institution is tenderly regarded by members of the senior classes, who came under his immediate instruction. In assuming the presidency of Dickinson College, in Pennsylvania, Dr. Mason sought to carry out his plans, as far as circumstances would allow. Failing health did not permit a long continuance in his office; he resigned, within two years, and retired into private life. His inaugural address, and some lectures on "Evidences of Christianity," entitled "Light of Nature," appear in this edition. The Orations on the death of Washington and Hamilton, give play to the mournful sense of national bereavement, and, in Hamilton's case, of personal loss. His "Warning" to the people, on the eve of Mr. Jefferson's election, indicates his ardent desires that our country should secure the divine care, by considering the character of those she honored with her confidence. This production was a bold movement for one just thirty years of age, and at a time when religion and its ministers were lightly esteemed by a prevalent and fashionable infidelity. Nothing but undaunted patriotism, and love of country would have called forth from one in Dr. Mason's position this glowing address to his countrymen. Our remarks, already extended, require that we should pass other articles without notice. The Sermons are the production of Dr. Mason's early ministry, the republication of a few occasional ones, and more especially, those delivered during the last two years of his ministry, in the city of New York, when necessity compelled him to read his discourses before his people. For the long period of TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, there are no written evidences of any preparation for the regular services of the pulpit, or for the de livery of his Lectures to his theological students; though it is well known that the former commanded the marked attention of his audiences, and that the latter, in the opinion of his students, and confessed by himself, occasioned his mightiest mental efforts, and drew forth his deepest emotions of soul. As a father, feeling for his children; as a preceptor, alive to the improvement of his pupils; above all, as a minister of the grace of God, preparing his little company for enduring the trials, and sharing the triumphs of the ministry of reconciliation, in all the unreserved tenderness of solicitude, hope, and prayer, the treasuries of a gifted mind and glowing heart, were poured out upon their rapt spirits; and more than once have we heard his students state how their pens have been arrested, and their note books closed, under the uncontrollable emotions the discussed subject awakened in both preceptor and pupils. How often have we regretted that these moments of thought and pathos, never forgotten by their sharers, could not have been transferred to others, or that something of the richness of the scene could not have been preserved for the benefit of those who should come after but, alas! no-not even the crumbs of these intellectual repasts are preserved to us, otherwise than they may have become incorporated with the mental action of those who partook of them. Regret is useless. God repeatedly teaches us, he can dispense with any of his creatures, however highly he has endowed them, or used for good their instrumentality. He saith, "Return, ye children of men." In sending forth this edition, the Editor has ventured to make the foregoing observations. No one can regret more than himself that it is unaccompanied by a memoir, but Dr. Mason left so scanty materials, and his history is so interwoven with that of theological and literary education, that its compilation seems to require more personal knowledge, fuller materials, and greater fitness than he has been able to command. He is satisfied that anything he could accomplish would disappoint the public; under this persuasion, he has hitherto turned a deaf ear to all suggestions on the subject. That he will always be of this mind, time and opportunity alone can determine. Thus far, we have acted the part of collector, and arranger, and have sought to make this edition more full by a considerable addition of matter. The whole work is now stereotyped, and there is prefixed a print taken from an approved portrait. The style of its execution, we are satisfied, is worthy of the publishers who issue it, and will be appreciated by the readers. Our residence out of the city has rendered our personal supervision of the press an impossibility, but it is hoped such care has been taken by the publishers as to avoid any material error. May the blessing of God accompany the circulation of these volumes. EBENEZER MASON. Bloomingrove, January, 18, 1849. |