which they should assume. If we mistake not, he would in this case have done more justice to his real sentiments. For although we believe that he has great faith in the efficacy of the protracted meeting, yet we think he would be as ready as any man to question the expediency of any one unchangeable measure or set of measures, and to acknowledge that different measures answer best at different times.

From the subject of Revivals, Dr. Pond passes to the duty of a pastor as to enlisting the co-operation of his church in his schemes of usefulness. A well-written lecture is devoted to this topic. Another canvasses the pastor's duties toward the youth of his flock. Another discusses his relations to the charitable objects of the day. In this lecture, Dr. Pond takes up the question of agencies, and shows with great clearness and force that they cannot yet be dispensed with. There are, however, one or two statements which we should have been glad to see in a form somewhat inore guarded.

"We occasionally," says Dr. Pond, "find a Pastor, wh can be his own agent, and who will take efficient care of all chari able objects among his people. Perhaps it would be well if all Past 'rs were of this stamp. But it cannot be disguised, that this is not t. e fact; nor is likely to be very soon. Some Pastors are not fitted, a apted, to do the work of agents. They could not well do it, even it they were called to engage in it as an employment. Others, who cou. do it, are exceedingly averse to it, especially among their own peop They prefer that some one should come and plead the cause of benevolence, rather than undertake the work themselves. Even in the primitive churches, the Pastors needed jogging and helping in the matter of collecting their charitable contributions; and the Apostle Paul and his corps of Evangelists were not unwilling to be employed occasionally, as agents for this important purpose." P. 233.

These statements seem to leave the impression, that it is only few ministers who may hope to present the object of be. nevolence successfully to their flocks. We venture to suggest, whether it is not rather only a few who may not indulge this hope; and whether the many ought not to be urged to qualify themselves, and keep themselves qualified, for the duty. A

THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. NO. I.

4

mere "aversion" to a duty certainly ought not to be received as an excuse for not performing it; and in this case, as in many others, when the duty is honestly attempted, aversion often gives place to delight. To us it seems evident, that pastors need some impulse of this sort, to induce them to maintain a familiar acquaintance with the benevolent movements of the day; and why may they not keep themselves as familiar, considering all the facilities enjoyed at present, as any agent -except indeed he be one of the secretaries of our benevolent organizations? We confess that there is, in many quarters, a deficiency among pastors on this point. Our only objection to Dr. Pond's views is, that he seems to regard this deficiency as a necessary one, and does not address himself, with his usual energy, to having it remedied. It should be remarked, however, in justice to Dr. Pond, that he prescribes no small amount of labor for the pastor, as well as the agent, to perform in regard to those objects-an amount which the pastor hardly can perform without becoming a good agent himself.

Beside the lectures already noticed, there are excellent ones on the Pastor's duty in relation to the induction of others into the ministry-his intercourse with other ministers and churches of his own denomination-his relations to other denominations-the duties which he owes to himself to his family his political duties. The lecture on Respect for the Ministry, discussing the questions, Whether this respect is greater or less now than formerly, and How it may be forfeited and how retained, is one of great interest. The lecture on Frequent Dismissions-causes and remedies-is in Dr. Pond's happiest style. That on withdrawing from the Ministry deserves attentive consideration. And the last, on the results of faithful pastoral labor, forms an appropriate close to the series.

On the whole, the book is worthy of its author and worthy of New-England. If it has any faults, they "lean to virtue's side," arising from the ardent and active spirit of the writer; and they are faults of a very trivial character, compared with

