Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

its weapons in the strife, and all, when the smoke and dust of battle have cleared away, are found to have been driven from the field. The combatants, with whom it has had to contend. have always been the master-minds of the world, and its champions have been of the same calibre. Its believers have risen to the rank of the highest civilization, by force of the teaching and training it has given. It is the religion which prospers best the more thoroughly it is tested, and where intellect is strongest, most active and clear.

Inquiry into the origin of such a religion, and the character and labors of its first teachers cannot fail to be of intense interest at a time of profound and earnest thinking, when some of its effects are pervading the world to an unprecedented extent, while its enemies were never more insidious or better armed. Re-examination of the facts of early Christian history, and the sources of its power, is at present the great subject of serious thought. The Life of Christ and the lives of his Apostles are discussed from the separate points of view of all the different parties, as divided in relation to the subject.

In this controversy none have attained a more honorable distinction than Dr. Pressensé. His work on the religions before Christ, on the Life of Christ, and now on the Apostolic Era, cover the whole of that period of history. His treatment of the subject is animated and rapid, but packs much information and cogent argument into small space, and in a style clear and attractive. This volume, though not large, will be an important addition to the literature of the controversy.

Light-Houses and Light-Ships, a Descriptive and Historical Account of their Construction and Organization. By W. H. Davenport Adams. New York: Charles Scribner & Co.

Mr. Scribner's Illustrated Library of Wonders has already established for itself a standing of high scientific importance. It has already presented some of the most valuable discoveries in nature, in antiquities, in the structure of the human frame, and many of the achievements of art, in forms not only accessible, but highly attractive to the common reader. In the style of effort, now so generally made by scientific men themselves, to bring truth and recondite facts before the general public, this series of books is a happy success. Guided by the practical sagacity and Christian spirit of the publisher, whose conception it is, it will no doubt continue to be, as it has so far been, a means of making useful knowledge exceedingly entertaining.

A Manual of the Ancient History of the East to the Commencement of the Median Wars. By Francois Lenormant, Sub-Librarian of the Imperial Institute of France; and E. Chevalier, member of the Royal Asiatic Society, London. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co.

London: Asher & Co.

In continuation of their history of the pre-Hellenic world, Lenormant and Chevalier have presented, in this volume, the first great Aryan empire, and the latest of the Semitic; following the latter down to the extinction of their independence, and the former up to the summit of Persian success. Under the head of Aryan it may be thought that the Greeks and Hindoos should have been included; but the Greeks, inasmuch as they created a new style of culture, which had not yet been generally recognized, belong, not to the earlier, but to the later

antiquity; and India, for the present, has been omitted on account of the utter lack of definite information touching all that part of her existence prior to the Greek invasion.

Over the whole of the ancient Oriental period, where not included in the Hebrew narrative, there is a very generally extended veil of doubt. The testimony of monuments is positive as to isolated facts: but in many cases hopelessly disconnected, leaving the very foundations of history matter of conjecture. In their former volume these authors granted too much credence to such conjectures; in the present there is not so large a proportion of that tantalizing material, and a great part of its field comes within the orbit of Herodotus, where the results of antiquarian research give and receive confirmation from connected history.

The subjects of the volume are the Medes and Persians; the construction of the Medo-Persian empire, until the reign of Darius Hystaspis, the Phoenicians until their subjugation to Persia; Carthage until after the first treaty with Rome, and the opening of the first Sicilian war; and the Arabians under the three heads of Yemen, Hejaz, and Arabia Petræa.

The narrative is compact, and yet spirited; the arrangement well designed for instruction; and the style concise but easy and clear. For the purpose of giving a connected view of ancient Oriental history, according to the utmost of the resources which scholarship and the work of the antiquarian have amassed, and giving it unburdened by discussions, there is nothing else equal to this work of Lenormant and Chevalier.

Thoughts on Religious Experience. By the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D. Presbyterian Board of Publication.

