view of three recent Dutch works on that subject. The first of these works is by Professor Molb of Amsterdam, who is xar x, the master of Dutch Church History. It treats of the history of the middle ages. The second is by Professor Hoekstra of Amsterdam, and treats of the Reformation period. The third is by Dr Sepp of Leyden, and presents the development of the theological and ecclesiastical movements of the past century. The article thus furnishes a condensed view of the Church History of the Netherlands.

The second article is from the pen of Dr Herzog of Erlangen, and presents an interesting account of the sad history of the family of Jean Calas of Toulouse, and of the conduct of Voltaire in connection with it. One of Calas' sons, in a fit of melancholy, committed suicide. The rumour was industriously circulated among the Roman Catholics that the father had murdered his son, to prevent his avowing himself a convert to Romanism. The suicide was canonised as a martyr. The fanaticism of the Catholics demanded that the father should be put to death. The French Parliament decreed that he should be broken upon the wheel. The remaining sons of the unhappy Calas were compelled to renounce the Protestant faith, and the daughters were placed in a monastery. Voltaire having been made acquainted with the facts of the case, two years afterwards brought the whole matter under public notice. The case was reinvestigated by the tribunals, and the innocence of Calas was placed in the clearest light. As a compensation for the injury that had been done to the family of Calas, Louis XV. granted them 30,000 livres. The public agitation connected with this trial and its results, contributed in some degree toward the securing for the Protestants of France that legal recognition afterwards guaranteed to them by the edict of Versailles (1787.)

The other articles in this number are, an account of the Persecution of Jeremias Braun of Basil, being a contribution to the history of the persecution of the Protestants in Switzerland; and the History of the Fanatic John Tennhardt, "chancery clerk of the heavenly majesty," who died 1720.

Allgemeiner Literarischer Anzeiger für das Evangelische Deutschland. No. 2. 1867.

This journal supplies a vidimus of all the works from time to time published in Germany. It embraces the whole range of literature, art, and music. We have no work of the same kind published in this country. It is like a descriptive catalogue, conveying, at the same time, a critical estimate of the publications noticed, grouping together those that treat of the same, or of kindred subjects, and then presenting an outline of the course of thought developed.

For example, in the number before us there is presented, first, "a critical survey of the pamphlets that have recently appeared on the subject of the confession, and the government of the church in the provinces newly acquired by Prussia." The question has been very keenly debated among theologians and politicians, whether the union of the Lutheran and the Reformed, which prevails elsewhere in Prussia, should be extended to the provinces acquired by the recent

war.

Then there follow (1.) A Review of the most recent Literature

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on the subject of Geology; and (2.) A Review of Illustrated Periodicals. From this we quote the following statements :-" From 1853 to 1867 there were published over an hundred separate illustrated periodicals, exclusive of those designed for children, and those which belong to the department of art." (3.) A Review of Works on Music. It contains also an extensive array of extracts from the critical notices of books found in other periodicals, together with a general review of the principal German works that have appeared during the first six months of 1867.

Such a journal as this is highly useful to all who seek to acquaint themselves with what is doing in the great book markets of Germany.

Geschichte der Amerikanischen Urreligionen. Von Dr J. G. Müller, 0. Professor in Basel. Basel Schweighauserische Verlagsbuchhandlung. London and Edinburgh: Williams & Norgate. 1867. Zweite Unveränderte Auflage. 8vo. 706s.

This work presents a history of the religious systems of the different tribes of American Indians. It consists of two parts. The first treats of the religion of the savage tribes; and the second, of that of the tribes which may be regarded as more or less civilised.

In the first part there is an account (1.) of the religion of the North-American Redskins; (2.) of that of the inhabitants of the Great Antilles; (3.) of that of the Caribbees; and (4.) of that of the eastern South Americans.

In part second we find an account of the religious history of (1.) the Peruvians; (2.) the inhabitants of the northern part of South America, north of Quito and the Amazon, called "terra firma ;" (3.) the Mexicans.

Dr Müller has with the greatest industry examined all the sources of information, and brought together, in a most readable, and deeply interesting form, a great amount of historical information. This work is intended to be a handbook on the whole subject of which it treats, and it admirably fulfils its purpose. It is enriched with a complete index.

