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stitutions, and himself an active member of the supreme legislature, might be expected to possess eminent advantages over a mere closet student or theorist, such as most of the continental historians have been. In reading Grote, we feel that we are in the company of a man of enlarged views, of practised ability, who has long mingled with men, as well as with books. He shows himself to be everywhere a master of his multifarious reading. He grasps his principles with a strong hand and makes all the details do his bidding. Where we do not accord with him, we are pleased with his ingenuity, and candid and courteous bearing.

The reprint is brought out in excellent style, that of a portable duodecimo, on clear paper and good type. The price is 75 cents a volume. Eight volumes of the original are printed, and five of the American edition. The whole work will probably embrace as many as twelve volumes.

VIII. JACOBI'S CHURCH HISTORY.1

Dr. Jacobi was one of the beloved pupils and intimate friends of Dr. Neander, and this Manual was prepared at the instance and with the counsel of the great historian. In a brief preface, Dr. Neander says, "Here appears such a compend as I should desire, fitted to serve studious youth as a preparation for lectures, and for a review of what has been heard, fitted also to excite the susceptible to independent study and investigation. It is, indeed, something different from what I had specially in mind. Jacobi has not felt compelled to make a mere excerpt from the works and lectures of another man, though of one who had reached to him the torch of science. He must labor according to the impulse of his own mind, independently and creatively. In science and in art, as in active business, it is something morbid, indeed, to wish to be original, and not to accept what one has received from others. From such strivings proceed the monsters which so often meet us in these days of pretence and conceitedness. True originality gives out from itself, according to a natural law of the soul's development, where the left hand knows not what the right doeth. Such is my friend, Jacobi." The great design of the book, says the author, is to supply a help for students in the knowledge of church history. The text is a short delineation of the course of church history, or a condensed outline of facts and their relations. The accompanying notes embrace literary notices, references to sources, and the citation of the most important proof passages. The first volume embraces the classical period of church history, when the foundations were laid, and is consequently handled more at large. It extends from the birth of Christ to Gregory the Great, A. D. 590. The second volume, concluding the work, will be published during the present year. The author gives notice that he has made provision for an English translation of it. We notice that English writers on church history are almost wholly neglected. Mem

1 Lehrbuch der Kirchengeschichte, von J. L. Jacobi, a. o., Professor der Theologic, a. d. Universität zu Berlin. Erster Theil, S. 405. Berlin, 1850.

bers of the English episcopal church have published quite a number of valuable works, especially on the history of the first four centuries, e. g. those of the bishop of Lincoln. Waddington's History is too important to be passed in silence. We hope that the English translator will supply the deficiency.

IX. UNITARIAN BIOGRAPHY.'

These volumes contain brief memoirs of twenty-four individuals who have reached more or less eminence in the ranks of "liberal Christianity." Memoirs of some of the most distinguished, e. g. Dr. Channing and Mr. Buckminster, have been published in separate volumes. The lives of others have been commemorated in the pages of the Christian Examiner and elsewhere. Still, it was a happy thought to abridge the larger works, and bring the scattered notices into a convenient form. The sketches are generally written with ease and in a finished style, and some of them with peculiar felicity and grace. They embody many striking facts and incidents, and will constitute no unimportant element in the ecclesiastical history of New England. To some allegations contained in these volumes, a great proportion of our community would demur. We refer to the " very complete and satisfactory statement respecting the Hollis Professorship," Vol. I. p. 249; to enumerating as Unitarians such men as Newton, Locke and Milton, Vol. II. p. 188, etc.

X. COMMENTARY ON EZEKIEL

We are glad to welcome evidence of the prevalence of a better style of Bible interpretation in England and Scotland. For several years the island appears to have been overrun with Millenarian literature, with detached works and elaborate systems, constructed with great painstaking, often written in an earnest manner, breathing a spirit of elevated piety, but unhappily founded on false views of interpretation, and built up in support of some worthless theory. Of the vast number of books on the prophecies, which have appeared from the transatlantic press, which one, we may ask, has made any permanent impression? What one has changed the modes of thinking on this subject, or is likely to do so, either in England, or on the continent, or in this country? Some have enjoyed a temporary popularity, but, so far as we can ascertain, have made no permanent lodgment in the minds of biblical students or theologians.

