additional subjects have been examined, and the whole is here presented in systematic form. The work thus gives a concise but full and systematic treatment of the different departments of Biblical study. Under each topic we have brief notices of the history of Jewish and Christian thought in that department of Biblical study, and an exposition of the principles and methods which in the progress of thought must now be accepted as true and applicable. The work is thus an introduction to Biblical study. For this purpose it is of great value alike to professional students and to intelligent laymen who are beginning the thorough study of the Bible.

The topics discussed are the following: Advantages of Biblical Study; Exegetical Theology; The Languages of the Bible; Criticism; The Canon; The Text; The Higher Criticism; Literary Study of the Bible; Hebrew Poetry; The Interpretation of Scripture; Biblical Theology; The Bible a Means of Grace. Appended are a catalogue of books of reference for biblical study, filling sixty pages, an index of texts, an index of topics, and an index of books and authors.

PREACHING TO SPIRITS IN PRISON.*-The aim of the author is to ascertain the true meaning of Christ's preaching to the Spirits in prison and of the preaching of the gospel to the dead, spoken of in the texts from the first epistle of Peter, cited on the title page. His explanation is, in general, that Hades and Sheol denoted the abode of the Spirits of the dead; that it was separated into two parts, the inferior paradise, so called to distinguish it from heaven, which is also called Paradise, and Gehenna, or the Pit; that the servants of God under the Old Testament dispensation were not received at death to heaven, but went to the inferior Paradise, while the wicked went to Gehenna; that since Christ's resurrection, believers in Him are received at death immediately to heaven, that Christ between his death and resurrection went to the inferior paradise and proclaimed the consummation of his work of atonement to the saints of the old dispensation who had been dwelling in that intermediate abode, and at his ascension

*Christ preaching to Spirits in Prison: or Christ's preaching to the dead explained by the change from the inferior to the celestial Paradise. I. Pet. iii. 19, 20, and iv. 6. By WILLIAM DELOSS LOVE, South Hadley, Mass. Boston: Published for the author by Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society, Congregational House, Beacon Street. 1883. 167 pages.

took them all with him to heaven; that those who were once disobedient in Noah's day were persons who repented before the flood destroyed them and therefore were received into the inferior paradise, and were among those to whom Christ there preached. The work is the result of patient and faithful study, and probably presents as strong an argument for the positions taken as can be made.

DR. WM. M. TAYLOR'S SERMONS.*-A modern poet complains, that

"The Word of Life, is well nigh preached to death."

And before he ends his strain he describes the preaching that seems desirable

"We want the Book

Translated into life, not the mere look

Of Life embalmed and shrouded in the Book."

If the poet is still in search of such preaching, here are some good sermons for him. He may miss the "inbreathed spirit" of the preacher's utterance in the volume; but here are some admirable maps of thought, by one who handles the "Word of Life" according to the poet's mind.

one on

We are glad to meet, in this permanent form, a few discourses, the fame of which "we have heard with our ears," notably the sermon on "Christ before Pilate: Pilate before Christ," and the "What is the Chaff to the Wheat?" The excellent address upon the "Inductive Study of the Scriptures," delivered to the theological students at Yale, Princeton, and Rochester, is also deserving of the place it holds in this handsome volume.

Issued as the book is,-at the request of its publishers, and because of the bearing of the sermons upon "topics of great present importance; and because of many testimonies to their helpfulness,”—we give it great praise in saying that its readers are likely to find its contents justifying its preface. The Sermons are what they profess to be, "helpful,”-they are neither startling nor learned, neither novel nor critical, not even theological, nor are they meant to be;-they are what all sermons ought to be, good for food, sermons to be desired because they make men wise unto salvation.

* Contrary Winds and Other Sermons. By Wм. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., Pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Sons, 714 Broadway. 1883.

LAND AND ITS RENT.*-This little book contains the substance of four lectures delivered in Harvard University in May, 1883.

President Walker's views in regard to rent are fully developed in his large work on that subject, and while the present volume contains an exposition of his theory, which is that of Ricardo, its object seems principally to be to criticise the arguments of Bastiat and Leroy, Beaulieu, John Stuart Mill, and Henry George, and to reply to Mr. Henry C. Carey. The discussion is conducted with great directness and vigor. If the reader is not convinced it will not be because the author is not entirely sure of the correctness of his positions.

UHLHORN'S CHARITY IN THE ANCIENT CHURCH.-The author of this interesting volume is well known to English and American readers by his work, especially, on the Early Conflict of Christianity and Heathenism. In the present book, he sets forth an attractive characteristic of the primitive and early churches,— their liberality in dispensing charity. At the present time, when the topic engages a somewhat general interest, and when votaries. of economic science seem disposed to push their theories to a dangerous extreme, a historical discussion of this nature is quite timely. Independently of this consideration, the theme, handled as it is by a Christian scholar who is qualified for the task, is fraught with interest. One point to be observed is that charity among the early Christians was much more judicious than in the medieval age.

