question as to the origin of these mouldering ruins. The Daguerreotype views and drawings taken on the spot by Mr. Catherwood, will be of permanent value, and we are happy to know that it is proposed to publish them in an enlarged size, at $100 a copy, under the auspices of the N. Y. Historical Society. Should the proposal be carried into effect, it will be an honor both to the Society and the country. In the present volumes, we are introduced into many scenes of interest, portrayed in Mr. Stephens's easy, natural style, and have the details of his visits to forty-four ruined cities. But five of these had ever been visited by white men, and the existence of most of them was unknown to the residents of the capital. "It has been the fortune of the author to step between them and the entire destruction to which they are destined; and it is his hope to snatch from oblivion these perishing, but still gigantic memorials of a mysterious people.' commend the book as one tastefully got up, and especially as a monument of patient, persevering scientific research, which will tell on future generations. We 5.-Essays on the Church of God, by John Mason, D. D. Edited by the Rev. Ebenezer Mason, New-York: Robert Carter. Pittsburg: Thomas Carter. 1843. pp. 258. We read this book in our youth, with pleasure and profit. It bears the stamp of that gigantic mind, which wrought it out, and will fully compensate any one for reading it. Let all young ministers study it well. The style is forcible and lucid, and the arguments powerful. No one can rise from its perusal, without feeling that he has acquired clearer and more scriptural views of the church and its officers. The author treats of the Term Church-Its Organization-The Mode of perpetuating the visible Church-Initiating Seal-Infant Members -Uses-Results-Officers, Ministry, Uses, and Qualifications. On all these topics, the discussion is thorough and strong, and in the peculiar style of Dr. Mason. The chapter on the qualifications of the ministry, is a triumphant vindication of the necessity for high intellectual attainments, on the part of those who would minister, in the fittest manner, at the altar of God. The son could scarcely erect a better monument to the father, than by the republication of these Essays in a separate form, thus rendering them accessible to all at a low price. 6.-Lectures on the Epistle of Paul, the Apostle, to the Romans. By Thomas Chalmers. New-York: Robert Carter. 1843. This work is to be completed in five monthly parts, at 25 cts. each, three of which have been already issued. The name of Chalmers is, in itself, a guaranty that the lectures are no common-place affairs. They were originally delivered to his own people, and published at their request, and we are sure they will be sought after by many in this land, who have read the splendid thoughts and language of many of his sermons already republished here. These lectures are, by no means, critical, but good specimens of expository preaching. 7.-Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature. By John Kitto, assist ed by several scholars and divines. New-York: Mark H. Newman. This Cyclopædia is to be comprised in fifteen parts, of 80 pages each, to be published monthly, and each number to be accompanied by a plate or map. Names of high repute are announced as contributors; and if the first numbers are to be considered fair specimens of the whole, they promise well for the value and utility of the work. It will embody the discov eries and elucidations of the most recent travels and researches, and, in this respect, will be preferable to earlier works in the same department. 8.-A Greek Reader for the use of Schools; containing selections in prose and poetry, with English notes and a Lexicon. By C. C. Felton, A. M., Eliot Professor of Greek Literature in Harvard University. Second edition, revised. Hartford H. Huntington. June, 1842. We take pleasure in commending this work to the instructors of Academies and High Schools, as eminently adapted to the wants and capabilities of pupils in the Greek language. The selections are judiciously made and well arranged. The notes upon each selection are introduced by a brief but discriminating notice of the writer's life, style, and general character. The translations are faithful and full of life, not only furnishing to the student assistance in obscure passages, but also examples of close, accurate and elegant renderings, which are too rarely to be met with in works of this kind. The references are made to the excellent Greek grammar of E. A. Sophocles. The student who carefully examines these references, will not only find them of great use in elucidating the meaning of a given passage, but will obtain a knowledge of his grammar, which will prove invaluable in his future studies. The general appearance of the work is neat and tasteful. We should have preferred a type with a larger face, and yet so distinct is the impression, that the smallness of the letter is no great objection to the book. We wish the work an extensive circulation, which we have little doubt it will obtain. L. 9.-Apostolic Baptism. Facts and Evidences on the Subjects and Mode of Christian Baptism. By C. Taylor, editor of Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible. With thirteen Engravings. New-York: B. H. Bevier. 