Short Notices [pp. 347-357]

Short Notices.
their tendency. The character of the subjects may be judged
of from a few samples taken at random from various parts of
the volume:-The Conservative Principle of our Literature:
Ministerial Responsibility: The Church the Home and Hope of
the Free: The Jesuits as a Missionary Order: The Life and
Times of Baxter: The Sea giving up its Dead: The Lessons of
Calamity: The Church a School for Heaven.
Reveries of a Bachelor, or a Book of the Heart. By Ik. Marvel, author of
"Fresh Gleanings." Seventh edition. New York: Baker & Scribner
1851. 12mo, pp. 298.
A beautifully printed, very clever, and exceedingly popular
book, containing a great deal of truth in the drapery of a genial
and playful fancy; not, however, very much in our line.
The Closing Scene; or Christianity and Infidelity contrasted in the last
hours of remarkable persons. By the Rev. Erskine Neale, M. A., Rector
of Kirton Suffolk. Published by R. E. Peterson, N. W. corner of Fifth
and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 1850.
The title page points out clearly enough the design of this
volume. We are not left however to judge of the effects of the
two systems here contrasted, simply from the death-beds of
those who held them. The author has wisely prefixed condensed and sometimes very interesting narratives to these
"Closing Scenes," which add greatly to the life of the book,
and the force of his conclusions. There are some things
which have no immediate connection with the course of the argument, and which could well have been spared in a work like
this; but generally, the sentiments are just, the argument well
sustained, and the style plain and forcible. The work will do
good with a class of minds who will feel the force of such an
argument as this, but upon whom the most laboured demonstrations would have no effect. We should do injustice
to the publisher, if we failed to notice the uncommon neatness and beauty with which he has given this work to the
public.
The PTath of Lfe. By Henry A. Rowland, New York: Published b
M. W. Dodd, Brick Church Chapel, 1851. y
Though the gospel is in itself simple, and the way of life so
plain that none need mistake, yet the natural blindness of the
heart is perpetually leading men astray. The false refuges of
an awakened conscience are almost innumerable. There are
paths which seem to run side by side with " the path of life,"
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