But, Mr. Fairbairn belongs to a different school. He recognizes the fundamental importance of exact grammatical knowledge, that all exposition is

1 Memoirs of Individuals who have been distinguished by their writings, character, and efforts in the cause of liberal Christianity. Edited by William Ware. Boston: James Munroe & Co. Vol. I. 1850. pp. 396, Vol. II. 1851, pp. 452,

12mo.

2 Ezekiel, and the Book of his Prophecy: an Exposition. By the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, of Salton, Scotland. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1851. pp. 448, 8vo.

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worthless, which is not naturally developed from the text, in full accordance with the laws of philology. He also holds what appears to us the only true principles of prophetic interpretation, viz: that the prophets do not in general describe future events specifically, but only give the outlines- the bold points, not the minute details; that they had no commission to furnish a chart of secular history; that they were only concerned with the great developments of the church of God; that, if at certain times, they made exact statements, and gave us detailed measurements and facts, this does not authorize a literal and detailed interpretation; but, couched under these minutiae, are some great spiritual truths, which we are to investigate with sober judgment-truths which will be far more quickening and precious, than any amount of literal detail.

Accordingly, Mr. F. finds in the last nine chapters of Ezekiel, a representation which was not intended to meet, either in Jewish or Christian times, with an express and formal realization, but which is a grand and complicated symbol of the blessings which God had in reserve for his church, especially under the Gospel. The description purports to be a vision, something which never had been or would be in actual existence. Besides, there are points in it, which taken literally, are in the highest degree improbable, and which even involve natural impossibilities. A literal fulfilment would suppose the separate existence of the twelve tribes, which would now be regarded as a natural impossibility, the distinctions having been long since lost. A literal fulfilment would also imply the ultimate restoration of the ceremonials of Judaism, and thus the prophet would be placed in direct contradiction to the writers of the New Testament.

The exposition in general bears evidence that the author possesses a sound judgment and correct habits of thinking. Many of the practical remarks are pertinent and striking. It will be regarded as among the few books in the language, or even in any language, which casts much light on this very difficult prophecy. Even the Germans, with the exception of Hitzig and Hävernick, have done but little for its elucidation. For our own part, we should have preferred a much fuller interpretation of the text, than Mr. Fairbairn has given, and a less amount of practical matter. The book has somewhat the aspect of a series of lectures, addressed to a popular audience. More of the philological element would have been welcome.

XI. REVIEW OF THE LAST FIFTY YEARS.1

Seventy pages of this volume are taken up with an account of the political changes, progress of education, improvements in printing, etc., of the last fifty years. The four chapters which follow (very well written, by Rev. B. N. Martin of Albany) give an historical sketch of science, of applied

1 The Christian Retrospect and Register: a Summary of the Scientific, Moral and Religious Progress of the first half of the Nineteenth Century. By Robert Baird. New York: M. W. Dodd, 1851. pp. 420.

science, of the arts, of intercommunication, and of social progress, post office, mechanic arts, etc. The remainder of the volume is occupied with a history of the enlargement of Christendom, by the agency of a great number of religious and philanthropic associations.

In so vast a field, only the prominent points, of course, could be marked; of the immense number of facts, only the more essential could be retained. The field is, emphatically, the world. The events which have been crowded into the last fifty years, in the providence of God, have been hardly less momentous in importance, than great in number. Wisely to select those events which have been, or are likely to be, attended with the largest consequences, to condense the description of them within a small space, as far as possible to show their bearings on other events, and narrate them without party spirit or prejudice, is a task of no little difficulty and delicacy. It is much easier to see how it should be accomplished, than actually to accomplish it.

