forming scientific calculations of what men will do before the fact (i. e., the impossibility of law). * * If men were consistently selfish you might analyze their motives; if they were consistently noble," etc. Plainly, the power of doing wrong is here confounded with the fact of doing wrong; the power, in men who never did wrong, would not interfere a whit with scientific calculations" of human action. The author, too, in his passionate denial of the orthodox doctrine of depravity makes an amazing logical miss of the fact which so stumbles him, that moral progress is merely an indi. vidual fact, and each man and generation has to fight the battle with selfishness over again. His "Plea for the Free Discussion of Theological Difficulties," is a plea, in fact, against a church creed "by Law ESTABLISHED," which, as every body knows, is the prolific parent in England, both of" theological difficulties" and of the incessant "discussion" of them. The argument against politically-enacted creeds is clear enough and easy enough, but to get rid of them is by no means to get rid of theological difficulties, nor are the two things one, as the writer seems to take for granted. Nor should we ever be quit of difficulties if Christian truth entirely changed from age to age, as he maintains. This article, and that on "Criticism and the Gospel History," are simply statements of his disbelief in miracles and the supernatural in the Scriptures. Like others of his way of thinking, he glorifies doubt respecting the Bible. Yet he pleads for a charitable treatment of "The Lives of the Saints!" And his canons of historical belief seem to be such as these: "Human testimony knows nothing of absolute certainty."" "It appears as if men could not relate facts precisely as they saw or as they heard them." "The address of history is less to the understanding than to the higher emotions." He rejects any "Science of History."

The historical papers in this volume- -"Times of Erasmus and Luther," "Influence of the Reformation upon Scottish Character," "Dissolution of the Monasteries," "England's Forgotten Worthies"— are fresh, crisp, elastic in style, and most interesting in treatment. 'Spinoza" is a philosophical theme, and "Homer a poetical and critical one, handled with great skill. "The Book of Job" opens the fundamental question of theoretical ethics; The Philosophy of Catholicism" briefly characterizes the elements of asceticism; and "Representative Men" discusses ideals of life. The lighter papers of the volume are deftly done, and do not disprove its title of "Studies on Great Subjects." They are charmingly written.

It is a problem how a man, unsettled as to facts and principles like Froude, could have been impelled to work out such a history of England a he has written. The skill is evident, but the purpose?

HISTORY OF THE GREAT REFORMATION IN EUROPE. By J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, D.D. Complete in one volume, with many Illustrations and Maps. Pp. 1015. Philadelphia: Wm. Flint & Co. Chicago: Wm. Hannaford & Co. Price $5. Sold by subscription only.

Merle D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation is too well known to nced any new commendations. It was the labor of twenty-five years, and from

the appearance of the first volume gained its position, and almost made a sensation. It is graphic, elaborate and honest. It covers a period of history of the highest interest, religiously and politically. It is full of incident and instruction. It attained a wide popularity in the start, and still holds the field of the Reformation without a rival in the general favor. It proved to be somewhat protracted and expensive, especially when to the original five volumes there were added four volumes on the times of Calvin. This last portion (the history of Calvin's times) has been judiciously abridged, perhaps one half, the previous portion of the work remaining intact; and the whole is now published in one large octavo. Three small maps add to the intelligibleness of the history. The print is clear and of fair size. The fifty or sixty wood-cuts may be left out of the account. As this portion of history is second in interest and importance to no other period since the times of the Apostles, the publication of this standard work in economical and respectable form is a great convenience to ministers and laymen of limited purses- of whom, we fear, there are some still left.

ZELL'S POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA; a Universal Dictionary of History, Biography, Geography, Science, Art and Language. Edited by L. Colange, D.D. Assisted by eminent Scientific and Literary Gentlemen. Brought down to the Present Time, and Illustrated with over 2,000 Engravings. 2 vols., large royal 4to. Philadelphia. 1870-1. Sold by W. H. Corwin, 117 S. Clark st., Chicago. W. C. Simmons, Agent.

