NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

I. The Contrast: or, The Evangelical and Tractarian Systems Compared in their Structure and Tendencies. By the Rev. John S. Stone, D. D., Rector of St. Paul's Church, Brookline, Mass.: Protestant Episcopal Society for the promotion of Evangelical Knowledge. Depository No. 10, Bible House, Astor Place: 1853. The object which the author of this book proposes, is to present the main points of difference between the EVANGELICAL and TRACTARIAN Systems; and then to trace their respective practical tendencies. In prosecuting this object, he gives in Part 1, the modes by which, under the Evangelical System the sinner is brought to Christ. In this connection he treats of Baptism, the Word of God, and the agency of the Divine Spirit, exhibiting in a clear and forcible manner the position and relative importance of each of these agencies in the work of conversion and salvation. He then contrasts with this view the Tractarian System, showing, that from its very structure it is fundamentally different from the other-that any reconciliation between them is not only impracticable, but impossible.

In Sec. III. he considers Good Works, the Position of the Bible, the Apostolical Succession, and the Priesthood. With regard to each of these points, the two systems are contrasted, and the conclusion reached is, as the author most justly remarks, “They are Theological opposites; utterly and forever irreconcileable. If the one be the True Gospel, the other is necessarily false." This may appear like very strong language, but such we have no doubt will be the deep conviction of every one who reads the book.

In Part II. the Tendencies of the two Systems are considered. In this connection the author shows what will naturally be the influence of each system, first upon the ministry; what views the ministry will entertain of itself, its calling, its duties, privileges, and responsibilities, and second, upon the people; what estimate they will form of the Church, its sacraments and services, the Priesthood, its autho rity and influence, and the effect of these views upon individual character and public morals. All of these points are considered at length, and with a power of logic and illustration which we have seldom seen equalled.

In Part III. the author considers the present condition, and the apparent duty of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in relation to these conflicting systems. He thinks, and plainly declares his opinion, that Tractarianism and Romanism are essentially the same. Upon this point we prefer to let him speak in his own words. He says:—

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Properly to introduce our remarks upon this point, we must preface a word as to the impression which our readers will be likely to receive from what we have already said. We are aware that this impression will be to the effect that Tractarianism differs little from Romanism. Nor are we careful, either, to conceal the

truth, that such is the impression which we have wished to make; or to withhold the avowal that, in our judgment, Tractarianism is Romanism. In principle and element the two are identical. Evangelical authors and preachers do not, and need not hesitate, openly and fearlessly to charge essential Romanism upon the Tractarian Scheme. Both schemes start from the sume point of tradition as a necessary and virtually infallible interpreter of Scripture. Both proceed, from that point, along the same line, in fashioning their idea of the Apostolic Succession, of the Christian Priesthood, of the sacraments, of sacramental rites, and of church ceremonies. Both carry with them, along this line, the same doctrine, in regard to original sin, regeneration, justification, and the meriting value of works. And both tend toward the same results, in the construction of their systems of worship, and in their multiplication of external rites and forms. They are in essence one and the same thing. The main difference between them is, that the one has lived longer than the other, and has had more favorable circumstances for development and maturity. Give to Tractarianism the same number of centuries with those which have whitened the locks of Romanism, and surround it with the same favoring junctures for growth and expansion, and it would come to the same thing-not only in essence, but also in detail-not only in spirit, but also in form-not only in structure, but also in size."

In view of the errors which prevail in the Episcopal Church, and the dangers which threaten it, the author thinks that the friends of evangelical truth should arouse themselves, and by all proper means endeavor to detect and expose these errors and avert these dangers. To this end they should associate for purposes of combined and determined effort, both in the missionary work, and in the use of the press. They should not allow minor questions to separate them, but rally upon the great doctrines of the Gospel, and unitedly and unceasingly "contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.

II. A Treatise on the Law of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. By Murray Hoffman, Esq., New York: Stanford & Swords, 137 Broadway, 1853.

