Mr. Clarke defines Common-Sense as "the mode of judgment derived from experience of this world; that is of God's method in nature and in human life." He does not advert to the fact that there is a common-sense which is superficial and one which is profound; that the superficial may be plausible and true, as far as it goes, and yet may fail to do justice to the less obvious but more important truths that are in question. With much, very much of what he says we agree most cordially. Where we fail to assent to his views we do not, as we think, abandon our common-sense, but only apply it more earnestly and comprehensively.

THE LITTLE SANCTUARY.*— -We are not aware of any English preacher in our time making a more favorable impression on cultivated minds in this country than Dr. Raleigh, when he attended as a delegate the Congregational Council in Boston in 1865. Those who heard him then were prepared to welcome anything from his pen, and the book quaintly entitled "Quiet Resting Places" did not disappoint their expectations. Another, on "Jonah," not yet reprinted in this country, as we wish it might be, as a larger and more elaborate treatment of its subject, we think, would give a still better measure of his power. The work now before us contains sixteen "Meditations" (the first, founded on Ezekiel xi, 16, giving title to the volume), which are characteristic of the author. If we were to describe him we should have to begin by saying that it is his merit not to exemplify one good quality at the expense of others, but in an unusual degree to combine them in a happy symmetry. Freshness, vigor, and refinement of thought, chastened fervor of feeling, freedom and grace of style, felicity of allusion and description, and a pervasive Christian spirit, make him a most engaging and effective preacher, whether in the pulpit or on the printed page. If our readers will look into any two or three of these "Meditations," they will read them all.

THE ARGUMENT OF THE BOOK OF JOB UNFOLDED.t-While the whole Bible is expounded, perhaps more assiduously than ever,

*The Little Sanctuary, and other meditations. By ALEXANDER Raleigh, D.D., auther of "Quiet Resting Places," &c. New York: Dodd & Mead. 12mo.

pp. 334.

The Argument of the Book of Job unfolded. By WILLIAM HENRY GREEN, D.D., Professor in Princeton Theological Seminary. New York: Robert Carter & Bros.

1874. 12mo, pp. 367.

and in forms accessible to general readers as well as ministers, it is an advantage also that in so many instances particular books are handled separately by authors, who expend on them enthusiasm and research which could not be given alike to all the rest. In our own country, Stuart, Bush, Barnes, Alexander, Hackett, and Hodge, have thus rendered the more service to Biblical study. Prof. Green has thus added another to the specialties on Job. The ten chapters treat of the patriarch's "happy estate," of "Satan," of Job's "affliction," of his "three friends," his "conflict" and "triumph," his refutation of "his friends," of "Elihu," of "the Lord," and "the Place of the Book" in "the Scheme of Holy Scripture." An "explanatory note" is added on "the Doctrine of Immortality," and an "Analysis of the Book." As the preface tells us, the work "is not a continuous commentary," "nor is it concerned with the vexed questions of its age or authorship," in these respects differing from the works we have referred to. It is rather a series of discourses, that were probably first preached, in a clear and animated style, somewhat more diffuse than if composed only for the eye, setting forth, as the title page describes it, "the argument of the book," and hence is the better fitted for the use of most readers. At the same time it incorporates the results of study and reflection, and shows the scope of the poem and the relations of its parts, so as to favor the author's design of "promoting a better understanding of the book among both ministers and laymen."

CHURCH AND STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.*-This essay is admirably adapted to the object for which it was written, that is, to give Germans a knowledge of the relations of Church and State in the United States. No one is more competent to give instruction on this subject than Dr. Thompson.

Had he written particularly for Americans, he would, undoubtedly, have discussed some of the topics more fully than he has in this work. But the principles are all here from which one can form an intelligent opinion on the true relations of Church and State. And much that has been said, recently, on the Bible in the schools shows that there is need of such knowledge at home as well as abroad. It would do ministers of the gospel in our own land good to read this essay.

*Church and State in the United States; with an Appendix on the German population. By JOSEPH P. THOMPSON. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. pp. 166.

1873.

MY CLERICAL FRIENDS.*-The author of this book seems to have been a member of the Church of England, who has become a Roman Catholic. He writes clearly and forcibly, and has evidently read extensively on the topics of which he treats. He denies the validity of ordination in the Anglican Church. Some of the facts are referred to which have been, recently, brought out in the discussions on Joint Communion; showing that for a long time after the Reformation the doctrine of apostolical succession, as it is now taught, was not held in the English Church, and that bishops regarded Presbyterian orders as good as any. This fact, he thinks, proves that ministerial orders in the English Church are lost-as they evidently are, if transmitted sacerdotal grace is essential to their validity.

The chapter on the "Clergy and Modern Thought" shows considerable knowledge of the scientific speculations of the present day, and is well written. But the idea, that the Roman Catholic Church is the barrier against the infidelity of the times, which this author maintains, finds no justification in the history of that Church in any land.

