BOOK NOTICES.

TOD, FORTLEBEN UND AUFERSTEHUNG. Eine biblisch-apologetische Erörterung der letzten Dinge des Menschen [Death, Future Life, and Resurrection. A Biblical Apologetic Discussion of the Last Things]. Von Franz Splittgerber, Pastor zu Mützenow bei Stolp in Pommern. Vierte, mehrfach erweiterte Auflage. Pp. xx., 351. Halle Verlag v. Julius Fricke. 1885. BLICKE INS JENSEITS, oder d. Christliche Lehre vom Zustand nach dem Tode [The Christian Doctrine of the State after Death] dargestellt v. Hermann Werner, Pastor in Langenberg. Zweite, vermehrte u. verbesserte Auflage. Pp. viii., 182. Berlin: N. Verlag d. Deutschen Ev. Buch u. Tractat-Gesellschaft, Ackerstr. 142.

1885.

THE SPIRITS IN PRISON, and other Studies on the "Life after Death.” By E. H. Plumptre, D. D., Dean of Wells. Pp. xii., 426. New York: Thomas Whittaker, 2 & 3 Bible House. 1884.

In memoranda left by the late Dr. Henry B. Smith are these significant and prophetic words :

"What reformed theology has got to do is to Christologize predestination and decrees; regeneration and sanctification; the doctrine of the church; and the whole of the eschatology."

"Love is the deepest ground and last end of redemption. A love which works through and by the law and justice of God, satisfying and not annulling them; and by such satisfaction meeting the ends of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Yet so- that this love flows through and irradiates and organizes all its parts, and its open face to the whole human race is that of divine grace! redeeming love."

The church has at last entered anew into the divine thought of a universal atonement, and of a Redeemer related by the constitution of his person to the race as a whole and to every member of it. On this basis it is Christologizing its eschatology. And the endeavor has necessarily resulted in a distinct and constantly widening recognition that it is impossible, either on grounds of textual interpretation, or drift of Scripture, or the nature of Christianity, or ethical reason, to abide by the dogma which restricts absolutely for all men the offer of redemption to the present life. The change in this regard which has been going on in Germany is faithfully recorded in the new and elaborate "Manual of the Theological Sciences" recently published by Dr. Zöckler, with the cooperation of a number of distinguished theologians and Biblical scholars of the positive evangelical type. Very many (zahlreiche) more recent representatives of this school of theology, is the careful statement of the editor, "affirm . . . a certain possibility of conversion in the future life, not indeed unconditionally for all, but when a definite decision for or against Christ could not be brought to pass in this life." . . . Dr. Cremer, the well-known author of the "Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek" published by the Messrs. Clark of Edinburgh and now passing in the original through a fourth edition in Germany, has recently advocated this opinion in a book of which an account was given in this "Review" last October.

The two German works whose titles stand at the head of this notice afford important evidence in the same direction. When an opinion passes from theological treatises into works of practical piety, which are prepared by pastors for general use and are indorsed by denominational

newspapers or by benevolent publication societies, it may be fairly concluded to have become a common conviction and a part of the established Christian teaching. Our attention was called to Pastor Splittgerber's book by the opening sentences of a notice in a conservative evangelical German paper:·

"This valuable book, without doubt the best and richest of all which treat of the Last Things, appears here in a fourth edition. The honored author has thoroughly revised and improved his work. The theories of restoration, as well as of the final annihilation of the wicked and of development in the future life, are critically discussed. The author now inclines to accept a continued proclamation of salvation and purification in the other world, and denies this only in the case of those who die in faith."

No exception is taken by the writer to this position. On looking into the volume itself we find that its author states that his change of view on this question has been brought about, in connection with the influence of Dr. Dorner's System of Theology and Professor Cremer's book, by his "maturer examination and renewed investigation of the Scriptures." The proof-texts usually adduced for the older view are carefully examined, their measure of force candidly admitted, and then the Biblical arguments are stated which have led the writer to reconsider and change his position. He still abides by his previous belief that those who die in faith are at once made perfect in holiness, which, of course, does not exclude a sinless development and a consummation at the resurrection. The book discusses in a practical way all the leading questions respecting the future life.

The second work on our list is also written by a highly-esteemed and influential pastor. It has in addition something very like what Dr. A. A. Hodge seems to esteem so highly, namely, "the imprimatur" of a great religious body, for it is issued by the "German Evangelical Book and Tract Society.' From a cursory examination we do not hesitate to pronounce it a work of decided merit, written in a style appropriate to the seriousness of its theme, with sober judgment and manifest dependence on the teachings of Scripture. Its subdivisions are: Immortality; Resurrection; The Intermediate State; The Judgment; Eternal Punishment; Eternal Life. Under the third head the writer considers the question of the destiny of those who in this world did not hear the gospel. He remarks:

"It seems to us an inevitable conclusion: If God wills that all men should be saved (geholfen), and that all should come to the knowledge of the truth, and this salvation and truth are given only in Christ, then those who have not heard the gospel on earth, or without their fault were not spiritually moved by it, must experience this after death."

