old Congregational system in Connecticut prior to the birth of Backus (which took place Jan. 9, 1724, at Norwich, Ct., he being the son of Samuel and Elizabeth [Tracy] Backus, and a descendant of Governor Winslow); describes his conversion, which took place in the time of the Great Awakening; delineates the causes existing, in the common reception into the church of persons who gave no satisfactory evidence of conversion, which made Backus and many others Separatists; shows how the Separatist churches (so called because not allied to the State,) themselves soon divided on the question of Baptism; and how Backus became, after a perplexed and somewhat inconsistent process, a decided Baptist; narrates his settlement, difficulties and final success at Middleboro', Ms., where the Baptist church of which he died the pastor was gathered Jan. 16th, 1756; gives a very full and interesting account of the long struggle in which Backus was peculiarly and efficiently prominent, which resulted in the final separation of Church and State in Massachusetts; and speaks of his labors as a pastor, evangelist, counsellor, and historian, until his death, which took place Nov. 20, 1806. Were we to take any exception to this work, it would be that the author naturally considers his theme as the center of the events of the time, whereas it was a mere accident. The laws making the Church a State charge, which really form the great subject of the work, were not designed merely for Baptists, but were general in their character, and based on the approved principle that all ought to pay for the support of religious institutions. A much larger number of people of no religion, than of Baptists, were affected by them, and the advantage which many took of laws favoring the latter, serves to explain some cases of apparent hardship,- -as in the word " conscientiously" occurring in these laws, of which great complaint was made. But, for the importance of the subject, the candid and generous spirit of the work, and the ability of the author, this book is well worthy the attention of all who desire a better knowledge of our ecclesiastical history, as altogether the most effective pre28 VOL. I. sentation, on the Baptist side, of matters which all now deplore. A COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE known, and will be found well thumbed upon many a ministerial shelf. For its learning and for its spirit, it retains and will long retain its hold upon the respect and use of Christian scholars. This edition is enriched by some editorial condensation as well as addition, and, on comparing it with our old copy, we decidedly prefer the shape in which it now is, to that in which we have been accustomed to consult it. Its price is reduced, by the change, which is also a good thing in a book. CATHARINE: By the author of "Agnes and the Little Key." Boston: J. E. Tilton & Co., 1859. 12mo., 192 pp. Price 75 cts. "Catharine" was a daughter, nineteen years of age, whose dying hours were filled with the sweetest peace by the presence of her Redeemer. How she died, "more than conqueror,"-The fear of death alleviated, -The search for the departed,―The silence of the dead,―The Redemption of the body, form the channel of thought. 'By the author of Agnes," is enough to tell how pure, how sweet, and how charming is this work from the same heart. A fourth edition of AGNES AND THE LITTLE KEY, (from the same publishers,) is noticeable not only for its outward beauty, but for the extract from the edition recently published in England, which was dedicated, by permission, to the Bishop of London, and to which a beautiful and touching preface was written by the author of "Memorials of Captain Hedley Vicars." THE STATE OF THE IMPENITent Dead, By Alvah Hovey, D. D., Prof. of Christian Theology in the Newton Theological Institution. Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 1859 16mo., pp. 168. Price, 50 cts. An essay read before the Conference of Baptist Ministers of Massachusetts, Oct. 27, 1858, and published at their request; the drift of which is, under a more com prehensive plan, to rebut the idea of the annihilation of the wicked, which is now frequently brought forward. The line of thought, (which is Scriptural throughout,) is:-the soul made originally incorruptible; the meaning of "dead" as the penalty of sin; the consciousness of impenitent souls in the state between bodily death and the judgment; their consciousness and fearful condition in their final state; Biblical objections considered, especially that of the annihilation scheme; and the objections of reason. The main value of this work is in its able analysis of Scripture passages, to which an excellent index refers. THE NEW CONGREGATIONAL HYMN AND TUNE BOOK, for Public, Social, and Private Worship. