Berlin. Berlin, 8vo., pp. 405.) It has a brief introduction from Neander, in which the venerable historian remarks, that he has long wished to see a Compendium prepared on the basis of his Church History and of his Lectures, and adapted to the use of students. Such a Compendium, he says, is now offered in Jacobi's work, which proceeds from the same view of Christianity and History as that set forth in Neander's own works, and is suited both to the wants of students attending his lectures and also to the general study of theological readers. Nor is it, he proceeds, merely a Compendium of his work: Professor Jacobi was not the man for that: but it is a manly and independent working out of the subject on the general principles of Neander. This volume carries the history on to the time of Gregory the Great, (A. D. 590.) After a general introduction, Part I. gives the "History of the Church in the First Three Centuries," treating, first, of the Apostolic Age; secondly, of the period between the Apostolic Age and the end of the persecution by Dioclesian, (A. D. 312.) Part II. extends from the time of Constantine to Gregory the Great, (A. D. 312-590.) Under each of these periods the history is divided into the general heads of, The Relation of the Church to the World; The Development of the Church in its organization, government, &c.; The Christian Life and Christian Worship, and the History of Doctrine. Of course the matter must be greatly condensed: yet the style is readable and the compression is well done. We shall be glad to see the book translated-but should wish the references to be enlarged by citations of English writers, who are too much neglected by our German friends. Among the multitude of books and pamphlets called forth by the agitation of the Wesleyan body in England, one of the most elaborate is, The Principles of Wesleyan Methodism, ascertained by Historical Analysis and defended by Scripture and Reason; an Essay adapted to the Present Times, by JAMES H. RIGG, Wesleyan Minister," (London: Partridge & Oakey, 18mo., pp. 128.) The Essay is divided into two parts, in the first of which Mr. Rigg endeavours, by an analysis of the history of Wesleyan Methodism, to ascertain the fundamental elements of its polity; while in the second he attempts to justify that polity on the grounds both of Scripture and of reason. Both parts, of course, have a polemical aim against the so-called reformers: but the second is the most important and valuable, as it discusses those elementary questions which lie at the root of the connexional character of Methodism as distinct from Congregationalism. If the book is a fair exponent of the theory of the Conference party, it shows, unhappily, that political questions are wrapped up in the dispute to an extent greater than we had supposed. Mr. Rigg quotes with approbation, from another writer, the sentiment that "God has evidently designed Wesleyan Methodism to grapple with and surmount the evils of popelar democracy ;" and throughout the book he evidently sympathizes with that sentiment himself. We continue our statements of the contents of the principal European Theological Journals. The contents of the Theologische Studien und Kritiken for April, 1850, are as follows: I. The Sphere of Sense, according to Aristotle; a contribution to Christian Apologetics, by D. Roth, of Schönthal :-II. On the Development of the Theory of Morals in the Reformed Church, by Dr. Schweitzer, of Zurich: a second article on the subject, carrying the history on from Amyraldus to Wolf. This series of articles will form, when completed, a valuable history of the Moral Philosophy of Germany :-III. The Route of the Israelites from Egypt to the Red Sea; a critical inquiry, by Professor Stickel, of Jena, with a map :-IV. On the Interpretation of Acts x, 35, 36, by E. Pfeiffer:-V. Exposition of Romans v, 6, seq., by J. A. Kunze :-VI. Solomon's Temple, an archæological Review of Bähr's "Salomonische Tempel:"-VIII. A Review of Nevins' "Mystical Presence," by Ebrard:IX. Church and State (second article) by Dr. Schenkel. Ebrard's review of Nevin is a very favourable one throughout. The Journal of Sacred Literature (Kitto's) for April has the following articles: I. The Life and Writings of Justin Martyr. II. The Length of the Apostle Peter's Residence at Rome. (This is an extract from Mr. Gordon's forthcoming translation of Wieseler's Chronology of the Gospels and of the Apostolic Age. The conclusion at which Wieseler arrives is, that Peter came to Rome between the summer of A. D. 63 and the time of his martyrdom, A. D. 64, se that the whole period of his labours there could not have extended to one complete year.) III. The Ignatian Epistles,-a review of Cureton's "Corpus Ignatianum." IV. On