find in it some very clear and original trains of remark, which go to produce a high respect for what the oecumenical mind has accomplished towards the scientific construction of the doctrine of the Trinity, and a confident belief that the Deistic and Unitarian conceptions of the Deity are meagre and inadequate for the purposes of religion. At the same time, the writer attributes too much influence to the political and social feelings of the times, in calling out that zeal which fired those centuries of Trinitarian controversy. This may hold true of the latter ages, but it was unquestionably a sincere and solemn belief that fundamental truth, and not the mere interests of the Empire, was threatened, which inspired and nerved the soul of an Athana

sius.

IV. V. Lectures Fourth and Fifth discuss the Pelagian Controversies, so far as they pertain to the doctrines of Regeneration and Justification.

The writer is on the whole Augustinian (though with some vacillation, as on p. 254 et seq.) in respect to the relation of the Divine agency to the human in regeneration. But in treating the subject of justification, he falls into the greatest error of the Schoolmen themselves, even the best of them, with the exception of Anselm; the error, viz. of regarding justification as the positive infusion of Divine life and righteousness, instead of being the negative acquittal from condemnation. The term for him, as for them, is synonymous with sanctification; a confusion which is perceptible even in the Augustinian as well as the Scholastic Soteriology (Anselm's theory of satisfaction alone being excepted), and which it was the crowning excellence of the Reformed doctrine of atonement to banish, by restoring, in its Pauline sharpness, the distinction between the grace which extinguishes guilt by providing an expiation and the grace which produces inherent righteousness of character. See pp. 215, 216, 252.

VI. Lecture Sixth discusses the Moral Philosophy of the Schoolmen. VII. Lecture Seventh examines the Scholastic theory of the Sacraments, and defends the doctrine of the English Church, that the Sacrament is more than mnemonic, because accompanied by a bestowment of spiritual influences upon the recipient.

VIII. The Eighth Lecture is upon the Nature and Use of Dogmatic Theology, in which the disparaging estimate of Scientific Theology and Symbols of Faith, to which we have alluded, reappears.

Though our criticism has been negative and unfavorable, we would not have it inferred that we do not set a high value upon these lectures. On the contrary, after thus specifying our objections, we are ready to say that this work is one of the most valuable and vigorous productions that has come from an English Prelate for a long time. It deserves republication among us, for the sake of the general influence it would exert. Though the author disparages the Scholastic method and spirit, he is himself more possessed and moulded by them than he is aware of, and the whole influence of his lectures goes to produce in the mind of the reader that broad and generous Scholasticism, which is dissatisfied with a passive and ignorant reception

of traditional systems, and little or no appeal to the Scriptures, and insists upon an intelligent and logical examination of the Christian experience and the doctrines of the creeds, in the light of that written word which has furnished all the elements that enter into Christian practice and theory, and contains the crucial tests by which foreign and vitiating elements are to be detected. There are special reasons why the Scholastic philosophy and theology should be better known among us. Strange as it may seem, there is no system of thinking with which the New England theology really has more affinity than that of the Schoolmen. The same analytic method; the same exhaustion of subjects by objections and replies; the same disposition to give reason its dues, even though the very brink of Rationalism be stepped upon; and the same keen and clear intellectualism from first to last, belong alike to the Scholastic and the Puritan divine. We shall not of course be understood to assert an agreement in views, on all points, between the two, even when the Schoolman happens to be an Anselm or Aquinas, and much less when he is an Abelard or a Duns Scotus. We are speaking comparatively and generally, and so understood we are very confident that, among all the intellectual methods that appear in the past history of the church, the American theologian will find no one more like his own than that which Aristotelo-Platonism formed in the Mediaeval mind.

