Page images
PDF
EPUB

ticity. "We need all our learning," said Archbishop Usher to his clergy, "to make things plain."

As the BIBLIOTHECA SACRA is not a partisan Review, its Editors have been, and intend to be, liberal in admitting such Articles as they do not, in all respects, endorse. They insert able essays from different evangelical schools. They are not to be held responsible for any statement which does not appear under their own names.

They have begun to insert, and intend to continue, a series of Articles unfolding the distinctive principles adopted by different theological parties and sects, and exhibiting the peculiarities of meaning which the parties and sects attach to the terms they use. In order that these Articles may be, and may be esteemed, authentic and authoritative, each one will be written by a representative member of the sect or party whose tenets are described. It is believed that such a series of Articles will tend to prevent some fruitless discussion; for, a large part of our theological controversies is occupied with the charge and the proof that the controversialists are misunderstood, and therefore misrepresented. It is a waste of time to refute what our opponents do not believe, and it causes a loss of charity to accuse them of maintaining what they do not mean to maintain, and what they think that they utterly reject.

From notices of the BIBLIOTHECA SACRA, by various Periodicals during the past year, we give the following extracts:

"The Bibliotheca Sacra is king of all theological reviews, at home or abroad. It cannot be classed under the head of ephemeral literature, though it is a periodical. It is the accumulation of the new theological thought and research of the age. It distributes in quarterly issues what in other times would have crystalized into stately folios. The number before us is as good as usual. The first article on the German Reformed Church is one in the series now appearing, in which the views of each denomination are set forth by one of its own men. This is an admirable feature in the Bibliotheca. The plan is both wise and liberal." Lutheran Observer, Feb. 13, 1863.

"The Bibliotheca Sacra deserves great credit for conceiving this plan of having the characteristics of every denomination portrayed by an eminent scholar of cach denomination. If the following essays will equal in merit those that have hitherto appeared, they will form in their ensemble the best church history of

[ocr errors]

America extant, and give to the volumes of the Bibliotheca containing them a lasting importance." - The Methodist, Jan. 24, 1863.

"This publication is beyond question one of the ablest, if not the very best periodical in the country. To clergymen of all denominations it is invaluable." -Evening Express, Feb. 13, 1863.

"The Bibliotheca Sacra is the depository of scholarly thought upon subjects connected with Biblical literature and theology, mental and moral philosophy, and classical learning. In its department it is unapproached by any American or English publication."- The Colonial Presbyterian, Feb. 12, 1863."

"As a theological review, this has hardly a competitor in the English or any other language. Every church could well afford the expense many times over of furnishing it to their minister, provided he would attentively read it. Hardly any church can afford to have their minister do without it."-The Wisconsin Puritan, March, 1863.

This is not properly a review, but a repository of essays and discussions in theology, church history, and Biblical and classical literature. It is by far the most scholarly periodical that issues from the American press, and the aim of its editors is to restrict its pages to articles of permanent value in theology and criticism. The aspect of its pages is sometimes a little dry, but the study of them is always rewarding. I count the twenty volumes of the Bibliotheca Sacra, with the antecedent volumes of the Biblical Repository — edited by the late Drs. E. Robinson and B. B. Edwards- among the most valuable books of reference for a pastor's library- an encyclopaedia of theology and of Biblical criticism."- London Patriot, Feb. 1863.

"In continuation of a plan begun last year, of giving the distinctive opinions and usages of various religious denominations, in essays by acknowledged representatives of each, the January Number of the Bibliotheca contains an article of seventy-eight pages upon the German Reformed Church in the United States, a careful, thorough, and valuable statement of the doctrines, worship, and polity of this American representative of the Reformed Church of Germany and Switzer-. land."- The New York Times, Feb. 9, 1863.

"The Bibliotheca Sacra is entitled to a first rank among Theological Quarterlies. England has nothing to equal it, and Germany - if we take erudition, scholarly variety, and all the forms of literary life and taste which enter into the formation of a theological review of the highest order-can certainly show nothing superior to it; in fact, in our judgment nothing equal to it. . . . A recent feature, of great interest, in the Bibliotheca Sacra, has been the appearance of a series of articles in which eminent writers of different parts of the Christian church present the views of their denominations."- The Lutheran and Missionary, Jan. 22, 1863.

