The Influence of the Hebrew and Christian | of religious light throughout the anRevelations on Ancient Heathen Writers. cient world. The third chapter shows An Essay which obtained the Hulsean from Prichard, Tholuck, and Herder, Prize for the Year 1849. By SAMUEL that the higher condition of the human TOMKINS of St. Catherine's Hall, Camrace has always preceded the lower, and bridge. 1850. that so far is man from having invented THIS is a book of large quotation and a religion when emerging from barbarsmall criticism, containing much good ism, his speculations when civilized Greek and indifferent English. It dis- have invariably corrupted what was cusses a question of considerable inte- handed down to him. Chapter four rest, and though it cannot be said to examines the question how far the settle it, as a compilation the book is religious knowledge of ancient nations useful. It is rather above the average can be traced to Egypt. Chapters five merit of academic prize essays; and if and six show that such knowledge written at the commencement of a must have been traditional. And chapcareer might have been regarded as ter seven attempts to prove from the giving promise of future eminence. very accuracy and truthfulness of the Coming at the end it cannot be regard-higher speculations of the Greeks that ed as a hopeful beginning, nor is it a they must have received information very graceful close. from Jewish sources. This remark is applied especially to Pythagoras and Plato. After the Christian era we have the writings of Seneca, Epictetus, and Plutarch, all of whom seem to have borrowed from Revelation, using what they borrowed to adorn their false systems. It is a fact familiar to all scholars that traces of scripture doctrine and of the events of scripture history are found in the records of nearly all nations. Egypt has remains of Jewish customs and worship; Greece, of Jewish truths and morality; China and India, of Jewish facts. The fall, the deluge, the coming of a Mediator, a future life, may all be recognized with more or less distinctness in the traditions of antiquity or in the speculations of heathen philosophy. Whence were these notions derived? Were they struck out from the cogitations of the human mind-or were they borrowed from the Jews or did all nations receive them from some common source? These questions are both interesting and important. The true solution of them throws light on human nature and supplies some very striking evidence of the divine origin of revelation. The first and second chapters of this essay show that the position of the Holy Land and the origin and descent of ancient nations were highly favourable to the transmission of some gleams The best chapters in the book are vii. and viii., on the opinions prevalent among the ancient Greeks, and they may be read with advantage by the inquirer. Chapter four examines some theories of Bunsen, but though the author justly condemns Bunsen's extravagance, there is an incompleteness about the whole discussion which is far from satisfactory. Indeed this chapter contains a fair specimen of the qualities which make the reader distrust his author and his conclusions too. One point we must be permitted to notice. The founder of this prize (the Rev. John Hulse) directed that the amount (now about £100) should "be paid to such learned and ingenious person in the University of Cambridge under the degree of Master of Arts, as shall compose for that year the best dissertation," &c. Now our friend, the author, does not answer to this description. We are not questioning his learning or his ingenuity. He may be "in the University of Cambridge." But is he under the degree of Master of We Arts? He is already an M.A. suspect this "voluntary humility." We deem it unfair to the college that gave the honour, nor less so to the poor undergraduates who have thus been beguiled of their reward. According to the spirit and even the letter of the founder's will, we should have deemed the author, who has already a degree such as Cambridge recognizes, an ineligible candidate. BRIEF NOTICES. The Letter and the Spirit, not the Spirit without the Letter: being a Reply to certain Theological Objections brought by Dr. Halley and others against the retention of Immersion as the Initiatory Ordinance of Christianity. A Baptismal Discourse. By F. CLOWES. Leeds: Heaton. London: B. L. Green. 12mo., pp. 12. Excellent and intelligent pædobaptist brethren having shown, when spoken to on the subject of immersion," that what really biassed them against it, was not any belief that we assigned a wrong meaning to the Greek word baptize, or that primitive Christians did not immerse, but the persuasion of its being quite unnecessary to abide by the letter of the injunction, under a dispensation of the spirit," Mr. Clowes has written "to meet this objection, and several others, all of which have been stated with unusual force and earnestness by Dr. Halley." There is much in the tract that is acute and convincing. If the author had determined that on this occasion he would do his best, we think that some parts of it would have been still better than they are now. Floriphonia: an Expressive Bouquet, Gathered and Arranged for the Christian Ladies of Great Britain and Ireland. By Anastasius. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 24mo., pp. 40. The Snowdrop, the Violet, the Heart's Ease, the Heliotrope, the Lilies, and the Forget-menot, are here taught to speak of Christ in graceful language, the aim of the author being "to exhibit the transcendent excellences of the incarnate Son of God, and to diffuse the savour of his sacred name." A specimen has been given on a preceding page. Memoir of Miss Jane Hodgson Place, late of young. She died at the age of nineteen, leaving behind her pleasing evidence of the possession of true piety. The record is one of much interest, and its perusal is likely to be instrumental in doing good, especially to the young. 59 Facts and Opinions for Churchmen and Dis- RECENT PUBLICATIONS Approved. [It should be understood that insertion in this list is not a mere announcement: it expresses approbation of the works enumerated,-not of course extending to every particular, but an approbation of their general character and tendency.] The Eclectic Review. Edited by THOMAS PRICE, LL. D. September, 1850. Contents: I. Foxter, Froude, and Newman. II. Aubrey de Vere's Sketches of Greece and Turkey. III. Taylor's ence. V. Memoir of Dr. Heugh. VI. The PunistVirgin Widow. IV. Pepy's Diary and Correspond ment of Death. VII. Building Societies. VIIL Tennyson's In Memoriam. IX. Byam's Western Republics of America. X. Review of the Session. London. 