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Gothic temple. Seventh, Bruce. Eighth, The fly trap; which is formed of two lamellar rocks, thin and regular, with the inner edges united, and the outer spreading out several feet apart. In a recess to the left of the fly trap is another fine spring of water. When you have gone as far as you can go, at the very extremity of the recess, you will meet with the source of the Nile! This is a fourth spring of pure water, crusted over with a pellicle of stalagmite, which has been perforated to gain access to the water below. Nearly opposite to the gentleman's toilet is a large rock, fifty feet long, and thirty high and deep, completely covered with an incrustation as white as snow; hence it is called snow hill.

After having wandered for several hours through this silent and gloomy laboratory of nature, (if this expression may be used in such a connection,) we at length began to retrace our steps toward the place of entrance. In returning the guide led us somewhat out of the main course, and conducted us into the Garden of Eden. On the road to this delightful spot we passed Mount Blanc, which is a high inaccessible rock. In the garden are the Banian tree, and Adam's bed-chamber. Some persons have thought this the most beautiful and interesting part of the cave. The stalactites are very singularly arranged, and are, perhaps, larger than anywhere else, except in the tan-yard. These are suspended from the roof; and the stalagmites have ascended from the floor and formed a union with them. They have been compared to the folds of heavy drapery, and are quite transparent. From the garden of Eden we took our "solitary way," as Milton says of Adam and Eve; and very soon the world was all before us.

Harrisonburg, Va., 1838.

LITERARY NOTICES.

History of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By NATHAN BANGS, D.D. In two volumes. New-York: Published by T. Mason & G. Lane, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberry-street.

NOTHING Could be more timely than the preparation of a history of the Methodist Episcopal Church by one so well qualified in every respect for the task as Dr. Bangs is, in consequence of his personal knowledge of the transactions of its principal judicatories for many years past, and his official connection with its periodicals. There are many still living who can attest the correctness of what he has recorded; or, if in any case he has been misled by defective data, they may detect the error, and furnish the information necessary to correct it. We have reason to believe, however, that the personal knowledge of facts which aged ministers and members may possess, will seldom, if in any case, be found to be at variance with the record. Still, the circumstance that this history is published while many persons are still living who have been familiar with the events and transactions which form the base of it, especially since the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, will be a guaranty for its authenticity, to future generations. This history will undoubtedly be appealed to, in a future day, as an authen

tic work of reference. For this reason especially we say, it is a timely production.

The first volume has already reached its fourth edition, so rapid have been the sales; and the second volume is now out, and ready for delivery. Those who have ordered the first have no doubt done so with a view of having the second also; and now that both are ready for delivery, all who wish the work will forthwith forward their orders. The true character of Methodism is too little understood by even many who are members of the Church, and less by many others who take it upon themselves to animadvert, with much positiveness, upon its doctrines and institutions. To all such as feel any interest in knowing what it is, we recommend Dr. Bangs' History, published by T. Mason and G. Lane, at the Conference Office.

Professor Bush's Hebrew Grammar.

THIS is a new and greatly improved edition of the work, just issued from the press. From a thorough examination of the work competent judges rank it among the standard Hebrew Manuals of the day. It is at once simple and scientific. While the author has throughout studied the wants of the mere tyro, he has also opened an ample field for those who wish to go beyond facts to reasons.

In the preface, the author says:-"As a marked advance has been made of late years in explaining the reasons of many of the facts of the language, it seemed desirable to unite with the purposed simplicity of the former treatise such a scientific view of the interior principles and structure of the Hebrew as should satisfy the inquiries of the intelligent learner." Prof. B. has made a judicious use of the works of Gesenius, Ewald, Jahn, Buxtorff, Schroeder, Opitius, Roorda, Stuart, Hurwitz, and Lee.

The sheets of the latter half of the Grammar have been under the keen inspection of Prof. J. Seixas, a celebrated Hebrew scholar and instructer.

On the whole then we rejoice in the appearance of this Grammar as calculated to excite a new interest and impulse, as well as to afford new facilities to the study of this ancient and venerable language.

