life of Christ, and Professor Stuart's Commentary on Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, as among the valuable issues of that press. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal, and Homileti- Trans This noble octavo comes with a double title, a generic and a specific. The first title announces the commencement of the publication in our United States of the greatest biblical work yet projected in our country; "the greatest literary enterprise of the kind undertaken during the present century," perhaps the most extensive entire commentary ever published in our language. It proposes to constitute "a complete exegetical library for constant reference." The New Testament will consist of twelve octavo volumes; the Old Testament of twice as many. It aims to be a complete standard, furnishing the main body of exegetical matter extant, calculated for the scholar, the minister, the family. The original work is in process of publication under the supervision of Dr. Lange, by whom the different books of both Testaments have been assigned to different leading German scholars. It is the joint work, therefore, of many masters. The republication is in the hands of our valued contributor, Dr. Schaff, who prepares, with valuable additions of his own, some of the volumes, and assigns others to several eminent American scholars. Of Dr. Lange's Matthew we have in a former Quarterly had occasion to speak in favorable terms. It strikes us as excellent, though not as an unsurpassable ultimate. It is learned, clear, comprehensive, and compact. It has not, perhaps, the genial flow, the "nutritious" mellowness, which renders Dr. Nast so readable a classic. There is something of a dryness about it. Nor can we approve the "sermonical" scraps heaped in under the heading Homiletic. If in commentary we must have something that is not commentary, give us the old "Practical Remarks" of Dr. Scott, written in rich, connected, persuasive style, designed as direct pro F motives of the personal piety of the reader, not mere crude material for professional consumption. The old "Sermon Sketches" have been nearly banished from use; but we prefer them to these miscellaneous scraps. If any body desires such matter, publish an exclusively Homiletic commentary for clerical use, and let commentary proper stand alone. Dr. Lange is a divine of the Reformed communion, and decidedly, though not offensively, Calvinistic. The preparation of the different volumes is exclusively placed in Calvinistic hands. Dr. Schaff adds occasional references to English and American commentators of different denominations, Methodist included. The volume on Mark will be prepared by Dr. Shedd; Luke by Dr. Schaff; Hebrews by Dr. Kendrick, the American editor of Olshausen. The external, material, and execution, are far inferior to those of Nast's Commentary, from our noble Western press, though sold at the same price. The use of the various types is skillfully managed. Of the Old Testament, Genesis alone, by Dr. Lange, has as yet appeared, even in the German. Years must elapse before the complete appearance of the entire work in the English language. Meantime it is pressed forward by its many hands. The volumes may be expected to appear in seasonable succession. Each volume will be published in the order of completion by its author; and the single volume can be purchased apart from the others. With such an editor as Schaff, and such a publisher as Scribner, we may expect the work to be energetically and successfully completed. And when completed it will, doubtless, be an invaluable treasury of biblical exposition; a grand, we might say, stupendous, supply for the highest demand of our age in this department. History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D., Author of the "History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century," etc. Vol. III. France, Switzerland, Geneva. 12mo., pp. 463. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. This volume made its appearance in France last year, just three centuries after Calvin's death. It was offered to the public by its gifted and well-known author in commemoration of that event. The series of which it forms a part is not merely a memoir of the French Reformer, but, as a history of the Reformation in his times, it necessarily includes his memoir. The work is properly a sequel to the "History of the Great Reformation in the Sixteenth Century," or as the author himself styles it, "a Second Series, of which that was the first." As a historical work its value is undoubted. Very much of the material for it has been drawn from the original MSS., and has never before been presented to the public in any form. Many readers will probably demur to the high estimate here placed upon the character and teachings of Calvin, but of the general accuracy of Dr. D'Aubigné as a historian it is not necessary to speak to the American public. In style we think this an improvement on the former series; at all events it is an eminently readable book. The author seems to have accepted the hint of his revered friend, Guizot, and given us "THE DETAILS," touching, thrilling, inspiring incidents that show the Gospel of Jesus Christ the same everywhere, renovating the heart, purifying the life, sanctifying the affections. The narrative of this volume is confined to France and Switzerland, and covers but little more than the period between 1531 and 1535. It will be perceived that much yet remains for the future volumes. We await them with impatience. C. "Counsels to Converts. By AUGUSTUS C. GEORGE, of the East Genesee Conference. 12mo., pp. 357. Cincinnati : Poe & Hitchcock. 