The Missionary Offering, a memorial of Christ's Messengers in Heathen Lands, dedicated to Dr. Judson,8 engravings, 12mo., muslin. We have seen no book of late which, upon a hasty examination, we could more cheerfully and confidently recommend. The history of the labors of Missionaries in foreign lands has always been one of unsurpassed interest to a great class of every community, by whom such enterprizes are conducted, and in no similar work have we seen this history more ably and truthfully set forth than in the one before us.Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. Here is a volume of about four hundred pages, neatly printed and illustrated, made up of the most interesting matter, from the pens of the first writers. Such a work cannot fail to interest. What a glorious band have cast aside the heart-clinging ties of home, country, and friends, and borne the peaceful emblem of Christianity to the darkest climes. Bloody rites have ceased, the funeral flaine is extinguished, the crushing car has ceased to roll, and mental and moral darkness has given away before the silent labors of the missionary. The records of such a history cannot but interest, revealing as they do, some of the sublimest features in the character of man-sacrifices and toils and triumphs, before which the brightest achievements of earth dwindle into folly. Cayuga Chief. THE MISSIONARY OFFERING is composed of poetical and prose writings of rare excellence, reminiscences and incidents connected with foreign and home missions, &c. We consider it a valuable and interesting book, especially to the Christian and philanthropist, and all who look upon the missionary enterprise as an institution, under the guidance of Providence, for the moral regeneration of the world.-Geneva Gazette. Rational Psychology, or the subjective idea and the objective law of all intelligence: by Laurens P. Hickok, D. D., Professor of Christian Theology in the Theological Seminary, Auburn. The few, not the many, will find pleasure and improvement in the study of a treatise like this, discussing with much ability and research, indicative of close and patient thought, the abstruse science of mind, and reaching principles by a careful induction of well arranged and considered facts. The author has favorably intro duced himself, in this work, to the thinking portion of the religious public, and will calmly await the verdict of the learned world upon this elaborate performance. It is a handsomely printed octavo of 700 pages.-N. Y. Observer. BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY DERBY & MILLER. Golden Steps to Respectability, Usefulness and Happiness; being a series of Lectures to the youth of both sexes on Character, Principles, Associates, Amusements, Religion, and Marriage. By JOHN MATHER AUSTIN. Derby, Miller & Co., Auburn, 1850. 243 pp. The author of this book is a writer of superior attraction, and has here selected a subject of deep interest. Could the youth of the country be induced to exchange the Buntline, Lippard, and Ingraham literature of the day, for such reading as this, the benefits to themselves and society would be incalculable.-Lockport Courier. We honor the heart of the writer of this volume as well as his head. He has here addressed an earnest and manly appeal to the young, every page of which proves his sincerity and his desire for their welfare. The subjects treated of in the different lectures are those indicated on the title page. Integrity and virtue, usefulness, truth and honor, are the "Golden Steps" by which the young may ascend to respectability, usefulness, and happiness. We trust the seed thus sown will not be without its fruit, and that his readers will imbibe the spirit of the motto he has chosen "Onward! onward! toils despising, Upward upward! turn thine eyes, Fix thy goal amid the skies." -Albany State Register. The work of Mr. Austin, written in a pleasing style, and nervous and pointed in its argumentation, will hold a prominent position among the fortunate endeavors by which the rising generation are to be influenced. The volume before us is beautiful in its exterior, and this, combined with the aim of the author, in which he has admirably succeeded, will give it a wide range, and secure for it, we hope, an invaluable influence.-Buffalo Christian Advocate. A plain, familiar, forcible exposition of the duties and responsibilities of Youth, which can hardly be read without exerting a salutary and lasting influence. Judging from the popularity of Mr. Austin's former works, we predict for it a wide circulation.-New York Tribune. If the precepts eloquently and forcibly urged in these pages could be brought home and impressed upon the minds of the mass of youth in our land, they would confor lasting and incalculable benefits upon the rising generation. We cordially commend this work to the attention of the young and all who have charge of them. The publishers have executed their work admirable, and have brought out an elcgant and beautiful book. Their work will compare favorably with any of the New York houses. Troy Post. The following extract has reference to the "golden steps" of the President of the United States, Millard Fillmore :-(See page 69.) The Lives of Mary and Martha, mother and wife of Washington: by Margaret C. Conkling, with a steel portrait, 18mo, scarlet cloth. MISS CONKLING, who is a daughter ef Judge Conkling of Auburn, is favorably known as the author of Harper's translation of "Florian's History of the Moors of Spain." She also wrote "Isabel, or the Trials of the Heart." In the preparation of the pretty little volume she has done a praiseworthy deed, and we hope she will receive the reward she merits. She has taught us in the work "how divine a thing A woman may be made." The mother and wife of Washington were, in many respects, model women, and the daughters of America will do well to study their character which is finely drawn on these pages.- Literary Messenger. This beautifully printed and elegantly bound little work, reflecting the highest credit upon the skill and task of the publishers, contains biographical sketches of Mary, the mother, and Martha, the wife of the Father of his country. It is a most valuable contribution to the history of the American people, embracing not only the great public events of the century during which the subjects lived, but those pictures of home life, and that exhibition of social manners and customs, which constitute the most important part of life, but which, from the fact of their apparent triviality and intangibility, the historian generally passes over. The auilioress evidently sympathises earnestly with her subject, and feels that in the exhibition, of those wonianly virtues which characterized the heroines of her narrative, she makes the most eloquent plea in favor of the dignity of her sex. It is dedicated to Mrs. WM. II. SEWARD, and contains a finely executed engraving of the wife of Washington. We cordially commend it to the public, and most especially our lady readers.-Syracuse Journal. This acceptable and well written volume goes forth upon a happy mission, "To teach us how divine a thing A woman may be made," by unfolding those charms of character which belong to the mother and wife of the hero of the Land of the Free; and in the companionship of which, while they illus trated the watchful tenderness of a mother, and the confiding affections of a wife, is shown those influences which made up the moral sentiments of a man, whose moral grandeur will be felt in all that is future in government or divine in philosophy; and one whose name is adored by all nations, as the leader of man in in the progress of government, to that perfection of human rights where all enjoy liberty and equality. To say that Miss Conkling has fulfilled the task she says a "too partial friendship has assigned her" faultlessly, would perhaps be too unmeasured praise, for perfection is seldom attained; but it will not be denied but that her biographies are traced in the chaste elegances that belong to the finished periods of a refined style, which fascinates the reader with what she has thus contributed to our national literature. The design of the volume is, to picture a mother fitting the "Father of his Country in a light full of the inexhaustible nobleness of woman's nature, and yet as possessing that subdued and quiet simplicity, where Truth becomes the Hope on which Faith looks at the future with a smile. The mother of Washington was tried in a school of practice where frugal habits and active industry were combined with the proverbial excellences of those Virginia matrons, who were worthy mothers of such men as Washington, Jefferson, Marshall, and Henry. Miss C. has pictured with fidelity and elegance, her views of this remarkable woman; not less beautifully has she sketched the character of Martha, the wife; following her from her brilliant manners as the Virginia belle, through the various phases of her life, she gives a rapid but comprehensive view of those characteristics which make up the quiet retinement of manners native to her, and which ever gave her the reputation of an accomplished wite and lady. And with peculiar delicacy Miss Conkling has portrayed the thousand virtues with which she embellished a home; her amiable disposition and winning manners made the happiest to the purest and best of all Rien fame has chosen for its noblest achievments.- Syracuse Star. |