VALUABLE RELIGIOUS BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM MARSHALL AND CO. PHILADELPHIA. THE PASTOR'S TESTIMONY. By Rev. JOHN A. CLARK, Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia; author of "A Walk about Zion," "The M'Ellen Family,' &c. 4th edition, revised by the author. From the Rt. Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, D.D., Bishop of the Eastern Diocese. MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. Having been informed that it is your purpose soon to publish a second edition of "The Pastor's Testimony," by the Rev. John A. Clark, I avail myself of the occasion to express the satisfaction given me by the success of that useful work. It is, in my judgment, excellently calculated to give to young inquirers, and indeed to all readers, correct views of the religion of our blessed Redeemer; to lay such a foundation of the Christian character, as shall be a comfort to its professors, and an honour to the church; and to remedy an evil, often and too justly complained of,-that of coming to Confirmation without the knowledge of Christ and the faith in him which his gospel requires. I recommend its careful perusal to all who desire to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Salem, April 24th, 1835. ALEXANDER V. GRISWOLD, From the Rt. Rev. B. B. Smith, Bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky. MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. BOSTON, May 2d, 1835. Gentlemen,-If I thought that any testimonial of mine would add weight to the sentiments imbodied in "The Pastor's Testimony," or serve in any measure to give them currency, I should hasten to publish it throughout the country. I can hardly conceive of a work more exactly adapted to the wants of the church, or more happily fitted to give a satisfactory answer to the inquiries of the many who are looking with favour towards its primitive usages, but who yet not only need to be informed of their reasonableness and value, but also to have them exhibited in attractive forms, and brought home with effect upon their hearts and consciences. A more appropriate prayer could hardly be breathed for the church than that Confirmation may be understood, and felt, and practised by all concerned, as it is exhibited in this admirable volume; which is the fervent supplication of Your sincere friend, B. B. SMITH. Bishop of the P. E. Church in the Diocese of Kentucky. [2] From the Rev. C. H. Alden, Principal of the Philadelphia High School for Young Ladies. MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. I have read "The Pastor's Testimony" with a conviction of its peculiar adaptation to the wants of the young members of the church. Scriptural in doctrine, clear in argument, and rich in illustration, it cannot fail, with His blessing without which there is no success, of being extensively useful. It will be read and admired, if not profited by, wherever it is known. I am glad to learn that a new edition is so soon called for. Very respectfully, Philadelphia, May 30, 1835. CHARLES HENRY ALDEN. From Rev. James Milnor, D.D., Rector of St. George's Church, MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. Gentlemen,-In answer to your request for an expression of my opinion in reference to the little work of my excellent friend, the Rev. John A. Clark, entitled, "The Pastor's Testimony," I have great pleasure in declaring my decided persuasion of its value and usefulness to inquirers and young Christians, and especially to candidates for the rite of Confirmation. In truth, it is well entitled to a place in every evangelical library, and calculated to profit every family into which it is received. Yours respectfully, JAMES MILNOR. New York April 9, 1835. From Rev. J. Johns, D.D., Rector of Christ's Church, Baltimore. MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. BALTIMORE, May 12, 1835. Gentlemen,-I have read with much satisfaction "The Pastor's Testimony," and have recommended it very cordially to the congregation to which I minister. I hail it with pleasure as another valuable auxiliary in the important work of imparting to candidates for Confirmation suitable views of the nature of that apostolic rite, and of the experience and purpose implied in the solemn profession of religion which it forins. The sentiments and spirit of the work, I consider as entirely in keeping with "the order," &c. as set forth in our Book of Common Prayer. The illustrations are striking and instructive. If we all, as pastors, bear like faithful and explicit testimony on this subject, the church will be rescued from much unjust reproach, and her members must enjoy more fully the blessing of those who duly engage in this interesting service. Very respectfully yours, &c., J. JOHNS. From Rev. J. P. K. Henshaw, D.D., Rector of St. Peter's Church, MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. Baltimore. BALTIMORE, May 12, 1835. I am much pleased to hear that you propose to publish a new and beautiful edition of "The Pastor's Testimony," by the Rev. John A. Clark. It is a book which I have read with much satisfaction, and recommended to many of the people of my charge. The views it exhibits of the nature and obligations of the Confirmation vow, are the same which I have always advocated from the commencement of my ministry, and which, I am happy to find, are now very generally received in the church. The evangelical doctrines and holy precepts inculcated in the "Testimony" are admirably illustrated and enforced by affecting narratives of facts which have fallen under the notice of the author; and I sincerely wish that it may have an extensive circulation; it being a work, which, in my humble judgment, is well adapted to promote the salvation of souls and the high interests of "the truth as it is in Jesus." Yours, respectfully, J. P. K. HENSHAW [3] From Rev. J. S. Stone, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston. MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. Having been requested to express my opinion of "The Pastor's Testimony," it gives me pleasure to say that I regard it as one of the best of books on one of the most important subjects. The attractiveness of its dress, abounding, as it does, in specimens of the happy style of its author, and in those