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others more difficult. Nature leads the child by an induction of similar examples selected from the mass, or a habit founded on a comparison of such examples, to acquire a prac. tical understanding of the principles of language. But nature may be economized, and unless thus assisted in the case of the deaf and dumb, will be found an inadequate teacher. What nature does for the speaking child in the way of selection, the living instructor must do for the deaf and dumb.

Yet this method has not always been adopted, nor when attempted, has it always been perfectly carried out. To carry it out thoroughly and successfully in practice, is not so easy as it might seem at the outset.

When the method is perfected, it may be found so simple as to seem obvious and appear as having involved no difficulty; yet in this case as in others, the simplicity which is the perfection of art, is attained only as the result of many tentative efforts, imperfect or wholly aside from the mark. With all the light of past experience, to prepare a series of lessons well adapted for the use of the deaf and dumb, is no easy task. It is one requiring much individual experience, combined with careful observation, reflection and study; sound theoretical views, and above all, a soundness of judgment which shall see and keep in view precisely what the actual circumstances of the case require, and shall not be misled by theories away from the end of practical adaptation. The difficulty of executing the work in a satisfactory manner, is no doubt the main reason why the want has remained so long unsupplied. We consider it no small commendation to say, that the author of this volume has thus far succeeded in what he has undertaken. It is intended for the class of beginners in institutions for the deaf and dumb, and is the first of a series designed to carry out the method of instruction we

have indicated above, and to serve both as a guide to the teacher and a text-book for the study of the pupil. Part second, we learn, will soon be issued. We have good reason to know that this course of lessons has been found to work most successful. ly in practice, and also that it is universally acknowledged by instructors of the deaf and dumb in this country and by some of the most distinguished abroad, that the author has by its publication, done great credit to himself and rendered a signal service to the cause of deafmute education. These lessons have already been brought into use in the institution at Manchester, one of the largest in England, a fact which is not only highly creditable to our American institutions and to the author of this book, but most honorable to the candor and liberality of the Principal of the Manchester Institution, who commends the book in the highest terms; it being a thing quite unprecedented that an English instructor of the deaf and dumb should condescend to learn any thing from this country.

The book will be found invaluable for parents who have deaf-mute children; as by its use, any intelli. gent person will be easily able to give a deaf-mute child a knowledge of simple words and phrases, which will prove an immense gain, in the increased benefit to be derived from a course of instruction at a public institution, in consequence of such a preparation.

For children who can hear and speak, also, we are of opinion that the book might be used with great advantage, in teaching them the elements of grammar, and as a basis for exercises in composition. We are persuaded that the introduction into our schools for speaking children, of a course of instruction in language somewhat similar to that which the deaf and dumb receive, would be a vast improvement in our educational system, and that thus

the charity bestowed for the relief of this unfortunate class, might be more than repaid by the benefit which would in this way redound to their more favored brethren. We doubt whether there is any book in existence, so well adapted, as a first book, for teaching the English language to foreigners, especially in the case of children, as is this book of lessons for the deaf and dumb. It has already been sent for by missionaries in China, and will soon be in use there for this very purpose. This unpretending volume is worthy the attention of every one interested in the subject of education whether as a matter of theory or practice.

A Scripture Manual, alphabetically and systematically arranged, designed to facilitate the finding of proof-texts. By CHARLES SIMMONS. New York, M. W. Dodd; Boston, Croker & Brewster.

THE original of this work has been before the public for several years. Having been revised by the author, subjected to the critical examination of a number of eminent scholars and theologians, and re-arranged, enlarged, and corrected, it is now stereotyped and republished. The title gives only an imperfect notion of the object and value of the work. The design is, to furnish scriptural proofs of the doctrines of revelation; of all the duties of morality and religion, and of all the institutions of Christianity; and on the other hand, to refute religious errors by the same authority. The plan in general is, to lay down the various propositions to be proved, and follow them with a selection of proof-texts. In many cases the doctrine or duty is introduced in an interrogatory form, giving to parts of the work the appearance of a scriptural catechism, the answer being made in passages of Scripture.

