1860. III.-German Reviews. I. THEOLOGISCHE STUDIEN UND KRITIKEN.-Herausgegeben von D. C. THEOLOGICAL STUDIES AND CRITIQUES. THIRD NUMBER. 1860. Religion." The principal article, though not the longest, is the Exposition of Stephen's Apology. The writer claims a high place for this much assailed portion of the New Testament, and sets out in opposition to De Wette's well known remark that Stephen's address has less order and plan than any other in the Acts of the Apostles. It must not be supposed that the plan should necessarily be stated or intimated. But there is not by consequence any ground for thinking that there is none. On the other hand, Stephen had a direct purpose, and his whole address is an astonishing illustration of an easy transition from one theme to another, concluding with a convincing and overpowering climax that furnishes the key to all he had said. A great mistake commonly made by exegetical writers is, that Stephen's address was a defense alone. The truth is his argument was rather offensive than defensive, for he brings the severest charges upon his accusers and the entire Jewish race for their disobedience to God. With this view of the case we can well understand the bitterness of his enemies, who, "when they heard these things were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth, and cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city and stoned him." The first division of the address extends from verse 2 to 16. Here particular stress is laid upon the providential dealings of God on the one hand and the stubbornness of the house of Israel on the other, this last design fully manifesting itself in verse 9. Second division, 17-43. Here Moses takes the chief place, with the refutation of a single complaint. More frequent mention is made of acts of disobedience, and a striking parallelism instituted between the earlier voice of God in the burning bush and Christ, consequently of the enemies of the former with the latter. The triumphant conclusion is drawn that God's Spirit and revelation are not confined to holy places. Third division, 44-50. The speaker takes up the charge concerning the profanation of the temple, and casts back upon his opponents the reproach of obstinacy toward God and the Holy Spirit. Stephen's silent convictions • giving impulse to his remarks seem to be, 1. You see that for the sake of truth I will not and cannot yield to you. 2. Your opposition to God and his witnesses is impious, but, judging from your antecedents, perfectly comprehensible. 3. But you cannot by this means frustrate God's plans. He will bring them to pass as he has formerly done, and will certainly visit you with his judgments. The conclusions of Licentiate Nitzsch are, 1. Stephen's address is purely offensive, and only has an apologetical character in so far as the defensive and offensive are inseparable. 2. The address is logical throughout, and has its theme to which all its parts are intimately related. 3. The theme is contained in verse 51. 4. This with the two following verses forms the application in contradistinction to the historical. 5. The historical part contains an amplification of the theme. It discloses on the one hand the theocratic agency of God from the beginning to the time of Christ, or at least of Solomon; on the other it sets forth the almost coexistent and constant opposition of corrupt Israel to the theocratic polity of God. 6. But this historical consideration by no means exclusively yet particularly refutes the two points of complaint adduced by his opponents. 7. The historical division, considered in its historical-chronological aspect, divides itself into three subdivisions: 2-16, 17-43, 44-50. We are glad to meet with such an article as this from Germany. It is clear, logical, evangelical; and coming from a young man, is an index of the spirit beginning to animate the young theologians of Berlin. We trust not of Berlin merely, but of the entire fatherland. We have been lately reading J. Addison Alexander on the Acts, and having rejoiced in his successful refutation of the charge of planlessness in Stephen's address, we have been doubly rejoiced to find the same sentiments in the Studien und Kritiken. It is not inappropriate to transcribe Dr. Alexander's mode of division as an apt illustration of the different roads that men can sometimes take to arrive at the same place: "This chapter-Acts vii-contains Stephen's defense before the council (1–53) and his execution, (54-60.) His defense is drawn entirely from the Old Testament history, and is designed to show that all God's dealings with the chosen people pointed to those very charges which Stephen was accused of having threatened. This he proves by showing that the outward organization and condition of the Church had undergone repeated changes under Abraham, (2-8,) Joseph, (9–16,) Moses, (17–44,) David, (45–46;) that the actual state of things had no existence before Solomon (47;) that even this was intended from the beginning to be temporary (48-50;) and lastly, that the Israelites of every age had been unfaithful to their trust, (9-25, 27-35, 39-43, 51-53.) The remainder of the chapter describes the effect of this discourse upon the council, (54,) Stephen's heavenly vision, (55, 56,) and his death by stoning, (57-60.)" One of the great beauties in the exegetical works of this lamented commentator and preacher, is this unfolding of the plan and scope of every chapter, a feature too much neglected by the student of the Scriptures. ART. XIII.