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co. 1859, large 8vo. pp. 218. A copy of this new candidate for the favor of the churches, is handed us just as this sheet is going to press, when we can spare space only for a very brief notice. It contains 44 Long meter tunes; 50 in Common meter; 21 in Short meter, and 56 in other measures-171 in all. These are printed in connection with 709 select hymns from the Congregational Hymn Book. The page is the clearest and most beautiful we have ever seen, and the selection of tunes we regard as admirable for Congregational singing. The good old melodies are there, that are ineffacably associated with our memories of family worship in childhood, and of those social religious services in which we first took an interest. They appeal to the general heart, and we think this book, which contains them, will be found admirably adapted to the uses of worship. A History of the OLD SOUTH PRAYER MEETING, now ready, is full of the most deeply interesting incidents. From some knowledge of it, we commend it in advance. While the Works of the late Dr. Taylor are publishing, a Memoir of Dr. Bennet Tyler is also in press, with such selections from his sermons and lectures as will present his doctrinal system. The two controversialists will thus again appear before the public-together. Congregational Necrology . Mrs. MARTHA ELISABETH SEAGRAVE, wife of Rev. James C. Seagrave, and daughter of the late John Clark of Providence, died at Scotland, Bridgewater, Ms., Sept. 17, 1858. She was born at Plymouth, Vt., March 12, 1820. She was a conscientious, truth loving and obedient child. Renewed by the grace of God, she became self-distrustful, and humble. Yet she was distinguished through life for her cheerful temper and interest in the welfare of others. Arrived at womanhood, she was found to possess a delicate constitution, but an energy of character not often surpassed; her mind was active, vigorous and admirably balanced; her judgment clear and sound. She exhibited a rare knowledge of human nature and a keen insight into the motives and qualities of others. Her delicate appreciation of others' rights, as well as love for their happiness, made her a safe companion, a prudent counsellor, an invalua ble friend. She was refined in her feelings, warm in her attachments, steadfast in her friendships, forgiving toward them that had injured her; pure in all her conversation, and watchful over her own heart and conduct. Skilled and tasteful in her domestic arrangements, she made home attractive and happy. She loved the employments of the household, and in the intimacies of the family circle, in her relations as a daughter, a sister and a wife, her virtues shone with peculiar lustre. As a pastor's companion she never forgot the welfare of his people, and their claim upon her regard and affection. It was her constant desire to benefit and serve them. While shrinking from no duty which she owed directly to them, she ever sought their good, by heartily sympathising with her husband in all efforts in their behalf, and coöperating with him in every useful endeavor. She honored the office of an ambassador of Christ, and she felt that few duties are more responsible than those of her who is appointed to sympathise and counsel with him in his high calling. During the last months of her life, her interest in the spiritual good of the people grew intense. Many precious messages of love and entreaty were sent from her sick room. She desired that her protracted and distressing illness should in no way interfere with her husband's labors. She was accustomed to say: "Remember your trust; preach Christ; preach faithfully. Do not let me prevent your doing all in your power for the good of your flock." During her years of suffering her mind was sometimes oppressed with a sense of her own sinfulness, and she seemed occasionally to lose her grasp upon the Almighty arm. She dealt unsparingly with her own heart, and thus attained to a high degree of self-knowledge. Though habitually cheerful and happy, she was never satisfied with herself. But during the last weeks of her sickness, all other feelings were apparently overshadowed by peace and holy joy. She frequently exclaimed, "Christ is very precious; I can trust Him wholly!" Self-abasing and self-renouncing, she had often extracted comfort from the blessings which others enjoyed, and had found happiness in comforting those who, like her, needed the oil of consolation and the peace of God. As death drew near ear she felt more and more the surpassing richness of the Redeemer's love. But the closing scene that was the most memorable of all. She gazed up steadfastly into heaven. Her face shone as it had been the face of an angel. She said, "I see my Saviour, I shall soon be with him! Do not mourn, mother, I see father!" Soon she fell asleep in Jesus, without a gasp or groan. Dea. MOSES WEBSTER. This lamented servant of Christ departed to his rest Sept. 20th, 1858. He was born in Haverhill, West Parish, Ms., Jan. 29, 1782, on the spot where his days were spent a place endeared to him by the piety and toil of his ancestors. His parents were members of the same Church to which he belonged, and both of his grandfathers were Deacons. It will be seen that the active period of Dea. Webster's life occurred in days when religious intolerance, in this part of the country, was bearing some of its bitterest fruits. The religious Society, with whose views and feelings he sympathized, did not escape a full share of the evils which many of the Orthodox churches in New England then endured. At the time he made a public profession of religion, March 1823, the Congregational Church, in Haverhill West Parish, had not had a settled Pastor for nearly a