Not only "right," but "best." If Charles Wesley is allowed the benefit of poetic license, why should this be denied to the older poet? The following lines have been supposed not only inconsistent with the doctrine of a particular Providence, but also to deny the truth of those miracles which have been recorded in the Old and New Testament: "The Universal Cause Acts not by partial but by general laws." Ep. iii., 1, 2. The literal truth of this assertion cannot be denied. The universe is governed by general laws, which are permanent, as every sensible person must admit. If it were otherwise, experience would be of no value; it could teach nothing, and mankind would always remain in the condition of children. The Psalmist asserts the same doctrine: "For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to Thine ordinances: for all are Thy servants." (Psalm exix. 89-91.) But it will be asked, Does not the poet exclaim?— "Shall burning Etna, if a sage requires, Forget to thunder, and recall her fires? On air or sea new motions be imprest, O blameless Bethel!* to relieve thy breast? Or some old temple, nodding to its fall, For Chartres' + head reserve the hanging wall?" Ep. iv., 121-128. If this question can be answered in the affirmative, let the sage try the experiment, and perhaps, like the elder Pliny, he will pay for his temerity with his life. We are not warranted to expect that, in the case supposed, gravitation will be made to cease. On the contrary, our Saviour Himself, when urged by the tempter to cast Himself down from the battlements of the temple, refused. The application of the promise," He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee," &c., was a perversion of Scripture. The course of Providence does not imply the cessation or interruption of natural law "Thy love can find a thousand ways To foolish man unknown." Even miracles, which are deviations from the known laws of nature, are possibly conformed to some higher law. The poet has not asserted, any where, that miracles never occurred, but that we are not to expect them. And this is what our Saviour has taught, not only in the instance above * Alderman Bethel, a virtuous citizen of London, who was affected with asthma. + Colonel Chartres; a man infamous for all manner of vices. Abra referred to, but also in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ham said, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." But the rich man said, "Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent." And Abraham replied, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (To be concluded.) SELECT LITERARY NOTICES. [The insertion of any article in this list is not to be considered as pledging us to the approbation of its contents, unless it be accompanied by some express notice of our favourable opinion. Nor is the omission of any such notice to be regarded as indicating a contrary opinion; as our limits, and other reasons, impose on us the necessity of selection and brevity.] A Hand Book on Christian Baptism. By R. Ingham. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.—“The occasion of this treatise," says the author, in his preface, "is the publication of a volume on The Sacraments,' by the Rev. J. Stacey, a Minister in the New Connexion of Methodists, and now Principal in Ranmoor College, Sheffield." Mr. Ingham is dissatisfied with the views propounded by Mr. Stacey in relation to baptism; also with those expressed by Dr. Halley in the lectures published under the auspices of the Congregational Union. The author's dissatisfaction extends even to works in favour of baptism by immersion some are incomplete, and others are not sufficiently full and comprehensive. He aims, therefore, to remedy these defects by the publication of this hand-book. The bulk of the volume is occupied with an examination of objections. The oft-quoted passages of Scripture, having reference to baptisin, are closely scrutinized; and many arguments are brought forward to show the futility of objections raised against baptism by immersion. Believing, as we do, that baptism by immersion or sprinkling is quite in accordance with Holy Writ, we can hardly appreciate the great industry and research which Mr. Ingham has displayed in this production. In supporting a favourite theory, there is often a danger of pushing arguments to an extreme; and Mr. Ingham is hardly free from this fault. As a collection of opinions, the volume before us deserves commendation. Several hundred authors, belonging to all sections of the Christian church, are quoted. Want of space precludes an inquiry into the fairness with which the quotations are made; but, whilst disputing many of his conclusions, we must accord the author praise for clearness of style, and the spirit of Christian charity generally pervading these pages. Light on the Grave. Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo.-Belongs to a class of devotional literature obtaining a wide circulation at the present time. "The sleep of the faithful departed," "The celestial Canaan," "The nightless world," "The whiterobed throng," with kindred subjects, occupy the author's attention, and indicate the character of the book. There is an evident desire to draw consolation and instruction from these solemn themes. An George Whitefield. By J. R. Andrews. London: Morgan and Chase. A popular life of an individual so intimately connected with the early history of the Wesleys as Whitefield, ought to have a large sale. Whilst no sect bears his name, he had a large share in bringing about the religious revival of the last century, and was honoured with great success in his abounding ministerial labours. The influences of his preaching are still at work, and his memory is still gratefully cherished by the religious world. This volume answers some, though not all, of the requirements of a popular life. The incidents are lightly sketched; and a natural flow in the narrative makes the reading easy. There are, however, defects of style, often obscuring the meaning of a sentence. In matters of fact, Mr. Andrews is not always correct. On page 42, for instance, he confounds the Moravian preaching-place in Fetter Lane with the Foundry in Moorfields. Wesleyans will think the author hardly understands their position, when he designates them "Dissenters." We occupy neutral ground. Among the minor excellencies of this volume, we may mention that arrangement by which the contents of each chapter are preceded by a statement of the age at which the events therein recorded were performed. It is astonishing to note how youthful Whitefield was, and the Wesleys too, when they achieved some of their greatest successes. As a whole, we can commend this volume to general attention, and believe it will help to give many readers a pleasing im pression of a great light that shone brilliantly amid the darkness of the last century. Revival Sermons. London: William Tegg. 1865. — Un ler this title we are presented with nineteen Sermons preached at different times by Albert Barnes, the American expositor. Its appropriateness to the whole of them is not very apparent. That on “the Death of a Mother" may be taken as an illustration of what we mean. Five Sermons only bear very particularly on revivals of religion. There are evidences, also, that some in this series are not the most recent productions of the author. In the Fourteenth Sermon, reference is made to the divorce of Josephine by the first Napoleon; and we are told, "God frowned upon that wicked act, and the weak and imbecile heir to the most splendid throne of the world sunk in early years undistinguished to the grave, and the name and dynasty is extinct." This must, we presume, have been written in some year of our Lord before the present ruler of the French empire had restored "the name and dynasty of his uncle to a place among European sovereigns. These Discourses, however, are on subjects of the greatest importance; and their characteristics are such as commend them to the thoughtful reader, and cannot fail to render them profitable. Solidity, vigour, and faithfulness are combined. The two Sermons on the "Development of the Christian Character" possess many excellen cies, and will well repay perusal. The lessons inculcated are especially applicable to the state of the church of Christ at the present time; when the world invites indulgence in its follies by so many and powerful charms, and tempts to a cowardly concealment of attachment to Christ. They who are under the influence of this temptation may yet save themselves, by prayerfully ponder ing the truths here offered for their modern scepticism. In this conconsideration. The Student's English Dictionary, Etymological, Pronouncing, and Explanatory. By John Ogilvie, LL D. 8ro., pp. 814. London: Blackie and Son.-This Dictionary is designed to meet a want which "has been long and seriously felt both by teachers and pupils in our colleges and advanced schools." Dictionaries, of all sizes and prices, abound more and more; and the student who cannot afford to possess himself of all, must be perplexed to decide between so many rival claims upon his attention. The present volume is a careful condensation of larger works issued by the same publisher, and is just the Dictionary to put into the hands of the young composer. The etymological part of the work exhibits much painstaking, and its usefulness is increased by the insertion of some hundreds of woodcuts in the text. The Book of Prophecy: comprising a Proof of the Plenary Inspiration of Holy Scripture; a Classified Arrangement of Prophecies already Fulfilled, or in course of Fulfilment; and Prophecy as "the Testimony of Jesus," considered in its Relation to the Faith of the Church and the Progress of Scepticism. By George Smith, LL.D. London: Longmans and Co. 1865.—This is precisely such a volume as might have been expected from the author of "Sacred Annals: "-massive in structure, vigorous in style, sound in argument, scholarly in execution, and thoroughly devout in spirit. We have seldom seen the self-evidencing power of the Bible exhibited with greater clearness, or applied with greater success, than in this last and well-timed contribution from the of Dr. Smith. fruitful pen VOL. XI.