the Hebrew Poetry of the Middle Ages. V. Baptism for the Dead: an Inquiry into the meaning of 1 Cor. xv, 29. VI. First Lessons in Biblical Criticism. VII. Popular Biblical Lectures. VIII. On the Inspiration of the Authors of the Scriptures. The Biblical Review (April, 1850) contains the following articles :-I. On the Evangelical Narrative of the Resurrection of Christ. (This is a specimen of a new Harmony of the Four Gospels, soon to be published by W. Stroud, M. D.) II. Conscience and Revelation; a Review of Newman on the "Soul, her Sorrows and Aspirations." III. Extracts from Lange's Leben Jesu, (very badly translated.) IV. A Reply, by Mr. Morell, to Dr. Alliott's Criticisms on his Philosophy of Religion. V. A Laudatory Review of Fletcher's History of Independency. VI. Theodore Parker's Natural Inspiration. VII. Morell's Philosophy of Religion, (second article,) by Dr. Alliott, VIII. Kant's View of the Moral Lesson conveyed in the Vindication of Job. Dr. Samuel Davidson is preparing a new edition of his "Lectures on Biblical Criticism." The Publisher's Circular states that the whole work is to be rewritten, and a systematic view of the science accurately presented, according to the most recent investigations. That all the skepticism of the present age has its roots in Germany is a notion suffciently disproved by Parkerism in America, and by such books as Newman on the Soul, and Foxton's Popular Christianity, in England. Still more striking indications are furnished from time to time in the pages of the Westminster Review, which certainly would not give place to such theories were it not sure of the sympathy of many of its readers. We cite the following passages from a very able article on "The Church of England," in the April number. Speaking of future punishment, the writer says:— "It requires, indeed, no great insight into character to discover, that any reality in this eternal curse and penalty has for some time ceased. In proposing to rescue men from it, the Church makes an offer which no one cares to accept. Have our lay readers ever practically met with a person-not under remorse for actual and heinous sin-who wanted to be delivered from eternal torment? If ever a man does really apprehend such a thing for himself, and wring his hands and fix his eye in wild despair, how do we deal with him? Do we praise the clearness of his moral diagnosis and the logic of his orthodoxy? do we refer him to the font for baptism, or the keys for absolution? No: we send him to the physician rather than the priest; we put cold sponges on his head, and bid his friends look after him. Nor does this doctrine any better bear application to the persons around us than to ourselves. If we sometimes act and speak by it, we never feel and rarely think by it." Again, in reference to certain modes of presenting the Christian doctrine of atone ment : "The forensic scheme of vicarious atonement is too probably at variance with the habitual moral sentiments of men, to command the old reverential assent; too manifestly conceived in the artificial style of legal fiction, to suit a people ever eager to ground themselves on some veracious reality. It is useless for the preacher to treat the repugnance of reason and affection to this doctrine, as the sign of a graceless heart. His hearers know better, and are fully conscious that the protest comes not from their lower passions, but from their highest discernment; from indignation that the dealings of the Infinite should be described in the language of debtor and creditor, and the universe, as the theatre of responsible existence, be degraded into the likeness of a bankruptcy-court. They feel, moreover, that to accept the offer of such a doctrine would be unworthy of a noble heart; for he who would not rather be damned than escape through the sufferings of innocence and sanctity is so far from the qualifications of a saint that he has not even the magnanimity of Milton's fiends. We are spared, however, the necessity of stating the objections which we know to be widely felt to this doctrine, as it appears in the Church formulas; for the following remarks, by an orthodox clergyman, present them with a force and clearness that leave nothing to be desired." The reviewer then goes on to quote, with signal approbation, Bushnell's "God in Christ!" All this, like the German Rationalism, is to be met, and can only be successfully met, by thorough expositions of the truth of Christianity, and by thorough exhibitions of the life of Christianity in the members of the Church. Rev. F. C. Cooke is preparing for publica tion (by Longmans & Co.) a Commentary on the Acts. The notes are intended for "readers and students of the Bible," and are meant to contain "the results