their opponents. An ordinary dis-I putant, however accomplished, can do nothing with them. If he believes in the doctrine of the divine illumination by the Spirit of God in subordination to the Scriptures-this is worse than nothing to them; it is a mortal enemy to their inward light. They walk not by the less, but by the greater-not by the written word, but by the living spirit-not by the law, but by the lawgiver! Hence who can wonder at the collateral and dependent ramifications of their creed? for with all its indefiniteness, they have a creed. Who is surprised that they reject most decisively the doctrines of the Trinity; of the two natures in the one person of Jesus Christ; of the vicarious atonement of the Redeemer; of election, and discriminating grace-of the entire wickedness of the natural man; of the effectual operation of the Spirit; of the sanctity and perpetual obligation of the Sabbath; of the distinct order of the Christian ministry, and the exclusive right of men rather than women, to preach; of the divine authority and Scriptural validity of the Protestant Sacraments, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper; and of the resurrection of the body? These are a few only of the branches, though they are the main ones, of their tree; to the root of which Mr. B. has unsparingly applied the axe.

Whatever may be the event respecting Quakerism, the volume of Mr. B. must stand or fall on its own merits: and here we would prescribe two principles which have influenced our own judgment, and should influonce, we suppose, the judgment of others in reference to his perform

ance.

1. Its moral and religious character must be compared with the Scriptures alone, and with the Scriptures as a whole, and with the doctrinal parts of Scripture in particular, as the only criterion to which its claims to truth and righteousness will submit an appeal.

2. It is a literary performance, adapted to literary readers, especially the clergy, and not intended as a merely popular work, or as an address exclusively or primarily to the Society of Friends-as is evident among other proofs, from the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French quotations with which it abounds.

Many of the objections that have been urged against his book, have arisen from a neglect or contempt of the above principles. But it may be asked-Why, if Mr. B. wished to benefit the Friends, did he not address them? And why was not his book adapted to popular reading among them?

To this we reply, that merely to benefit them was not, nor should it be, his highest motive; that he wrote for the whole community of Christendom, and perhaps for unborn generations; that his professed aim was to show THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUAKERISM AND CHRISTIANITY for the good of mankind, and the glory of God; and that, in his view, these ends could not be so well accomplished as by the indirectness of enlightening the literary and clerical world, and furnishing them with a magazine of facts, principles, and portraits, which they could fully study, and to which they might continually recur, for information as to a volume or authentic reference. There are other reasons which evince the propriety of his method-reasons drawn from the peculiar character of the Quakers, from their inaccessibleness, from the system of espionage which they practise in relation to the books read by their young people, and from the strong and incorrigible prepossession of their members in favour of their creed, and against any book whose aim is adverse to their principles. Mr. B. thus addresses his reader:

"The polemic is often viewed with distrust and jealousy. We live too remote from the impulse of a Reformation to feel a just interest in theological discussions. In this age of divisions, we have ceased to wonder,

even at daring innovations; and Mammon has breathed a withering blast over us, which chills the spirit of investigation, Each sectary urges the clamorous plea for charity; and, too often, around the most deformed systems, its mantle has been thrown by the hand of ignorance and religious indifference. The charity which "rejoices in the truth," blooms not in its wonted loveliness. It has been degraded by the crowd, into a wild and hackneyed thing, whose smiles are bestowed promiscuously, on er

ror and on truth.

to say to us in the chapters of His book, with the Italian painter to the critic who derided the performance because he could not comprehend its scope-clernitati pingo-I am painting for eternity. The spirit of its pages is that of uncompromising and fearless attachment to the truth of the Bible; a spirit that deals in principles, with discrimination beReligious inquiry, and even controversy, tween the precious and the vile, while is perfectly consistent with the loveliest it leaves persons, with their present exercise of charity. It may be so grace- state and eternal destiny, to the arfully conducted, as to be made to bear along bitration of God; a spirit that subwith it the best proofs of its being the off-ordinates learning to religion, and in spring of charity. The spirit that disgraced the polemic of ancient times is no long-the main sustains itself to the last of er countenanced. The religious public will 362 octavo pages. It is a volume soon frown into oblivion the volume which evincing much reading and research, offers violence to the grace of brotherly love. It demands that politeness and couras the production of an independent tesy should preside over religious debates. mind that sees through the subjects Polemics have been taught to distinguish which it treats and has learned how between the prineiples and the man: to reto arrange them to the best advancognize the man as a brother, while they frankly expose his heresy. They have ar- tage, and exhibit them in correct orrved at a higher distinction: they have set der. The book has produced a great out on this ground--that the salvation of sensation upon the public--we do not the soul is, with all its importance, some- say upon the Society of Friends.— thing subordinate to the glory of God; and Their religious reading, especially that, therefore, in choosing a system of religion, there is a higher motive to be kept in of hostile treatises, is done too much To by proxy, by the proceres of the glorify the Deity is the first; to reach Hea- meeting, to warrant us in the anticiven in safety is the second motive that gives the impulse. Hence, in fixing our pation of an immediate impression religious system, the question is not "Who upon the Quaker population of our shall arrive in Heaven?" On that all Chris-country. One fact is certain—that a tians are agreed. "All who love our Lord second edition is now urgently deJesus Christ shall be saved infallibly." But

view than the attainment of salvation.

the object of inquiry is this: In journeying manded, and that one half of the to Heaven, by what religious system shall copies had disappeared from the we promote, in the highest degree, the shelves of the bookseller in two weeks glory of Almighty God? Undoubtedly by after their publication. This fact that in which the perfect purity of Christ's doctrines, and the entire number of his orliterally speaks volumes in favour of dinances, put forth their energies over the its popularity.

human mind.

