the learner, that it makes his elementary apparatus too expensive, and that it restricts the teacher in the exhibition of his original ideas if he has them. We do not believe that Mr. Turner has it in his power to do a greater service to the public than by preparing an abridgment of Nordheimer's Grammar, with such improvements, drawn from all accessible resources, as shall bring it fully up to the present state of Hebrew philology. Nor on the other hand are we aware of any person so peculiarly fitted for the task, not only by attainments and experience as a teacher, but by his intimate connexion with the author of the system, and his large share in the labours to which the original work owes its existence. Even if that work should be superseded, it would only be by its own advances towards maturity; but it might still retain its present form as an authority for those who wish to enter into more minute and profound investigations than the ordinary class of students.

Christ and Antichrist, or Jesus of Nazareth, proved to be the Messiah. And the Papacy proved to be the Antichrist, predicted in the Holy Scriptures. By Rev. Samuel J. Cassels, late of Norfolk, Virginia. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication.

THIS interesting little volume did not come to hand until our space was nearly filled; or we should have been disposed to give a more copious notice of its contents. The plan of the work is judicious, and the execution highly creditable to the author. His style is simple and perspicuous, so that the reader is never at a loss for the meaning; the remarks, under the several heads, are concise, appropriate, and forcible. The only objection which occurred to us in the perusal, is that in a work intended to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, too much is taken for granted. It is all along assumed as admitted that our gospels are genuine, and truly the works of those whose names they bear; and that the narrative given by the evangelists is historically true. But Jews and infidels, of every class, are always disposed to call this in question. Here then, it seems to us, more pains should have been taken to fortify the foundation of our holy religion. The points discussed by the author, in the first part of his work are-The genealogy of Jesus-The birth of Jesus-The birth place of Jesus-The time

of his appearance-The testimony of inspired witnesses-Direct testimony from heaven-The personal testimony of Jesus-His miracles The character of Jesus-Jesus a teacher-Jesus a sacrifice and Priest-Jesus a king-The resurrection of Jesus The blessings conferred on the Gentiles by Jesus. In the discussion of these points, the author does not undertake to answer all the objections or remove all the difficulties which might be suggested on the several topics; but he has exhibited in a concentrated and lucid manner, the most important truths connected with the subjects discussed. We are persuaded, that every candid reader will experience real satisfaction in the perusal of this first part of the work, in which the evidences of the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth are placed in a strong light.

The second part, in which the author gives the characteristics of Antichrist, is indicative of more learned research than was exhibited in the former; but it will not be equally satisfactory to the common reader, because there is a necessity for a constant reference to historical facts, with which his acquaintance is imperfect. The author assumes as correct the common "Protestant interpretation" of this obscure book of prophecy; but commentators disagree so entirely in their views as to the import of the symbolical representations of the apocalypse, that we confess we feel no great confidence in any interpretation which has yet been given of this portion of sacred scripture. It is important to remark, however, that the author's proof, that the Papacy is the Antichrist, is not derived entirely from the interpretation given to certain parts of this book; but from the clear and pointed predictions of Paul, in the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians. That the Popes of Rome are designated by the "man of sin," is to us as clear as the fulfilment of any other prophecy, which does not depend on inspiration, that is, which has not been declared to be fulfilled by any inspired man. Turretine's Dissertation on this subject in his fourth Volume, satisfied our minds, many years ago that the papacy was here clearly designated.

We are, therefore, of opinion, that the author has made no mistake in regard to Antichrist, provided it be admitted, that the "man of sin" and Antichrist are identical. And certainly we have never seen the characteristics of Antichrist presented in a more striking manner, than by our author. They are given under the following heads: The seat of Antichrist-The time

of Antichrist-Antichrist a peculiar power-Antichrist an apostle -Antichrist an idolater-Antichrist a blasphemer-Antichrist an innovator-Antichrist a persecutor-a possessor of great riches of great power-of great craft and pretended miracles -Antichrist a reprobate-The downfall of Antichrist.

The evidence adduced in support of each of these charges is authentic and cogent. We do not believe that any other power will ever arise, which will so completely answer to Paul's description. And even if there should be another, for John tells us there are many Antichrists, yet, whether we understand by the name, one who assumes the place of Christ and usurps his authority, or one who opposes Christ, we have a clear manifestation of Antichrist in the papacy; for it has been evidently shown, that the Popes of Rome have arrogated to themselves the authority of Christ, and for ages, exercised a power which can belong to none but God. And that the Romish hierarchy is an enemy to the pure gospel and kingdom of Christ, is evident by proofs of the most convincing kind.