the solid and manifest excellences of the book. Dr. Pond will receive the thanks of many "Young Pastors" for this valuable "Guide." Those who formerly listened to these lectures, will rejoice to renew their acquaintance with them, and will perceive that they retain not a little of that earnest and paternal spirit in which they were first delivered. All sincere men in the ministry, or looking forward to it, will be glad to be presented with a comprehensive survey of the field of pastoral duty, and with a high standard of the fidelity which ought to be exhibited. In recent years, much has been said, through the religious newspapers and other channels, in regard to the exorbitant demands made upon ministers at the present period: and to a degree justly. Yet there is danger in remarks of this kind. There is a tendency to narrow down the sphere of ministerial duty, and to relax the force of conscientious impulses in a minister's heart. According to some, a minister need attend no social meetings, need preach no lectures, need make no visits, except to the sick and afflicted. To preach on the Sabbath, to attend funerals, and to solemnize marriages, constitute about the amount of his ordinary duties. Doubtless there are ministers to whom these indulgences are indispensable-whose health and strength would not hold out otherwise. But they are exceptions to a general rule. Most ministers need to be stimulated, rather than held back. They have hearts like those of other men. Give them liberty to do little, and they will do little. They need to be told that there is much for them to do, and that they must do it. Neither in the church, nor in the ministry, does the danger at present lie in the direction of excess of zeal and purity and devotedness. Alas! it is too evident that vast masses of ministerial energy lie dormant. There are even sad monuments-just now all too conspicuous-of the fact that ministers can, not only neglect their Master's business, but do the Devil's. Nor would it be strange, if in coming years, with the growing prosperity of the country, and the growing temptations as well of ministers as of others, these monuments should multiply. We want not then to be told,

that there is this and that and the other old-fashioned pastoral duty that we may omit. Nor yet is it the main lesson which we have to learn-though a true lesson-that the measure of our literary, our biblical and theological attainments is low, and must be elevated. Say to us, You have a great work to do-in the study and out of it. The work has many branches; all of which require skill, patience, love. The work is difficult. When best done, it will be poorly done. Christ has sent you into his vineyard to labor. With every breath pray to Him for help. after. We love Baxter because he does

way, has said it too.

Fulfil your calling. Look for rest heresay this, so plainly,

so earnestly, so solemnly. Dr. Pond, in a somewhat different We thank him for painting that panorama of Duty. These are the best of all panoramas to behold, save those of Truth and of Hope.

ARTICLE III.

LANE'S REFUGE OF LIES AND COVERT FROM THE STORM REVIEWED

By Rev. SAMUEL H. Cox, D. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.

The Refuge of Lies, and the Covert from the Storm: being a series of Thirteen Sabbath Evening Lectures on the subject of Future Punishment. By Rev. BENJAMIN I. LANE. Troy, N. Y. 1844.

THE subject of Universalism demands attention, especially on one ground-the damage it does to the souls of men. Some even of the evangelical and orthodox ministry, seem -practically to neglect it as not worthy of their notice. Those whose religion is more scientific or scholastic or metaphysical, it may be, than spiritual and practical and scriptural, may think it altogether beneath their care-because it is so scandalously an absurdity, a sophism, a vain theory. Yes, it is

all this; and were this all it is, the best way of treating it would be with omission and contempt, as a system that is properly no system; a vile heresy that is too palpably false to deserve refutation; a fond and foolish view of things that utterly misrepresents them; a doctrine wholly without evidence and wholly against evidence too.

But there is one other consideration of great moment. It is its practical influence. This is certainly great and as certainly tremendous. Their doctrine is a lie, and its adoption infects the soul. It is received by the spirit of unbelief, as a very necessary solace to its wounds. It blinds, perverts, infatuates the mind. Sin is at once its parent and its offspring; while it entails the bitter pangs of perdition on its voluntary victim. This we aver as our own solemn and sincere belief. Whatever singular or monstrous things may be charitably hoped or imagined, in the way of exception to all rules, and of which we may have much persuasion and no proof, we hold it certain as the rule, that, whatever else the Universalist may be, he is surely not regenerated, he is truly no Christian according to the oracles of God. We cannot believe that the people of Christ are possibly so characterized by soul-subverting, God-denying, and men-destroying error. The elect of God are not perfect in this world indeed; but still they are all characterized as lovers of the truth, as genuine self-renounced disciples, as humble and docile and obedient children, learning progressively the way of the Lord more perfectly. How all this may consist with the error of Universalism, latent or openly professed, we could never see. Nor knew we ever one of them, among quite a number, who even seemed to us to be truly and spiritually pious. They may be naturally amiable in comparison of others; they may be honest, and refined, and urbane, in all their social relations; they may live well, that is, generously and with elegance of manners; they may keep respectable company and wear clean and fashionable clothes; they may be orthodox poli

1 Tale portentum refutatione indignum est.-CALVIN on 1 John 2: 2.