of them probably belong to the age of Augustus Caesar, when astrological notions were much in vogue.

The ninth lecture is on the subject of archaeology, including medals, inscriptions, and monuments. Medals, or the science of numismatics, has removed an apparent discrepancy between the narratives in Gen. 33: 19, and Acts 7: 16, relating to the purchase of a field by Jacob. It has cleared up some difficulties in the two books of the Maccabees. Ancient inscriptions have furnished many verbal illustrations of obscure passages of Scripture. For instance, an inscription on Memnon's statue proves that ris Baothixos, John 4: 46, should be rendered courtier, rather than nobleman or ruler. Inscriptions also clearly prove the cruelty of the persecutions practised against the first Christians, and the great number of martyrs. Monuments, or commemorative symbols, are of still greater value. The authority of Moses, for instance, has been often questioned, because he states that there were in Egypt grapes and vineyards, and that, perhaps, wine was used there. Herodotus expressly tells us, that there were no vineyards in Egypt. Plutarch says that the Egyptians abhorred wine. But on the monuments of Egypt, brought to light by the great French expedition, we find minute representations of the vintage in all its parts, from the dressing of the vine to the drawing off of its wine.

The tenth lecture is on critical science and sacred philology. The influence of these studies on the christian evidences is very great. As to its particular application, much may be gained or lost by a word or syllable. See Ps. 22: 16. 1 John 5: 7. 1 Tim. 3: 16. Their most important office is, however, to furnish us the means of deciding how far the text of Scripture, as we now possess it, is free from essential alterations and corruptions. Critical science has not only overthrown every objection drawn from documents already in our possession, but has given us full security against any that may yet be discovered. Serious doubts have been, for instance, expressed in regard to the genuineness of the eleven last verses of Mark, and of Luke 22: 43-45. Critical research has completely placed these two passages on a level with every other part of the New Testament. The author proceeds to remark on the cheering results derived from the studies of Hebrew Grammar, Hermeneutics, etc. Of Hengstenberg's Christology he says: "The doctrine of a suffering Messiah, and of Christ's divinity, as foretold in the Old Testament, are admirably expounded; all that rabbins and fathers,

oriental and classical writers, can contribute, is lucidly and effectively brought together; the objections of adversaries are skilfully solved or removed, and a great felicity and tact is exhibited in unravelling the sense of obscure phraseology.".

In the eleventh lecture, Dr. Wiseman takes up profane oriental studies, under the three heads of illustrations of particular passages of Scripture, the philosophy of Asia, and historical researches. In Gen. 44: 5, 15, mention is made of a cup in which Pharaoh was wont to divine. "Who," exclaims Houbigant, "ever heard of auguries taken by the agency of a cup?" In Norden's Travels, Baram Cashef tells the travellers that he had consulted his cup, and discovered that they were spies, who had come to find out how the land might best be invaded and subdued. By the Egyptian discoveries, the controversy respecting Zoan, and No-Ammon has been cleared up. Such expressions in the New Testament as light and darkness, the flesh and the spirit, the representation of the body as the vessel or the tabernacle of the soul, etc. have been found to belong to the oriental philosophy, and have thus lost the obscurity with which they used to be reproached. Gnosticism has thrown light on some passages in the first chapter of John's gospel. Other interesting illustrations of Scripture are found in the history of the Samaritans, Babylonians, in the philosophy of the Persians, Hindoos, etc. The concluding lecture sums up the results of the preceding eleven. Some remarks are made on the character of the confirmatory evidence obtained through the entire course, arising from the variety of tests to which the truth of religion has been submitted. Confirmation also is derived from the nature of the facts examined, and of the authorities employed. Religion is deeply interested in the progress of every science, notwithstanding the fears of timid Christians, and the hopes of infidels. It is the duty of clergymen, and of private Christians, according to their ability, to apply to the study of the sciences, with a view of meeting all objections.

The preceding sketch will give but a very faint and meagre impression of the extent and value of the discussions and facts embodied in these twelve lectures. We hazard nothing in say ing that the volume is one of the most entertaining, and may be made one of the most useful, which has, for a long time, issued from the American press. It will open to our students a new field of delightful inquiry and meditation. It will tend to in

duce the friends of Christianity to regard with great interest the investigations of science, and to repress in their own bosoms all impatience, timidity, and intolerant feeling, should the first developments of a particular science chance to appear unfriendly to the christian records. Dr. Wiseman deserves the thanks of all lovers of the Bible and of human knowledge, throughout the world. We will only add that the American edition is very neatly and accurately printed, and is furnished at less then half the price of the English. It is accompanied with a fine, colored ethnographic map, three illustrative plates, and other drawings.

ARTICLE XIV.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

1.-The Library of Christian Knowledge. Edited by Rev. Herman Hooker, A. M. Author of the Portion of the Soul. Philadelphia: Marshall & Co.

Ir gives us great pleasure to see such men as Mr. Hooker devoting themselves to religious literature. Christians are by no means yet fully awake to the importance of rightly using the powers of the press. When they are so, they will feel a deeper interest in those who labor in this department, and will put forth vigorous efforts to cheer and aid them. Hitherto few well qualified persons have been willing, or, if willing, have been able to devote themselves to this work that some have of late been enabled to do so, augurs well for the interests of Zion. Mr. Hooker is well qualified for the task he has undertaken, and we rejoice to learn that thus far he has met with good success. He informs us that "it is intended that the Library of Christian Knowledge shall contain, sometimes, an original volume; sometimes the productions of living English authors, but more generally, select treatises of old and very distinguished writers." "Nothing will be selected that is not supposed to possess extraordinary

merit."

