pulpits, and even the professional chairs in our colleges, have not wholly escaped the tribe; . . . . sand-hillers, whether laymen or clergy, whether presiding at the plow or in the university, need not read this book." In treating of God's creating man in his own image, he charges with "infidelity" all who interpolate in the text such phrases as: "in righteousness and true holiness," "in moral nature," "in moral character." We were not aware that any one ever interpolated any one of these phrases in the text of the Bible; but the Westminster divines used the first of these phrases immediately before the phrase "after his own image"; and these, and the many others who similarly defined the image of God in which man was created, are, we must suppose, the persons on whom the author charges "infidelity." A few pages before he had said that some would probably denounce his book as "infidel "; adding, "It is the common resort of imbeciles and bigots."

We find the following extraordinary assertion: "The heaven of the average Christian is the slightest possible improvement on the Elysium of the ancients. It is, like their Elysium, beyond some swelling flood, and when reached, it is a lovely land, abounding with rocks and hills and brooks and vales, and amply supplied with good things for the gratification of the appetite-nothing more nor less than the creature of heathen imaginations, a perpetuation of Elysium, though called heaven by Christians."

CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND LIFE.*-This volume of twenty-five discourses, delivered in the chapel of Harvard University, will need no other recommendation among our readers than the name of the author. Though enrolled among the Unitarian clergy, and properly classed with them on certain important questions in theology, he is yet honored by evangelical denominations for his pleas in behalf of Christianity against the skepticism of the day, his earnest recognition of its supernatural elements, origin and authority, and sympathy with them in respect to many of its distinctive doctrines and duties, and especially as to Christian missions. If not admitting our Lord's absolute divinity, he acknowledges his divine mission, and bows to his authority in the Scriptures. He does not obtrude on us his dissent from the ancient orthodox creeds, much less make light of their mysteries. The

* Christian Belief and Life. By ANDREW P. PEABODY, D.D., LL.D. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1875. pp. 326.

nineteenth of these sermons, treating of the Holy Spirit, though not noting his Personality, yet inculcates divine aid. A reverent and kindly tone pervades all his discussions. In the sermon on Reverence (the third) he is properly jealous in behalf of "the parental relation" and "the offices of home piety," as compared with Sunday schools, for the culture of this virtue, but when he would have had these latter institutions among us, "like the English, opened only for the children of the unprivileged classes," we cannot but think he overlooks a vicious prejudice of our country and time which would have made such a distinction, if attempted, injurious and perhaps fatal to the success of these schools among the "unprivileged." Within the circle of Christian ethics these and other discourses of Dr. Peabody must have a charm for any intelligent audience, not only from his genial spirit, but from his scholarly and cultured thought. In discrimination and compactness he seems to us superior to Dr. Channing, though not in that simplicity of style which had much to do with the latter's power. And in taking this exception we must refer to such words (on pages 233, 236, 238) as "intenerates," "otiose" and "occlude," which seem to us scarcely defensible even before a scholastic congregation. The sermon on "a door in heaven" we remember hearing with pleasure in the orthodox church in Cambridge. And if we may judge of the others by those that we have read, they might all be preached in any Christian assembly with pleasure and profit to the hearers.

COMMENTARY ON THE PROVERBS. VOL. II. BY DELITZSCH.* -The first volume of this work was noticed with commendation in the NEW ENGLANDER for July, 1875. The present volume contains the commentary on chapters xi-xxxi, and is characterized by the author's well-known excellence as a commentator.

GENTILISM. This work is intended to prove that the primitive condition of man was not barbarism, but advanced towards civilization, at least as far as the condition of nomadic shepherds; that

* Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon. By FRANZ DELITZSCH, D.D., Professor of Theology. Translated from the German by M. G. Easton, D.D. Vol. II. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1875. New York: Scribner, Welford & Armstrong. 8vo, pp. viii, and 350. Price $3.00.

+ Gentilism. Religion previous to Christianity. By Rev. AUG. J. THÉBAUD, S. J. New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 31 Barclay Street. 1876. 8vo, pp. xv. and 525.

his primitive political state was the patriarchal; and the primitive religion, monotheism communicated in an original revelation, traces of which were preserved by tradition long after the degeneracy into Pantheism or Polytheism. The author finds his proofs in an extended examination of the primitive history of the peoples of Central and Western Asia, of Egypt and Ethiopia, and of Europe; and in a briefer examination of the less known primitive history of the Turanians. He does not profess to be an original explorer in these fields of inquiry, but uses the facts ascertained by the most learned scholars in their investigations of monuments, inscriptions, sacred books, mythologies, and literatures. The volume is full of valuable information and suggestions, and the argument presented is of great force.

