omitted from the premises. The reader is requested to bear in mind that neither the existence of God, nor the truth of Revelation, is assumed in the argument. Mosaism and all the various forms of heathenism are therefore discussed as arising wholly out of the religious instincts of man, as the product of his physical structure, having no relation whatever to an original revelation, or knowledge of God acquired in any other way than through the oxidation of the cerebrum. This fundamental assumption, or non-assumption, renders the argument, as an argument, futile. To use a common illustration-It is like the play of Hamlet, with that personage omitted.

Thus all forms of heathenism are treated as attempts toward positive religion, rather than as wanderings from a higher type. Idolatry becomes "an outward expression of a belief in a personal God," and "piety toward plants and animals," and we learn that "to Fetishism humanity owes immense obligations." At the same time, the leading and the leaning of the argument to the position, that the physical structure of man cries out, as it were, for the coordinating and controlling forces of Christianity to its perfect development, gives a certain value to the discussion. In the words of the author:

"The history of religious experiments is exceedingly instructive, for it shows us, first, what are the religious instincts of humanity; and, secondly, failure, through imperfect coördination of these instincts. A review of the religions of the world will show us of what nature that religion must be which alone will satisfy humanity-a religion in which those inherent tendencies of the mind and soul which produced Fetishism, Anthropomorphism, Polytheism, Monotheism, Spiritualism, Idealism, Positivism, will find their coördinate expression; a religion in which all the sacred systems of humanity may meet, as in a Field of the Cloth of Gold, to adorn it with their piety, their mysticism, their mythology, their subtlety of thought, their splendor of ceremonial, their adaptability to progress, their elasticity of organization—and meeting may exhaust their own resources— "By this to sicken their estates, that never

They shall abound as formerly.'

"HENRY VIII., Aor. I., S. I."

This direction of the argument leads us to look with interest to the second volume in which the author will endeavor "to show how that Christianity, by its fundamental postulate-the Incarnation-assumes to meet all the religious instincts of humanity; how it actually does meet them; and how failure is due to counteracting political or social causes."

In the meantime, we can commend this volume, Part I., to the

warm regard of those philosophers who, by the application of a thermometer to the back of their heads, are convinced that thought is a mode of heat. They may be able to get up some little mechanical contrivance which, applied by our missionaries directly to the cerebellums of the heathen, may produce an instantaneous modification of the religious sentiment. Henceforth let the Church of the Future endeavor "to direct the spontaneous life-force to the development and oxidation of the cerebric and sensory tissue."

GLOAG'S COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES *. -The author of this commentary is the minister of a parish in the neighborhood of Glasgow, who has given his attention to exegetical studies in no inconsiderable degree. He refers to his pastoral duties as occupying so much of his time as to hinder somewhat his prosecution of his work. But he claims-what those who examine the volumes will find abundant evidence to prove-that he has gone over the ground with great care, and has investigated thoroughly the works of the leading authorities in the German language and in our own. His commentary is mainly exegetical. Extending over nine hundred pages, it is very full and complete, and at the same time is free from the faults which are often found in books of this character, where the writer allows himself such free scope. It displays scholarly tastes and attainments as well as candor and freedom from prejudice in the author; and, altogether, it will prove an addition to the helps which the student may desire for the study of this most important portion of the New Testament. The commentary is preceded by an Introduction, consisting of eight different sections, in which such questions as the Authorship, the Language and Text, the Chronology of the book are considered. Several of the more interesting topics of discussion connected with the different parts of the book are also examined as they are suggested by the text, and the author seems nowhere to shrink from any investigation to which he is legitimately called. We notice that he places the date of Paul's conversion in the year 37, and that of the Apostolic Council and the visit of Paul to Jerusalem, which is alluded to in the second chapter of Galatians, in

* A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. By PATON J. GLOAG, D. D., Minister of Blantyre. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1870Two vols. 8vo., pp. 439 and 456. New York: Scribner, Welford & Co. Price, $10.50.

the year 51. He thus adopts the view which separates these events by only fourteen years, referring all the measures of time in the first two chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians to the conversion of the Apostle as their starting point. This is a question which can, perhaps, never be satisfactorily settled; and yet, the more we investigate it, the more are we persuaded that the other view is the more reasonable one. The evidence in regard to the time of Paul's conversion, also, seems to us to favor some other date than the one here given-either placing it, as we think, in the year 35, and seventeen years before the Apostolic Council, or, if that be not admitted, carrying it to as late a point as the year 38. Dr. Gloag regards the Gift of Tongues, on the day of Pentecost, as having been a miraculous gift of speaking foreign languages, though, in the Corinthian church, he admits that it may have been of a somewhat different character. In respect to the relationship of James, who is called the Lord's brother, to Jesus, he presents the different views which have been held, but leaves the point without coming to any decision. The number of topics of this and other classes which are treated of in the volume is quite considerable, but they are made subordinate to the author's main design, which, as he is careful to remind his readers, is to prepare a purely exegetical work. The difficulties which have been suggested by Baur and others in connection with the Acts are, also, considered wherever in the progress of the work they arise, and the examination of all these questions is such as to show that the author is familiar with them. If these discussions are not extended enough to satisfy the student altogether, they at least call his attention to the subjects discussed, and, at the same time, point him to the best works in which they are more thoroughly investigated. The author has certainly exhibited a devotion to biblical scholarship which is creditable to him and worthy of imitation. His book will receive commendation, we think, from those who examine it, and will be regarded as a useful work. It is published by Messrs. T. & T. Clark, of Edinburgh, and so far as its general appearance, type and paper are concerned, it is all that could be desired. In respect, however, to the price at which it is offered, we wish it might be lower. The publishing house through which it is introduced to the American public, is that of Messrs. Scribner, Welford, & Co., of New York.

