Here we close our examination of this high work, on the whole, so creditable to the author's learning, piety, and doctrinal insight. It is because of our sense of its great excellence, and probable influence, and because it generally takes so high ground in behalf of thorough orthodoxy, that we have felt constrained to indicate what we deem its chief error. This error, indeed, pertains rather to the circumference than the centre of Christian doctrine. It is embraced by the author all the more earnestly, because he regards it as a powerful means of holding fast that centre-of keeping true to what is so fundamental in the Christian system as the doctrine of Original Sin, and its correlates, Divine Redemption and Regeneration. We reject it, as untrue in itself, and as fraught with contrary tendencies. Notwithstanding this drawback, the work is, as a whole, among the strongest promoters of high-toned orthodoxy, which has been of late given to the public. In its grand exhibition of standard scriptural and historical theology, it will shed great light upon some boastful but narrow provincial schemes that vainly aspire to supplant that theology.

SHORT NOTICES.

A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life; with a complete Bibliography of the subject. By William Rounseville Alger. Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 628 Chestnut street. 1864. Pp. 913.

This is a most elaborate work. It undertakes to present the views of all nations, ancient and modern, and of all creeds, concerning the state of the soul in a future world. The barbaric notions of uncivilized tribes, the Druidic, Scandinavian, Etruscan, Egyptian, Brahmanic and Buddhist, the Persian, Hebrew, Rabbinical, Greek, Roman and Mohammedan, doctrines are all passed in review. Then come up for consideration the teachings of the New Testament on this subject, and a protracted history of the doctrine in different ages of the church, with dissertations or additional discussions on future punishment, methods of salvation, recognition of friends in a future life, &c. This meagre statement of the contents of this volume show that it is without a rival for comprehensiveness of plan, and for laborious research in its execution. Mr. Alger's own doctrinal stand-point appears very far below that occupied by the great body of evangelical Christians, and his work is to be taken as a repository, and not as an authority. The most remarkable feature of this volume is the Index, prepared by Mr. Ezra Abbot, on the "Literature of the Doctrine of a Future State." This Index contains a classified catalogue of more than four thousand works, with the names of the authors, the time when they lived, and the editions of their writings. This catalogue alone would be well worth the price charged for the volume.

The Life and Times of John Huss; or, The Bohemian Reformation of the Fifteenth Century. By E. H. Gillett. In two volumes. Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 59 Washington Square. New York: Sheldon & Co. Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 1863. Pp. 632, and 651. The Reformers before the Reformation; the men who comparatively alone, and without the support of princes and people, protested against the corruptions of the church, in doctrine, discipline, and morals, whose reward was the stake, have not had that place in history to which they are entitled. There is a debt of gratitude to them which remains unpaid. Mr. Gillett

has done a good work in devoting so much talent and labour to one interesting field of historical research, with the view of diffusing a knowledge of one of the most remarkable men, and one of the most important movements in ecclesiastical history. There have been to our view few more valuable contributions to our religious literature than these two volumes during the present century. The author of this work takes rank with Sparks, Bancroft, Irving, Prescott, Hopkins, and others, who have done so much to exalt the reputation of our country in the world of letters by their historical productions. The work is printed in the elegant style for which the Boston publishers are distinguished.

Geographical Studies. By the late Professor Carl Ritter, of Berlin. Translated from the original German, by William Leonhard Gage. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. New York: Sheldon & Co. Cincinnati : George S. Blanchard. 1863. Pp. 356.

This volume contains a sketch of Ritter's life, an account of his geographical labours, and a series of his essays on important subjects connected with the science of comparative geography. Ritter stood for years the acknowledged head of this department. To this his long and honoured life was almost exclusively devoted. To the students of philosophical geography, who desire to ascertain the laws which have determined the conformation of the earth's surface, this volume will be peculiarly welcome. This is a department of knowledge which our own Professor Guyot is doing so much to render familiar to the American public; and in which the labours of the lamented Dr. Robinson, so far as relates to the geography of the Holy Land, secured for him a reputation second to that of no living author.

George Morton and his Sister. By Catherine M. Trowbridge. Philadel phia: William S. & Alfred Martien, 606 Chestnut street. 1864. Pp. 258.

This is the history of a neglected street wanderer, redeemed and elevated by well-directed efforts of Sunday-School teachers and friends. It is written in a lively and interesting style, and bids fair to take a high place in the class of works to which it belongs.