of the most important works on the Acts that have appeared" in England and on the Continent, in a condensed and intelligible form. Thenius' Commentary on the Book of Kings has appeared. It has an appendix treating of "Jerusalem before the Exile,and its Temple," with three plates. This volume forms the ninth part of the "Kurz gefasstes exeget. Handbuch zum Alten Testament," now publishing by Weidmann in Leipsig. The other volumes are, Hitzig on the Twelve Minor Prophets; Hirzel on Job; Hitzig on Jeremiah; Thenius on Samuel; Knobel on Isaiah; Berthean on Judges, Ruth, and Proverbs; Hitzig on Ecclesiastes and Ezekiel. The second and third parts of Lange's "Christliche Dogmatik" are announced as in press at Heidelberg. Mr. S. P. Tregelles has published, in a separate form, his "Inquiry into the Origi nal Language of St. Matthew's Gospel." The following statement is from the Edinburgh Witness: "We are glad to learn that the University of St. Andrew's has conferred the degree of LL.D. on Mr. Samuel Prideaux Tregelles. Mr. Tregelles has long been known to Biblical scholars as an indefatigable labourer in the field of textual criticism. He is the translator of the Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of Gesenius, published by the Messrs. Bagster. We are also indebted to his labours for an exceedingly able transla. tion of the Book of Revelation from the ancient Greek text, every word of which is supported by the oldest MSS. now extant. But the work to which Mr. Tregelles has devoted himself for many years past is a new edition of the Greek text of the whole New Testament. In the preparation of this work no expense of time or labour has been spared; the oldest and best MSS. in this country and on the Continent have been collated; all that skill could devise and unwearied industry execute has been brought to bear upon this one point, 'to exhibit the text of the New Testament, as nearly as possible, in the very words in which it was written by holy men of God, inspired by the Holy Ghost.' With Dr. Tregelles for editor, and the Messrs. Bagster for publishers, we confidently expect in this forthcoming work a permanent addition to our sacred literature." We have omitted to notice the death of Dr. Otto Von Gerlach, author of the Commentary on the New Testament, of which a review was given in our last volume. He died at Berlin, Oct. 24, 1849. He had held for a short time the honorary professorship of theology in the university of Berlin. His principal literary labour, beside the Commentary referred to, was an edition of the most important works of Luther, with historical and critical introductions, remarks, &c., which appeared in 1840-1848, in 24 volumes. Among the books in theology and kindred topics lately announced in England are the following: Havernick's Introduction to the Pentateuch, in one volume. Translated by the Rev. Alexander Thompson, of the Glasgow Theological Academy. (Clark's Theological Library.) T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh. 1 vol. 8vo.:-Hermann Venema's Inedited Institutes of Theology. Translated from the unpublished Manuscript, by the Rev. A. W. Brown, Edinburgh. Pp. 536, 8vo. :-A Prac tical Exposition of St. Paul's Epistles, from Thessalonians to Hebrews; in the form of Lectures. By John Bird, Archbishop of Canterbury. 8vo., and 2 vols. 12mo. :-The Doctrine of a Future State, The Hulsean Lectures for 1849. By W. G. Humphry, B. D., Examining Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of London. 8vo. :-Christianity in Ceylon, its Introduction and Progress under the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and American Missions. With an Historical View of the Brahminical and Buddhist Superstitions. By Sir James Emerson Tennent. With Illustrations, post 8vo. :Addresses and Charges, by Edward Stanley, D. D., late Bishop of Norwich, with a Memoir of his Life. By Rev. Arthur Pearyhn Stanley, M. A. 8vo. :-A Letter to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbu ry, by the Bishop of Exeter:-The Appeal of Gorham v. Bishop of Exeter. A revised and correct report of the Speech of Edward Badeley, Esq., before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 8vo. :-A Letter on the Present Crisis of the Church, addressed to Sir Walter Farquhar, by Walter Farquhar Hook, D. D., Vicar of Leeds, Post 8vo. :-Two Sermons on the Nonentity of Romish Saints, and Inanity of Roman Ordinances; by W. F. Hook, D. D., Vicar of Leeds. With a Preface. 