Geschichte der Biblischen Literatur und des Judisch-hellenistischen Schriftthums. Historisch und Kritisch behandelt von Dr Julius Fürst, Prof. an der Universität zu Leipzig.

Erster Band. 1867. London and Edinburgh: Williams & Norgate.

Dr Fürst is well known as the distinguished author of a Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament, which has recently been translated into English by Dr Samuel Davidson. He is a worthy successor to Dr Gesenius as a leading Hebrew scholar in Germany.

In the preface to the work before us the author says, "The knowledge of the literature of any nation, especially of that which contributes to the education and spiritual elevation of the people, ought not to be the subject of inquiry only to the learned classes. The instruction in the sciences, and the popularising of an acquaintance with medicine, astronomy, and with the science of languages now enjoyed by the people is proof of this. The national literature of the ancient

Israelites, as well as that of the New Testament writings, which are usually called "the Biblical literature," ought the less to form an exception, inasmuch as, from their peculiar historical development, and the religious and ethical import of their contents, they have become the literature of the world, the possession of the nations. The people have the right to demand an exposition of a literature which contains for them their religious and moral magna charta, and which is most intimately connected with their education and culture. The exposition of a literature which belongs to a remote and obscure antiquity, can only be satisfactorily conducted by an unprejudiced historical investigation, uninfluenced by dogmatic and religious prepossessions. The theologians and the clergy have often condemned a popularising of the history of Biblical literature. The divines, who regard themselves as the appointed mediators and interpreters, have, during the war of blind faith with rational sceptical criticism, kept the people out of the temple of Bible knowledge, rather have turned them away from the Bible. It seemed to me a pressing necessity of the times,-in which, more than ever, investigation is made into the foundations of the law, and the springs of historical, moral, and religious knowledge,-to search into the ancient national literature of the Israelites, and of the New Testament, the chief springs of our whole civilisation, and to offer the results of my historical research as a present to the people." Such is the spirit and aim of Dr Fürst's book, which is to consist of two volumes, the first of which we have now before us. It consists of 490 pp. 8vo. It comprehends a review of the Pentateuch and the Book of Joshua, and the period of history embraced by them. The author's views of inspiration, which regulate his method of dealing with the different questions that successively arise, are essentially defective. For this reason, there is much we would decidedly object to, in the tone and form of some of his disquisitions. At the same time, one feels, on reading the different sections, that the author has a profound acquaintance with all that appertains to the literature of the subject. For example, it will be difficult to find a more interesting and ably written specimen of historical criticism than is presented in the introduction to the work, whether we can agree with all the conclusions arrived at or not. It treats of questions of an ethnographic character-the language of the ancient Israelites, and the origin of their national literature. A work on the plan of Fürst's, conducted in the reverent spirit of one who holds to Scripture as in all its parts, historical and doctrinal, a record formed by men who wrote "as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," is yet a desideratum. This of Dr Fürst's is largely imbued with the rationalising spirit yet unhappily so common in Germany.

Zum Evangelium des Paulus und des Petrus. Altes und neues von Carl Holsten, Dr phil. Lehrer am Gymnasium zu Rostock. Rostock: Stillerische Hofbuchlandlung. London and Edinburgh: Williams and Norgate. 1868. 8vo. 446 s.

The author dedicates his work to Ferdinand Christian Baur, "the departed, but not dead" (dem gestorbenen aber nicht toten), as he describes him. The book consists of four essays, some portions of which have been already published (1855-1861). The first essay is on

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Paul's vision of Christ (1 Cor. xv. 8), and the genesis of Paul's gospel. The second, discusses Peter's vision of the Messiah. The third, unfolds the contents and course of thought developed in the Epistle to the Galatians; and the fourth is an elaborate dissertation on the meaning of the word rág in the epistles of Paul. The writer displays a great deal of ingenuity, and a vast amount of critical ability, but unhappily the reasoning is throughout vitiated by the rationalism of the author. The book is interesting, as exhibiting the nature of the speculations indulged in by the school to which he belongs; but it is not likely, we think, to be of very much service one way or another.

