REPLY TO

"NON-ACADEMICUS."

281

To the Editor of the New Eran. Magazine. the kingdom of Christ. But although

DEAR SIR,

I can truly say with NON-ACADEMIcus, "I have neither time nor disposition to carry on a controversy;" but having noticed his first communication, "On the utility of Academies," I beg to offer a few remarks on his "Reply" to the observations which I then made. Possibly the shrewdness of the "valuable friend" of your correspondent may be too great for me. I make no boast of the gifts which a gracious and sovereign Being has bestowed on me; it is my duty and privilege to occupy, faithfully, till my Lord come, knowing that it is required of a man according to that which he hath, and not according to that which he hath not. However, I thank your correspondent for informing me, through the medium of your truly excellent work, that his friend is a "shrewd" man, for certainly I knew it not before.

66

Scripture says nothing about these Institutions, yet they are not only approved of by the enlightened and pious, but prosper under the approbation and blessing of heaven. The same principles which have actuated the religious public in establishing these Institutions amongst us, which are the glory of the land, have induced them to form Societies for the purpose of educating men for the sacred work of the Christian Ministry. They have formed these Societies, not because they were commanded by the Great Head of the Church, but because they consider them, on the whole, means the best adapted to prepare those, whom God has gifted by nature and his Spirit, to serve in his sanctuary. That they are left to exercise their own discretion, is evident from the fact of the total silence of Scripture on the subject. And here I beg to remind "Non-Academicus" of the inconsistency of himself with his own pro"Non-Academicus" is either feignedly fessed principles-he avows himself to be ignorant, or possesses very erroneous views a friend to an educated Ministry," but of the principles by which the friends of objects to our Seminaries because they are the Redeemer are actuated, in advocating not Scriptural; and then recommends, and supporting Academical Institutions. should a young man stand in need of eduHe seems to suppose that they claim Scrip- cation, “to place him under the care of an tural authority for their example, and experienced Pastor." But if your correstherefore requires a proof that our Acade-pondent requires Scriptural authority for mies are of divine origin; and because I Academical instruction, surely it is equally referred to the total silence of Scripture necessary for private tuition. As the on this subject, he appears to triumph. great Christian Lawgiver has not in his But triumph over what, Sir? Over the wisdom thought it necessary to legislate on defeat of an opponent created by his own this subject, we are certainly not bound to imagination—or of the overthrow of an pursue any particular plan, except that enemy, when in reality no one has appear-which is best adapted to procure the good ed against him. I have never heard the proposed. If, indeed, "Non-Academicus" most strenuous advocates of our Acade- can shew that our public Seminaries are mies, (neither, I am persuaded has your productive of greater evil than good, then correspondent) plead for them as Institu- it behoves him to enlighten the minds of tions established by Christ. Nor do they the public, and to warn them of their folly consider this at all necessary, nor even in supporting Institutions that prove curses desirable, to prove their great utility in to the church of Christ. But if, on the promoting the kingdom of Christ in the contrary, his remarks only prove that those world. For we have no information given excellent Institutions are too often abused, us in Scripture on any subject connected and sometimes become the innocent occawith the interests of religion, where that sion of evil, he should not employ his pen information is not necessary. And where in condemning them; but use his energies Scripture is silent, I suppose, we can only in exposing the evils which exist, and enbe regulated in our conduct by the general deavour to improve human nature, which principles of Christianity; which, when is so prone to abuse the best blessings of cordially embraced, will induce us to the heaven. performance of those acts of piety and benevolence, that will tend to promote the well-being of man, and the glory of God. The influence of these principles on the heart, I presume, led the men of the pre-mies have never yet attempted to prove sent generation to establish Bible and that they are essential to the promotion Missionary Societies, School Institutions, of Christianity in the world, they only and many others intimately connected with consider them as important auxiliaries; VOL. X. 20

"Non-Academicus is greatly mistaken when he says, that "the Academies, would silence all till they had been instruced by the Doctors." The advocates of Acade

Your's, with respect,
A MEMBER OF A BAPTIST CHURCH.

neither do they maintain that learning it- | may do or say, for the cause he is opposing
self, in whatever way it may be acquired, will certainly not suffer through him. It
is an essential qualification of a Christian is easier, Sir, to find fault with others,
Minister. They know how to appreciate than to suggest plans of improvement;
the labours, and to revere the characters of this, I doubt not, your Correspondent
worthy and devoted men engaged in the knows from experience.
Ministry, who possess not human learning.
I am, Sir,
But they cannot consider their ignorance
as a proof of their excellence or as a reason
of their respectability and usefulness.
What is the intention of your correspon-
dent in referring to the respectability and
usefulness of some uneducated men in the
Ministry, I know not. Had he not de-
clared himself a friend to an educated mi-
nistry, I should have supposed he must
have been advocating the cause of igno-
rance. And his referring to the conduct
of Paul, in the connexion in which it
stands, in renouncing human knowledge,
seems almost to amount to the same thing.
Paul did certainly renounce human learn-
ing, if by that "Non-Academicus" means
that the apostle did not consider the cause
he was advocating depended for its success
on human accomplishments; for he knew
it was the cause of God, and as such, must
prosper. But this apostle was an inspired
man, yet he did not scorn to make use of
his classical learning when occasion re-
quired it: witness his conduct on Mars
Hill, and read certain parts of his Epistles.
Your Correspondent charges me with a
want of proof where I asserted, that the
most useful and respectable Ministers in
our denomination acquired their knowledge
and taste for constant study and improve-
ment in our Academies. This position is
very capable of proof; but “Non-Acade-
micus" must be aware that it would not be
very decorous in me to publish the names
of Ministers, and to discuss their literary
acquirements through the medium of your
Magazine.

