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and a pure faith, and no invidious comparison ought ever to be made. Mr. Dodd has brought it out in fine style; he is giving the world some good and valuable books these days.

7. The Family Power: four Sermons preached in the South Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. By Rev. SAMUEL T. SPEAR. Published by request. New York, Leavitt, Trow & Co.: 1848.

THIS is a pastor's offering to his people. The subject embraced in it stands related to the highest interests of man for time and eternity. THE FAMILY POWER! How vast the sum of it! how responsible the exercise of it! it is happiness or misery, life or death, heaven or hell! This momentous subject is treated in an able and earnest manner in this little work. The main idea discussed is, the duty of appropriating the family power to God, and the methods of doing it. The duty is argued from the greatness of the power; God's design in the grant; the alternative of not giving it to God; the value of the material subject to it; the end couragements to its use, and the fact that parents must soon resign this power ananswer to God for the manner of its use. In appropriating this power to the right training of the family, six methods are named, viz.: family unity, family government, family conversation, family reading, family worship, and a family Sabbath. The author aims not to say new things or novel, but to present the model of a Christian family, and induce every Christian parent to study and practice upon it. There is power in this book-much truth, wisdom, good sense, and piety; and it cannot fail to do good. We wish it were in every family, and its teachings obeyed. What an amount of sin and misery would be prevented! How different an aspect would human society wear! A little more simplicity, a freer use of Anglo-Saxon words, we think would have improved the style.

8. The Englishman's Greek Concordance of the New Testament; including a Concordance to the Proper Names: with Indexes, Greek-English and EnglishGreek. New York: Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THE design of this work is to facilitate a comparison between the Greek text of the New Testament and our common English Version. It consists of a complete Concordance, in which all the words of the Greek Testament are given, together with every passage in which each occurs; the citations being made from the English Version, the English word or phrase used to render the Greek word under consideration being distinguished by being printed in Italic characters. In addition to the Concordance there are two Indexes: the one Greek-English, being an alphabetical list of the words of the Greek Testament, with all the words by which each is represented in the English Version; the other English-Greek, a similar list of all the words of the English Version, with every word in the Greek which each is used to translate.

The advantage of this work to the clergyman is obvious. In investigating the meaning of any text, it is important for him to examine every passage in which occur the leading terms which govern its meaning. It is not sufficient for his purpose that he take the corresponding words in the English Version; for the same English word is used in different passages to represent a number of different Greek words; while any Greek word may be represented by any one of a number of English words. This arises from the fact that the words of one language have not their precise equivalents in any other. The full latitude of the signification of any foreign word can only be known by ascertaining all those which may be used to render it, in our own. To ascertain the precise sense in which any writer or class of writers use a term, we must compare all the cases in which it occurs. Of all the possible significations of the word, which, in any given case, is the true one can only be decided by the context. On a single page of this work, the student has before him every instance of its use, and, therefore, the whole latitude of its signification; and as far as this depends upon New Testament usage he has all the materials for investigation extant. If he depended solely upon his English Concordance for collecting these materials, he would bring together many passages which are not related, while he left out of view others which are connected. For instance, he wishes to ascertain the precise New Testament use of the word faith; this is used to translate both πίστις and ἐλπίς. It is clear that in investigating the use of the former word the passages where the latter occurs are not to the purpose;

but his English Testament would lead him to associate them. On the other hand, Tíoris is translated by faith, belief, assurance, and fidelity, in different passages, all of which are necessary for the full elucidation of the word; but if he used the English Concordance alone he would only refer to those where faith occurs. To the clergyman, therefore, this work may be recommended as the means of saving a vast amount of labor.

But unlike an ordinary Greek Concordance this may be used by one who is ignorant even of the alphabet of that language. We will suppose such an one to be engaged in the investigation of the use of the same word, faith. He turns to the English-Greek Index, which informs him that the word stands for Amis, on page 208 of the Concordance, and for iaris, on page 538. He turns to these pages, and finds the latter to be the word which is used to express the thing he is investigating; and under this word he finds the whole series of passages where it occurs. He has thus before him all the facts which bear upon the signification of the word, and is as well qualified as the Greek scholar to judge whether of all these possible renderings the most apposite one has been selected, for this depends, not on the nature of the Greek term itself, but upon the general scope and connection of the passage where it occurs.

