IX.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. By Emanuel V. Gerhart, D.D,, LL.D., Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at Lancaster, Pa. With an Introduction by Philip Schaff, D.D., LL.D., New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 51 East 10th Street, near Broadway. 1891. Price, $3.00.

The publication of this work is an event in the Reformed Church. During the last half century the Reformed Church has been developing a theology consonant with the spirit and genius of her life and confession. In order to justify its separate existence as a denomination, it was felt that this Church should be able to present a phase of Christian truth peculiarly its own. Having one of the oldest of the Reformation Confessions, and the most œcumenical of them all, the effort has been to produce a theology commensurate with the spirit of this Confession. The work of developing this theology began under the earlier professors in her Theological Seminary, Drs. Rauch, Nevin and Schaff, and was carried forward on the foundation then laid by their successors. The leading principle adopted was that brought out by the leading German theologians since the time of Schleiermacher, the principle that makes the living person of Christ the centre and norm, as well as the source of Christianity. Christianity is essentially and fundamentally, not merely doctrine, nor law, but life. It is founded on truth, but if we ask what truth is, Christ Himself furnishes the answer, I am the Truth. Truth, therefore, is personal. Dr. Patton defines truth as the agreement of the statement with the objective fact. But this definition makes truth a mere abstraction. Truth is objective, it is an objective reality, it is living. When, therefore, the author of this work takes the Christological principle as central and normative in theology, he takes the truest and best course in developing his system. This principle is coming more and more to rule in our later theology, and its adoption will work for the unification of all evangelical churches. While the author finds the ultimate source of revealed truth in the living person of Christ, he nevertheless makes room for the inspired Scriptures, the written word, as the only infallible rule of faith and practice. He also gives Christian consciousness its proper place in the development of truth in the Church. Thus the two Protestant principles, the Word of God and

Justification by Faith, find their union in the person written word is the utterance of the Incarnate Word sciousness of the truth comes from the glorified Chris written word by the operation of the Holy Spirit.

Our notice of this work is necessarily brief. In a g leading principles are so well known in our Reformed for the readers of this REVIEW, a lengthy notice is sary, but in the theological world in this country and Church, it presents a new standpoint. It will be wel fore, we think, as a new and vigorous contribution t science. And in this view its publication comes at time. Views of theology, of Scripture, of Confessions, ing changes. The age seems to be ripe for an advanc in the theological world. May not the Christologic adopted in this work aid in solving some of the new p are agitating the Churches?

To do this work proper justice would require an a present purpose is merely to express our great satisfac contents, and to commend it to the reading public, not own, but also in other churches.

THE PSALMS. A new Translation with Introductory Essay an John DeWitt, D.D., LL.D., L H.D., Senior Biblical Professor in cal Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., and a Member of the O Revision Company. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co. $2.00.

We can unhesitatingly commend this volume to our re work of unusual merit. The new translation of the Psalm presents, is a most admirable one on account of its faith the original, and its superior metrical qualities. It adds n for the English reader to the praise songs of Israel and so their attractiveness and power. The introductory essay i ble one, and the notes which preface and explain the psalms, though brief, are all very scholarly and instructi book ought to find a place in the library of every Christian THE PEOPLE'S BIBLE: Discourses upon Holy Scripture. By Josep D.D., Minister of the City Temple, Holborn Viaduct, London; "Ecce Deus," "The Paraclete," etc., etc. Vol. XIV. Ecclesia Song of Solomon-Isaiah, xxvi. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, P 18 and 20 Astor Place. 1891. Price $1.50.

These discourses are possessed of the same brilliant quali characterize those of the preceding volumes of the series. T not critical dissertations, but practical expositions of the im truths of that portion of Scripture to which they relate. Th not be read without profit, and will be sure to promote thought and holy living." Those of our readers who have t lier volumes of the work will of course desire this volume also

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THE GENERAL EPISTLES OF ST. JAMES AND ST. JUDE. By the Rev. Alfred Plummer, M.A., D.D., Master of University College, Durham; formerly Fellow and Senior Tutor of Trinity College, Oxford. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son. Price, $1.50.

This volume belongs to the series known as "The Expositor's Bible," and is a work of decided merit. It it divided into thirty-eight chapters. Of these the first is introductory, and treats of the Catholic Epistles. Of the remaining thirty-seven chapters, twenty-eight are devoted to the Epistle of St. James, and nine to that of St. Jude. Besides the contents of the Epistles, their authenticity, authorship and relations to other Scriptures and Apocryphal writings are ably discussed. Dr. Plummer is disposed to believe that St. James and St. Jude were real brothers of our blessed Lord. The exposition of both Epistles is scholarly and instructive. The volume will be found a truly valuable addition to the series of which it forms a part.

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS. By R. F. Horton, M.A., Hampstead; late Fellow of New College, Oxford. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 51 East 10th Street, near Broadway. 1891. Price, $1.50.

This volume belongs to the same series as the one just noticed. In it the teachings of the Book of Proverbs are considered. First in a brief introductory section the general character of this portion of God's Word is described. Then in thirty-one expository lectures, or practical sermons, the author treats the book as a uniform composition, following chapter by chapter the order which its compiler adopted, and bringing the scattered sentences together under subjects which are suggested by certain more striking points in the successive chapters. In this way he has succeeded in reviewing the greater part of the contents of the book. The subjects accordingly discussed, it is scarcely necessary to say, are all of the highest importance. Their treatment throughout, we would yet add, is highly judicious and edifying.

THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. By the Rev. S H. Kellogg. D.D., Author of "The Jews; or Prediction and Fulfilment," "The Light of Asia and the Light of the World," etc. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 51 East Tenth Street, near Broadway. 1891. Price, $1.50.

This is still another volume of the " Expositor's Bible." Leviticus, the contents of which it aims to expound, is not a very attractive book to the ordinary reader of the Sacred Scriptures. It is a book, however, which is nevertheless worthy of careful study. To the ancient people of Israel it had a special importance, as setting forth the law that was to govern them, and we therefore need to acquaint ourselves with it, if we would at all understand the significance of the history of this wonderful people. Besides this, it has a value for us as presenting, in a singularly vivid manner, the fundamental con

ditions of true religion, and as suggesting the pr should guide human legislators who would rule acc mind of God. Moreover, it is of use to us also as type and figure, prophecies of things yet to come, Messiah's kingdom.

In the introductory chapter of his exposition of th consideration, Dr. Kellogg presents strong reasons fo origin and the inspired authority of its legislation. was the view of Christ, and for himself he says "T without fear with Jesus Christ, in our view of th authority of the book of Leviticus." His exposition of thoroughly evangelical in tone, and, at the same time, esting and instructive. We heartily commend the work that is worth possessing, and that will amply r reading.

MY JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM. Including Travels in England, Sco France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Gr Palestine and Egypt. By Rev. Nathan Hubbell. With 64 New York: Printed by Hunt & Eston, 150 Fifth Avenue. 1890. Rev. Mr. Hubbell made a trip to Jerusalem in 188 Fall Palestine Party, which was organized by him. In now before us he gives an account of his journey, its sigh nifications, with personal impressions and adventures. A tion of the book was written while travelling and appeal form of foreign letters in the Daily Journal and Courd Haven, Conn. Though there is nothing specially new in it is nevertheless quite readable and admirably suited for the family and Sunday-school library. It has all the inte ordinary Sunday school story book, and will prove far mor tive and profitable.

SKETCHES OF JEWISH LIFE IN THE FIRST CENTURY. Nicodemus; or the Days of Our Lord. Gamaliel; or Scenes in the Times of Saint James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., Professor of Exegetical Theology in D logical Seminary. New York: Hunt & Eaton. Cincinnati: C Stowe. 1891. Price, 60 cents.

In the sketches contained in this little volume, Dr. Strong the task of setting in a fresh, but not altogether novel as well-known characters of sacred story, and to weave around i principal features of the first era of Christianity. The firs more especially to our blessed Lord, and the second to St. indicated in their titles. Though we cannot praise very hig artistic qualities of these sketches, we can yet commend them senting important facts and truths in an attractive form. Th is admirably adapted to supply a want of proper reading young, and ought to find a place in every Sunday-school 1

If

young persons generally read more books of this character and less sentimental love stories and foolish adventures it would be a great gain to them.

THE DISEASES OF PERSONALITY. By Th. Ribot, Professor of Comparative and Experimental Psychology at the College of France, and Editor of the "Revue Philosophique." Authorized translation. Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Company. 1891. Price, 75 cents.

In this treatise the diseases of personality are considered with a view of throwing some light on its nature. The book, which is a small volume of 157 pages, is made up principally of four chapters which treat respectively of organic disorders, emotional disorders, the disorders of the intellect, and the dissolution of personality. In an introductory section the object of the treatise is set forth, and in a concluding section, the results attained are presented. "By person," Professor Ribot states, "we generally understand the individual as clearly conscious of itself and acting accordingly." In this he is no doubt correct. But we cannot consent to the conclusion which he reaches, that "consciousness is not an entity, but a sum of states, of which each is a phenomenon of a particular kind, bound up with certain conditions of the activity of the brain, which exists when they exist, is lacking when they are absent, disappears when. they disappear;" and that accordingly" the organism and the brain, as its highest representation, constitute the real personality, containing in itself all that we have been, and the possibilities of all that we shall be," so that "the unity of the ego is not that of the one-entity of spiritualists, which is dispersed into multiple phenomena, but the co-ordination of a certain number of incessantly renascent states, having for their support the vague sense of our bodies." Many interesting facts, however, are brought forward in support of this conclusion.

THE SOUL OF MAN. An Investigation of the Facts of Psychological and Experimental Psychology. By Dr. Paul Carus. With 152 Illustrations and Diagrams. Chicago, Ill.: The Open Court Publishing Company. 1891. Price, $3.00.

What is the nature of the human soul? This is a problem upon the proper solution of which a great deal depends. It lies at the very centre of philosophy and of ethics. With this problem the volume before us has to do. The principal things of which it treats are, the philosophical problem of mind, the rise of organized life, the physiological facts of brain-activity, the immortality of the race and the data of propagation, the investigations of experimental psychology, and the ethical and religious aspects of soul-life. All these subjects Dr. Carus discusses in a very interesting and thorough manner, from the standpoint of positive monism which at present prevails to so great an extent in philosophy and science.