suspected, or lightly passed over by the minister. The food which would satisfy a Bible class twenty years ago will not satisfy them now. We can see no reason, why a pastor should not take up, in evening lectures, if not on the Sabbath, such topics-divesting them of course of their technical peculiarities—as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, whether Paul wrote the Pastoral Epistles, what James composed the epistle bearing his name, the objections to the genuineness of the Second Epistle of Peter, whether the Apocalypse was written before or after the destruction of Jerusalem, etc. Such a course of lectures would mark an advance in religious knowledge among us, and would promote a healthful and intelligent piety. To those who should commence such a series, the volumes of Dr. Davidson would be a rich store-house of materials.

About 130 pages in the third volume, are devoted to the Epistle to the Hebrews, specially in relation to the authorship. On this point, the conclusion to which Dr. D. comes is, "that though Paul was the author of the epistle, yet he did not put it into the phraseology and style it now bears.” It is most probable that Luke assisted the author in regard to the diction. "The style and diction of the Epistle to the Hebrews resemble those of Luke in the Acts, more nearly than any other part of the New Testament." The writer of the epistle of James is maintained to be James the Apostle, the son of Alpheus. In respect to the question, whether Peter wrote the second epistle bearing his name, the author concludes, “But our mind is not wholly satisfied respecting it. The evidence on both sides has been given. It is for each one to judge of it according to his ability." To the Apocalypse only 120 pages are devoted. It will be thought, we presume, by many, the least satisfactory part of the work. After having given the contents, p. 631, Dr. D. proceeds: "To enter upon the exposition of these parts, is beyond our province. Perhaps it is beyond our ability to unfold their meaning. To interpret the Apocalypse aright, is a difficult problem, which few can solve." "We are content to believe that the accomplishment of the various seals, trumpets, and vials, is not to be found in specific events. The subject of the seer is the triumph of Christianity, chiefly and primarily, over heathenism, the persecuting, hostile power under which he himself and contemporary Christians were suffering, and over other opposing tendencies and influences. The Apostle describes the destruction of Antichristianism— the triumph of Christianity over it." "The descriptions embrace the leading tendencies which are opposed in their nature to the peaceful victories and universal dominion of Christ's kingdom on earth." Having stated some of the objections to the three schemes for interpreting the book-denominated by him the Futurist, the Preterist, and the Continuous, p. 627, Dr. D. says: "We feel disinclined to adopt any of the rival hypotheses, till they be better supported." The author finally mentions the work of Hengstenberg, as the only one which approaches the true scope and sense of the Apocalypse. That erudite commentator has had the sagacity and piety to trace the right lines of a correct interpretation." As the concluding part of

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Hengstenberg's Commentary, which is to contain the introduction, has not appeared, we cannot say how far the opinion of Dr. D. will be borne out. We prefer to wait.

VIII. BOSTON ATHENEUM.1

Mr. Quincy continues to bring forth fruit in old age. Not a little of the vigor survives which laid the foundation of the Quincy market, and which attacked the militant democracy of 1812. The history of the Athenæum bears no marks of decrepitude. It is prepared with care, and will be very interesting to all who know how to appreciate objects of this nature. The institution is now strong in its resources, its handsome and massive building, its invaluable library, and in the affections of a generous community. But it has not reached its present strength, without seeing many days of weakness and perilous vicissitude. It possesses lands, buildings, books, statuary, and pictures (without including a great number of valuable gifts) of a value exceeding two hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars. It has besides, in productive funds, seventy-four thousand seven hundred dollars, in all $327,700. These statements were made in 1850. Since then, the building has been completed, so that about $33,000 must be deducted from the above amount, still leaving nearly $300,000 as the unincumbered property of the Athenæum. The library now has more than 50,000 volumes. The edifice is on Beacon street, is 114 feet in length, of irregular breadth, and 60 feet in height. The material is a light grey free stone, from Patterson, N. J., harder than the common free stone. It is in the later Italian style; in general arrangements, like some of the works of Palladio. The first story contains a sculpture gallery, a reading room, etc. The second story is to be wholly occupied with the library, its three compartments capable of holding 80,000 volumes. The third story, divided into four apartments, is designed for pictures. If these and the statuary should be removed to another place, the building would contain 150,000 volumes. The South-Eastern aspect, opening upon the trees in the Park street burying ground, is very beautiful. The institution is an honor to Boston and its munificent founders and supporters. Soon may its treasures be doubled! Precious as the library is, it is very deficient in some departments. We trust that the accomplished librarian will soon have time to note and supply some of the greatest lacunæ. We should also rejoice if the proprietors should find it in their hearts to open their treasures, under proper restrictions, to the reading public generally. We have not yet a tithe of the liberality in this particular of most of the capitals of despotic Europe.