8vo. :-Biblical Commentary on the Gospels; adapted espe cially for Preachers and Students. By Herman Olshausen, D. D. Translated from the German by Rev. Thomas Brown and Rev. John Gill. Vol. 3, pp. 568, 8vo. :-An Essay on the Office of the Intellect in Religion; with especial Reference to the Evidences of a Revelation, and the Proof of Christian Doctrine. By William Edward Scudamore. Pp. 304, 8vo. :-Daily Bible Illustra tions; being Original Readings for a Year on Subjects from Sacred History, Biography, Geography, Antiquities, and Theology, es pecially designed for the Family Circle. By Dr. Kitto. Antediluvians and Patriarchs, Jan. to March. Pp. 480, 12mo. :-The Method of the Divine Government, Physical and Moral. By the Rev. James M'Cosh, Edinburgh, pp. 560, 8vo. :-Ten Years of the Church of Scotland, from 1833 to 1843; with Historical Retrospect from 1560. By J. Bryce. 2 vols., pp. 480, 8vo. :-Eastern Churches; containing Sketches of the Nestorian, Armenian, Jacobite, Coptic, and Abyssinian Communities. Pp. 124, post 8vo. :-Thoughts on Rationalism, Revelation, and the Divine Authority of the Old Testament. To which is added, the State of Christianity in Germany, by Professor Quinet; translated from the French, by Dr. A. M'Caul. Pp. 166, fcp. 8vo. :-The Soul, its Nature and Destinies. By Rev. P. Thompson. Pp. 246, 12mo. :-The Province of the Intellect in Religion, deduced from our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, and considered with reference to Prevalent Errors. By Rev. J. Worsley. Book V. The Patriarchs. Pp. 276, 8vo. Among the works in Theology and Biblical Literature recently announced on the Continent are the following: : Abælardi Petri Opera hactenus seorsim edita nunc primum in unum collegit textum ad fidem librorum editorum scriptorumque recensuit notas, argumenta, indices adjecit Victor Cousin; adjuvantibus C. Jourdain et E. Despois. Vol. 1, 4to. Allgemeines Volks-Bibellexicon oder allgemeinfassliche Erläuterung der heiligen Schrift durch Wort und Bild in alphabetischer Folge, besonders in Hinsicht auf die biblischen Alterthümer, Geographie, Naturgeschichte, Sitten und Gebräuche des Morgenlandes u. s. w. begründet von. A. G. Hoffman, ord. Prof. d. Theologie in Jena, fortgesetzt von Dr. Gust. Mor. Redslob, Prof. d. bibl. Philologie am akadem. Gymnasium in Hamburg. Mit mehr als 500 in den Text gedruckten Abbildungen. Leipzig, 2 vols., large 8vo., 1846-1849. Des Johannes Wesley Leben und Wirken. Von Karl Chr. Glieb. Schmidt, Prof. in Naumburg. Halle, 1849; pp. 99, 8vo. De ecclesiastica librorum aliorumque scriptorum in Belgio prohibitione disquisitio. Auctore A. Heymans. Bruxelles, 1849; pp. 411, 8vo. Dictionnaire de la Bible, ou Concordance raisonnée des saintes Ecritures, contenant en plus de 4000 articles: la biographie sacrée; l'Histoire sainte; l'Archéologie biblique etc.; par J. Aug. Bost, pasteur. 2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1849. Versuch einer Geschichte der biblischen Offenbarung als Einleitung in's alte u. neue Testament. Von Dr. Dan. Haneberg, Prof. Regensburg, Manz. 1850; pp. 779, 8vo. Lebensgeschichte Jesu, mit einer Würdi. gung der verschied. Ansichten darüber und einer daraus gefolgerten Beurtheilung der röm u. evangel. Kirche, der deutsch-kathol. u. freien Gemeinden, des Sozialismus u. der Religion der Zukunft. Nürnberg, 1850; pp. 188, 12mo. Macarii Ægyptii epistolæ, homiliarum loci, preces, ad fidem Vaticani, Vindobonensium, Berolinensis, aliorum codicum primus ed. Dr. H. Jos. Floss. Accedunt: I. De Macariorum Ægyptii et Alexandrini vitis quæstiones criticæ et historica. II. Acta Macariorum Aeg. et Alex. ad codd. mss. fidem partim recognita, partim primum edita. III. Tabula in lapide incisa. Coloniæ,1850; pp. 324, 8vo. Das Wort der Wahrheit. Oder: Populäre Einleitung in die Schriften des Neuen Testaments. Ein Buch für alles Volk von J. Fr. Wucherer. Nördlingen, 1850; pp. 435, 8vo. AMERICAN. WE mentioned in our last number that Professors Hackett and Edwards were preparing a Commentary on the Psalms, founded on Hengstenberg. We are now informed that the first volume of Professor Alexander's Commentary on the Psalms is shortly to be issued by Messrs. Baker & Scribner, and will be soon followed by the second. Dr. Smyth, of Charleston, has for some time been preparing a work on the "Unity of the Races," portions of which have appeared in several Southern journals. The whole work is shortly to be issued by Mr. Putnam, under the title, "The Unity of the Human Races proved to be the Doctrine of Scripture, Reason, and Science; with a Review of the present position and theory of Professor Agassiz." The subject is one, at the present time especially, of commanding importance, and this work is designed to give a comprehensive view of the whole question, including its literature up to the present time, as will appear from the following table of contents: Preface, including, in reply to very recent objections, a critical review of Genesis, ch. 1 and 2;-chapter 1, the historical and doctrinal evidence