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tionsmalerei) the setting forth of emotions, gestures, features in themselves unessential, the circumstantial elucidations and the retrospective connections (as by the frequent máλ), the colloquial recitals, the undiluted freshness of the living personal utterances of Jesus, exact even in unessential features, so freely made use of, often in the form of questions and even to the very Aramaic words—all this in the manner of the Evangelist, indicates his own conception and motive in the narrative, and the spirit in which he should be interpreted. In this spirit Dr. Weiss, himself, sums up the import of Mark's Gospel.

"The Gospel closes with the announcement of the resurrection and of the re-appearing of the risen One, which established his repeated prophecy of the miraculous annulling of his actual, and accomplished death, and thus opened the vision of the glorious confirmation of his Messiahship. This is no dogmatic reflection which accompanies the narrative, but is, itself, the joyful message of the Son of God; who during his active life on earth founded the kingdom of God, who accomplished redemption in his death, and who by his resurrection comes again to fulfil his work." And so the whole eventful history, when contemplated in the proper grouping of its details, develops the person and the work of Christ under a form at once trustworthy and instructive. The patient study of Mark's Gospel after the method of Dr. Weiss, and with the help of his judicious criticism, will cause the student to appreciate the simple beauty, and the fresh and living power of this earliest view of the life of Jesus which has been preserved to us. Indeed there could be no more healthful stimulus to that scholarly criticism which should lie at the basis of pulpit exposition, than the companionship of such a book in the study of the pastor.

Mr. R. v. Decker, of the Königlichen Geheimen Ober-Hof buchdruckerei in Berlin, will shortly publish two works of special interest to students of Mediaeval history and of church polemics, from an author whose extensive and accurate knowledge of the literature of these subjects renders him an authority in the libraries and universities of Germany. These volumes are: (1) BIBLIOTHECA HISTORICA MEDII AEVI. Wegweiser durch die Geschichtswerke des europaischen Mittelalters von 375-1500. Von August Potthast.

(2) REGESTA PONTIFICUM ROMANORUM AB INNOCENTIO III. (1198) ad Benedictuм XI. (1304). Edidit Augustus Potthast.

For many years Dr. Potthast has held the office of Custos in the Royal Library of Berlin, and, by his studious and almost reverential devotion to bibliography, has become a sort of impersonation of that vast and rich collection. His knowledge of books, however, is not that current acquaintance which a librarian forms by constant handling, but a scholar's appreciation of subjects, authors, and the relative value of works in their several departments; and he has given his leisure hours to special studies in the line indicated by the above-named volumes. They both give

evidence of remarkable diligence and research, as well as of the most painstaking application. The first has been for some time before the public, and has found such favor that a new edition will be issued, much enlarged. It will prove of great service in the investigation of European history in whatever department; for under the modest title of a fingerpost, it points out all sources and authorities for the history of the Middle Ages Annals, Epistles, Chronicles, and other historical works, covering the entire field of Europe, and embracing everything hitherto printed upon this period, though, of course, not including Records. Especially does it constitute a complete Index to the famous Acta Sanctorum of the Bollandists.

The second work contains a brief epitome, in chronological order, of more than twenty-five thousand papal documents, Bulls, Privileges, etc., beginning at the opening of the period in which the Papacy attained its greatest elevation, and ending with the time when the same lofty Popedom was compelled, for seventy-five years, to seek a refuge upon French soil, at Avignon. The thoroughness and completeness with which the author has executed this most arduous and critical task, has won for him the honorable recognition of the Berlin Academy of Science, in the award of the double prize of two hundred ducats.

From an inspection of the original manuscript, we can testify to the extraordinary care, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of this historicocritical summary. It is a most timely work in view of the recent assertion of Papal infallibility, and of the manifold phases of the Roman Catholic controversy; and it should find a place in all colleges and public libraries in the United States.

B. ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WORKS.

THE DIALOGUES OF PLATO. Translated into English, with Analyses and Introductions, by B. Jowett, M.A., Master of Baliol College, Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford. 4 vols. 8vo. New York: Charles Scribner and Co. 1871.