One word before I conclude, concerning some of the London Ministers. I neither intended to make “ ungenerous remarks,'

66

nor throw out unkind insinuations respecting them. With a few I am personally acquainted, and for whom I entertain the sincerest respect. I regard no Minister the less because he is not an Academic. But it is notorious to all, that some of the Ministers in the Metropolis labour under disadvantages from a deficiency in literary acquirements; which does not impute blame to them, but is a cause of regret to their friends.

You will oblige me, Mr. Editor, by the insertion of these remarks; I pledge you my word, not to trouble you again on this subject, whatever "Non-Academicus"

LITERARY NOTICES.

Just Published.

Memoirs of the Rose: comprising Botanical, Poetical, and Miscellaneous Recollections of that celebrated Flower. In a Series of Letters to a Lady.

Harriet and her Scholars, a Sabbath School Story, 18mo. with a Plate.

In the Press.

Death Bed Scenes, or the Christian's Companion on entering the Dark Valley. By the Author of the "Evangelical Ram

bler."

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the late Rev. Edward Williams, D.D. with an Appendix, including Remarks on important parts of Theological Science. By JOSEPH GILBERT. 1 vol. 8vo.

Early Wisdom, or a few things very necessary to be known and practised by every little Boy and Girl, especially those belonging to Sabbath Schools. By the Author of " Harriet and her Scholars."

Mr. JOSEPH BELCHER, of Folkestone, has in the press, a 12mo. Volume, to be entitled, Interesting Narratives from the Sacred Volume, illustrated and improved; shewing the excellence of Divine Revelation, and the practical nature of True Religion. The Subjects are:-The Servant Expelled-The affectionate Father sacrificing his Son-The Affecting Funeral— The Patriarchal Wedding-The Dying Patriarch-The Foundling-The Wise Choice The Affectionate Daughter in Law-The Happy Gleaner-The Joyful Reapers-The Youthful Hero-The Affectionate Friends-The Churlish Husband and Prudent Wife The Faithful Prophet

The Widow in Distress- The Little Maid-The Liberal Hostess-The Humbled Tyrant-The Praying Courtier-The Pious Youths-The Terrified Monarch - The Martyred Baptist-The Home Missionary -The Penitent Malefactor-The Interesting Interview-The Useful FemaleThe Happy Martyr-The Persecutor Converted-The Prisoner Delivered-The Runaway Servant.

Theological Review.

The Christian Father's Present to his Children. By J. A. JAMES, 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 452, pr. 9s. Westley.

It is always with feelings of peculiar interest, that we take up a work relating to the well-being of the rising generation. Our years are rapidly hasting away, and before many more are passed, we must be numbered with the dead. Our chil. dren are rising up to occupy our places; and the man must have a cold heart-a heart that disgraces him as a parent that does not most anxiously wish to guard his children from the errors of the world, and point them to the source of truth and happiness. When he has done this, he may lie down on his dying pillow with serenity, and depart from time to eternity with the pleasing hope, that having "trained up his children in the way they should go," they have imbibed too correct a taste, and possess too clear a view of the advantages of virtue, to suffer them to "depart from it."

We always read Mr. James's writings with pleasure. It is true we differ from him in matters of taste, and should occasionally prefer a little more solidity and neatness of style; but the bold independence of his mind, the importance of his subjects, the aptness of his illustrations, and his evident and anxious desire to promote the good of his readers, amply atone for his imperfections; and lead us to wish him long life and continued health, to favour us with more productions of his pen.

That Mr. James is a preacher of no ordinary stamp many of our readers well know; that he is a powerful writer we have seen on former occasions; and the volumes that now lie on our table waiting our critical examination, shew him in a very amiable light as a parent. Favoured indeed must the children be to whom a father can say―

"You cannot doubt, my children, that your parents love you. We have, in all your recollections, a witness to this. We have, as you know, done every thing to promote your welfare, and, so far as was compatible with this object, your pleasure also. We have never denied you a gratification which our duty and ability allowed us to impart; and if at any time we

have been severe in reproof, even this was a more awful form of love. We have spared no expence in your education; in can at present form no adequate concepshort, love, an intense love, of which you tion, has been the secret spring of all our conduct towards you; and as the strongest proof, and purest effort of our affection, we wish you to be partakers of true piety. Did we not cherish this anxiety, we should feel that, amidst every other expression of cruel and unnatural part. Genuine love regard, we were acting towards you a most desires, and seeks for the objects on which it is fixed, the greatest benefits of which they are capable; and as you have a capacity to serve, and enjoy, and glorify God by real religion, how can we love you in reality, if we do not covet for you this high and holy distinction? We should feel that our love had exhausted itself upon trifles, and had let go objects of immense, infinite, eternal consequence, if it were not to concentrate all its prayers, desires, and efforts, in your personal religion."