1844. pp, 228. The publishers have done well to give this volume to the public. We think there is, at least, a sufficient array of "Facts and Evidences" to convince any one that immersion was not, in the ancient church, the only mode of baptism, that it was by no means essential to the rite, indeed, that in itself it was not baptism at all. The engraved representations of various. baptisms, taken from early paintings and sculpture, testify to facts, in a manner not to be controverted. They prove posi tively that, in the day in which they were made, affusion was considered the proper mode of dispensing baptism. We should be glad to see these "Facts and Evidences" of Mr. Taylor, editor of Calmet's Dictionary, as well as some articles in the Repository, by Dr. E. Beecher, receiving due consideration on the part of the scholars amongst our Baptist brethren; for then we should hope soon to see the day, when their peculiar views should no longer deprive us of the privilege of sitting with them at our Saviour's board, nor them of the pleasure of acknowledging us to be fully entitled to all the privileges of Christ's house, equally with themselves. 10.-Popular Exposition of the Gospels, designed for the use of Families, Bible Classes and Sunday Schools. By Rev. This is the second of a series of Expository volumes on the New Testament, by ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, intended principally, no doubt, for the families and schools connected with that branch of Zion. The English language is now so generally spoken and read by the Germans of this country, especially the youthful portion of them, that some such expositions as these were felt to be needed. They are wholly of a practical, popular character, and adapted to be used in Bible classes and Sunday schools. The churches of that denomination will feel more confidence in them, as coming from their own ministers; and we rejoice in the belief that none but evangelical sentiments will find a place in these volumes. 11.-The New Purchase: or Seven and a half Years in the Far West. By Robert Carlton, Esq. 2 Vols. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: G. S. Appleton. 1843. This Sir Robert Carlton, Esq., whoever he may be, is evidently telling us tales of our Far West, which have a considerable smack of reality about them; and the reality often not so very enchanting either to the dramatis personæ. We ourselves have seen somewhat of this far-famed land, yet not in so early a stage of its settlement; but we have admired its broad beautiful prairies, with their profusion of flowers; we have swum some of its deep currents on horseback, and have been caught and lost too in its thickets and on its deceptive steppes. The author of the New Purchase has written us a very amusing book, detailing many of the stirring scenes among the original settlers of different localities in the West. His description of the early mode of crossing the Allegha nies, before the smooth turnpike was constructed, or the railroad passage even thought of, is to the life; and he that would laugh a little over a shaving scene in the west, where 'tis said good old elders keep "brier hooks" of razors to try the temper of their clerical brethren-let him read this same Robert Carlton's description of it in the second volume. The author is, we presume, a lover of true religion and generous piety, yet we think some of the scenes might have been represented as effectively without the use of the precise language of the actors, when it is unbecoming. There is an occasional profane speech, with which we should not wish our children to become familiar by reading. 12.-An Inquiry into the Organization and Government of the Apostolic Church; particularly with reference to the Claims of Episcopacy. By Albert Barnes. Philadelphia: Perkins & Purves. 1843. pp. 251. 1 This is a convenient and excellent manual on the points of controversy between Episcopalians and those who maintain 1 the purity of the ministry. It pays little regard to the fathers, but presents the scriptural argument as fundamental. It would be well for members of the church to be furnished with armor fitted for the conflict which is at hand; and we know of nothing, in the same compass, so satisfactory as this small volume by Mr. Barnes. On the basis of the Scriptures, any one may be prepared to meet an Episcopalian, when he his exclusive claim to ordination; and with the great body of the church it will be of little avail to quote learned passages from the Fathers. Whatever they may have written and done, it is not by authority. The word of God alone is the rule of faith, and the basis of all order in the church. sets up The substance of this "Inquiry" first appeared in the Quarterly Christian Spectator in 1834-5, as a reply to Rev. Dr. H. U. Onderdonk's "Tract," entitled "Episcopacy tested by Scripture." It is now remodelled, however, and appears, not in opposition to Dr. Onderdonk directly, but to the Episcopalians. Somewhat has been added on the subject of "Confirmation," and the whole has been evidently penned in the kindest spirit, and with a sincere desire to arrive at the truth. 13.-The Kingdom of Christ; or Hints respecting the Principles, Constitution and Ordinances of the Catholic Church. By Frederick Denison Maurice, M. A., Chaplain of Guy's Hospital, and Professor of English Literatare and History, in King's College, London. From the second London Edition. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton. 1843. pp. 595. This volume, by Professor Maurice, will doubtless be extensively read. The style is winning, the thoughts are lucidly expressed, and the propositions and arguments such as must attract notice, certainly in England, if not here. Mr. Maurice is full of the idea of a "CHURCH UNIVERSAL, not built upon human inventions or human faith, but upon the very nature of God himself, and upon the union which he has formed with his creatures." Such a church, we think, exists, and embraces in its bosom all, of every name, who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth. The author's desire seems to be to have this truth more universally felt and acted on. So far, we accord with him. But then, we fear, at the same time, that his views of the efficacy of baptism, of the power of absolution in the ministry, etc. etc., will tend to render the church too much a kingdom like those of this world, and not one of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. |