Slike strani
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

than apologetic. Prominence is especially given to their parabolic teaching as "signs" of our Lord's mission. Dr. Taylor very properly regards the miracles as forming themselves a part of the Revelation, which at first they introduced and endorsed, and therefore as illustrations in the department of nature of some features of the Divine operation in the domain of Grace. His treatment of them under this aspect is fresh and stimulating. The book is one which, accordingly, will amply repay a careful reading of its contents by intelligent Christian men and women generally. Ministers also will find it worthy their attention as it is an unusually suggestive and helpful treatment of the subject to which it relates.

THE BOOK OF ISAIAH. By the Rev. George Adam Smith, M.A., Minister of Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen. In two volumes. Vol. II. Isaiah XL.LXVI. With a sketch of the History of Israel from Isaiah to the Exile. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 714 Broadway. 1890. Price, $1.50. This second volume on the Book of Isaiah by Rev. Smith is no less interesting and valuable than the first volume, whose merits have attracted so much attention. The twenty-seven chapters of which it gives an exposition the author accepts as a separate prophecy from a century and a half later than Isaiah himself, in a style and on subjects not altogether the same as his." He has found it necessary, therefore, to pursue a somewhat different method of exposition from that of the previous volume, but the present volume is not on this account any less attractive, as it deals with a series of historical and religious questions of supreme importance, among which are these: What is Israel? What is Israel's God? How is Jehovah different from other gods? How is Israel different from other peoples?

The exposition itself is divided into Four Books. The First Book contains an argument for placing the date of the prophecy about 550 B C., and sketches the history of Israel from Isaiah to the Exile. Book Second discusses the political redemption from Babylon, with the questions attached to it about the nature and character of God, and about Cyrus and Babylon. Book Third relates to the Servant of the Lord and expounds all the passages on that subject. The Fourth Book is devoted to those portions of the prophecy which have reference to the Return and Restoration. A new translation from the original has been provided for nearly the whole prophecy.

The work on every page gives evidence of superior scholarship. Its spirit is devout and reverent; and its style clear and vigorous. It cannot be studied without profit. Though not prepared to endorse all the views of the author, we can nevertheless heartily commend this second volume as well as the first volume of his Exposition of the book of Isaiah to all our readers as highly deserving their attention. Those who would have a clear statement

of the reasons for believing in the existence of a second will, especially, find the present volume of real service to the

THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES. With a new translation. By Samuel Co Author of Commentaries on Job, Ruth, etc. New York: A. C. Arr Price, $1.50.

A

In this volume we have an interesting exposition of an inte portion of the Old Testament Scriptures. The work is ha lectures delivered by the author twenty-five years ago, and pul in 1867 with the title of "The Quest of the Chief Good." first edition was speedily sold out, but owing to peculiar ci stances no second edition was printed, though frequently aske During the past year, however, the work was rewritten and re and now appears as one of the volumes of the excellent series k as "The Expositor's Bible."

The book as now published consists of three parts. Firs have an extended introduction which treats of the author form, design and contents of Ecclesiastes, and gives a brief s of the history of the Captivity, during which, or shortly which, Dr. Cox holds, it was written. Then we have, seco an excellent new translation of the work, which is followed, i third place, by the Exposition which makes up the greater pa the volume. The course pursued in the Exposition is indicate the following passage which we take from Dr. Cox's pre "None of the scholars who have recently commented on the I doubt that it is the quest of the Chief Good which it sets fo and though some of them manage and divide it differe yet, on the whole and in the main, they are agreed that this que urged in Wisdom, in Pleasure, in Devotion to Public Affair Wealth and in the Golden Mean; and that it ends and rests in large noble conclusion that only as men reverence God and 1 His commandments, and trust in His love, do they touch their ideal, and find a good that will satisfy and sustain them under changes even to the last."

Dr. Cox writes in a clear and animated style, and shows him thoroughly acquainted with his subject. His exposition is co quently not only highly interesting, but also highly instructive. the Book of Ecclesiastes, moreover, deals with the very questi which at the present most engage men's minds, and offers a solut of them, this exposition of it deserves the attention of all classe persons. The study of it cannot but prove helpful.

THE SERMON BIBLE. St. Matthew XXII. to St. Mark XVI. New York: A Armstrong & Son, 51 East 10th Street, near Broadway. 1891. Price, $1 This is the Sixth volume of the Sermon Bible, and the sec pertaining to the New Testament, which properly claims more tention than the Old Testament. The sketches of sermons conta

[blocks in formation]

ed in it are highly instructive and very suggestive. No minister can carefully study them without benefit. The references to sermons and theological treatises are also very valuable. With each successive volume of the work we are more and more impressed with its merits and convinced that it is a truly useful and helpful publication.