IV. THE NEW GERMAN CYCLOPAEDIA OF PROTESTANT THEOLOGY.'

Two volumes of this important work have already been published, and the third is nearly completed. The publishers engage to complete it in ten. The volumes are of the largest royal octavo size, compactly and handsomely printed on very good paper, averaging about 800 pages each, and afforded to subscribers at the very low price of four florins, or about two dollars and three quarters a volume. It has thus far been published at the rate of a volume in six months, and will probably be continued at the same or a somewhat increased rate of speed. It takes up all the topics pertaining to the science of theology, and has thus far been particularly rich in the historical, biographical and exegetical departments. All the information on the Romish theology which a Protestant needs, is also found in this Protestant Cyclopaedia.

Its contributors are among the most distinguished scholars of Germany. Here we find the names of Auberlen, Daniel, Delitzsch, Dorner, Ebrard, Gieseler, Goeschel, Hagenbach, Hoffmann, Hundeshagen, Kling, Kurtz, Leo, Lepsius, Lindner, Lommatzsch, Lücke, Müller, Nitzsch, Palmer, Reuchlin, Richter, Rödiger, Semisch, Thiersch, Tholuck, Tischendorf, Tuch, Twesten, Ullmann, Ulrici, Umbreit, Vaihinger, Voigt, Weber, Wichern,

1 Real-Encyclopaedia für protestantische Theologie und Kirche. In Verbindung mit vielen protestantischen Theologen und Gelehrten herausgegeben von Dr. Herzog, ordentlichem Professor der Theologie zu Halle. Hamburg. Verlag von Rudolf Besser.

Wieseler, Wilken, Winer, and many others. Not only Germans, but theologians of other countries are applied to for Articles specially pertaining to their own nations. The Articles relative to Great Britain are furnished by writers living in England; and the Articles on Edwards, Dwight, the New England Theology, etc. have been written in America.

The Articles, it is true, are of quite unequal merit; but the greater part of them, as might be expected from the names of the contributors abovementioned, are well worthy of the place which they occupy. From no other source can the present state of theological science throughout Christendom be so well learned as from these elaborate and well-executed volumes.

It is a great undertaking for both publisher and editor, and we hope they will be well rewarded for their expense and labor. No theologian, who can read German, can well afford to do without the work. It is the more interesting as it represents the reaction of the German mind from the bald rationalism so long prevalent to a more evangelical view of the Christian religion. German rationalism has not existed in vain. It had a work to accomplish, and it has accomplished it; and now it must go to the grave with the Gnosticism, and Manicheism, and Pelagianism, and Socinianism, of other days, all which marked certain epochs of progress in the human mind in its struggles against the simple Gospel of Christ.

This Theological Cyclopaedia will be particularly instructive to the American and British scholar, as it gives the results of a long conflict with unbelief, which has already nearly passed in Germany, but which seems to be just in its opening stages in Great Britain and America.

V. KURTZ'S MANUAL OF SACRED HISTORY, TRANSLATED BY

SCHAEFFER.1

THIS is the best book of the kind we have ever examined, and one of the best translations from German into English we have ever seen. The author is now just in the prime and vigor of his literary life; evangelical generally in his views and feelings; thoroughly learned, especially in all that pertains to sacred and ecclesiastical history; master of a terse, strong, perspicuous style; gifted with sound common sense, and free from all taint of pedantry. He was a favorite and admiring pupil of Tholuck's, and traces of his teacher's peculiar views are found in this volume. Compare pp. 345, 421, 422 with pp. 435, 436. He makes no parade of learning in his book, but his exegetical statements are evidently founded on the most careful, thorough and extensive study, and can generally be relied upon as among the best results,

1 Manual of Sacred History, a Guide to the Understanding of the Divine Plan of Salvation according to its Historical Development, by John Henry Kurtz, D. D., Professor of Church History in the University of Dorpat, translated from the sixth German edition, by Charles F. Schaeffer, D. D. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blackiston. 1855. pp. xx. 436.

the most surely ascertained conclusions, of modern philological investigation. Compare pp. 279–284, 314, 315, 328, 329, 345-348, 384-388, 421-435, etc. We by no means hold ourselves responsible for every sentiment in the book, but we cordially recommend it to every minister, to every Sunday school teacher, to every parent, and to every intelligent layman, as a safe and exceedingly instructive guide, through the entire Bible history, the Old Testament and the New. It is a book which actually accomplishes more than its title promises. It is a development not only of the Bible history, but also of those Bible doctrines which are most practical and important; and its brief, clear, well-grounded and careful statements in regard to the evidences of the canonical authority of the several books, and the true character of the apocryphal books, are of great value to the thoughtful student; as is also the brief connecting history between the Old Testament and the New, pp. 254-271.