Convinced as we are, that the Lexicon and Concordance are the only basis of sound Biblical criticism, and that all sound theology must be drawn from the inspired text rather than from commentaries, we regard this work as a most valuable contribution to the department of theological literature. Notwithstanding the high price of the English edition, many copies have found their way to this country. This edition, which is in every respect fully equal to the English, is sold for about one-third of the cost of that, and we anticipate for it a large circulation among both clergy and laity, wherever its merits are known The American edition forms a volume in large octavo of nearly a thousand pages, and is sold for $4.50 bound in cloth, and $5.00 in sheep.

9. Pioneer History: being an account of the first examinations of the Ohio Valley, and the early settlement of the North-West Territory. By S. P. HILDRETH. Cincinnati, H. W. Derby & Co.; New York, A. S. Barnes & Co.: 1848.

SUCH is the modest title of a most valuable work. As matter of history, pertaining to the settlement of that great valley, it is entirely reliable. The author has been gathering materials for it for years. Very many of his facts were learned from the lips of the pioneers themselves, most of whom are now dead. And it is this which makes Dr. Hildreth's Pioneer History a very entertaining book, as well as very instructive on the beginnings of empire at the West. Having been so well entertained ourselves we recommend the book to our friends. And the more so, as we see that the Cincinnati Historical Society, under whose auspices it is published, make the sale of this volume the condition of publishing a second from the same pen. They have the MSS. already in hand, "containing ample biographies of the first settlers of Marietta," than which men nobler cannot be found since the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. We owe them a debt and can only pay it by placing their names where they may not be forgotten. J. F. T.

10. The Battle of Buena Vista. By CAPTAIN CARLETON. Harper & Brothers 1848.

As matter of history this volume has a real and fearful interest. It describes with graphic and thrilling power one of the severest and bloodiest battles to be found in the annals of modern history. It is from the pen of one who saw and acted a part in the tragedy which he describes. It gives one a clear and intelligent view of that entire scene of martial strife and slaughtered humanity. It can be relied upon as authentic. It is a story of affecting interest, and is told with candor and impartiality. It carries you irresistibly along through the memorable conflict, and constrains you to join with our heroic and dreadfully-decimated army in the shout of victory. It has a moral lesson. Its perusal will not beget a war spirit or a thirst for military glory. It brings home to one's heart, and realizes to him the horrors of war with terrible life and power.

11. Story of the Peninsular War. By General Charles William Vane, Marquis of Londonderry. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is a concise and authentic history of the Peninsular War, in which Welling

ton won his first laurels. The author himself took an active part in the great conflict, and enjoyed the best of opportunities to acquire all the needed information for an accurate and complete history of this eventful war. He has executed his task with ability and apparent candor. The history is brought down to the peace of 1814. We confess that we abhor war, and have little taste for descriptive scenes of blood, but as matter of important history, this book possesses a profound and painful interest, and we wonder not at its popularity, though martial glory has lost much of its former attraction.

12. Horæ Biblicæ Sabbaticæ—Sabbath Scripture Readings. By the late THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., LL.D., in two volumes. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is the fourth volume of the series of the posthumous works of this great and good man. Having expressed our high regard of the previous volumes, it is sufficient to add, that this is quite equal in merit to them, and breathes a most delightful spirit. This volume embraces the whole of the New Testament. We know of Lo more appropriate or useful uninspired "Sabbath Readings."

13. The Young Schoolmistress. By JOSEPH ALDEN, D.D. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is among the best of the Professor's productions. It is a story of no little interest and power. It displays a fine taste, a noble sentiment, and great felicity in sketching and grouping characters. We are made to respect virtuous poverty; to sympathize with the widow in her grief; to admire the self-sacrificing toils of pious orphanage; to feel how hollow-hearted are the world's professions, and how incomparably superior are the virtues of the mind and heart to mere outward embellishment, and conventional advantages, and to rejoice in the final triumph and reward of real merit, intellectual superiority, and genuine piety.

14. The Dying Robin, and other Tales. By the same author. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is another instructive book, adapted to a younger class of readers. It is made up of short tales, each of which illustrates some important religious truth, or teaches a good moral lesson. The Doctor is among our most popular useful writers for the young.