HENDERSON'S COMMENTARY ON EZEKIEL.*-This volume of Dr. Henderson's commentaries was the last one which he published previous to his death. It is prepared upon the same plan, and in accordance with the same principles of interpretation, which have characterized the other volumes already introduced into this country. It is, however, breifer in its annotations and less elabo rate than those on Isaiah and the Minor Prophets, a peculiarity which has been accounted for by the fact that it was prepared so late in the author's life. We think it is too brief for its highest usefulness. Dr. Henderson was a man of learning and of laborious and patient research. But the opinion has been already expressed in the NEW ENGLANDER, that his method of interpretation is a wrong one-making the events of history the measure and test of the prophet's meaning. We cannot, therefore, regard his works as of equal value with the best German commentaries on the prophet's writings. They have, however, met with a favorable reception both in England and America, and, to those who have used with satisfaction the former volumes, we think the present one may be commended.

SORROW.-This subject has been often chosen for a single poem or sketch or essay, but seldom before for a whole volume. One wonders that it should have been thus adopted, as if its aspect were itself alluring, or as if being once entered upon it held the writer as by a spell. The title itself is enough to repel most readers. We were not surprised when a critic in a prominent journal -who, however, we suspect, had not looked much beyond the table of contents,-judged it not worth while to draw so much more attention to sorrow itself than to its mitigation. But the name of the author should lead one to look beyond first impressions, since his earlier work engaged the attention of many thoughtful readers. And in fact, though singularly enough his chief subject here is sorrow rather than consolation, his clear, calm treatment, with the aid of touching examples and not infre quent quotations, gives it unexpected attractions, appealing health

* The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, Translated from the original Hebrew. With a Commentary, Critical, Philological and Exegetical. By E. HENDERSON, D.D. Author of Commentaries on the Book of the Minor Prophets, Jeremiah and Lam entations, Isaiah, etc. Andover: Warren F Draper. 1870. 8vo., pp. 228.

+ Sorrow. By JOHN REID, author of "Voices of the Soul answered in God." New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870. 12mo., pp. 373.

fully to our knowledge of human life and our sympathies, and keeping clear of the morbid fancy or the narrow sentimentalism that lie in wait for most writers on such subjects. The work is a series of brief essays on the kinds, causes, and effects of sorrow. Among the subordinate topics giving titles to the chapters, are "the sorrow of great minds," "sorrow at home," sorrow as affected by "loneliness," that which is connected with "love between the sexes," "the sorrow of children," "the Bible and sorrow," that which is for "the dead," "the man of sorrows," that which is "pleasing," that which is "beautiful," its "bearing on the higher themes of existence," and "sorrow because of the shadows that fall upon us from the other life." The last four are on the sorrow of parents in the loss of "infant children," the "mystery of sorrow," 99 66 sorrow alleviated and destroyed," and "God and heaven as thoughts of power to the sorrowful." It will be seen at once that these topics of consolation have Lot so large a place in the book as the reader would expect or think desirable, and yet he is not pained or wearied, as he might have feared, with the delineations of grief that fill so many more of the chapters. Sombre as is the theme, it is relieved by delicate distinctions and many beautiful thoughts. We know nothing of the author's history, and we confess some curiosity to learn how he should have been led to so large an utterance in this plaintive monotone, but he seems to have

an eye

That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality."

A mind so reflective and observant will invest any subject that it handles with a charm. While commending the style in general, we must take exception to something of formality in the transitions from one subordinate point to another, partly in the italicising of certain words as if to mark distinct heads of thought, giving a sermonizing air that might be better dispensed with. But this is of the less account, since the more desirable qualities of good sermons appear throughout the work in the devout temper and the earnest faith of a Christian minister.

HE THAT OVERCOMETH.*—Mr. Boardman's former work, "The Higher Christian Life," made him favorably known several years

*He that Overcometh; or a conquering Gospel. By W. E. BOARDMAN, author of "The Higher Christian Life." Boston: Henry Hoyt, 9 Cornhill. 12mo., pp. 303.