The argument for this hope from Biblical suggestions is powerfully presented, and the position taken is carefully guarded against any frivolous or unethical perversion. With Pastor Splittgerber he regards the state of departed believers as sinless, but also as one of spiritual developHe subscribes to Luther's thirteenth Thesis, which characterizes Death as "the last Purgatory." This, however, is not a magical purification, or a result of the mere separation of soul and body.

ment.

At death the eye of the spirit is turned within. The allurements and illusions of the world pass away. The soul sees itself as it is.

"Thus prepared it appears before the Lord, enters into the radiant splendor of his glory. The pure light of his majesty and holiness illumines it and pene

trates, with holy awe, to its inmost recesses and depths. The mightiest horror of every sin, even the smallest, the most ardent longing for perfect purity overmasters it. All sin and delusion hitherto retained through error or weakness are now stripped off and joyfully sacrificed. And what the view of the divine holiness cannot accomplish is effected by the insight now acquired into the riches of mercy which open before the eye. The departed have believed in this mercy already on the earth, but they could not thus have thought of its incomprehensible depths. Now swells and rolls this sea full of love and grace before their enraptured vision, immeasurable, surpassing all understanding and expectation. As no fire is able, this experience burns, with purifying power, into the heart. It melts away the last remains of selfishness. Without reserve, in completest and purest devotion, they surrender their hearts to the Lord. To Him belongs every inclination and every thought. The last resistance is broken. It has fled before the light of the new world as the mist before the sun."

This is at least an attempt to give an ethical and spiritual explanation of the purification at death of believers, and it is noticeable how much is transferred to the opening experiences of the new life, while still the common opinion is maintained that "believers at death do immediately pass into glory."

Dean Plumptre's volume is made up in part of studies before published, but which it was well worth while to bring together. A number of essays are added, which treat of topics in eschatology which are now engaging special attention, such as: "The Old Testament in its bearing on the Life after Death; " "The Teaching of the New Testament as to the Life after Death; "The Descent into Hell; ""The Salvation of the Heathen;""The History of the Wider Hope in English Theology; "Modern German Thought in its Relation to Eschatology;"" Prayers for the Dead;""Conditional Immortality; ""The Word 'Eternal'; "The Activities of the Intermediate State."

Dr. Plumptre's reputation for sound scholarship and Christian feeling is so established that we need only mention the fact of the publication of these special "Studies" to commend them to our readers. From the historical portions of the volume the reader will readily learn what reason there is to anticipate in the near future an enlargement of the church's apprehension of the scope of redemption, and a modification through the influence of this conception of theories too narrow and unethical to have more than a temporary acceptance.

Dr. Whewell is said to have given this formula for the history of the advance of any science: It has three stages, namely, 1. The new view is absurd. 2. It is contrary to the Bible. 3. We always thought so.1

We believe that in proportion as Christian brethren come to understand the modification of the older Protestant eschatology which it is receiving and has been receiving during the present century at the hands of some of its most able, reverent, and devout theologians, in the direction represented by the three works to which we have now called attention, they will find that what is new in this growth is rooted in their deepest convictions of the character of God, and harmonizes with their highest conceptions of the meaning and power of the Cross of Christ. We anticipate also that as this is more and more realized the entire missionary work of the church will gain in power and scope. The attempt to shut out new light because its acceptance implies indebtedness to for1 Heard's Old and New Theology, p. x.

eign scholarship should receive the severest condemnation. He must be strangely ignorant of these times who has not discovered that scholarship is international. Theology should be the last of the sciences to become provincial, and Christ's kingdom is not a denomination nor a sect.

Egbert C. Smyth.

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN RELIGION AND SCIENCE. Bampton Lectures for 1884. By the Right Rev. FREDERICK TEMPLE, Lord Bishop of Exeter. London: Macmillan & Co. 1884.

These lectures are a candid, but not original nor profound discussion of the subject treated. They serve the purpose of indicating the point to which the reconciliation of science with religion has already come. They repeat what is now becoming so familiar, that clearly-defined boundaries run around the domain of the physical sciences, and that the moral and religious nature of man has convictions which cannot be brought under the control of necessity, and which are independent of the phenomenal world. To one who is in search of that which is ultimate, either for the material world or for the intellectual and moral nature, this book will give scanty satisfaction. Such an inquirer has long ago left behind the difficulties here dealt with. He readily admits that science must assume principles and laws which can never be proved experimentally, that widening knowledge of the processes of nature leaves its origin as mysterious as ever, and also that all men have the sense of freedom and of obligation. His questions go back to the reality of the outward world, the trustworthiness of knowledge, power to know the absolute, and the essential character of the moral sense. The bishop leaves off where these questions begin. But for another who has only a vague feeling of apprehension, who fears that the Bible is in danger, and that scientific facts and laws are crowding out spiritual reality, the book will be reassuring.