STRAUSS'S "THE OLD FAITH AND THE NEW."-The "old faith," to which the title-page of this volume refers, is the Christian, which is caricatured on its pages. The "new faith" is made up mostly of negatives. One thing denied is the existence of a personal God. Another is the existence of the soul, as anything beyond a function of the nervous system. Another is the future life. Another is the freedom of the will. It need not be said that the miracles recorded in the New Testament are denied. The genuineness of the Gospel histories is denied. It is denied that we have the means of knowing much of Jesus, or of his life. But several things are affirmed. It is affirmed that men spring from monkeys; and monkeys, together with all living things, from inanimate existence, by "spontaneous generation." It is affirmed that the operations of nature are wise, although there is no wisdom in the cause. It is admitted that, in casting away the hopes and consolations of religion, much is lost. The study of German poets, and music, it is suggested, may serve as a solace and com

*My Clerical Friends and their relations to Modern Thought. New York: The Catholic Publication Society. 1873.

The Old Faith and the New. A confession by David Frederic Strauss. Authorized translation. By MATHILDE BLIND. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1873.

fort to souls thus bereaved. This work is an abandonment of the author's previous doctrines. It inculcates Materialism, in the room of ideal Pantheism, his old creed. It is reckless in its statements respecting critical questions, declaring that various things are settled, which are simply groundless assertions of the infidel party. Not unfrequently Strauss descends to coarseness and blasphemy. Altogether, it is a melancholy fruit of the old age of its author.

PRESSENSE'S "THE EARLY YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY." *_This volume" Heresy and Christian Doctrine," -now introduced for the first time to the English public, is the third in a consecutive series, intended to present a complete picture, from the author's point of view, of the spiritual life and history of the Church during the first three centuries of the Christian era. The two previous volumes-"Early Years of Christianity" and "Martyrs and Apologists"-delineated chiefly the extensive growth of the Church and its conflicts with enemies without. The present volume treats rather of its intensive development and the history of its doctrines.

The concluding volume of the series will appear simultaneously in English and French. The recent pressure of political, in addition to pastoral duties, has prevented Dr. Pressensé, as yet, from arranging his accumulated materials for this work. He has, however, engaged to prepare it for publication with the least possible delay." This Preface, by the translator, explains the design of the little volume before us. It relates to the early theology and to the early heresies of the Church. It presents a lucid and interesting view of the subject. The learned author is now taking an active part in the political affairs of his country. We can hardly look, at least for the present, for much that is new from his pen; but he has done a good service by the works which he has already written.

THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTARY: KINGS II, CHRONICLES, EZRA, NEHEMIAH, ESTHER.-The third volume of "the Speaker's Commentary," republished by Scribner, Armstrong, & Co., is constructed on the plan which we have described in connection with notices of the preceding volumes of the series. The commentaries in the present volume are from the pen of Canon Rawlinson, who

*The Early Years of Christianity. By E. DE PRESSENSÉ, D.D. Translated by Annie Harwood. Heresy and Christian Doctrine. New York: Nelson & Phillips.

is well known through his works on ancient, especially Oriental, history, and who has some special qualifications for the treatment of the subjects embraced in this volume. We have examined, with interest, his introduction to the Chronicles. He writes with unusual candor on the difficult questions arising from the comparison of these with the other historical books of the Old Testament. The English reader has these questions presented to his attention; which is more than most of the commentaries undertake to do, at least with fairness.

THE CHARACTER OF ST. PAUL.*—It would seem as if the great work on the "Life and Epistles of St. Paul," by Conybeare & Howson, had left little room for another volume from either of these writers having the same apostle for its subject. It was possible, however, for the materials they had gathered to take on a new form, and the research and reflection they had expended to be employed for a more specific purpose, with some advantage also from later consideration. Thus the survivor of the two, Dean Howson, here gives us a delineation of the personal character of the apostle, while his biography, writings, and doctrines hold only a subsidiary place; and it need not be said that for this purpose the author was eminently qualified by his earlier and more extended labors. The volume contains five lectures, or sermons-as in fact they were on these several features of the apostle's character; his tact and presence of mind; tenderness and sympathy; conscientiousness and integrity; thanksgiving and prayer; courage and perseverance. The opening of the first refers to "the endowment under which these sermons are preached," and a foot-note bids us "see the Preface," but in this edition the preface is wanting, nor is there any index or table of contents, as there should be. The discourses need no other imprimatur than the author's name. It is the lot of the great apostle, as of his Master, to be studied and admired anew in these last times, and Dean Howson's delineation will be welcomed as worthy of the theme.

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

WADDINGTON'S CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY.-The first volume of Dr. Waddington's very elaborate and exhaustive work on the

*The Character of St. Paul. By J. S. Howson, D.D., Dean of Chester. New work: Dodd & Mead. 12mo, pp. 314.