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of the necessity and the nature of Christ's mediation.

"To one who has been a friend, or virtuous being, it may in general be safe and expedient to do a kindness. But when it is done to an enemy, as a sinner may be viewed in relation to his God, it must be done circumspectly.

In the former case, the process may be plain and easy. In the latter, preliminary considerations may be needful. The rights of the divine govern ment may require to be guarded, the laws honoured, religion exalted, and the obligation to the practice of holiness, with the inexcusableness of sin, exhibited by additional light. Pardoning mercy, as delineated in the gospel, is an exemplification of the character of a righteous God. It is dignified, as it is benignant, grand whilst it is mild; embracing justice to created beings in general, as well as commiseration to offenders."

While we think the sentiment here expressed honorary to God and full of moral beauty; we are quite unable to discover its pertinence in this place, where the writer is professedly pointing out the effects of gospel reconciliation. A correct arrangement, we apprehend, would have considered the measures here mentioned, as prerequisite to reconciliation and peace. We cannot help remarking that the second particular, as well as this, has, at best, a very obscure connexion with the idea of effects. We however notice with satisfaction, the passage, in which the writer impressively illustrates the happiness, which natural and moral evil will, on the principle of contrast, occasion to the redeemed. It is a noble thought, solving a thousand doubts.

The friends of evangelical truth will be pleased to find such sentiments as these; that the plan of man's redemption is tran

scendently glorious among the works of God; that it is the principal work in the moral system; that the good resulting from the death of Christ was so great, as to absorb the idea of the evil, affording to the mind of the Father the enjoyment of infinite felicity on the whole; that there is abundant evidence of a peculiar predilection for the saints in the divine counsels, according to John xvii.; that some plan of divine government, in its nature completely glorious, wise, and good, must in reality exist; that whatever this may be, it must necessarily look beyond time into eternity, embrace all events, include all beings, and comprehend all worlds; that while the greatest display will ultimately be made of the perfections of its author, the object, on the whole, is the highest possible good of the vast system; that even the perpetual punishment of fallen angels and impenitent men is to be viewed as a partial evil, admitted for the sake of the general good; that there is not a single event, at any time, among any beings, or in any world, incapable of subjection to the design of infinite benevolence; and so that saints and angels will have reason through eternity to unite in the anthem," Halleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reign

eth."

These sentiments not only lay the foundation for pious acquiescence and joy in Jehovah's administration, but directly excite to the most cheerful and zealous co-operation with him.

The answer to an objection against endless punishment, in the note, p. 18, 19, deserves attention.

The application of the subject

to the occasion is agreeable. This discourse, though far from being perfect in the arrangement of its parts, must, on the whole, be considered an excellent missionary sermon.

A Sermon, preached before the Convention of the [Congregational] Clergy of Massachusetts, in Boston, May 29, 1806. By JOSEPH LYMAN, D. D. Pastor of the Church in Hatfield. Boston. Carlisle.

and of his sentiments relative to a correct and profitable method of preaching, may be collected from the following paragraphs.

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"Would we follow the copy set us by our Divine Teacher, we must de.. clare to our hearers the whole counsel of God, without suppressing any part, through fear of giving offence, or of bringing ourselves into personal trouble, from the resentment of others. Our Lord never pleased his hearers with this honied doctrine, that there is in man by nature a seed of virtue, which needs only to be cultivated in order to elicit the fruits of holiness, and render us pleasing to God. taught, that the soul of man lies in ruins, under the power of spiritual death, wholly indisposed to every thing, which the law and gospel of God require; that in order to perform the duties and obtain the privileges of his kingdom, we must be born gain, not by a change wrought by lucid argumentation, and moral suasion, but by a change produced by the supernatural agency of the Spirit of God, subduing our natural inclinations, and giving an entirely new and different taste from that which we

brought with us into the world.

"On this ground of the total depravity of the human heart, we must, as he has taught us, lay the foundation of his mysterious scheme of gospel grace. From this doctrine we must deduce the necessity of a DIVINE SAVIOUR, one who by his obedience can glorify the law, and by his death answer its infinite demands and make expiation for sin. Upon this

THE theme of this discourse is selected from 1 Cor. xi. 1. and Acts x. 38. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ, who went about doing good. Its "leading design," says the preacher," is to persuade myself and those who hear me, toa careful imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the active and unwearied benevolence of his life." A design equally important in itself, and appropriate to the occasion. "The glories of our Immanuel's benevolence" are illustrated by a view of the "humiliation, self-denial, and suffering" to which he submitted, "for the benefit and salvation of men ;" of "his assiduous labours in teach-ground of man's infinite guilt, and uting them those doctrines and duties, which would render them acceptable to God ;" and of " the numberless kind offices, which he performed, for the relief and happiness of their souls and bodies." This bright and animating example is then, in a forcible and affectionate manner, recommended to the imitation of the ministers of the gospel.

