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1855; 12mo., pp. 477.) Mr. Thompson seems to have got the Burnet prize almost by accident, as he had begun his preparations for the volume before he heard of the proposed competition. He had hardly a sufficient stock of learning for so great a task; indeed, he states in his preface that even the works of Sir William Hamilton were unknown to him till he had begun to write; and that his acquaintance with Leibnitz, Descartes, and Malebranche was at that time limited to second-hand information. As a writer, he lacks the freedom and skill which nothing but long practice can impart; but, with all these drawbacks, he has made a book of great value. He is a clear and profound thinker; he sees what is needed as a book for the times; and, instead of simply reproducing old lines of argument, he sets himself to find the limits to which, from the nature of the human mind, the argument of Theism must necessarily be confined, and then he states it with great directness and force. Book I treats, therefore, of the first principles of knowledge, and of their misapplication in systems of Atheism and Pantheism; Book II exhibits the direct evidences of Natural Theism; Book III sets forth the manifestation of the Divine character in nature; and Book IV of the revelation of the Divine character in Scripture. There is also a valuable appendix on the doctrine of causality. The work should be found in every theological library.

(40.) ANOTHER book in the same department of science is, "God Revealed in the Process of Creation, and by the Manifestation of Jesus Christ, by JAMES B. WALKER." (Boston: Gould & Lincoln.) The former work of this author, "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation," has gained a worldwide celebrity; nor will his reputation be diminished by the present essay. It embodies a thorough exposure of the fallacies of "The Vestiges of Creation," and of the whole system of thought on which that somewhat famous book proceeds. We regret that we have not space for a complete analysis of the work.

(41.) THE Rev. Parsons Cooke, of Lynn, has written a book vilifying Methodism in unsparing language. We have received a justly severe review of this tirade, under the name of "A Defence of Methodism, by the Rev. DANIEL WISE." (Boston: J. P. Magee; 12mo., pp. 84.) Mr. Wise shows most thoroughly that Mr. Cooke's "Estimate of Methodism is pragmatical, fallacious, and false." A Congregational minister in New-England, in the year of grace 1855, might find better business, one would think, than abusing his fellow-Christians.

(42.) HARPER'S" Story Books" continue to appear promptly, and abundantly maintain their reputation. No. XII is "The Studio;" or, illustrations of the theory and practice of drawing, for the use "of young artists at home."

(43.) "Conversation, its Faults and its Graces," compiled by ANDREW P. PEABODY," (Boston: 18mo., pp. 130,) is a very useful little book, pointing out the true ends of conversation, and exposing a number of current improprieties in writing and speaking.

(44.) MESSRS. CARLTON & PHILLIPS have just issued their new and magnificent edition of " The Holy Bible," (royal 4to,) which, in point of the neatness of the typography, and the excellence of the binding, will bear comparison with any edition of the sacred word yet issued in America. Indeed, the Turkey morocco and velvet copies rival, in solidity of execution and exquisite finish, the finest English Bibles.

(45.) FEW story-books for children come under our notice that are not disfigured by provincialisms and inaccuracies of expression—a fault more hurtful to young readers by far than to older ones. It is a great satisfaction, then, to fall on such a book as "Harry Budd," (New-York: Carlton & Phillips; square 12mo.,) which is not only a captivating story, with an excellent religious tone throughout, but a specimen of pure and chaste English writing. Our agents have chanced upon a rich mine if they can induce the writer of this book to write more.

(46.) "Hill-Side Flowers" (New-York: Carlton & Phillips, 1856; 12mo., pp. 240) is a volume of poetical selections, made with rare taste and judgment. It does not include the standard "specimens of the best poets," of which such collections are commonly made up; but, to use Bishop Simpson's language in the beautiful Introduction which he has furnished to the volume, "it seeks rather to present in a permanent form, either original contributions, or selections from the graceful poetry that so often adorns the periodical literature of the day." The profits of the work are devoted to a new church just built on the Hudson. With this additional merit added to its intrinsic ones, we cordially recommend "Hill-Side Flowers" as a gift-book of the best and purest class.

