for the instant a test should be applied, it would fall in pieces. It is deeply to be regretted, that one who can write so well, should have expended his strength on a phantom such as this a scheme, which in itself is impracticable; and though it were possible to bring the inadhesive particles together, they would prove to be,-what a distinguished independent lately said of his own denomination-"a rope of sand."

Of all such tampering and tinkering, the sincere lovers of the Church of Scotland may well say, "Save us from our friends." These quasi reformers don't have the ring of the pure metal. We call on every leal-hearted Presbyterian to resist all such dissolving views in respect of truth and duty. And we earnestly beseech them to rally round the time-tried and blood-stained banner for Christ's Crown and Covenant. We want Christian patriots enlisted in the cause- men who will dare to be free, amidst a nation's slavery;" such men as were promised to Israel of old-" who shall build the old waste places, and raise up the foundations of many generations."

Literature.

Theological Lectures on subjects connected with Natural Theology, Evidences of Christianity, the Canon and Inspiration of Scripture. By the late William Cunningham, D.D., Principal and Professor of Church History, New College, Edinburgh. London: James Nisbet & Co., 1878.

THE appearance of this massive volume of Lectures, the ripe product of the master mind of Principal Cunningham, cannot but be hailed by many with feelings of most grateful satisfaction as being in itself most valuable, and as singularly opportune at the present serious crisis in the ecclesiastical affairs of our land. It was with such feelings we observed the announcement of its contemplated publication; these feelings were increased when the book came into our hands, and we had glanced over the headings of its fifty-one Lectures; and now that we have enjoyed the privilege of making ourselves acquainted with the wealth of its varied contents, we can with sincerity say that our high expectations have been realised, and we feel unspeakably grateful for such a masterly and timely vindication of divine truth in connection with many of those fundamental questions which are now being so seriously agitated throughout the Churches. We have been given to understand that the proposal to issue the volume met with rather a cold reception in certain influential quarters where "the party of progress" in the Free Church meets with favour and encouragement. And this is hardly to be wondered at. We rejoice that Mrs. Cunningham felt it to be a duty she owed to the cause of truth which was so dear to her revered husband to comply with the urgent requisition of a large number of those who heard these lectures delivered, that they should be given to the public; and we earnestly trust she will have her reward, in part at least, in seeing the work appreciated as it ought to be, both for its own high

intrinsic valne, and for the sake of its author, than whom Scotland has not produced, in recent times, an abler and sounder exponent of our grand old Reformation theology.

In a strangely depreciatory review of this volume which appeared some time ago in the Daily Review newspaper, evidently written by one in sympathy with the views of the "higher criticism" school, it was in effect stated that Principal Cunningham was not in his element when treating of apologetics, that he was far too sure about things, that since his time men's views on various subjects had undergone great changes, and that it would have been better for his reputation as a theologian, if the work had not been published. And regarding the Lectures, the reviewer ventured to affirm, that they had never been revised by the author, in the face of the statement in the preface that Mrs. Cunningham "was very desirous that they should be published, because she was aware that her husband had bestowed much care and labour upon their composition and revision, and that he had attached a special value to them as the first fruits of his professorial labours," and surely she should know better about their revision than the person who has been guilty of the bold discourtesy of asserting the contrary. So far from agreeing with the opinion that it was too late to publish these Lectures, it looks to our mind as if their publication had just been delayed by a special providence till the present time, for at no former period since the author's lamented death would their appearance have been so seasonable and so likely to help the cause in vindication of which they were written, the cause of Scripture truth. Most fully do we agree with the esteemed editor of the work, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Smith, when he remarks, with reference to the probable objection to its publication so long after its composition, "that if Dr. Cunningham had been alive now, and had been writing on the same subjects, his manner of treating them would have been somewhat different from that in which he

