LITERARY NOTICES.

Christian Institutions. Essays on Ecclesiastical Subjects. By ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D.D., Dean of Westminster. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 12mo, pp. 396.

This is the latest work of the lamented author. It has been largely reviewed and highly lauded, especially by writers of the heterodox class. We have read it, and reperused many portions of it, with great interest, and not a little pain! Its object was to show that the Christianity of our times has little in common with that of the first ages, but that this is a matter of no importance, as all institutions, and creeds too, are but the factitious and ever-changing phenomena of religion, not at all entering into its essence. What that essence is scarcely appears in this fascinating volume. In his chapter on Baptism he makes the same mistake which many others make of identifying the practice of the post-apostolic age with that of the apostolic. How different is his description of a revolting immersion scene, from the accounts of baptism in the New Testament! If the author were now living we would challenge him to specify a single case of immersion before the second century. We deny that this mode of baptism is intimated, either by fact or figure, in the New Testament. Affusion is the mode portrayed in the Catacombs, which seems to have escaped the notice of the learned antiquary. He is obliged to admit that children were baptized in those days, but thinks it was not common or scriptural. We say it was both; though when superstitious notions of the efficacy of baptism obtained, the administration was postponed, as Tertullian suggests. The Dean would have been very willing to imitate the Quakers in dispensing with baptism altogether. So with regard to the other sacrament. He disregards the teaching of his Church, that it is a sign of our redemption by Christ. He is not a Zwinglian, but a Socinian, in this matter, and tries to show that the primitive Christians looked upon the Lord's Supper as a festive service, in which they partook of bread, and fish, and wine, and other comestibles - doubtless in memory of Christ, who did the like. The essay on Posture in this sacrament is curious; but the attempt to show that the pope symbolizes with Presbyterians in regard to posture, will perhaps provoke a smile from both-that is all! He fails to show that the early Christians were generally like himself, (315)

Sabellians and Universalists. Some of them held crude and contradictory notions on these and other points in theology; but Christian dogma, drawn from Scripture, crystallized in the Nicene and Athanasian forms, which we call catholic and orthodox, and which Dean Stanley solemnly subscribed, and without surrendering his preferment, deliberately rejected and opposed! His water-colored creed would be subscribed by Jew, Turk, Hindoo-any "saint, savage, or sage," who in any way recognize a "Jehovah, Jove, or Lord." How he moves, not as a fiery fanatic, but a cool iconoclast, among the creeds of Christendom, adducing their history to bring them into contempt! The Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments escape not his trenchant blade. It is strange that he should speak of the second commandment as if it forbade the making of images or pictures, whereas the interdict is leveled only at their worship, as a child How could Homer so nod? Of course, the fourth commandment is thoroughly emasculated. The essays which refer to Orders, Vestments, etc., are curious and instructive; they level severe blows at hierarchical arrogance and assumption, and may do good service. The chapter on the Litany is perhaps the best in the book, though the heterodoxy of the author sadly taints it. It is remarkable how often he speaks reverentially of the Wesleys, while he differed from them in religion toto cœlo. One does not know what to make of Dean Stanley. When we talk of many-sided men, here is a man which seems to have been on all sides, and really on none. What was he? The Supreme Arbiter has answered the question, though he has not revealed it to us.

can see.

The Papal Power in Politics; or, Rome Against Liberty. By the Rev. B. F. ORR, of the Louisville Conference. Owensboro, Ky. 12mo, pp. 256.