The title of this work sufficiently sets forth its aim. It is designed to be a book of reference, comprehensive, compact and trustworthy. So far as we can judge, the plan is well executed; and the work will meet the wants of a great many men, laymen and ministers, who can not afford the various and costly sets of which this is an epitome. It has several advantages. 1. It brings down its statements to the present time. Its statistics are of 1869 and 1870, and all its articles purport to have been prepared within two years. 2. It gathers a great variety of information, and, so far as it goes, is a substi tute for various books of reference. Indeed, it is so convenient to use that many who have a very full literary apparatus will want this also. 3. It contains a great amount of information. Its fine type (not objectionable in a book of reference), and its singular condensation, give it a fullness far beyond what would be anticipated. A summary dispatching of some top. ics, and judicious expansion of others, greatly aids in this respect. Of very many words only the pronunciation and definition are given. It has been thoroughly sifted and compressed. 4. It is clear and definite in its presentations. Its very condensation conduces to distinctness, and its numerous and neat illustrations appeal abundantly to the eye. On opening at random to the words Mint, Missouri, Napoleon III., Naval Architecture, Mohammed, we find all the information, in very specific form, which we should want for any ordinary purpose. If we wished for more, we should look to special treatises. 5. It is comparatively cheap. This last point is a strong point. A man of very limited means gets a large amount for his money. On this account it will probably be purchased by numerous persons, who,

if they do not find everything in this one work, will regard it as an invaluable addition to a small library. A man must consider both what he wants and what he is able to buy, and judge for himself.

THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST; freely translated from the German of W. F. Gess, with many additions. By J. A. Reubelt, D.D., Professor in Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. Andover: 1870. W. F. Draper. Pp. 456. 12mo.

We are not sorry to see such a book as this thrown athwart our American modes of thinking on this great subject. While holding the consubstantialness and co-eternity of the Son with the Father, the central and governing idea of the volume is the eternal generation of the Son by the Father. The doctrine is traced through its relations and consequences, and an elaborate comparison of Scripture passages is gathered round it. The Scripture-citing character of the discussion is quite noticeable, and its thoughtfulness and suggestiveness are quite stimulating. However firmly we may hold a different view, it is well to know what can be said for this. Those who hold the doctrine of eternal generation will here find a valuable aid in divesting their view of its customary crudeness, and sublimating, as far as may be, the inherent contradiction that lies in the two words. We are content with that view of the phrase, "only-begotten Son," which regards it as setting forth by a human relationship (as usual,) everywhere significant, but especially so to a Jew, the unity of nature, possession, purpose, interest, and sympathy which characterize the Father and the Son. The volume lacks the English sharpness of statement, and is marked by an odd notion of literary proprietorship, whereby the translator sometimes modifies the text to express his own views, when they differ from the author's.

THE THEOLOGY OF CHRIST, from his own words. By Joseph P. Thompson. New York. 1871. C. Scribner & Co. Chicago: W. G. Holmes. Pp. 295. 12mo.

Years ago—perhaps half a century — Dr. Emmons delivered a very telling discourse on "Christ a Sentimental Preacher," that is, a preacher of great sentiments or doctrines. He showed that all the chief doctrines which were expanded in the Epistles were definitely propounded by the Saviour himself. It is the same idea which Dr. Thompson has far more fully developed in this work. He makes a vigorous protest against the folly which would have "preaching Christ" exclude the presentation of Christian truth or theology, and an effective exhibition of the great truths which Christ uttered in person. As an awakened moralist once said, "Deliver me from the judgment of the Sermon on the Mount," so the "liberal Christian" may well pray, deliver me from the Theology of Christ, as here set forth. Though "the fruit of years of study," the discussion wisely avoids all side issues and stereotyped phraseology, to deal directly and freshly with the great facts of religion as they lie in Christ's utterances. It effectively supplements the numerous lives of Christ now pouring from the press, and occupies a place by itself.

MEMORIES OF PATMOS; or, Some of the Great Words and Visions of the Apocalypse. By J. R. Macduff, D.D. New York. 1871. Carter & Brothers. Chicago: W. G. Holmes. Pp. 352. 12mo.

A series of thoughtful and devout meditations on portions of the Apocalypse. The author's aim is not interpretation so much as spiritual edification. He therefore limits himself to parts of the book, and avoids unnecessary entanglement with the various methods of interpretation, while expressing his chief indebtedness to Alford. He singles out from its "passages of transcendent grandeur, beauty, and comfort" such as "may with special edification be selected as themes for sacred meditation." He justly characterizes the Apocalypse as one of the most practical of books; and those who are familiar with his flowing, glowing style will rightly anticipate a rich spiritual feast.