The man who does rest on Jesus Christ as

the only foundation, but who, unhappily, in the hour of temptation, builds on it inferior materials" hay or stubble"--shall, indeed, be saved; but he shall suffer loss," in the day of joy, when the different degrees of glory shall be assigned to each by the Great Judge of us all.

It is, therefore, charity in one of its loveliest movements, that prompts the

Christian to raise his voice and to expose to his fellow men the dangers and the losses which necessarily arise out of error."

The aim of the author is indeed high, and his style nervous and commanding. He seems unconsciously

To conclude-we recommend Mr. B.'s volume to all our readers, and especially to the clergy, for whom it was peculiarly designed, and who will, we think, consult at once their duty, their entertainment, and their usefulness by exploring its contents. How many preachers of "the everlasting Gospel," commissioned from

the Prince " on whose head are many crowns," to preach the Gospel to every creature in these sublunary dominions, seem to make the case of the Friends an exception to

the privilege and authority of the mandate, and though situated in the vicinity of their abodes, employ no measures to loose the fetters that bind them—we fear, to the doom "of them that obey not the Gospel of God." They have prejudices, pride, and passion to be subdued but mighty is his name who uses the preaching of the cross for the demo

lition of "strong holds." One reason (and a great one) of the inaction of the clergy in respect to the Friends, is the common ignorance of the profession as to their tenets and history: the book of Mr. B. meets the difficulty, and ought to repose, not in neglected honour, in the alcoves of our clerical libraries."

Miscellaneous Articles, &c.

laughing blue eyes—a grand-daughter of Hans, was snugly seated on his knees, and was playing with the large twist buttons on his coat; while the little romping Dieterich, her young brother, had already mounted the Dominie's cane, and was riding round the room as merrily, as if there was neither sin nor sorrow in the world!

For the mother, Maria Van Benschooten, had no sooner cast a searching look on the strangers, than she clasped her hands, and uttered in a piteous cry, "It is Richard Van Winkle!" "I had just concluded so too," said Hans; "and it is even so, Maria. But I could scarcely believe mine eyes, that Richard Van Winkle would ever have darkened the door of Hans Van Benschooten," he added, as he dashed a tear from his eye, and led his wife to a seat--

Two strangers entered in company with the Dominie, who greeted Hans in his usual affectionate manner.Hans returned the salutation-but there was an abstraction of mind on the part of Hans. His hand indeed clung to that of the Dominie, but his eyes were on the strangers-and he was scrutinizing their faces, with a keenness and a shyness very unusual for one of Hans's hospitality and kindness. There was also on the part of the Dominie, an uncommon degree of solemnity; and no small appearance of sorrow which was distressing him; and which he was evi-"comest thou, Richard to my dently trying to conceal. For he house in pursuit of fresh victims. I passed more quickly than usual from have not another son, surely, to be his kind inquiries after Hans's health, led into the broad way by thy false and that of his family; to salute the friendship, and murderous persuachildren, who came up with smiling sons. My Jacob, the beginning of faces, and sparkling eyes to salute my strength, was the pride of his faone whom they were always pleased ther's soul; and the flower of the to see entering their dwelling. In a youth of this valley. But what boots few moments he had seated himself it to name his name—“continued he, in a corner, with young Auletta hang- as he turned to sobbing his spouseing on his arm. And a sweet bloom-"or to repine over joys which never ing yellow haired little girl, with can be recalled."

Jacob Van Benschooten was the eldest son of the family; but he was thought of only as one dead-or worse than dead. To lay a virtuous and pious son, the pride of our family, in the grave, creates not a pang of anguish and distress equal to that caused by the shocking disgrace and moral death of a brutish intemperate son! Jacob was no more named in the family before strangers-and he was named in the dear and hallowed circle of wife and children, only with a burst of anguish. And morning and evening in family worship, he was named with a most fervent aspiration to Heaven, and the yearning of a father's bowels-" O God, have mercy on our poor lost son!"

Of an easy temper and amiable disposition, Jacob had been too easily allured into the ways of sin. Richard Van Winkle had enticed him to a fair; thence to the tavern; thence to the race ground; and finally, to that hell in which the ruin of our youth is consummated-the table of the gambler-and the company of

the wanton!

steadfast eyes from the face of Richard, who turned from him, and wept bitterly. The good old man added, after a short pause; "But I bethink me. Hans Van Benschooten harbours not resentment against a human being. Be ye angry and sin not I have been very angry with thee, Richard; but my Heavenly Father has given a commandment→→ and the sun shall not go down on my wrath; no, not even on the seducer and destroyer of my son. May the God of mercy forgive thee, Richard Van Winkle, for all the evil thou hast brought on us, even as I do, from this heart, forgive thee." His beloved spouse, at this moment, rose hastily from her seat, and laying her arm around the neck of her husband, kissed his cheek, while her tears fell with his into his bosom. The children also clung to their parents' knees, and wept----they scarcely knew why. And a beautiful young woman added herself to the group, from an adjoining chamber; and kneeling down before Hans, grasped his hand, and bathed it with her tears. It was the wife of his poor prodigal son.