(47.) Of the following we regret that we can give only the titles:

"Holding forth the Word of Life;" a Discourse before the American Baptist Publication Society at Chicago. May, 1855. By Rollin H. Neale, D.D. Annual Register of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 1855.

The Relation of Science to the Useful Arts; a Lecture delivered to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. By Daniel Treadwell.

Our Country's Mission in History; an Address before the Philomathean Society of Pennsylvania College, September 19, 1855.

A Description of five new Meteoric Irons; with some Theoretical Considerations on the Origin of Meteorites. By J. L. Leavitt, M. D.

The Regard due to the Virgin Mary, with an Examination of the New Roman Dogma. By the Rev. Mason Gallagher, Rector of the Church of the Evangelists, Oswego, N. Y.

The Revolt of Tartarus; a Poem. Montreal, 1855. Pp. 81. Homer; an Address delivered before the Belles Lettres and Philological Societies of Dickinson College. By the Rev. D. D. Whedon, D. D.

Slavery Indispensable to the Civilisation of Africa. Baltimore: J. D. Toy, The True and the False in the Prevalent Theories of the Divine Dispensations; a Discourse delivered in the Unitarian Church, Washington, D. C. By the Rev. M. D. Conway.

Report of the Board of Trustees of Oneida Conference Seminary, 1855. Baccalaureate Sermon, delivered before the Graduating Class of the Wesleyan University, by the Rev. C. K. True, D. D.

The Testimony of Jesus. Part I. Philadelphia: E. Jones.

The Young Communicant's Catechism. By the Rev. J. Willison. NewYork: Carters, 1855. Pp. 48.

General Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Rutger's College, from

1770 to 1855.

Letters on College Government, and the Evils inseparable from the American College System in its present form: originally addressed to the Hon. A. B. Meek, one of the Editors of the Mobile Register. By Frederick A. P. Barnard, M. A.

The Old and the New. A Sermon containing the History of the First Unitarian Church in Washington City. By Moncure D. Conway.

A Sermon preached in St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, before the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, May 16th, 1855. By the Rev. Samuel Bowman, D. D. Christ's Kingdom on Earth: a Self-Expanding Missionary Society. A Discourse for the Presbyterian Board of Missions; preached in the First Presbyterian Church, N. Y., May 6th, 1855. By the Rev. Stuart Robinson.

Lecture on the Cultivation of the Christian Elements of Republicanism. By Rev. O. H. Tiffany, A. M.

ART. IX-RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.
(From our German Correspondent.)

HALLE, 1855. THE quarrel of the Theological Faculty of Göttingen with a number of Lutheran clergymen in the kingdom of Hanover and other parts of Germany is one of the most important recent events in the German Protestant Church. These strictly denominational Lutherans have found that the professors are not quite sound in Lutheran orthodoxy; hence they demand that the faculty be wholly or partially composed of denominationalists of unimpeachable soundness. Among the opponents of the faculty there are some men of great piety and merit. The controversial writings of Rev. Dr. Petri and the superintendent general of Mecklenburg, Dr. Kliefoth, (Kirchliche Zeitschrift von Kliefoth & Meier, 1854, No. 1,) especially the latter, are written with remarkable talent, and explain, in a manner at once clear and interesting, the successive steps of their progress from a more liberal stand-point up to a very exclusive Lutheranism. They have many followers in this respect

in Germany. They look at the prevailing
theology of Germany as antiquated; Ne-
ander and his disciples are considered as
not more than half-orthodox; and the
orthodoxy of Hengstenberg is, at most,
estimated at three-quarters. Thus this
Göttingen controversy is a new stage in
the contest of denominational orthodoxy
against the Union and against theological
science, which, in this contest, sides with
the Union. These Lutherans go back to
a stand-point somewhat like that of the
Formula Concordia, and, therefore, do not
much differ from the party of Flacius,
which persecuted and, for a time, sup-
pressed the Melancthonians. In like
manner the old Lutheran party of the pres-
ent day think that they alone are entitled
to the name of the Lutheran Church. If
you ask them about the Union, they will
tell you that the Lutheran Church is the
union, being the right mean between Ca-
tholicism and the Reformed Church.
you ask about the Lutheran Church, they
tell you, "We, and we alone, are the
Lutheran Church;" or, perhaps, even,