-FIFTH SERIES. clusion we fully concur. The revolt against the supernaturalwhether Divine knowledge, as manifested in prophecy; or Divine power, as manifested in miracles-is one of the prevalent conceits of this materialistic age. Whoever should rescue the doctrine of Inspiration from certain violent constructions of its abettors on the one hand, and from the shameless misrepresentations of its assailants on the other, would do a service to Christian literature, which is still felt to be lacking. Dr. Smith has struck out some bold and suggestive lines of thought, which we should like to see in a more extended and elaborate form. We have little doubt that the essence of the whole question is contained in the weighty sentence with which the section on "The Nature and Character of Inspiration" closes :-"The Book, the entire Book, is inspired, and is as much the word of God as though He Himself had written it with His own hand on tables of stone, without human instrumentality." Prophecy and Inspiration are linked together by essential and inseparable ties. If Prophecy can be substantiated by indisputable facts, the demonstration of Inspiration is as complete as can be expected. Dr. Smith's critical and thorough acquaintance with the Bible, and his wide and diligent researches in ancient and modern history, give him advantages, which comparatively few possess, for prosecuting such a demonstration. In the unfolding of his subject, the nature, degrees, and uses of Prophecy are clearly defined and amply illustrated the Prophecies of Scripture are ranged under a classification which, for minuteness and comprehensiveness, surpasses anything we have seen, and is at once complete and exhaustive: and manifold and cumulative proofs of the Fulfilment of Prophecy are gleaned 3 U from ancient and modern history, the plans of Providence, and the with a cautious discrimination, which challenges our confidence; and with an amount of sacred erudition, which commands our surprise. Even those who are most familiar with the pages of Bishop Newton, Mede, Keith, Elliott, and others, will find it refreshing and edifying to have old views revived, and new ones suggested, under the guidance of Dr. Smith. The evangelical lessons which may be drawn from prophecy are among the concluding, and, we may add, the most valuable, sections of the book. Prophecy is "considered as 'The testimony of Jesus,' with regard to its influence on the faith of the Church and the progress of scepticism." The author, reviewing the wide field which he has traversed, says, "The great object of these prophecies is the promised Messiah; His character, mission, work, and kingdom. These prophecies gradually unfold the plan and purpose of God in the redemption of mankind by our Lord Jesus Christ, and exhibit a network of Divine interposition, overlying all individual and national history; and, notwithstanding endless ramifications, dominantly working out the Divine purpose, overruling every obstacle, and completing the Divine plan in the establishment and perpetuation of the Christian Church. If this cumulative evidence does not prove that the Bible contains real prophecies, and that these have been certainly fulfilled, nothing can do So. We are bold to aver that if men, after a careful perusal of these prophecies, and the proof of their fulfilment, will deny this fact, it is not because there is any deficiency of rational evidence, but because of the determined prejudice which they bring to the consideration of the subject, and which hinders them from apprehending the truth." It is profitable to study the purposes of God, vicissitudes of nations, by the aid of prophecy, in order to see how everything of old was hastening" the fulness of the time," and preparing "the way of the Lord," and how everything in our day is contributing to extend and complete His mediatorial reign. Christ, prophecy is a tantalizing and bewildering riddle; connected with Him, it is "as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Apart from Thoughts on Preaching; being Contributions to Homiletics. By James W. Alexander, D.D. Edinburgh: Ogle and Co.-"Thoughts on Preaching" by such a preacher as the late Dr. J. W. Alexander will necessarily attract attention. He was one of the most thoughtful and eloquent preachers in New York; and the book before us gives us some insight into the secret of his unquestionable greatness and wide-spread success. His love for the Bible amounted to an absolute passion; he literally meditated in it "night and day." The fragmentary character of these Thoughts enhances rather than diminishes their value: it is impossible to refer to any page without finding something. to quicken the intellect and improve the heart. If young ministers would learn what can be done in the pulpit by solid scholarship and godly earnestness, without any questionable tricks of oratory, they should procure without delay, and study with prayerful diligence, these Thoughts. |