Jacob soon became a stranger, and an alien to his father's house. He honoured not his father, nor his Annatje Brinkerhoff had been one mother. His depraved and harden- of the prettiest and most accomplished heart suffered him to smile at aed maids of the valley. No expense mother's tears; and, what is more, had been spared on her education; the blooming wife of his youth had and her lovely mind had at an early become a stranger to him-and an period, received the holy impressions outcast from his presence; and of the religion of Jesus, which fails his sweet babes were no longer not to give an indescribable charm named by a father's lips. Intemper- and glow of beauty to the female ance, and the infernal spirit of the mind and countenance. She was an gambler had robbed an amiable mind only child-and the heiress of a of the traits of humanity. "Thou handsome estate, in one of the most seest before thee, Richard, the fruit fertile parts of the valley. And many of the works of thy hand"-said were the blessings pronounced on Hans, as he waived his hand to little her, on the day when in the charms Mary and Dieterich-" these are the of early youth, she gave her hand to orphans of Jacob Van Benschooten her first and only love, Jacob Van -and wo is me that I should have to Benschooten. And all the neighsay that to the son of thy father, bours declared, that there was not my old friend."-His voice was a more handsome couple----nor a choked; and the big tears fell like more happy, in all the valley where rain drops into his bosom. He ceased they lived. But O terrible infatuaspeaking; but he withdrew not his tion! Most infamous and degrading,

vice of intemperance! Bane of families, and curse of our country! To this hellish Moloch, the unhappy Jacob had sacrificed all his earthly comforts, and happiness, and character, and his beautiful and accomplished wife, and his lovely children!

written messages.

And I bear testimony to the influence of the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ, on one of the wildest and most thoughtless of men. Poor Jacob! How my bowels yearned over him. I knew the state of his mind. There is a conscience there which responded to the living truths of Jesus Christ. And a principle is there, which no profli

In the midst of this profound grief in which the Dominie deeply shared; Richard Van Winkle threw himself at the feet of the wife of the unhap-gacy of company-no deadly intoxipy man whom he had led so far cating draughts can extinguish.' astray; and with difficulty he articu- And as he uttered this, he cast a lated, with gushing tears-" Forgive glance of indignation, tempered by me, loveliest of women, the evil I sorrow, on the unhappy Richard. have wrought against thee." She "No, Annatje, for God has placed a turned on him her beautiful and mild conscience in thy Jacob's bosom, face-which grief had blanched, and which rendered him miserable from her eyes full of tears; but which the very hour in which he left thee. sent forth no reproaches, nor wrath. And I do fondly hope that a better Sorrow was uppermost in her Chris- principle-it may be the seed of divine tian bosom. "Speak no more to me grace; which, though for a season, of that," said she, rising up, and buried under the weight of iniquity, assuming a dignity in her manner— will yet shine out; and it may yet and drawing back gently from him; send forth the blessed fruits of peni"but tell me, hast thou brought any tence, and bring treasures of joy to tidings of the father of my children this family. But why need I make -of him whom I once called my a long narrative? This unhappy man own sweet husband?-speak." who led him first astray, has been the first to aid me in bringing him back within the reach of his home. Richard's conscience has long borne testimony against him; and the Spirit of God has not ceased to strive with him. Broken hearted and penitent-it is long since he has cast himself down at the foot of the cross of our Redeemer. He has, I trust, found pardon; and the fruits of this change are not of yesterday. I can testify that they have been that of an entire year's reformation of all his former vices. Receive him, Hans Van Benschooten-receive him.And as his God, and thy God has forgiven him, so forgive thou him." "He has done it-he has done it already," said Richard with great emotion, as he stood up before him. "Come hither to me, Richard Van Winkle," said Hans, "I learned not before this moment that thou hast been brought in from thy wanderings and error, by the painstaking ministry

Richard suddenly rose, and gave a signal to the Dominie to speak; and throwing himself into a seat, he gave way to a burst of unsubdued grief.

The Dominie with an air of parental affection led her to a seat; and placing himself by her side, he began to prepare her mind for what he was about to disclose.

"My lovely Annatje, thy husband is yet alive." "And is he yet alive? My Heavenly Father!"---she added with a solemn tone of awe and veneration-"I knew that thy goodness had not utterly forsaken me, and these little children! But go on my ever kind hearted Dominie." "He is, indeed, yet alive! And I take to myself no merit in saying, that from the day that he left thy house, and thy sweet babes; I was resolved never to lose sight of him, and I cannot say that I did. When I could not reach him in his wild wanderings, I continued to reach him by my friends, and by