rich, and the great change. This, however, like almost every other table of contents, presents an extremely inadequate view of the various matter, contained in the volume to which it is appended. We could specify single discourses, in each of the three volumes, which are worth half the cost of the whole twelve, or twenty-four; and we presume the work will not be less valuable hereafter, than it has been hitherto.

That the National Preacher is an able and stedfast friend to revivals of religion, no one can entertain a doubt, who is at all acquainted with its spirit and its contents. Quite a number of the discourses, are well adapted to such a state of religious excitement; and must have been read, we have no doubt, with great interest and advantage, by many, who were asking "what shall I do to be saved.' Still, we think, there is room for material improvement,—we will not say in the plan of the Preacher, for we are sure the editor will subscribe to our opinion, that it ought to contain many more "revival sermons," than it has thus far furnished. But for these, it is obvious, he must be indebted to clergymen who are able to write them. And here, we would put it to the consciences of such men, whether they are not bound, as the servants of Christ and his church, to avail themselves of the opportunity which this publication offers, to send abroad their best thoughts, upon all the leading topics which come up in the progress of a revival, for the use of those who may be exceedingly benefitted by them. It cannot admit of a doubt, that there are at this moment, among the manuscripts of distinguished living preachers, hundreds of sermons, which were written in "times of refreshing," and which, with very little trouble, might be revised and prepared for the press. Let those highly favored servants of the Lord, who have often seen his power in their congregations, and who have been employed as instruments "to gather in his elect," under the reviving influence of his Spirit,-let such ministers inquire, in reference to the subject before us, "Lord what wilt thou have us to do?" A discourse which has been eminently blessed from the pulpit during a revival, may perhaps be blessed in an equal degree, when a single copy of it finds its way from the press, into some far distant parish or settlement, where God is pouring out his Spirit; and who can tell, how many hundred souls might be saved from death, by the ten, or twenty thousand copies, which might go out from the of fice of the National Preacher? Let the editor be sustained, as he ought to be, in this respect, and who can doubt that the usefulness of his work would be greatly increased?

We have said, that such a work ought to take a deep inter

est in all the great benevolent plans and movements of the day, and we are happy to add, that the National Preacher has begun ably and promptly to occupy this ground. It contains the missionary sermons of Drs. Griffin, Beecher, and Rice, before the American Board; a sermon by Dr. Woods, on the duties of the rich; a sermon by that devoted servant of Christ, the late Dr. Payson, in behalf of the American Education Society; and some others which bear with great force, though not so directly, upon the duties of the church to a "world lying in wickedness." All this is well, but there is much ground yet to be occupied. And why should not the National Preacher hasten to take possession of it in the name of Him, to whose service it has been solemnly consecrated? Let it plead the cause of the American Bible Society and of Home Missions, as eloquently as it has pleaded that of Missions to the heathen. Let it speak with its thousand tongues in behalf of the Tract Society, the cause of Temperance, the Sabbath School Union, and the Colonization Society.

We need not say, that there are many living ministers, who are able to speak on all these topics with great power and effect; nor will we, in so plain a case, stop to prove, that it is their duty to come forth, and plead the cause of God, of their country, and of humanity, before all the thousands, who through the medium of the press can have an opportunity, and can be persuaded, to hear them. We have the very men in our eye, at this moment, to whom this godlike service belongs; and it is not to be supposed that they are so unconscious of the talents which God has given them, or of public expectation, as to be blameless, if they "come not up to the help of the Lord against the mighty."

That the National Preacher is awake to all the great interests of the church and the nation, we have had many substantial proofs in its three years ministrations; but none quite so striking, perhaps, as in the March number of the present year. The boldness, patriotism, and ability, with which Dr. Beecher presses upon the public authorities, as well as all other thinking men, the paramount importance of religion, and especially of the christian sabbath, afford a fine specimen of what a monthly publication like this can do, in the cause of God and our country. Much more in the same spirit, and with the same alacrity to meet every crisis, and to rebuke public transgression, we hope and expect to see in the National Preacher. We should gladly enrich our pages with extracts illustrative of our remarks, but our limits forbid. We can only allude to a few discourses, among the many which are distinguished for their ability.

The sermon by Dr. Skinner is one of the best we recollect ever to have seen upon the utility of prayer. If our limits would permit, we should quote the passage beginning “But the bible," etc. (page 26,) a passage which can scarcely be too often read by ministers of the gospel.

In Dr. Spring's sermon upon the internal evidences of revelation, the proofs are happily condensed, well arranged, and ably enforced.

We would earnestly request those who look with suspicion upon modern revivals of religion, to read the whole of sermon tenth, by the Rev. Baxter Dickinson, with the bible open before them, and fervent prayer to God for the illumination of his Spirit.

The sermon of Dr. Woods, on the duties of the rich, should be read over once a month, by all professed christians whom God has intrusted with wealth, until they feel the whole weight of their responsibility, and enjoy all the luxury of their high privilege.

