Literary Notices. [We hold it to be the duty of an Editor either to give an early notice of the books sent to him for remark, or to return them at once to the Publisher. It is unjust to praise worthless books; it is robbery to retain unnoticed ones.] THE REVIEWER'S CANON. In every work regard the author's end, Since none can compass more than they intend. SCRIPTURE LANDS in connexion with their history; with an appendix, and extracts from a Journal kept during an Eastern Tour in 1856-57. By G. S. DREW, M. A., Incumbent of St. Barnabas, South Kennington, &c. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. THE great events of which the Bible is a record, are the renovating and soul-saving forces of humanity; whoever helps to bring those events home to us with the vivid freshness of actualities, must be greeted as a benefactor. So constituted is the human mind, that the relative force of an event is marvellously enhanced by a thorough acquaintance with the locality on which it has transpired. He who is familiar with all the scenes of human activity, will feel in studying the drama of history, a living stirring something, of which the ungeographic reader will be utterly unconscious. It would we think not a little contribute to the living force of the pulpit, if all our Colleges would make it a rule, and provide the means, that at least the last two years of the curriculum should be spent by every candidate for the ministry in investigating for himself the scenes of sacred history. Why indeed should not Christendom have her Theological Colleges in Alexandria, in Jerusalem, on Sinai, Calvary, and somewhere amidst the heights of Capernaum? Until this, however, takes place, which will not be, we fear, until this generation is sleeping under ground, we do heartily recommend such works as the one before us. Although we have, amongst other works on the subject, Dr. Stanley's volume on SINAI and PALESTINE, which we greatly admire we feel, that he has left a place for "SCRIPTURE LANDS." The special purpose is, as the author informs us, to develop and interpret some of the details of the Bible, by the aid of personal observations and contemporary records. This volume is well-arranged, and wellwritten, whilst its materials will give it a lasting interest to all Christians, its reverent truthfulness, catholic spirit, and literary ability, will secure for it a place in the library of the best Biblical students. Two ADDRESSES delivered at Cheshunt College by the Rev. T. BINNEY, and the Rev. H. R. REYNOLDS, B. A. THESE addresses were delivered on the public recognition of the Rev. H. R. Reynolds, as the President of the College. Mr. Binney's discourse is a kind of "charge" to the new tutor, and is at once worthy of the high reputation of the speaker, the dignity of the occasion, and the acknowledged ability and scholarship of the gentleman to whom it was addressed. It contains golden lessons, sagely selected from the living book of the author's long and rich ministerial experience, couched in the language of lofty genius and manly love. Mr. Reynolds' discourse was delivered to the supporters and students of the College, and is a production indicating that he is a man abreast of his age, even in its highest phases of Theologic thought, and admirably suited for the responsible position into which he is inaugurated. The following few sentences will justify to our thoughtful readers our judgment ::--" Theologic systems are not God's Word, and therefore cannot command our faith. Your system must grow out of your faith; it must not create or originate your faith. Scripture is not to be tried by human systems of theology, however sound they may be; but, on the contrary, they are only worth having, as they express the revealed mind of the Spirit. On the supposition of your neglecting this fundamental principle, we may find you bye and bye, to be the readers of theological essays, not the preachers of the living Word of God. You would seem to be defending theses, rather than grappling with conscience, or delivering the burden of the Lord.". STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES: or, A Church Guide for those holding or seeking Fellowship in Congregational Churches, By G. B. JOHNSON. Ward and Co. MR. Johnson is a well known and highly respectable minister at Birmingham. The plan of this very useful little book is peculiar, but convenient and exhaustive. The names by which Congregationalists or Independents are usually known, are arrayed under the two heads of Theology and Policy, and each of them is expounded. Under the former, we have Protestants, Trinitarians, Calvinists, Pædo-Baptists; and under the latter, Dissenters, Nonconformists, Voluntaries, Independents, Congregationalists. With slight exceptions, we regard Mr. Johnson's book as a faithful account of the peculiarities of his community, and it is certainly well adapted to its purpose as a manual. A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER. By the Rev. THOS. MANTON, D.D. Reprinted from the Edition of 1684. THE