ness and originality is stamped upon the entire work. It well deserves an honorable and permanent place in the standard literature of theology.

In the perusal of Professor Shedd's work, we had noted down various passages where we should wish to take exception to the author's statement either as to the substance of it or the form. But as the limits of a book-notice are insufficient to enable us to do justice to the several topics to which our memoranda relate, we prefer to postpone criticism of this sort to a more convenient season. Most of our differences from the author, however, in the reading and interpretation of Doctrinal History, probably take their rise in our inability to agree with his own theological scheme. We do not believe in his theory of history-unless qualifications are made which would essentially change its character. We do not believe that Augustinian Realism, altered and improved by Anselm, is a scriptural or reasonable explanation of the sin of mankind. We do not believe that the same Anselm's construction of the Atonement, though it undoubtedly contains profound truth, can be strictly held and defended. Nor do we believe in the dogma of the absolute inability of all men since the fall of Adam to accept when they reject, or reject when they accept, the influences of Grace. Nor, again, do we believe that theology in the seventeenth century reached its ultima Thule, and that modern German theolo gy, and theological thinking hereafter, are to be approved or condemned, according as they agree or not with the creeds of that age. These theological differences must naturally lead to a somewhat diverse view and representation of the history of theological opinion. But some other occasion may, perhaps, be found for the handling of these points in which we dissent from the esteemed author of this work. But we have not thought it right, in connection with an expression of our warm appreciation of his able production, to withhold an equally frank avowal of our disagreement with several of its prominent theological, or metaphysical tenets.

HOVEY ON THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST.* The design of this

The Miracles of Christ, as Attested by the Evangelists. By ALVAH HOVEY, D. D., Professor in Newton Theological Institution. Boston: Graves & Young. 1864.

work is thus stated in the preface: "To exhibit the testimony of the Evangelist to the miracles of Christ, is the chief purpose of this work. A careful survey of this testimony,-noting points of agreement and difference between the several writers, the fairness and minuteness with which they relate the events in question, and the abortive attempts which have been made to impeach their veracity, must be acceptable to those who are seeking a knowl edge of our Saviour's life. The following pages, it is hoped, will be found to comprise such a survey,-preceded by an Introduction, pointing out the fallacy of scientific and philosophical objections to miracles, and followed by a conclusion characterizing the Evangelical testimony, as learned from this survey." The author brings to his task careful and sufficient scholarship. A spirit of candor marks his discussion. The objections, from different sides, to the credibility of the New Testament miracles, are fairly met and answered. If we were to criticise the work at all, we should express the apprehension that the refutation of skeptical theories, in reference to the particular narratives, is too brief for the best effect.

MCWHORTER'S HAND-BOOK OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.*-This little work is an unpretending, but highly meritorious production. It is a condensed and popular handling of the topics usually embraced in the "Introduction to the New Testament." There are, first, in several chapters, judicious observations upon the Canon of the New Testament and its Inspiration. Then follows an account of the ancient manuscripts, their characteristics, number, and state, together with proofs of their substantial integrity. The author then furnishes a description of the most important versions, dwelling especially upon the various English translations. The remaining and principal portion of the book consists of a distinct examination of the peculiarities of each of the New Testament books, together with explanations as to their authorship. The author makes no pretension to originality, but yet has made use of the best English authorities,-as Tregelles, Westcott, Wordsworth, Trench, and especially Alford. He has aimed to meet the wants of those on whom devolves "the duty of instruct

A Popular Hand-book of the New Testament. By GEORGE CUMMING MCWHORTER. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1864. pp. 295.

ing the young in the New Testament, who must often have wished for some book containing in a concise form the information they require." We doubt not that the fruit of his labor will be gratefully appreciated by those for whose benefit it is designed. The book is one which, in our judgment, is in a high degree creditable to the author, who, as we understand, is a layman in the Episcopal Church.

SMITH'S DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE.*-The first volume of this Dictionary of the Bible was given to the public about four years ago. Most of our readers have undoubtedly seen it, and are acquainted with its character. There can be no question that it is immeasurably superior to anything which was generally accessible before, as the editor had the assistance of the best talent in England, both lay and clerical, in its preparation. It will be remembered that this first volume was a large octavo, with nearly twelve hundred pages, closely printed in double columns-though, to our taste, with rather too small type. The amount of reading matter, thus presented, can be estimated from the fact that each page in the Dictionary contains as much as three ordinary pages of the New Englander. It was hoped that one more volume, of the size of the first, would complete this great work. But it was deemed advisable to continue it on even a larger scale, so that some subjects might be treated more fully than was originally contemplated; and instead of one volume, two have been required. These two are now published, bearing the impress of Little, Brown, & Co. of Boston, and the whole work is completed. The two new volumes, together, contain eighteen hundred and sixtytwo pages, besides an Appendix, which furnishes one hundred and sixteen additional pages.

Many of the separate Articles, if printed by themselves in the usual book form, would make quite good sized volumes. For example, the single Article on the Ancient Versions of the Old and New

* A Dictionary of the Bible; comprising its Antiquities, Biography, Geogra phy, and Natural History. Edited by WILLIAM SMITH, LL. D., editor of the Dictionaries of "Greek and Roman Antiquities," "Biography and Mythology," and "Geography." In three volumes. Large Svo. Vol. II. Kabzeel-RedHeifer. pp. 1008. Vol. III. Red-Sea-Zuzims. pp. 854. With Appendix, pp. cxvi. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co. 1864. Price for three volumes, $16.50. New Haven: Judd & White.

Testaments, prepared, with the exception of that portion which respects the Aramaic Versions of the Old Testament, by Dr. Tregelles, fills fifty-two of these compactly printed pages, and would make a volume of over one hundred and fifty pages like those in this Quarterly. There is, besides, an Article of eighteen pages, on the Authorized Version, by Prof. E. H. Plumptre; an Article on the Vulgate of thirty-two pages, by Rev. Brooke Foss Westcott; an Article on the Samaritan Pentateuch, of thirteen pages, by Emanuel Dentsch; and another on the Septuagint, by Rev. Dr. Selwyn, of ten pages; and, besides these, there is an Article (24 pp.) on the Old Testament, by Rev. Joseph Francis Thrupp, another on the New Testament, (30 pp.), by Rev. B. F. Westcott, and another on the Pentateuch, (16 pp.), by Rev. J. J. S. Perowne. This latter contributor thus sums up the results of his inquiries: Genesis was brought to its present shape either by Moses, or by one of the elders acting under him, from documents which had come from a much earlier time. Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, are, to a great extent, Mosaic; and he "declares unhesitatingly” for the Mosaic authority of Deuteronomy, excepting the concluding part.

Among the numerous geographical Articles we will mention only one by Mr. Layard, on Nineveh, (15 pp.); one on Syria, (8 pp.), by Mr. Rawlinson; another (36 pp.) on Palestine, by Mr. Grove; another by Hon. Mr. Twisleton, on Tyre, (8 pp.); and another by our countryman, Rev. J. P. Thompson, D. D., of the Broadway Tabernacle Church, New York, on Thebes.

The Biographical Articles are many of them quite extended, of which we will mention only that on Paul, (32 pp.), by Rev. John Llewelyn Davies; and that on Peter, (13 pp.), by Rev. F. C. Cook, who claims it as a settled point that this Apostle suffered martyrdom in Rome. He states, also, that Peter's wife attended him in his wanderings. One of the most extended Articles on this class of subjects, is that on Mary, the mother of our Lord, (11 pp.), the greater part of which, however, is occupied with the legendary history of the Virgin.

Among the Articles on the various Books of the Bible, those on Leviticus and Numbers are by Rev. J. J. S. Perowne; those on the three synoptical gospels are by Dr. Thomson, Archbishop of York; that on Romans is by Prof. J. B. Lightfoot; that on Philemon is by Prof. Hackett of Newton, Massachusetts; those on the

two Epistles of Peter, are by Rev. F. C. Cook, who thus sums up his discussion of the genuineness of the Second Epistle: "If it were a question now to be decided for the first time upon the external or internal evidences still accessible, it may be admitted that it would be far more difficult to maintain this than any other document in the New Testament; but the judgment of the early church is not to be reversed without far stronger arguments than have been adduced, more especially as the Epistle is free from objections which might be brought, with more show of reason, against others, now all but universally received: inculcating no new doctrine, bearing on no controversies of post-apostolical origin, supporting no hierarchical innovations, but simple, earnest, devout, and eminently practical; full of the characteristic graces of the apostle, who, as we believe, bequeathed this last proof of faith and hope to the church."

The Articles on subjects pertaining to ancient rites, and ceremonies-in fact, to antiquities of every description—are quite full, and are very satisfactory.

It was stated distinctly in the Preface to the first volume, by the editor, that this work was to be a Dictionary of the Bible, and that it was to be no part of its aim to explain systems of theology, or discuss points of controversial history. Still we find from such Articles as that on the Holy Spirit, by Rev. W. T. Bullock; that on Miracles, by Dr. Fitzgerald, Bishop of Killaloe; that on the "Saviour," by Dr. Thomson, Archbishop of York; and that on Romans, by Rev. J. B. Lightfoot, not to mention very many others, that it was not intended to exclude Articles of a doctrinal character; as these are, in many cases, quite extended, and such as will be deemed generally quite satisfactory.

But, after all, we are inclined to think that it is not in these more extended Articles that the excellence of any such work as this consists. A scholar, with any satisfactory apparatus for study around him, will not be likely to rest satisfied with any of the Articles which we have referred to above, or any discussions which could be compressed within the limits of any Article in a Dictionary. A work of this kind is consulted rather for information on the thousand subjects of less importance respecting which information is needed. And for every such purpose this Dictionary furnishes all that can be desired. There are undoubtedly words that are omitted, and Articles which are defective, yet, as a whole,