reader for the mass of ill-digested history and prophecy which this very respectable-looking octavo contains. The author's meaning gleams obscurely through the haze of his style, and we have come to the conclusion that it is not worth while to undergo the severe labour of reading him for the very doubtful advantage of understanding him. And yet his contribution to things not generally known is very considerable. The Anglo-Saxon race, sprung from the lost tribes of Israel, is very shortly to be dominant throughout the world, and will complete the restoration of the Jews to Palestine, which, it appears, began in 1866. "The present dispensation will terminate in the year 1906; after this, everlasting righteousness will be brought in by an elect agency, and all the predictions of prophecy receive a complete fulfilment; and "in the year 1939 the whole scheme of human salvation will have been perfected, and the Most Holy anointed, whose kingdom shall endure for ever." This will probably suffice as a specimen of the writer's folly and presumption in dealing with prophecy. When we add, that according to Mr. Gregory, the French are descended from Manasseh, the Germans from Issachar, the Spaniards from Zebulon, the Vandals from Naphtali, and the ancient Gauls are, on philological grounds, to be identified with the people of Gilead, we have sufficiently indicated to what class of writers he belongs. The Philosophy of Christianity; or, the Purpose and Power of the Gospel. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons. 1872. THIS book is either too long or too short. The portion that treats of the philosophy of Christianity is well written, clear, logical, and, though without much pretension to originality, no servile copy of the mode and system of others who have attempted a similar work. The necessities, purpose, and claims of the Christian dispensation are examined and established by cogent arguments, both moral and historical. But there is something near akin to a crotchet, which the author alleges to have been the motive of his book, and which by its frequent introduction tries the patience of his readers. We sympathise strongly with the cause he advocates-the union of all Christian denominations for common worship and for common warfare against infidelity; but how this is to be effected by the interpretation of Scripture according to the teachings of "natural religion," which the author defines as the "legitimate use of the faculty of reason," or how such a "principle is to alter in the slightest the present state of things, baffles our comprehension. We have no quarrel with the author's use of his reason, but we want further information as to what he means by its " legitimate use ;" and we fear there would prove to be a world of difference upon this subject between him and some advanced opponents of Christianity. For there are few expositors of the Bible, from the mystic to the sceptic, who do not profess Literary Notices. 485 merely the legitimate use of the faculty of reason." Were the author to expunge the whole substance which that idea of his has contributed, or were he carefully to explain his meaning, and express it in words that are neither indefinite nor ambiguous, he would add much to the interest and power of his book. The Credibility of the Christian Religion; or, Thoughts on Modern Rationalism. By Samuel Smith. London : Hodder and Stoughton. 1872. A BOOK addressed by a man of business to men of business, and hence written from a purely practical point of view, and without technical terminology. Some parts of it are very striking, and the whole is no mean contribution to the defence of Christianity against rationalism. The author has appended two chapters in which he attacks the catechetical mode of teaching children theology, and makes many very sensible remarks. Persons of limited time, and of common-sense cast of mind, will read Mr. Smith's little book with considerable pleasure. Origin and History of the New Testament. By James Martin, B.A. Second Edition. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 1872. THE ordinary English reader of the New Testament has many facilities for its accurate study which a few years ago he would have looked for in vain. Mr. Martin's admirable handbook is one of the class of books to which we refer. The origin of the New Testament writings, and their various characteristics, the formation of the Canon, and the history of the whole down to our own times, are dealt with clearly and satisfactorily. There is a good account of the principal manuscripts, a history of the Textus Receptus and of the English Version, and few questions are overlooked which properly belong to the subject. He concludes with a warmly appreciative notice of the work of the Revision Committee-" Will the revision be generally adopted even when complete? This will entirely depend upon its worth. If it be not worthy of adoption, no resolution that can be passed by Convocation, or by all the ecclesiastical bodies of the United Kingdom combined, will ever insure it a favourable reception; and no Act of Parliament will have weight enough to give it authority throughout the Empire. In all probability its history will be but a repetition of that of its predecessor. For a time the two will exist side by side, with no more harmful result than was produced by the same fact two hundred years ago. The old will be read because it is old; the new will be studied, because it is the more perfect of the two. Eventually the old associations will lose their force, and the new version will make its way, until at length the Authorised Version will take its place beside the Bishop's Bible and the Great Bible out of which it sprang, and the New Revision will become the Bible of the land." The Bible Student. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1871. THIS is the second annual volume of a monthly periodical issued by the above firm. It will be a source of instruction to the young student of the Holy Scriptures, and will also be very helpful to Sunday-school teachers, and to those who do the work of local preachers, whether they bear the name or not. Its contents are diversified, but they conserve its unity of purpose. In this volume there is an "Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament;" also Papers on Bible-history and some of its Characters, on Biblical Interpretation and Illustrations, on Textual Exposition and Experimental Religion, &c. &c. And we cannot better indicate the character of the work than by naming these as some of its chief contents. The Bible Student deserves to be well-known and widely used. The Biblical Museum: A collection of Notes Explanatory, MR. GRAY'S Manuals for Sunday-school Teachers are well known, and his Biblical Museum, as it approaches completion, will have a large circulation, we doubt not, among the class of persons by whom his former works have been so well received. It is hardly to be expected that in the vast collection of notes, illustrations, anecdotes, and quotations here brought together, a uniform standard of excellence is preserved. But, upon examination, we are able to express a hearty approval of the work upon its general merits. The selections from different authors are evidence of wide reading and a Catholic taste, and will be particularly serviceable to many readers in giving them some of the best thoughts of authors they might not otherwise have met with. With such help as is now ready to hand, ignorance on Scripture topics will soon be inexcusable. The Epistle to the Hebrews: with Analytical Introduction and Notes. By the Rev. W. A. O'Connor, B.A., Trin. Coll., Dublin. Author of "A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans," &c. London: Longmans, Green and Co. 1872. In a previous number we spoke favourably of Mr. O'Connor's former work. It is our pleasure to use similar terms of approval in reference to the present volume; making reservation, now as then, of particular interpretations. The analytical introduction is a specially pleasing feature; and we must commend the independent and unfettered spirit in which the exposition is attempted. It is a praiseworthy effort to bring out yet more of the inexhaustible fulness of the meaning and spiritual teaching of Holy Scripture, and well deserves the attention of the thoughtful student. The Voice of the Prayer Book. Lectures and Annotations on the Liturgy, Expository and Apologetic. A Manual for Churchmen. By Nevison Loraine, St. Paul's Church, Chiswick. Popular Edition. London: Longmans, Green and Co. 1872. Such How many vain objections to the Book of Common Prayer would be answered by a little calmness of consideration, and a little care in inquiring for the meanings and uses of its several parts! study would not only dissipate objections, but make the book a more profitable manual of devotion to those who gladly use it. There is now little excuse for ignorance of the history or the meaning of this book. Many "manuals" and illustrative works have latterly appeared. We have in our mind not a few works of this nature, but one better calculated to meet the requirements of a large class of readers-one more comprehensive, or, to us, more satisfactory in its explanations of the distinctive features of the Liturgy than this, we do not know. To a well-considered argument for fixed forms of prayer is added a historical review of the compilation of the Prayer-Book; followed by a rationale of the Morning and Evening Prayer, and of the Fasts and Festivals; and by essays on Absolution, the Sacraments, Confirmation, and the Service for the Burial of the Dead; to which are appended various biographical notices. The whole forms a cheap, handy, and useful repertory of varied and valuable information on these subjects. We may say, without consigning Mr. Loraine to any distinctive party in the Church, that he is faithful in his expositions to what we judge to be sound Evangelical principles. We do most cordially recommend this little work alike to those whose scruples prevent them from the use of the Liturgy, and to those who desire more clearly to see the force and beauty, the harmony and utility of the Book of Common Prayer, or to use it to greater profit. Talking to the Children. By Alexander Macleod, D.D., Author of "Christus Consolator." London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1872. A SUCCESSFUL attempt to convey important lessons in such manner and language as will interest children. Dr. Macleod avoids all stale, commonplace, goody anecdotage; a flower, or a page of history, or a leaf from his own experience, becomes in his cunning hands the centre and thread of ten minutes' happy talk. Indeed that difficult art of instructing whilst interesting children seems to have been mastered by him; and they who seek proficiency in it may learn many lessons by studying some of these twenty short addresses. There is a charm about them quite powerful enough to fix the attention of the most restless of his auditors, who will be led to think the writer rather a wise elder brother than a formidable doctor of divinity. We do not remember to have met for some time with any book of a similar aim with which we have been generally so pleased. Children's Services: A Book of Pictorial Family Worship, illustrated with nearly Three Hundred Engravings. London James Sangster and Co. WHAT "Pictorial Family Worship" may be we cannot say, and would suggest the amending of the above title so as to save any perplexity on the subject. These Children's Services are offered as aids to Divine worship in homes where there are children. They have been compiled under the conviction that family prayer, in such homes, should be a child's service." With this conviction we cannot quite agree, nor do we quite see how this very charming picture-book could be used at family prayer without making a somewhat singular service of it. But for teaching little children it will do admirably. The Scripture readings are well chosen, so are the hymns, and the prayers, if they will not quite suit the purpose suggested by the editor, are simple and sweet. The illustrations are very unequal in merit, some very good, some very poor. The volume as a whole is attractive, and is a very fair contribution to the children's literature. The Missionary World: An Encyclopædia of Information relating to Christian Missions in all Ages and Countries, and of all Denominations. London: Elliot Stock. THE Secretaries of three great Missionary Societies unite in furnishing a recommendatory preface to this volume, and it deserves their good word. The state of Heathen nations, the origin of missions, their history at different periods and in various parts of the world, the lives of eminent missionaries, and many other topics related to the subject are dealt with. It is a question whether the paragraph arrangement which has been adopted is the best; but it is well carried out. In small compass there is information on all missionary matters which could not be had elsewhere without a great deal of research. It would be a popular book in a Sunday-school library, and an intelligent boy or girl could hardly do better than read it. If the young people do get hold of it, the speakers at missionary meetings will have to look to themselves. |