HARMONY OF THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES, in the contrivance and accomplishment of Man's Redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ. By WILLIAM BATES, D.D. Reprinted from the Edition of 1675. THE WORKS OF EDWARD POLHILL, ESQ., of Burwash, Sussex. Reprinted from the Editions of 1677-1682. True Religion Delineated; or, Experimental Religion Distinguished from Formality and Enthusiasm. By JOSEPH BELLAMY, D.D., Minister of the Gospel at Bethlehem, in New England. London: THE Puritans were remarkable for the excellence of their practical Divinity. Few things can be imagined more likely to benefit their modern nominal successors than to imbibe the spirit of such books as the above. DR. MANTON was one of Cromwell's chaplains. He was ejected by the Act of 1662, and employed himself in writing. His works are in five volumes folio, and are held in high estimation. They are more remarkable for judiciousness than for any appearance of enthusiasm, and are far remote from affectation. This exposition of the Lord's Prayer reads as if done by a practised hand, contains much matter of sterling worth, and has here and there some striking thoughts and expressions. DR. BATES was another of the Nonconformists. He was a popular preacher. He was one of the Presbyterian Commissioners at the Savoy Conference about the Liturgy. The treatise before us is the most celebrated of his works. We believe that it was at first delivered in a series of lectures at Crosby Hall. It is part of the standard literature of the subject. The Germans have done very much of late years in the investigation and elucidation of this department of Divinity. They have wrought with more exact logic, and concise phraseology, than Bates, but they have not superseded him. The style also of this book has a peculiar charm. EDWARD POLHILL was a Prussian layman. His works are highly valued by good judges. They are as follows:-A viewof some Divine Truths; -The Divine Will considered in its Eternal Decrees ;- Precious Faith, considered in its Nature, Working, and Growth ;-A preparation for Suffering in an Evil Day. The book on faith is generally the most highly esteemed, but all bear the impress of sober piety and deep knowledge of Scripture, JOSEPH BELLAMY was a Divine, and an intimate friend of Jonathan Edwards. His writings are highly esteemed by the school named Modern Calvinists. These goodly and beautifully printed volumes would form a very valuable addition to the library of many a minister, and would have a wholesome effect on his habits of thought, would enliven his piety, and greatly help in preparation for the pulpit. COMMENTARY on the Sermon on the Mount. By Dr. A. THOLUCK. Translated from the fourth revised and enlarged Edition. By the Rev. R. LUNDIN BROWN, M.A. Edinburgh: J. and T. Clarke. BIBLICAL COMMENTARY on the Epistles of St. John, in continuation of the work of Olshausen. By Dr. JOHN H. A. EBRARD. Translated by the Rev. W. B. POPE, Manchester. Edinburgh J. and T. Clark. GREAT are the obligations under which the enterprizing house of Messrs. Clark and Co. are laying the critical and philosophic student of the holy volume. The works which have already appeared are amongst the finest monuments of scientific thought and sacred learning. THOLUCK'S "Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount" is too well known to require description, and too well appreciated by most of our ministerial readers to require our commendation. Of this Edition the learned author says: "Many things have presented in a new and clearer light. I have been able to explain several passages more satisfactorily from the Old Testament and from the works of the Rabbins. The compass of the present edition is indeed little greater than that of the last one, but I have thrown aside much useless material, and replaced it by the results of renewed investigation. I trust also that the arrangement now adopted is in some parts clearer." THE Commentary of St. John in continuation of the work of Olshausen is enriched by a masterly essay on the life and writings of the Apostle, by Dr. Ebrard. THE BIBLE HAND-BOOK; An introduction to the study of Sacred Scripture. By JOSEPH ANGUS, D.D. London: Religious Tract Society. SOME years ago we called attention to the high merits of this work; and we are pleased to receive it now in a larger and handsomer form. This is a splendid Edition. We venture to say that of all the excellent works which the Tract Society has issued, there is scarcely one to equal this in all respects of merit. A HOMILY ON The Poor-Laws of the Bible; OR, Rules and Reasons for the Relief of the Distressed. "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."Deut. xv. 7-11. M AN is a social as well as a religious being, and the Bible legislates for him in the former as well as in the the latter capacity. It enjoins great moral principles upon him for the regulation of his conduct in all his varied relationships. It inculcates not merely social justice, which binds to a practical respect for Vol. x. G |