The world abounds in compends, which are the mere skimming from the outer surface of works which are in themselves sufficiently shallow. But this is a compend of a different kind — the cream and not a pellicle; and arising from real scholarship, and not from pedantic emptiness. It is one of the encouraging signs of these times, that, while the Bible is assailed on all sides by an unbelief that is fearfully energetic, and a self-worshipping self-conceit; there are also rising up in every part of Protestant Christendom, defenders of the Bible, who are workmen that need not to be ashamed, being thoroughly furnished for their good work.

VI. WILSON ON PUNCTUATION.

THE elegant typography of this volume is an honor to the American press. Rarely have we seen a book so attractive to the eye. Its rules of punctuation are, in the main, accurate and perspicuous, far superior to any other system of directions which we have read on this theme. The volume contains much information on the minutiae of literature, with which every scholar ought to be familiar, but of which many eminent authors are lamentably ignorant. We know not where so many particulars relating to the finish of copy for the press can be learned. A study of this volume would save youthful scholars from many careless and uncouth habits of writing. The spirit and genius of the English language are intimately connected with some of the questions involved in an accurate punctuation. He who can punctuate accurately, can write perspicuously.

1 A Treatise on English Punctuation, designed for Letter-writers, Authors, Printers, and Correctors of the Press; and for the use of Schools and Academies. With an Appendix, containing Rules on the Use of Capitals, a List of Abbreviations, Hints on the Preparation of Copy and on Proof-Reading, Specimen of Proof-Sheet, etc. By John Wilson. Third edition, enlarged. Boston: Printed by John Wilson and Son, 22 School Street. New York: C. Shepard and Co., Fulton Street. 1855. pp. 334. 16mo.

VII. BARTLEtt's Jerusalem REVISITED.

A melancholy interest attaches to this work, as the last one published by its talented author. He was unwearied in labors and travels in behalf of his favorite pursuit, — the delineation of scenes and places connected with Bible History. His "Walks about Jerusalem" make the stranger better acquainted with the Holy City, than any other work; and his "Christian in Palestine" extends this acquaintance throughout the Holy Land. His "Forty Days in the Desert," and the "Nile Boat," are of a similar character. In order to prepare the present work, the author went a second time to Jerusalem in 1853. The volume is supplementary to the "Walks." Mr. Bartlett was not an ancient historian, nor an antiquary. His great object and forte was the skilful artistic delineation of external objects. Yet he had a fund of strong common sense; which led him almost always to a right conclusion in the midst of conflicting theories.

After preparing this volume for the press, Mr. Bartlett went once more to Constantinople. As he was returning home, on board of a French steamer, he was seized with cholera; and died in a few hours. The work has been published since his decease.

ARTICLE XI.

SELECT THEOLOGICAL AND LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

GERMANY.

THE following comprise the more important works in the province of theology, that have recently made their appearance. Few have been published very recently, as after the new year it is usual to keep back new works of importance until the Easter-fair at Leipsic.

In the department of Biblical criticism we notice:

The Prophet Isaiah, translated and explained by Dr. Moritz Drechsler; second half of the second Part. This is edited from the Mss. of the author by F. Delitzsch and Augustus Hahn.

Christologiae in epistola ad Hebraeos scripta propositae, particula 1. Prolegomena, Commentatio, by Prof. C. B. Moll, of Halle.

The Three Epistles of John, with a complete Theological Commentary, by Dr. F. Dusterdieck; first part of second volume, extending from 1 John 2: 29 to 5: 5.