In forming an estimate of the value of Dr. Baird's volume, it is important to observe, that two or three months only were devoted to the preparation. It cannot of course have that value which a year's unbroken labor might have imparted to it. Still it is worthy of high commendation for its general accuracy, for its judicious selection of materials, and happy arrangement of them, and for the liberal and Christian spirit which reigns throughout. Sympathy for the struggling nations of Europe, and a confident belief that the recent movements have not been in vain, are freely expressed. The volume will be of special service to ministers and others, as a repository of materials. The half century should not pass away, or a new one begin, without a distinct recognition, and the erection of a monument of gratitude on the part of all the pastors in our happy land. To such, this volume will be a store-house of well-arranged and important statements. Every chapter will furnish to a thoughtful mind many suggestions.

Were we to make a single criticism, it would be, that sufficient prominence is not given to the labors of Clarkson, Wilberforce, Buxton, etc., nomina clara et venerabilia, men of whom the world was not worthy, whose sublime deeds constitute one of the most marked features of modern history. There are also places where greater definiteness of statement might be introduced to advantage, e. g. in relation to female schools, on p. 46; a specific account of a single school, would be better than mere generalities.

XII. RELIGION OF GEOLOGY.1

The Lectures in this volume are fourteen in number, and on the following topics: Revelation illustrated by science; the epoch of the earth's creation unrevealed; death an universal law of organic beings on the globe from the

1 The Religion of Geology and its connected Sciences. By Edward Hitchcock, D. D., LL. D., President of Amherst College, and Professor of Natural Theology and Geology. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co. 1851. pp. 527. 12mo.

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beginning; the Noachian deluge compared with the geological deluges; the world's supposed eternity; geological proofs of the Divine benevolence; Divine benevolence as exhibited in a fallen world; unity of the Divine plan and operation in all ages of the world's history; the hypothesis of creation by law; special and miraculous Providence; the future condition and destiny of the earth; the telegraphic system of the universe; the vast plans of Jehovah; and scientific truth, rightly applied, is religious truth.

These lectures were delivered to successive classes in college, and have thus had the advantage of repeated reconsideration. They may be regarded as the result of the author's studies and reflections for thirty years. They are written in a style of great freshness, and will attract, if we mistake not, a wide circle of readers. The illustrations are drawn from a very extensive observation. The author has made excellent use of his late tour in Europe. The scenery of Wales, the Rhine and the Alps, is drawn with so graphic a pencil, that the reader longs to behold it with his own eyes, or if he has once seen it, to feast his vision again upon it. One is struck also with the enthusiasm of the author. He is drawn forward by an ardor which never tires. He feels that he is in the company of one whose eyes and heart are always open, and whose industry keeps pace with the wonderful progress of science in all directions. The lectures will be acceptable in a high degree to the theologian and religious man from the fact that they are consecrated to the service of the church, that the religious bearings of science are brought out so prominently, and from the special reverence which is everywhere paid to the written revelation. At the same time, there may be particular views from which the reader may dissent, or in regard to which further light may be needed. All will readily allow that the subjects which are discussed are of great and momentous interest, and should be approached with candor and with an earnest desire to ascertain the truth.

On one topic we will venture a suggestion. Philologists would hardly accept Dathe, the older Rosenmüller, or even Knapp and Dr. J. P. Smith, as adequate representatives of the present state of their science. Sacred philology, or the thorough grammatical and philological study of the Bible, in the original languages, has made very great progress, since the time of even the younger Rosenmüller. The venerable Dr. Pye Smith, with all his multifarious reading, was evidently but imperfectly acquainted with the progress of philology for the last ten or twenty years. He would be regarded as a respectable, but by no means a high authority.

President Hitchcock suggests the importance of the establishment of a professorship of natural theology in our theological seminaries, and adduces weighty reasons in favor of the measure. The new college of the Scotch Free Church, and the new Dissenting College in London have made a provision of this nature. But to accomplish this object in our American seminaries, a fourth year would be indispensable. A large part of the first year is employed, we had almost said wasted, in the elementary study of Hebrew. In the middle year, many topics in theology are passed over, or but partially considered, for want of time. Into the third year, pastoral theology, the VOL. VIII. No. 31.

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