15. Edward Vernon: My Cousin's Story. By E. V. CHILDE. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is a clever book, and yet it has glaring faults. If a mere work of fiction, as we presume it is, it is greatly inferior to those usually published by the Harpers. We find little fault with the sentiment, though this is not perfect, but the plan and execution of the work are intolerable. There is no unity of thought-the main story being often lost sight of by the hero in his wanderings. And what is worse, it taxes one's credulity beyond endurance; the hero is always at hand when the life of the heroine is in jeopardy. If fiction is a representation of life as it is, then this is a total failure, for many of the chief incidents here related are unnatural and improbable in the circumstances of the case. If we must have fiction, give us that which is natural, truthful, and in harmony with the stern reality and experience of human life.

16. A Guide to Acquaintance with God. By the Rev. JAMES SHERMAN. The Bible True and Infidelity Wicked. By Wм. S. PLUMER, D. D.

Memoir of Clementine Cuvier, Daughter of Baron Cuvier, with Reflections. By Rev. JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

Great Truths in Simple Words for little Children.

THESE good books are among the recent issues of the American Tract Society. They are eminently evangelical, spiritual, and practical, like all its publications. We are glad, too, that their exterior is made so attractive The first treats on the nature of acquaintance with God-the means, the season for seeking it, and the advantages secured by it, in a judicious, earnest, and forcible manner. In the second we have multum in parvo-truth condensed and made to tell. The leading arguments on the subject are herein presented in a small compass, and with wise adap

tation to the common mind, and illustrated and enforced by many striking facts. We think this little manual likely to do more good than many a learned and voluminous work on the same subject.

The third in the series is a brief memoir of an exceedingly lovely and accomplished character. CLEMENTINE united in a high degree all the charms of physical, intellectual, and moral beauty; her attainments were great; she moved in the first circle of Parisian life-admired, courted, tempted, on all sides-and yet she was a meek, consistent, spiritually-minded Christian, and died in faith and triumph at the age of 22. Mr. James' Reflections are practical and pungent. The other volume teaches the first lessons of piety with great simplicity, and with a power of illustration fitted to fix religious truth in the minds of children and youth. The Society is doing a noble work for Christian literature and evangelical religion.

17. The Supreme Godhead of Christ: the Corner Stone of Christianity. By Rev. WILLIAM R. GORDON, Flushing. 1848.

Do the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the supreme God? This is the question on this fundamental subject. Our author shows clearly, incontrovertibly, that they do, and also the absurdity, in the face of the many explicit Scriptural declarations, of the denial of this doctrine. He has collated the numerous passages which prove Christ's divinity, and either left them to speak for themselves or accompanyed them with a brief note, by way of exegesis or application. The argument is lucid, able, and eminently Scriptural. We know of no better manual on this subject to put into the hands of the mass of readers.

18. Home Influence; a tale for Mothers and Daughters. By GRace Aguilar. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is a tale of no ordinary power. It is happily and beautifully illustrative of the benefits of a proper religious home training. The sentiments are in the main correct, and they are clothed in elegant and often moving language. The characters introduced are truthfully delineated, and of a superior and elevated character. Mrs. Hamilton is a model which mothers may study to profit. If all mothers were like her, home would be a sweeter and holier place, and home influence more winning and powerful to captivate the heart, and rule the after life of those whom it nourishes and sends forth into the world. We commend the book to the Mothers and Daughters of our land. The authoress is a Jewess. Her views of religion, especially as indicated in the passage on Sabbath amusements, must be received with due allowance. On the whole, we have not read a more thrilling tale in many a day.

19. Vanity Fair: Pen and Pencil Sketches of English Society. By W. M. THACKERAY. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is a novel of more than ordinary power. It will produce a sensation, and be read with avidity. There is a certain dash and extravagance about it that will make it popular. It hits off many of the follies and sins of fashionable English society with tremendous effect. The style and tone of sentiment are similar to Dickens', but less extravagant. Many of its characters are natural; we see their counterparts in our daily experience of " Vanity Fair." But there are sad blemishes in the work, which we cannot pass over in silence. The pictorial illustrations we think in bad taste; we do protest against all such horrid caricatures of the human face divine. The profanity of the work ought to condemn and exclude it from every circle in which God and religion command any reverence. No plea can justify such language or extenuate the offence against good breeding and all that is sacred. It so represents religion, too, as to hold it up to the ridicule and contempt of the world. We doubt the good impression of such reading.

