MR. JOHN R. LEIFCHILD'S "HIGHER MINISTRY OF NATURE”* is a popular treatise on the relations of Modern Science to Christian Philosophy. The writer is himself familiar with the natural sciences and also with the course of modern metaphysical speculation. He has succeeded in gathering together the views of thinkers of every class and presenting them in their relations to one another; interposing such explanatory remarks as were required to make them intelligible, and such arguments as he judged necessary. The book is very convenient for any person who wishes to read both sides on the important questions here discussed; and to those who believe in spiritual existence and creative intelligence its conclusions cannot but be acceptable. It is written in a clear and fluent style, and is in many respects very attractive.

THOUGHTS For THE TIMES.-This volume, it is said in the Preface, consists of short-hand reports of several extempore sermons. The subjects of the sermons are-The Liberal Clergy; God; Christianity; The Bible; The Articles; Worship; Life. The author is himself one of the Liberal clergy of the Church of England, and would have the Broad Church made broader still. He is quite familiar with the "Free Thought" of the times in things relating to religion. He refers particularly and frankly to those to whom he has been indebted for views and suggestions. Mr. Froude, Mr. Herbert Spencer, Mr. Matthew Arnold, Mr. Lecky, Mr. Emanuel Deulich, Dr. Henry, and Mr. Ward Beecher, are the persons to whom he acknowledges obligations. He seems very bold and independent, because his teachings are so entirely opposed to the doctrines of the church of which he is a member. We do not find in his book anything original or profound in thought, while his statements are often exceedingly inaccurate, and his style flippant and unworthy of the grave subjects of which he is speaking. "We are asked," he says, "What is Rationalism? Let us answer-Rationalism is reverence for all that is true

*The Great Problem.

The Higher Ministry of Nature, viewed in the light of Modern Science, and as an aid to advanced Christian Philosophy. By JOHN R. LEIFCHILD, A.M., author of "Our Coal Fields and Our Coal Pits," "Cornwall, its Mines and Miners," etc., etc., with an Introduction by HOWARD CROSBY, D.D., LL.D., Chancellor of the University of New York. New York: G. P. Putnam & Sons. 1872.

Thoughts for the Times. Sermons by the Rev. H. R. HAWEIS, M.A., Incumbent of St. James, Westmoreland St., Marylebone, London. New York: Holt & Williams. 1872. 347 pp., 12mo.

and good in the past, thankfulness for every advancement in knowledge, willing acceptance of all the new revelations of science, and a belief in the infinite possibilities of the human soul. In three words, Rationalism means infinite Sincerity, infinite Aspiration, and infinite Faith." This is a mere rhetorical flourish, and no answer whatever to the question, what is Rationalism ?

The whole book is confusing and misleading in its influences. If the discourses were addressed to a congregation of believers the tendency must have been to make them skeptics, and if addressed to skeptics to make them more skeptical still.

THE SEAT OF SIN IN THE REGENERATE MAN.*-This little volume, which bears no author's name on its title-page, but the Introduction to which is signed by Peter Z. Easton, is one that will repay the reader for its perusal, whether he agrees with the author in his conclusions or not. Mr. Easton, in his introductory words, states that his investigation of the subjects discussed in his book was commenced three years ago, when he was a student in Union Theological Seminary. It is certainly very creditable to him in view of this fact, and shows an interest in theological study which may be commended as an example to all students. The doctrine of the book is, that the seat of sin in the regenerate man is in the body. The author is careful, however, at the outset, to explain himself as not, by the adoption of this doctrine, holding either that the body is the source of sin, or that sin in the unregenerate man has its seat in the body, or, again, that sin in the regenerate man is restricted to the body, or that the regenerate man is any the less responsible, or that the body of itself can sin. Having thus cleared his view from things which it might seem to involve, he states, positively, that his doctrine means, that the state of the body after regeneration is a sinful state, and that this sinful body drags the soul into sin; and, further, that the body of sin acts as a clog upon the soul even in its holiest exercises and prevents it from attaining that perfection which the law requires. The argument starts from an examination of certain passages in the Epistle to the Romans, where the author finds the doctrine distinctly stated-especially Rom. vi, 6; viii, 10, 13; xii, 1, 2, and the striking passage, Rom. vii, 14-25. It then passes to other portions of the New Testament, and discovers confirmatory evi

*The Scripture Doctrine in reference to the Seat of Sin in the Regenerate Man. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co. 1872. 16mo, pp. 125.

dences of a more indirect order, yet sufficiently clear to show that this is the teaching of the New Testament, as a whole, as well as of Paul's writings. In the second half of the volume the bearings of the doctrine on various points are considered, as, for example, on the study of the Scriptures, on Christian Life, and Christian Union. On all these points the author regards the true view of this matter as having a most important influence. The book is well written, the argument clearly and concisely stated, and the evidences of independent and thoughtful study are apparent. We have enjoyed reading the book, and, though we do not agree with the author's exegesis in important passages, we are sure that those who read it will give the author's views a candid consideration.