We ought to add that Pres. Quincy has subjoined brief memoirs of Dr. Gardiner, Wm. Emerson, A. M. Walter, Wm. S. Shaw, P. O. Thatcher, S. C. Thacher, J. S. Buckminster, Wm. Tudor, and Pres. Kirkland, founders of the Athenæum, and of John Bromfield, a liberal benefactor.

1 The History of the Boston Athenæum, with biographical notices of its deceased founders. By Josiah Quincy. Cambridge: Metcalf & Co. 1851. pp. 368.

IX. FOURTH VOLUME OF TORREY'S NEANDER.1

We perceive from an advertisement of Perthes, of Hamburg, that the 11th part of this great history, printed from the author's MSS., after his decease, is shortly to appear. A translation will, doubtless, follow as speedily as possible. Alas! that the work must stop here. The great Reformation would have afforded, in some important respects, an admirable field for "the minute and comprehensive learning, the scrupulous fidelity, the unexampled candor and simplicity of spirit, the unobtrusive but pervading glow of Christian piety, which have thus far so eminently characterized every portion of this great work." The present volume, embracing the fifth period of the history, extends from Gregory VII. A. D. 1073, to Boniface VIII. A. D. 1294. Among the main topics are the following: Extension of the Gospel in Pommerania, Prussia, Finland, Tartary, Mongolia, Northern Africa, etc.; History of the Church Constitution; Hildebrand, the Crusades, Peter the Hermit, Arnold of Brescia, Thomas Becket, Raymund Lull, Ecclesiastical laws, Hildegard, History of Monasticism, Worship of the Virgin, Seven Sacraments, Cistercians, Carthusians, Dominicans, Franciscans, Christian life and worship, Penance, History of Doctrines, Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard and his writings, Victorines at Paris, Hugo of St. Victor, Peter Lombard, Alexander of Hales, William of Paris, controversies on the Trinity, miracles, foreknowledge, and predestination, Adam's sin, redemption, sects in opposition to the hierarchy, e. g. Bogomiles, Catharists, Waldenses, etc. It will be seen at once, that the field which the author traverses, is of the deepest interest to the philosopher as well as to the Christian, and one which it is exceedingly difficult to survey with clearness and in an attractive manner. The discussions and publications of Cousin and others, have done much to throw light on this disputatious period.

X. OWEN'S EDITION OF THE ILIAD.

The text occupies 488 pages of this volume; the notes, the remainder. The text of Wolf, Leipsic, 1839, with slight exceptions, has been followed. Seventeen editions of Homer, or works upon the poet, are mentioned as having been particularly serviceable to the editor. In this volume, as in his former works, he has "desired to maintain the golden mean between extreme

1 General History of the Christian Religion and Church: from the German of Dr. Augustus Neander. Translated by Joseph Torrey, Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy in the University of Vermont, comprising the fifth volume, or ninth and tenth parts, of the original work. Boston: Crocker & Brewster. 1851. pp. 650. 8vo. Stereotyped by J. D. Flagg, Andover.

2 The Iliad of Homer, according to the text of Wolf; with notes for the use of schools and colleges. By John J. Owen, D. D., Professor of the Latin and Greek languages in the Free Academy of the city of New York. Leavitt & Co, 1851. pp. 740, 18mo.

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fulness and meagreness of annotation, which has marked his previous labors." The paper and typography of the volume (a little clumsy from its thickness) are all which could be desired. The letters are exceedingly attractive to the eye accustomed to the small print and wretched paper of some of the German editions. In regard to the correctness of the printing, and the portinence and value of the notes, we cannot express an opinion from much personal examination. We shall hope to find space for a short review in the course of our next volume. The Iliad can now be studied to the utmost advantage by the advanced scholar, with the aid of the discussions of Grote, Mure, Thirlwall, the maps of Kiepert, the lexicon of Crusius, translated by Smith, etc.

