the political catastrophe. Whether it is of Marie Antoinette or of the elections in Paris, the tenth of June, or the twelfth of July, or of intervening days with their sad anticipations or direful flow of blood that the author writes, he is ever mindful that the Revolution was a hinge upon which turned the destinies of freedom, and he endows it with such literary ornamentation as his task will permit. This work has our cordial commendation, both for its philosophy and history, and equally so for its high literary quality and decisive achievement as a literary work. Redeeming the Republic: The Third Period of the War of the Rebellion in the Year 1864. By CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 478. New York: Harper & Brothers. Price, cloth, $3. The rebellion was one of the "gigantic crimes of history." It originated in a purpose to extend slavery, perhaps the greatest crime of a civilized people. Slavery the cause and rebellion the effect were suppressed, and historians are now writing the war that destroyed them. Mr. Coffin offers to the public another volume, containing not merely the facts but also his version of the conflict as its spirit became manifest in the tremendous events of the period. The year 1864 was memorable for great battles, great achievements for freedom, and an evident progress toward the conclusion of the strife. General Grant was pounding the rebellion into dust in the East and General Sherman was extinguishing it in the West and remote South. The story is told plainly, concisely, yet with a nervous diction that the contemplation of the events would naturally inspire, and it naturally awakens the military and patriotic spirit of the reader. One of the results of such a book is, in addition to its adding to the general information, to make patriotic citizens, such as the Republic can depend upon in the future. Another result is, that, rushing through the record of carnage and brutality, we are thankful that the sacrifice required for freedom was no greater and that it came to an end. Students of our military history will avail themselves of the author's works. John G. Paton. Missionary to the New Hebrides. by his Brother. 12mo, pp. 365. New York: Price, cloth, $1 50. An Autobiography. Edited Born in Scotland, Mr. Paton imbibed less of the theological spirit than of the missionary impulse of that Presbyterian country. Early in life the passion for saving souls took possession of him, and it never vacated the premises. He proved himself fit for foreign service by his devotion to the wretched and degraded in his own land. Glasgow was his training-school. In her dens of iniquity he made war with hell and came off conqueror. He was instrumental in reclaiming the drunkard, converting the papist, answering the infidel, and saw the saints multiply in the abodes of the wicked. The wail of the heathen, however, made him uncomfortable, and, licensed and ordained, he sailed for the New Hebrides. Tanna, an island of cannibals, was his head-quarters for a few years, but he finally left it without recovering it to civilization or really delivering it from heathenism. But his labors were not in vain, for more has been accomplished in the islands in the last twenty-five years than in all their previous history, in the way of evangelization. He studied their superstitions, their system of sacrifices, the meaning of their dances, and the coarse and brutal customs they observed in worship and social life, and found them repugnant and alien to all good influences. Nevertheless, since his day they have progressed until the naked clothe themselves; woman, hitherto crushed, is accorded some rights; decency and order seem to be desired by the majority, and the life of a human being is sacred in their sight. In this plain recital of a missionary's life we see more than the heroism of the teacher or the obstinate indifference of the idolater; we see the divine hand guid*ing the one and restraining the other, and preparing the isles of the sea for the coming of the Lord. Hosea Ballou. A Marvelous Life-Story. By OSCAR F. SAFFORD, D.D. 12mo, Dr. Safford frankly avows that the motive that governed him in preparing this work was to rescue the "greatest theologian and picturesque character" of the Universalist Church from "increasing obscurity," though Mr. Ballou's son had years ago written a biography of his father, and Thomas Whittemore also had published a work of four volumes on the work and career of the celebrated leader. It seems that the previous biographies failed to keep alive the memory of one who had distinguished himself in the "cause" of universal redemption. We do not intimate that the same fate awaits this volume, but we do say that unless a leader has in himself the constituent elements of perpetuity, or his leadership and its results are of fundamental importance, no biography can perpetuate his name beyond a generation, and under such circumstances the most eloquent eulogy sinks to the level of an epitaph. Mr. Ballou made some history which is worth recalling. The son of a Baptist minister, he imbibed the Calvinism of his time, and preached it for many years. That he broke with it was to his credit, but that he espoused a greater error in theology is quite as evident. He was apparently slow in changing his mind, though his strongest trait was intellectual vacillation. His progress in thought does not exhibit regular gradations or traceable processes of evolution, but rather irregular variations from a straight line, and sudden decisions that surprise those who are given to logical methods of inquiry and change. His admirers may not admit this dubious mental condition, as a distinctive trait, but his history evidences it at every turn. In reaching his conclusions respecting future punishment he commences as a Calvinistic believer in it, and his two works, Notes on the Parables, and Treatise on Atonement, furnish strong arguments in