of scholars, we are very greatly in need of the working in of their thoroughness upon our so frequent superficiality, and we cannot but be awakened to new enthusiasm and earnestness by every new exhibition of their devotion to and progress in learning. Of the present Commentary, which is very full and displays the author's usual power, it is scarcely needful to speak at length, since everything from the pen of Hengstenberg in the line of sacred criticism and literature is worthy of high regard, and is sure to receive it here among us, as much if not more than in his own country. We would therefore simply give the announcement to our readers that the volume is published, and that it contains-besides the extended commentary on Ecclesiastes-some introductory lectures or treatises on the Song of Solomon, on the Book of Job, on the Prophet Isaiah, on the Sacrifices of Holy Scripture, and on the Jews and the Christian Church.

BURROWES'S COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SOLOMON.*-Dr. Burrowes has given us a work which is rather of a popular than of a purely scholastic character, but one which may be read with much interest, as unfolding the design and the beauties of the Song of Songs. He begins with a long and well-written introduction, in which he examines the character of the Song, and brings forward the strong proofs, which show that it should receive an allegorical interpretation. For the full understanding of its meaning, however, and the highest appreciation of its expressions of love, he thinks that the soul must have made great progress in the Christian life. Into the hands of such souls, especially, does "the Holy Spirit give this special scroll written full of the characters of love, and whispers to them that they can never do wrong in speaking of Jesus in these terms." It becomes the "manual of the advanced Christian," and as such is to be read and enjoyed the more as we go farther and farther forward on our way. He regards the Song as consisting of three distinct parts, which, severally, exhibit "the way in which the soul that longs for the manifestation of the love of Christ is led on to the gratification of that desire; the motives by which the Lord would allure such a soul away from the present world; and the effect produced on the heart of the saint by these manifestations of love and these motives." A translation of the Song is given and also a very

* A Commentary on the Song of Solomon. Second edition, revised. Philadelphia: William 12 mo. pp. 454.

By GEORGE BURROWES, D. D. S. and Alfred Martien. 1860.

full analysis of it, verse by verse. Upon this follows the Commentary itself, which contains evidence that the author has himself endeavored to enter into the true idea and spirit of the poem. His suggestions will, we may venture to say, help others toward the same end, and may be as quickening to the religious life as the author desires and hopes.

HENDERSON'S COMMENTARY ON THE MINOR PROPHETS.*-The short biographical sketch, which Professor Barrows has prefixed to this American edition of Henderson's Commentary, must impress all who are unacquainted with the author's writings with his abundant qualifica tions for the labor which he took upon himself, in translating and explaining the books of the Minor Prophets. He seems to have had a mind which acquired the knowledge of foreign languages with remarkable ease, while the circumstances, employments and aims of his life were such as to open before him a wide field for such acquisition. For twenty years he was engaged in the missionary work of the Bible Societies, and, in connection with this work, he employed much of his energy in the department of oriental literature. On his return to England he received almost immediately a theological professorship, the duties of which office, in one place or another, he discharged with distinguished ability, success and reputation, during almost a quarter of a century. His commentaries on the Old Testament were the result of this long continued study and preparation; the result of his most mature scholarship and his most extended investigation. We are, therefore, sure, at the first, from what we learn of the man, that they must be what we find on examination they are, a valuable contribution to our biblical knowledge. The translation seems to be made with much care, while the notes, though not very extensive, bear evidence of a thorough acquaintance with all the questions discussed. The books. are arranged in the order of our English version, and each one is preceded by a brief account of the author, his times, style, &c., and the course of thought in each chapter and section is set forth in a few words. He explains his principles of interpretation at the outset of his preface, which he endeavors to carry out fully, as we see in the progress of the work; being an earnest believer in the inspiration of these writers,

*The Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Translated from the original Hebrew; with a Commentary, Critical, Philological, and Exegetical. By E. HENDERSON, D. D., with a Biographical sketch of the author, by E. P. BARROWs, Hitchcock Professor in Andover Theological Seminary. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1860. 8vo. pp. 458. Price $3.

and disposed to look with no very great favor on those who would explain away, as a fable or moral fiction, whatever may seem to them improbable or unworthy of belief. A single quotation from his preface may not be out of place in closing this notice of the work. "In no instance," he says, "has the theory of a double sense been permitted to exert an influence on the author's expositions. He is firmly convinced that the more this theory is impartially examined, the more it will be found that it goes to unsettle the foundations of Divine Truth, unhinge the mind of the biblical student, invite the sneer and ridicule of unbelievers, and open the door to the extravagant vagaries of a wild and unbridled imagination.”

