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The Relation between the Holy Scriptures and some parts of Geological Science. By John Pye Smith, D.D. LL.D. F.R.S. and F.G.S. Fifth Edition. With a short Sketch of the Literary Life of the Author. By John Hamilton Davies, B.A. Bohn, London.

MR. BOHN has done well to incorporate Dr. Smith's admirable work on 'Geology,' in his series of publications. Although a mistaken piety contemned his researches at first, calm reflection has convinced the thinking portion of the religious public, that he did a real service to the cause of truth by these lectures. Though some differences of opinion still prevail, the main points of the argument in this volume will be strengthened and substantiated by future discoveries. The theory of creations is as satisfactorily established, by the evidences of successive organizations, as that of gravitation in the philosophy of the physical universe.

We cannot help expressing a wish that the Introduction to this volume had consisted rather of observations strictly relative to the science itself of which it treats, or of the manner in which it is treated, than of a compressed narrative of the author's literary life. It would have been quite in place had it been designed as introductory to a complete collection of the works of Dr. Smith, as a sketch deduced from a more elaborate and authorized memoir; or had there been no probability of the appearance of a more extensive narrative. The writer, indeed, states that, aware of the preparations in progress for such a work, he has been scrupulously careful to avoid interference with the intended biography; but to a certain degree, it does forestall it, and that just in the proportion in which the present sketch is well executed. Had it been of a very inferior character, it would have been of no consequence, but we are bound in justice to say, that its claims to literary merit are not inconsiderable.

We are a little doubtful of the expediency of a prefatory life, especially when that life has had but a comparatively small and partial connexion with the developments (practically) of the main subject of the volume. Dr. Smith could hardly be held to be a geological discoverer, although we highly estimate the sagacity and care with which he applied discovery to the important end of scriptural elucidation. What others have made science, he has sanctified by religion. To have attempted this was a noble object; to have achieved it, a splendid distinction. Some others have pursued, and are still pursuing, the same course, to the great advantage of religion, and the advancement of their own reputation.

A Lecture on the Historic Evidence of the Authorship and Transmission of the Books of the New Testament, delivered before the Plymouth Young Men's Christian Association, October 14th, 1851. By S. P. Tregelles, LL.D. London: Bagster and Sons.

THE importance of such an investigation as that to which this lecture is devoted cannot be questioned; and to present the subject before an assembly of young men, in so condensed, and we must add, in so satisfactory a form as that in which it is here given, was most desirable. If the pulpit should occasionally, and by distinct and plain references, bring the minds of a congregation to consider the historic evidence of the

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authorship of the Scriptures in general, or its separate books in particular, the press, as the organ of the writer, or the reporter of the lecturer, seems to be most appropriate for more elaborate and minute details. Hence arises the value of such a production as this of Dr. Tregelles, whose competency, and the clearness of whose statements demand our cordial approval, and recommend the little volume to universal perusal.

The title-page describes with sufficient accuracy the general designnamely, to furnish a sketch of the historic evidence of the authorship and transmission of the books of the New Testament, which is accomplished by adducing the conclusive proofs of their having been written by the apostles and their companions, and then pointing out the channels through which they have been transmitted to us. The argument fully disposes both of the pretensions of the Romanists and of the Rationalists, and shows that we stand, in respect to the authenticity of our inspired documents, upon a rock that cannot be moved. We are glad to hear the author say, in his Introduction, 'I have long wished and intended to write a full account of the historic evidence on this important subject, the materials for which have increased on my hands while engaged in biblical studies, connected with the text of the New Testament, on which I have been occupied for several years. I need not here detail the causes which have prevented the completion and publication of the volume of "Historie Evidence,' which I announced some years ago, as being in preparation; I have only now to say, that this lecture contains an outline of part of the subject, into the whole of which I may, perhaps, fully enter at a future time. We devoutly hope that future will not be distant; but that these first ripe fruits will be speedily followed by the harvest.

Female Scripture Biography; preceded by an Essay on What Christianity has done for Woman. By F. A. Cox, D.D., LL.D. Second Edition. London: John Snow.

