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This last distance Messrs Wolcott and Tipping found on careful measurement to be only 550 feet; and further, by like measurement, both within and without the city, they ascertained" that the whole length of the southern wall of the Haram, as nearly as it can be measured, is 915 feet, instead of 955 feet as given by Prof. R." (Vol. I. p. 430,) making a difference of forty feet. "This correction," Mr. W. remarks, "will help his argument." I am, however, unable to account for the error. This measurement of the circumference of the city was one of our first in Jerusalem; it was made by me alone, our two Arab servants carrying the tape. It of course did not pretend to any great accuracy; and the correction made by Mr. W. of three feet in the length of the eastern wall of the Haram, (1525 feet, instead of 1528,) does not surprise me. Had the other error in the southern wall amounted to 100 feet, instead of 40, I should at once have supposed I had counted one length of the tape twice over. As it is, it may have arisen, perhaps, from some mistake in reading off the number of feet on the tape, when not stretched its whole length.

ARTICLE XIII.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

1.-Lectures in Divinity, by the late George Hill, D. D., Principal of St. Mary's College, St. Andrews. Edited from his manuscript by his son, the Rev. Alexander Hill, minister of Dailly. Philadelphia: Herman Hooker, 1842. pp.

781.

THE publisher of this volume of "Lectures in Divinity" has done a valuable service to the religious public of the United States. He has placed within the reach of Theological students and ministers of the gospel, in a convenient form and at a reasonable price, a body of theology well arranged and written in a lucid, didactic style. The author was a highly respected minister in the Church of Scotland, and for many years Professor of Divinity in St. Mary's College. The Lectures are divided into VI. Books, and these again into chapters

and sections. The books treat, in order, of the following subjects-Evidences of the Christian Religion-General view of the Scripture System-Opinions concerning the Son, the Spirit, and the manner of their being united with the Father -Opinions concerning the Nature, the Extent and the Appli cation of the Remedy brought by the Gospel-Index of particular questions, arising out of opinions concerning the gospel Remedy, and of many of the technical terms of TheologyOpinions concerning Church Government. Under these general heads, we have a brief and candid history of the principal theological opinions which have prevailed on the earth, and a very fair presentation of those views, on different points, which the author could not adopt. Those who differ with him, as we perhaps should on a few points, will have no reason to complain of his unfairness, but must be prepared to meet his arguments with the same candor and kindness which he manifests. His views of original Sin, Atonement, Redemption, etc., are those of the Scotch Church generally.

2.-The Poetical Works of John Sterling. First American Edi

tion. Philadelphia: Herman Hooker, 1842. pp. 268. These poetical effusions are from the pen of Mr. Sterling, formerly a clergyman, now a gentleman of leisure and letters, who has been a frequent contributor to the pages of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, under the signature of Archæus.

The volume commences with the "Sexton's Daughter," which he who readeth once will wish to read again. It is a beautiful tale of tenderness and love, represented in the simplest, chastest language, and with the manner of an artist. The "Hymns of a Hermit," and several other interesting pieces, not found in the volume published in England in 1839, are introduced in this first American Edition.

Whilst we appreciate the style and generally the sentiments of the book, and discover much that is chaste, tender, pure, and beautiful, we cannot but regret that the publisher has seen fit to enclose it all in so homely an exterior.

3. Elementary Principles of Interpretation, translated from the Latin of J. A. Ernesti, with notes, and an Appendix, containing Extracts from Morus, Beck, Keil, and Henderson. By Moses Stuart. Fourth Edition. Andover: Allen, Morrill, & Wardwell. New York: Dayton & Newman. 1842. pp. 142.

This small manual has already passed through three edi.

tions, and its value is, therefore, sufficiently known to the biblical student. As will be seen from the title-page, it is enriched by copious and important extracts from the Hermeneutica of Morus, and from Keil and Henderson on the qualifications of an interpreter. It presents in a brief space, and in the form of distinct rules, the principles by which the expounder of the Scriptures is to be governed, and is well adapted as a text-book on the subject, to those who are willing to devote time and patience to such acquisitions.

4.-Manual of Sacred Interpretation, for the special benefit of Junior Theological Students; but intended also for private Christians in general. By Alexandar McClelland, Professor of Biblical Literature in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick. New York: Robert Carter, 1842. pp. 168.

This book is something new under the sun! It was written by one who holds the pen of a master, as every one who reads it will testify. We here have exhibited all the essential principles of interpretation, in four maxims and nine rules; and these are presented in so attractive a style, and with so happy illustrations, that one enjoys the reading, however dry we might naturally presume the subject to be. Every one may read and understand the lessons it teaches, and we are glad that the subject has been unfolded by one so admirably quali. fied, in a manner which, we trust, will secure the attention of ordinary readers of the Bible, and lead to a more general study of the just rules of exposition. The "Address to Students of Theology," at the close of the volume, is one that ought to be read by every young man having the ministry in view, or having recently entered it. He could not rise from the perusal without feeling himself inspired with a new zeal for prayerful, persevering, ardent study of the word of God.