ARTICLE XI.

SELECT LITERARY AND THEOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE.

UNITED STATES.

THERE are no important theological works in press or in preparation, so far as we know. The number of biblical and exegetical works preparing for the press, is doubtless very small. The causes of this dearth need to be looked at. A part of the educated talent which should be devoted to the study of theology, is allured to law and politics. The number of the edu cated clergy relatively to the increasing population, is diminishing. Most of those now in the ministry are overburdened with the ever-beginning, never-ending calls of what seem to be practical duty. Many ministers are inadequately supported, and have not the spirit and health to betake themselves to earnest theological study, or they are compelled to resort in measure to secular callings, in order to eke out a subsistence. In so large a body of educated men, as belong to the Congregational and Presbyterian bodies in this country (the number of ordained ministers in the two branches of the Presbyterian church, is three thousand five hundred and eleven), there should be scores or hundreds who, while they preach the Gospel faithfully, should be devoting special attention to theology as a science, investigating the mysteries of the Bible in the original tongues, or studying with profound and comprehensive aims, the great ecclesiastical Past. In a perfectly healthful state of religious feeling and opinion in our churches, such assuredly would be the case. Men would be found, here and there at least, preparing to enrich the church and country with profound and original works in the great departments of didactic theology, biblical interpretation, and the history of the doctrines and life of the church. We fear that this is far from being the case. We apprehend, from some experience, that those students who promise nobly for theological and biblical science, while in the

Seminary, allow various hindrances to interrupt their course, and ultimately defeat the best laid plans. Now it would be easy to show that the great practical and missionary interests of the church require that there should be a considerable number of well-trained, earnest, investigating students among the clergy, who should hold the lamp of theological science high — worthy successors of the Augustines, Anselms, Howes, Edwardses, Bellamys, and Hopkinses of former ages. It is a short-sighted policy, an erroneous view of what is truly practical, which we in this country are pursuing and adopting. When shall the day come when clergymen shall feel one tithe of the enthusiasm in studying the great themes to which they are professedly devoted, which a mighty host of naturalists now feel, who are compassing sea and land in all the civilized and uncivilized parts of the globe, to add to the already enormous stock of physical truths?

Measures are now taking to collect and print in a handsome edition, by the American Doctrinal Tract and Book Society, the works of the “holy and tearful" Thomas Shepard of Cambridge. He was born at Northampton, England, Nov. 5, 1605, and died at Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 25, 1649, aged 44. Some of his works have been often printed, and are highly valued; others are extremely rare. Seventeen treatises and works are enumerated by Dr. Allen in his Historical Dictionary.

Rev. George W. Williard, of Columbus, Ohio, is bringing out a translation of the Lectures of Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism, as published by David Pareus. Ursinus was born in Breslau, July 18, 1534, and died at Neustadt in Baden, March 6, 1583. This Catechism has had a wide currency, having been translated into fourteen languages. It is esteemed as one of the best of the Reformed Confessions.

The first vol. of the History of the German Reformed Church, by Rev. Lewis Mayer, D. D., late professor in the theological seminary of the German Reformed Church, has been published at Philadelphia, with a memoir of the author, by Rev. Elias Heiner. This volume contains a part of the history of the Swiss Reformation, but does not reach to the death of Zuingli. The second volume, the materials of which were prepared or collected by the author, will embrace the history of the German Reformed Church in the United States.

Professor Philip Schaff of Mercersburg, has published, in German, the first vol. of a " History of the Christian Church from its establishment to the present time." The first vol. extends from A. D. 30 to A. D. 100-from the Pentecost to the death of John. It is designed primarily for the use of the American public. It is dedicated to the Memory of Dr. Neander, "the father of modern Church History." "The work bears upon it," says a competent judge, "the marks of true learning, and independent, vigorous thought from the first page to the last." "It is a model of historical order and clearness." Of Dr. Schaff's ability for the great work which he has undertaken, the readers of the Bibliotheca Sacra have good proof in the articles from his pen, which have been inserted in our pages.

Rev. Dr. Murdock of New Haven has published a translation of the cel