other directions a similar limitation will be found, which may be ascribed partly to the necessarily restricted size of the book, partly to severity of taste. It may serve to indicate the wide range of selection and also the conscientious industry of the editor, to state that of the 511 hymns, 38 being anonymous, the remaining 473 are drawn from 151 different authors. We may compare it in this respect with the "Songs for the Sanctuary," which happens to lie nearest at hand, and in which of 1342 hymns, 284 being anonymous, there are 228 authors. On the other hand more than twenty authors are represented in this book who do not appear in "Songs for the Sanctuary." The anonymous hymns are about 8 per cent. of the former and 21 per cent. of the latter collection. But in the College Hymnal the old favorite authors are not by any means neglected. Watts leads the list, as he deserves to in any collection, with 85 hymns; next come Charles Wesley with 32, James Montgomery with 24, John Newton with 18, Doddridge with 17, and J. M. Neale with 15. No other author contributes more than ten. Here are also many hymns from more recent English authors, which are comparatively unknown among us now but may well become familiar in our churches. We miss some hymns that we should be glad to find in the book; among these are "Inspirer and hearer of prayer," "Lord, forever at thy side,' "Welcome, sweet day of rest," "My God, the covenant of thy love," "To our Redeemer's glorious name," and others. But on the whole this is certainly an admirable collection, not less interesting and valuable in itself than well adapted to its special purpose. It has so peculiarly the latter merit that it might well be adopted by any collegiate institution with such a congregation as that at Yale, and we hope it will become known and be used in many such places. To each hymn is prefixed a brief phrase from Scripture, and the full name of the author is added at the end. The utmost care has been used to give the pure original text of the hymns, and the appearance of the volume does great credit to the good taste of the publishers.

JOHN THE BAPTIST.*-The "Congregational Union of England and Wales" have reflected honor on their own denomination, and on English evangelical non-conformists at large, by "the well

*John the Baptist; a Contribution to Christian Evidences. The Congregational Union Lectures for 1874. By HENRY ROBERT REYNOLDS, D. D. Second edition. A. S. Barnes & Co. New York, Chicago, and New Orleans. 1876. pp. 548.

known series of works entitled Congregational Lectures," prepared at their request and under their auspices. It is understood that they are not necessarily delivered, before publication, to miscellaneous audiences, and the preface of this volume informs us that its contents have been first given only to a select class of students in a theological college of which the author is an instructor. As might be inferred from the request made to him for a treatise to be placed in such a series, Dr. Reynolds holds a high position in his own communion, and this work will make him still more favorably known in a wider circle. He has been happy in the choice of his subject, for while John the Baptist has ever been one of the most striking figures in the New Testament, and his career claims an important place in "Christian Evidences" and generally in the literature of the Bible, but few monographs have been devoted to him, and the discussion to which he has necessarily given rise in more comprehensive treatises makes the reader desire a fuller treatment, such as he will find here. This theme, however, is closely related to others in recent biblical criticism, and hence is necessarily expanded. We can now only indicate the course of thought by the titles of the several lectures: "The significance and sources of John's Biography;" "Examination of the Biblical Record of his nativity;" "John the Exponent of the Old Testament dispensation;" "the Preaching in the Wilderness;" the Baptist's "transitional work;" his "later Ministry and Special Revelations;" "the Ministry of the Prison;""Results, Echoes and Lessons of his Ministry." Under each of these heads interesting subordinate topics and questions are discussed, and an appendix to the whole is added. The author's studious reading, judgment, and candor appear throughout, and not less his evangelic fervor, the latter especially in what is said of prophecy on pages 210 to 215. He is acquainted with the latest criticism whether orthodox or rationalistic. The style is clear and manly. It is a work that not only meets the wants of theological students but must interest and profit all intelligent and devout readers. They will find it the amplest exposition of our Lord's judgment (cited on the title page) that while none had been greater than the Baptist, "the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."-The word "bulked" (for enlarged or swelled) we suppose to be a Scotticism.

STEPHEN'S HISTORY OF English Thought in the Eighteenth CENTURY.* The history of opinions is a branch of literature which has thus far flourished far less among the English than among the Germans. A few works, like that of Sir James Mackintosh upon the British Ethical Philosophy, and similar works by Dugald Stewart and by Whewell, are notable exceptions to the general sterility of our literature in this department. On the Deists, the main subject of the volumes before us, we have the laborious and trustworthy treatise of Leland. Lechler has written in German an excellent book on the same subject. Rev. John Hunt, in his History of English Thought, traverses the same field. Mr. Stephen's discussion is characterized by ample learning, and by frequent examples of acute criticism. It is entitled to no mean rank as a contribution to religious philosophy from the author's point of view. His point of view, however, we regret to say, is not that of sympathy with the peculiar truths and the supernatural authority of the Christian religion.