We are credibly informed that this work will be used as a textbook in several colleges and theological seminaries; the sheets having been examined previously to its appearance in public. It is beautifully printed on fine paper; and with the exception of some typographical errors, which it is next to impossible to avoid, it will compare with the very best works on Hebrew philology.

An Examination of the System of New Divinity, or New-School Theology. By Rev. FRANCIS HODGSON, of the New-York Conference. New-York: Published by T. Mason & G. Lane, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberry-street. 1839. 12mo. pp. 416.

In this volume are imbodied the essays on New Divinity published in the Christian Advocate and Journal, over the signature F. H., as revised and corrected by the author. This circumstance renders it unnecessary to say much of the character of the work, other than

that its publication in book form has been recommended by three several annual conferences.

When it is borne in mind that the preachers, usually denominated New-School divines, have adopted a phraseology in illustrating and enforcing their doctrines, especially in their public administrations, which leaves an impression on the minds of many that they have actually abandoned the peculiarities of the Calvinistic creed, and come over to Arminianism, it is due to them as well as to all others concerned, that the subject be investigated and placed in its true light. It is idle to think of bringing the public mind into a state of indifference respecting the subject of doctrines, particularly those on which the principal denominations of evangelical Christians are divided. And as a difference of opinion in these matters does not constitute a necessary barrier against that union of spirit which all the truly pious possess and cherish, we do not conceive that it would be even desirable to render men less interested respecting the faith they profess than they are wont to be. The main thing, and that which all should labor to promote, is to teach men, by precept and example, to express their differences of opinion in the spirit of candor and Christian forbearance.

The object of the work before us is, professedly, to place the subject in question in its true light, that the reader may examine it, and judge for himself. How far the writer has succeeded in this object, we leave to those who may read his work, barely remarking, that in so far as we have been able to examine his references, we believe he has been faithful in quoting the authors to whom he refers in his strictures on New Divinity, and treated them with candor and Christian courtesy.

The Life of Darcy, Lady Maxwell, of Pollock; late of Edinburgh: compiled from her voluminous diary and correspondence, and from other authentic documents. By the Rev. JOHN LANCASTER. New-York: Published by T. Mason & G. Lane, 200 Mulberry-st. 12mo. pp. 407.

THIS is a new edition of the Life of Lady Maxwell, on fine paper, well and handsomely bound in cambric, or sheep. Price $1.

The first edition of this very interesting biography was published in two volumes, 12mo., at $1 per volume. This new edition contains the two volumes in one, at half the price. We are persuaded the more this work is known to our intelligent readers, and to pious females especially, the more highly it will be prized. Let it go in company with the Life of Mrs. Fletcher. Mr. Wesley corresponded with Lady Maxwell, and in his "Select Letters, chiefly on Personal Religion," recently published at the Book Concern, are found not less than eighteen of his letters to her.

The Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism: A brief sketch of the Rise, Progress, and Present State of the Wesleyan Methodist Societies throughout the World. By THOMAS JACKSON, President of the [British] Conference. New-York: Published by T. Mason & G. Lane, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberry-st. 1839. 12mo. pp. 240.

THIS is a reprint from the London copy, and will be read with as much interest on this as on the other side of the Atlantic. It contains, in a condensed form, a brief sketch of the rise, progress,

and present state of Wesleyan Methodism throughout the world; and is embellished with a beautiful likeness of Mr. Wesley, from a steel engraving.

Commentary on the New Testament. By Rev. JOSEPH BENSON. Two volumes imperial 8vo., the size of the new edition of Dr. A. Clarke's Commentary. New-York: Published by T. Mason & G. Lane, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberry-street.

THIS commentary on the New Testament is now out, and ready for delivery, at $6 retail, with the usual discount to preachers and wholesale purchasers. The Commentary on the Old Testament is in a course of publication, and will make three volumes.

