13. Apostolic Baptism. Facts and Evidences of the Subjects and Modes of Christian Baptism. By C. TAYLOR, Editor of Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible. With Thirteen Engravings. Stereotype edition. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1850. WE are glad to see a revised and stereotyped edition of this learned and valuable work on the baptismal controversy. It is not necessary, at this late day, to speak of its peculiar merits, as the work has been before the American public for several years. These "Facts and Evidences," drawn from Christian archæology, may not be conclusive, but they certainly go far to show, in the language of Mr. Taylor, "that Baptism, from the day of Pentecost, was administered by the Apostles and Evangelists, to infants, and not by submersion.” We are not aware that these "Facts and Evidences" have ever been invalidated, either in this country or in Great Britain, and if not, they are certainly entitled to no little weight in favor of the arguments of Podobaptists, both as to the subjects of Christian baptism and the apostolic mode. 14. Institutes of Theology. LL.D. In two volumes. thers. 1849. By the late THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., THIS is the last volume of the Institutes, and the eighth in the series of posthumous works. We expressed our mind so freely and fully on the merits of this work, on the appearance of the first volume, that we need now only repeat our commendation and high appreciation of it. The first volume treats of Natural Theology-Evidences of Christianity-Subject-matter of Christianity. Part I. On the disease for which the gospel Remedy is founded. Vol. II. Continues the Subject-matter of Christianity, and gives us Part II. on the nature of the gospel Remedy, with six supplementary lectures on the Trinity; the moral uses of the doctrine that Christ is God; the union of the Divine and human nature in Christ; on the doctrine of the Spirit; on the distinction between the mode in which theology should be learned at the Hall, and the mode in which it should be taught from the Pulpit; on didactic and controversial theology. The appearance of these Institutes is timely they bear on every page the impress of Chalmers' massive and comprehensive mind; they discuss the doctrines essential to Christianity, in a very able and lucid, and often original and striking manner; and, we doubt not, that they will take rank among the ablest and best of the Doctor's many excellent works. We have been impressed with one thought in reading this work; it is this: either theological controversy has not raged on the other side of the water as it has done on this, during Chalmers' lifetime, or else he never turned his mind particularly to some of the most fundamental points involved in the controversy, in the way of investigation and vindication. Take, for example, his supplementary lecture on the Trinity; and we are not a little surprised at the meagerness of his argument to sustain the Trinitarian doctrine. He urges one or two points with great force; but the argument is certainly very imperfect, and will not begin to compare, in regard to fulness, force, and conclusion, with many we have seen from American theologians. Indeed, we are of the opinion, that the doctrine of the Trinity has nowhere been so thoroughly and ably discussed, and so triumphantly vindicated from Arian and Socinian objections, as in our own country.. 15. An Essay on Justification by Faith, with particular reference to the Theory of Forensic Justification. By JOSEPH MUENSCHER, D.D., Rector of St. Paul's Church, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. A CLEAR, discriminating, learned, and strong Essay on this fundamental Christian doctrine. It takes substantially the new school Calvinistic view, and reasons the various points involved in a sensible, and, to us, conclusive manner. We are glad to see views so Scriptural so clearly and decidedly expressed in such quarters, at such a time, on a point of faith so essential to Christianity. The author is worthy of the D.D. which has recently been conferred upon him. 16. An Address by E. D. MACMASTER, D.D., on the occasion of his resigning the Presidency of the Miami University, Ohio. WHILE this address is mainly occupied with matters relating to the condition and history of this University, it incidentally discusses several points fundamental to a liberal education, with singular ability, exhibiting views not more sound than elevated and important, of the true and proper object of college training. 17. History of the National Constituent Assembly of France. By J. F. CORKRAN, Esq. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1849. THE author of this work enjoyed peculiar facilities for the service he has performed. An eye-witness of the whole scene, and knowing personally the chief actors in it, he has given a most graphic sketch of the doings of this noted Assembly, and of the thrilling events connected with the origin and infant days of this new republic. His sketches of the chief men who figured in the administration and in public affairs, are life-like, and, we presume, true. His description of the terrible days of June, is by far the most full, connected, and intelligent, that we have anywhere seen. On the whole, it is a very interesting book, and useful in giving a connected and intelligent view of the state of things, past and present, in this misnamed republic, and active ally of crowned despotism, in crushing Italian liberty. The author evidently thinks, and with complacency, that the republic, in form even, will be of short duration. 18. The Whale and his Captors; or the Whaleman's Adventures, and the Whale's Biography, as gathered on the homeward cruise of the Commodore Preble. By Rev. HENRY T. CHEEVER. With Engravings. New York. Harper & Brothers, 1850. THIS is one of the very best books published this season. We hail it, in deed, as among the beginnings of a brighter day for seamen, the dawn of the Sabbath's light upon the sea. It will take its place with Dana's "Two Years before the Mast," in every sailor's library, and it will be read by thousands of landsmen with not less interest than by the sailors themselves. It is full of instructive and stirring pictures of the hard and dangerous life of the whaleman, with accurate descriptions of the life and habits of the whale, drawn from actual observation in the whaleship. The scenes and events are recounted in a clear and vivid style, and the influence of the work on the mind and heart of the reader, is all the while elevated and admirable. While it presents instruction and thought for men, it is also one of the best holiday presents for children, both because of the intrinsic interest of its subject, as a commanding chapter in the Natural History, and the clear and beautiful manner as to printing and engravings in which the Harpers have presented it to the public. The closing chapters of the work, concerning the Sabbath at sea, and the moral and religious influences that may be brought to bear upon the minds of seamen, address themselves powerfully to thoughtful and religious men. The argument presented in so excellent a spirit to the owners and captains of vessels, cannot fail to produce a happy result. The author clinches his arguments drawn from the Word of God and the nature of the case, as well as his own observation, by the experience of the veteran Captain Scoresby, the hero of twenty-eight perilous whaling voyages, whose admirable Sabbath keeping example, amidst trying circumstances for successive years, is to be commended to the whole world. In the appendix to the volume (and a most valuable addition it is), there are given, among other things, the interesting results of a strict and conscientions observance of the Sabbath at sea, from the memorials of Scoresby the son. The Christian lessons from the voyage, gathered up by the author, in the eighteenth chapter of this work, are original and beautiful, and some of them truly affecting. The following paragraph, concerning the wrecks met with in the Gulf stream, some of which, it is supposed, go round and round the whole vast course of the current, and after being lost from knowledge a long time, re-appear at intervals just in the same identical Gulf as before, is full of truth, aptitude, and present applicability. "Just so," remarks the author, "in the political, religious, and philosophical world, you will see the wrecks of certain errors and fallacies exploded, dismasted, water-logged, or quite foundered in one age, re-appear in another on the revolving current of opinion. After having floated off into obscurity, and been quite lost sight of for a time, they will come round again, and perhaps be taken up and towed into port by some political novice or demagogue, or transcendental speculator, pretending to great originality of genius, or by some novelty-hunter in religionby them re-ribbed, caulked, and coppered, perhaps razeed, and set afloat anew upon the tide of speculation, with a great boast of newness, and a mighty press of canvas," This is admirable. 19. History of King Alfred of England. By JACOB ABBOT. Engravings, New York: Harper & Brothers. With THIS Volume well sustains the interest of this highly popular and really useful series of popular histories of distinguished persons. It presents a lively sketch of the life and character of the great and good Alfred, as well as a summary of the history of the aboriginal Britons, and of the origin of the British monarchy. We know of no work that combines so much valuable historical information on this subject, in the same space, as this unpretending volume; and then it is presented in such a happy manner, as to secure for it the reading of every person into whose hands it may fall. And this is the chief excellence of these histories. They are short, yet comprehensive; accurate histories, yet invested with the attraction of brilliant romances. If parents wish to cultivate in their children a taste for history, they are almost sure to secure so worthy an end by putting into their hands this elegant little library of Histories. 