combine in one book a critical examination of the text, an exegesis of it, practical reflections upon it, and the religious doctrines deduced from it by eminent divines. It is a huge undertaking, and has taxed the skill of many fellow-workers. The four translators have added excerpts from other well-known commentaries, and from the works of distinguished theologians, amounting to nearly two hundred pages. The revised version of Dr. Conant adds more than a hundred pages more. So that we have before us a book of eight hundred and sixteen pages as expository of that little Jewish hymn-book which Judea's children sung memoriter, and many a Christian can repeat as readily as the sacred songs of our Hymn-books. All this for five dollars. Cheap enough.

We are not disposed, however, to find fault with the book on account of its size. If Homer and Virgil are worthy of volumes of illustration, and critical defense, surely the Word of God is worthy of the most exhaustive labor. The labor here has been honestly bestowed. Dr. Moll has wrought hard and well. His helpers have spared no pains. The result is a perfect thesaurus on the text, and on the meaning of the text. Difficulties, and there are very many of them, have not been evaded. Objections thrust in by rationalists upon the true import and design of a given psalm have been candidly considered, and in most instances, have been justly removed. The Messianic bearing of the Psalter has not been unduly pressed, while its inevitable connection with revelation as a whole, has been wisely maintained. An undue spiritualizing, so marked in Wordsworth's commentary, and an undue literalizing, so marked in that of Hupfeld, are carefully avoided. What are called "the typical theory," and "the prophetic theory," both requisite for a just exposition of several psalms, and several passages in other psalms, hold their proper place. Indeed, the aim of the work and the spiritual tone of the work, deserve the strongest commendation.

But we must confess, that as a working commentary, it fails to reach our idea. Indeed it is a consulting commentary, rather than a book for the closet or for consecutive reading. It will weary the most studious. It will pall upon the general reader. Instead of presenting his own conclusions from the text tersely and crisply, with a few references to other. expositions, Dr. Moll tires us with his Rabbinic learning, and his "not so" of a multitude of interpreters. It is too busy an age for one to wander through a forest to find the sunshine. Instead of uniting the ethical and doctrinal selections with the text itself, so that one can enjoy the meat with the bones, they are put by themselves, as if too sacred for such a contact. Why not have another department? Say helps to sermonizing, in the form of analyses of each passage!

With these exceptions, however, and we confess that they are grave ones to us, the work is so plethoric with learning, so admirable in spirit, and so suggestive of thought to the patient explorer in this golden mine of revelation, we assure those who use it for consultation, that it will reward their toil. We regret to use the word toil. But we fear that, aside from the occasional use of the book as a book of reference, this, like many other of the Lange series, will prove too toilsome for practical

or constant use. The commentary of the Psalms, that which shall breathe the breath of the sacred poets, and inspire within us their feelings and aspirations, is yet to be written.

Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. By C. F. Kiel, D. D., and F. Delitzsch, D. D. The Book of the Prophet Daniel, by C. F. Kiel. Translated by the Rev. M. G. Easton, A. M. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. 1872. 8vo. pp. 506.

The learned and scholarly author of this commentary regards the book of Daniel as consisting of two parts; the first (chapters ii.-vii.) treating of the world-power and its development in relation to the kingdom of God, the second (chapters viii.-xii.) of the kingdom of God, and its development in relation to the world-power. The first part is written in the Chaldee language; in it Daniel speaks in the third person, and Nebuchadnezzar receives the revelation; in the second part the Hebrew language is employed; the revelation is made to Daniel, who speaks throughout in the first person. Dr. Kiel's Introduction contains, among other valuable matter, a thorough examination of the alleged historical improbabilities and errors of this book, an exposition of the worthlessness of the internal and external arguments against its genuineness, and a confutation of the modern opinion, that it originated in the time of the Maccabees. This last is shown to be irreconcilable with the formal nature, with the actual contents, and with the spirit of the book. While the correctness of Dr. Kiel's interpretation of the prophecies of Daniel will not be admitted by all, his critical skill and thoroughness will be readily acknowledged. He differs with most modern interpreters, as will be seen by the statement we have given of his view of the scope and divisions of the book. The twelve hundred and ninety, and the thirteen. hundred and thirty-five days, he regards not as historical and chronological, but as symbolical, "days" instead of "times," "conveying the idea of a period of moderate duration which is exactly measured out by God." The "end of the days," in the last chapter, means, in his view, not the Messianic time, but the last days, when, after the judgment of the world, the kingdom of glory shall appear. The translation, with the exception of occasional Scotticisms, is well done.