STUART'S COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.*—The Commentaries on the Epistles to the Romans and Hebrews, by Professor Stuart, are probably the best specimens of really scholarly works in this department, which have ever been published in this country. Delitzsch, the recent German writer on this epistle, speaks of the one now before us as rivaling the efforts of his own countrymen, and we find both of them mentioned with respect by many of the foreign scholars. Among ourselves they have been well known for nearly a generation, and they are valuable to us now not only in themselves, but as reminding us so distinctly of the learning and enthusiasm which gave their author a powerful and inspiring influence over his pupils, and through which he accomplished more for the advancement of biblical criticism in our part of the world, than any other man ever has done as yet, and more, perhaps, than any other ever will. Professor Robbins has rendered a good service to our students of theology, by preparing this new edition of these two Commentaries, and we hope that both he and the publishers will find the surest evidence that their labors are appreciated.

MESSIANIC PROPHECY AND THE LIFE OF CHRIST.-This unpretending volume strikes us as being one which may be quite useful to a large class of Christian people. The design of the author is, in his own lan

* A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. By MOSES STUART, late Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover. Edited and revised by R. D. C. ROBBINS, Professor in Middlebury College. Fourth edition. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1860. 12mo. pp. 575. Price $1.75.

Messianic Prophecy and the Life of Christ. By WILLIAM S. KENNEDY. Second edition. Andover: Warren F. Draper. 1860. 12mo. pp. 484. Price $1.

guage, "to present, in popular form, the Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament in their chronological order, and the Life of Jesus arranged according to the best harmony of the Gospels." This he has done in a simple style and with a careful division of both sections of the work into periods, so as, on the one hand, to set before the reader in a clearer light the various prophecies, which, being brought into their proper relations as to time and subject, produce their combined effect upon the mind, while, on the other hand, he gives the events in the life of our Saviour in their historical order, with only enough of explanation to show their connection and progress. He has thus had the good sense to leave the Scripture declarations and record to make their own full and best impression, without falling into the common error of writing overmuch and round about the subject, and really obscuring it by the display of his powers of composition. Now most persons, we are inclined to believe, read the Bible" in course," as we say, and with a conscientious apportionment of so many chapters to each day, but with very little of careful examination as to the bearing of one part upon another, or of distinct and thorough understanding of the Life of Jesus in its succession of events and its fulfillment of particular prophecies. How much would such persons be benefited oftentimes by the use of a work like the present; which aids the mind to an easy attainment of what it should desire, and which is so brief and simple in itself as to be readily used by any one. And when we say such persons, we should scarcely venture to determine how many could be excepted from the number;-perhaps one in fifty-perhaps one in five hundred.

MORNING HOURS IN PATMOS.-The idea of this book was conceived during the hours of a morning sail on the Egean Sea, along the southern shore of Asia Minor, from Rhodes to Patmos. The author, with his Bible open before him, and the rocky island, the scene of apocalyptic visions, in full view, could hardly fail to read the opening chapter of the Revelation of John, with new and peculiar interest. He had already visited Smyrna, and the sites of Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea; and among their ruins read and re-read the several letters to the "Seven Churches which are in Asia." He has not attempted to make a book of travels, or a book for scholars; but to give to those who have not been favored with opportunities of Eastern

*Morning Hours in Patmos: The opening Vision of the Apocalypse, and Christ's Epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia. By A. C. THOMPSON. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1860. 12mo. pp. 268.

travel, some descriptions of the present appearance of these memorable localities, and to convey, if possible, some idea of the new and vivid impressions he gained as he studied the latest of the inspired prophecies amid the very scenes where it was communicated to the Apostle who was commanded to write the "things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."

HACKETT'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE.*-This is a new edition of a work which has been for several years favorably known to the public. For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with the book, it may be well to state that it presents a popular and a reliable account, by one of the best biblical scholars in the country, who has himself been in Palestine, of such Eastern habits and customs as will serve to make the Scriptural narratives better understood. The subjects treated of in the several chapters are as follows:-I. Methods of traveling in Palestine. II. Manners and Customs of the People. III. Climate, Soil and Productions. IV. Agriculture, its operations and implements. V. Geographical accuracy of the Bible. VI. Jewish opinions and usages. VII. Jerusalem and its environs. VIII. Sketches of particular places and towns in Palestine.

It ought to be stated, to the credit of the publishers, that though the work was stereotyped, they have allowed the author to make very extensive changes in this edition, so that there is scarcely a page which does not show traces of the results of a second visit which he has made to some of the localities of the Bible.

THE CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE.-The translation of the immortal "Confessions," which Professor Shedd has edited, was published long ago by an unknown author, but is so faithful that it required little mending. No other English translation can rival it in fidelity and spirit. The present edition is enriched by an introduction which exhibits, with Professor Shedd's well known force and felicity of style, some leading characteristics of this, to the majority of readers, most interesting of the voluminous writings of the great North African Father, whose

* Illustrations of Scripture: Suggested by a tour through the Holy Land. By HORATIO B. HACKETT, D. D., Professor of Biblical Literature in Newton Theological Institution. New and Revised edition. Boston: Gould & Lincoln.

1860. 12mo. pp. 352.

The Confessions of St. Augustine. Edited, with an introduction, by WILLIAM G. T. Shedd. Andover: W. F. Draper. 1860. Price $1.