IV. The Domestic Minister's Assistant, or Prayers for the Use of Families. By WILLIAM JAY. 12mo. Bartlett, London. 1846. This work is so well known and so justly appreciated that any attempt to expound its merits and to point out its adaptation to Christian families would be superfluous. It has passed through many editions, and the one before us is commended by its comparative cheapness. The work contains six weeks' family prayers for morning and evening, and a number of prayers and thanksgivings for select occasions. There is a peculiar charm in these compositions arising, to a great extent, from the judicious and appropriate introduction of much of the devotional language of the sacred Scriptures. If any of our readers need such assistance as this volume offers, and have not yet become acquainted with this, they will thank us for commending it to their acceptance. V. Notes of the Debates and Proceedings of the Assembly of Divines. By GEORGE GILLESPIE. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co. 1846. These notes are part of an extensive work now in the course of publication, edited by Mr. D. Meek, and entitled The Presbyterian's Armoury.' The famous Assembly of Westminster having been brought recently before the public by lectures and addresses on Mr. Herbert's picture, a veritable report of their sayings and doings will be read with more than ordinary interest. To all lovers of ecclesiastical antiquities this volume will be acceptable. The author, Mr. Gillespie, sat in the Assembly, and appears to have reported with fairness and candour the sentiments uttered by all parties in reference to the New Testament form of church government. A similar diary by Dr. Lightfoot was published in the last edition of his works, to which this will form a suitable companion. VI. Missionary Labours and Scenes in Southern Africa. By ROBERT MOFFAT. London: Snow. 1846. Many thanks to the spirited publisher of these Labours and Scenes' for this portable, cheap, and beautiful edition. Of all the recent contributions to our missionary literature, the volume of Mr. Moffat has appeared to us the most interesting. It has 'obtained a large circulation in its most costly form, and now it is brought within the reach of millions. This edition is enriched with the most accurate portrait of the author we have seen, and with all the wood-cuts that appeared in the standard editions. We need add nothing in praise of the work beyond these announcements. VII. The Bible in Palestine. By MR. and MRS. DAUTREY. London: Hatchard. 1846. The very worthy authors of this book travelled through the Holy Land with a view to identify the scenes and localities mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, and have brought out several interesting illustrations of biblical events. We are unwilling to speak in any terms but those of praise of a work undertaken in so Christian a spirit as that which they display; but fidelity compels us to say that their interpretations of the Bible are often fanciful; that they are not safe guides in the expository walks they have trodden; and that other works, long since published on the same subjects, may be read with greater advantage. Still there is a freshness and power about many of the descriptions of Judea which cannot fail to interest all Christians, who look with pleasure on the land of prophets and apostles, and the home in which the Saviour dwelt. VIII. THE VOLUNTARY for 1845. London: Ward and Co. This is the fifth volume of a well-known periodical devoted to the advocacy of the voluntary principle in religion. Without pledging ourselves to an approval of all the sentiments it contains, we feel pleasure in speaking of it as a well-conducted paper, in which Christian fidelity and charity are combined. IX. The Moral Phenomena of Germany. By THOMAS CARLYLE, Esq. London: Painter. If any one should purchase this book and read it under an impression that its author is the Thomas Carlyle of our day, he would be as much disappointed as were some persons who eagerly procured Mr. R. Montgomery's 'Omnipresence of the Deity,' believing that it was penned by the Bard of Sheffield. But if this little book should be read, and be judged by its intrinsic merits, more than ordinary praise will be awarded to it. The author has seized on the chief things which in Germany influence the social relations and evince the religious condition of the people, and compared them with the principles at work in other lands. He is more at home in detecting faults than in eulogising excellences, and appears inclined to think that all religious denominations in our country are much more at fault than they are apt to think themselves. His treatise contains some valuable information and important hints, couched in wild, dashing phraseology, not unlike that of his gifted namesake. X. Pen and Ink Sketches of Poets, Preachers, and Politicians. D. Bogue. 