Der Kampf der Lutherischen Kirche um Luther's Lehre vom Abendmahl im Reformationszeitalter. Von D. H. Schmid, O. Professor der Theologie in Erlangen, Leipzig. London and Edinburgh: Williams & Norgate. 1868. 8vo. 372 s.

This is a work of very great importance. In a very lucid and comprehensive manner it presents a history of the doctrinal controversy on the subject of the Lord's Supper, which was agitated in the Lutheran Church during the time of the Reformation, viewed in connection with the whole doctrinal developments of that age.

The book is divided into two parts. In the first part there is, 1. A minute and circumstantial account of the controversy to the time of the Wittenberg Concordium (1536)-(1.) Luther and Bucer; (2.) Luther and the Swiss. 2. A discussion of the question, "Has Luther's doctrine of the Supper found its expression in the Confessions of the Lutheran Church?" 3. A discussion of the question, "Has the confessional position of the Lutheran Church been changed by the alteration Melancthon made in the Augustana (The Augsburg Confession)?"

In the second part we have, first, a history of the Interim, the Augsburg and Leipzig. There is then (1.) A lengthened history of the controversy in Westphalia. (2.) The Bremen controversy. (3.) The controversy in the Palatinate. (4.) The appearance of the Würtemberg theologians in the strife. (5.) The drama in Saxony. (6.) The efforts of the princes to establish peace in the Church.

Such a work as this, so complete in its details, and so well arranged, as well as so calm and impartial in its tone, is worthy of a permanent place in our theological literature.

X.-AMERICAN LITERATURE.

Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. By Rev. JOHN M'CLINTOCK, D.D., and JAMES STRONG, S.T.D. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1867. Vol. 1, A.B.

This is a goodly volume of about 950 double-column pages, large 8vo. It is the first of a series of six volumes, of which the work, when completed, will consist. In point of typography and general appearance it leaves nothing to be desired. It is copiously illustrated.

The work, of which we have here the first instalment, will occupy a place in Theological Literature peculiarly its own. We have nothing like it in this country, in the comprehensive completeness of its design. Hertzog's massive Real-encyclopädie für Protestantische Theologie und Kirche, is the only work in Germany which comes anything near it.

In BIBLICAL LITERATURE this cyclopædia will be as complete as any of these admirable works recently published in our own country, "Smith's Dictionary of the Bible," "Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature," or "Fairbairn's Imperial Bible Dictionary," all of which are avowedly made free use of by the editors. So far as this first volume is concerned, we frankly confess that we place the American work by no means behind these we have mentioned. Its articles are as ably written. They are at once scientific and practical, and breathe throughout an evangelical, reverent spirit. Its wider scope enables its accomplished editors to treat even some Biblical topics in a much more comprehensive manner than is done in any of the above named British works. For example, under the word Atonement, this volume presents a very full and elaborate view, in about eight pages, of the whole doctrine in its Biblical and historical aspects, with a very complete vidimus of the literature of the subject, English and Foreign as well as American. The article is written in a fair and candid spirit. The young theologian will obtain as much information from a careful reading of it as he would acquire from the perusal of many volumes. It maps out the whole region covered by the doctrine, and enables the student to follow out farther research with ease and accuracy. Indeed, we are surprised at the vast amount of information, and so well arranged, which the editors have contrived to condense into this one article.

In the department of THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE, there will be found a comprehensive account of the Doctrines of Christianity in general, with their history; of the Creeds of the various churches, and the peculiar Tenets of each ecclesiastical body; of the Heresies that have at various times appeared, and of the Controversies that have been agitated.

The department of CHURCH HISTORY will contain a series of articles on the rise, progress, and present condition of the various divisions of the Christian church; on the history of Christianity in each important country, together with an account of the various sees, dioceses, and local subdivisions of each branch of the church, of the councils that have been held at different times, the monastic orders, and the ecclesiastical statistics of every church and country.

The articles in the department of RELIGIOUS BIOGRAPHY will present a complete and detailed account of every person of eminence that has appeared, both in ancient and modern times, in the history of the church. In a word, in this work the student will find classified under general titles, and all under one alphabet, all the items of SACRED TECHNOLOGY. The first volume amply fulfils the promise of the editors. If the work is carried on to its completion in the same masterly and thorough style in which it has been begun, it will prove one of the most valuable treasuries within reach of the theological student.