and would we believe enhance the value of the work. We forgot to mention, that a number of lithographic plates, as well as a large map, form part of the volume. We have room but for a short quotation, and we take it from the remarks on attention to health on the part of the emigrant, not because it is best written, but as combining with judicious and useful remarks a fair specimen of the author's style:

"But, again, in a majority of cases, the imprudent conduct of the settler is the cause of his diseases. No one who has witnessed the course pursued by many families, on their first arrival at their new home, could hesitate to believe, that to their own reckless braving of exposure must be attributed much of the suffering which they endure. It happens often, that the land which the emigrant has selected is unprovided with any tenement for his abode. To remedy this evil he removes at once to its vicinity. Spreading a temporary tent for the poor accommodation of his family, he commences the erection of a rude log cabin. After the severe toil of the day, he throws himself upon the damp ground, exposed to all the changes of the weather, and arises each successive morning to pursue the same imprudence. His own hardy constitution may at first resist the evils to which he is subjected, and possibly enable him to gain his object with his health uninjured. But he has those with him who are not thus vigorous. A few days pass away and symptoms of ill health surround him. Regarding these as hardly worth attention, he faithfully continues at his labor. The frame of his coarse habitation is completed; a rough and open roof is placed upon it; the walls are daubed with mud, to protect him from the storm or the changes of the weather; and he enters his new dwelling, calcu lating to increase his comforts at his leisure. To the flattering hopes of the settler, the evils which he dreaded at the commencement of his journey are over; and he settles down in fancied security, to dream of adding yearly to the land he now possesses, and of rivalling his neighbor in influence and wealth. But, from these fond reveries he is soon aroused to feel that all is not so prosperous and certain as it seemed. Weakened by hardships and exposure, one after another of his family sicken, and even if their lives are spared, remain for a long time enfeebled. Wearied out with watching and anxiety, he, too, becomes unwell, and in consequence disheartened. And who now, but himself, has the emigrant to blame for these misfortunes? Why, in his rashness, has he thus braved an exposure, in a new land, to evils which in no country and in no condition could he hope to pass through with impunity?

The attention of the western emigrant must be turned to this great matter. He must be made to feel that health, no less than riches, depend on prudence and exertion to secure their blessings. Much, nay, all of the suffering we have described, it is reasonable to suppose, he may avoid. Others, with more care and foresight, have passed by these dangers, whose circumstances were at first no brighter than his own. Let his dwelling be erected before his family is removed to the spot which he has purchased; and let it be, too, one neat in its appearance, and sufficiently capacious to contain its inmates. It is better to possess

but half the land he wishes, and be the owner of a comfortable dwelling, than to suffer his desire of wealth to lead him to the sad condition we have mentioned. It is better to expend his all at the commencement, than to keep it to be drained by the demands of suffering and sickness." pp. 114–116.

Baptism by affusion and sprinkling; or, a critical dissertation on the scriptural mode of Baptism, proving the exclusive divine authority of affusion and sprinkling. By Leicester A. Sawyer. New Haven: 1838.

The children of believers entitled to Baptism; or, a critical dissertation on the ecclesiastical relations and privileges of children, clearly establishing their scriptural title to baptism. By Leicester A. Sawyer. New Haven: 1838.

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We do not take so great interest in the controversy about the mode of Baptism, as many seem to do. The questions mooted seem to us of minor importance. We are satisfied with practicing as is done in our Congregational churches. It seems the most consonant to all our feelings of decorum and propriety, nor can we believe, that our Savior has instituted a rite so likely to shock the instinctive feelings, and so often inconvenient, and imposed it as solemnly upon us as our Baptist brethren claim. Still we are content they should practice according to their own views, nor wish to disturb them in their fancied superiority of adherence to the letter of the law. But when they, as it were, unchurch all others, we cannot consent to yield to their decisions without plainer proof of their right to do this than they have yet been able to furnish. It may be well occasionally for those whose taste so inclines them, to present to the public a view of the grounds on which they rest their belief of affusion and sprinkling as a true mode of baptism; but we regret to see a position taken which considers any mode as the exclusively scriptural or proper one. In our view, this is to weaken the argument. In this respect Mr. Sawyer, we think, has erred. The relation of the children of believers to the church of Christ, is a more useful topic of discussion, and while we would not quarrel with antiPedobaptists, we feel a privilege to receive upon our offspring what we regard as the seal of the covenant, while we publicly dedicate them to God. Mr. Sawyer has discussed this question with candor, and stated the usual arguments in a simple style and arrangement. Indeed, in general, his pamphlets on the subjects of which they treat, are in the main satisfactory-containing the usual arguments, expressed in an intelligible manner, and adapted to the capacity of people in general. It was our intention to have noticed them more fully, but our final arrangements have rendered it necessary to content ourselves with simply recommending them to the notice of our readers.

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It was our intention to have noticed sooner or later several works which lie on our table, but which we must now leave with a simple mention. Among these are "Spring's Fragments," "Abeel on Missions," "Medhurst's China," Fireside Education,” Home Education," and "American Education," "Proverbs of Solomon," "Mitchell's New England Church," a new edition of his "Church Member's Guide." Several communications also from our correspondents still remain in our hands, which we are forced from a want of room to deny admittance on our pages.