Do

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"We alone are the Church." less they vastly disagree among themselves, not a few of their professors and ministers having mingled either modern or Romanizing opinions with old Lutheranism. In particular on the Church, the ministry, and the Sacraments, Puseyistic ideas are rather widely spread among them. They are far from realizing a Church according to their notions. Adhering to the Lutheran tradition more in words than in deed, they permit in themselves the very deviations which they blame in others. There is no little confusion among them on the conception and degree of the liberty to be allowed in theological investigations. Also a remarkable aversion to Spener and Pietism is on the increase among them. They say that Spener was no genuine Lutheran, and that he transplanted reformed elements into the Church: his endeavours to bring about a revival of faith and Christian life in individuals and smaller communities was in their judgment equivalent to a dissolving of the Church into individuals, and to an endangering of the Church ministry. For the same reason they look with some suspicion at the activity of laymen in the Home Mission, the object of which is to renew, by the united exertions of clergy and laymen, a Christian life in the people now pining in misery and infidelity. This conduct of the Lutherans toward Pietism manifests clearly how they would consider Methodism, for there is nothing in the German Church more resembling Methodism then Pietism. Both proceeded from the same want; both aim to lead the people, that had been neglected by pastors contented with a cold orthodoxy, to a living Christianity of inner experience and active love, and similar means have been used for this purpose by both. The faculty of Göttingen has issued, in this Lutheran controversy, first a Memoir to the State Ministry for Education, and then a Declaration (“Erklärung") as a reply to the attacks made on the Memoir. This Declaration is an excellent treatise, and by far superior to anything that has been written in this controversy. It examines the task of theological faculties with reference to literary culture in general, with reference to the symbolic books of their denominations, and with reference to ecclesiastical developments. It is written with a liberal mind, stern piety, theological profoundness, and a warm interest in the affairs of the Church. It preserves at the same time a tone of moral dignity and calmness that does not allow itself to

follow the opponents in using sarcastic and mocking language.

We have great pleasure to refer on this occasion to a work of one of our first theologians, Professor Dr. Julius Müller, of Halle, on "The Evangelical Union, its Essence and Divine Right." ("Die evangelische Union, ihr Wesen und göttliches Recht, Halle, 1854.") It treats of the Union according to its biblical right, its history in Prussia; tries with great skill to exhibit the consensus of the Lutheran and Reformed symbols, retaining their formulas as much as possible unchanged; and accompanies this exposition with profound and important investigations on the particular dogmas of the symbols. We are of opinion that this keen and thorough comparison will considerably promote the understanding of what is common and different in the denominations. The style of the authors shows the animation which springs from a love of the Gospel, not denying itself even to adversaries, and that clearness and elegance which distinguish the former works of the author, especially his celebrated treatise on "The Doctrine of Sin."

"Handbuch des Methodismus, von Ludwig S. Jacoby, Prediger der bischöflichen Methodistenkirche. Bremen, 1853." (Hand-book of Methodism, by Jacoby.) The author of this work is right in quoting the words of a German Evangelical minister, the rise of that "Methodism is one of the most important events of modern times, and that few events have been more effective in a regeneration of the Evangelical Church." We think that hardly any German theologian of thorough knowledge will deny this, even if he is not favourable to the progress of Methodism. Since it has found its way into Germany the interest for and against it has become more lively, but still the number of those who are well acquainted with its history and peculiarities is limited. The author deserves thanks, therefore, for having given in his work a characteristic of Methodism in a plain, popular, and yet captivating manner. He describes the life of John Wesley, and knows how to fascinate his readers by the recital' of his conversion, of his struggles, and successes. He then developes the gradual organization of the community, touches briefly upon the achievements of Fletcher, and proceeds to the "origin of the Methodist Missions" in the activity of Dr. Coke, who for the sake of the Mission crossed the Atlantic eighteen times, and who, even in the 68th year of his life, set out for the

East Indies. The second division of the first part contains the history of Methodism in America. Here German readers take a particular interest in the split caused in the Church by the slavery question. The author increases the vivacity of the narration frequently by introducing the leading persons as speaking. There is many a striking, ingenious, edifying word in these speeches. The second part treats of the doctrine; which, mostly, is explained by extracts from the works of Wesley. The vigour, the inner experience and impressive language of this eminent man are admirable; and it is plain that in the principal doctrines, as in justification by faith, there is no deviation of importance from the teachings of the Evangelical Church of Germany. The third part discusses, in the same clear and intelligible way, the Church government of Methodism. The fourth part treats in particular of the peculiar institutions of the Methodist Church, and defends them against objections. Although we must abide by our opinion that some of these institutions, ex. gr., the class-meeting, cannot be introduced in the Evangelical Church of Germany, yet we willingly concede to the warm, calm, and skilful apology of the author that they have been very useful for the Methodist Church, and that something similar is needed in the German Church. I believe also that this is felt universally, and that active ministers know where to find remedies. After what has been said, we think this work a valuable contribution to the knowledge of Methodism, the essence and import of which are made intelligible also to non-theologians.

Before concluding, I would here mention that in 1853 a professor of theology in a German university made a voyage to London, where he stepped into an open church, not knowing that it was a Methodist church. He was shown into an adjoining room, where he found a number of devout people assembled, and an old venerablelooking man was leading the religious exercises. Each one in the society spoke some words from the heart, and at the close all others uttered their assent. The earnestness and cordiality prevailing throughout the assembly, and the piety of the words spoken, edified the stranger to a high degree. After all had spoken, the leader of the assembly called, in a friendly manner, also on the stranger to utter his sentiments in a similar way. He complied with this request willingly, and the

assembly spoke their Amen with visible interest. The stranger, as he told me himself, parted greatly satisfied with those with whom he had so soon become one in the Lord.

"Geschichte der protestantischen Dogmatik in ihrem Zusammenhange mit der Theologie überhaupt, von Dr. W. GASS, Professor der Theologie zu Greifswald." 1854. (History of Protestant Dogmatics, by Dr. W. Gass. Berlin, 1854. 8vo.) Among the works published recently on the theology of the 16th or 17th century the one mentioned takes a prominent place. Although dogmatics is now the principal science of theology, yet a history of it was still wanting. In this work it is carried through the most productive period, to the end of the 17th century. The author distinguishes the founding of dogmatics by Melancthon, Zwingli, and Calvin, and their successors in the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. First he gives a general description: the politico-ecclesiastical condition, the progress of the other theological disciplines, and the study of philosophy and its relation to theology, a very interesting and instructive section, the object of which has been but little examined as yet. Then the author shows the character of the theology of that time in the prescriptions given for the regulation of studies; how the inner and practical side is not entirely wanting, but how there is yet too much of drilling and polemics. Then follows a history of the fundamental notions on inspiration, holy writ, authority of symbols, distinction of fundamental and non-fundamental articles of faith. After this, the group of Lutheran dogmatic writers: Hutter and Gerhard, Calixt and his adherents; the completion of the system by König, Calov, Quenstedt, and others. Thereupon, the works of the Reformed Churches of Switzerland, Germany, and the Low Countries. This will suffice to set the copiousness of material contained in this work in clear light. The author does not expatiate upon particulars; but it is one of the excellences of the book that he always keeps the general points of view before his eyes. Hence he has well succeeded in giving characteristics, his summaries clearly comprise the result, the order is wellmembered, and the reader, notwithstanding the intricacy of the matter, sets himself easily right. The style is plain, but not without dignity; the expressions are choice, and the judgment passed with a thoroughly educated and liberal mind.

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