The sermon of the Rev. William Patton, on the duty and importance of special efforts for the conversion of cities, is happily conceived, and the subject is ably illustrated. The fourth reason by which he enforces the duty, of making such efforts, contains a powerful appeal to the conscience and the heart.

The closing paragraph of Rev. Daniel A. Clark's sermon, from the text "as in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man," is as just, as it is fearfully eloquent.

From Dr. Beecher's masterly and triumphant militant discourse before the American Board, we should be glad to make large quotations; but this discourse is already so extensively known, as to render it unnecessary.

To three short sermons by the same author, entitled The gospel the only security, for eminent and abiding national prosperity which have, with great propriety, been stereotyped, we can only make a passing allusion. Would to God, that the great truths which they contain, were indelibly engraven on the hearts of all the rulers and people of this land.

How ably and appropriately Professor Halsey has enforced the duty and privilege of praying for all in authority, we have not space left to show, either by extracts or analysis; but we can assure our readers, that his two discourses will richly repay the christian patriot for a careful and repeated perusal.

And now, in conclusion, we take the liberty of pressing the duty of sustaining the National Preacher, at the highest elevation, to which the talents and piety of our ablest minis

ters can raise it. The great difficulty which the editor has had to encounter hitherto, is, as we have reason to know, to procure sermons of the right stamp for the Preacher, notwithstanding the long list of clergymen, from whom he received early encouragement. Now, if such a work is wanted, if, as experience proves, it can be circulated in every part of the United States, and if it can be made to exert a powerful influence in favor of sound doctrine and vital piety, surely it ought to be promptly and ably sustained. And how can any man who is qualified to speak to the nation, do more good, than by devoting a portion of his time to this object? Already has Mr. Dickinson circulated many thousands of the Preacher gratuitously; and he is constantly ready to supply benevolent societies or individuals, with the numbers, for distribution, at tract prices. For aught that appears to the contrary, the monthly edition may soon be increased to twenty or thirty thousand, to be read in families, in the conference room, in vacant congregations, and in the new and scattered settlements along the whole line of our vast frontier. Let it never be said that all this incalculable amount of good has failed of being done, through the neglect of those whose duty it was to furnish the instruction.

ART. III.-REVIEW OF DUNALLAN.

Dunallan: or, Know what you judge: In two volumes, by the Author of "The Decision,' ""Father Clement," etc. etc.

RELIGIOUS novels have been multiplied within a few years, to an extent which indicates, with several concurrent facts, a striking peculiarity in the taste of the christian public. This peculiarity, we believe, consists in the demand for incessant excitement, of which these books, while they are so natural a manifestation, are also, in their turn, as will here

after

appear, no inconsiderable a cause. In our opinion, the increase of the present class of productions, is referrible to such a suspicious state of public feeling, rather than to any characteristic which we dare pronounce to be worthy of commendation. The taste, here spoken of, is common to the whole reading world; and, in search of its appropriate enjoyment, is restricted to no one department of intellectual effort. Whatever is the subject, whether politics, philosophy, natural science, or history, it must borrow its extrinsic attractions, or derive its power of excitement, from the form of a

romance, and it were well, if romance was in no case its essence. With such a tendency among readers generally, it was a matter of course that authors would not miss the opportunity of arraying religion, also, in the fashionable costume. That must produce its share of excitement, and thus awaken deeper interest, even though it be well ascertained that, on so momentous a subject, feeling is not "the whole duty of man."

The motives of those good men or women who have chosen to make novels a vehicle of religious instruction, we presume not to judge; but we are free to say, that very little can be hoped, for christian faith and morals, from these endeavors, however well intended. As it has become common to develope religion in connection with a luscious story, we know many well approve of the device on that account. But the vulgar error, that one must needs be in the fashion, will not, we trust, have an unlimited currency with the christian public, for christianity itself exists only by its opposition to fashion"the fashion of this world." Perhaps the writers in question, knowing that many readers repel the subject of religion with a force proportioned to the seriousness with which it is urged upon their consideration, have thought that such readers might be tempted to regard it with more favor, when decked in the fascinating attire of fiction. It is doubtless hoped, that their aversion at least, to reading on the subject, will be overcome by an allurement of this kind; and it is perhaps believed, that the heart will be taken through this pious stealth, just as we contrive to make children willing to receive medicine, by exhibiting it in a honied medium. As a method of promoting the spiritual interests of christians, if that be the design of these books, it can be shown to possess but little significancy; and even as to others, we think we can point out "a more excellent way."

In regard to children, it may, to a certain extent, answer a good purpose to call their attention to piety, through the medium of fiction. Those story-books which seem to be demanded by their early years, may and should be made to inqulcate true wisdom and virtue, along with their professed design of imparting amusement: and it is an occasion of devout gratitude, that our youth enjoy means of instruction so superior to those which were possessed, when Blue Beard, The Seven Wise Masters of Greece, The Noble Slaves, The Arabian Nights Entertainment, and similar productions, constituted the intellectual recreation of the nursery. Not that benefit was in no case derivable from such reading, for it is possibly better that children should be engaged in this, than