THE CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR, as a distinct periodical, closes with this volume. It is henceforth to be incorporated with the American Biblical Repository, to which the list of subscribers' names will be transferred, and we doubt not, that our friends will, after a candid hearing of our reasons for this arrangement, acquiesce in its propriety, and continue their patronage to that work; at least, make a fair trial of its adaptedness to their wants.

After this announcement of our approaching demise, it becomes us, to gather our robes about us as carefully as we can, and make our exit in the most decent manner possible. We are not about to write our autobiography. The history of the Christian Spectator is deeply interwoven with the history of religion in this country, with respect to a large branch at least of the church of Christ. It was established at first as a monthly, from a full conviction of its utility and necessity. In this form it continued ten years-(1819 to 1829.) It then became a quarterly, and in this form has just completed its tenth volume. Whatever may be the judgment of individuals as to its usefulness, no one, we presume, will deny, that it has exhibited talent of a high order. It could do no otherwise, for it has been the vehicle of communication to numerous well disciplined minds and truly elevated spirits. Its course has been open, manly and independent. Questions of difficulty and topics as to which even the wise for God may disagree, it has met with a frank avowal of opinion, and a ready array of argumentation. The tone of piety which it has inculcated in its practical essays, has been decided and high. A friend of revivals of religion, it has sought to bring a practical wisdom to bear upon the great principles which should regulate the conduct of both ministers and private christians; while its discussion of doctrinal truths, it is humbly hoped, has contributed in no slight degree, to prepare the way for yet richer seasons in after

times of such glorious manifestations of heavenly grace. Subjects of stirring interest, in some measure peculiar to the times in which we live, it has aimed correctly to estimate, and ever according to the best judgment of its conductors, have its pages been made to advocate the cause of human liberty and happiness. Nor has it been unmindful of the claims of literature, but has endeavored to give a suitable direction to the minds of the reading community by characterizing and commending to their notice many works of sterling merit, on account of the information they contain and the principles they uphold.

Thus in its various departments of criticism, discussion, and miscellaneous essays, it has, it is believed, subserved a valuable purpose. It is still to the last a favorite with many, and no fears are entertained, that by its continuance its usual patronage would be withdrawn. In many respects, its position is a more important one than ever. And even, at the close of a year among the most disastrous known to periodicals in our country, it stands fair for an increased patronage.

Why then, our friends may ask, is it given up? Why this sudden announcement, that the Quarterly Christian Spectator will no longer greet us with its long-familiar face? It is for the purpose of meeting this natural inquiry of friends, (for we anticipate, that by those who have long wished for its discontinuance the true reason will be last admitted,) that we enter on our pages our reasons for the course we have deemed it best to adopt.

The peculiar position of the church of Christ in our land, and especially of those branches of it among which this work has chiefly circulated, requires combined energetic action, and the array of the most concentrated mental and moral strength in defense and exhibition of the truth. After a deliberate examination of the question, and frank conference among those friendly to the two works, it has been deemed advisable to unite the Christian Spectator and the American Biblical Repository, and this being decided, an arrangement has been made by which the former may be incorporated with the latter work. The leading characteristics of the Christian Spectator, it is believed, may be more easily blended with the Repository than those of the Repository grafted upon the Spectator. The writers who have hitherto contributed to the pages of either work may thus unite to enhance the value of the combined one. Discussion of the great truths of the bible, and of important questions of morals, with the usual subsidiary exhibitions of literary history, will still be continued. Men who have proved their

armor, with renewed vigor, will hold themselves ready both for the defense and the onset. Those who have dwelt with no common pleasure on the productions of some favorite contributor to our pages, will be gratified to follow the well-known pen as it traces the same great principles and truths under new forms of representation. The two works combined, it is thought, can have a wider circulation, and exert a more powerful influence in promoting the cause of Christ, than either or both have or do, separately. A spirit of brotherly feeling and harmonious action may be secured; the severed bands of disciples may more easily unite, and the great hope of the advancement of the kingdom of Christ be sooner attained.

These considerations have been deemed sufficient to prompt the Conductors and Editor as well as proprietor of the Christian Spectator, to forego any feelings of partiality for a work with which they have been so long associated, and by which they humbly trust they have been instrumental of good, and to suffer it to mingle its lights and shades along the stream of time with its sister periodical, and henceforth to have but one common soul, and one and the same presiding genius.-We part, indeed, with some regret, for it is natural; it is like giving up in marriage an only daughter, hereafter no longer to be the peculiar inmate of our own family circle,--but as in such a case though we lose the name, our spirit and our aims will yet live, nor will she, so far as she is ours under another title, forget the guardians of her infancy and maturer years. We part, too, with our contributors in our distinctive capacity, with the same feelings of mingling pain and pleasure. Our intercourse has been pleasant and we trust profitable. Many are the hours of agreeable converse and correspondence which we have enjoyed together, and which will long live in our recollection; but we still hope with them occasionally to meet under auspices of renewed promise and sympathize together in a yet wider circle of usefulness.

Nor is it less painful at once to bid adieu to our patrons and the many friends who, we believe, have breathed out for our welfare their earnest prayers. They have stood by us in scenes of trial and when we needed their aid. They have lent us a willing ear, and with a candid heart we have been greeted to the embraces of their friendship. In this farewell, then, which we utter, there is pain,-for as identified with the Christian Spectator we shall meet their welcome no more. But we introduce to them, if a stranger, yet one in whom we trust they will soon recognize the most endeared lineaments of their old friend and monitor ;