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The sound judgment and accurate discrimination with which this plan has been carried out, are worthy of praise. The author is evidently a well read theologian. He finds in his Bible the system of doctrines held by the orthodox Congregational churches of New England. finds there also ample materials for the refutation of opposing errors. The doctrinal part of his Manual is therefore a scriptural defense of that system of evangelical truth which has for its cardinal points, the supreme divinity of Christ, the entire sinfulness of man in a state of nature, the necessity of a radical change wrought in his character by the Holy Spirit, the possibility of forgiveness on the sole ground of what Christ has done for human redemption, and the endless misery of every rejecter of the Gospel. These doctrines with all cognate truths, religious and moral inculcations, he shows, by abundant quotations, to be based upon a firm scriptural foundation. Diligent care appears to have been taken, to avoid irrelevant quotations, and to select as proof those passages only which directly assert, or at least, plainly imply the truth of the points to be established. That mistakes in this important particular can not be discovered in the volume, we are not justified in asserting, after a superficial examination; but having met with no such errors, we are disposed to accord to it an unusual degree of merit in the selection of proof-texts. This at least we can have no hesitation to say, that the work is the best of the kind within our knowledge, and that it will prove of great service to students of the Bible, and especially to ministers of the Gospel in the preparation of their sermons. This opinion is confirmed by the recommendations which the work has received from such competent judges as Drs. Woods, Pond, Storrs, and Goodrich.

Sermons, not before published, on various practical_subjects. By the late EDWARD DORR GRIFFIN, D. D. New York, published by M. W. Dodd.

THE author of these discourses acquired a distinguished reputation as a vigorous, discriminating, impassioned, eloquent preacher of the Gospel. His Park street Lectures and other sermons, published during his life, confirmed and exalted this high reputation, by evincing, most conclusively, that his popularity in the pulpit arose from the intrinsic force and beauty of his discourses, and not merely from the impressive manner of their delivery. All these early productions of his pen, prepared expressly for publication, will continue to be read, it may be for centuries, by those who seek for solid religious instruction, presented in a luminous, forcible style. But what shall we say of the volume before us? Here are sixty sermons, not one of which is worthy of the gifted author-not one, a methodical, well constructed, finished discourse. The unity of plan, the singleness of aim, the vigor of expression, the force of argument, so conspicuous in his previous publications, are all wanting. We discover in them nothing of the head and heart of Griffin, except an occasional paragraph of eloquent appeal to the consciences of his auditors. The work may be compared, for strength and interest, with the common run of sermons which are delivered from the pulpits of New England; yet with this difference against them, that they are more than usually deficient in originality, and in variety of topics, owing, we presume, to their having, to a great extent, been composed in seasons of religious awakening, and designed mainly to carry forward such a work. It is with reluctance that we express an unfavorable opinion of this volume, as a memento of the excellent au

thor, and as a specimen of the New England pulpit, from one of her most eloquent sons. We can, notwithstanding, wish it a wide circulation, believing that any tract, conveying evangelical truth, may exert, through the blessing of God, a saving influence.

A Complete Concordance to the Holy Scriptures. By ALEXANder Cruden, M. A. A new and condensed edition by the Rev. DAVID KING, LL. D. Boston, Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. 1845.

THE American publishers of this edition of Cruden's Concordance, have conferred a favor on the Christian public. The work in its present reduced size and shape, is nearly of equal value as a concordance with the original publication. All the author's references to passages of Scripture are retained, and those parts only omitted, which are not necessary to a Bible concordancesuch as the definition of words, the description of ceremonies, the explanation of difficult texts, facts in natural history, &c., together with the concordance of the Apocrypha, and several old prefaces. A large reduction of matter is also made by condensing quotations from the Scriptures.

How much these abridgments will obscure references and embarrass the finding of texts, can not be determined without a more extensive examination than we are now able to make. However this may be, these various reductions have brought the work into the compass of less than 600 pages, and diminished the price to the moderate sum of $1.25. Although those gentlemen of the sacred profession to whom saving of expense is no object, may prefer the original work, yet this edition, thus stripped of cumbrous, if not useless matter, coming within the means of all, will be apt to drive other competitors from the market. A small pocket

edition, more accurate and more full than Brown, is still a desid eratum, especially for the use of Sabbath school teachers, and those pastors who are called to conduct religious services in neighborhoods at a distance from their studies.

Vision of Death and other Poems. By C. W. EVEREST. Hartford, Robbins & Smith. 1845.

THIS is a pretty book of poetry, and we readily commend it to our readers. Mr. Everest is rather known as an editor or compiler of a number of popular miscellaneous

books, which evince much reading, correct taste, a nice perception of poetic beauty, combined with very scholar like accuracy. But it is not perhaps so generally known, that he has himself found time to write some of our sweetest native poetry. The different portions of this book evince different degrees of merit; yet over the whole there breathes much of the genuine spirit of poetry, and some of the pieces are very beautiful. The little pieces, "The Farmer," "The Song of the Wayfaring," and Childhood, a ballad," are not, as poems of their class, inferior to any that we have seen.

BOOKS FOR REVIEW.