MR. JAMES has rendered good service to the religious public by inducing Dr. Cox to issue this edition of a work which has long been out of print, and which is admirably suited to interest many classes of readers, and to contribute largely to their scriptural instruction. The work was at first issued in two volumes, but is now given in one, by employing a smaller type, and thus adapting it for more general circulation.' The preliminary Essay displays a wide range of reading, and brings together within narrow limits what must otherwise be sought through numerous, bulky, and expensive volumes. With much painstaking and discrimination, Dr. Cox has searched through ancient and modern testimonies in order to illustrate his theme, and the result is a clear, comprehensive, and most satisfactory exhibition of his theme.

Of the numerous sketches furnished-from Eve to Lydia-it is difficult to speak too highly. We had intended to notice them at some length, and to have furnished specimens in support of our favorable judgment, but the pressure of other topics prevents our doing so, and we prefer recording our opinion at once, though briefly, rather than to delay it, in the hope of furnishing a more extended notice. The author has brought to his task many of the best qualities which it requires. A sound judgment,

uice discrimination of the minuter shades of character, a poetic temperament, a sparkling style, and a heart full of kind and generous sympathies, are combined with a deeply religious temper, a cordial appreciation of evangelical truth, and an earnest solicitude to transmit to others the devout impressions of his own mind. An attentive reader of the volume cannot fail to have his estimate of the female character greatly raised, at the same time that he discerns more clearly the imperfections which attached to those that are sketched in the inspired word. Dr. Cox has hit the happy medium between adulation and neglect. In doing justice to the virtues he has marked the defects of his heroines. His volume is admirably fitted for general perusal, but is specially adapted to our mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters. We warmly commend it to their confidence.

Review of the Mouth.

THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. BENNETT TO THE VICARAGE OF FROME, has been the subject of renewed parliamentary discussion, which has brought out still more clearly the unsatisfactory state of ecclesiastical affairs. A few more such cases, and the nation will be prepared to sweep away the whole system from which such anomalies arise. We rejoice to see church reformers dragging these delinquencies to light, and when the defenders of our ecclesiastics plead on their behalf the legal difficulties of their position, they unwittingly aid the cause against which they are accustomed to declaim. It is no advantage to the church that public indignation should be diverted from individuals to the system; and the time will come when our opponents will learn this. On the 8th, Mr. Horsman, in a speech of considerable length, moved the appointment of a committee to inquire into the circumstances connected with the institution of Mr. Bennett to the vicarage of Frome. In doing this, he reviewed the whole case, from which it appeared, that, when at Kissingen, subsequently to leaving St. Barnabas, Mr. Bennett went to mass every morning; and though there was in the place an English church and English service, he voluntarily attended by preference the Roman-catholic.' Other circumstances of a most suspicious nature were mentioned. Indeed, so notorious was the case, that the Roman-catholic Directory' distinctly affirmed his having been reconciled to the papal church. But Mr. Bennett affirms that there is no truth in this statement. One thing, however, is quite evident. Whether reconciled-in the canonical sense-to Rome or not, the man who could do as he is clearly shown to have done, is no fit minister for a Protestant church. He may not legally be a Catholic priest, but he is morally disqualified for officiating as a Protestant one.

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But the question has graver aspects than its personal bearing on Mr. Bennett. We are not surprised at Mr. Horsman's statement, that further inquiry had convinced him that, whatever he might formerly have thought as to the acts of the bishop of Bath and Wells, as descrving of censure, fell short of the truth, even more as regarded the bishop than as regarded Mr. Bennett.' His charges against the bishop will be best understood from his own words, which are thus reported in the 'Times':-'The Bishop of Bath and Wells had instituted Mr. Bennett, in the first place, with a haste and with a determination to shut out the parishioners of Frome from that legal redress which they would have had if the bishop had given them more time; he had instituted him, secondly, without having that certificate from Mr. Bennett's former diocesan which, by usage and by law, he was under an obligation to require; and thirdly, without that due examination which was enjoined by law, and which the parishioners of Frome had a right to demand; and he (Mr. Horsman) was prepared to show that the bishop had done this, not accidentally, not carelessly, not hastily, not upon impulse, but advisedly, as the lawyers said, "perversely," and with the intention of defeating the ends of justice.'