of Scripture ;-chapter 2, the historical and doctrinal evidence of Scripture, continued ;-chapter 3, the former civilization of black races of men ;-chapter 4, the same subject, continued ;-chapter 5, the same subject, conti nued; chapter 6, origin of the varieties of the human species;-chapter 7, origin of the va rieties of the human species, concluded; ;chapter 8, presumptive arguments in favour of the unity of the human races; chapter 9, the twofold character of the question. Scientific argument;-chapter 10, the nature and philosophy of species;-chapter 11, the unity of the races proved from the unity of their species; chapter 12, the same subject, continued ;-chapter 13, the unity of the races proved from their fertility, and the infertility of hybrids ;-chapter 14, the unity of the races proved from the universality, nature, and connexion of languages;-chapter 15, unity of the races proved from the universality, nature, and connexion of languages, concluded;-chapter 16, the unity of the races sustained by the testimony of history and tradition;-chapter 17, the unity of the races proved from the religious character of all men, the adaptation of Christianity to all men, and the truth of the Mosaic records ;chapter 18, the unity of the races proved from experience, and from known changes which have occurred among the different races of men ;-chapter 19, the unity of the human races proved from the insensible gradations of their varieties, and from their analogy to what takes place in other animals; chapter 20, resumé of the argument for the unity of the human races, and objections considered ;-chapter 21, the theory of a plurality of origin in the races of men unphilosophical;-chapter 22, the theory of a plurality of origin in the races of men un ་ charitable ;-chapter 23, the theory of a plurality of origin in the races of men inexpedient, unchristian, and contrary to the necessary claims of the historical evidence of Scripture ;-supplementary chapter, latest views of Professor Agassiz and his theory tested. Messrs. Lane and Scott will shortly publish, "The Present State, Prospects, and Responsibilities of the Methodist Episcopal Church; with an Appendix of Ecclesiastical Statistics: by N. BANGS, D. D." Besides the general interest of the topics discussed in the course of the book, the statistical information given at the end will make it a permanently valuable book of reference. The same publishers have in preparation a new edition of "Memoirs of the Life, Character, and Labours of the Rev. John Smith, by Richard Treffry, Jun." This new edition has a very able and characteristic Introductory Essay by Rev. Dr. Dixon, which adds greatly to the value of the book. Mr. Smith's life is one of the most stirring biographies of preachers that the Methodist annals, so rich in this species of literature, have yet afforded. We bespeak the atten tion of our readers to this new edition. Harless's Christliche Ethik has reached a fourth edition in Germany. We understand that Mr. Hoffman's translation is rapidly advancing: it will now, we suppose, be adapted to the fourth edition of the original, which is said to be much enlarged and improved. Classical and Miscellaneous. EUROPEAN. WILLIAM WORDSWORTH died at his dweiling, Rydal Mount, Westmoreland, on the 23d of April last, in the 81st year of his age. For sixty years-nay longer, for his earliest poem bears the date of 1788-he devoted his life to the art of poetry. Cherishing the same high sentiments as Milton in regard to the dignity of that noble art; and knowing, as that great bard expressed it, "what glorious and magnificent use might be made of poetry, both in divine and human things;" and feeling, in his inmost spirit, that consciousness of power which animates all who are endowed with the highest of intellectual gifts-" the vision and the faculty divine," he formed at an early period his determination to write something that might live; and, having adopted a theory of his own in regard both to the nature and objects of genuine poetry, he set himself manfully to exhibit the high truths which are the common property of humanity, in all the varied lights of imagination and fancy, yet in the simplest language of ordinary life. With a keen sense of the value of fame justly ac quired, he well knew that fame is valueless, unless as the echo of the mind's own conscious self-approval; that the praise of men delights and soothes the spirit only when it confirms, and is responsive to, the voice of conscience within us; that, although in a thousand ways a man may fix the gaze of his fellows upon himself, and obtain by the sacrifice of principle a temporary triumph.though the huzzas of the populace may be enthusiastic, and the shouts of applause |