20. The Mercy Seat: Thoughts Suggested by the Lord's Prayer. By GARDINER SPRING, D.D., Pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, in the City of New York. New York: Published by M. W. Dodd, Brick Church Chapel. 1850. WE always greet a new work from Dr. Spring with a cordial welcome. The elevated character, the sound instruction, and the practical aspect of his religious writings, commend them to all who love the gospel of our common Saviour. There is a clearness in the statement of truth, a depth of piety, a richness of Christian experience, and a degree of spirituality, united to a chaste and beautiful style, and a sweet and chastened spirit, that is truly grateful to the renewed heart. We love to commune with such a mind on the tender and interesting and sublime theme of religion. The present work is among the author's happiest productions. It is not perhaps, equal to his "Obligations of the World to the Bible," or his "Attractions of the Cross," or "The Power of the Pulpit," in point of literary merit, and intellectual originality and strength; but we think it surpasses them all in richness of instruction, tenderness of spirit, earnestness and fidelity of appeal, and power to awaken and sway the best feelings of the sanctified heart. His general observations on prayer, and his remarks on the matter and manner of prayer, are most excellent, and worthy of careful and thorough study. The Lord's Prayer, as a mere composition, is the most sublime and comprehensive form of words to be found in any language. For depth of meaning, and reach of thought, and power of suggestion, it is the most remarkable Scripture that we have ever attempted to study and comprehend. There is no subject in the whole range of Christian truth so admirable on which a pastor may prepare a course of sermons unusually interesting and instructive to himself and his people, as this same brief prayer. The Dr., therefore, could not have chosen a better theme, as the subject of his matured and Christian "Thoughts." He has chosen, also, we think, the best form-not the sermonic but the lecture form-which leaves him more freedom in discussion, and a wider range of application. It is divided into sixteen chapters. We give the subject of each: General Observations on Prayer; The Instructions of the Bible, as to the Matter and Manner of Prayer; God a Father; The Name of God Hallowed; The Kingdom of God on Earth; The Means of Extending God's Kingdom; The Will of God performed on Earth; Dependence for Temporal Blessings; Prayer and Pains; The Doctrine of Forgiveness; Prayer for Forgiveness; A Forgiving Spirit; A Martial Spirit not the Spirit of Christianity; Temptation Deplored; The Dread of Sin; The Argument by which Prayer is Enforced. We commend it to our readers, not formally, but with true heartiness, and express the earnest hope that its spirit and teachings, so redolent with the spirit and principles of the Divine Prayer which has suggested it, may reach and imbue the hearts of multitudes who are wont-alas! too often as a mere form-to say; "Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen." 21. A System of Ancient and Mediaval Geography, for the use of Schools and Colleges. By CHARLES ANTHON, LL.D., Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages in Columbia College, New York. 8 vo. 769 pp. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1850. "THE present work," the author says, "is intended as a text-book for the combined study of ancient Geography and History-two branches of education that ought never to be separated, but of which the former is either entirely neglected among us, or else only taught out of superficial and defective compends. Now that classical instruction aspires to be something more than a mere ringing of changes on letters and syllables, and the recitation rooms of our colleges are beginning to have the dull routine of mere verbal translation enlivened by inquiries and investigations calculated at once to interest and improve, a knowledge of ancient sites and localities, that are more or less identified with the stirring events of former days, cannot but prove an important aid in advancing the good work." It is evidently a work of extensive research, and accurate and authentic in all its vast and varied details. No pains have been spared in collecting the materials, as the list of works from which they have been obtained, abundantly shows. The best sources of information have been consulted, and everything calculated to interest or instruct, from whatever quarter it could be obtained, has been freely used. It professes to be a system, not merely of ancient, but also of medieval geography, though the latter division of the sub |