BIBLIOTHECA THEOLOGICA.*-The praiseworthy aim of Dr. Hurst, in his Bibliotheca Theologica has been to give the titles of the best English and American books in theology, issued for the most part, within the last forty years. He has evidently used much diligence and has been to a fair degree successful. The proportion of the several departments of theological science is well observed, and no partiality for writers belonging to the denomination of which the author is an honored member appears. While the titles of a considerable number of books of inferior merit are given, it is also true that most of the English and American theological works of the highest class are noticed. Occasionally important books are omitted and the latest editions are not always mentioned even in the Addenda, but omissions of this sort can hardly be avoided.

The plan of the book is less worthy of commendation. Although there are difficulties in carrying out a complete classification of theological literature, the attempt should be made to a much greater extent and in a different way than is here done. After giving a list of works, including collected works, under the general name of Introduction, the author follows Winer and the best authorities on Theological Encyclopedia, in dividing the remaining literature of theology into the four classes of exegetical, historical, systematic, and practical. But under exegetical theology with no further division than grammars and lexicons, texts of the Bible and Commentaries, the whole of the remainder is divided into no less than eighty-three general subjects alphabetically arranged. It cannot be said that this was required by the wants of beginners, who else would not know where to look for the title of a book; for these subjects are all given, so far as we have examined, in the full and excellent index. Most of these subjects would fitly and in far better order find their place under the comprehensive heads of Biblical History, Geography, Archæology, Introduction, Hermeneutics, and Criticism. Further, no less than ten of these "subjects" do not belong to exegetical theology at all, as for instance the two works of Cheever and Clark on the Bible in Public Schools. The thirteen titles on Inspiration should be placed under Systematic Theology; the eighteen on the Evidences of Christianity, and the eleven on Geology under Apologetics; Washburn's sermons on the Ten Commandments and similar works

* Bibliotheca Theologica: A select and classified Bibliography of Theology and General Religious Literature. By JOHN F. HURST, LL.D. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1883. 8vo, 417 pp.

under Practical Theology. Under the head Criticism, which should be reserved for Textual Criticism, only one work which really pertains to this subject is given, while the works of Davidson, Ernest, Scrivener, etc., which do belong under this head are strangely put under Hermeneutics.

Under Historical Theology, there is a better division, although the works on the Life of Christ should certainly come before the general history of the Church, but the more than seventy General Topics might be differently arranged with advantage.

The defective classification of the work appears very strongly in the literature of Systematic Theology. Here, instead of beginning with the obvious order of Natural Theology, Ethics, and Apologetics, these subjects are placed, under a variety of titles, among the ninety-one subjects of General Doctrinal Theology; while a beginning is made with Doctrinal Systems, followed by the manifestly scanty classification of Theology proper into the Divine Nature, Trinity, Fatherhood of God, Christology, and the Holy Spirit, leaving the subjects of anthropology, atonement, regeneration, justification, and eschatology to find their place as they can among the General Topics.

While obliged to regret, therefore, that this volume does not present a better view of the organic structure of theological science, we would not be indifferent to the praiseworthy diligence with which the author has put into our hands for easy reference, the titles of most of the recent theological works in English. If he could have had added a line or two in many cases, giving the character or special value of a book, as Alibone has done, the value of the volume to most purchasers would have been much increased. As it is, however, its value will be certainly recognized by those who have occasion to use it.

DR. COWLES ON THE ACTS.*-Dr. Cowles has completed and published a commentary on the entire Bible in sixteen volumes. Professor Morgan recommends it "as a work of special ability and excellence; among the very best contributions to the interpretation of the Word of God, enriched, but not overloaded or obscured by learning." The commentary before us is one of the volumes of this work.

*Acts of the Apostles, with Notes, Critical, explanatory, and practical. By Rev. HENRY COWLES, D.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1, 3, and 5 Bond street. 1883. 223 pages.

OUTLINES OF SERMONS.*-This is one of a series of volumes intended to furnish the clergy with stimulus and suggestion in the various departments of their work. A volume containing outlines of three hundred sermons by eminent divines in this country and Great Britain has been previously published. The present volume contains outlines of sermons on texts from the Old Testament. The several outlines or plans are somewhat more full than those in the preceding volume. The book is a good one of its kind. But it would be very unfortunate for any young clergyman if he should form the habit of depending on such a book in his ordinary preparation for the pulpit. Crutches are good at times; but chronic lameness is revealed by their constant use.

ENERGY, EFFICIENT, AND FINAL CAUSE.-This is the Second of the Philosophical Series of Dr. McCosh, the first of which has already been favorably noticed in the New Englander. It has the well-known characteristics of the distinguished author's philosophical thought and style.

HUMANE PROGRESS UNDER CHRISTIANITY.-This stately volume is welcome, as a witness to the force of truth-the truth— the truth in love. It is prepared by a competent hand; and is a fine accompaniment to its author's rougher contact with the rude world. After thirty years in the thick of life, applying the principles of Christianity, supplemented by many studious years over Roman Law and Medieval History, Mr. Brace has not mistaken the voice that said unto him: "What thou seest write in a book." We have had books and books, telling us what the "Spirit of the Age" has done for us, what "Knowledge" has done, what "Development" has done. Now here is one, that in the most modest and unpretending way, shows what the "Spirit of the Age," "Knowledge," "Development," and the other forces in our progress have received from Christ and Christian truth.