5.-The Millennium of the Apocalypse. By George Bush, Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature, New York City University. Second Edition. Salem: John P. Jewett. Boston Tappan and Dennet, Crocker and Brewster. New York: Dayton and Newman, 1842. pp. 206.

The times are marked by attention to the prophecies, and therefore, eminently propitious for a second edition of Professor Bush's work. It will probably be read with even more inter. est now, than when it first appeared. The peculiarity of the

views consists principally in regarding the Apocalyptic Millenium as past, and interpreting the Dragon of the twentieth chapter of Revelation, as a symbol of despotic, idolatrous Paganism. The author, however, by no means rejects the idea of a future period of peace and bliss, when holiness shall prevail on the earth, but thinks this is not to be confounded with the thousand years of the binding of Satan or the Dragon. The book merits attention and study.

6.-The Bible and the Closet: or How we may read the Scriptures with the most Spiritual Profit. By Rev. Thomas Watson; And Secret Prayer Successfully Managed. By Rev. Samuel Lee; Ministers Ejected in 1662. Edited by John Overton Choules. With a Recommendatory Letter from Rev. E. N. Kirk. Boston: Gould, Kendall and Lincoln, 1842. pp. 140, 24 mo.

This little book, beautifully executed, is one of a series in course of preparation by Mr. Choules, derived from the writings of the Puritans and Nonconformists of England in the seventeenth century, for which he possesses a library of rare materials. The two Essays before us are a good beginning. That on secret prayer is not surpassed by any thing we have ever read on the subject.

7.-Discourses on Human Life. By Orville Dewey, Pastor of the Church of the Messiah, in New York. New York: David Felt & Co., 1841. pp. 299.

The author of these Discourses, it is well known, embraces the Unitarian views of Christianity, and his style of composition and manner have acquired for him some popularity. These sermons, or rather discourses, as they are more appropriately denominated, are certainly written in an attractive style, and there is an air of mystery about some of them, that would be exceedingly grateful to certain minds; but, when contemplated as part of the regular ministrations from the pulpit to a waiting assembly of immortal, sinful men, under probation for a few days in this fleeting life and then to pass to the judgment seat, and receive an award for eternity, dependent on their relations to Jesus Christ in this world, they seem to us to be exceedingly wanting in the essential principles of the Gospel. The precious blood of Christ is not there; the cross is cut down; and true religion is made identical with goodness. This might answer for a purer world than ours; but it is far

from being adapted to the wants of a guilty rebel against Jehovah's throne. The discourses undoubtedly inculcate a beautiful morality, derived from the philosophico-preceptive portions of the word of God, except that they leave the sinful soul of man, without that powerful incentive to holiness and goodness, which is found in the love of a crucified Redeemer, bleeding for the guilt of man and in order to his redemption. The heart-broken, agonized sinner, would look in vain to this volume, for that healing balm which should soothe his troubled spirit.

8.-Comfort in Affliction: A Series of Meditations. By James Buchanan, D. D. High Church, Edinburgh.-First American from the ninth Edinburgh edition. New York and Brooklyn Robert Carter. 1842. pp. 254.

This Dr. Buchanan, minister of the High Church, Edinburgh, is not of the high church, in the sense in which it is commonly used in our own country, as designating that portion of the church which has little sympathy with the spirit of revivals, and makes the beauty of holiness to consist, rather in external rites than internal judgments and affections: he is of the Presbyterian denomination, pastor of a particular church, distinguished as the High Church of Edinburgh.

The volume before us is well worthy the reputation the Doctor has acquired. It is written in an uncommonly pure, chaste style, easy and flowing, and might well serve as a model of good composition-and to the afflicted, and consequently to all in this vale of tears, it is a rich treasure. The thoughts are embodied in twelve meditations, founded on as many appropriate passages of the word of God, and he who reads the whole with a right spirit, will bless God that he put it into the heart of his servant to write this book for the heavy laden. The first two meditations, built on the texts, "the Lord reigneth," and "he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men," are lucid and striking exhibitions. of the government of God over his people, and must satisfy the tried pilgrim on these waste deserts, that he doeth all things well.

9.-A Mother's Tribute to a beloved Daughter; or Memoir of Malvina Forman Smith. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1842. pp. 198.

The subject of this memoir is a grand-daughter of the Rev. Dr. Griffin. In early life she enjoyed the benefit of his

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