Lectures on the Atheistic Controversy. By Rev. B. Godwin, D. D. [pp. 576-587]

Church and Slate.
to the Marys, or to the women of Galilee, as the first witnesses, might have drawn more visitors around them, than
they could conveniently, or wisely, or safely welcome. Thus
both their character and life might have been perilled, had
their names been made as public and imperishable in the
epistles, as they were in the gospels. Paul's silence, therefore, was the shield of their holy reputation, and of their
precious life. Both these were hazarded quite enough, by
the publicity and popularity which their names had acquired
in Judea." In the same strain the author proceeds to the
end of the chapter. We called the sentiments here expressed
new, and we should be surprised to learn that such thoughts
had ever before entered any human mind; and we doubt
whether any sound mind, now when they are proposed, will
be disposed to adopt them. To us, this whole train of thought
appears supremely ridiculous. It is an instance of egregious
trifling in expounding scripture. But although we cannot
but judge such remarks to be injudicious, it is pleasant to
know, that they are not of a nature to do much injury, except
so far as all perversion of the views of the sacred writers is
of bad tendency.
L' Union de l'Eglise et de l'Etat dans la Nouvelle dng leterre, considerde dans ses efets sur la Religion aux
Etats- Unis. Par un Am6ricain. Paris. 1837. pp. 84.
12mo.
THIS, we believe, is a production of our indefatigable
friend and countryman, the Rev. Robert Baird. It is his
second publication in the French language, since he went to
Europe. It was occasioned by the frequent inquiries of his
European friends, as to the entrance of Socinianism and Universalism into the churches of this country, and particularly
those of New England, whith might have been expected,
from the character of their founders, to enjoy the longest
immunity from error and corruption. The author of this
little work gives first a brief sketch of the New England
states, and of the pilgrims, with special reference to ecclesiastical affairs. He then proceeds to point out what he calls
the fundamental error in the organization of the colonies,
viz. the restriction placed on liberty of conscience by connecting civil rights with ecclesiastical or religious standing.
HIe then traces the effect of this arragement, as exhibited in
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