This volume, for some time already before the public, although to be followed by another containing a full index of both, is yet complete in itself, being a full discussion of all the subjects brought forward. The fundamental principle of the book, that which meets us at every point, and comes up in the discussion of every question of importance, is one which ought, by all classes of Churchmen, to be definitely understood. If there be a respectable body in our Church who are prepared to take the position that the Episcopate is the primal source and fountain of all power, spiritual, legislative and judicial, that all such power elsewhere, whether in General or in Diocesan conventions or tribunals, simply exists through their gift, and logically may, at any time, be withdrawn, it would be well for them to carry it out consistently especially where Providence has placed them under the jurisdiction of a Low Church Bishop. On the other hand, it would be well for those who repudiate such a theory, to see it as clearly presented, and to know that it is held definitely and distinctly. It is in view of these considerations, that we have read this work with interest, and commend it to the serious perusal of all who make our laws, or are concerned in seeing them executed. It does seem as if we were approaching that point in which the question is to be settled: whether for one order of the ministry there is any law, "statute," "something laid down," at all, or whether the will of the court, for the time being, based upon power; existing prior to all statute, in which every statute finds its origin and authority, and therefore beyond and

above statute,-shall determine how the confessed or unconfessed lying, or drunkenness or swindling of an offending bishop shall be treated. We do not believe, that all who voted in the closing scene at Camden, based their votes upon this theory of inherent power; though it cannot be too deeply regretted that such impression has gone abroad, and that many brave hearts have fainted, and many a strong arm has been paralyzed by this blow from their own leaders and defenders. A portion however of that vote did rest upon this foundation. It therefore behooves us to understand the law of our Church as it is, and then to know whether this law has power in all of our judicial tribunals, or whether there is one tribunal which may use or dispense with it at pleasure. The author does not develop his theory to this point. We think, however, it may be done with the assistance of his promises. To those who act upon the maxim audi alteram partem, both for the purpose of doing them justice, and of knowing exactly when they must be met and answered, this volume will possess special interest. Whatever may be their amount of agreement or disagreement with the writer, they cannot but be gratified with the high tone of Christian courtesy in which his views are put forth, and his evident familiarity with the subject matter of the discussion. Apart moreover from all points of controversy, there is a large amount of well arranged information with which every clergyman and intelligent layman should be familiar. There are some ecclesiastical questions to which the analogies of common law if they do not altogether fail, need to be applied with cautious limitations. These should be especially studied, and the discussions of Chancellor Hoffman are well calculated to call attention to them; to start trains of thought and reflection, leading perhaps to a conclusion opposite to his own, but still definite, and well founded. A conclusion which would perhaps have never been reached but for such suggestion. We might specify as of special interest the discussion of the control of a bishop in a ministration, the powers of the consecration of 1789, and that in the Introduction. as to the law of the Church and its sources. The last mentioned is one of great importance. Had the author confined himself to the sources of law and power there enumerated, he would have had much more trouble in carrying out his theory. III. A Manual of Elementary Geology, on the ancient changes of the earth and its inhabitants, as illustrated by geological monuments. By Sir Charles Lyell, M.A., F.R.S., author of Principles of Geology, Travels in North America, &c., &c. Reprinted from the fourth and entirely revised edition. Illustrated with five hundred wood cuts. New-York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. 1853.

Geology, "the science of the earth," is occupied with two great questions. First, the state of the earth, as it now is, the various changes now taking place, and the forces, aqueous, igneous, atmospheric or otherwise by which these changes are being produced or may be here accounted for. This question, of course, brings us into contact with that which may be known and must be dealt with in the spheres of experience and observation. The geologist must begin, if he begins rightly, with this first question, and in this way-not with a theory of the past, but with an investigation of facts as now existing.

With this first question, a work of Sir Charles Lyell's, soon to be issued by the publishers of the present volume, is occupied. This, however, "The Manual,"

deals more particularly with what may be regarded as the second great question, for which geology seeks an answer-the state of the earth in past ages, its changes and their causes prior to any tests of present experience and observation. In seeking an answer to the first of these questions, the author regards himself as reaching a solution for the second; in other words, reasoning from the known to the unknown, he arrives at the conclusion that the changes of the past are gradual, like those of the present; that laws are now in existence, and forces now operating which require only time for the production of future changes of equal magnitude. It will thus be seen that this work is occupied with that portion of geological investigation which is not only suggestive of the deepest interest, as constantly bringing new facts to light, but also, as bearing upon the controverted questions of the earth's antiquity, and the agreement of geological conclusions with the Mosaic record. The author, very properly, in a work of this kind, does not enter upon the adjustment of such difficulty, whether real or imaginary. And if we may judge of his theological capabilities, from certain flippancies of which he was guilty in the journal of his first tour to this country, he would do well to confine himself to his own science. The theory of development, however, which makes its appeal to geology, and which geology is best able to break down, or build up, is condemned, both in the Principles and in the Manual, not only as unsupported by geological facts, but as opposed and contradicted by them. We need not remind our readers of the acknowledged position, on all hands, of the author, in his own peculiar walk of science, and, consequently, of the weight of any such conclusion, as deduced by him from facts in that science. In the conclusion, however, he does not stand alone. With the exception of one or two who merely regard this theory of development as without support, it is, by all geologists of note, scouted and ridiculed.