LIDDON'S "LENT LECTURES"* treat of the following Elements of religion, viz: The Idea of Religion; God, the Object of Religion; The Subject of Religion-The Soul; The Obstacle to Religion— Sin; Prayer, the Characteristic Act of Religion; The Mediator, the Guarantee of Religious Life. These subjects were limited by the number of Sundays in Lent, having been selected as more prominent and fundamental, rather than as exhausting the theme. They are all treated with a fair share of theological ability and with much more than ordinary literary and rhetorical power. Their chief merit lies in the tact of the author in appreciating the prevalent feeling of a large number among the cultivated classes in England, who stand more or less aloof from an earnest religious life, and in his capacity to set forth in language which is in a good degree free from conventional terms, the arguments in defence of those truths that are fundamental to the Christian faith and the Christian life. Now and then the preacher rises to decided originality and eloquence. The last two of these discourses are intellectually very able and cannot be read without emotion. The usually very quiet tone of the author is well fitted to win the confidence of the cultivated classes whom he designs to influence, while the unaffected warmth of his devout feeling preserves his discourses from being tame or feeble. It is interesting to know that these discourses were listened to by very large audiences. There are multitudes in our own country to whom they are eminently fitted to be useful. They cannot be set aside as

Some Elements of Religion-Lent Lectures, 1870. By H. P. LIDDON, D.D., Canon of St. Paul's. New York: Scribner, Welford, & Armstrong. 1872.

unworthy the attention of any cultivated reader, and they cannot be read without leaving some impression of good.

DR. JAMES WALKER'S "LECTURES ON SCOTTISH THEOLOGY” furnish us with a popular treatment of a novel theme. Much as we hear of the Scottish Theology, it is to most American readers of the present day and even to American preachers a terra incognita. The modern writers are familiar to our ears, but the metaphysical and learned writers of preceding centuries are scarcely known to us by name. The volume before us is well fitted to supply this want, and the only criticism which we have to offer upon it is that it is altogether too brief. It consists of six lectures, the first of which is introductory. The second treats of the Atonement, the third of Predestination and Providence, the fourth of the doctrine of the Visible Church, the fifth of the Headship and Erastianism, and the sixth of the present misrepresentation of the Scottish Religion. It is difficult for a Scotchman to be critical where the kirk and the minister are concerned, but the lecturer ventures to be so occasionally, and he uniformly manifests abundant reading and a liberal spirit. The work cannot fail to be welcomed as a valuable addition to our theological literature.

PROF. BLACKIE'S "FOUR PHASES OF MORALS" is one of the most readable of books upon a subject which is not attractive to the multitude. It is so spirited as to take hold of any intelligent reader in spite of indifference or reluctance, and to compel his attention. The essays were originally delivered at the Royal Institution, and are rare examples of eminent success in treating abstract subjects in a thorough manner without loss of scientific exactness or historical fullness. The veteran professor does not aim at metaphysical subtlety or systematic completeness. He seeks only to set forth the salient and distinctive features of the ethical systems which he expounds; but he brings in so many historical and personal notices, and sets them forth with so much vividness and good sense as constantly to sustain and to reward the attention.

*The Theology and Theologians of Scotland-chiefly of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Being the Cunningham Lectures for 1870-71. By JAMES WALKER, D.D., Carnwath. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1872. 8vo, pp. 190. New York: Scribner, Welford, & Armstrong.

Four Phases of Morals, Socrates, Aristotle, Christianity, Utilitarianism. By JOHN STUART BLACKIE, F.R.S.E, Professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co., 1872.

The systems of Socrates and Aristotle are set forth in the true spirit of historic criticism, being delivered entirely free from the stiffness and distance with which the ancient philosophies are usually invested. The characteristic tenets of each are translated into the terminology of modern literature, and are judged by their relations to modern life. Ample justice is rendered to the life and virtues of the best of the ancient moralists. The enthusiasm of the author for that which was good in their aims and achievements is never repressed, while his historical judgment is not biased by his fervent admiration for the great heroes of ancient thought and morality.

Christianity is treated by the author with rare freshness and discrimination. There are not a few theologians who might see new truth in the New Testament after reading this essay. Prof. Blackie furnishes much food for thought to those Sciolists who call themselves Radicals, who utter profane moonshine about the Christian ethics, and betray immense ignorance of the contents of the New Testament historically and ethically considered. The moral power of Christ's person as an ethical force is correctly conceived and eloquently set forth, and the continued presence of Christ in the Apostolic church, by the promised Comforter, is also adequately emphasized.

The Utilitarianism of the school of Bain and Bentham is discussed in a very lively style, and the shallowness of its philosophy is unsparingly exposed. The bonhommie of this genial and caustic thinker never fails to sparkle and excite. He serves his readers with his opinions on ethics, history, philosophy, and politics, in equal variety and freedom, and leaves them in good humor with himself. It will be their fault if they do not learn very much from his sparkling and instructive pages.

THE ARGUMENT OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.*_This work is edited and presented to the public by the wife and daughter of its author. It was left by him at his death in an unfinished state, and yet, so far as it extends, he seems to have completed it as fully as he would have done, had he been able to carry out his whole design. It is not of the nature of an ordinary commentary, though there is much of comment and explanation in it; but it traces

*The Argument of the Epistle to the Hebrews. A posthumous work. By GEORGE STEWARD, author of "Mediatorial Sovereignty," etc. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1872. 8vo, pp. 444. New York: Scribner, Welford, & Armstrong.