The plan of the work is as follows: To investigate the influence of Christianity on the practices, customs, laws, and morals, (1) Of *The Clerical Library. Outlines of Sermons on the Old Testament. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 714 Broadway. 1883. 292 pages.

+ Philosophic Series-No. II. Energy, Efficient, and Final Cause. By JAMES McCOSH, D.D., LL.D., D.L. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1883. 55 pages; price 50 cents.

Gesta Christi: or a History of Humane Progress under Christianity. By CHARLES LORING BRACE. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 714 Broadway,

the Roman Period; (2) The Middle Ages; (3) The Modern Period.

In our judgment, the author has presented a comprehensive, yet sufficiently clear statement of facts, to make manifest the power of that all but neglected factor, the Christian religion, in the reformations and transformations of national and civil life. The book is free from extravagance: it has the meekness of wisdom it will meet the author's expectation in being "an indirect argument (not less powerful for being indirect) for the truth of the Christian Faith." We cannot forbear giving our readers a taste of these rich contents, in the following extract from page 473:

"A profound and acute writer, a Positivist, Mr. Fiske, has somewhere said that the drift of society, under Natural Selection, and the other forces of Evolution, is towards weakening the power of selfishness, and strengthening the power of sympathy.' If it be objected, that this theory leaves out of view one of the great and solemn facts of life-the drift toward evil, or inherited and accumulated tendency to depravity-the reply is, that with the race we have imagined, inheritance may eventually be turned toward good. After hundreds of generations of human beings, guided by such principles as we have indicated, and inspired by the Divine Spirit, the immense power of heredity reduplicating any tendencies, physical or moral, would be accumulated in favor of benevolence, purity, and truth, and would open the mind to spiritual and moral truth, even from infancy. No human knowledge can measure the results, when at length, under Divine influence, that mysterious tendency towards evil, which has so tormented earnest thinkers-that principle of heredity, reduplicating in its power at every new generation--shall be turned towards good, and the first unconscious impulses lie in the direction of unselfishness, and religion. Then the gemmules,' which may have descended for a thousand generations, whether containing physical forces, or influencing moral tendencies, will be preponderatingly those which make the body pure, and self-controlled, and draw the soul towards goodness and God."

MAGAZINE OF ART.-The number for March contains several articles of special interest. Among these is an account of an American palace, the residence of Mr. William H. Vanderbilt, prepared by S. G. W. Benjamin. It is illustrated with six engravings, representing the interior of the various rooms. The other articles are "Prince Edward VI. and his whipping boy," from the painting by W. S. Stacey, and a full page steel engraving. "Horses and dogs," by A. E. Torrens, with a portrait of Charles Lutgens and two engravings. "For auld lang syne," from the

picture by Ed. Schulz-Briesen. "Greek Myths in Greek art;– Demeter;" by J. E. Harrison, with eight engravings. "The interior of St. Paul's Cathedral, past, present, and future," by Basil Champney, with five engravings. "My Model," from the picture by Raimundo Madrazo. "The special artist," by Harry V. Barnett, with six engravings. "Current Art," with five engravings. "The Chronicle of Art." "American Art Notes." Yearly subscription, $3.50, single numbers, 35 cents. Cassell, Petter & Galpin, New York.

THE ART AMATEUR for February contains some striking crayon and charcoal drawings, including the Lions in Trafalgar Square by F. Hopkinson Smith, a portrait of that artist by Millet and Abbey, and a very life-like figure study by Geo. H. Boughton, whose beautiful painting, "Flowers and Falling Leaves," is also handsomely reproduced. The illustrations of "Inexpensive Home Decoration," by Lewis F. Day, and of "Japanese Decorative Art" by Dr. Dresser, are numerous and interesting. Capital designs of narcissus, clover, and barberries for jug and vase decoration, and a clever honey-suckle design for a screen are given, besides a variety of suggestions for general decoration and ecclesiastical embroidery. The text of the number is especially strong. Edward Strahan has an article on water color painting; Clarence Cook dissects without mercy the alleged Raphael at the Metropolitan Museum; the art of the past year is reviewed; picture exhibitions in New York and Philadelphia receive ample attention, and "My Note Book" is full of sharp paragraphs. New houses of artistic pretensions in New York and elsewhere are keenly criticised. There are valuable articles on fan painting, china painting, and needle-work, and various topics relating to bric-a-brac, and art in dress are discussed. Price, 35 cents; $4 a year. Montague Marks, publisher, 23 Union Square, New York.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

D. Appleton & Co., New York.

The Student's Concordance to the Revised Version, 1881, of the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Compiled upon an Original Plan, showing the changes in all Words referred to. With Appendices of the chief authorized words and passages omitted in the revision, and of new and disused words: a Table of the Genealogy of the English New Testament, etc. 447 pp.

James R. Osgood & Company, Boston.

Home-Life in the Bible. By Henrietta Lee Palmer, author of "The Stratford Gallery." Edited by John Williamson Palmer. Two hundred and twenty illustrations. 428 pp.