PLATO'S BEST THOUGHTS.-Generally speaking, persons of taste and culture prefer to make their own selections. If passages are to be culled from great writers, one is disposed to pick the fruit for himself. We want to see not only a part of what an author says on an important topic, but all that he says. The context is often of the highest consequence. Plato, however, is so voluminous a writer, the number of readers who will not take

*Land and its Rent. By FRANCIS A. WALKER, Ph.D., LL.D. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 1883.

+ Christian Charity in the Ancient Church. By Dr. GERHARD UHLHORN. New York Charles Scribner's Sons.

1883.

Plato's Best Thoughts compiled from Professor Jowett's Translation of the Dialogues of Plato. By Rev. C. H. A. BULKLEY, D.D., Professor in Howard University. New edition. Charles Scribner's Sons.

1883.

up Jowett, much less the original Greek, is so large, the value and suggestiveness of his thoughts are so peculiar, the alphabetical arrangement adopted by Dr. Bulkley, in the arrangement of his excerpts, is so convenient, and the book as a whole, which he has prepared, is so engaging, that we cordially commend it to those who have not time for a larger endeavor, or wish to taste of the viands before they sit down to the meal.

DR. SCHAFF'S CHURCH HISTORY, VOL. II.*-Dr. Schaff has submitted to the labor of thoroughly revising-in fact, re-composing--the portion of his Church History, which covers the period from A. D. 100 to the Council of Nicea, he having previously re-written his history of the Apostolic Age. This new volume gives fresh proof of the learning, the candor and the indefatigable industry of this veteran scholar. One very valuable feature of the book, as of its precursor, is the full guide to the literature which is furnished under the proper heads. It is to be hoped that Dr. Schaff may have the strength, and the leisure from other employments, which shall enable him to carry his important undertaking to a completion.

THE MAGAZINE OF ART commences a new volume with the December number. It contains an original etching by R. W. Macbeth of "Lady Bountiful.” "North Tuscan Notes," by Vernon Lee, with eight engravings. "The Poachers Surprised,' from the picture, by Hugo Kauffman. Madrazo, the Spanish painter, by David Hannay, with two engravings. Sketches in Egypt, with six engravings. "Venetian Glass," by Madeleine A. Wallace Dunlop, with three engravings. "On the Ebb," from the pictures, by Mesdag. "A Note on Realism," by Robert Louis Stevenson. Some portraits of Martin Luther, by Richard Heath, with seven engravings. "Pens and Pencils; Hazlett & Northcote," by J. Ashcroft Noble. The Constantine Ionides Collection, from David to Millet, by Cosmo Monkhouse, with six engravings. American art notes. The chronicle of art. Yearly subscription, $3.50. Single number, 35 cents. Cassell & Company, limited, 739 and 741 Broadway, New York.

* History of the Christian Church. By PHILIP SCHAFF. New ed., thoroughly revised and enlarged. Vol. II. Ante-Nicene Christianity, A. D. 190-325. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1883.

The "CALENDAR OF AMERICAN HISTORY"* compiled by Miss Lyman is something more than a bare list of important events which have occurred on the different days of the year. Miss Lyman has aimed to give, in connection with each event which is mentioned, a brief account of the circumstances which attended it. Many of these accounts are quite noticeable for the clear and succinct way in which what is most important is stated. Often they are very happily illustrated by quotations from the poems of our best American authors. The range of subjects is large. They include events which occurred in our colonial history, in the revolutionary period, and in the civil war. A place has been found for a large number of the political questions which have at different times agitated the country. Descriptions are given of the leading religious denominations, of the most valuable inventions, of the most popular authors. We feel confident that as the sheets are torn off during the coming year, the conversation at thousands of breakfast tables will be directed to the most important topics in our national history, and the interest of many a person will be awakened afresh in what were not very long ago living questions, while many a youth will be led to seek further information in the standard histories.

THE ART AMATEUR for December, the first number of the new volume, contains working designs for a teapot (Japanesque decoration), a dessert plate (wild geranium), a hand screen (shepherdess), embroidery (a fan, Christmas-card box, doilies and mitres), repoussé work (cockatoos and dolphins), wood-carving and jewelry; two beautiful designs of children, with minute directions for painting in oils and mineral colors; an illustrated report of the Feuardent-Cesnola trial; a biography of Charles Sprague Pearce, with numerous original drawings; an illustrated notice of the Huntington gift to the Metropolitan Museum: reviews of the National and Pennsylvania Academy exhibitions, the Sketch Exhibition, and the National Exposition at Paris; dramatic and musical feuilletons; some fine illustrations of Derby porcelain ; practical articles on decoration, needlework and china-painting; correspondence, literary and editorial notes. Price 35 cents; $4 Montague Marks, Publisher, 23 Union Square, New

per annum. York.

* Miss Delia Lyman's Calendar of American History. G. P. Putnam's Sons. New York.