman, let us suggest other books. If you have purchased the novels referred to, burn them forthwith. Get in their stead, the biogra-parent the necessaries of life. You inflict on yourselves great phy of Hester Ann Rogers, of Mrs. Graham, and Mary Lundie Duncan. Add to these the Christian Pattern, the Bible and the Hymn Book, and you may hope by the diligent and prayerful study of them, to counteract the vicious influence of former reading, and gain repentance unto life. Then, when you are converted, plead day and night for that minister of Jesus who gave you such fatal counsel. Plead that God may give him repentance unto life, and not lay the sin which he committed to his charge.

It is a fearful thing for a minister of Jesus, who has vowed to keep and not to mend our ecclesiastical rules, to direct members of his flock, or their children, into a course of conduct which directly contravenes these rules, and thus involves not only a general offense against good morals and pure religion, but a particular violation of solemn ordination covenants, made with God and his Church.

MODERN REVIVALS.-Probably there has never been a period since time began, when revivals of religion were so general and so powerful as now. They spread nearly over the Christian world, and they sway the minds of men in an unusual It seems as though nothing is needed to secure the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but the appointment of meetings,

manner.

pain and punishment. Every hour that you do this you are plunging yourselves into hell. You must lie in hell as long as you continue this wickedness. True, there is no future hell. Should you die in the midst of this wickedness you would instantly be admitted to heaven. From inflicting on your aged parent starvation and death, you would ascend to the beatitudes of the glorified state.

"But then, think what a hell you are now suffering within your own bosoms. And then consider your aged mother. She is in great distress. True, she cannot suffer any more than her sins deserve. God always takes care that our sufferings shall be in exact proportion to our demerits; no more-no less. He will take care that your mother's sufferings are just equal to her sins. Go, then, and relieve her agonies."

If we err in thus reducing the principles of our fault-finding neighbors to an exhortation for these unfilial children, let them in that spirit of gentle conciliation which universal love should inspire, point out the error. It seems to us that those who sit in judgment on Methodism and her tendencies, should not only look to Mrs. S. and her children, but at the mines of Cornwall, and parallel examples. Let them read Southey's account of the fruits of Wesley's ministry.

THE LADIES' REPOSITORY.

CINCINNATI, FEBRUARY, 1843.

Original.

WHY NOT AT HOME?

OR, THE CHRISTIAN LADY'S NEW-YEAR.

--

BY THE EDITOR.

""Tis worse than death my God to love,
And not my God alone."

MRS. EDSON was a member of the Church. She had joined however as a "seeker," and knew nothing yet of the pleasures of religion. At first she was earnest in the means of grace; but the revival declined, the Church grew cold, and its catechumens, of course, relaxed their diligence. Mrs. Edson, among the rest, grew weary and faint; and for several months had let down her watch, and became entangled with the world. She had returned to gay associations, and mingled with pleasure-loving souls. Not that she intended to deny Christ. But she saw some who were reputed pious, freely partaking of the gayeties of life, and "why should she deny herself?" Nay, some of her pious sisters applauded her liberal behavior and independence, and with such a plea furnished to her hand, it is scarcely to be wondered at that she became insnared. Yet she was not blameless. If we would be Christians, Christ must be our pattern. We must not aim to be like D., E. or F., but taking up our cross, must follow HIM.

encouraged by their encomiums, she soothed it by well selected unctions, and especially by frequent appeals to their example.

But now even this expedient failed her. Conscience roused itself, and would not be quieted. The disguises worn by avowed friends, but secret crucifiers of Jesus, were suddenly torn off. She saw them as they were. "If they can be Christians, (so she reasoned,) and conform to this vain world, I cannot be. With me religion must be every thing or nothing. I have had a year's experience to prove it. I have tried my best, to carry religion with me into the world. But what is the result? My life, the past year, has been a scene of folly. I have proved, to my loss, that for me to love Christ and the world is impossible."

She perceived that her life had been ungodly. She no longer attempted to conceal from herself that, like Demas, she had well nigh forsaken Christ, having loved this present world. Her heart was pained at the remembrance of the past, and she was concerned about the future. Yet withal she had hope. Jesus had been merciful. He had spared her in her backslidings. He had not seized her rash and ungrateful forfeitures of priceless, blood-bought blessings. He still reached out to her the golden sceptre, and exclaimed, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Soft and melting accents these to a wandering, wayward sinner.

It was early in December. Mrs. Edson, with becoming seriousness, turned her eye back upon the Mrs. Edson was quick to resolve, and prompt to past. The year would soon close. How had it sped? Had it been execute. Having seen and deplored her errors, she Was it to bear a good report to heaven? employed in serving God-advancing his cause-settled in her mind the purpose of amendment. She ministering to the disciples, and communing with did not resolve without glancing at the difficulties Christ? From what passages in its revolutions and employments could she derive peace and comfort? She paused to consider. The incidents of twelve long months were recalled. She viewed them in the light of reason-in the light of conscience-in their connection with time, the judgment, and eternity. The Holy Spirit enabled her to discern many things reproachful to her profession, and an entire absence of all that should adorn it.

Human nature is depraved. But the restraints of grace variously affect us, producing in some a habit of truthfulness, which is highly useful and ornamental. Mrs. Edson was an example. She had a strong aversion to hypocrisy. She desired to be sincere. While she had mingled with the worldly, and had been quite neglectful of duty to her God, she meant nothing inconsistent with the position she occupied as a member of the Church. Believing that some older Christians were sincere, she had followed them, supposing that they, of course, followed Christ. True, her unseared conscience now and then rebelled; but VOL. III.-5

which beset her path. She perceived that she was
sadly involved. Her numerous gay associates blocked
up her way, and she must break through them if she
would fly to Christ. The season of the year was
unpropitious. Holyday scenes, least of all, favor an
escape from the vanities of the world, and an entrance
"How should
upon serious meditation and devotion.
she decline the calls and compliments of the season?
What evasions could she practice, which would leave
her conscience pure, and her conduct irreproachable?"
This nearly stumbled her. But thanks be to God, he
taught her how to escape!

Religion makes its disciple bold-not in word merely, but in principle. It inspires him with those graces, "suaviter in modo-fortiter in re," or blends in the character mildness and decision. Mrs. Edson finally resolved to invent no excuses, and to practice no evasions. As a member of the Church, she had openly given herself to the world; now as a denizen of the world, (for albeit her name was on the Churchbook, such she confessed herself,) she determined to