The publication of Mr. Benson's Commentary has, we understand, been ardently called for, which induced the Agents to undertake it. Without obtruding any recommendatory remarks of our own upon the reader, we will refer him to the following testimonies in favor of the work, which we copy from the London " Youth's Instructer," namely:

The Rev. Hartwell Horne, in his celebrated " Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures," has observed, in reference to this production of Mr. Benson's pen, that it is "an elaborate and very useful Commentary on the Sacred Scriptures, which, independently of its practical tendency, possesses the merit of compressing into a comparatively small compass the substance of what the piety and learning of former ages have advanced, in order to facilitate the study of the Bible. Its late learned author was particularly distinguished for his critical and exact acquaintance with the Greek Testament."

The Wesleyan Ministers, assembled in their annual conference in the year 1818, passed the following resolution in reference to this Commentary:-"On the completion of this laborious undertaking, which was commenced at our request, and for the benefit of the Methodist Connection, the Conference feel it to be a duty to return their cordial and unanimous thanks to Mr. Benson for the service which he has thus rendered to our body; and to express their high satisfaction with the solid learning, the soundness of theological opinion, and the edifying attention to experimental and practical religion, which are displayed in this valuable work."

The Conference also, in their Pastoral Address to the Methodist Societies, in the year 1821, say in reference to Mr. Benson :-“ By his various writings he has rendered great service to the connection, and to the truth of God; and his great work, the Commentary on the Old and New Testaments-a work replete with sound theological and critical learning, and admirably calculated 'to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good word and work'--will at once perpetuate his name, and extend his usefulness to future generations.'

In the able "Sketch of the Character of Mr. Benson," drawn up by the Rev. Jabez Bunting, and inserted in the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, it is remarked, "that the works of most permanent and general value, by which he being dead yet speaketh,' are his Life of Mr. Fletcher, and his Commentary on the Holy Scrip

tures."

Sketches of the Life and Travels of Rev. Thomas Ware; who has been an Itine rant Methodist Preacher for more than fifty years. New-York: Published by T. Mason & G. Lane. 1839. 12mo. pp. 264.

THIS work is now in press, and will be ready to order in a few weeks. The name of T. Ware has become familiar to the ear of every reading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as it has occupied a place in the general minutes since the organization of the Church in 1784, and for some time before. This circumstance alone invests the volume in question with an interest which will undoubtedly procure for it an extensive circulation. But we hazard nothing in saying, that this is by no means its chief recommendation. Mr. Ware traveled extensively as an itinerant preacher. Besides his labors in the Middle States, we find him among the pioneers of Methodism in the West and South, as far as Tennessee and North Carolina, and at the North and East, in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. In the course of his labors in these sections, at an early period of the history of the Church, he was in a situation to make such observations upon the state of society, the measures pursued to introduce the gospel among the destitute, the manner in which Methodism and Methodist preachers were treated by the denominations who had obtained a footing in the country, and many other things connected with the progress of the work, as are calculated to cast much light upon the whole subject, and will serve the future historian a valuable purpose. All this he has done. His work abounds in anecdotes, historical sketches, descriptions of character, and incidents of various kinds, eminently calculated to illustrate the spirit and practical influence of Methodism during the period of his active labors.

We have no doubt that this publication will be sought with avidity, and read with much pleasure and profit by thousands who are enjoying the benefits of the institutions reared up and fostered by those fathers in the gospel who have gone to their reward, or are awaiting the bidding of their Master to enter into their rest in heaven.

A Letter to a Junior Methodist Preacher, concerning_the_General Course and Prosecution of his Studies in Christian Theology. By JOHN HANNAH. New. York: Mason & Lane, 200 Mulberry-street. 1839.

DR. HANNAH's Letter to a Junior Methodist Preacher is formed on the basis of Mr. Watson's Theological Institutes, and gives ample directions to the student how to pursue the subjects embraced in that work to a still greater extent. In the first part of the letter the author directs the attention to the study of the evidences of Christianity. The next subject is the doctrines, the third is the duties, and the fourth the institutions of Christianity. Under each of these general heads reference is made to a great many very valu. able works in divinity, with characteristic notices of them.

A Discourse on occasion of the death of the Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D., President of the Wesleyan University, delivered in the Greene-street Church, New-York, on the evening of the 29th of March, 1839. By NATHAN BANGS, D. D. Pub. lished by the request of those who heard it. New York: T. Mason & G. Lane. Pp. 24.

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