Upon the whole, we are of opinion that this is a seasonable, as well as a judicious book. Mr. Cassels is undoubtedly a popular writer, and we trust, that during his exile from the pulpit, on account of physical infirmity, he will be permitted to instruct and edify the church, by other productions of his pen.

Eclectic Moral Philosophy. Prepared for Literary Institutions and general use. By Rev. J. R. Boyd, A. M., Principal of Jefferson County Institute, New York. Author of Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism. Harpers & Brother, Publishers. New York. 1846. pp. 423.

MR. BOYD informs us in his Preface that this work "is almost strictly a compilation; yet it has cost the labour of extensive reading, of an anxious, and often perplexing comparison of various authors, of the preparation of a new arrangement of topics, and of a somewhat novel mode of treatment." He has endeavoured to combine in a connected form, "what he considers the best thoughts of the most gifted moral writers of the present century." This work has reached us just as the last sheets of our Journal are passing through the press. We can, therefore, do nothing more than call the attention of our readers to it. This however is as much as is necessary, for no instructer would

adopt such a work as a text book, without thorough examination for himself. We have examined the book sufficiently to receive the impression that it is better adapted to the wants of learners than any manual of the kind we have seen. On the great questions of the nature of virtue, and the grounds of moral obligation it teaches the true doctrine, repudiating the corrupting doctrines of expediency and self-love, which characterise and render poisonous some of the most popular works on morals. Mr. Boyd has also given his book a more religious and scriptural character than is commonly found in works of this kind; not only by connecting the exhibition of the principles of morals with the doctrine of God, but also by making the scriptures the avowed standard of duty. Very nearly one half of the volume is devoted to an exposition of the Decalogue. We are sorry to see that the chapter on Slavery is characterised by that mischievous confusion of ideas, which renders powerless so much of what is written on this subject. Mr. Boyd has just followed the common track, confounding slavery with the slave laws, and has fallen into the usual contradictions of himself and of the word of God. This is the most impotent of all modes of opposing a great evil. Mr. Boyd has lingered behind the age on this subject. A few years ago slaveholding was at the north by all classes of abolitionists made a sin, and of course a bar to church fellowship. Now we see not only the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, as fair a representative of the intelligence and piety of the country as could be selected, repudiating that doctrine, but the whole American delegation to the Evangelical Alliance standing up in opposition to the embodied fanaticism and delusion of England, and asserting that church communion with slaveholders is not to be broken off. And the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, by a vote of the whole body against seven, decided in the same way, and on the very ground that the doctrine of writers, whom Mr. Boyd has taken as his guides, is false. Our eye happened to fall on this chapter in turning over the leaves of this book, and we felt desirous of seeing what the author said on one of the greatest questions of the age. We very much regret the character of his discussion, because truth, a clear discrimination of what is consistent with scripture and what opposed to it in slavery, is essential to the production of any right moral impression on this

subject. The men who place themselves on false ground, are as we see, constantly sinking lower and lower in their principles and spirit. What greater curse to the slave can be imagined, than that abolitionist and infidel should become synonymous terms. To this disastrous result, even good men are lending their influence.

A Discourse on the Baconian Philosophy. By Samuel Tyler of the Maryland Bar. Second edition, enlarged. Printed by D. Schley and T. Kaller, Frederick city, Md. 1846.

We are gratified to see a second edition of Mr. Tyler's Discourse on the Baconian Philosophy, which, upon a careful examination we find to be not only enlarged, but greatly improved. Bacon has not found, in modern times, an abler expositor of his philosophy than our author. His conceptions are so clear, his discrimination so accurate, his jndgment so sound, and his knowledge so extensive, that it is an intellectual feast to peruse his writings on philosophy. We do not wish to be extravagant in our praise; but it is our opinion that the true principles of philosophy have not been so accurately investigated, and so lucidly stated, by any author of this age, as by Mr. Tyler. This, perhaps, will be considered as saying no more than that his views and reasonings are more accordant with those which we entertain than any other author with whom we are acquainted.

There is a desideratum in our literature which, in our opinion, Mr. Tyler is as competent to supply as any man in our country. It is an elementary work on psychology, to be studied by our young men in our higher seminaries of learning. Such a work should contain a brief history of the science, a systematic view of the principles of truth, and a philosophic arrangement of the faculties, operations, and susceptibilities of the human mind. No calculation can be made of the benefits which would accrue from a well digested elementary system of this kind; especially as we find many of our young men of lively imagination, carried away with the fanciful flights of Coleridge, or the vague and misty transcendentalism of the German school. The book now under consideration contains a large part of what should enter into such a treatise; but it should be less minute in its details and more systematic in its arrangement. We cannot but hope that Mr. Tyler will listen to the suggestion which we