the present day. They are thoughtful, are written in a style of freshness, beauty, and force, and many passages in them are truly eloquent. But they are often very illogical, and the theological views presented in them are vague and indefinite. Indeed the author seems to think it is because Christianity is vague and indefinite in its teachings, and nothing systematic in theology can be made out of it, that it is suited to be the religion for mankind; it can easily adapt itself to changing modes of thought and phases of society. And truly it can if the author's views are correct, for there is very little in Christianity to be adjusted to those changes. Indeed, it is difficult to say what he really thinks on what have always been considered the fundamental truths of the gospel. He seems to teach the incarnation of God in Christ; but he seems also to teach he incarnation of God in every man. He receives the doctrine of the Trinity, but not as an absolute truth-only as a relative truth. God may be, he says, twenty in one, as well as three in one. He is a minister of the Church of England, and subscribes of course to the thirty-nine articles, but we cannot find that there is any doctrine of Christianity which he holds in the sense usually attached to it by Christians.

Still many truths are presented in these sermons in a very original way, and they may be read with great profit. But considered as sermons to be preached to a congregation, we do not see how they could at all further the end of preaching-the salvation of men.

THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST.*-The preface informs us that "the work of Kirchenpropst Caspers, of which the present volume contains the more important portions, is well known and prized by readers of devotional theology in Germany, as being one of the best books of that kind which have recently appeared in that country." It is meant for devotional reading, and a glance at the contents shows its evangelical quality. There are sixty-five chapters, each of a length suitable for a daily portion, and these again are distributed into four "Parts," which bear titles happily chosen and in themselves suggestive: "Christ for us," "Christ in us," "Christ before us," and "Christ through us." We have examined

*The Footsteps of Christ. Translated from the German of A. CASPERS, Church Provost and Chief Pastor at Husum, by ADELAIDE E. RODHAM. Edited, with a Preface, by Rev. CHARLES H. H. WRIGHT, M. A., Chaplain of Trinity Church, Boulogne-sur-Mer, &c. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1871. 12mo, pp. 434.

it enough to see that, as the editor says, "it is remarkable for the firm hold it exhibits of the grand doctrine of justification by faith only, and for its peculiar terse and epigrammatic style." The style indeed (apart from what may be due to the circumstance of translation) is so unlike that of devotional writers in our language that it will at first seem strange to most readers, and the more attractive to some, who may be not unprofitably stimulated by new forms of evangelical sentiment. The author belonging to "the high Lutheran party," parts of his original work present "extreme views on the sacraments," and are omitted in this volume. The length of the original also led to omission and condensation for "the English public." It might not have been amiss to reduce it still further for general use. The editor commends the translator's part in the work. Books of this kind are best appreciated when read day by day, chapter by chapter-a practice which ought to be more general than it is among Christian people and for such use the volume before us may be safely recommended.

CHRISTIANITY AND MODERN THOUGHT* is the attractive title of a volume of discourses which were delivered during the winter of 1871-72, at Hollis Street Church, on successive Sunday evenings, and repeated at King's Chapel on Monday afternoons. The authors of these discourses were Henry W. Bellows, The Break between Modern Thought and Ancient Faith in Worship; James Freeman Clarke, A True Theology the Basis of Human Progress; Athanase Coquevel, Fils, The Rise and Decline of the Romish Church; Orville Dewey, Selfhood and Sacrifice; Charles Carroll Everett, The Relation of Jesus to the Present Age; Frederic Henry Hodge, The Mythical Element in the New Testament; James Martineau, The Place of Mind in Nature and Intuition in Man; Andrew P. Peabody, The Relation of Ethics and Theology; G. Vance Smith, Christianity: what it is not, and what it is; Oliver Stearns, The Aim and Hope of Jesus. They are all elevated in their tone, and believing in spirit, they are marked by the literary excellencies, and we may be excused for saying it, the literary defects, of the school to which their authors belong. Among these defects are a vagueness of conception and a corresponding looseness of statement which would not be tolerated in any school except that of a somewhat indefinite and tolerant theology. *Christianity and Modern Thought. Boston: American Unitarian Association.

1872.

The justness of the accessory thoughts, the variety and richness. of allusion, the finish of culture, the reach and profoundness of philosophic and practical truth, in no way compensate for these capital defects, in discourses which are designed to moderate between Christianity and modern thought. Modern thought is too sharp and cool and earnest to be content with any but definite statements and positive assertions upon the most important questions at issue between Christianity and itself. Christianity, also, although she is more liberal and tolerant the more she sympathizes with true philosophy and genuine culture, is stubbornly jealous of a few cardinal positions. We welcome very much of what is asserted in many of these able discourses, and count the volume a very important contribution to our current apologetic situation.

BARING-GOULD'S LEGENDS OF THE PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS.* -The Jewish and Mussulman traditions contained in this volume, which constitute far the larger part, are drawn from certain German and French collections, to which reference is made in the preface; the rest "from various sources," without special regard to quality. The order of time is followed, from the fall of the angels to the death of Ezra. There is no further attempt at systematic arrangement or scientific use. The legends themselves are for the most part grotesque, and often prolix, seldom either impressive or instructive. The perusal of them for any length of time becomes wearisome. Almost the only strong impression made upon the mind of a thoughtful reader is the somewhat familiar one of the singular contrast between these puerilities and the sober dignity of the Scripture narratives.