1864. Reading for the young Christian, and especially the young convert! Are not novels the staple reading of but too many, even of those who become probationers in our revivals? Are not novels, sometimes, indeed, of a religious cast, but often the reverse, the ordinary mental aliment of many professing Christians young and old? We are drowned in a deluge of fiction. And when we reflect how enervating its influence upon the mind, how destructive of the zest for historic truth and living realities, we wonder whether the lunatic asylum is not to become a terribly prevalent institution. And yet how little does the pulpit utter on the important subject of shaping the mind to elevated and vigorous character by well selected reading! All this is not for the want of books calculated to frame the character to the true model. We have an ample library of such works too often unread, because the taste of our age is effeminate and truly unconverted. To this library Mr. George has here made a valuable addition. His is a book that might well be placed in the hands of every intelligent young convert. Taken as a manual, next to the Bible, its careful, prayerful study would be no ordinary aid to the formation of a true style of piety both of heart and action. Mr. George is master of a fresh and vigorous style. He leads his willing reader through noble ranges of thought. He illustrates his topic with apt instances and examples. He shows the practi cal pastor in adjusting his counsels to the actual realities of our day. We have not the slightest fear that his book will or can have a spread too extensive for the public good. Meditations on the Essence of Christianity, and on the Religious Questions of the Day. By M. GUIZOT. Translated from the French under the superintendence of the Author. 12mo., pp. 356. New York: Carlton & Porter. 1865. A book for our thoughtful laymen, by a great Christian layman. Great as is the skepticism of our times, Christianity is truth too pure, is a need of our nature too pressing, is a dispensation from God too merciful, to fail or falter. The darkness of ages may have gathered errors around her which progressive thought will disperse; but her essence is divine and indestructible. Time will show whether Guizot concedes too much. We think he does; but his defense of the main center is impregnable. It may seem strange to some that such a work should go forth from our press. But few Methodist readers will go through it without smiling at the coincidence between the views of Guizot and the doctrines of Methodism. The note added by Professor Tayler Lewis, at the request of the editor, has received a very hearty commendation from various quarters. It supplies a strengthener where Guizot was most feeble. We expect a full review of the work by an able hand. The Earliest Churches of New York and its Vicinity. By GABRIEL P. DISOSWAY, A. M., Corresponding Member of the New York Historical Society, etc. 12mo., pp. 416. New York: James G. Gregory. 1865. The thanks of the Christian Churches of our city and country are due to Mr. Disosway for the researches and records contained in this beautiful volume. Consisting mainly of chapters originally contributed to the New York Observer, its publication was demanded by the wishes of leading Christian gentlemen of different denominations. It is written in a clear style and a most catholic spirit. Mr. Disosway is by descent, birth, residence, business, and social connections a New Yorker of the New Yorkers. To trace through various records of archeological lore, and furnish to our ministry and ecclesiastical bodies their own origines sacræ, dry as the task might seem to outsiders, was to him a labor of love. The volume is beautiful to the eye. Its antique engravings, plentiful in number and rich in interest, disclose to many of our magnificent structures their humble origin. Foreign Theological Publications. Geschichte des Rationalismus. Erste Abtheilung: Geschichte des Pietismuund des ersten Stadiums der Aufklärung. Von DR. A. THOLUCK. 8vo., pp. 182. Berlin: Wiegandt und Grieben. 1865. At last the first installment of the long-awaited history of German Rationalism from Dr. Tholuck. A more welcome gift to the theological public has not recently appeared. The intrinsic interest of the theme, the widespread reputation of the author, the peculiar, natural, and acquired qualifications which he brings to the execution of his task, all conspire to heighten the anticipations of the reader as he takes the fresh, uncut issue in hand. At last we are to have a reliable history of the most remarkable and important theological movement of modern times. It is widely known that Professor T. has made the study of the rationalistic movement for many years, if not during his whole academic career, a specialty. Called to Halle at a period when rationalism reigned with undisputed sway, providentially intrusted with the mission of revolutionizing the theological character of that important university, he was forced to make the personal acquaintance of the system, and to study it on every side with that concentrated attention with which an attacking general reconnoiters the positions of his foe. In later years after the recovery of the institution from the control of unbelief, he lectured upon the rise and development of the movement to crowded auditories year after year. Having formed the resolution to write the history of it, and finding this impossible without first describing the general state of theology and of the Church in Germany in the seventeenth century, he issued in 1853 the commencement of a "Fore-history of Rationalism," entitled "Academic Life in the Seventeenth Century," the completion of which followed in 1861 under the title, "Ecclesiastical Life in the Seventeenth Century." In the elaboration of this preliminary history our author expended an almost incredible amount of labor. Every university archive of Germany had to be ransacked, thousands of mouldy manuscripts woke in resurrection to give in their testimony, forgotten biographies, albums, journals, Church records, academical addresses, correspondence, magazines, family memorials, these were his scattered sources: his the task of collecting them, mastering their contents, classifying and arranging them. No wonder that on concluding his task at so advanced an age, the question should arise, as he tells us in the preface to this new work it did, whether having prepared the foundation he should not rather leave the erection of the superstructure to younger and fresher hands. |