The Life of the Lord Jesus Jesus Christ: a complete critical examination of the Origin, Contents, and Connection of the Gospels. Translated from the German of J. P. LANGE, D. D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Bonn. Edited with additional notes by the REV. MARCUS DODS, A. M. In four volumes. Phila. Smith, English and Company. 1872.

For theological students and ministers this is, in many respects, the best of the large number of works on the Life of Christ, which have appeared during the last quarter of a century. It has the faults which

mark Dr. Lange's productions, but it has, in a very high degree, all his excellences. Sometimes fanciful, sometimes mystical, it is earnest, evangelical, enthusiastic, full of spiritual suggestions, and marked everywhere by affluence of learning and breadth of view. The first English edition was in six volumes, and was sold at a high price; the four volumes of the present edition contain the same matter as the former six, and the price is materially reduced.

The Table of Contents will show the comprehensiveness of the discussion. First Book: The fundamental ideas of the gospel history; the more general records of the life of the Lord Jesus; the historic records of the life of Jesus; criticism of the testimonies to the gospel history; the authenticity of the four gospels; the origin of the four gospels; the relation of the four gospels to the gospel history. Second Book: The historical delineation of the life of Jesus; the historical sphere of Christ's life; the history of the birth and childhood of the Lord Jesus; the announcement and character of Christ's public ministry; the public appearance and enthusiastic reception of Christ; the time of Jesus appearing and disappearing amid the persecutions of his mortal enemies; the final surrender of Christ to the Messianic enthusiasm of his people; the passion, death and burial of Jesus; our Lord's resurrection, or glorification; the eternal glory of Jesus Christ. Third Book: The life of the Lord Jesus unfolded in its fulness, according to the various representations of the four evangelists; Matthew, the representation of the life of Jesus Christ, symbolized by the sacrificial bullock; Mark, the lion; Luke, the man; John, the eagle.

The Moral Teaching of the New Testament viewed as essential to its Historical Truth. By the REV. C. A. ROWE, M. A. London: The Christian Evidence Committee of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. 12 mo. pp. 264.

It has been well said that the great evidence for Christianity can be carried in one's pocket,-that evidence is the New Testament. It is a proof which, unlike the historical, can be presented to all men, everywhere. It requires no extensive acquaintance with history, no critical examination of ancient books, no appeal to the authority of scholars, no weighing the claims of conflicting statements. It addresses itself to the whole man, to his understanding, his reason, his conscience and affections. Instead of diminishing as the years roll on, this argument constantly increases in strength. It assumes but one thing,-the existence of the New Testament.

In this little volume, the author directs attention to one portion. only of this proof, viz., to the moral and spiritual teaching which is contained in the New Testament. He shows that the high moral and spiritual elements of the Scripture are incompatible with the theories of modern unbelief, that no supposition but that of its superhuman origin will satisfy the conditions of the case. This is illustrated and

enforced in several ways; among others by a consideration of the specialities which distinguish the teaching of Christianity from that of the ancient philosophers and moralists, such as its completeness, its allembracing character, its practicalness, its ideal of morality not an abstraction but centred in the person of a living man, the many-sidedness of Christianity, its all-comprehending duty of self-sacrifice, its relation to morality, social duties, etc. The design of the book is better than the execution. The spirit is candid and scholarly, but there are too many side issues which protract and detain the argument. There are also some strangely erroneous views as to the temporary character of a portion of the teachings of the New Testament. The rules of interpretation adopted in chapter thirteen, on the relation of the church to the world, would not only make wild work with the Epistles of Peter and John, but would sweep away all foothold for Christian faith.

Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. Prepared by the REV. JOHN MCCLINTOCK, D. D., and JAMES STRONG, S. T. D. Vol. IV. H. I. J. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1872. 8vo. pp. 1122.

The successive volumes of this great work show the original plan executed with ability and judgment. This Cyclopædia differs from Smith's Bible Dictionary in that its range of topics is much wider, embracing Biblical Literature, Theology, Church History, Religious Biography, and Ecclesiastical Terms and Usages, while Smith's is a Dictionary of the Bible, "intended to elucidate the antiquities, biography, geography, and natural history of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Apocrypha; but not to explain systems of theology, or discuss points of controversial divinity." The editors are Methodists, but do not intend to make the work in any sense denominational, and the contributions are made by sixty-five different writers. We heartily

commend this valuable book of reference to the clerical scholar.

Essentials of New Testament Study, intended as a Companion to the New Testament. By WILLIAM EDENSOR LITTLEWOOD, M. A. Formerly Head Master of Hipperholme Grammar School, Halifax. A. D. F. Randolph and Company: New York. 1872. 12mo. pp. 541.

Without any pretensions to exhaustive discussions, this little volume contains much useful information with regard to the New Testament. After a brief account of the Greek text and of the authorized English version, there is an introduction to each book of the New Testament, followed by tables of chronology, weights and measures, a dictionary of biography and geography, and a list of passages from the Old Testament quoted in the New Testament. The arrangement is natural, the style clear, and except when the denominational views of the author interfere,

the statements are trustworthy, and in accordance with the conclusions. of the best modern scholarship and the latest discoveries of the geography of Palestine. The least valuable part of the work is the dictionary of biography and geography; if that portion had been curtailed, and the space thus gained devoted to the text, the manuscripts, the canon, the older versions, and to some of the more obvious principles of interpretation, the value of the book would have been enhanced.

The Desert of the Exodus:

Journeys on Foot in the Wilderness of the Forty Years' Wanderings. By E. H. PALMER, Professor of Arabic, Cambridge. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1872. 12mo. pp. 470.

A valuable account of the geography and topography, the scenery and inhabitants of the region through which Israel wandered. It is graphically written, and the interest is never allowed to flag. We cordially commend the volume to all those who take an interest in Palestine explorations.

Getting on in the World; or, Hints on Success in Life. By WILLIAM MATTHEWS, LL. D., Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in the University of Chicago. Chicago: S. C. Griggs and Company. 1873. 12mo. pp. 365.

The beautifully printed page on which the eye rests with so much pleasure, is the first thing that attracts the attention on opening this book. In harmony with this tempting appearance, is the graceful style in which Professor Matthews presents his pertinent counsels, illustrating and enforcing them with considerations drawn from an unusually wide acquaintance with literature. One of the best chapters is that on Reserved Power. The whole volume will be read with interest and profit. Systematic Theology. By CHARLES HODGE, D. D. Vol. III. New

York: Scribner, Armstrong and Company. 1873. 8vo. pp. 880. The concluding volume of this noble work has been looked for with a good deal of interest, and will be eagerly welcomed by those who have read its predecessors. It continues from Vol. II the subject of Soteriology, discussing Regeneration, Faith, Justification, Sanctification, The Law, and The Means of Grace. Part IV is devoted to Eschatology, under which is considered The State of the Soul after Death, The Resurrection, The Second Advent, and The Concomitants of the Second Advent. The Means of Grace are the Word of God, the Sacraments, and Prayer. We need not repeat the warm commendation which THE QUARTERLY has given to these volumes.

To the subject of baptism the venerable author gives eighty-four pages, the greater part of which is of course occupied with a consideration of the views of the Baptists. The spirit of the discussion is