304 Review of Books. Heroes of the Bible; or Sketches of Scripture Characters. By W. S. EDWARDS. London: Snow. In the preface, the author informs us that his chief object in the publication of this volume has been "to interest the young, to attract them to the study of the Best of Books, and to present for their own imitation the first models of human excellence." Those, however, who take up this work with the expectation of finding it adapted to this purpose only, will discover their mistake before they get through the first chapter. While the style and contents are, we think, admirably calculated to win youthful attention, yet the book is equally fitted to interest and instruct persons of maturer years. There is a vivacity of manner and richness of illustration which will attract the former, while there is a golden vein of experimental and practical piety running through the entire course of lectures that will ensure the suffrages of the latter. As specimens of popular pulpit ministrations, we know of nothing more excellent, nothing more adapted to enchain the attention of a promiscuous audience, and obtain for the sublime doctrines of Christianity an entrance into the recesses of the conscience and heart. It may, however, admit of a question, whether, in a published form, these lectures would have lost any thing of intrinsic excellence or attractiveness, if there had been somewhat less of that adorned diction for which they are conspicuous. They smell too much of the lamp. If we mistake not, this is the maiden publication of Mr. Edwards, and we would, therefore, with sincere admiration of his abilities, and of this volume, (of which it is a proof) suggest, that in the matter just referred to, a little application of the pruning knife would be advisable With this small exception, our critical decision would place Mr. Edwards in no mean position among popular religious writers. May he be long spared to preach and print many equally interesting and useful volumes. Thoughts on the Land of the Morning; a Record of Two Visits to Palestine. By H. B. WHITAKER CHURTON, M. A. London: Hatchard. This volume is, for the most part, a transcript of the journals kept by the author, during his temporary residence in the East, at two separate periods of time. For the purposes of publication, we think that a recasting of his materials would have made the work more acceptable to the general reader. There is an exceeding awkwardness in placing the record of his first visit after that of his second, as Mr. Churton has done; which would have been avoided, had the plan we have suggested been the one adopted. The work too would have lost none of its interest, if the original verses, which are somewhat plentifully strewed throughout its pages, had been altogether omitted. We much prefer Mr. Churton's prose to his poetry; and would seriously advise him to strike out the latter, if his work should reach a second edition. In the subject of the volume, embracing in its details both Egypt and Palestine, it is impossible for the Christian not to feel an interest. There is a charm about the Land of the Morning which makes us welcome any additional intelligence concerning its physical or moral features, however bald and meagre the information may be. Mr. Churton's book is too sententious in these particulars. He carefully avoids the error into which some travellers fall, of saying too much about a place, but does not always escape the opposite one, of saying too little. We should have preferred more expansion. We could very well have borne the loss of reading the sermon preached at Jerusalem, which is given at full length, excellent as it is, if the space had been occupied with a more minute description of the city than he has presented to us; and should have been better pleased if all the ingenious arithmetic of the sixteenth chapter had been expended on some other subject relative to the "Land of the Morning." We are sorry to speak in this depreciating style of the book, because the author is a man of undoubted piety, and withal, and for this we must love him, a warm and ardent friend of the Jews, and deeply interested in all matters that pertain to their evangelization and national return to their own land. So far as the artistic character of the book is concerned, it is all that could be desired. The engravings are exceedingly well executed. Biblical Topography: Lectures on the Position and Character of the Places mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. With Maps and Illustrations. By the Rev. SAML. RANSOM, Classical and Hebrew Tutor in Hackney Theological Seminary. Second Edition. London: Ward. Let no one imagine that this volume is a dry detail of names and places; a mere biblical gazetteer, informing the reader of the latitude and longitude of certain localities, their distance from each other, and the number of inhabitants in the cities and countries referred to. We have been agreeably surprised, in looking over its pages, at the great interest which the author has thrown around the subject he discusses, and which, in other hands, might have been made a very weariness. Mr. Ransom has spared no pains to make his book worthy of the Christian reader's attention. The works of ancient and modern writers have been laid under contribution to furnish instruction on topics which, to the biblical student, must ever be of importance and value. Layard and Botta, whose researches amid the ruins of Nineveh have created so much interest; Dr. Robinson and Lieutenant Lynch, have enabled Mr. Ransom to enrich the second edition of his work with fresh and valuable matter. The maps are very neatly engraved, and a copious index adds to the utility of the volume. Very cordially do we commend it to our readers, as worthy of a permanent place in a Christian's library. The Domestic Prayer Book; a Course of Morning and Evening Prayers for Five Weeks; with Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings. By the Rev. GEORGE SMITH, Poplar. Second Edition. London: Ward. To those whose necessities render it imperative to use a form of prayer in the family, we can cheerfully commend this volume. There is a rich