MARTINEAU ON MODERN MATERIALISM.-This little volume comprises, first, the author's Reply to Tyndall's criticism of his lecture upon "Religion as affected by Modern Materialism;" and, secondly, another article from the Contemporary Review upon the same general theme. Mr. Martineau treats his distinguished opponent courteously and fairly, but subjects his utterances respecting religion to a searching and rather destructive criticism. These essays are quite valuable, and, along with other recent publications by the same writer, constitute an effective answer to the assertions and arguments of those who have sought of late to revive, under the name of "science," the old dogmas of materialism.

PHILOSOPHICAL.

PRESIDENT McCоsн, under the title of THE DEVELOPMENT HYPOTHESIS: IS IT SUFFICIENT ? publishes four papers, three of which have been previously given to the public. The first is enti

* History of English Thought in the Eighteenth Century. By LESLIE STEPHEN, In two vols. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1876.

+ Modern Materialism; its attitude towards Theology. By JAMES MARTINEAU, LL.D. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1876.

The Development Hypothesis: Is it sufficient? By JAMES MCCOSH, D.D., LL.D., President of Princeton College. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1876.

tled "Arguments for and against the Development hypothesis;" the second, "Is the Development hypothesis sufficient?" the third, "Geology and Scripture;" the fourth, "View of our World given by combined Science and Religion." The four make a pamphlet volume of 104 pages, which is very readable and contains many suggestions and arguments in the author's well-known style of learning. The author has not slighted his reading in preparing for his work. The force and effect of his reasonings would have been greater, as it seems to us, had he adopted a somewhat more quiet style of treatment and a less ambitious diction. But he was writing for a popular audience, rather than for learned critics, and his work will be read by uncritical readers, and he doubtless designedly adapted his style to the demands and tastes of the majority of his hearers and readers. We recommend the work as one of great value, which is as yet almost unknown to American readers.

THE anonymous author of ULTIMATE GENERALIZATION* is a thinker trained in the school of Herbert Spencer, who while he agrees with his master in holding that the Philosophy of Science can only be consummated by attaining some ultimate generalization in the domain of abstracta, differs from Spencer in respect to the abstraction which should crown the edifice. The pamphlet is more than curious, it is instructive and suggestive to those who can understand and interpret it.

PROFESSOR STANLEY JEVONS' LOGIC PRIMER is characterized by the characteristic features of his familiar method of treating abstract topics and is perhaps as thoroughly successful as a Primer of Logic could possibly be made. We cannot say that we esteem such a book very useful except for the purposes of reviewing knowledge which has been gained from a more extended treatise. If a primer means an introductory treatise it must necessarily be a failure whenever the subject is necessarily so abstract as Logic is. The advanced student will find the treatise convenient and serviceable.

*The Ultimate Generalization: An effort in the Philosophy of Science. New York: Charles P. Somerby, 139 Eighth street. 1876. pp. 56.

Science Primers. Logic. By W. STANLEY JEVONS, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., Professor of Political Economy in University College, London. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1876.

MISCELLANEOUS.

ALPHABET IN FINANCE.*-This addition to "Putnam's Popular Manuals" is very timely. The author is or was editor of the Brooklyn Times, and the directness and raciness of this little book spring no doubt from his experience as a journalist. He calls his book "An Alphabet," and he begins with the A. B. C. of his subject; but the reader is pretty sure to follow him to the X. Y. Z. of his result.

He treats of the "origin of money " and the reasons for the choice of gold to serve as the medium of exchange. An important chapter is on what is meant by a "standard unit." He shows how and why an inferior currency always drives out a superior one. He discusses the subject of a double standard for measuring values; is money a creation of government; how much gold a country needs, and how the quantity of gold in a country is regu lated. He explains the credit system, and considers the subject of bank notes and their convertibility, and how the quantity in circulation is regulated; who should issue paper money; legaltenders and inflation; fractional currency, foreign exchange, and banking; what is a specie basis, and the balance of trade. All these are live questions, and are treated by a live man in a live We have hardly seen a book so well adapted to instruct novices in the questions of the day about finance and the currency. It is not written in a scientific manner, but, generally avoiding abstruse discussion and technical terms, the author expresses himself in plain and familiar language so that any one can understand him. He states that the book purposely deals chiefly with principles and makes slight use of illustration, but we think when he does use illustrations they are very pertinent and furnish a strong support to his arguments.

manner.

The part of the book which appears to us the ablest and adapted to do the most good is that in which, after explaining what is meant by the "credit system," he treats of " "pure credit money," "the closed circle," "the three-sixty-five bond scheme," and "the bond scheme at its best."

* An Alphabet in Finance. A simple statement of permanent principles and their application to questions of the day. By GRAHAM MCADAM. With introduction by R. R. Bowker. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 182 Fifth avenue. 1876. 12mo.