This elegantly-printed book is heralded by a commendatory Introduction by the late Rev. N. H. Lee, D.D., to whom the author makes acknowledg ment for valuable aid in preparing his work. He shows the aims of the papacy, to crush out civil and religious liberty in all parts of the world; points out the insidious movements of Jesuits and other Romish Orders in the United States, especially in regard to education; and warns the American people that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, and that it behooves them to be wide awake to the perils which threaten them. The value of the work is greatly enhanced by its containing the Encyclical Letter and Syllabus of Pope Pius IX., which created so great a stir in the world. If any one doubt whether "Rome" is "against liberty," let him read those infallible utterances. We judge they have not been generally read. We have occasion from time to time to refer to the Syllabus, when not one in a hundred knows any thing about it! Get this book, and study the questions involved. Some may perhaps think that the work would not be diminished in value if the chapters on "Papal Power in Prophecy" had not been written. Of course, we think so, as we see no proph

ecy in the Bible of pope, or sultan, or czar. But those chapters can be "skipped over" by those who are so minded, without at all affecting the great issues of the work. The book can be procured at the Southern Methodist Publishing House. Price $1.

Studies in the Book of Mark: Critical, Exegetical, Homiletical, and Practical. For Preachers, Pastors, and Parents. By the Rev. D. C. HUGHES, A.M., Editor of the International Sunday-school Lesson Department of the Homiletic Monthly. New York: I. K. Funk & Co. 8vo, pp. 318.

This work breathes an evangelical spirit. We presume the author is a Baptist. It inculcates immersion for baptism, which is not "for the remission of sins," but unto it-no, not that, it seems. "Unto the remission of sins is connected with repentance, and not with baptism." That seems to contradict the evangelist, who speaks of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins-eis means "for"-baptism being the exponent of repentance and faith, the spiritual conditions of remission. Mr. Hughes says, "The Sinaitic, Vatican, and Alexandrian, are the oldest MSS. extant, and where they all agree the text is considered perfect." This shows the school to which he belongs, though we are pleased to see that he does not cancel or obelize the last verses of Mark. Here is a strange utterance: "Evidence in abundance may be furnished that this promise (working miracles) was fulfilled, not only during the apostolic age, but during subsequent generations. No one has a right to say that miracles are impossible in our day. 'Greater works than these shall ye do, because I go unto my Father.' John xiv. 12." One would think that is the voice of Bellarmine, or Edward Irving, or Joe Smith. Everybody knows, or ought to know, that "ye" in the quotation refers to the apostles-perhaps comprehending those on whom they conferred the charismata, which none could receive by any other medium. Miracles are not impossible in any age-God can work them now as well as in the apostolic age; but he does not now empower any one to work miracles, and we presume he never will again. That pest of interpretation-" the pregnant meaning of prophecy, one in which various fulfillments are involved"-is introduced to make Christ's prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem refer also to the end of time, and the previous publication of the gospel among all nations. This is the fruitful source of much fanaticism. Mr. Hughes is very summary and dogmatic in saying Tabor could not be the Mount of Transfiguration; he must allow us still to believe that it was, and Mark ix. 30 does not contradict it. How strange that he should still persist in repeating Reland's blunder of locating a second Bethsaida west of the Lake! Has he never read "The Land and the Book"? He says, "Jesus constrained his disciples to embark for Bethsaida on the west side of the lake." This is too bad for a professed exegete. Look into the original

text. But criticism of this sort, though perhaps demanded, is not grateful, and we forbear. What sort of exegesis or theology is that which makes John xvii. 9 parallel with 1 John v. 16? Such shallow Calvinism as that will not do in this age. Did not Christ pray for his murderers, Luke xxii. 34? Even the Revisionists insert that prayer, though they unfortunately say in the margin, "Some ancient authorities omit" it. This is enough to condemn the R. V. But does not Christ intercede for every sinner? You cannot drench people nowadays with the Geneva that denies it.

Proceedings of the Ecumenical Methodist Conference held in Cityroad Chapel, London, September, 1881. Introduction by the Rev. WILLIAM ARTHUR, M.A. Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Methodist Publishing House. 8vo, pp. 632.