The philosophy of Plato is eloquent and poetical. His eloquence and poetry are philosophical. His spirit is deeply religious, and his writings contain many intimations of Christian truth. It is true, however, that, as Archer Butler says: "There runs through all the views of Plato a want of any distinct apprehension of the claims of divine justice in consequence of human sin. Even in his strongest references to punishment, it is still represented mainly, if not entirely, under the notion of a purificatory transition a severe, but beneficial, κábaporis. This arises partly from his conception of the divine character, partly from his theory of the human soul itself. From the former, inasmuch as he considers the attribute of indignant wrath or its results inapplicable to Deity; from the latter, because in considering the soul essentially in its higher clements divine, he could

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only look upon the misfortunes of its bodily connection as incidental pollutions, which might delay, but could not ultimately defeat, its inalienable rights. He must be a very uncandid critic who can censure Plato severely for these misconceptions; but he would be a very imperfect expositor who would not mention them as such."

The first edition of Plato's works was that of Aldus, in 1513; the next, that of J. Operinus, in 1534; the next, that superintended by Marcus Hopperus; the next, that of H. Stephanus, published in 1578; the next was the Bipont edition, containing a reprint of Stephanus, with the Latin version of Marsillius Ficinus. A more complete edition is that of Bekker, published in 1816-18, reprinted by Priestley, in 1826, and made still more trustworthy by Ast, in 1819-1827. The most perfect edition is that of G. Stallbaum, which was begun in 1827. The best Latin translation of Plato's works is that of Ficinus. Of the English translations, the most noted are, that by Floyer Sydenham, in four volumes, to which a fifth is sometimes added; that of Thomas Taylor, also in five volumes; a translation from the French of M. Dacier; and an edition from the text of Stallbaum by Henry Carey, H. Davis, and George Burges.

The present edition by Professor Jowett is decidedly the best which has appeared in the English language. He differs from Schleiermacher, who published an admirable, though unfinished, German translation of Plato; and also from Grote, to whom, however, he acknowledges great obligations. He has made special use of the following works: "Steinhart and Müller's German Translation of Plato, with Introductions; Zeller's Philosophie der Griechen, and Platonische Studien; Susemihl's Genetische Entwickelung der Platonischen Philosophie; Hermann's Geschichte der Platonischen Philosophie; Bonitz, Platonische Studien; Stallbaum's Notes and Introductions; Professor Campbell's editions of the Theaetetus, the Sophist, and the Politicus; Professor Thompson's Phaedrus; M. Martin's Études sur le Timée; Mr. Poste's edition and translation of the Philebus; the Translation of the Republic, by Messrs. Davies and Vaughan; and the Translation of the Gorgias, by Mr. Cope."

We cannot expect that any English translation will give a perfect idea of Plato's philosophy or eloquence. His words were winged and quivering. We presume, however, that this translation will awaken a fresh interest in Plato, and will induce theologians to study his writings with new zeal. The older theologians were well versed in his philosophy. They often misunderstood him, ascribing to him the opinions of Aristotle, and to Aristotle the opinions of Plato. This confusion was common in the Middle Ages. Recent investigations have thrown much light upon the systems of the two philosophers. The work of Ackermann on the "Christian Element in Plato and the Platonic Philosophy," and the work, bearing a similar title, of Professor Baur of Tübingen, published in 1837, illustrate the relation of Plato's works to Christian theology. All students interested VOL. XXIX. No. 114.

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in sacred science will welcome this admirable translation of writings elucidating that science.

TREATISE ON REGENERATION. By William Anderson, LL.D., Glasgow. Second Edition. 12mo. pp. 311. Philadelphia: Smith, English, and Co.; New York: A. D. F. Randolph and Co.; Boston: Gould and Lincoln. 1871.