quarter of a century. They had been compelled to share their house of worship with three other denominations, some of whom were not of evangelical sentiments. Still there was always a little band who preserved their integrity. Their Church covenant and articles of faith remained the same as when the Church was organized, in 1735. On the days in which the pulpit was occupied by one who did not, as they thought, preach a pure Gospel, they quietly withdrew. About the period, however, to which we allude, (1823,) they were favored with the more stated services of a Godly minister. His labors among them were greatly blessed. The Church increased in numbers and influence, so that in 1826, a man of their choice was, as they hoped, permanently settled over them in the ministry. But these indications of increasing prosperity were only made the occasion for arousing anew the elements of opposition. A writer in the Boston Recorder, a little subsequent to this period, in describing the events which then occurred, says: By the help of some like themselves from other parishes, the enemies of the Cross gained the ascendency, and voted to dismiss the Orthodox minister. Soon they went farther, and voted to close the doors of the sanctuary against him. The following spring, the Church got into their new house of worship, and their opposers set up worship in the old house. But here their troubles did not end. They were taxed, with the rest of the parish, for the space of two years, for the support of Universalist preaching in the old house, their proportion of the tax being quite two-thirds of the whole." Amid these trials their minister left. But in the following autumn, " they gave a call to an evangelical man to become their Pastor, and proposed to the parish to settle him in their new 1: house, and support him themselves without any parish tax, leaving the parish to settle the candidate of their choice in the old house, if they pleased, dividing the income of the parsonage equally between the two parties. But in this effort the Church and their friends were borne down and defeated by the suffrages of men not resident in the parish, and called in from three different counties in the State, and from places twenty or thirty miles distant, to vote away the rights of the Church. After this, a few of the oppressed party refused to pay their parish tax on the ground of its palpable illegality and gross injustice, but the consequence was, that warrants were issued against them, and one of them was arrested and carried to prison." Such facts are not adverted to for the purpose of reviving in the mind of any one the remembrance of unpleasant feuds; but they need to be known, in order that the character and life of one who bore a manly and Christian part in bringing them to a successful issue, may be duly appreciated. Those now entering upon active life, should know the "price" that has been paid, in labors and sacrifices, for the religious freedom which they enjoy. Dea. Webster, on looking upon past events, a specimen of which has been given in this brief account, could truly say of them, "a part of which I was." He was eminently fitted for the times and the circumstances in which he lived. God raised him up for this end. He had a tall, commanding form; features noble and frank; a frame and movements in every way indicative of physical strength and courage; while over his whole countenance there was spread the settled expression of unfailing good will. A prominent trait in him was his firm adherence to religious principle. Questions involving moral obligation were settled by him with great deliberation and prayer; and then he remained unmoved. Another characteristic of Dea. Webster, and one for which he should be held in grateful remembrance, was his readiness to make sacrifices of time and property for the cause of truth. With the talent and opportunities which he possessed for acquiring wealth, he might have died a rich man. But he chose rather to live on a bare competence, and devote the rest to God. In meeting what he deemed to be his duty to the cause of Christ, at the time referred to, he privately became responsible for payments, from which his estate had not become entirely disencumbered at the time of his death. But neither he nor surviving friends regretted what he had done. His last days were those befitting such a life. His end was peace. When disease came upon him, although nothing of a fatal nature could be discovered by others, yet he himself was impressed with the thought that the summons was about to come to him. He calmly contemplated the event, and did not wish it otherwise. The call found him ready. Dea. DAVID GOODALE was born in Marlborough, Ms., April 1st, 1791. He was the son of Dea. Abner Goodale of that place, and the brother of Mrs. Thurston, missionary to the Sandwich Islands; and a near relative of Rev. William Goodale, missionary at Constantinople. He was educated in the district school, and repaid the debt by teaching twenty-nine winters in succession, commencing when only nineteen years of age. In 1816 he united with the first Congregational Church in M. He attributed his religious impressions to the faithful instruction of his parents; to early habits of reading the Scriptures; and especially