[ocr errors]

SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS FOR DAILY READING. A Portion of the Bible for every day in the year. Compiled by Rev. Jesse L. Hurlbut, D.D., Author of "Outline Normal Lessons," "Studies in the Four Gospels," Studies in Old Testment History," "A Manual of Biblical Geography," etc. New York: Hunt & Eaton. Cincinnatti: Cranston & Stowe. 1891. Price, $1.50. This work has been prepared for devotional purposes and especially for use at family worship. It is made up of different portions of Scripture of nearly uniform length, fitted for reading in the family, and so chosen as to furnish a reading for every day in the year and to complete the Bible in the same time. The selections throughout give evidence of good judgment, and are admirably adapted to answer the purpose for which they are intended. They are printed, moreover, on good paper, and in large clear type, so that they can be read with ease and pleasure. The proper pronunciation of the names of persons and places occurring in the selections is also indicated. The book is deserving a place in every family and cannot fail to commend itself to all who will give it a trial, as a valuable help in conducting family devotions.

ELIJAH, THE MAN OF GOD. By Mark Guy Pearse. New York: Hunt & Eaton, Cincinnati Cranston & Stowe. 1891. Price, 50 cents.

This is a highly attractive and interesting volume. In a very graphic and instructive manner it portrays in its one hundred and twenty pages the character of Elijah, the Man of God, whose appearance must have been as the lightning-flash, and whose words must have fallen like a thunder-clap upon the astonished Ahab, King of Israel, and his Court. The lessons which his life and labors were intended to teach men are strikingly set forth, and can scarcely fail to impress themselves on the mind and heart of the reader. The book is, in every respect, a most admirable one, and ought to find a place in every Sunday-school library. It is a book that all can read with profit.

79.66

STUDIES IN OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY. By Rev. Jesse L. Hurlbut, D.D, Author of "A Manual of Bible Geography," "Outline Normal Lessons,' Supplemental Lessons for the Sunday-school," and "Studies in the Four Gospels." New York: Hunt & Eaton. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1890. Price, paper, 25 cents; cloth, 40 cents.

The aim of this little book is to present an outline history of God's chosen people, Israel, and to show what was their mission, how they were trained for it, and how the world was prepared to

receive it. The book itself consists of ten studies, to each o are attached a blackboard outline, questions for review, and for special papers. It is designed for private study, and also in the class-room, and is admirably adapted to the purpose fo it is intended. Any person who will thoroughly acquaint with its contents will be well informed in Old Testament histo is a book that should be studied.

THE PEOPLE'S BIBLE: Discourses upon Holy Scripture. By Joseph D.D., Minister of the City Temple, Holborn Viaduct, London. Vo The Proverbs. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, Publishers, 18 and 2 Place. 1891. Price, $1.50.

This latest volume of The People's Bible deals with "Th verbs." The discourses of which it is principally made up a possessed of the striking homiletical characteristics which distin the author and have made him so well known as a pulpit orato theological writer. They sparkle as usual with brilliant ge thought and impressive utterances of Divine truth. Amon, subjects treated, especially noteworthy are the following: Winning," "The Discipline of Knowledge," "Women, Wise Foolish, ""The Scriptural Doctrine of Conscience," "Self-Restra "Mischievous Lips," "Strength of Character," and "Opport and Obligation." At the close of the volume sixteen pages given to the consideration of Pagan Proverbs. The comment these are especially bright and sparkling. Ministers will find book suggestive and full of homiletical material, which, if prop used, will be found very serviceable.

THE

REFORMED QUARTERLY REVIEW

NO. 3.-JULY, 1891.

I.

THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE PROGRES

SIVE.*

BY PROF. J. C. BOWMAN, A.M.

THE regnant principle of modern thought is that which finds expression in the one word, Evolution.

It is claimed for it that, more than all other words, it has served as a revolutionary call to modern thought, and that no system of thought can long sustain itself without adjusting itself to the new doctrine. The rapid progress made by this new mode of thinking within recent years is viewed with grave apprehension by many conservatives who believe that any favorable recognition of the principle of evolution carries with it a tendency to undermine the orthodox faith. But those of us who have been schooled in a system of thought whose distinctive feature is that of the Organic Idea and Organic Unity, have experienced no alarm at the progress of evolution, nor do we

* An address delivered May 12th, 1891, in the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., by Prof. Bowman upon the occasion of his inauguration as Professor of New Testament Exegesis.

« PrejšnjaNaprej »