cultivated. The publishers of these works have done honor to the literary taste and refinement of our country by presuming on the sale of a large edition of these volumes. They have also done honor to themselves by the convenient and elegant form in which they have prepared and executed the work. Their own "Advertisement" prefixed to the first volume, which we subjoin, expresses all that we need to say in commending this edition to our readers, viz:

"In presenting to the American public this new edition of the writings of Joseph Addison, the publishers hold it altogether superfluous and unnecessary to say any thing in commendation of the works themselves, or make any reference to the established and increasing celebrity of the author. That celebrity has been deliberately conferred by a succession of generations, and the name of Addison is permanently enrolled among the brightest that adorn the Augustan age of English literature. A few words, however, of comment upon the peculiar advantages of this edition may be permitted, it is hoped, if on no other ground, at least as showing the anxiety of the publishers to provide the community with the best which they can obtain, and the most suited to gratify the wants and wishes of every reader.

The superiority of this edition over any heretofore published in this country, or, indeed in England, consists in its convenience of form, its low price, its accuracy, its neatness of mechanical execution, and above all, its completeness. It comprises not only all the essays, letters, poems, criticisms, tales, descriptions and dramatic works of Addison, but also the whole of the Spectator; this last being a new and very useful arrangement, inasmuch as many of the finest essays, narratives and characters in that admirable series were contributed jointly by Addison and others. The delightful character of Sir Roger de Coverley, for instance, was frequently taken up by Steele, Budgell, and several others of the contributors who were quite as often employed in the beautiful papers relating to "the club" as was Addison himself. It is evident that, by separating those of the latter from the others, as has been done in former editions of his works, the continuity of the story is destroyed and the pleasure of the reader materially diminished. In this point of view alone the edition now offered must be considered vastly preferable.

Care has been taken, nevertheless, to designate not only the papers contributed by Addison, but also those furnished by each of the other writers; and in all other respects the edition of the Spectator comprised within these volumes is as complete and perfect as any ever published. The publishers have only to add the expres sion of their hope, that the favor of the public to this undertaking may be such as shall encourage them to the production of other English classics in a corresponding style of excellence, literary and mechanical."

8.-The Young Disciple; or, A Memoir of Anzonetta R. Peters. By Rev. John A. Clark, Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia. Author of The Pastor's Testimony," "Walk about Zion," "Gathered Fragments," etc. Philadelphia:

66

William Marshall & Co. 1837. pp. 328.

66

The subject of this Memoir departed this life in the city of New York in the autumn of 1833, aged about eighteen years. She was a member of the Episcopal church, and her piety, to use the language of her biographer, was of the brightest and holiest stamp." She was a grand-daughter of the Rev. Christopher Godfrey Peters, pastor of the Moravian church in the city of New York, who died in 1797, and cousin of Caroline Elizabeth Smelt, the history of whose wonderful conversion and dying testimony has done much to exalt the riches of free grace and win souls to Christ,-has been extensively read in this country, has passed through several editions in England, has been translated into the German, and is exerting its silent but effective influence in many countries. The memoir of Miss Peters is less striking and wonderful, but the spirit which pervades it is equally attractive, and its narrative cqually suited to instruct and benefit the reader. It is well written and worthy of extensive circulation.

9.-Religious Dissensions: Their Cause and Cure. A Prize Essay. By Pharcellus Church, Author of "Philosophy of Benevolence." New York: Gould & Newman. Amherst: J.

S. & C. Adams. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. Hartford: Canfield & Robbins. Rochester: H. Stanwood & Co. 1838. pp. 400.

The manner in which this work has been brought before the public furnishes presumptive evidence of its substantial excellence. A premium of $200 was offered for the best Tract or Treatise on Dissensions in the churches. From twenty-seven manuscripts, several of which, the committee say, were written with much ability and in an excellent spirit, they selected this for the premium.

On the announcement of this award we were happy to learn that it had fallen to the name of the Rev. Pharcellus Church. We have known this author only through his previous work entitled "The Philosophy of Benevolence," which we regard as one of the best books which has been issued from the American press. A distinguished clergyman, and a stranger to the author remarked to us, soon after its publication, that it was one of the few books which, having begun, he felt impelled to read entirely through. We have not yet had time to follow this example in our perusal of the "Prize Essay," but from the portions which we have read, our impression is that the author has fully equalled himself, in his former work. We in

tend to read it through, and Providence permitting, to express our views more at large on the important and delicate subjects of which it treats in a future Number of the Repository.-In the mean time we commend this interesting and very seasonable publication to the diligent and devout use of the ministers and members of our churches of different names, whom the Saviour prays and commands to be ONE.

10.-A New Translation of the Hebrew Prophets, arranged in chronological order. By George R. Noyes. Vol. III., containing Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, Jonah and Malachi. Boston: James Munroe & Co. 1837. pp. 294.