1846. London: An amount of attention and popularity utterly disproportionate to, and beyond their intrinsic excellence, has often been obtained for works constructed on the principle of the one before us. This arises from their appeal to a natural and proper desire to become acquainted with the character of the authors who have informed or delighted us by their literary productions. We have mentally sketched portraits of their outer and inner man, and are anxious enough to ascertain whether our ideals of intellectual power and moral excellence are truthful, or otherwise. Hence books professing an intimate acquaintance with illustrious persons are eagerly sought after, and though usually they prove but very inaccurate guides, they afford such occasional glimpses of real character, and minister so effectually to curiosity, as to afford to most thoughtful readers a considerable degree of pleasure, and a still larger amount of food for reflection. The work before us is a good one of the class to which it belongs. It is very unequal, and the best parts of it are those which describe the character and qualifications of some distinguished clergymen of the establishment and of dissenting communities. The sketches of Robert Hall and of John Foster are thoroughly interesting, and though nothing very new is here told about these gifted men, yet the materials are well wrought up, and the tout ensemble of each character displays considerable artistic skill on the part of the author. A work of this order may be expected to have the blemishes of sundry inaccuracies, and our personal knowledge of some of the parties portrayed would enable us to point out several in this volume; but as they are rather unimportant, and as we have derived considerable pleasure from its perusal, we wish our readers to become acquainted with the book, and therefore give to it our cordial and conscientious commendation, content with suggesting that, in a second edition, a careful revision of its pages would greatly enhance the value of the work. Amongst the sketches of statesmen, the one of Mr. D'Israeli may be mentioned as well done. In the list of poets, Coleridge and Southey are skilfully drawn, and some notices of Mrs. Hemans are very beautiful and instructive. XI. A Summer Ramble in Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. By the REV. DR. MASSIE. London: Snow. 1846. We owe an apology to the author of this volume for omitting hitherto any notice of its existence and pretensions. In the mean time we observe that our brethren of the nonconforming periodical press have vied with each other in its commendation, and honourable mention has been made of it in other literary journals, and it has, we believe, in consequence, obtained a wide circulation. The lateness of our reference to it may therefore be well excused, and that the more readily from the fact, that we are writing of it in ⚫ the leafy month of June,' when our countrymen are extensively meditating continental excursions. Some of these want information as to the best routes, the most interesting objects to be seen, and the way in which they can most effectually secure 'consolation in travel.' To such persons we have pleasure in recommending Dr. Massie's book. It will scarcely serve as a substitute for a late edition of Murray's Hand-book, but it will prove an interesting companion to that volume. Our author landed at Ostend, and perambulated Belgium. His remarks on the state of education, liberty, and religion in that country, occur to us as very correct. He passed into Germany, by the well-trodden path through Aix-la-Chapelle, and visited the chief places in the neighbourhood of the Rhine. We find him afterwards wending his way to Switzerland, and expatiating on its magnificent scenery in strains that will interest most admirers of nature. The distinguishing feature of the work is, however, the decidedly religious tone it breathes, and on this ground especially we commend it. Our rambler has gone over classic scenes in a Christian spirit, and brought up to view the great events of the Protestant Reformation, contrasting the former state of things with the present, in localities where Calvin, and Luther, and Melancthon, lived, and wrote, and spoke. He enunciates the living truths proclaimed by these departed worthies, who rule the spirits of sound-hearted Protestants even in the present day; and he makes us feel that the great Reformation, with all its imperfections, was an unspeakable blessing to the world. Much valuable light too is shed on the existing state of religion in the countries visited, and the new German church movement, headed by Ronge, is spoken of in terms of hopeful praise. We will only add that the book may be read with advantage by parties who do not meditate a continental trip, and that we should have felt ourselves highly favoured, when first treading the scenes it describes, if we had been able to obtain possession of such a guide. XII. The Palace of Fantasy; with other Poems. By J. S. HARDY. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. 