sermon was written on The Intermediate State, and the next that was to have been written, the text only of which had been inscribed, was on the Resurrection.

DR. BUSHNELL ON THE CHARACTER OF JESUS,* is a republication of the tenth chapter of "Nature and the Supernatural." It was perhaps the most effective chapter in the discussion of which it was originally a part. Complete in itself, it will not be less serviceable in its detached form. It is allied, by its scope and method, to Young's "Christ of History," rather than to Ullmann's "Sinlessness of Christ.” A good book for the sceptically inclined.

BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION.

EBRARD'S COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLES OF JOHN.t-Dr. Ebrard is already well known in this country, as the continuator of the Biblical Commentary of Olshausen. He adds the present volume to that work. More direct and spirited as a commentator than Olshausen, he is yet less exact and concise than Meyer. He almost never wavers, is sometimes a little too positive, but always in earnest. Connected with the Reformed Church, his doctrinal sympathies are Calvanistic rather than Lutheran.

The volume is prefaced with an essay on the Apostle John and his writings, the purpose of which is to show that the life of the Apostle and the Gospel and First Epistle ascribed to him, form an organic and harmonius unity. The second and third Epistles are attributed to John the Presbyter, though held to be canonical; the second, being addressed to a Christian woman named Kyria. A translation of each epistle is given at the end of the exposition. The work concludes with an appendix, inquiring into the use of the word "catholic," which is prefixed to several epistles in the New Testament, maintaining that it means" encyclical," and does not denote either canonicity or plurality of authorship.

The present volume makes the eighth in the third series of Clarke's

* The Character of Jesus: forbidding his possible classification with men. By HORACE BUSHNELL. New York: Charles Scribner. 1861.

+ Biblical Commentary on the Epistles of John in continuation of the work of Olshausen. With an Appendix on the Catholic Epistles, and an Introductory Essay on the Life and Writings of John. By Dr. JOHN H. A. EBRARD. Translated by Rev. W. B. 'POPE, Manchester. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

Evangelical Library. It is for sale by Smith, English & Co., of Philadelphia.

ments.

DR. ALEXANDER'S NOTES ON NEW TESTAMENT LITERATURE, ETC.*It is understood that the Lectures of Dr. J. A. Alexander were always listened to with profound interest by his pupils. His reputation for learning was extraordinary. His enthusiasm and industry in investigation continued unabated to the end. From Biblical Literature and textual Interpretation, to which he had given his best days, he could turn with zest to the investigations of Ecclesiastical History. It was his cherished purpose to write out for publication his lectures in both these departDelayed by accumulating materials, and occupied with his New Testament Commentaries, death surprised him amid his labors. The hand of a surviving brother, gathering up the fragmentary notes from which he had lectured, has comprised them in a single volume, being all that the lamented author left in a condition fit for publication. Most readers will be surprised at the meagre traces of learning in these Notes, and, while gratefully recognizing the genial spirit and freedom from common place with they are written, will marvel that they contain so little that is really new or valuable. There is also abundant reason for questioning the method and classification of topics in the Lectures on Ecclesiastical History. It would be difficult to state the principle that determines their arrangement. We, nevertheless, are glad to see the Notes in print, and are confident they will prove not only acceptable to those who listened to the author's lectures, but profitable to those now engaged upon the questions discussed in them.

DR. CONANT'S REVISON OF MATTHEW.t-We have already expressed so clearly in formal articles, our high appreciation of Dr. Conant's labors on Matthew, and have indicated so fully the points of our dissent from his version, that nothing more is here needed than to refer to those articles, with the expression of a hope that the eminent services of the reviser will not be unappreciated by the public.

*Notes on New Testament Literature and Ecclesiastical History. By JOSEPH ADDISON ALEXANDER, D. D. New York: Charles Scribner. 1861.

The Gospel of Matthew. The Common English Version and the received Greek text, with a Revised Version, and Critical and Philological Notes, prepared for the American Bible Union. By T. J. CONANT, D. D. New York: American Bible Union, 350 Broome street.

Vol. xxvii. 23

ALEXANDER'S MATTHEW.*-We receive this volume with mingled pleasure and regret. The hand by which it was executed will move no more. We read with solemn interest these words from the preface, by the editor: "This volume presents the last work on which the pen of Dr. Alexander was engaged." The work is unfinished. The analysis of all the chapters is complete, but the full commentary extends only to the close of chapter XVI.

Dr. Alexander brought to his explanation of Matthew the same fulness of information, the same scholarly culture, the same unhesitating orthodoxy, the same pure and wholesome style that marked his previous Commentaries. And the volume resulting from these combined qualities, will not be an unwelcome or useless addition to libraries, even the most richly furnished in Biblical Literature.

A distinguishing feature of this work is the full and careful analysis of the chapters of Matthew. This part of the volume evidently cost the author considerable labor, and it will amply reward special attention, particularly by ministers, who may wish to expound this gospel from the pulpit. We prize whatever may prompt and help such preaching, and therefore we commend Alexander on Matthew to the attention of ministers.