To those who are desirous of knowing more of this science than is to be found in such apologetic works as those of Dr. J. Pye Smith, Hugh Williams "Foot Prints," Buckland's Treatise, or Dr. Hitchcock's Religion and Geology-and we must say, even while gratefully acknowledging the value of these works for their intended purpose, that such knowledge is very unsatisfying-this book will afford opportunity for their being gratified. The work is well gotten up, with a large number of engravings, and the author is a model both for style and philosophical arrangement. The clergyman and Christian scholar must now know something of geology. He can feel and speak with confidence when this knowledge is derived, not from an apologetic work, but from a regular geological treatise. And he can thus dispel the suspicion, by which he and others are liable to be tormented, by seeing and showing that such apologetic works as we have mentioned are not the ex parte statements of Christian geologists, but sustained by the general drift of the science itself, in its most clearly ascertained facts and principles.

IV. A Church Dictionary. By Walter Farquhar Hook, D.D., Vicar of Leeds. Sixth edition, revised and augmented. London: John Murray, Albemarle-street. 1852. For sale by Stanford & Swords, 137 Broadway.

With many readers the question may be asked, what special necessity is there for a dictionary of ecclesiastical terms and modes of expression? The answer to such question is to be found in the fact, that many of those terms originated in

customs and institutions now obsolete or greatly modified; in one language the Anglo-Saxon now superseded, in a great degree, by Norman French and Anglicised Latin; in another, the Latin, now even among learned men, in much less use than formerly. If some of these curious readers were asked, in reply, what was meant by such terms as "Advowson," "Annates," "Lychnoscope," they would probably see the necessity for such a work as that of the Vicar of Leeds, to which this notice would call their attention. Dr. Hook's Dictionary has been for some time before the Church. It was first called forth by the necessities of his own parish, and sent out in tract form. The demand for these led the author to an extension of his plan, and to make his work of more general utility. It was at last enlarged and improved, until in this, the sixth edition, it has assumed its present character. While we object to many of its statements, especially those upon theological points, we believe it is the best work of the kind now to be had. The author tells us in his preface, substantially, that since his book first came out the times have changed, but that he has not changed with them. It is not, just now, our business to call either of these facts into question; still less are we called upon to show how much more logically some of his old associates, now at the Vatican, have reasoned than himself, from certain principles which he and they, some fifteen years ago, held in common; or, on the other hand, to show the inconsistency of much of his present "Catholicism" with the sound scriptural Protestantism of his views on the subject of justification. It is a gratifying fact that he is alive to the danger, in the direction from which it is threatened, and that he has such a basis for his theology as is contained in a correct view of the above-mentioned doctrine, both in itself and in its irreconcileable character with that of Rome. Apart, however, from all questions of controversial character-in regard to which no one goes for his opinions to a work of this kind-there is here presented a large amount of useful and curious information, much of it that cannot be obtained in any single volume, and otherwise out of the reach of ordinary readers. We may mention that the author lets us know that, in matters where such assistance was needed, he has called in the services of others, such, for instance, as in the articles on Law and Architecture, and that "an account has been taken of various Christian communities not in connection with the Church," of England, we add for him, and regret his mode of expression, however interpreted.

V. A Vindication of the Doctrine of the Church of England, on the Validity of the Orders of the Scotch and Foreign non-Episcopal Churches, in three pamphlets, containing, 1st, a general review of the subject; 2d, a Reply to Archdeacon Churton and Chancellor Harrington, second edition; 3d, a Reply to the Bishop of Exeter's Letter to the Archdeacon of Totness, third edition. By Wm. Goode, M.A., F.S.A., Rector of Allhallows, the great and less, London. New York: A. D. F. Randolph, 683 Broadway. 1853.

These three pamphlets of Mr. Goode's, reprinted in this country together, originally appeared in the London Christian Observer, and are occupied with the one great question, of the doctrine of the Church of England, as to the validity of nonEpiscopal orders. We say the doctrine of the Church of England, not that of the