Quarterly List of New Books and Pamphlets [pp. 302-304]

QUARTERLY LIST
OF
NEW BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.
The Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin, explained and enforced in two
Discourses. By H. A. Boardman, Pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian
Church, Philadelphia. Philadelphia: William S. Martien. 1839. pp.
124.
These Sermons having been heard by the people of Mr. Boardman's charge,
"with great interest and satisfaction," as is stated in the letters of the elders of
the church, a request was made for their publication, that others might have
the advantage of perusing them. It is not always wise in ministers to comply
with such requests. A sermon may be heard with much interest by a people
attached to their pastor, which the public may receive with great indifference.
The interest excited by its delivery is often to be ascribed either to the eloquence
of the preacher, or to the peculiar circumstances of the congregation. In coming
before the public it is despoiled of all the advantage which the preacher's manner may have given it, and it appears before a less partial tribunal. When,
however, the subject is not only of intrinsic importance, but of general interest,
a pastor may fairly presume that what has proved instructive to his own people, will also prove useful to others. This is certainly the case as it regards the
subject of these discourses. The doctrine of original sin is not only one of the
most important doctrines of the Bible, but it has been of late years the prominent
subject of discussion and controversy in our church. The public attention has
been repeatedly called to it; serious errors and grave misrepresentations have
been assiduously propagated with respect to it, and the people are anxious to
know the truth in relation to this matter. There was a call, therefore, for just
such instruction as these sermons furnish; and we have no doubt that the
favourable judgment of Mr. Boardmnan's own congregation respecting them, will
be sustained by the verdict of the public. They are excellent sermons. The
first discusses the subject of native depravity; the second that of imputation.
On both these points the truth is presented with singular clearness, and supported by an array of argument which is presented with judgment and force.
Both in the letter addressed to his elders, prefixed to the volume, and in the appendix, Mr. Boardman gives several interesting extracts, illustrating the statements made in the sermons, and proving how serious are the departures from
the doctrine of the Scriptures and of the Reformed Churches, which are now
publicly avowed even by Presbyterian ministers.
This volume is very handsomely printed, and the edition, we understand, was
small. We hope it will soon appear in a form adapted for a wider circulation.