narrative illustrations, by which he is wont to give so much interest to his writings, though it may gain for it the greatest number of readers, yet it is not that in which its chief excellence consists. This, I conceive, is to be found in the great principle which lies at the basis of the work; viz., that Confirmation is to be administered only on a credible profession of repentance and faith, or of that new birth of the Spirit, which is symbolized in baptism, and is the true beginning of the Christian character and the Christian life. The universal and practical adoption of this principle in our church, would, I cannot doubt, be of the very highest service to the religious interests of our communion: and, as a means to its adoption, I most heartily wish "The Pastor's Testimony" in the hands JOHN S. STONE, of every Episcopalian. Rector of St. Paul's Church. Boston, April 16, 1835. From Rev. E. B. Kellogg, Rector of Trinity Church, Brooklyn. MESSRS. MARSHALL & Co. Gentlemen,-I have read "The Pastor's Testimony" with attention, and with that solemn interest which the work itself is calculated to inspire. I cannot but think that its views of Christian character and duty are highly and purely scriptural. Its forcible illustrations of these views, drawn as they are from real life, give to the book a power over the mind which few others in our language possess. Its influence is all high and holy-besides, I know of no other work designed as a preparatory for Confirmation, which combines so much needful instruction, with such moving persuasives to a godly practice. Such being my views of "The Pastor's Testimony," I can most heartily wish you success in your present undertaking. Very respectfully and truly yours, E. B. KELLOGG, Rector of Trinity Church, Brooklyn. Extract from the Episcopal Recorder, August 16, 1834. The work of the Rev. Mr. Clark, of Providence, under this title, is one which, while it must afford delight and improvement to every Christian reader, is especially calculated to make the members of our own church "thank God and take courage." In doctrine it has satisfied the best and wisest minds; and the affecting descriptions and narrative illustrations with which it abounds will never want admirers. It is well adapted to make a deep impression of the truths proposed; and as these are vitally connected with the salvation of souls, and with the purity and increase of the church, we would have it in every family. Extract from the Churchman, August 2, 1834. To those who are acquainted with the interesting tract, entitled the "M'Ellen Family," and the others comprehended in the little volume called "Memory's Tribute," the mention of this author will insure to any production of his pen a ready and candid perusal. It may not be improper to add, that those who have also witnessed the success which has eminently attended the labours of this son of the church, will examine this volume with more than usual interest. They will be solicitous, and surely it is a commendable and holy curiosity, to examine in detail that mode of presenting even her peculiar features, which has in its effects so much of the appearance of a heavenly signature, and has proved so powerful a passport to public estimation. tions in the short space of a few months is, perhaps, the best recommendation that could be given it. For the information of those who have not seen the work, the publishers beg leave to refer to the following notices of it. From Rev. S. H. Tyng, D.D., Rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Philadelphia. MESSRS. WM. MARSHALL & Co. Gentlemen, I have been exceedingly interested with the matter and the method of "The Walk about Zion," from the time it first came under my notice. I have only regretted that the same author had not time, in the same spirit, to multiply his views of the city of God yet more exten. sively, until he had fully described every feature of that glorious city, which is "the mother of us all." It may be that Christians of other denominations may not be induced to pay much attention to a work of this description, and that it will be rather designed for the pleasure and improvement of the inhabitants of this Zion. But I do not doubt that as far as the work can be circulated, it will be well adapted to give attraction, as well as just views of the church to all who read it. Yours, respectfully, Philadelphia, March 31, 1836. STEPHEN H. TYNG, From the Rev. John Todd, Pastor of the Edward's Church, Northamp ton, Massachusetts. MESSRS. W. MARSHALL & Co. Gentlemen,-You will please to accept of my thanks for the little book which you were good enough to send me-"A Walk about Zion," by the Rev. Mr. Clark. While I am attached to my own denomination of Christians, I cannot but be willing that he should exercise the same right, and while he writes with such a temper, I can never fear but that those who imbibe his spirit, will make good Christians, whether they be called Epis. copalians or not. I do give my hand and my heart to men of such a spirit, and rejoice that men of enlarged views, of clear minds, and of evangelical piety, are thus raised up from all evangelical denominations. I regard Mr. Clark as a first-rate writer, and with thousands of my own denomination, give thanks to God that the Episcopal Church, for which we all have a very high respect, is more and more to be blest with the influ ence of such men; and I do think that no one can read this little work and have any other than the kindest feelings towards the author, and the church to which he belongs. And while you cannot expect me to subscribe to all his positions, or to be satisfied with all his reasonings, inter nces, and authorities, yet I believe the work will do much good; and if does not make Episcopalians, it will do what is far better,-it will en ghten, instruct, and render more spiritual those who are made. I trust t will have a wide circulation. Respectfully yours, Northampton, Nov. 16, 1835. J. TODD. From Rev. J. P. K. Henshaw, D.D., Rector of St. Peter's Church, Baltimore. The reverend author of "A Walk about Zion," has furnished his readers with a happy and conclusive answer in a popular form to the objec which Provision & not make in the Hock of rship esta By ALEXANDER V. Griswold, D.D., Bishop of the Easte HM 1 |