The Foreign Evangelical Review. No. 1. Contents. 1. The Conservative Principle in our Literature. 2. Inspiration and Catholicism. 3. German Church History. 4. The Spirit of the Old Testament. 5. Theories of the Church. 6. Was Solomon the Author of the Ecclesiastes? 7. The ing danger. The evils which he points out are the mechanical and utilitarian spirit of the times-the fact that the age is eminently, in some of its leading minds, an age of passion-the lawlessness, unhappily too rife through large Theory of the Intellect and that of the districts of the territory, and in various THIS being the first number of a new quarterly, on a plan which differs from that of any of its predecessors, it will doubtless be agreeable to many of our readers to receive some notice of its existence and characteristics. classes of its inhabitants-a false liberalism-a rising spirit of superstition-and Feelings. 8. Unity of the Human Races. Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter. London: Robert Theobald. 8vo. pp. 232. the influence of a demoralized and demoralizing press. The remedy he shows is not to be found in legislation, or in education, or in philosophy, or in general knowledge; it is the Cross of Christ-"Let us not shrink to say it, The Cross of Christ is the only Conservative Principle of our Literature." Taking up the evils which he had enumerated, one by one, he illustrates the adaptation of faith in the crucified Redeemer to check them, and establish what is better in the place of each. The Christian, he observes, looking higher than the mere statesman, relies for his country's freedom, as well as for the purity of his country's faith, on the cross of Christ. Addressing his hearers with much earnestness, he then urges them to view habitually this cross in its two chief aspects, as revealing the way of the sinner's justification, and as showing the process of the believer's sanctification; in their coming ministry to make the cross their theme, and to let it be their pattern. Articles reprinted from the principal religious periodicals of America will constitute the staple of the work, into which will be introduced, however, some selections from critical productions of France and Germany. The range of subjects discussed in the Review is to be wide and comprehensive," embracing all the various departments of literature contained within or bordering upon the territory of scriptural truth; a principle of management which, it is hoped, will secure for the work the interest of a larger circle of readers than periodicals of the kind are usually found to attract." The first number, we are told, is to be regarded as a specimen. The article with which it opens is from the pen of a popular minister of our own denomination, Dr. W. R. Williams, pastor of one of the churches in New York. It contains an address which he delivered to the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution. His design was to dwell upon some of the evils that endanger American literature, and to bring before his hearers the remedy which as scholars, patriots, and Christians, they were bound to apply, and to which they must look as their preservative against the approach The second article is on "Professor Schérer's aberration from the ancient faith of the church on the subject of inspiration, and his consequent retirement from the Faculty of the New Theological School of Geneva." The reviewer takes occasion especially to refute the strange assertion of the professor that one of the elements of that Catholicism which was insensibly developed in the ancient church, was "The formation of the New Testament, that is to say the introduction of that idea of inspiration which constitutes for Solomon." Thirdly, certain coincidences are traceable between the style of Ecclesiastes and that of the book of Proverbs. The writer observes that arguments similar to those employed against the antiquity of Ecclesiastes have been employed also to prove a late origin for several other books of the Old Testament, and expresses his persuasion that the more thoroughly these arguments are examined, the less weight they will be found to have. the sacred collection and its dignity." | past times, then it is easily answered. He shows, on the contrary, the con- One and all of the older writers declare sciousness of the corrupt but dominant church, that with an inspired and open bible before the people, her reign could not last an hour. "Her first act was to overlay the pages of the scriptures with her traditions; her next, to claim for those traditions a co-ordinate rank and equal authority; her next, to arrogate to herself the sole and infallible interpretation of them; as soon as she could or dared, she forbade the reading of them by the people in their own tongue; she made them as scarce as possible even among the clergy - the libraries of her monasteries scarcely contained a copy of them. Catholicism hunted from the world the very book which she pretended to acknowledge as inspired and from God." The article entitled "Was Solomon the Author of Ecclesiastes," though comparatively short, is valuable. The late Professor Stuart, in his recently published commentary on this book, assigns three reasons for his opinion that