Dr. Anderson is an original thinker. It is evident that when he agrees with others he did not receive his opinions from them. He expresses his views with nervous force. His language is often severe, his tone always independent. He fails in exactness of definition, and sometimes appears to differ widely from men with whom he is in essential agreement. He denounces with great warmth the doctrine that men are "at their origin tainted and inclined to sin." This, he says, is "an impeachment of God as being the Author of sin, in the worst form possible in which the impeachment can be made" (p. 63). He states afterwards that "sin is as characteristic of man as any instinctive disposition or habit which may be named is characteristic of some particular species of animal" (p. 66). We are inclined to think that his meaning is correct in both of these expressions, but that his language does not express his meaning precisely. He aims to write not in the scientific, but in the popular, forcible style.

THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST. Translated from the German of A. Caspers, Church Provost and chief Pastor at Husum. By Adelaide E. Rodham. Edited, with a Preface, by Rev. Charles H. H. Wright, M.A., Chaplain of Trinity Church, Boulogne-sur-mer; Author of "The Fatherhood of God," etc. Editor of "Genesis in Hebrew, with Notes Critical and Grammatical," "Ruth in Hebrew and Chaldee," etc. 12mo. pp. 434. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark; New York: Scribner, Welford, and Armstrong. 1871.

The original work of Pastor Caspers has been abridged in this Translation. In particular, his statements in regard to baptism and the Lord's supper have been omitted. The translator has shown rare ingenuity in putting the extracts from German poetry into English rhyme. The volume is divided into four parts, each of the first two parts into twentythree chapters, the third part into sixteen chapters, the fourth part into three. The chapters are divided into short paragraphs, and the paragraphs abound with short sentences, so that the reader need not apply himself continuously to any one chapter of the work, but may read minute portions at distant intervals. The four parts are entitled: Christ for us; Christ in us; Christ before us; Christ through us. In the first, some of the most interesting chapters are entitled: The obedience of Jesus Christ; Jesus has on earth prayed for us; Christ's death for us. In the second part the chapters have titles like these: Of the celebration of Christ's birth

within us; of divine solitude; The believing soul gives pleasure to Jesus. In the third part some of the titles are: The life of Jesus our example; The death of Christ teaches us to die. The third chapter of the fourth part is a prayer of thanksgiving. In it are such sentences as: "I say with thy servant Johan Arnd: Thou art dearer to me than all diamonds, more precious than are all rubies, lovelier than are all pearls.' . . . . . “Thy servant Baxter has said: "This is a walk to Mount Zion, from the kingdom of saints, from earth to heaven, from time to eternity; it is walking upon sun, moon, and stars in the garden and paradise of God.""..... "My soul would pray in the words of thy servant Baxter," etc. The volume closes with the following stanza, which is a fair specimen of the hymns quoted in it.

"Ah Lord! may this free grace be mine!
Make thon my life a holy sign,

Whereby the world may thee revere.

Impress in me thy footsteps sweet;

Make thou my deeds the pavement meet,

Whereon thou wilt through me appear."

A CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS; with a new Translation. By James G. Murphy, LL.D., TC.D., Professor of Hebrew, Belfast; Author of Commentaries on Genesis and Exodus. 8vo. pp. 318. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1872. Dr. Murphy writes in an easy and attractive style. He does not overload his paragraphs with useless references. Too many commentators make their style obscure by second-hand quotations, and by allusions to methods of exegesis which are unworthy of being named in order to be refuted. Merely English readers can peruse Dr. Murphy's commentary without much interruption or trouble. He is successful in explaining the Book of Leviticus as "the figurative exhibition of the way of salvation"; as giving "a series of symbolic forms suited to the primeval stage of the human race, and fitted to edify the infant people of God." We prefer his views of the book to those of Kalisch, Kurtz, or Keil. We presume that his Commentary on Leviticus will, as it deserves to, be highly prized by clergymen and intelligent laymen in our own country and in Great Britain.

CRITICAL HISTORY AND DEFENCE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON. By Moses Stuart, Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary, Andover, Mass. Revised edition. 8vo. pp. 422. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1872.

This volume is printed from the plates of the English edition. To that edition Dr. Davidson appended various notes, nearly all of which have been omitted in the present volume, and others substituted for them. The

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