Another feature of this commentary strikes us very favorably. The Sacred records are accepted, generally, as they read, and are expounded accordingly. There is very rarely any appearance of an attempt at violent exegesis; an endeavor to find something in the language of Matthew other than what is naturally conveyed. There is, for the greater part, a striking, refreshing honesty in the explanations given. For example, on iv: 2, we read, "And having fasted, not in the attenuated sense of eating little, or abstaining from all ordinary food; but in the strict and proper sense of eating nothing." In this, and a hundred other examples, we are glad to see expositions that do not wrench Scripture from its plain reading.

Having said thus much, we must also say, that, in a few instances, Dr. A. seems to have departed, consciously or unconsciously, from the prevaling frankness and simplicity of his commentary. For example, on chap. iii: 6, we read, "Even admitting that the word baptize originally meant to dip or plunge, and that the first converts were in fact immersed—both of which are doubtful and disputed points-it no

* The Gospel according to Matthew. Explained by JOSEPH ADDISON ALEXANNew York. Charles Scribner. 1861.

DER.

more follows that this mode of washing was essential to the rite, than that every elder must be an old man, or that the Lord's Supper can be lawfully administered only in the evening." One can hardly suppress an expression of amazement, that writers of intelligence should so preposterously confound essentials with circumstantials. Perhaps it will not be deemed uncharitable for us to ask, Why it is that distinguished Pedobaptist authors in America do not write as frankly as do Pedobaptist authors of note in Britain and on the continent of Europe, in recognition of the ancient external baptism?

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

CORNELIUS'S HISTORY OF THE MÜNSTER INSURRECTION.*-It is remarkable that the most thorough and impartial history of the Annabaptists and the Münster Insurrection, should have been written by a Roman Catholic. But such is the fact. Protestants have been unable to escape from their mutual prejudices; the Catholic has succeeded in discovering and revealing the truth, if not always in kindling into sympathy as he has depicted it.

The first work published by the author, relating to the subject of this history, appeared in 1850, and was entitled "Concerning the sources which learned men have used in their Histories of the Münster Sedition" (de fontibus quibus in Hist. seditionis Mon. viri docti usi sunt). In 1855 appeared the first volume of the History to which we wish now especially to call attention. It begins with the manifestations of fanaticism in 1525, and ends with its triumph in the institution of a Theocratic government at Münster, in 1533. The intermediate chapters are occupied in tracing the causes and progress of fanatical views of civil and religious liberty, in different parts of Germany.

The second volume, which appeared last year, is devoted exclusively to Anabaptism, beginning with the "origin of Anabaptism," tracing it in various cities, and among the adherents of party leaders, and ending with the persecution of the " Melchiorites," on the first outbreak of which Jan Mathys directed his steps toward Münster, proclaiming to the Melchiorite Churches, that the Lord had selected Münster to be his chosen city, the New Jerusalem. Mathys began his journey towards Münster on the very month in which that city had been brought

* Geschichte des Munsterischen Aufruhrs. In drei Buchen, von C. A. CORNELIUS. Erstes Buch. Die Reformation. Leipzig. 1855. Zweites Buch. Die Wiedertaufe. Leipzig, 1860.

under the Theocratic rule; the two volumes thus ending with the same date, and with actors and events that converge to a common centre and result.

Each volume is accompanied with a very full Appendix, containing documents in verification of the truth of the narrative. The writer avows his wish to have it understood, that he has in no way aimed in the History to conceal the relation of his stand-point (Catholic) to the events narrated, and that whatever good may be done by his work, should be accounted the effect of all true history, and not set down to the merit of the historian. The volumes are worthy to be translated into English. We hope to give our readers an account of their contents at some future time.

PROF. SMITH'S EDITION OF HAGENBACH'S HISTORY OF DOCTRINES.* -A good text-book of the History of Doctrines is indispensable to the theological student, and invaluable to any one engaged in theological or historical inquiries. Theology must be studied historically, if studied intelligently, and Church History, to be intelligible or profitable, must take careful account of the doctrinal conceptions and controversies of successive periods. A growing attention to the History of Doctrines, is one of the most hopeful signs in our American theological training.

It is, therefore, a real and valuable service that has been performed by Dr. Smith, in the prepartion of this new and greatly improved edition of Hagenbach. His large learning and sound judgment eminently fitted him for his task. He has not only corrected the translation in innumerable instances, but has introduced the changes and additions of the several German editions issued since the translation was first made. Numerous citations are also made from other Histories of Doctrines, as Gieseler's, Neander's, and specially Baur's, and references are given to later German, English and American works. The additions made to the Edinburgh edition, and to the text of Hagenbach, increase the matter of the volume about one-third," and we may add greatly enhance its value.

Gieseler, Neander and Baur were undoubtedly superior to Hagen

* A Text-Book of the History of Doctrines. By Dr. K. R. HAGENBACH, Professor of Theology in the University of Basle. The Edinburgh Translation of C. W. Buch, revised, with large additions from the fourth German edition, and other sources By HENRY B. SMITH, D. D., Professor in the Union Theological Seminary of the City of New York. Vol. I. New York: Sheldon & Co., 115 Nassau st. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1861.