THE SENSUALISTIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE 19TH CENTURY.* This volume contains a review of the Sensualistic Philosophy of the last century; an examination and refutation of James Mill's Analysis of the Mind, of Positivism, the Evolution Theory, Physiological Materialism, and Sensualistic Ethics; vindications of the spirituality of the mind and of the validity of a priori notions; and a chapter on the supernatural, in which the miracles of the Christiau Scriptures are considered. These are timely themes demanding vigorous and earnest discussion from our ablest theologians. The volume contains valuable thoughts on the subjects discussed. But we think it would be more effective if it were less flippant and contemptuous towards those whose opinions are controverted. We were surprised in reading the refutation of Sensualistic Ethics to find President Edwards and Dr. Samuel Hopkins grouped with Hume and Bentham, as teaching theories "which really amount to the same," and which "are all, in fact, modifications of the selfish system." We were especially surprised to learn that Dr. Hopkins teaches "the most utter selfishness." "I see not then, how from the Utilitarian premises, the practical conclusion can be avoided, that each man is his own properest supreme end, his own God! What more intense expression could be given to the most utter selfishness? It is instructive to see Dr. Samuel Hopkins, an outspoken advocate of the benevolence scheme, after narrating through

*The Sensualistic Philosophy of the 19th Century considered. By ROBERT L. DABNEY, D.D., LL.D., Professor in Divinity in the Union Theological Seminary, of the Presbyterian church of the South, Prince Edward, Va. New York: Anson D. Randolph & Co. Crown 8vo, pp. 369.

many pages its disinterestedness, coming (vol. 1, chap. 8) to this conclusion, and avowing that self-interest must remain practically each man's immediate guide. Thus we are led back to the vilest results of the selfish system."

REV. FREDERICK BROOKS'S SERMONS.*-The author of these sixteen sermons was already favorably known to a large circle of friends through his personal connections, and pastoral fidelity and usefulness, when a new interest invested his name in the public mind from his accidental death by drowning in the autumn of 1874, at the age of thirty-two-this disaster befalling him also on a philanthropic errand. This volume, with an introduction by Rev. Phillips Brooks, is a fit memorial of his gifts and worth. The quality of the sermons shows his intellectual and spiritual affinity with the admired Boston preacher. Without the same fine analysis, the younger brother has a similar freshness of thought and feeling, delicate appreciation of his sacred theme, earnestness of aim, and genial helpfulness. His theological position we suppose to be "broad church," and while ourselves interested in the sermons of that school we feel obliged to say of them that their subjects and methods are often adapted rather to the cultivated few than to the masses. The thoughtful reader will recur with wonder and regret to the removal that seems so untimely of a man so gifted and faithful, in the opening of his ministry.

MOSES. By J. J. VAN OOSTERZEE, D.D. -- This volume comprises twelve sermons on as many scenes or incidents in the life of Moses. The aim of the preacher is not primarily to present a pictorial or dramatic description of the scene, but to use it for the spiritual quickening and edification of the hearers; and to this his delineation of the events in the life of Moses is strictly subordinate. For example, the sermon on the words, "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward," is a sermon for New Year's day. The subject is: "The best mode of journeying through life." The heads are: "Go forward, (1) from that point

Rector of St. Paul's Church, Cleve1876. pp. 299.

*Sermons, by the Rev. Frederick Brooks, late land, Ohio. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. Moses: A Biblical Study. By J. J. VAN OOSTERZEE, D.D., author of "Year of Salvation," &c. Translated from the Dutch by James Kennedy, B.D. Edinburgh: T. T. Clark. 1876. Crown 8vo, pp. 362. New York: Scribner, Welford & Armstrong, 743 Broadway. Price $2.25.

to which God has conducted us; (2) along that path which God bids us take; (3) by the light which God affords; (4) with the staff which God provides; (5) to the land which God prepares." As "a biblical study," the volume is disappointing; as a series of sermons, it is interesting and edifying. The "plans" remind us of Reinhard's; they are worthy of attention, as presenting a method of treating a subject in a sermon not very common in this country-the occasional use of which would help to give variety to preaching.

MURPHY'S COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS.*-This commentary includes a revision of the translation, arranged according to the parallelism, with breaks to indicate the divisions of the thought; a comment aiming chiefly to bring out the meaning of the psalm, with little attempt at illustration; an introduction prefixed to each psalm, giving briefly what is known of its occasion, subject, and arrangement; critical notes placed by themselves after the comment on each psalm; and a general introduction occupying 50 pages, treating of the place of the psalms in the Old Testament, their titles, nature, and poetical character, instrumental accompaniment, themes, and arrangement. Prof. Murphy is already favorably known as a commentator, and the volume before us is a valuable addition to his works in this department.

OEHLER'S THEOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. VOL. II.tThe first volume of this important work was noticed in the NEW ENGLANDER for April, 1875. The second volume completes the discussion of "Mosaism," and contains the second and third parts of the work. The second part is entitled "Prophetism," and is divided into two sections. The first treats of the development of the theocracy from the death of Joshua to the close of the Old Testament Revelation; the second treats of the theology of Prophetism. The third part is entitled "Old Testament Wisdom" and treats of the books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes,

* A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms, with a new translation. By JAMES G. MURPHY, LL.D., T.C.D., Professor of Hebrew, Belfast, and author of commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, and Exodus. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1875. 8vo, pp. viii and 694.

Theology of the Old Testament. By Dr. GUST. FR. OEHLER, late Professor Ordinarius of Theology in Tübingen. Vol. II. Translated by Sophia Taylor. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1875. New York: Scribner, Welford & Armstrong. 8vo, pp. vii and 497. Price $3.00.