"The plan of allowing each denomination to represent its own views, is a most admirable feature of this work. The Baptist article on Communion, in a recent number, has done much to place us in our true position before other denominations. The Methodists have equal cause of gratification, from the insertion of a long article on the Doctrines of Methodism, by Rev. D. D. Whedon, editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review."- The American Baptist.

"The Bibliotheca Sacra and Biblical Repository is the strongest, broadest, most learned, and most living of the religious quarterlies of the United States." — The Independent, Feb. 12, 1863.

[ocr errors]

Always welcome, like the face of an old friend, are the visits of this noble Quarterly. We have received it for many years, and the successive volumes are carefully preserved for future reading or reference. Luminous as they are with the production of such minds as Stuart and Edwards, they make part of our household treasures. Readers of different denominational views must be gratified to observe, as a prominent feature of the work, the fairness with which it treats the different schools of theology, giving them a candid hearing, and seeking in a kind and catholic spirit to ascertain their points of agreement, and to unite rather than to sever."- The Methodist Protestant, May 13, 1863.

"The work is truly catholic in its spirit, and is devoted to the great principles of evangelical truth. It has a good record, and has performed good service thus far."- The Zion's Advocate, April, 14, 1863.

"In that valuable compend, Farrar's "Critical History of Free Thought," which contains references to quite a library of theological literature, we remember very few references to American books. Among these references, the most frequent are to the Bibliotheca Sacra, which, true to its name, contains the very largest number of permanent valuable treatises of any theological periodical in the English language. . . . Thus we have the contributions of four Congregationalists, one N. S. Presbyterian, one Baptist, one German Reformed, and one Methodist. The Bibliotheca Sacra is fortunate in thus enlisting the pens of the gifted few."- The Pacific, Sept. 18, 1863.

THE CHRISTIAN REVIEW,

Having been purchased by the proprietor of the BIBLIOTHECA SACRA, will henceforth be united with the latter work. The Editors will receive the coöperation of Dr. Barnas Sears, President of Brown University, and formerly editor of the Christian Review. Notwithstanding the great advance in the cost of publication, no reduction will be made in the number of pages heretofore given in the BIBLIOTHECA, or in the quality of the work,

and no advance in the subscription price. Each number will contain about two hundred and twenty-five pages, and the whole volume nine hundred pages.

The Publisher appeals with confidence to the patrons of the work for the prompt remittance of their subscriptions, and for their friendly offices in extending its circulation.

TERMS AND PREMIUMS.

The terms of the BIBLIOTHECA SACRA are four dollars per anпит. A discount of 25 per cent. will be made to those who pay strictly in advance, and receive it directly from the office of publication, postage unpaid. When supplied by agents, it is furnished for $3.50 in advance; otherwise, $4.00.

Any present subscriber to the BIBLIOTHECA, or to the CHRISTIAN REVIEW, who will send one new name and payment for a year, together with his own subscription, shall receive, post-paid, a copy of any one dollar book in the list of Andover Publications. For two new subscribers, two books, etc.

The same offer is made to any one not now a subscriber who will become one, and will also send one new name, with payment for both for a year.

Any person sending three new names, and payment for a year, shall receive a fourth copy gratis.

POSTAGE.- The postage is four cents per number, or sixteen cents per year, to any part of the United States.

BACK NUMBERS. - A few complete sets and odd numbers of the BIBLIOTHECA SACRA may still be had of the Publisher.

WARREN F. DRAPER,

PUBLISHER.

ANDOVER, MASS., JAN. 1, 1864.

INDEX OF THE BIBLIOTHECA SACRA.

The value of this Periodical has been increased by the publication of an Index, containing 223 pages octavo, to the first thirteen volumes, and it will be increased hereafter by the publication of an Index to the volumes published since the year 1856. Each volume of the Review also contains a copious Index of that particular volume. This annual Index ordinarily occupies from eight to ten pages, and augments the worth of each volume.

« PreviousContinue »