The key-note of reconciliation is in the fact that both scientific and religious thought carry us back to a Will working in nature and in man. Nature manifests force, and our conception of force is of the exercise of will, since we get the suggestion from our own energizing. And sense of duty, feeling of obligation, which we believe to be enforced by authority independent of ourselves, also means will. The chapter on Free Will is the best and most original. It is admitted that there is much uniformity in the action of man, that even within the sphere of his own choices character rapidly becomes fixed and constant. But while the range of human freedom is not as wide as has been claimed, it is still wide enough to give man large power over the world he lives in, and to make responsibility more than an illusion. However much uniformity there may be, science can never prove universality and necessity of the laws of human action.

As to evolution, the bishop contents himself with showing in one chapter that it does not invalidate the evidences of design, but rather shows design on a broader scale, and in another chapter that it only discovers the mode of development, but leaves the results as mysterious as ever. Neither the origin of life on the globe, nor the tendency to variation, nor the gap between man and animals is accounted for by evolution. The attempt is made to reduce evolution to its least significance, and to show that its hypotheses are unproved, rather than to indicate the contribution it makes to our knowledge of God's purpose in the universe.

The discussion of miracles traverses the accustomed ground. Science, which gets no farther than uniformity, can never, in the nature of the case, disprove miracles. The view that miracles may have been the employment of higher laws not known to the people who saw miracles and not yet known to us is not defensible. The miraculous power of Jesus was more than a superior knowledge of nature, to which other men may come later. It was a use of nature, probably in perfect harmony with its laws, but not possible to nature alone, nor to nature aided by man, but only to the touch of the finger of God.

The best characteristic of the book is the quiet confidence of its tone throughout. The writer is no longer disturbed by apparent antagonisms. He is sure that the sphere of science and the sphere of religion move in independent orbits, which, while not unrelated, are and ever must be on different planes.

George Harris.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

W. F. Draper, Andover. The Book of Esther, A New Translation. With Critical Notes, Excursuses, Maps and Plans, and Illustrations. By the Lowell Hebrew Club. Edited by Rev. John W. Haley, M. A., author of Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible," and of "The Hereafter of Sin." 8vo, pp. 200. 1885. $1.50;- Discourses on some Theological Doctrines as related to the Religious Character. By Edwards A. Park, D. D. 8vo, pp. x., 390. 1885. $2.50.

Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society, Boston. Normal Studies for Sunday School Teachers. Prepared under the Direction of the International Normal Committee (1.) Primer of Christian Evidence. By R. A. Redford, M. A., LL. B., Professor of Syst. Theol. and Apologetics, New College, London, author of "The Christian Plea against Modern Unbelief,” etc., etc. 16mo, pp. 108. 1885; (2.) The Bible: The Sunday School Text-Book. By Alfred Holborn, M. A., Lond. 16mo, pp. xx., 141. 1885; (3.) The Young Teacher: An Elementary Hand-book of Sunday-school Instruction. By Wm. H. Grover, B. Sc. Lond., author of "The Sunday-school Teacher's Manual,” etc. 16mo, pp. viii., 133. Each 75 cents.

D. Lothrop & Co., Boston. Illiteracy and Mormonism. A Discussion of Federal Aid to Education and the Utah Problem. By Henry Randall Waite, Ph. D., Statistician Tenth United States Census in charge of inquiries relating to Education, Illiteracy, etc.; Fellow American Statistical Association; Secretary Interstate Commission on Federal Aid to Education. 25 cents.

N. J. Bartlett & Co., Boston. Handbooks for Bible Classes and Private Students. Edited by Rev. Marcus Dods, D. D., and Rev. Alexander Whyte, D. D. Palestine - By Rev. Arch. Henderson, M. A. Pp. 221. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. $1.00.

Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. Paradise Found. The Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole. A Study of the Pre-historic World. By William F. Warren, S. T. D., LL. D., President of Boston University, Corporate Member of the American Oriental Society, etc., etc. With Original Illustrations. 16mo, pp. xxiv., 505. 1885. $2.00; American Statesmen. John Marshall. By Allan B. Magruder. 16mo, pp. viii., 290. 1885. $1.25; The Diplomatic History of the War for the Union, being the Fifth Volume of the Works of William H. Seward. Edited by George E. Baker. Royal 8vo, pp. viii., 626. 1884.

Universalist Publishing House, Boston. Universalism; A brief Statement of the Universalist Belief. By Rev. H. R. Nye. Pamphlet, 16mo, pp. 46.