Dr. Alexander was eminent for his learning, sagacity, and wisdom; for his theological insight, and more still for his devoutness and experimental piety. But the gift in which he was most unrivalled was that of guiding and quickening the religious experience of others; of awakening devout feeling, probing the heart, and exposing morbid and pseudo-religious exercises. This, not less than his great abilities and acquirements, gave him an influence for many years scarcely equalled by any divine in the American church. This volume contains the aroma of his spiritual wisdom and experience. We recollect the great benefit we derived from its heavenly instructions when they first appeared. And among all recent issues of the press we hardly know of any more precious reading for Christians whether young or old.

The True Unity of Christ's Church; being a Renewed Appeal to the Friends of the Redeemer, on Primitive Christian Union and the History of its Corruption. To which is now added a Modified Plan for the Reunion of all Evangelical Christians; Embracing as Integral Parts the World's Evangelical Alliance, with all its National Branches. By S. S. Schmucker, D. D. New York: Anson D. T. Randolph & Co. 1870.

The substance of this volume was published more than thirty years ago. It now appears with modifications in its third edition. The plan of union advocated by the venerable author is a sort of federative union among the various Evangelical churches, having a creed substantially like that of the Evangelical Alliance, but without any regular or formal ecclesiastical jurisdiction, this being left to the several bodies composing the federation and represented in it by

their delegates. This scheme has been indorsed by many names eminent in various communions. It seems the only practicable way of bringing Evangelical Christians to show a united front against Romanism and Rationalism,-a consummation for which so many long and pray. It escapes the difficulties involved in any attempt at formal ecclesiastical union of all Protestants in their present condition, while it insures most of the advantages to be hoped for from such a union.

God Sovereign and Man free; or, the Doctrine of Divine Foreordination and Man's Free Agency stated, illustrated, and proved from the Scriptures. By N. L. Rice, D. D. Presbyterian Board of Publication. This compact and lucid treatise proves beyond a peradventure man's freedom and God's sovereignty, even in respect to man's free acts, and that such sovereignty and freedom are mutually consistent, whether men are able to see how and why they are so or not. A feather will rise and a stone fall whether men can comprehend these facts or not. These truths, in their nature, proofs, grounds, and consequences are ably unfolded and vindicated by Dr. Rice; and such explanation and vindication were never more important than now. The Lord's Inquiries answered in the words of Scripture; a Year-Book of Scripture Texts. Arranged by G. Washington Moon, Member of the Council of the Royal Society of Literature. London: Hatchards, 187 Piccadilly. New York: Pott & Amery, 5 Cooper Union. 1870.

A very neat little volume, in which the aim indicated in the title-page is well executed.

[ocr errors]

The Juno Stories. Volume I. "Juno and Georgie," By Jacob Abbott, author of the "Franconia Stories," "The Rolio Books," 66 · The Young Christian Series," etc., etc. New York: Dodd & Mead. The Wise Men: who they were; and how they came to Jerusalem. By Francis W. Upham, LL. D., Professor of Mental Philosophy in Rutgers Female College, City of New York. New York: Sheldon & Co. White as Snow. By Edward Garrett, author of "Occupation of a Retired Life," "Crust and Cake," and "Ruth Garrett." New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co.

Summer Drift-wood for the Winter Fire. By Rose Porter. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co.

The following books have been received from the Presbyterian Board of Publication:

Tales of the Family, or Home Life. Illustrated.

The Two Voyages, or Midnight and Daylight.

Aspenridge. By Julia Carrie Thompson.

Tales of the Persecuted.

Chronicles of an Old Manor-House. By G. E. Sargent.

Ivan and Vasilesa, or Modern Life in Russia.

Sweet Herbs.

San-Poh, or North of the Hills. A Narrative of Missionary Work in an Out-Station in China. By Rev. John L. Nevius.

PAMPHLETS AND PERIODICALS.

The United States Internal Revenue and Tariff Law (Passed July 13, 1870), together with the Act Imposing Taxes on Distilled Spirits and Tobacco, and for other purposes (approved July 20, 1868), and such other Acts or Parts of Acts relating to Internal Revenue as are now in effect; with Tables of Taxes, a copious Analytical Index, and full Sectional Notes. Compiled by Horace E. Dresser. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers.