20. Arabian Nights. In Twelve Parts. Illustrated with Six Hundred Engravings. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS is a superb edition of these world-renowned Tales, of which every man has read or heard. They need no advertisement to make known their character; and criticism is impotent to reverse the judgment which the world has unitedly and

deliberately passed upon their merits. We may, and do, sincerely regret the existing taste for fictitious writings; but these Oriental conceptions are far less injurious, intellectually and morally, than the most of our modern Occidental romances, and are in every way incomparably superior. These stories will be read, and re-read, and admired, by the scholar, the poet, and the rustic, by old and young, as among the most fascinating and brilliant creations of the human fancy. 21. First Book in Spanish or a Practical Introduction to the Study of the Spanish Language. By JOSEPH SALKELD, A. M. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

THIS work contains full instructions in Pronunciation; a Grammar; Exercises on the Ollendorff plan; Reading Lessons, and a Vocabulary. It is simple and philosophical in its arrangement, and affords all the aid essential to a knowledge of the Spanish. It will no doubt tend to increase the study of the Castillian language in this country, than which none is said to be more sweet, elegant, and expressive. Professor Vealsquez, of Columbia College, has in course of preparation a new Dicionary of this language. These facilities will tempt many to acquire this tongue, and enrich themselves with its literature.

22. Thankfulness, a Narrative: comprising passages from the Diary of the Res. Allan Temple. By CHARLES B. TAYLER. Harper & Brothers: 1848.

A BOOK worth reading. It teaches good wholesome doctrine, and breathes a lovely Christian spirit. It is not a veritable history, we suppose, but the record of a man as he ought to be. It is designed to illustrate the happiness and reward of a dutiful, devoted, grateful Christian. This is done by sketching the character and history of the so-called Rev. Allan Temple. There is nothing striking or original in it, but much that is pleasing, instructive, and promotive of a right kind of piety. 23. The British Quarterly Review-for May and August, 1848.

London.

THIS Review, although young in years, has attained to a full maturity of stature and life. It is conducted with marked ability. There are some articles of sterling and permanent value in the two numbers now before us. We specify as specially able and good the one on "Charles Lamb, his Genius and Writings," and the criticism on Warren, the author of "Now and Then."

24. The proper Mode of Keeping the Sabbath.___ Being Sabbath Manual, No. 4. By Rev. JUSTIN EDWARDS, D. D. American Tract Society.

DR. Edwards is doing a great and effectual work in behalf of the Sabbath. The fruit of his indefatigable labors is abundant, and everywhere manifest. These little Manuals, which he has prepared on the subject, are eminently adapted to do good. They are simple, concise, straight-forward, Scriptural, and powerfully illustrated by facts continually occurring in the providence of God. In previous numbers, he has shown the obligation of the Sabbath as an institution not merely expressive of the will of God, but as founded on natural laws; also that God in His Word, and by His providence, has clearly designated the first day of the week as the day to be observed as the Christian Sabbath; and finally that the Sabbath is a family institution, designed and adapted to aid parents in the holy and responsible work of training up their children for God. In the present number he considers the proper mode of its observance, applies the law of the Sabbath to the facts of real life and to all classes of men, and closes by pointing out the active duties of this holy day. This Manual ought to be in the hands of every Christian, and circulated over all the land, and the great subject which it advocates brought home with fresh interest and power, to the hearts of all who love religion and the welfare of our country and race.

ERRATA.

On page 215, line 32, read it before extends. On p. 248, line 25, r. these, before things, and leave out then. On p. 218, line 37, for i. e. r. either. On p. 243, line 33, r. even, in place of ever. On p. 247, line 8, r. who for whom. On p. 248, line 17, for loose r. looser; p. 251, line 13, read their for this. July No.-Title p. for Kevelations r. Revelation. On p. 478, line 1, for institutions r. instructions. On p. 503, line 39, omit &c., &c., &c. On p. 541, line 12, for though r. through. On p. 568, line 26, for Acalypse r. Apocalypse. On p. 567, line 26, for King r. Kurg. On p. 617, line 27, for mummery r. mummy. On p. 618, line 8, for redivious r. redivivus.

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