vein of scriptural language running through the prayers, and a constant and devout recognition of the great doctrinal truths which must ever be kept in mind in all our approaches to God. The prayers for special occasions are exceedingly appropriate. Wesley the Worthy and Wesley the Catholic. By Dr. DOBBIN. London: Ward. We find from the preface that Dr. Dobbin is the author of the first article in this volume; the second is the production of a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Both bear marks of the distinctive mental peculiarities of their respective authors, but both agree in their estimate of the worth and catholic spirit of the subject of their papers. A more remarkable man than John Wesley the world has never seen out of the circle of inspired souls. We believe him to have been as much raised up and prepared by God for his work as Luther was for the gigantic undertaking which he accomplished; and therefore receive with interest a volume that proposes to discuss the moral character and religious catho licity of the founder of Methodism. The points of view from which these are contemplated by the writers of this book are we think favourable to the eliciting of a correct estimate thereof; Dr. Dobbin being a Congregationalist, and so not likely to be biased unduly by denominational sympathies with Wesley; and Mr. Adams, his collaborateur, belonging to a different section of Methodists from those that exist in this country. We shall be glad if our sincere approval of the temper and tone of this book lead our readers to obtain it for themselves. It is eminently worthy of attentive perusal. Atheistic Controversy. Report of a Public Discussion between the Rev. Henry Townley and George J. Holyoake. Edited by H. Townley, and a preface by Dr. James Bennett. London: Ward. No one will doubt with which of the two champions in this controversy our sympathies and convictions ally themselves. Profound pity, not contemptuous disregard, we feel for all who, like Mr. Holyoake, assume the utterly untenable position of an antagonist, not merely against inspired truth, but even against the idea of a personal and intelligent God; and can only pray that the convincing and irrefragable arguments of the worthy minister of Christ who voluntarily became a "Defender of the Faith" may have their due weight with both the friends and foes of inspiration and of God. If any of our readers have the sorrowful misfortune to number among their acquaintances or families any who are smitten with the fearful curse of scepticism, we would earnestly direct them to this publication, as being likely, with the Divine blessing, to heal the dangerous wound. The Natural History of the Year, for Children. Ward. London: The writer of this little book is a living friend of children, and eagerly desirous of testifying his sympathy with opening minds, by consecrating the fruit of no small amount of reading and thought to their service. Every month of the year is shewn to have its appropriate attendants, both in the vegetable and animal kingdoms; and the wisdom of the divine arrangements relative to them is distinctly pointed out. The tendency of the book is to make children observant of what is passing around them, and lead them, by easy gradations, to recognise and adore the divine goodness which scatters blessings in such rich profusion over the "wide wide world" in which we live. We almost envy the little ones of this gene ration the valuable advantages they enjoy in having prepared for their instruction and amusement, by intelligent and observant persons, works like this, the perusal of which must be conducive to the welfare, temporal and eternal, of those who wisely avail themselves of their privileges. Intelligence. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS. FOREIGN OPERATIONS.-STUTTGARD.* MR. Jaffe has recently left this city, where for three months he sought to lead his brethren according to the flesh to the knowledge of Jesus. The deadening influence of popery is in this place, as in ten thousand others, sadly felt; and our brother in many instances had to mourn over its mischievous effects. Still he says I am led humbly to hope that to one Jewish family named Hthe word preached has not been without good results. To that family I had free access from the time I came here, until now, and it was pleasing to see with what interest and delight they listened to me when I expounded the prophecies that are pointing to their conversion and restoration; and not unfrequently, when depicting to them the present very low and woful state of their nation, could be seen a tear rolling down the pallid countenance of Mrs. H. Mr. H., though he entertains very high and exalted views of the Saviour, and regards him as the greatest reformer that has ever lived, yet unhappily has had his mind deeply steeped in the poison of rationalism. When I first came to know him, he argued in the same reckless manner against the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, as most of his brethren do. But I trust that I have succeeded in silencing many of his objections, in rectifying many of his perverse notions, and leading him to reflect with seriousness and solemnity on the great and solemn truths of the Bible. I gave him at different times various suitable tracts, which both he, and Mrs. H. seem to have read with deep attention, and I trust not without profit. O that it may be said of this family, as was said to a family of old, "This day is salvation come to this house." The Rabbi and teacher, whom I mentioned in my former journal, has since resigned his office, both at the synagogue and school, alleging that he could no longer with his enlightened views of Christianity, conscientiously and consistently officiate at either place, and would at once have publicly renounced the whole, were it not that his family is still opposed to this step. He has, however, applied to government here for another place, as teacher, where he may be placed under the superintendence of a Christian minister, and have This station is to be occupied by the Rev. P. C. Gottheil, Mr. Jaffé will (D. V.) carry on the Mission in Bavaria, |