sades, in the second half of the 10th Century, and at the end of the 14th Century. Had we now a similar work for Ecclesiastical Geography, with Maps, after the plan of Bingham in his Antiquities of the Christian Church, it would be an additional and very valuable help. The author promises an Historical Geography for the Modern world since Century the 14th, if the reception of this work in the republic of letters shall give sufficient encouragement to further undertakings.

5. An Historical Text Book and Atlas of Biblical Geography. By LYMAN COLEMAN. Philadelphia: LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & Co. 1854: pp. 319, Royal octavo.

A compend in some respects similar to the former, passing over the several epochs of Biblical History, with accompanying Geographical descriptions and illustrations. The Maps, eight in number, mostly founded on the basis of Kiepert's Bible Atlas, but modified by reference to other, and those the most reliable, sources, are valuable aids to the student of the Bible. Without being profound and elaborate, the book is, evidently, the fruit of diligent study, and is a suitable guide to those seeking an acquaintance with the history and geography of the lands of the Bible.

6. Manual of Sacred History: A Guide to the understanding of the Divine Plan of Salvation according to Historical Developement. By JOHN HENRY KURTZ, D. D., Prof. of Church History in the University of Dorpat, etc. Translated from the Sixth German Edition. By CHARLES F. SCHAEFFER, D. D. Philadelphia: LINDSAY & BLACKISTON. 1855: pp. 436, 12 mo.

The author of this Manual has obtained a high reputation as a Professor of Church History in the University of Dorpat in Livonia, and is acknowledged for his learning and talent throughout

Germany, which is emphatically the land of scholars. The work before us professes to be a guide to the reader through the domain of Sacred History, a guide whose profusion of words and illustration shall not overwhelm, and whose brevity and boldness of outline shall not disappoint us, as it attempts to spread out the Divine Plan of Salvation as it is developed in the Sacred Scriptures. A book of this kind has been greatly needed as an outline of church history during the Biblical period. It is eminently suggestive, and on the whole, while open to exceptions in a number of particulars affecting doctrine, is evangelical in tone and spirit. It is all the better, in several respects, that it is the work of a German scholar, as it presents history from points of view different from those in which it is commonly regarded by English and American Divines, and thus presents trains of thought wide from the hackneyed and stereotyped opinions generally received, and sets the mind forward in new lines of research. It has reached the sixth edition in Germany in a period of ten years, and is adopted as a text-book and foundation of lectures in many of the higher institutions of that country. The translation is well executed by a very competent scholar. It shows the rising interest taken in historic studies in our land, that the three works whose titles are given above, have been issued from the American press within the last few months. In Theological Literature this is becoming one of the most favourite departments, and is bearing rich fruit under the culture which some of our best minds are bestowing upon it.

7. History of French Literature in the Eighteenth Century. By ALEXANDER VINET, Professor of Theology at Lausanne. Translated from the French, by the Rev. JAMES BRYCE. Edinburgh: T. & T. CLARKE, 1854: pp. 482, 8 vo.

The substance of a course of Lectures prepared for delivery during the summer of 1846, and which was interrupted by the illness of the lamented author. He was arrested by mortal disease when he was in the midst of his Lectures on the character and

writings of J. J. ROUSSEAU, and died after a few months illness. The value set upon the labours of Vinet, is strikingly exhibited in the care with which every thing he uttered is gathered up and published to the world. His Lectures were nearly extemporaneous in their delivery. He spoke from imperfect notes, suggesting the progress of thought, happy expressions, and passages for quotation, in a manner extremely felicitous and impressive. From these notes, and the note-books of four of his pupils, are these Lectures collected, preserving in a wonderful degree the piquant style, originality of thought, and Christian spirit of a man, one of the chief ornaments of the Protestant Church of France.

8. First lines of Christian Theology: In the form of a syllabus, prepared for the use of the students in the Old College, Homer ton: with subsequent additions and elucidations: By Jous PYE SMITH, D. D., L. L. D., F. R. S., F. G. S., Late Divinity Tutor in that Institution. Edited from the author's manuscripts, with additional notes and references, and copious Indexes. By WILLIAM FARRER, L. L. B. Secretary and Librarian of New College, London. London: JACKSON & Walford. 1854: pp. 741, 8 vo.