Influenced by these correct feelings as a parent and a Christian, Mr. James has written these volumes. "Much that is here written," he tells us, "has been the subject of his personal converse with his children, and should God spare his life, will still continue to be the topics of his instruction." He very properly considers, that what is beneficial in his own family, might be no less useful to others, and has therefore presented these volumes to Christian parents, to be adopted as their own, and presented by them to their children, who may have advanced from childhood to youth; as the author does not consider the volumes fit for young persons of less than fourteen years of age. And certainly it would be difficult to select from the long catalogue of English literature, a work more generally worthy of their acceptance. It has its origin in the warmest affection; its object througheternal welfare; and its execution shews out is to promote their present and the man of deep reflection, of practical wisdom, and of anxious concern for the happiness of his own children, and of young persons in general.

The work commences with an address to Christian parents; urging upon them the responsibility of their station, and

the importance of communicating to their children, not education merely, but an education, that shall constantly remind them that they are rational and immortal beings; and that they are depraved and guilty sinners that need the salvation which can only be obtained through the mediation of Jesus Christ. He then points out the most prevailing obstacles to success in the religious education of children. These are so important that we shall mention the heads of them. It is frequently too negligently and capriciously maintained, even where it is not totally omitted.The relaxation of domestic discipline-guard them." undue severity-the inconsistent con- We really hope that Mr. James wrote duct of parents-the wild conduct of an this passage in a dream, and that in the elder branch of the family, especially in hurry of preparing his work for the press the case of a dissipated son-bad com- he forgot to look it over. For surely panions-the schisms that sometimes had he given it a second glance, it would arise in our churches, and embitter the have struck him as a reflection on the minds of Christians against each other character of Christ as King in Zion, for the neglect of young persons by our not instituting some such ordinance as churches and pastors-the spirit of filial the one that Mr. James seems to wish independence. These topics suggest introduced. Certainly confirmation is many important remarks, and generally as scriptural as infant baptism; and we we could have wished his illustrations would earnestly advise him, if he cannot longer than they are. No parent, how-conscientiously practice the one, to reever, can read this address without examine if he has good authority for the profit. administration of the other. For our own parts we have nothing to suggest to our author that will help him out of the difficulty, except it be to advise him to persevere in instructing the young by lectures, meeting them apart from the older persons in his congregation, and adapting his addresses to their stations and circumstances: a practice that we have heard Mr. James has long been engaged in, and give up all ideas of Infant Baptism and Confirmation, till he has a clear revelation of the will of Christ authorizing him to practise them.

A passage in this enumeration of topics included in the address to parents, will have suggested to the reader, that Mr. James has written his book principally for the use of Dissenters; and he will not proceed far in the volume, before he discovers that the work is designed for the juvenile classes among the Pædobaptists. We can forgive Mr. James, when, with his views of Infant Baptism, he says to his children: "You are the property of the church. It has a claim upon you. Will ye not own and discharge it? Must we see the walls of the spiritual house mouldering away, and you, the rightful materials with which it should be repaired, withheld?" This, we say, we will forgive in Mr. James, though we hardly like unregenerate persons being considered "the property of the church" of Christ, which we have been accustomed to regard as altogether of a spiritual nature. But what shall we think of his wishing to introduce a new ordinance into the church? Not confirmation, but something "in-On the advantages and responsibility lieu of it." Our readers shall have the of a pious education.-On the most prepassage which has excited our fears.vailing obstacles which prevent young Having mentioned as an obstacle to the people from entering on a religious life. success of religious education, the neglect -On the deceitfulness of the heart.-On

But our readers will begin to think that we have dwelt too long in the porch of the building, and have prevented them from contemplating the interior. The work is divided into twenty-five chapters, the titles of which follow-On the anxiety of a Christian Parent for the spiritual welfare of his children.-On the disposition with which we should enter upon an enquiry into the nature of religion.-On right sentiments of religion.-On the nature of true religion.

of young persons by our churches and their pastors, he thus proceeds

"This, however, does not so much appertain to parents in their separate capacity, as in their relation as members of a Christinn society; and even in this relation it belongs less to them than their pastors. There is a blank yet to be filled up in reference to the treatment of the As a dissenter, I object of course to the young, who are not in church communion. rite of Confirmation as practised in the Established Church; but we want something, I will not say like it, but in lieu of it. We want something that shall recognise the young, interest them, attract them,