THE Life of the Rev. John Wesley, M. A. sometime Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford; collected from his private papers and printed works; and written at the request of his executors. To which is prefixed some account of his ancestors and relations; with the Life of the Rev. Charles Wesley, M. A. collected from his private journal, and never before published. The whole forming a history of Methodism, in which the principles and economy of the Methodists are unfolded. By John Whitehead, M. D. Author of the Discourse delivered at Mr. Wesley's funeral. With an Introduction by the Rev. Thomas H. Stockton. Second American edition. With portraits of Rev. John and Charles Wesley. Published by William S. Stockton, Philadelphia, 1845.

Historical Collections of Virginia; containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biograph ical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities, together with geographical and statistical descriptions. To which is appended an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. Illus

trated by one hundred engravings, giving views of the principal towns, seats of eminent men, public buildings, relics of antiquity, historic localities, natural scenery, &c. By Henry Howe. Published by Babcock & Co., Charleston, S. C., 1845.

A Commentary on the Apoca lypse; by Moses Stuart, Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass. Published by Allen, Morrill & Wardwell, Andover; Mark H. Newman, New York. 1845.

The Poor Doubting Christian drawn to Christ: wherein the main hindrances which keep men from coming to Christ, are discovered; with special helps to recover God's favor. By Rev. Thomas Hooker, first minister of Hartford, Conn. With an abstract of the Author's life. Also an Introduction by Edward W. Hooker, D. D., Professor of Sacred Rhetoric in the Theological Institute of Conn., East Windsor. Published by Robbins & Smith, Hartford. 1845.

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Spiritual Ambition; a preached before the Synod of Pennsylvania in the Clinton st. church,

Philadelphia, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1844. By B. J. Wallace, Pastor of the English Presbyterian church, York, Pa.

Impiety in high places, and sym. pathy with crime, a curse to any people: a sermon delivered before the first church and society in Nashua, N. H., on Sabbath, April 20, 1845, with reference to the Annual State Fast; by M. Hale Smith, Pastor. Published by request.

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The Coronation of Winter: discourse delivered at Amherst College and Mount Holyoke Seminary, soon after a remarkable glacial phenomenon in the winter of 1845. By Rev. Edward Hitchcock, LL. D., President of Amherst College, and Professor of Natural Theology. Published at the request of both institutions.

The American Academic System defended: an address delivered at the dedication of the new hall of Williston Seminary, in Easthampton, Jan. 28, 1845. By Rev. Edward Hitchcock, LL. D. Published by the Trustees.

The Highest Use of Learning: an address delivered at his inauguration to the Presidency of Amherst College; by Rev. Edward Hitchcock, LL. D. Published by the Trustees. 1845.

Vital Christianity: Essays and Discourses on the Religions of Man and the Religion of God. By Alex. ander Vinet, D. D., Professor of Theology in Lausanne, Switzerland. Translated with an Introduction, by Robert Turnbull, Pastor of the Harvard st. church, Boston. Published by Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. 1845.

The Odyssey of Homer, according to the Text of Wolf; with Notes: for the use of Schools and Colleges. By John J. Owen, Principal of the Cornelius Institute, New York. Published by Leavitt, Trow & Co., New York. 1845.

Sketches of Protestantism in Italy, Past and Present, including a

Notice of the Origin, History, and Present State of the Waldenses. By Robert Baird. Boston: Benjamin Perkins & Co. 1845.

Several of the works above mentioned will receive our particular attention in a future number, and need not now occupy our pages.

Dr. Whitehead's Lives of the Wesleys is still the standard work, notwithstanding the subsequent attempts, made by eminent writers, to supply its place. In no other volume can we find an equally graphic and probably truthful narrative of the rise and progress of Methodism during the life of its distinguished founder. The author's familiar acquaintance with the Wesleys affords the best guarantee of general accu. racy in the deliniation of their characters, and in the record of their opinions and measures. On the whole, the work is the most valuable source of information, in respect to these interesting men, and the church of which they laid the foundation.

Historical Collections of Virginia, by Mr. Howe, is a very well written and entertaining volume. The title page gives a brief outline of the contents; but it can not convey an idea of the amount of matter, never before offered to the public, unless in fugitive publications. We anticipate for the work a wide circulation; for who is indifferent to the life of the old dominion?

The Rev. Matthew Hale Smith's sermon, entitled, "Impiety in High Places," delivered on the last annual state fast in New Hampshire, was called forth by certain positive and negative marks of "impiety" in the Governor's message, appointing the day of that solemnity; and became the occasion of a sharp controversy in the papers between Mr. Smith and his Excellency. In this contest, we judged, and suppose the publie judged, that the Governor had the worst of the argument, and would have shown his discretion by bearing meekly the reproof of the faith

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