An idea of the author's style,

ter helplessness, rests the necessity of a Mediator, who by uniting in his mysterious person the natures of God and man, could work out a righteousness equal to the claims of law and jus tice upon the original transgressor. As did our Master, so must we his ministers lay the ax at the root of human pride and vanity, and level all pretensions to original and inherent righteousness, and bring guilty man a bankrupt and criminal to the footstool of free, absolute and sovereign grace, to seek redemption by the blood of the Son of God.

"All our preaching, which loses sight of these doctrines of human depravity, and of an atonement made for sin by the death of a Divine Saviour, and of a spiritual union to him through that faith, which is of the operation of his Spirit; all our preaching, which eludes these points of gospel doctrine, tends only to dishonour God, to reproach our Saviour, and to carry the souls of sinners down the current of delusion and false security, to the gulph of perdition. Let us then follow Christ by urging and reurging these humbling doctrines, as we hope to do good to the souls of men." It has been frequently objected to sermons constructed on the plan above recommended, that they are deficient in practical instruction, and almost wink out of sight the moral and social virtues. However just this remark may be, in some instances, no such censure can be justly applied to the present discourse. Dr. L. is not a more ardent ad

vocate for the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel, than for its mild and beneficent virtues. The religion, which he inculcates, while it humbles the soul to the footstool of mercy, causes the heart to melt with compassion, and overflow with benevolence. In his representation, Christianity appears not a detached fragment, but a beautiful whole. The following remarks, on some parts of the character of Christ, are just and striking.

"We find our Divine Teacher at marriages and feasts; not, indeed, engaged in the idle and dissipated mirth of the guests, not participating in their noisy festivity, but teaching them benevolence to the poor and destitute. It was his object, while their hearts were open, to instil into them the feelings of humanity and compassion to sufferers; to dispose the rich, as the stewards of God's bounty, to re lieve the distresses of the indigent; to diffuse through their souls the sensations of love, of liberality and kind

ness to the whole family of Adam; to teach the affluent, that the use of riches is to make men happy by diffusive charities, not to pamper the animal appetites of their possessors, not to emblazon their names, as men of taste and splendour. This Master in Israel would counsel the master of the feast not to make his halls and his tables theatres for the display of magnificence, for prescribing rules of precedence among dying worms, but to make them a school of humility, where are taught those honourable regards which men owe to others, by going and taking the lowest place, and in selves; that the glory of an entertainhonour preferring others before them. ment is to furnish supplies for the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind, that the cravings of hunger may be satisfied, the tears of grief dried up, the sinking heart of indigence and wo raised to self enjoyment and gladness, and that widows and orphans may partake in the bounties, and sing the praises of the common Father of

men."

On the whole, we doubt not

that the serious and candid reader will find in this sermon, a repast. It is evidently the offspring of a masculine understanding, and a feeling heart. It contains precious and weighty truths, clothed in natural, energetic expressions. It exhibits its author in a light highly honourable to a Christian minister. He is much impressed himself, anxious to impress others, and too much absorbed in the greatness of his subject, to be ambitious of the lighter ornaments of style. Z.

A treatise on the diseases of chil

dren, and management of infants from the birth. By MICHAEL UNDERWOOD, M.D. Licentiate in midwifery of the royal college of physicians in London; physician to her highness the Princess of Wales; and senior physician to the British lying-in hospital. Three volumes in one.

Second American, from the sixth London edition. Boston. David West. 1806.

with a professed design to furnish parents with this necessary information. He has, therefore, accommodated his language to the apprehension of unlearned readers.

Were the theory of physic divested of its learned rubbish, it would be less arduous to the student, and by becoming plain, would become more useful. The writer of this review has enjoyed the advantages of a medical education, and makes these remarks from no invidious feelings. He only wishes a more general diffusion of necessary information among his fellow-citizens. The book under consideration is particularly adapted to effect this desirable object. The judicious parent, and regular practioner will feel themselves instructed in their treatment of a numerous, a helpless, but important part of the human race. Infancy is a period of peculiar importance in human life. The foundation is then laid, in the strength and vig our of the constitution, for the health and happiness of the future man. By improper treatment, the seeds of numerous diseases are sown, which bring forth a noxions harvest through life. A very large proportion of the human family die in infancy. From the imbecility of infants, and the numerous diseases to which they are incident, they claim peculiar care and attention.