To a learner in any department of knowledge, and more espe cially to one who is himself a teacher, it is interesting to see the method pursued by others in their investigations and instructions in the same field of research. The above is the title of the notes of Lectures of Dr. J. P. Smith, in constant use by him as a Theological Instructor for a period of four and forty years. They appear to have been founded on the syllabus of Dr. Edward Williams, one of the most able defenders of Modern Calvinism, who was the instructor of Dr. Smith. The latter seems to have commenced filling up this outline as early as 1798 as a College exercise, and to have enlarged, modified, and corrected it during a protracted life spent in the constant duties of a teacher of Theolo It is dedicated to the Ministers of Jesus Christ in Great Bri

gy.

tain and elsewhere, educated under the superintendence of Dr. Pye Smith, and is designed chiefly for students of Theology of Junior standing. No one need expect to find in it complete Lectures, after the manner of Dick, or a complete treatise like that of Turretine. It is rather a syllabus, (on some heads full and extended, on others meagre,) like that of Doddridge, with references to the standard authors who have discussed the several points. In its thoroughness and completeness we have been somewhat disappointed, though it suggests much that is valuable.

9. Leila Ada, The Jewish Convert. An Authentic Memoir. By OSBORN W. TRENERY HEIGHWAY. Revised by the Editor. Philadelphia: BOARD OF PUBLICATION: pp. 230, 12 mo.

A deeply interesting account of the conversion, persecution, and triumphant death of a young Jewess of rare endowments and virtue. Seldom have we read a story which has interested us more in the character which it portrays, or in the peculiar trials of those who renounce the Synagogue and its worship, and forsake father and mother to become the disciples of Christ.

10. What is Calvinism? Or, the Confession of Faith in harmony with the Bible and Common Sense. In a Series of Dialogues between a Presbyterian Minister and a young convert. By the Rev. WILLIAM D. SMITH, D. D. Philadelphia: PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION: pp. 260, 18 mo.

The Rev. Dr. Smith was a Professor in "Anderson's Collegiate Institute," at New Albany, Indiana, at the time of his death. This little volume appears as a posthumous publication, called into existence by those studious perversions of Presbyterian Doctrine and Discipline heard so often from the lips of opposing sects. To the natural heart these doctrines are ungrateful, because humbling to human pride. So has God's truth ever been in this reVOL. VIII.-No. 4. 10

volted world. To another class of men, those who have been renewed by Divine grace, and who practically act upon those truths in the interior services of their religion, they are made to wear an unlovely aspect by the caricatures drawn of them, or the misapprehensions which exist in honest minds, which have never seen them set forth in their true proportions. The form of dialogue adopted in this volume has some special advantages, in the presentation and removing of difficulties. The book is plain and conclusive in argument, and will be welcome to many doubting and perplexed minds.

11. South Side View of Slavery: or Three Months at the South in 1854. By NEHEMIAH ADAMS, D. D. Second Edition. Boston: T. R. MARVIN: pp. 222, 12 mo.

We are glad to see that this little volume has reached a second edition though but a few months old. We need not repeat the favourable notice we gave of it in our last issue. The position of the author has been mistaken, both in the North and the South. He does not come forth as an advocate of Slavery. He states only those palliations of it, which a Northern mind, reared in hatred of it, could see when it came to behold it as it is. He does justice merely, and as far as what he actually saw compelled him, to master and servant, to southern institutions and character. In this view we have hailed the effort of the respected author with delight. One independent, true man, has at last had the manliness to express convictions favourable to us, and for it has been obliged to stem the torrents of misrepresentation and abuse which have been pouring around him. Evidence this, palpable enough, that, as the author says, "the indwelling sin of self-righteousness at the North, the belief that our conscience is more correct than that of Southern Christians, is the root of evil which we, [the people of the North,] chiefly need to have removed." We of the South have manifest proof that this is, indeed, "a root of bitterness, which springing up has troubled us; the vine has been of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah.