Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature. Third Edition. Edited by W. L. ALEXANDER, D.D. Edinburgh: A. and C. Black. THIS noble work is now complete. The majority of the articles have been re-written, and many memoirs of Jewish and Christian writers have been added. Our admiration of the book would have been more decided if the editor had refused admission to sundry expressions of what we must call unwarrantable criticism in some of the articles. There are cases in which one writer flatly contradicts what is advanced by others. Which are we to believe? Of what earthly use is it to insert articles in defence of the Gospels (for example), and yet to admit such assertions as the following? Referring to the date of the Syriac version the writer says:-"The beginning of the third is most likely, A.D. 200. The comparatively late origin of the fourth Gospel necessitates this conclusion." He cannot possibly believe that John the Apostle wrote the fourth Gospel. The same pen in the same article writes: "It is all but certain that the proper original document of the Apostle Matthew comprehended little more than the discourses of Jesus." The natural conclusion is that St. Matthew did not write the first Gospel as we have it. Now compare herewith the articles on John and Matthew. We are unaware of the apology which will be made for these things; but if the work is merely a collection of the opinions of critics of all shades, with no pretence to harmony and agreement, let the fact be boldly declared to the world, and men will know beforehand what they are about to purchase. It is painful to point out such blemishes in a work containing so much that is admirable, and which is substantially based upon a uniform principle of liberal orthodoxy.

Der Ursprung unserer Evangelien nach den Urkunden, laut den neuern Entdeckungen und Verhandlungen. Von Dr. G. VOLKMAR. Zürich: Herzog.

A GOOD deal of this essay is occupied with animadversions upon the recent brochure of Dr. Tischendorf upon the date of the four Gospels. The pages bristle with references to ancient and modern writers, and it is very apparent that the author has done his utmost to undermine the common opinions regarding the origin of the four Gospels. We are not sure that he is successful.

Beiträge und Documente zur Geschichte des Karäerthums und der Karäischen Literatur. Von A. NEUBAUER, Leipsic: Leiner.

THIS is a singularly curious book, the contents of which are from reliable sources. In addition to the German text, embodying a mass of matter of unusual interest, there are many extracts from ancient Hebrew documents. The work is of equal utility to the student of Hebrew sacred literature, and to any one who is investigating the history of that remarkable Jewish sect, the Karaite, to which the volume is devoted.

The Eastern Liturgy of the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, and Orthodox Church, simplified and supplemented; containing forms deemed valid and orthodox by all Churches, etc. By the Rev. JULES FERRETTE, of Damascus. Oxford and London: Parker and Co.

The Damascus Ritual: a complete Liturgy, extracted from the Greek Euchologium, and supplemented from the English Prayer Book.^ By the Rev. JULES FERRETTE. Oxford and London: Parker and Co. THE titles of these neat little manuals pretty clearly shew their intention. The author has compiled them chiefly with the aid of the Greek Euchology, and has endeavoured to embody and retain in them only those things which are generally accepted. Many of the forms are simple and beautiful, and the whole deserve the attention of all such as are interested in liturgical subjects. These English editions are translated from the author's Greek copies. The author has also published them in Arabic, in which language he says they have been very acceptable to many Christians in the regions where his lot is cast.

The Sabbath and the Decalogue. A Reply to the Speech of the Rev. Dr. NORMAN MACLEOD. By HENRY STEVENS, M.A. Second Edition. London: Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday.

THE tone of this essay is singularly moderate; and the author is everywhere so calm and yet so confident, so frank and yet so logical, that it is quite clear he knows his case to be a good one. In so narrow limits it was not possible to marshal all the forces which might be brought to the defence of the fourth commandment; most of them have, however, been mentioned, their positions indicated, and the kind of service they might render illustrated by appropriate arguments. Few serious Christians can help regretting when able and honoured ministers of the Gospel, in an age so prone to laxity, declare themselves anxious to weaken the obligations of a law which is so seldom interpreted too rigidly in actual practice or even in theory, and which has been looked upon as one of the most merciful dispensations to a world of toil and sin. We hope Mr. Stevens will be encouraged by a very wide circulation of this pamphlet.

Apocalypses Apocrypha Mosis, Esdræ, Pauli, Johannis, item Mariæ Dormitio; additis Evangeliorum et Actuum Apocryphorum supplementis. Maximam Partem nunc primum edidit CONSTANTINUS TISCHENDORF. Lipsiæ. 1866.

WE gladly welcome this additional portion of Dr. Tischendorf's valuable collection of ancient Christian Apocrypha. The series thus far consists of four parts, of which the first is preliminary, on the origin and use of the Apocryphal Gospels. The second contains Apocryphal Gospels; the third, Apocryphal Acts; and the fourth, the matters mentioned in the title. We had hoped to be able to give an account of this new service rendered by its laborious editor, but must reluctantly postpone it to another occasion. Meanwhile we cordially commend it to the attention of our readers.

The Tripartite Nature of Man: Spirit, Soul, and Body. Applied to illustrate and explain the Doctrines of Original Sin, the New Birth, the Disembodied State, and the Spiritual Body. By the Rev. J. B. HEARD, M.A., Perpetual Curate of Bilton, Harrowgate. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. A MOST able work, in which the distinction between the spirit and the soul is well worked out, and shewn to be pregnant with the greatest uses in the treatment of Christian doctrines. The author is an evangelical in the truest sense of the word, and shews a deep acquaintance with philosophical researches. The great German divines have been mastered by him successfully. We can only briefly notice the work in this number, but we are promised a review of it by the author of the papers which have appeared in our Journal on the kindred topics "The Doctrine of Eternal Punishment and Immortality," and "Scripture Revelations on the Intermediate State."

*

W.

Handbook of Specimens of English Literature; selected from the chief British Authors, and arranged chronologically. London: Religious Tract Society.

SOME time since we had the pleasure of noticing a Handbook of English Literature, and we now beg to call attention to the natural sequel to that work by the same laborious compiler. In addition to a mass of passages printed at length, references are made to numerous others of which only the commencement is given; this applies especially to Shakespeare, Milton, and Pope, whose works are of easy access. The literary merit of this volume is apparent in the plan of it and in the selections which are made; but it has another merit of no small importance, seeing that the extracts are chosen in view of the sentiments they embody, as well as of their language and style. This last feature is the more noteworthy, that it enables the compiler to introduce authors of great ability who are but too little known to general readers. For purposes of tuition in families, schools, and colleges, where Christian principles are instilled, this handbook will be a most valuable acquisition.

The Fatherhood of God in its general and special aspects, and particularly in relation to the Atonement; with a review of recent speculations on the subject. By T. J. CRAWFORD, D.D. Edinburgh and London: Blackwood and Sons.

THE plan of this work is comprehensive and yet definite. It embodies much original thought, and the author's habits of searching inquiry and careful arrangement stand him in good stead. Whatever difference of opinion there may be on sundry topics, it would be idle to question the great ability shewn by the learned professor. As the subjects treated of have been and are so much discussed, it will be satisfactory to many to receive a book which expounds so fully, and maintains so forcibly, and on a Scriptural basis, the views of one so well qualified to speak.

"

The Church and the World: Essays on Questions of the Day. By various Writers. Edited by the REV. ORBY SHIPLEY, M.A. London: Longmans and Co.

It is with regret that we feel precluded from the task of a detailed review of this book. For although ritual and ecclesiastical questions are not the only ones discussed in it, the greater portion brings us into contact with them. With such topics we profess not to interfere. Nevertheless, there are three or four of the essays in which we are directly interested, and to them we are happy to call attention. Essay No. 10 is on " Positivism," by the Rev. J. G. Smith, M.A. Though too limited for space, the author presents us with a tolerably correct account of the nature, grounds, and tendencies of positivism, and he shews the erroneous elements which it embodies. We have read this essay with pleasure for the most part, but we do wish that instead of confining himself to the Catholic Church as the true refuge of the soul, he had given more prominence to that written Word by which alone the Church is governed, and can justify its existence. The next essay upon "Revelation and Science: two interpreters of the will of God," is anonymous, but it supplies at the outset what we missed in the essay preceding it-a reference to the Scriptures as one of the two great fountains of truth and duty. Yet here again we find among much that all Christians will joyfully admit, the Church set forth as "claiming and exercising authoritatively her sovereignty on matters of faith, settling by dogmatic interpretations the definitions of Divine truth." This is surely not applicable to all religious doctrines and truths, for no Church nor age of the Church ever made so comprehensive a claim, at least not in a tangible form, so far as we know. The remark quoted must apply to the rulers of the Church, and not to individual members, by whom no dogmatic interpretation is possible, except in the exercise of private judgment. Such a principle seems calculated to diminish the direct benefit which private Christians expect, through the grace of God's Spirit, from their personal readings of Holy Scripture. While we speak thus, we gladly accept the main teachings of an essay of no mean excellence. We only add an opinion that nothing whatever is gained by regularly saying "Churchman" when the term "Christian" would be more natural and less affected. Are Churchmen not Christians?

There is one other essay, that on "Science and Prayer," by the Rev. MacColl, which contains many admirable points, and earnestly vindicates prayer from the reproach which has been thrown upon it. But with an almost amusing unconsciousness of the deep faith and living dependence in regard to prayer which characterises Christian communities, whose rigid simplicity would appal our essayist, he says, "The plain truth is, that the denial of the efficacy of prayer is a logical consequence of the rejection of the sacramental system of the Church." Surely it is not safe to say this, when we see that it is not a practical consequence, as prayer meetings and revival meetings in Europe and America for a century past, at least, make quite plain.

One cannot but feel sorry that an essay so intelligently written for the most part should be disfigured by statements so open to question. On that portion of the composition which treats of the ministry of angels, we express no opinion.

The remaining essays we must pass over. Of the book in general, we may say that it is very creditable to the learning and talent, the piety and energy of the section of the Church which it represents. And we may also say, that although not an official and authorized exposition of High Church, it is perhaps no error to regard it as a sort of manifesto, and it is certainly correct to say of it that it is full of information on topics with which few can now afford to be unacquainted. Essays on the Irish Church. By CLERGYMEN OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH IN IRELAND. Oxford and London: James Parker and Co. THIS is a very seasonable and interesting book, but seeing that it deals chiefly with matters somewhat out of our sphere, we can only mention the titles of the essays and their authors, who appear to have performed their parts in a very praiseworthy manner. "On the general principles of the establishment and endowment of religious bodies by the State; with special reference to Ireland:" by Rev. James Byrne, M.A. "Historical Sketch of the Church of Ireland:" by Rev. A. W. Edwards, M.A. "The Difficulties of the Irish Church :" by Rev. W. Anderson, M.A. "Some Account of the Property and Statistics of the Irish Church :" by Rev. A. T. Lee, M.A., LL.D. "The Influences exerted on Ireland by the Irish Church Establishment" by Rev. J. Byrne, M.A. Most of our readers will be glad to read the second essay-the "Historical Sketch of the Church of Ireland," which embodies a large amount of valuable and instructive matter.

Prosperi Aquitani Chronici Continuator Harniensis. Nunc primum edidit GEORG. HILLE. Berolini: Weidmann.

THE author of this little chronicle put down a number of dates of events in the latter half of the fifth century, and on to the thirtieth year of the reign of Heraclius, or A.D. 641. Chronological students ought to possess it.

S. Ephrami Syri Carmina Nisibena; additis prolegomenis et supplemento lexicorum Syriacorum. Primus edidit, vertit, explicavit Dr. GusTAVUS BICKELL. Lipsia: F. A. Brockhaus.

On the present occasion we can but announce the appearance of this work and its chief contents:-Prolegomena, pp. 1-36; glossary of unusual words, etc., pp. 37-70; Latin prose translation and index, pp. 71-234. The Syriac texts occupy 146 pages, and there are two pages of corrigenda et addenda. It is very apparent that we cannot depend upon a cursory inspection for a correct and reliable estimate of this work. We can only say the subject is one of much interest and importance in more respects than one.