Five volumes of the series have appeared during the past year, viz. McLaurin's Essays, Goode's Better Covenant, Russell's Letters in two volumes, and Popular Infidelity. Each volume contains about 300 pages 12mo. The mechanical execution is neat and attractive. We are disposed to place McLaurin among the first of the English

religious Essayists. His writings are distinguished for a profound knowledge of human nature, for clear, practical and enlarged views of Scripture doctrine. The Rev. Dr. Alexander of Princeton speaks of them "as compositions of a very high order of excellence." "They are," says he, " at the same time perspicuous and profound; and furnish clear indications that they are the production of a mind imbued with the pure spirit of Christianity, and thoroughly acquainted with human nature. I know of no writings in which the prejudices against true religion are so ably and accurately considered: the nature of genuine piety is also clearly exhibited, while it is vindicated from the charge of enthusiasm."

The volume contains four essays on Happiness on Christian Piety - Prejudices against the Gospel-and Scripture Doctrine of Grace.

Goode's Better Covenant is a clear, practical exposition of the gospel plan of salvation. Bishop McIlvaine of Ohio in a letter to the editor, speaks of it as one of the very best practical works of the age. Mr. Goode is a living divine of the English episcopal church.

The leading aim of Russell's Letters is "to illustrate the nature and tendency of the gospel." A great variety of topics of the deepest interest and importance are discussed in a very able and impressive manner. We agree with the editor when he says, "those who may peruse it, will not deem the opinion an extravagant one, that it will hereafter rank with the standard volumes on practical religion, which find a place in every Christian library. Dr. Russell is minister of a congregational church in Dundee, Scotland. He is very highly esteemed as a devoted christian minister and able writer.

Popular Infidelity is from the pen of the editor of the Library. His object is to convict of infidelity those who professing to receive the Scriptures, live in entire neglect of religion-to show that if our views of Christianity do not renovate our natures and sway our conduct, they are illusory. Such is his general object, but in pursuing it a great variety of related topics are treated, which renders the volume rich in valuable thought. It is the work of a pious, well disciplined, discriminating mind-an important and permanent addition to our religious literature. We hope Mr. Hooker will continue to be prospered in his important and useful labors.

2.-The Continent in 1835. Sketches of Belgium, Germany, Swit

zerland, Savoy, and France; including historical notices; and statements relative to the existing aspect of the Protestant religion in those countries. By John Hoppus, M. A. professor of Mental Philosophy and Logic in the University of London, 2 vols. 18mo. pp. 327, 329. London: 1836. These sketches are written in an agreeable manner. Prof. Hoppus is an intelligent, liberal-minded and pious man. As, however, VOL. IX. No. 26.

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he passed over the usual routes, and was rather rapid in his movements, he has not added much to our previous stock of knowledge in relation to the continent. We have gleaned a few interesting items.

The university of Ghent, founded in 1816, is a handsome edifice, with a numerous staff of professors and 400 or 500 students. - The splendid cathedral of St. Bavon in Ghent has a pulpit of oak and white marble, which cost £10,000. "When Leopold comes to Ostend, he appears to join devoutly in the Protestant service. The catholic archbishop of Mechlin, however, was employed to baptize the heir apparent to the Belgian crown: this was one of the compromises in a Protestant prince, which may be regarded as a necessary piece of worldly policy."-On the 20th of Nov. 1834, a university was instituted, at Brussels, with the title of L'université Libre de Belgique, which is designed to furnish an education in all the branches that are preparatory to any of the professions. The lectures are now delivered in the town-hall. An appropriate edifice will probably be soon erected. There are five faculties, philosophy and letters, natural and mathematical sciences, law, political and administrative sciences, and medicine. The professors are about 25 in number, besides agrégés, or additional teachers.

"The guide, who conducted some of us on a former visit to Waterloo, said that he made one of about 4000 persons, who were employed for a whole week after the battle, in burying the slain." About 400,000 children are instructed in schools throughout Belgium. Not a few Belgians, within the last five years have been brought to the Protestant faith, at Brussels and other cities,

"We have the authority of Twesten for the fact, that the first replies to the English deists which were translated into German, were wholly inefficient as remedies, and did but aggravate the evil." "Towards the close of the 18th century, the popular philosophy in Germany gave place to the metaphysics of Kant, which aimed at a more profound analysis of the faculties of the human mind; and which, whatever its fundamental defects, had the merit of diffusing in the German universities a spirit of deeper reflection, favorable, in its ultimate tendency, to a reception of the highest religious truth." "Hegel held a pantheistic system of absolute idealism. This theory contains the seeds of a deep infidelity, which is exemplified in some of Hegel's followers. Among these, there is a disposition to deny the sublime truths of a personal God, a personal immortality, and the resurrection of Christ. Other Hegelists, however, as Göschel, have been led, by their christian feelings, to attempt to turn this philosophy to account, in favor of the Christianity of the New Testament." At Frankfort on the Maine, there are three clergymen who preach the doctrines of the reformation. At Maintz, the chaplain to the garrison of the confederation is a decided advocate for the truth.