-QUARTERLY BOOK-TABLE. Ir is of greatest concernment in the Church and Commonwealth to have a vigilant eye how books demean themselves as well as men, and thereafter to confine, imprison, and do sharpest justice on them as malefactors; for books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul was whose progeny they are.-MILTON. I.-Religion, Theology, and Biblical Literature. (1.) "Journal of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Buffalo, New York, 1860. Edited by Rev. WILLIAM L. HARRIS, D.D., Secretary of the Conference." 8vo., pp. 480. New York: Carlton & Porter. 1860. The Conference of 1860 will be, we think, held in honor for the character both of its discussions and its measures. No conference has ever had a more important set of questions brought before its inquest. The subject of slavery especially, which is stirring the nation with an excitement unparalleled in our history, came before this body in its most exciting form. Justice to both sides requires the decision, that seldom or never has a subject so calculated to rouse intense emotion ever been discussed in so magnanimous a temper. The delegates from the border conferences stated their argument and presented their appeal in a firm, manly, eloquent style. They appeared like men who felt that much was at stake. There was temptation from the relative position of the parties, if none from the conduct of their opponents, to enact the ad captandum part of oppressed men. But they stood their ground with serene countenance, neither betraying the cause of their constituency, nor forfeiting by any discourtesy the fraternal respect of their brethren opposed. And, sooth to say, the majority, by a very unanimous forbearance of measure and language through the whole series of debates, fully establish the fact that they were actuated neither by a rabid fanaticism, by a desire to oppress, nor by a wish for disunion. Not seldom was there between the two parties a rivalry of magnanimous concession. We cannot wonder, therefore, that this body of Christian ministers left an honorable impression upon the minds of the community. Nor more do we wonder that when agitation for border secession arises, its authors and fomentors are other than the delegates from the border conferences. The measure at last adopted by the General Conference was most conservative and wise. Strictly speaking there is no change. That is, there is no change in the substance of the Discipline or the essential doctrine of the Church. The chapter as it stands states the old ground; the ground (until very lately) maintained unvaryingly, at least theoretically, by the border conferences themselves. If, indeed, those conferences are receding from the old ground and adopting the hitherto unheard of novelty, that the motive of the slaveholding is not to be made a matter of inquiry, very timely, indeed, is this our reassertion of the old and unchanged ground of the Church. But secession for that reassertion cannot justify itself before the bar of the Christian world. It has no case. Equally progressive, yet conservative, was the action upon lay delegation. The sentiment in the Church on this subject, so far as it is not the result of artificial agitation, and is the result of a rational judgment, looking at things as they are, and studying the best interests of the Church, it has never been the purpose either of the General Conference or of the Episcopacy, far less of the ministry generally, to disregard. Indeed, it has been a subject of newspaper remark, outside the Church, that the sentiment in favor of lay delegation is stronger, at least in some sections, among the clergy than among the laity. Very few are the exceptional cases of men among us willing to excite a divisive feeling between ministry and people. In this state of things it was a most wise measure in our General Conference to lay the whole question, as a matter of expediency, before the general Church for calm discussion and quiet fraternal decision. Let the Church come to a consciousness of her own wish, and shape herself by her own deliberate volition. We believe that the effect will be to discountenance special agitators, to substitute discussion for controversy, and to educe, under the guidance of the great Master of assemblies, a wise decision and a blessed result. We hope something from the organization of a permanent General Committee on Education, and trust that the gentlemen placed by the Conference on that committee will see that it be a live movement. Care should be taken that the annual conferences do not forget to establish in each district the proper Board of Education, and that every direction specified in the Report of the Education Committee be so executed that the prospective organization of "The Educational Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church" shall come before the next General Conference ready for adoption and future effective action. The time has, no doubt, arrived when our educational system should receive that recognition and aid from the government of the Church which shall perfect its harmony, elevate its character, and aid in imparting additional life to all our regularly authorized institutions. The goodly volume well shows that in editing the results as well as in performing the duties of his office, "the secretary stands alone." (2.) "The Union Pulpit. A Collection of Sermons by Ministers of Different Denominations." 