1846. A volume of respectable rhymes, scarcely entitled to the name of poetry. The principal piece is lofty in its pretensions, as it undertakes to explore the fields of nature, of literature, of art, and of science. In two hundred and twenty-three Spenserian stanzas, thus employed, we have met with some good sentiments in smooth verse, but nothing that we could remember without a determined effort of will, and nothing that our readers would wish us to quote. We have our doubts as to the author's vocation as a poet; but forasmuch as his former publication was favourably noticed by the periodical press, we hesitate to pronounce a decided judgment on the point, and leave all who feel an interest in the doings of ' Dan Fantasy' to buy and judge for themselves. XIII. The Benighted Traveller; and other Poems. By EDWARD F. HUGHES. London: Bartlett. 1846. Supposing this to be the first effort of a very young man, it gives some faint promise of future excellence. The sentiments of the poems are Christian, and the writer has a good aim. LISTS OF NEW BOOKS. RECENT BRITISH PUBLICATIONS. A new universal Etymological and Pronouncing Dictionary of the English Language. Parts IV.-VIII. James Gilbert. Abbot, Archbishop: An Exposition upon the Prophet Jonah. A new edition, by Grace Webster. 2 vols. Hamilton, Adams, and Co. Ailzie Grierson; or, A Tale of a Prisoner. By a Lady. Edinburgh: John Johnstone. Balme, J. R.: The Telegraph of the Gospel. Hamilton, Adams, and Co. Bickersteth, E.: Family Expositions on the Epistles of St. John and St. Jude. Seeley and Co. Binney, T.: The Spirit admitted to the Heavenly House: the Body refused a Grave. Two Sermons preached on the occasion of the Death of the Rev. T. S. Guyer. Jackson and Walford. Brown, D.: Christ's Second Coming: will it be Pre-millennial. Edinburgh John Johnstone. Candlish, Dr.: John Knox, his Time and his Work. Edinburgh: John Johnstone. D'Aubigné, Dr.: History of the Reformation. Standard Edition. Oliver and Boyd. Vols. I. and II. Jackson, J. O.: The Gardener's Wife; a Memoir of Eleanor Elliot. Ward and Co. King, Dr. D.: The Lord's Supper. Edinburgh. J. Johnstone. Morell, J. D.: The Speculative Philosophy of Europe in the Nineteenth Century. W. Pickering. Payne, Dr. G.: Lectures on Divine Sovereignty, &c. Third edition. With Strictures on Marshall, Haldane, and Jenkyn. J. Gladding. Post, Jacob: The History and Mystery of (those called) the Sacraments. Charles Gilpin. Ryland, J. E.: Life and Correspondence of John Foster. Jackson and Walford. Scriptural Evidences of Creation. Seeley and Co. Sedgwick, R.: The Wine of the Kingdom, or, Fellowship with Christ. Dundee: W. Middleton. Simpson, R.: Traditions of the Covenanters. Edinburgh: J. Johnstone. Strauss' Life of Jesus. Translated from the fourth German edition. Chapman, Brothers. The Speculative Difficulties of Professing Christians. The Death-bed of a Child of Dr. Capadose. From the Dutch. Edinburgh. John Johnstone. Tracts on Liberty of Conscience and Persecution, 1614-1661. Hanserd Knollys Society. Tweedie, W. K.: Calvin and Servetus. From the French, with Notes. Edinburgh J. Johnstone. Ullmann, Prof.: The Worship of Genius, and the distinctive Character or Essence of Christianity. Translated from the German, by Lucy Sanford. Chapman, Brothers. Watson, W.: Tutor's Assistant, or Complete School Arithmetic. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. RECENT AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS. Alexander, Prof.: The Earlier Prophecies of Isaiah. Wiley and Putnam. Russell, W.: Pulpit Eloquence. Theological Essays. Reprinted from the Princeton Review. Wiley and Putnam. THE BIBLICAL REVIEW, AND CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINE. AUGUST, 1846. I. THE POETRY OF THE APOCALYPSE. HAVING given in a former number some specimens of the evidence which may be adduced to show that the form of poetry, as well as its spirit, belongs to this portion of the sacred volume, we now proceed to notice the other topics which were then mentioned. II. The sources of its imagery. The Apocalypse being a part of the Christian Scriptures, its subject and design must be sought, either in the book itself, or in the other writings of evangelists and apostles. But the imagery employed to exhibit its truths, and to render them more impressive, would probably be drawn from objects previously known, both by the writer and by those whom he addressed. This would be the case equally, whether we suppose that the inspiration of the apostle superseded the use of his natural faculties, or that it was associated with their voluntary exercise. When the Divine Being condescends to address men, he does so in accordance with their modes of speech, and the laws of their mental constitution. We must, therefore, look to the human nature of those who are to be instructed, to discover the reasons for the form of any inspired communication; and we may expect to find in every part of the word of God the observance, not only of the rules of grammar, but also of the laws of prose and poetic composition. The imagery used by the ancient prophets, and by our Lord, was always taken from things well known by those to whom they spoke. Unless derived from such sources, we do not see how it could serve the purpose for which it was employed, and render instruction more clear and affecting. Images which are entirely invented by an author, or obtained by him from regions of observation altogether unknown to his readers, may be ornamental, but they cannot be impressive. Many figures of this description may be found in |