The interest of the volume is chiefly that of curiosity. The value that would attach to a collection of legends, exhaustive, or made in all cases from trustworthy sources, or carefully analyzed and investigated, is wanting. Even the abundant materials for a traditional account of the Deluge are imperfectly used. We question some of the few opinions that are advanced: e. g., that "the Mussulman traditions are nearly all derived from Talmudic sources." We do not understand Christ's words, "I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke x, 18), to refer to Satan's former fall from holiness, but to his certain overthrow by Christ. Nor

* Legends of the Patriarchs and Prophets, and other Old Testament Characters, from various sources. By S. BARING-GOULD, M.A. New York: Holt & Williams 1872. 8vo, pp. 366.

do we see why a writer should so boldly assert (pp. 2 and 6) that the declarations of Isaiah xiv, 13, 14, clearly addressed to the king of Babylon, are utterances concerning Satan. Still, no little labor has been expended in bringing these legends together, and many readers, no doubt, will be interested in them.

DALE'S JEWISH TEMPLE AND CHRISTIAN CHURCH.* A series of discourses delivered in the ordinary course of the author's ministry. They are "intended not for scholars, but for ordinary Christian people." Some twenty-five topics are selected, mostly of a doctrinal character, and discussed from an evangelical point of view. Without exhibiting any very remarkable points, either of style, matter, or method, these discourses are well written, able, instructive, and thoughtful, beyond the average of sermons.

MR. WELDON'S UNITY IN VARIETY† is a plea for variety in the organization and discipline of the church against those who insist on strict uniformity. To us with whom the truth is a self-evident axiom, the somewhat extended and ramified arguments of this volume is superfluous. To those whom it may concern we commend it as well presented and conclusive, though not characterized by special superiority. Its catholic spirit is excellent.

THE MYSTERY OF PAIN.-This is a small book on a great subject, and partly perhaps because of this, many pages are quite obscure. The thoughts are not sufficiently developed and illustrated to be clear. But if we apprehend the meaning of the writer, he maintains that sacrifice for others is the highest good, and that pain is a necessary means or condition of such sacrifice; consequently pain is not an evil at all, but a real good. Much that is excellent and suggestive is said about self-sacrifice and the endurance of pain; but the main propositions of the book are by no means self-evident, and are not proved. If self-sacrifice is the highest good and pain is a necessary condition of it, then the higher one rises in the spirit of self-sacrifice the more of pain there

*The Jewish Temple and the Christian Church. A series of Discourses. By R. W. DALE, M.A. Boston: Gould and Lincoln. 12mo, pp. 314.

↑ Unity in Variety: a series of arguments based on the divine workmanship in our planet; the constitution of the human mind; and the inspired history of religion. By GEORGE WARBURTON WELDON, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge. Mobilis Constantia. New York: T. Whittaker, No. 3 Bible House. 1872.

The Mystery of Pain; A book for the sorrowful. By JAMES HINTON. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 16mo, pp. 101.

must be, and the angels must be great sufferers, and the Supreme Being the greatest sufferer of all.

We do not think the author would shrink from these conclusions, which are certainly very questionable conclusions. We understand the writer, moreover, to teach, that pain is necessarily remedial and purifying. But experience affords no evidence of the truth of this doctrine, and the teaching of the Scriptures is decidedly opposed to it. There is much in the book quickening to thought, but it furnishes no solution of the mystery of pain.

MANUAL OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.*—This little volume has been prepared by Rev. Whitman Peck, of New Haven, as a means of instruction in families and Sabbath Schools. It presents the various doctrines of the Christian Church in the order of a theological system, and connects with every one its own appropriate proofs. The design of the author is to give these proofs clearly and concisely-not in the way of a long theological discussion, but in such a manner as may be best adapted to give young persons, as they begin their education, a well-grounded knowledge of what the Christian system is. Such a book cannot but be useful, and, if prepared carefully and written in a lucid style as this volume is, it may be commended to Christian parents and teachers. As the volume is free from a controversial spirit and is not intended to press the views of any one party, it will be serviceable to those of all denominations, while persons of the author's own denomination will find in it all that is essential for their use. Mr. Peck's purpose is an excellent one, and we are glad he has so successfully carried it out.

PRESIDENT CHADBOURNE: LECTURES ON INSTINCT, are an addition to our means of investigating this most difficult topic if they do not largely contribute to the solution of the many questions which we ask in regard to it. They enable us to ask questions more intelligently, if they do not enable us to answer them satisfactorily. We are confident, however, that they do the latter to a

* Manual of The Christian Faith: or, Religious Truths Generally Believed by Evangelical Christians. Designed to facilitate the instruction of the young in families, Sabbath Schools, etc. By Rev. WHITMAN PECK, A.M. New York and Boston: Warren, Broughton & Wyman. 1872. 12mo, pp. 247.

+ Lowell Lectures, 1872. Instinct, its office in the Animal Kingdom, and its relation to the higher powers in man. By P. A. CHADBOURNE, LL.D., etc. New York: Geo. P. Putnam & Sons. 1872.