Solomon did not write it, but that it was the production of some inspired man belonging to a later age. The first is derived from the occurrence of certain expressions which do not seem natural in the mouth or from the pen of Solomon; the second is that a state of the nation is implied different from that existing in his time; and the third refers to the style and diction of the book. Of these three arguments the reviewer disposes effectually, and then gives reasons which would lead to an opposite conclusion. First, we have the claim set up by the work itself. Secondly, we have uniform ancient tradition; which Professor Stuart himself admits, saying, "If this question be referred to the decision of Without proceeding further in our examination, we are ready to certify that this new periodical is likely to contain much that will interest an important portion of the British public. We cannot profess to be admirers of that style of writing which is generally regarded by our American neighbours as the finest; it approximates too much. to what in England we call verbosc, inflated, and ambitious. Nor should we consign ourselves implicitly to American guidance in matters of faith and practice, or desire to see the universal adoption of the manner in which our transatlantic brethren often deal with those who deviate from their standards of orthodoxy. Yet we welcome this publication. We find in it indications of varied learning and good sense, combined with strong attachment to the chief peculiarities of revealed religion. It is evidently intended to counteract the influence of some importations of baneful tendency; and, as it contains much seasonable truth, we cannot hesitate to recommend the series of which it is the commencement to the reading and thinking portion of the community. VOL. XV.-FOURTH SERIES. 2 S BRIEF NOTICES. New Translation, Exposition, and Chronological the The A few days only have elapsed since this work issued from the press, and it is but a portion of it that we have had opportunity to peruse; but we cannot allow a month to pass without mentioning it to our ministering brethren. Glad should we be to know that every one of them would be in possession of a copy before the publication of our next number. We have seen nothing of the kind so intrinsically valuable since the appearance of Fairbairn on Ezekiel; and an exposition of Ezekiel, however good, must yield in utility to one composed in the same spirit on the book of Psalms. author, who is a natural descendent of Abraham, is evidently a master of the Hebrew language, and he writes under the influence of a truly Pauline attachment to him whom he now recognizes as Messiah the Prince. "Inasmuch as it has pleased Divine goodness," he says, at the close of the performance, "to open eyes of the author of this book and shew him the Saviour of his soul in the Old Testament Scriptures (before he saw the New) in which his forefathers as he himself gloried, and as the book of Psalms, along with the prophecies of Isaiah, was that living stream that poured refreshing waters of conviction into his soul that the Messiah must have come already, and that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Saviour, the Son of God, of whom the Psalmist and Isaiah spake, the reader will perceive how great must be his joy when seeing that the Lord has enabled him to begin and finish a work on the sweet and inspired songs of Zion." By so doing he has indeed done much to glorify the Redeemer and edify the church. His translation renders coherent and perspicuous many passages that have been thought disjointed and obscure. His notes are learned and judicious. He has studied carefully the history of David in connexion with the Psalms, and assigned to them a relationship to the events of the history which does much to illustrate their meaning, while the principles of interpretation on which he proceeds appear to us to be generally sound. No reader who can afford it will do justice to himself if he does not purchase this volume. The Seventh Chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans, with an Exposition and Observations. By GEORGE LAWRENCE. London: Nisbet and Co. 8vo. pp. 25. This tract may be safely recommended to any one who is anxious to ascertain the meaning of that remarkable portion of scripture to which it refers-a portion which has been abused by many persons, and even misunderstood by eminent theologians. The writer proves clearly that the design of the chapter is to exhibit "the embarrassment and despair of one who finds his utmost endeavours after perfection by the law to be abortive, being daily convicted by it as under its curse, and is totally unable to find rest unto his labouring soul, until he comes to God through Jesus Christ our Lord." The commencement of the following chapter has long seemed to us to render this interpretation undeniable. The Families of Holy Scripture. By CHARLES LAROM. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 16mo. pp. 246. Though Mr. Larom has been more than thirty years the respected pastor of a baptist church at Sheffield, he has not hitherto, we believe, made himself known to the denomination as an author. It would have been well for some others if, like him, they had taken time to mature their minds and collect stores of thought before they set the printing press in motion. He has now selected a subject of great practical importance, and one for the illustration of which his long-continued opportunities for observation had prepared him. How greatly it would conduce to the happiness of society if all families were well regulated; if each individual knew his place and kept it; if all co-operated together for the welfare of the whole! How rich are the historical portions of scripture in examples both for avoidance and for imitation! Mr. Larom brings before his readers the families of Adam, of Noah, of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, of Eli, of David; in all of which there are varieties of sin and consequent distress presented to view; but, on the other hand, he exhibits to their admiration the families of Zacharias, of Lazarus, and of the Philippian jailor; with other specimens of domestic life of a more mixed character. Cordial attachment to evangelical truth, and desire to write what would be useful, are perceptible in every part of the book. Female Scripture Biography; preceded by an 99 66 We well remember a hope and a fear expressed by certain reviewers at the first appearance of this work, about thirty-five years ago. In the Baptist Magazine, after descanting on the production of the young author at greater length than was usual in those days, the reviewer expressed his hope:-"We hope all our readers who are able to purchase the work will do it without delay; and that those young females who regard the improvement of the mind more than the decoration of the body, and RECENT PUBLICATIONS Approved. [It should be understood that insertion in this list is not a mere announcement: it expresses approbation of the works enumerated,-not of course extending to every particular, but an approbation of their general character and tendency.] Funeral Services for the Rev. Thomas Lewis, Minister of Union Chapel, Islington; consisting of the Funeral Oration, by the Rev. J. WATSON, Theological Tutor of Hackney College; "A Good Minister of Jesus Christ," a Sermon by the Rev. J. LEIFCHILD, D.D.; and "The Ministry of the Dead," a Sermon by the Rev. HENRY ALLON. Published at the request of the Church. London: J. Snow. 8vo. pp. 75. who yet think they cannot afford it, will re- A Lecture on the Historic Evidence of the Au- These are subjects with which every wellinformed person ought to have some acquaintance, and at the same time subjects the successful treatment of which requires the hand of a master. We rejoice, therefore, to find a manual for popular use compiled by a man so competent as Dr. Tregelles is to give instruction relating to them even to the learned. The information contained in this volume ought to be accessible to persons of every class, and here is, in a small compass, everything on these subjects which a man engaged in secular business will require. After some general remarks on the process of proof, the author treats of the New Testament as a collective volume, of Paul's Epistles, of the Four Gospels, of the General Epistles, of the Apocalypse, of the results of evidence, of evidence from the channels of transmission, of the claims of Rome, of the transmission of the New Testament to us, of Rome as a keeper of Holy Writ, of Rome as a witness of Holy Writ, and of the uses of such investigation. The University of London a Parliamentary Constituency. By CHARLES JAMES FOSTER, M.A., LL.D., Professor of Jurisprudence at University College, London. Published for the Committee of the Graduates of the University. 8vo. pp. 31. Price Is. Much information not otherwise easily attainable respecting the examinations in the London University, its affiliated institutions, the number and average age of candidates, for the several degrees, and the number of graduates, may be found in this pamphlet. Tower Church Sermons. Discourses preached in the Tower Church, Belvedere, Erith, Kent. By the Rev. A. MONOD, Paris; the Rev. Dr. KRUMMACHER, Berlin; and the Rev. T. BINNEY, London. Edited by T. BINNEY. London: Jackson and Wal Pulpit Outlines. One Hundred and Twenty Sketches of Sermons preached to Evangelical Congregations. With an Essay on Effective Preaching. By PROFESSOR SHEPARD. London: J. C. Bishop. 16mo. pp. 251. The Christian in Business: or Brief Memorials of Miss Mary Bridge. Second Thousand. London : John Snow. 12mo., pp. 124. Sudden Destruction: a Discourse delivered at Islington Chapel, on Sunday, January 11, 1852, on the Loss of the Amazon, with a description of that Morning of the first Sunday of the New Year. By noble Vessel, and her terrible destruction on the the Rev. B. S. HOLLIS. London: Partridge and Oakey. 16mo., pp. 42. The "Amazon." A Sermon preached by the Rev. WILLIAM BLOOD (one of the survivors), in the Church of St. Andrew, Plymouth, January 18, 1852. London: Aylott and Jones. 8co. pp. 26. The Sabbath School, the Demand of the Age. A Discourse delivered to the Sabbath School Teachers of the City of Edinburgh, 1852. By the Rev. JONATHAN WATSON. Edinburgh: Adam and C. Black. 12mo., pp. 32. sary? By ROBERT BREWER. Leeds: John Heaton. Repentance, What is it? and for whom NecesLondon: B. L. Green. 