THE SECTARIAN
Is a novel intended to show the evils of theological discussion among the people. The principal misery which it is here seen to entail, is family dissension. Religionists are represented chiefly as designing fanatics ; their converts as ignorant dupes. A happy village, and a happy and amiable family, are exhibited as under the influence of change from the introduction of religious controversy : estrangement, quarrels, separation, affect the relations of the family ; and the village is filled with bad feeling, sour looks, idleness, and hostile sects. Per- secution reigns, an universal espionage is established, and the little vil- lage world is divided between hypocrisy and fanaticism. The compo- nent parts of country society are all introduced : the great landed pro- prietor of ancient farrilly—the monied commercialist, retired upon a purchased estate—the quiet clergyman of the church—the ranting preacher of the chapel—the tradesman or builder, well to do, and thriv- ing also in grace—the bookseller, somewhat sceptical—with the various other phases of humanity in such circumstances, are all exceedingly well portrayed, quietly but naturally. The progress of fanaticism is also ably done, and the arts and the eloquence of interested preachers are ably exposed. As is the fashion in these publications, a good por- tion of love and marriage is mixed up with the sketches of religious controversy ; but the amalgamation is very imperfect : in fact, it is al- together but a poor novel, though on the whole a very sensible work. The author has not learned the method of teaching by examples : his doctrine overlays his incidents ; and we fear that thus the utility of the work will be circumscribed : they who read novels as novels will per- haps lay it down in the middle of the author's second sermon. It is clear that the author has had considerable religious experience : he has probably passed through many stages of belief and fluctuating en- thusiasm. The conduct and manner of the novel remind us, most of all the productions of modern literature, of a very able work published under the title of Truth, and continued under that of Elizabeth Evan- shaw. The author of Truth is, however, a shrewder person, and is probably a maturer thinker.
* The Sectarian, or the Church and the Meeting-house. 3 rots. Svo. London, 1829. Colb urn.
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