treated them five-and-thirty years ago. But in this work he has so established positive truth and so comprehensively dealt with the principles of all objections that can possibly be brought against it, that the defences he offers are in great measure applicable to all the forms which these objections may assume from time to time. Euclid's Elements, and Bacon's Novum Organum, and Butler's Analogy, are never out of date, and I venture to think that the same remark will prove to be applicable to Cunningham's Lectures." This is emphatically true and admirably stated and thoroughly to the point. For what are most, if not all, of the new phases of error that are now presenting themselves so thick and fast, through the erratic workings of the much-lauded unsanctified "historical spirit," but just old, oft-refuted errors and exploded heresies revived and set off in a modern garb. And though it may be the case that "a vast revolution has taken place in the views that men take of the universe," since Cunningham wrote, we are certain that few, if any, thoughtful and candid readers will be ready to agree with the reviewer already alluded to when he ventures to say, with regard to the task of restating the arguments of natural theology with reference to the views

of the world now so prevalent, "that the Christian apologist will get little or no help from these lectures." For our part, we should be inclined to set but a low value upon the work of any Christian apologist, who should go with unprejudiced mind to this noble volume, and come back saying he could get little or no help from it. But even granting that Cunningham's method of treating some of his subjects may not be exactly what certain erroneous views now propounded may seem to demand, the "positive truth" on these and all the questions handled is so clearly set forth and so conclusively established, that the task of bringing it to bear upon any new-fangled theory for its exposure, is rendered a comparatively easy one to those who know how to make use of intellectual and spiritual weapons laid ready to their hand. But it is more than time we were conveying to our readers some more definite idea of the valuable contents of this volume. The title of the book indicates succinctly the comprehensive general questions handled in its pages. It is not sent forth as an exhaustive treatise on the subjects there mentioned-Natural Theology and the Evidences of Christianity, and the Canon and Inspiration of Scripture, but, as Dr. Smith observes, "it is rather a book that may be profitably studied, along with standard works on these subjects." In the opening lectures, the author takes up the different branches of theological science, shows their character and wide extent, and the order in which they should be studied; and then he refers in one or two lectures to the spirit and manner in which all theological study ought to be prosecuted, dealing faithfully with the hearts and consciences of his students, and giving much wise counsel. After indicating the method of the course to be pursued, and showing that while natural theology is of itself insufficient, it is the basis of the evidences of Christianity, the lecturer goes on to discuss very fully the great subject of these Evidences-external, internal, and experimental-introducing, in the course of his discussions, interesting references to a number of the leading writers by whom this subject has been handled in past ages. Then follow lectures on the questions of Inspiration-the Canon of Scripture-the Sufficiency of Scripture in opposition to Tradition, &c.—the Interpretation of Scripture-the Duty of Searching the Scriptures-the Need of the Agency of the Spirit and a variety of other cognate topics, which we have not room to specify, of deepest interest to the student of theology, and of great importance at the present time. As all readers of Dr. Cunningham's works know, his great forte lay to a large extent in his setting forth with remarkable clearness and precision, force and fulness, the exact "state of the question," to be handled, and throughout these splendid lectures we meet with many displays of his "logical power," and "massive strength," in this direction, followed by skilful massing of arguments on the side of truth, and against opposing error; and, along with this, most valuable directions. given as to what works should be consulted and studied on the several topics discussed. The six lectures on the vitally important question of Inspiration, are perfect masterpieces of sound exposition, conclusive reasoning and trenchant reply to objections urged, the

view advocated being the unpopular, but only consistent and satisfactory one of plenary verbal inspiration-the doctrine so fully expounded and established by one of Cunningham's literary executors, the late Professor Bannerman, in his masterly and exhaustive work on the subject, of which by the way there is need, we believe, of a new edition.

We expected to have had space for a few extracts, but we find we must hold them over for the present, and conclude by bearing our humble testimony to the inestimable worth of this noble volume, and wishing for it a large circulation. While it is a book which all intelligent persons in sympathy with its subjects could read with delight and profit, it is pre-eminently a work for ministers, and especially for theological students, and it occurs to us that no small service might be done to the cause of sound theology in our pulpits at the present time were the several Churches to place this volume in the hands of all their students and take them bound to study it. It would do them more good that a score of German authors, even though they possessed and exercised the power of extracting from them all the "true" and rejecting all the "false.”