Dr. Underwood is among the few medical writers, who can be read understandingly, and profitably, by all classes in the community. Medical books have generally been as unintelligible to all who have not been bred to the profession, as the writings of Celsus, Galen, and Hippocrates. Persons unacquainted with the Greek and Latin languages, are necessarily precluded from acquiring any information from the writings of the faculty. By retaining so many Latin and many Latin and Greek terms, in the names, descriptions, and remedies of diseases, the healing art is rendered as obscure as a system of judicial astrology. Hence, it is come to pass, that the community are wholly unacquainted with the names of diseases, and with the nature of the most useful and simple remedies. Though medical books are exceedingly numerous, the public remain almost wholly uninformed. Had divines retain ed Latin and Greek epithets, or should they, at once, adopt the unintelligible jargon of Don Scotus, and Thomas Aquinas, who could find the way to heaven? And why people in general should be denied an acquaintance with the means of preserving and restoring health, no good reason can be assigned. Parents, in particular, to whom the life This work is designed for the and health of their children are nursery, and how well it is adaptcommitted, ought to be furnished to that purpose, its numerous ed with such a stock of medical editions in London, in a short information, as will enable them to take care of this precious deposit, without calling in professional aid on every occurrence. Doctor Underwood has written

time, may evince. The style is neat and unadorned. The Doctor commences his work in the following manner, which will give a specimen of his style and

exhibit his intention in the tially impairs the health; the founda

work.

"The attention which the author has long bestowed on the disorders of children, he would presume to hope, may have enabled him to furnish an intelligent and correct account of them. If the very favourable reception of his former labours, by readers not educated to the profession, has conspired to raise so flattering a conjecture, it has, at the same time, induced him to spare no pains in adapting one exclusively to their use, and particularly to mothers of families. The writer has, indeed, long lamented the very improper method in which the disorders of in

tion of a future good or bad constitution being frequently laid in a state of infancy. Whereas, if its complaints are prudently managed, the tenderest children, after being, for a time, reduced by various debilitating complaints, turn out exceedingly healthy; the resources of infancy, as I shall have frequent occasion to notice, being as astonishing, as they are happily adapted to the great variety of ac cidents to which it is liable."

After obviating a few objec tions, the Doctor proceeds to take up the little helpless stranger, as soon as he enters on this state of disease and death. He assiduously attends him through the precarious period of infancy, describing his numerous com

fants have been treated by those, who design them the greatest kindness, but whose mistaken opinions too often counteract their benevolent intentions. The laudable affection of the fondest mother frequently becomes a source of manifold injury to her tender off-plaints, and suggesting to the spring. And this has not only been anxious mother, the proper remthe case among the lower class of peo- edies. Having, in the two first ple, or in situations where medical as- volumes, treated infantile disorsistance is procured with difficulty, but ders; he commences his third, even in the metropolis itself, and in the with a critical, but plain inquiry higher ranks of the community; where many prejudices repugnant to into the properties of human the ease and health of children have milk. He remarks, long prevailed. Interesting, indeed, and important to society as is the subject of children's diseases, it has been generally regretted by the best writers, that this branch of medicine has remained too much uncultivated; and, indeed, until of late years, little more has been done, than getting rid of the wild prejudices and prescriptions of the old writers, which have too often served only to obscure the true nature of children's disorders. How fatal such a neglect must be, is sufficiently obvious, since the destruction of infants is eventually the destruction of adults, of population, wealth, and every thing that can prove useful to society, or add to the strength and grandeur of a kingdom. It may more. over be observed, that where mismanagement at this period does not actually destroy life, it often very essen

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"Whatever splendour the actual treatment of diseases may reflect on the science of medicine, it by no means comprehends the whole of its province. For prevention being in every case preferable to remedies, the medical art would be more imperfect than other sciences, were it only devoted to the latter. In a view to this, an introduction is given on the nature and properties of human milk, as more especially connected with the subject of this volume; which it is hoped, will exhibit a plan as rational in design, as the author is led to believe it has been successful in its application."

The whole work is cordially recommended to judicious mothers, for whom it was principally designed.

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