It is only necessary to say that this pamphlet is true to its title, to evince its great value to vast multitudes of people.

Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America, with an Appendix. By the Stated Clerk. New Series. Vol. I., A. D. 1870. New York: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 1870.

This first volume of the Minutes of the Re-united Church is of special importance. It evinces the magnitude of the Presbyterian body by its own size, extending as it does, to nearly 500 closely printed octavo pages. None who wish to be conversant with the condition of the Presbyterian Church can do without it. So far as we can judge, the prodigious labor required to edit it has been well performed, and the result is creditable to the stated clerk of the Assembly. Religion in the State and in the School. A Refutation of certain Reasoning and Statements. By Rufus W. Clark, D. D. New York: American and Foreign Christian Union, 47 Bible House. 1870.

A vigorous refutation of the articles of Dr. Spear in the Independent, which aim to prove the godless or non-religious character of our government in its relations to education.

The Disciples of our Lord during the Personal Ministry. A Lecture Delivered in Queen Street Hall, Edinburgh, on the 24th August, 1869, before the Students' Theological Society of the United Presbyterian Church. By William Lee, D. D., Minister of Roxburgh. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons.

1869.

A well-considered tract, developing important truths on a subject quite worthy of attention.

Christianity the Ultimate and Universal Religion of Man. A Sermon preached in the Brick Church, New York, May 1, 1870, for the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. By the Rev. Leroy J. Halsey, D. D., Chicago, Ill. Published at the request of the Executive Committee. New York: Board of Foreign Missions, 23 Centre Street. 1870.

An able presentation of a glorious theme.

Modern Spiritualism: What are we to think of it? By the Rev. Nathan L. Rice, D. D., President of Westminster College, Missouri. Presbyterian Board of Publication.

An exposure of that monstrosity which is as properly called spiritualism as a bastard is called a legitimate child, alike compact and clear, searching and anni

hilating. We quite agree with his main conclusion: "1. That the communications of spiritualism, if they come from spirits at all, are attended with such uncertainties that they are utterly unreliable and worthless. 2. That if those revelations do come from spirits, they come not from truthful but deceiving spirits."

We have received Lloyd's "Topographical and Railway Map of the Seat of War in Europe," which is very clear and full-includes all Europe-about a yard square, and at the low price of fifty cents, free by mail.

ART. X.-LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

GREAT BRITAIN.

GREAT BRITAIN, it is said, has not for many years known a drought equal in duration and severity to that of the last summer. The drying up of the streams has, both there and on the Continent, interfered seriously with the work of the paper-mills. It is too early to measure the influence of these things on literature. The comparative meagreness of our present report is to be traced rather to the general disinclination of publishers to bring out their most solid and important works during the summer months.

There are a few books, however, among the recent publications which have attracted and will continue to attract not a little attention. Foremost among these we put a collection of "Essays, chiefly on Questions of Church and State from 1850-70," by A. P. Stanley, D. D., Dean of Westminster. In their theological and literary qualities these essays are eminently characteristic of their distinguished author, and are typical of one strong tendency in the Church of England. In their scientific and educational aspect, Huxley's “Lay Sermons, Addresses, and Reviews" are no less significant. Another representative work is Sir John Lubbock's "Origin of Civilization, and Primitive Condition of Man; Mental and Social Condition of Savages." Probably nothing has appeared with reference to Keble which more fairly brings him out in his personality as well as in that which makes him an exponent of a school, than his recently published "Letters of Spiritual Council and Guidance."

The Collins Commentary is completed by the publication of Volume VI., in which Acts and Romans are edited by Dr. David Brown, of the Free Church College in Aberdeen, and the remaining books of the New Testament by one of his associate editors, Rev. A. R. Fausset, of York. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge is bringing out a commentary on the New Testament, of which Part I, recently published, contains the four Gospels, with notes by Rev. W. W. How. The Cambridge Paragraph Bible, edited by Rev. F. H Scrivener, is completed by the publication of Part II., which contains the Apocrypha and

« ElőzőTovább »