Short Notices [pp. 347-357]

Short Notices.
but which lead directly away from Christ. There are sometimes
difficulties, which even the sincere inquirer cannot fully remove.
Every minister of the gospel-if his ministry is at all successful-must constantly meet with cases like these. In this little
volume Mr. Rowland has given us, in a clear and forcible way,
his own ministerial experience. The errors into which men
commonly fall, are exposed, objections to the truth obviated,
and the sinner led to Christ, and faith in his blood as the only
path of life. This is true as a whole. And yet there are
thoughts and phrases occurring now and then throughout the
book, to which we cannot subscribe; which to our minds do not
convey the full sense of Scripture; and which, in the hands of
some, would give rise to partial and wrong views of the truth.
The Educational Systems of the Puritans and' Jesuits Compared. By
IN. Porter, Professor of Moral Philosophy, etc., Yale College. New
York: Published by M. W. DI)odd, Brick Church Chapel, 1851.
We know no better way of conveying a just idea of this
essay, than to give an outline of the course of thought. The
names Jesuit and Puritan are chosen as the best representatives
of two opposite tendencies and institutions. They are not used
in their strict sense. The author then proceeds to consider the
principles of these two opposite systems. The Jesuit is distinguished by its military character, the absolute authority of
the superior, the entire merging, or rather absorption of the
individual will and conscience in the organism of the society.
The Puritan, on the other hand, by the freedom which it gives
the individual; a freedom which springs from and is limited by
the truth that it brings men into a direct and personal relation
to God; and makes them responsible to him.
The history and effects of these two systems of education are
as different as their principle. The Puritan has sought, and
must seek to educate every man. The Jesuit strives to educate
only the wealthy and powerful. The Puritan is deeply religious, but its religion is free, and the result of conviction. The
Jesuit is religious also, but its religion knows no conviction; it
is blind subjection to authority.
What is, and will be the influence of these two systems in our
own land, where they are for the first time fairly met, working
upon the same material, and both are allowed,to work without
restraint? The Jesuit has the advantage in authority and discipline; it can command oftentimes abler teachers, it makes more
accomplished scholars, acute logicians, and men ready at all
points to defend their opinions. The Puritan, on the other
1851.]
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