8vo. Washington: W. T. Smithson. 1860. This fine volume is put forth by the Young Men's Christian Association of the city of Washington. Its purpose is to aid that association in its laudable work of supplying at the national capital a suitable hall, library, reading room, and other moral, intellectual, and religious provisions for the multitudes who are annually brought from all quarters of our nation to that important center. This particular association endeavors manfully to perform its part in the great work assumed by the extensive body of Christian young men, whose association forms so hopeful a feature of the present day. Carefully avoiding any tendency to becoming a substitute for the Church, its purpose is in the spirit of our blessed Master, to provide "for the wants of the poor, for the education of the ignorant and neglected, the relief of the sick and dying, the diffusion of the Gospel in jails, asylums, and similar institutions, the introduction of strangers to suitable homes, the employment of the destitute, and the advancement of all that can ennoble man's character." With an institution so benevolent in its purposes every Christian heart must feel a deep sympathy, a hearty disposition to excuse its errors and prejudices, and an earnest desire to lend aid to its efficiency in its enterprises. We trust, therefore, that in addition to its intrinsic excellence, this noble volume will find its philanthropic object to be a decisive inducement with the public to aid in securing its remunerative circulation. To many minds, but not to ours, the stern pseudo-conservatism of the volume will be a main recommendation. To all who share in that ism we present its special claims. To them it offers the striking merit, that the large share of the divines who are admitted as stars in its firmament are southern preachers; some of them intense partisans of pro-slaveryism; while all of them, with perhaps a single questionable exception, are, we believe, either southern men, or northern men with southward proclivities. There is one name which in former times was recognized on the tabooed catalogue of antislavery men; from that catalogue it has disappeared to reappear in the present southern constellation. There are names of men who stand in the front heroic rank in defense of slavery and the human auction block. There is the name which must go down to posterity as designating the man who, as a slaveholder, produced the division of the Methodist Episcopal Church. But there is not one name belonging to a conspicuous leader in the great work of delivering our nation from the sin and stain of “buying and selling men, women, and children." There is the name of Fuller, who defended slavery against Wayland; but the name of Wayland is excluded. There is Bishop Andrews, of the M. E. Church, South; but no Bishop Simpson of the M. E. Church. There is Dr. William Smith, whose name is noted as the author of an unflinching defense of slavery; but no Dr. John H. Power, who reduced his book to a nonplus. To all pseudo-conservatives, whose olfactories are keen for the slightest odor of abolitionism, we commend this volume as perfectly innoxious and sweet smelling. To all the members of all those various "Unions" which have done so much to render the name of "Union" the antithesis of truth, righteousness, and freedom, we say, You are morally taxable for the payment of the price of this book. But the book itself we believe is worth the assessment. We do not pretend as yet to have read many sermons in it, and do not involve ourself in any promises. But there are names that are pledges for the ability of the production they head, and are temptations to perform what we decline to promise. And then there are engravings which are singularly excellent, both as specimens of art and, so far as we are acquainted with the originals, as accurate and admirable counterfeit. There is the manly face of Dr. Murray, true to the life. There is our friend Dr. Foster, with just the expression which he has brought home from his Northwestern presidency. There are the burning eye and the silver locks, but not the more than silver voice, of Thomas H. Stockton. There is the round, ever fresh face of Dr. M'Clintock, "last, but not least" of the gallery. These engravings are, to use a phrase which so many have used before us that we hope nobody will use it after us, "worth the price of the book." And now to the Young Men's Association of Washington we say that we hope that the time is coming when the term Union will cease to signify the predominance of a section; when Washington will cease to be exclusively a southern city; and when they may dare to pub |