THE LAWS OF FERMENTATION, and the Wines of the Ancients. By Rev. William Paton, D.D. New York. 1871. National Temperance Society. Pp. 129. 12mo.

Advocating, as we do, total abstinence from intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and stringent laws to restrain the traffic, we honor the earnest purposes of the author of this little treatise. His aim is to show that in all cases in which the Scripture speaks approvingly or tolerantly of wine, it designates an unfermented liquid, while invariably condemning the use of the fermented juice of the grape. The author deserves commendation, because, though so fully persuaded in his own mind, he uses no opprobrious epithets or insinuations against those temperance men— the vast majoritywho do not accept his positions. If his ground were tenable, we should have a basis of procedure in a great question of public mo: als almost as summary and as convenient as martial law. But as we long ago made up our minds to sacrifice our convenience even as reformers, to the truth of facts, we find ourselves obliged to rest our temperance principles on a different line of argument, to us both evangelical and satisfactory. Still we think the argument of this volume will seem quite plausible to those who have not the means of sifting its statements, and who know little of the objections. He makes use mostly of material furnished by Dr. Lees, reinforced by Rev. Dr. Nott, Mr. Delavan, and Prof. Stuart, with occasional additions of his own. The most noticeable of these additions is the argument, which would show that the climate of Palestine during vintage months was so hot that "the vinous fermentation can not proceed, but the acetous must directly commence." (Pp. 18-22.) From which it would follow that there could have been no occasion in Palestine for the warnings against wine and wine-drinking which run through the Bible! But as we have no space nor disposition fully to criticise or review, we will not enter on details.

We would mention, however, that this class of reasoners are already becoming left behind by the progress of reform. A writer in the "Congregationalist" of February 2, 1870, seriously affirms that if Christ were now to institute the ordinance of the Lord's Supper in Boston "he would

use tea!" The writer, however, would accommodate those who have a predilection for the color of wine with colored sweetened water; yet he boldly affirms that "if men and ministers would but rise above a prejudice of their childhood, soon would the communion table give us the clear, sparkling water, the most comprehensive and universal symbol in nature of God's regenerating grace."

LIGHT AT EVENING TIME; a Book of Support and Comfort for the Aged. Edited by John Stanford Holme, D D. 1871. New York: Harper & Bros. Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Co. 8vo.; pp. 352.

A book beautifully printed, in large clear type, well suited to eyes that are growing dim through age. Its contents are brief scraps of Christian prose and poetry, selected from more than a hundred writers of ancient and modern times, in England and America, on account of their adaptedness to minister couusel and consolation to people in the decline of life. The selections are mostly of a didactic style, chaste and elegant. The book would have been better fitted for its purpose if more of simple narrative had been mingled, to teach and touch the soul by example. The twilight hour, though commonly of a dull and sombre hue, is often tinged with colors of brilliant beauty and glory, which make it the most charming hour of the day. We miss, here, a due proportion of that flashing, changing light on the clouds, which God sends as a variety, at least, to cheer the evening time of life. Nevertheless, we doubt not many an aged one will draw support and comfort from these selections. As a gift-book for an aged friend, we know of nothing better.

THE VICTORY OF THE VANQUISHED; a Story of the First Century. By the Author of the "Chronicles of the Schönberg-Co'ta Family." New York: Dodd & Mead. Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Co. 1871. 12mo.; pp. 520.

The scenes of this story are laid in Rome and Antioch, during the reigns of the Emperors Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. The tyranny of Tiberius over his subjects, and the jealous watch he kept lest his ill-gotten gains should be snatched from him- the longing of the Romans for better days; and the firm belief of the Jews in their long-looked-for Messiah-while they despised and rejected Him who came, sent and attested of God — are well sketched. The chief object of the story is to illustrate the soothing and sustaining power of the new Christian faith in the case put, of a poor, crippled Roman girl, and then of a German captive.

The book, though by no means equal in interest and power to that first issued by the author, which gives name to the series, yet contains much that is entertaining and instructive, and is well worth reading.

QUESTIONS ON ROMANS. By John A. Paine, M.D. 16mo; pp. 227. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph, No. 770 Broadway.

An obvious theme is deduced from each verse in the Epistle, the whole amounting to four hundred and thirty-two, and to each theme a number of questions is added, and each question is more or less definitely answered by