It must not be supposed from the imprint that this book was printed at our Publishing House, or that the book editor had the honor of superintending its issue. We were appointed as one of the delegates to the Ecumenical Conference, and we served as a member of the Committee which met in New York to prepare its work; but we were providentially precluded attendance at the Conference. Many this side of the Atlantic felt their interest in the Conference decline after the action of the London Convention, in June, 1881, and the subsequent action of the Committee ruling out the proposed collation of Connectional Confessions, Disciplines, etc. But notwithstanding that, the occasion was one of great interest, as our readers have been already apprised, and as they will more fully learn from this portly volume. We need not analyze its contents, as this is so well done by a contributor to this number of the REVIEW, Who was an efficient member of the Conference. We are glad that the Conference appointed a second meeting, in America, in 1887, the time we designated, as well as favoring the celebration of the Centenary of American Methodism in 1884.

The Pulpit and Pew; or, Preacher and People. By T. C. BLAKE, D.D. Nashville, Tenn. 16mo, pp. 280.

This is a capital little book. Dr. Blake sets forth in plain, forcible, and felicitous style-with cogent argument, apt quotations, and pertinent illus trations-the character and duty of the ministers and members of the Church. In no sense is the book sectarian. A stranger to the author would never imagine to what sect he belongs, and we will not say. There is not a Christian Communion among us that can take exception to a sentiment in it; and we heartily wish all the minsters and members of all the Churches would study its wholesome, earnest, and timely teachings. It is mechanically a gem-manufactured at our Publishing House.

The Use of Tobacco. By J. I. D. HINDS, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry in Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee. 16mo, pp. 138. Price 75 cents.

A book on such a subject, from such a source, deserves more than ordinary regard. We were aware of the author's positions, as they appeared in the Cumberland Presbyterian Quarterly. Our well-known detestation of the filthy weed precludes a disinterested estimate of the work. We therefore give the author's "Summary" of the discussion-merely suggesting that we are not fanatical in our opposition to tobacco; we would not, e. g., exclude any one from the Church or the ministry who uses itthough we allow no one to smoke in our house or office. Some excellent men have unfortunately acquired the habit, which they deplore-at least the most with whom we have conversed. The author says:

I will now recapitulate some of the principal reasons why I think the use of tobacco should be discouraged :

1. While it is a source of great present revenue to the people who cultivate it, it will in the end be detrimental to the country, because it is a crop which is very exhausting to the soil, and soon wears out the land. Besides, it is not to the buyer a just equivalent for the money he pays for it.

2. The use of tobacco is a habit which continually grows stronger, at the same time weakening the will, and finally making man its abject slave. Such habits are sedulously to be avoided, although they could be shown to have no other ill effects.

3. Its associations are very bad. It is the inseparable companion of dramdrinking, gambling, loafing, and sporting. It is the universal habit of the adventurer, the villain, the roué, and the debauchee. I would much rather not be found in such company.

4. As a social habit, it makes one acquainted with strange companions. It makes the spirits flow, opens the lips, and lets forth the poisonous and polluted words which come from a corrupt heart. In the same way it encourages loafing, lounging, and laziness.

5. Its physiological effects, unless very carefully and moderately used, are such as to warrant its abandonment, even if there were no other considerations. For these the reader is referred to the discussion of this part of the subject.

6. All its ill effects are transmitted from parent to child, and usually with a weakened constitution and a disposition to intemperance. The physiological legacy which a child receives is one of which it cannot dispossess itself. The parent, then, cannot be too careful in this matter.

7. It is a filthy habit. This is particularly so of chewing and snuff-dipping. It colors the teeth, makes the complexion sallow, renders the personal appearance forbidding, makes the breath offensive, and always causes the loss of a modicum of self-respect. Such a habit can only be justified in consideration of its benefits. No benefits have been shown to accrue in this case.

8. It is an expensive habit. Were it not hurtful, it might be indulged in as a luxury by well-to-do people who could afford it. Its physiological effects, however, have been shown to be so bad that it ought to be avoided even by these. The man who lights his Havana with a dollar-bill puts it to a much better use than he did the one with which he bought the cigar.

9. It is of doubtful morality, because its consequences are bad.