Mr. Gladstone followed in a speech of considerable ability, but without materially altering the aspect of the affair. It was more that of an advocate than of a judge, and dealt rather with the law of the case than with its moral bearings. They had not,' he remarked; and there was force in the observation, to decide what was in the abstract right; but, first— had the laws been obeyed? If the laws were good, obey them; if not, alter them?' As to the facts which were alleged to have occurred at Kissingen, Mr. Gladstone unhesitatingly declared, that he did not think it was in the power of the bishop to take any step on account of them, because they were done beyond the purview of our ecclesiastical law.' Had we made such a statement, ignorance of ecclesiastical law and slanderous defamation of the discipline of the church, would have been amongst the mildest charges preferred against us. But we have it now on the authority of the member for Oxford University, that let clergymen conform, however they may, to the worship and practices of the papal church on the Continent, there is no power of calling them to account. We thank Mr. Gladstone for the admission, and shall not forget it. We believe him to be right; and the fact supplies- another proof of the little service rendered to Protestantism by our Established Church.

Mr. Horsman's motion was opposed by the Government, some of the members and supporters of which, however, made admissions which will sink deeply into the public mind. The Colonial Secretary expressed serious doubts whether Mr. Bennett could be considered a real and truly sincere minister of the Church of England,' and avowed his conviction that it was a great misfortune that any patron of the Church of England should be led to give a living, and that, too, the important living of Frome, to a person so situated.' Mr. Newdegate thanked Mr. Horsman for the very able manner in which he had brought the case before the House;' affirmed that his principal accusations had been admitted; and added, it was clear that the existing law stood condemned.' The Chancellor of the Exchequer, while opposing the motion for a committee, expressed his regret at much that had occurred, and avowed that the state

of the ecclesiastical courts was one which could not much longer be maintained. On a division, Mr. Horsman's motion was carried by a majority of 45; the numbers being 156 in favor, and 111 against it.

Insuperable difficulties subsequently occurred in the formation of the committee, several members declining to sit upon it. Mr. Gladstone, moreover, required that the charges against the bishop should be reduced to writing; and insisted that the proper course to be pursued was by impeachment. Mr. Horsman reviewed the whole case on the 18th, abandoning for the present his motion, as there was no hope of its being brought to any practical result in the present parliament. It is impossible,' he said, 'to overrate the importance of the vote come to the other night. The inquiry for the present might be defeated, but the result of that vote was an indication of the feeling of the House and of the country, which it was impossible to mistake. It showed that there was a parliamentary tribunal that would take cognizance of abuses, however high the rank of the offender. Few votes of that House had given more satisfaction to the country; and now that the attention of parliament had been given to one great scandal of the Church, the House had given warning that it would inquire into grievances like the present, and redress them.'

THE MARQUIS OF BLANDFORD'S MEASURE, which we noticed last month, has terminated much as we looked for. Short as it fell of our views, it was too honest and far-reaching for the ministry, and we are not surprised at its being handed over to the next parliament. The mode of accomplishing this is a fine specimen of the tactics of the party in power. When the second reading of the bill was moved on the 9th, Mr. Walpole stated, that 'he had taken an opportunity of communicating with the head of the Government, and with the highest authorities in the church, and those who took an interest in the matter, and that he had to state, that the Government were willing to undertake the consideration of the subject, with reference to capitular bodies and cathedral institutions, so as to make them more extensive and more practically useful than they were perhaps at present; and also with a view of extending the spiritual instruction and education which might advantageously be afforded by those bodies, and putting them generally on a more satisfactory footing than at present.' With these vague promises some members of the House were, of course, satisfied; but the scepticism of others led to a more detailed statement, which revealed the hollowness of the whole affair. For the abolition of deans Mr. Walpole could see no reason; he thought it 'extremely doubtful' whether the number of canonries could be reduced; he was, of course, willing to increase the episcopate if the needful funds could be obtained; and with regard to the management of the capitular and episcopal property,' said the Home Secretary, I think that there are two principles which you have to keep in view; to relieve these high officers of the church as much as possible from the cares and troubles of all worldly and temporal affairs; but at the same time to preserve the property in such a connexion with them as not to leave them mere dependents and stipendiaries of the state.' On such promises the order for the second reading of the bill was discharged; and the bishops and others congratulate themselves on a victory. They know the worth of the professions made,

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