Contemporary Literature [pp. 563-580]

I877.1 Contemporary Literaiture. 57I
first of all, in the interest of religion-to raise up a learned ministry for the
church, and trained leaders in the State, and in every sphere of professional
life. Indeed, it grew more immediately out of the great revival of I740, and
was especially founded and fostered by friends and supporters of that work.
Its history is therefore very largely the history of the early and formative era of
the American Presbyterian Church. The very mention of the names of i's
presidents will show that the history of their successive administrations involves matters of the highest moment in the religious development of our
country.
We trust that this work will command the attention and the circulation it
richly deserves.
Historical Sketch of Presbyterianism within the bounds of the Synod oj
Central New York. By P. H. FOWLER, D.D. Utica: Curtiss & Childs;
pp. 755 I877. This work was alabor oflove, and was prepared and published at the request of the Synod. whose history it records with fullness of
detail, and in so lucid a manner, and in a style so pleasing, as to make it a
book of no ordinary interest even to the general reader. The work could
not have fallen into more competent hands; and most worthily and conscientiously has the task been performed. The history covers a period of
seventy years; and all will agree with the author that the " dealings of the
Spirit with the churches of his own loved denomination on that field have
been remarkable and even wonderful."
Presbyterianism in Central New York was born and nurtured under the
happiest auspices. "The best of ministers waited upon it, generally the
alumni of Eastern colleges and seminaries, intelligent and disciplined,
earnest and faithful, orthodox and orderly; and they saw to it that their
succession was kept up, and candidates for ordination and applicants from
foreign bodies were thoroughly examined as to their piety and literary and
theological attainments." * * "Great stress was laid on doctrinal
truth, and it entered largely into preaching and conversation as the prime
and principal element of Christian experience and living." * *
"Calvanism being the system that was accepted and exacted,"
While the sketches of individual churches and institutions on the field are
a prominent feature, no little space is devoted to revivals, "the jewels and crown
of Presbyterianism in Central New York." They began with "the great
revival of 1799," and have kept up almost continuously down to the present
time. In these revivals originated many, if not the majority, of the churches
>on this favored field. This region was the scene of Mr. Finney's remarkable ministry, which began in I 824, and was the occasion of "violent discussions and animosities in the Presbyterian Church throughout the land."
Dr. Fowler treats this branch of the subject with intelligent discrimination
and sound judgment. His sketch of Mr. Finney, as a man and a preacher,
and the wonderful effects of his preaching, is exceedingly graphic and
interesting. He freely admits his faults and errors, both of manner and