Mr. Noyes has now accomplished a translation of all the prophetical books of the Scriptures. He has persevered with most praiseworthy diligence, though, we regret to say, that but limited support has been yielded to his works. Much benefit in the way of understanding some of the most difficult portions of the Scriptures can be derived by all classes of readers in an examination of these translations. They embody some of the results of the most recent investigations which have been made in Germany in the Hebrew Scriptures. The notes are very brief. We are sorry that some things are to be found in them which show that Mr. Noyes has a very low opinion of the inspiration of the Bible, and which will preclude a large class of readers from obtaining much instruction from what is really valuable. Read the following: "Respecting the comparative merits of Ezekiel as a writer, there has been a considerable diversity of opinion, as may be seen in the remarks of bishop Lowth upon this prophet, in his Lectures on Hebrew Poetry, and the note of Michaelis. To me the judgment of Michaelis appears in this instance to be more correct than that of Lowth. Undoubtedly there are to be found in Ezekiel some striking passages, such as the vision of the dry bones, some great thoughts, such as that in 36: 26, and many bold images. But in general he wearies the reader by endless amplification and frequent repetition, and sometimes disgusts by his minuteness of detail in the delineation of gross images. One illustration, which Isaiah has despatched in a single verse, or a single expression, Is. 1: 21, Ezekiel has spun out into whole chapters, so as to lead us to wonder at the state of society, when such things would not be offensive to the taste of a writer of genius and his contemporary readers. See ch. xvi. and xxiii. His visions and allegories sometimes dazzle and confound rather than impress and instruct us, though it may be said that his contempora ries may have attached a meaning to them, where we cannot. Yet he was himself so sensible of the obscurity of some of his emblems and allegories, that he gives a verbal explanation of them. Some of his emblems are forced and unnatural, and there occurs occasionally

something ludicrous in their want of appropriateness, as when he takes an iron pan, and lays siege to it, as the emblem of enemies besieging the wall of a city. His language is generally prosaic, prolix, and without strength. There may appear to some readers a want of reverence in thus speaking of the style of the prophet; but since the time of bishop Lowth the style of the sacred writers has been regarded as their own, and made the subject of criticism, and in my opinion great injury is done to the just claims of the sacred writers by extravagant and indiscriminate eulogy." Such things require no comment. Far distant be the time when our theologians shall learn to think and write so irreverently of men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost! Mr. Noyes's views of the prophecies of the Old Testament in relation to the Messiah accord with those held by many in Germany, but which we hope will never have currency among us.

10.-The Family Preacher; or, Domestic Duties illustrated and enforced in Eight Discourses. By Rev, Rufus William Bailey, of South Carolina. New York: John S. Taylor, 1837. pp. 158.

The subjects discussed in this volume are the "duties of husbands, of wives,-of females,-of parents,-of children,—of masters, of servants." The sermons are short, and written in a finished and flowing style, which is at the same time simple and intelligible. They are of a highly practical character and well adapted to family reading.

11.-A Mother's Request. Answered in Letters of a Father to his Daughters. Philadelphia: Joseph Whetham, 1837. pp. 264. This little volume is neatly finished in all respects, and is creditable both to the author and the publisher. Though published anonymously, it is from the pen of the Rev. R. W. Bailey of South Carolina, the author of the "Family Preacher," which we have noticed in a preceding paragraph. The preparation of these letters was the result of one of those mysterious providences, of not unfrequent occurrence, by which the mother of a young and dependent family is removed by death. This affliction in the present instance was attended with circumstances of thrilling interest, and the "Mother's Request," previous to her departure to a better world served to impress upon her surviving husband a still deeper sense of his parental responsibilities. Thus urged by a sacred regard to the wishes of his departed companion, on the one hand, and by the tenderest sympathies on the other, he has given expression to his parental solicitude in a series of excellent counsels, contained in forty-three letters to his daughters. The topics appear to be judiciously selected, and the sentiments of the book are conceived in a subdued and chastened

spirit, are expressed with elegance and neatness, and breathe the tone of piety throughout. It is worthy of an extensive circulation, and cannot fail to be read with profit by the sons and daughters of affliction.

ARTICLE XIII.

SELECT LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

UNITED STATES.

We have received the first sheets of Prof. Bush's Exposition of the books of Joshua and Judges. His main object is to afford facilities for the correct understanding of the sacred text-to aid the student of the Bible to ascertain with exactness the genuine sense of the original. Though the general aspect of the book is critical, yet practical remarks have been inserted to such an extent as to adapt it happily to popular use. One of the excellencies of the author's commentaries on the Scriptures is that he grapples with the really difficult passages, instead of adroitly passing them over, as some commentators do, with a cursory practical remark. We are glad to learn, that it is Prof. Bush's purpose to go over all the historical books of the Old Testament on the same plan. The book of Genesis is already in a considerable state of forwardness.

The first part of Prof. Nordheimer's Critical Grammar of the Hebrew Language has come to hand. It is printed at New Haven by B. L. Hamlen, and apparently with great accuracy. The paper is good and the whole appearance is neat and prepossessing. The work will be completed in two volumes, of about 300 pages each. The first volume, (the first part of which of 120 pages is now published,) will contain the whole of the Grammar as far as the Syntax; the second will contain the Syntax, and a grammatical analysis of select portions of the Scriptures, of progressive difficulty, including those portions usually read in the principal institutions of this country. The whole will be published in the course of the present year. The price of the two volumes will probably be about six dollars.

A small volume has just been published by Gould & Newman, entitled, "Thoughts on a New Order of Missionaries." We have not read the volume, and cannot speak of its merits. It does not propose to interfere at all, as we understand, with existing missionary organizations, but advocates the adoption of means for sending out pious physicians into all portions of the heathen world. The subject is important, and we have no doubt the book will attract attention.