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Methodist Quarterly Review, January 1852. -- This is one of the ablest periodicals of the country. We do not wish here to discuss the question, (which we cannot but regard as a very absurd one,) as to the wisdom of the Methodists in raising the intellectual character of their people, and to that of establishing colleges and cultivating letters. We cannot believe that any man was ever the worse for becoming familiar with truth or with beauty, which is its blossom. Whoever comprehends ever so imperfectly the capabilities and aspirations of any human mind, must be unwilling to fasten to the position of Wordsworth's poor peasant boy -- a position beyond, or above which he was never to progress --

"The primrose by the river's brim,
A yellow primrose is to him --
And it is nothing more."

We are glad, therefore, to have another number of this Review -- rich in information and truth, made more attractive by the decorations which literary genius have thrown around them.

The first article treats of a subject of infinite importance -- the dependence of Science on faith, not faith in the sense of a belief resting mainly and solely on processes of reasoning and intuition, but on faith as a law of our mental constitution -- in virtue of which a healthy mind receives without a question, the indications of the character and will of God, whether conveyed through His Scriptures, His Providence, or His Works. The elucidation of this subject by Prof. Lewis, of Union College, should be in the hands of every searcher after scientific truth.

It would be pleasant if we had time and space for a notice of all the articles of this number. We cannot refrain, however, from expressing the satisfaction which we have derived from the article on Dante, which often reminds us of our Prescott -- beyond all question this age's master of the Literature of Italy. The article on the Antigone is a fine piece of criticism.

Southern Literary Messenger. Richmond, January, 1852. -- Another welcome visiter from the Sunny South -- of which the mechanical execution would be a great recommendation, if it had no other merit. The leading article in this number continues the History of the City of Richmond. What ideas are awakened by the mere mention of this City, ideas of patriotism, honor, eloquence and chivalry.

It has been often asked, why Southern men, such men as this article describes, have not been more occupied in purely literary pursuits? We think that it would not be difficult to state circumstances, which have directed the splendid talents of the South, rather to the investigation and elucidation of political rather than critical subjects. There is one department of Literature, however, in which they have probably surpassed any previous age. That is Eloquence. We do not believe that Patrick Henry was, in any of the qualities of a great orator, inferior either to Demosthenes or Chatham.

The circumstances above alluded to will also account for the eminent success of Southern Statesmen and Civilians, in formal and elaborate statements of doctrines in general politics and constitutional law.

This Magazine proves that a portion of this genius is now directed towards the cultivation of letters; and we feel confident that the land which gave birth and education to Wirt and Grimke -- the Addison and the Gifford of America -- will, with such vehicles of communication as the Southern Literary Messenger, show that she is as capable of success in poetry, history and criticism, as she has heretofore been in deliberative and forensic eloquence.

Littell's Living Age -- This rich and instructive periodical comes to us weekly. We are not sure that the publishers, in their work of selection, have not undertaken a more difficult duty than that of furnishing original matter. However this may be, it is very certain that their success is complete. We look forward with eagerness for our weekly treat, in which there is always such a just combination of the strong and the delicate, the wholesome and the pleasant. The stately, time-honoring, experience-loving London Quarterly, the earnest, vehement, progress-loving Edinburgh, the airy, racy, truth-telling Blackwood, all meet together, and there results that improvement to our minds which always attends on an active but well-regulated function. We cannot help applauding the publishers for not allowing any of the smooth, but ruinous, poison of the Westminster Review to enter their compilation.

It is a matter of surprise to some, perhaps, and of pride to all, that one of the most frequent and valuable contributors to 'old Blackwood' is a countryman of our own, -- a genuine Yankee, -- the Rector of St. Johns Church, Hartford, Conn.

Whig Review. -- We welcome another number of this able Review. The leading article is on the question which at present absorbs the attention of all political speculators, 'Non-intervention.' The article is written with great ability. It would, of course, be deemed presumptuous in us to enter the lists where such a man as Mr. Webster is just now contending. Still, let us be allowed the liberty to suggest, that all statesmen do not sufficiently consult an authority as satisfactory and conclusive on questions of politics and law, whether municipal or International, as it is on all questions relative to the essential happiness of our race, -- we mean the Word of God. The Bible is the only just interpreter of History. "The Lord GOD omnipotent reigneth." Let us never lose sight of this fundamental fact, in politics. The practical preference is, in all things, to "study to mind our own business," to do what we can of duty in our sphere, and leave the issue to be determined by the sovereign, omniscient and omnipotent God. With regard to the "liberation of Europe," the dethronement of tyrants, &c., we have long been convinced of the divine truth of a saying of a great Christian philosopher of our country, to a set of men who came beseeching him to aid them in a plan of instantaneous, indiscriminate and uncompromising reform. "If," said he, "there be a scheme of benevolence, which cannot be reached by the simple, mild genius of Christianity, depend upon it, the time for its accomplishment has not yet come."