The Destiny of the Wicked. By the Rev. A. M. Wilson. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

THIS is a comparatively small book, on a great and momentous subject, yet within the compass of its 160 pages, the author manages to touch, in a very calm, and reverent, and satisfactory manner, upon most of the points raised in the discussion of this question. Very justly does Mr. Wilson observe in his prefatory note that "there are few subjects of greater practical importance.' If," he says, "the doctrine of universal salvation be well founded, it cannot be too

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earnestly advocated and proclaimed to the world. But if it be, as we think, one of the most dangerous errors of modern times, fitted to loosen the bands of righteousness, and to encourage sinners in their wickedness, it cannot be too severely tested and exposed." The thorough testing and exposure of this dangerous error here given, takes the form of a review of a volume entitled Salvator Mundi, by the Rev. Samuel Cox, editor of "The Expositor," and author of a number of expository works held in high esteem by many.* We regret that we do not happen to have seen this book, though we were aware of its general character and design, so that we are hardly in a position to pronounce upon the justice of all Mr. Wilson's criticisms; but as the passages specially taken up are quoted at length, and as these appear to be very fairly dealt with, we may reasonably conclude that the entire work is of this character. It consists of five chapters, subdivided into a number of sections, which treat of "The goodness and severity of God," "The nature and design of future punishment," "The award of future punishment," "The place of future punishment," "The duration of future punishment."

* The volume is described by its reviewer as "on the whole a calm, clear, concise and eloquent argument, in favour of the ultimate salvation of the whole world."

Under all the points discussed, Mr. Wilson brings Mr. Cox's views to the test of Scripture, and finds them not only sadly wanting, but positively at variance with the plain teachings of the inspired Word. Mr. Cox claims to be a great expositor, but some of the samples of his exposition here subjected to examination, are sorry ones indeed, and show to what forced constructions and interpretations some men can have recourse, in order to bolster up a pet theory, or sustain a foregone conclusion. Like all writers, too, against the orthodox doctrine on this subject, Mr. Cox can "indulge in rhetorical extravagances which totally misrepresent the views of his opponents." When will those who labour to discredit and overturn "those things most surely believed among us," take the trouble to make themselves really acquainted with the views they set themselves to oppose, so as to avoid grossly misrepresenting them? It is an easy matter to draw a caricature of a certain doctrine, and then hold it up to ridicule, but we have yet to learn whether this is an honest and honourable way of advancing any cause. Without committing ourselves to every argument employed, or mode of expression used in the book, we very heartily commend it as ably written, and as evidently fitted to prove a useful antidote to the dangerous heresy of universalism as set forth in the work so trenchantly reviewed.

The Titles of the Psalms.-A Sermon preached at the (Covenanted) Church of Scoland, Cheltenham, by James E. Walker, M.A., (Corpus Christi College, Oxford), minister of the Gospel. Cheltenham : James New, 371 High Street. We must confess to a little disappointment on reading this sermon from the pen of our talented brother in Cheltenham. Not that there is not much in it to be admired and fitted to edify-much that the Biblical scholar will be pleased with, and that the spiritually-minded reader will relish. But it seems to us that Mr. Walker, in his eager desire to discover "hidden mystical meanings" in the Titles of the Psalms, imports into a number of these Titles-even granting their inspiration-what they do not contain, and were never intended to convey. It is rather perilous work to set out on a search for “hidden mystical meanings " in the words of Scripture, and we fear Mr. Walker, in the latter portion of his sermon, shows a tendency to carry this to an extreme, in finding descriptions of, or references to, Christ in all those Titles which he designates "mystical." We have no sympathy with those who cannot find Christ in the Psalms at all, or who find Him but seldom; but the other extreme of finding Him everywhere ought also to be carefully avoided. We observe Mr. Walker finds fault, and perhaps very properly, with those who dislike what they are pleased to term "a hyper-spiritual or fanciful exegesis;" but surely it is fanciful to a degree to represent, as he does, the five books into which the Psalter was divided by Ezra, (as is supposed) as "pointing to the crucified One with His five wounds -to His two natures and His threefold offices depending thereupon." While we thus frankly take exception to these things in the sermon, we rejoice to acknowledge the evidence it affords of the author's wellknown scholarly attainments, and of his gifts as a preacher. From