Family Sermons. By Horatius Bonar, D. D., Kelso. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, No. 530 Broadway. 1863. Pp. 464.

These are short sermons, fifty-two in number, designed to illustrate the glorious gospel in some of its manifold aspects, by one of the most popular living writers of Scotland.

The Witness Papers. The Headship of Christ, and the Rights of the Christian People, a Collection of Essays, Historical and Descriptive Sketches, and Personal Portraitures, with the author's celebrated Letter to Lord Brougham. By Hugh Miller. Edited, with a Preface, by Peter Bayne, A. M. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. New York: Sheldon & Co. Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 1863. Pp. 502. ·

The Edinburgh Witness was for many years under the editorial management of Hugh Miller. Those accustomed to peruse the weekly issues of that paper, probably derived a higher idea of the varied attainments and of the mental power of the editor, than that produced by even his most celebrated works. Theology, ecclesiastical law, finance, general literature, physical science, seemed equally familiar to him. On all these topics he wrote with a simplicity, clearness, power, and beauty, which was a constant source of amazement and admiration to his numerous readers. We are glad that some of his remarkable contributions to the Witness have been collected in this volume. For ourselves, however, we can say that we have sometimes been as much impressed by the power of the man, as exhibited in an article of some .four or five lines, as in his more elaborate productions. Hugh Miller belonged to the highest class of men, and everything he wrote is worthy of preser

vation.

"I Will," being the determinations of the Man of God, as found in some of the "I wills" of the Psalms. By the Rev. Philip Bennett Power, M. A., Incumbent of Christ Church, Worthing; author of the "I wills” of Christ. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1863. Pp. 404.

Fourteen thousand copies of this devotional book has been sold in England, which is sufficient evidence of its power. It is a fruitful topic. "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people." "I will lay me down in peace." "I will fear no evil" "I will not trust in my bow." "I will call upon the Lord." "I will trust in thee.' "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever." The reader may see from this selection of mottoes, how rich a field of instruction and consolation is opened in this volume.

The Desert Pathway. By the Rev. William Robertson, of Hamilton, Scotland. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1863. Pp. 404.

"This book," says its author, "pretends to nought but a few simple thoughts written down in an interval of retirement, during which it has pleased God to withdraw the writer into a path of silence and trial." Books written under such circumstances are apt to be genuine productions of the heart, and reach the hearts of those similarly tried.

The Jewish Tabernacle and its Turniture in their Typical Teachings. By the Rev. Richard Newton, D. D., Rector of the Church of the Epiphany. Philadelphia. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1864. Pp. 393. This is a very attractive volume, as well on account of its subject, as the method in which the author's plan is carried out, and the appropriate beauty of its illustrations. The main idea of the book is, that "the tabernacle was designed of God, not only to foreshadow the gospel before it came, but also to illustrate it after it had come.' For this typical character not only of the old economy in general, but of the ordering of the tabernacle and its service, we have the divine authority of the apostle in his epistle to the Hebrews. It is, therefore, important that this source of instruction should not be neglected, due care being taken that we do not substitute our own fancies for divine intimations.

Claude, the Colporteur. By the author of "Mary Powell." New York: Carter & Brothers. 1864. Pp. 316.

The scene of this interesting volume is laid in Switzerland, and brings into view the peasant life of that country.

The Risen Redeemer. The Gospel History from the Resurrection to the day of Pentecost. By F. W. Krummacher, D. D. Translated from the German, by John T. Betts. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 530 Broadway. 1863. Pp. 298.

Dr. Krummacher tells us that the object of this work is not merely devotional, but also apologetic. It is not only an exposition for spiritual edification of a portion of the evangelical history, but an answer to the objections of recent sceptical writers. It was published in Germany under the title of "The Easter Manual," and forms, with the writer's two preceding works on the Advent, and Passion of Christ, a trilogy for these ecclesiastical epochs.

Able to Save; or Encouragements to Patient Waiting. By the author of "The Pathway of Promise." New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1864. Pp. 280.

This is another book written under the pressure of affliction, by a devout spirit, and designed to administer comfort to the

weary.

Memoir of the Rev. Erskine J. Hawes, Pastor of the Congregational church, Plymouth, Connecticut. By his Mother. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 530 Broadway. 1863. Pp. 275.

"A mother's love, perhaps a mother's partiality, has prepared, and now gives to the public, this memoir of a beloved These touching words open every heart to receive this

son.