its defense as a scriptural doctrine. Nor did he wholly change when he formulated the theology which the Universalists of his day generally accepted, for he still announced punishment for sin as a truth to be preached and believed. But in his development of the doctrine he attempted to free it of the orthodox interpretation, and so at times he runs into restorationism, and at other times presented it in the most vague and unsatisfactory manner, leaving it doubtful as to whether sin is wholly punishable in this life, or wholly repaired in the life to come. His theology became the theology of Universalism, though prior to the new leader it had main. tained other views of future punishment. The book is interesting because it aims to trace the career of one who passed from the Calvinistic faith to the acceptance of a heresy that, supported by a few honored names in literature, still exerts wherever preached a paralyzing effect on all the holy industries of the Christian Church, and impedes the progress of the religion upon which it professes to found its claims and arguments. MISCELLANEOUS. Epworth League Workers. By JACOB EMBURY PRICE. 12mo, pp. 217. New York: Hunt & Eaton. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. Price, cloth, 75 cents. That the Epworth League is "a child of Providence" seems proven in its phenomenal growth, its present magnitude, and its rapidly-widening membership. Such an increasing institution must have its new and special literature, and to this class of publications the present manual belongs. Its design is to aid in the successful management of League societies. In its sweep of discussion it gives helpful direction for all the details of Epworth League work, including literary and scientific meetings, Bible study, studies in Methodism, social culture, and Christian work. The ample experience of its author in the management of young people's societies gives additional value to his recent publication. It is practical. vigorous, wise. We cheerfully commend its use. Jesus of Nazareth. Three Lectures Before the Young Men's Christian Associa tion of Johns Hopkins University, in Levering Hall. By JOHN A. BROADUS, D.D., LL.D., President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 12mo, pp. 105. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son. Price, cloth, 75 cents. These three lectures discuss the personal character of Jesus, his ethical teachings, and his supernatural works. The author confesses them to be "the fruit of life-time studies." They are scholarly, orthodox, and set forth with new charm the ever-peculiar life of Jesus of Nazareth. Centennial of the Methodist Book Concern and Dedication of the new Publishing and Mission Building of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 8vo, pp. 78. New York: Hunt & Eaton. Few anniversaries in Methodism have lately been of more importance than the celebration which occasioned this memorial. It is eminently satisfactory that the centennial of John Dickins's work as first book agent should be celebrated by the dedication of a new building devoted to the widelyextended and rapidly-enlarging interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The addresses made on that occasion and an outline account of the general exercises are hercin preserved. The event has already become history, and at least one of its chief participants has passed to the Church triumphant. The Methodism of the future will be grateful for the account of these centennial exercises and of this dedication, in such accurate and enduring form. INDEX. Agnosticism: Douglas, 399. Amos, The Prophecy of: Terry, 868. Assyrian Research, Progress in: Rogers, 53. Biblical Criticism, The Limitations of (Cur. Bright, John: Willing, 247. British Methodism, Aggressive Movements in Christendom, Union of (Cur. Dis.), 273. Christian Scholarship and its Obligations Christlieb, Professor Theodore: Cramer, 507. Christ's Descent to Hades: Cooke, 566. Church, The Local-A Weak Spot (Arena), 762. Conn: Science and Christian Faith, 79. Daniel, Is Book of, a Prophecy: Poucher, C49. Durbin, Roche's Life of John P.: Upham, 365. Egypt, Recent Explorations in: Fraden- Evil, The Divine Overrule of (Arena), 121. Foreign Résumé, 126, 289, 449, 612, 772, 919. Fry: Jesus of Nazareth, 27. Gallagher: Geology and Sacred Chronol- General Conference, Centennial (Arena), 909. Gospel for Romanists in U. S. (Arena), 12. Harman: Character of Book of Joshua, 9. Human Quantity in Holy Scriptures (Cur. Hyde Ezra the Scribe, 809. Idealism, The Philosophy of: Moore, 551. Itinerants' Club, 284, 444, 607, 767, 914. Jesus of Nazareth: Fry, 27. Mallalieu: Was the Resurrection of Christ Methodist Episcopal Church, Unconstitutional Missionary Range (Cur. Dis.), 270. Nast, Dr. Wm., on Rationalism (Arena), 277. Nelson: The Christ of the Church, 223. "Old School Dogma," Persistence of: Town- Old Testament, Relation to Christian Faith Opinion, 93, 255, 417, 581, 741, 886. "Palace of the King's Daughter" (Arena), 765. Progress of Civilization, 134, 297, 457, 620, 780, Prophecy, Fulfilled and Unfulfilled, in Jewish, Psalms, The Titles of the: Green, 489. Race Problem-The Situation: Pearne, 690. 631, 937; Chautauquan, 145, 307, 468, 631, Sacred Writings, Antiquity of (Arena), 764. Strong: The Pulpit Mirrored from the Pew, Super: Mission of the Anglo-Saxon, 853. Terry: The Prophecy of Amos, 868. | Allen: Jonathan Edwards, 162. Asia, The Seven Churches of, etc., 647. Broadus: Jesus of Nazareth, 962. Campbell: Elements of Botany, etc., 954. Carleton City Legends, 483. Cave Scripture Doctrine of Sacrifice, 139. Titles of the Psalms: Green, 489. Unconstitutional Legislation in the Methodist Vincent: The Itinerants' Club, 65. Children of Gibeon: Besan', 328, Christian Educator, 166. Christian Year, To Meet the Day Through, 156. Christmas Drawings for Human Race, 165, Clark: Chatterbox for 1889-90, 808, Corinthians, Com. on First: Ellicott, 149. |