to the lessons which he regularly learned from the Assembly's Catechism. In May, 1818, he established, with the assistance of six others, the first Sabbath School in his native place, and was an active member of it, as Superintendent or teacher, to the day of his death. In 1819 he was married to Miss Melliscent Warren, of Marlborough, sister of Rev. Edward Warren, missionary to Ceylon. They had six children, four of whom survive. In Oct. 1823, at the death of his father, he was chosen to succeed him in the office of deacon, and at the time of his death was the senior deacon of the Church. Perhaps no features of his character were more marked than his decision, energy, and sagacity. His mind was clear, vigorous, resolved, and possessed the main qualities which fit men to be leaders. And yet there was blended with these qualities so much of prudence and forecast -80 many conservative elements as to make him singularly well balanced and judicious. Between the years 1832-36, the Church passed through one of its most trying pe riods, and it is not too much to say, that God raised him up to meet that crisis. The Church and Society were both divided. The meeting-house, now greatly dilapidated and unsuitably placed for religious service, was legally held by one branch of the Society. But mainly by his personal exertions the divisions were healed, a new house of worship was erected, and the church was restored to a state of harmony and prosperity. Dea. Goodale had a clear understanding of the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, and received them with an intelligent and unwavering faith. He was a strong Congregationalist; and both in the affairs of the Church, and the arrangements of the family, he delighted in the customs of his Puritan ancestors. He loved the Church of Christ, and thought no sacrifice too great to secure her interests and prosperity. He was one of the earliest and strongest of practical temperance men and friends of the slave, and openly advocated these causes in the face of the strongest opposition. He was repeatedly called to fill the highest offices in the town, and, for a quarter of a century, exerted a leading influence on its affairs. His dying testimony was, that he felt no misgivings in regard to his religious hopes; that he trusted in the same Saviour and found him still precious, whom for more than forty years he had acknowledged before men. He died, universally lamented, Oct. 17, 1858, aged 67 years. Died at Bedford, Ms., Dec. 21st, 1858, Madam ABIGAIL STEARNS, widow of the late Rev. Samuel Stearns of that place, in the 83d year of her age. The death of this excellent lady is regarded and felt as a great loss not only by her numerous descendants, and a large circle of relatives and friends, but by the inhabitants of Bedford generally, among whom she had resided above sixty years, and who at her decease manifested their esteem and attachment by their sympathy with her children, by many acts of kindness to them in their trouble, and by a numerous attendance at the services of her funeral. She was the eldest daughter of Rev. Jonathan French, for many years pastor of the South Church in Andover, and of Madam Abigail (Richards) French, his wife was born at Andover, May 29th, 1776; married to Rev. Mr. Stearns, pastor of the Church in Bedford, May 9, 1797; and having lived happily with the husband of her youth till he was removed by death, December 26th, 1834, she survived him nearly 24 years, and has now gone to join him, it is confidently believed, in a better world. Madam Stearns was a lady distinguished for her natural good sense and discernment; fond of reading and of extensive information upon all interesting and useful subjects; so that both at home and abroad, by her intelligent conversation and social disposition, she gained numerous acquaintances who took pleasure in her company, and many warm friends. Favored with the counsels, example and prayers of pious parents, Mrs. Stearns became early impressed with a sense of the importance of religion and virtue; and giving evidence of a change of heart by the influence of the Divine Spirit, she was received into the Church over which her father presided, at the early age of thirteen years. Through the whole of her subsequent life, wherever she dwelt, and under every variety of circumstances, she uniformly adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour by a pious and Christian life. Being educated in the belief of the Assembly's Catechism, once almost universally used in the families and in the schools of New England, she ever adhered with firmness to the doctrines taught in that little Manual. She had informed herself well respecting them. She believed them upon examination to accord with the divine standard, the word of God. And hence she cordially received them; was found abundantly able to defend them, when attacked in her presence; and made it her great concern to manifest the reality of her faith in them by a life consistent with the spirit and precepts they enjoined. Yet her religion was without parade, cant or affectation; but exhibited with all simplicity, and with all humility in her habitual care to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Madam Stearns was a very devout wo- man. |