32mo., pp. 30. Tenth Annual Pastoral Address, for 1852. By G. WYARD, Minister of Soho Chapel, Oxford Street. London. Pp. 12. Price 10. The Pictorial Family Bible according to the Au- 22 and 23. By J. New Medical Dictionary for the People; the Dictionary of Domestic Medicine and Household Surgery. By SPENCEB THOMSON, M.D., L.R.C.S. Edinburgh. Part I. London: Groombridge and Sons. 8vo. pp. 48. The Eclectic Review for May, 1852. Contents:I. History of Maynooth College. II. Davidson's Introduction to the New Testament. III. Memoirs IV. Representative men. V. Voyage of the Rattlesnake. VI. Literature and Romance of Northern Europe. VII. Life of Lord Jeffrey. Review of the Month, Literary Intelligence, of the Whig Party. &c. London: Ward and Co. INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. THE NEW POPULATION. The Home Mission Record of our American brethren contains the following important observations: "To reach the great masses of European peasantry, or the gentry, who worship the Host and the Virgin, has been, till lately, almost impossible. And even now, the word of the Lord cannot have free course in any papal state on the continent. Colporteurs and itinerant preachers are doing something in a quiet, small, secret way; but the people are not addressed-the multitudes cannot be reached there. "Of nearly every nation God is winnowing out, as through a large and coarse sieve, the choicest families, and, perhaps, the most impressive and available, and scattering them all over our country, especially in the mighty valleys of the West. They come to us, not only from Ireland, but from France, and Hungary, and Italy, and all the States of the German confederacy. They come to our shores, as flies the dust of a summer's threshing-floor. Their arrivals are reported at a thousand a day. Already we have nearly five millions of Germans in this country, one and a half million of Irish, more than three thousand French people, and almost half a million from other nations. Of all these, probably, five millions are more or less controlled by papal priests, and have no correct knowledge of the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ; or say in their hearts, if not in so many words, "There is no God." "This class of immigrants bring with them their ignorance, their superstitions, their prejudices, and their vices. They are not barbarians, it is true, but they are idolaters, haters of God, and children of wrath. Here, they profane the name of Jesus, desecrate the Lord's day, introduce laxity of morals and corrupting customs, and spread far and wide, the upas miasma of infidelity. If this tide of foreign influence continues to flow in upon us a few years more, and the character of its waters is not changed, like the spring of Jericho, or the well of Marah, 'death and a barren land' will be the only portion of our American Zion, and then no life-giving stream will go forth to bless the multitudes of the Eastern world. "But this is not all. California has already reccived into its promiscuous population, thousands from Pagan Asia, and idolatrous Oceanica. They have brought their gods with them, and are real heathen. Many of them will remain in this country, and become citizens, and all of them will remain long enough to afford us an opportunity to offer them the word of God, and preach to them the gospel. "Now, whether these immigrants from Europe, Asia, or Australia, return to their native country, or become permanent residents among us, their influence upon their fatherland must be very considerable. If they are enlightened and converted, they will be enabled to shake the very pagodas of idolatry, effectually protest against popish errors and superstitions, or meet the scepticism and infidelity of free-thinkers, and licentious, audacious writers. Now, who shall do this foreign work of home missions? Who shall feel responsible for attempting the evangelization of our foreign population? Our Society, and our missionaries, and our churches!" STATE-PAY COVETED. English baptists will learn with astonishment that American baptists are desiring, nay, demanding subsidies from the state for their colleges. The New York Recorder has an article on the subject, of which the following is a portion : "The Tribune of Saturday contained an article designed to prevent the passing of a bill giving aid to certain colleges the present year. It is understood that a bill has been agreed upon in the committee which has charge of the subject, which the friends of the various colleges applying for aid are ready to support. This bill, if we are rightly informed, provides for an appropriation in aid of Rochester and Madison universities, and also to the new methodist college at Lima, in Genesee county. There are some one hundred thousand members of baptist churches in this State, and at least five times that number who are identified with baptist principles and interests. All these persons are more or less interested in one or the other of the colleges at Rochester and Hamilton. The methodist church members in the state are alike interested in the success of their new institution, and in the passage of the bill. The bill then may be considered as demanded by the whole baptist and methodist body in the state of New |