8vo. Price 2s. 6d. INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. Our readers have been apprised that a controversy has existed for some time among our American brethren, respecting a revised translation of the New Testament which some highly respectable baptist ministers have caused to be printed, and others equally respectable have denounced with great energy. More ample information on the subject would have been presented to our friends had it not been for that irregularity in the reception of periodicals which we often have to lament, and of which we believe our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic have to complain as frequently as ourselves. It has so happened that, in this case, all the intelligence that has reached us in a direct manner has come from the opponents of the measure. Within the last few days, however, we have seen a copy of the New Testament itself, as prepared for the American public by Dr. Cone and Mr. Wyckoff, and we find in the preface the following statement of their intentions:"This book is designed for the examination of the members of the American and Foreign Bible Society, to convince them that the common version can be corrected without injury to its characteristic excellencies, and with great enhancement of its real value. The plates have been made at the expense of a few benevolent individuals, and will be offered to the society, in connexion with a proposition that a committee of learned brethren be appointed to correspond upon the subject of further emendations, and once a year to submit to the Board those on which they unanimously agree. These, if approved by the board, may be introduced into the plates, and the business of rectification be thus gradually prosecuted until the society is prepared to approve and adopt the book as a standard. In the meanwhile, all persons who wish, should be allowed to purchase copies of the book, as amended, in order that they may examine the alterations, and freely express their views thereupon. For this purpose, the board should be authorized to publish from the plates, according to the demand. Such a plan will prevent the evils which have always resulted from efforts, however well organized, to complete a version and establish it at once." At the annual meeting of the American and Foreign Bible Society, in May, a resolution having been carried after long and animated debates, restricting the society to the circulation of the commonly received version, VOL. XIII.-FOURTH SERIES. as it respects the English scriptures, the president, Dr. Cone, and some other officers, letter from Dr. Maclay will give their view of thought it their duty to resign. The following the questions at issue. New York, June 28th, 1850. TO THE BOARD OF THE AMERICAN AND DEAR BRETHREN,-I feel truly grateful for the confidence which you repose in me, and which you have expressed, in wishing me to continue my agency for the society which you represent. That institution is dear to me, and I cherish the kindest regard for its officers and board of managers. The principles upon which the American and Foreign Bible Society is founded will bear the scrutiny of the closest investigation, be approved by posterity, and stand the test of the judgment-seat of Christ. The society rests on the great truth that all men ought to have the word of God unmutilated and undisguised, completely and faithfully translated, that every nation under heaven may be able to read and understand without an interpreter, in its own mother tongue, all the words of this life. From the commencement of our operations in the bible cause, I anticipated with joy that our noble institution would apply the same principles of translation to the English language that they do in all other languages, taking proper steps to secure a new or revised version, which should, without detracting from the excellences of the one in common use, remedy its acknowledged defects and errors; and I cannot doubt that such version would be approved of God and commend itself to the consciences of good men. But as it is declared in the resolution passed at the late anniversary, that it is not the province and duty of the American and Foreign Bible Society to attempt on their part, or to procure from others, a revision of the commonly received English version of the scriptures, I am now compelled to relinquish all hope that our society will ever take any steps to secure this desirable object. I have read attentively the documents of our esteemed brethren Turney, Williams, and Dowling, but they have not altered my opinion with respect to the desirableness and necessity of a complete and thorough revision of the sacred scriptures in the English language. Our present English version possesses 4 M many excellences which I greatly admire, and I have no doubt of its general fidelity. But as a translation it has also some serious defects, which the wisest men and the best biblical critics in the world admit, and which, in my judgment, ought to be removed. The progressive changes in our language, and the improvements in biblical criticism, require it. I cannot approve, indeed I much dislike, that superstitious regard which some seem inclined to render to king James's version, as if it were itself a revelation from heaven, instead of being a translation, in the main faithful, but containing many acknowledged defects, a translation made under the restrictive mandates of an unprincipled earthly despot. This fact has been questioned and denied but the evidences of its truth are overwhelming, and recorded in the faithful page of history, and can never be effaced by human ingenuity. me. I have examined the whole subject deliberately and prayerfully with respect to my continued connexion with the board as their agent, and have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to tender my resignation. I do not wish to conceal from you the anguish of spirit and the sleepless nights it has cost I have been identified with our noble institution from its commencement, and my life has been devoted from that period to the present to promote its best interests. I love the society, it has been dearer to me than life; and though I have not the least doubt as to my duty in this matter, yet I deeply regret the circumstances which compel me to take such a step. It is evident that considerable excitement has existed, and I fear that unkind feelings have been indulged, and deep wounds inflicted by the utterance of unkind and bitter words. It is my sincere desire that these wounds may be speedily healed, and that by watchfulness and the exercise of earnest prayer, the Lord may renew a right spirit within us. I earnestly desire that brotherly love may continue to prevail in all our efforts to advance the Redeemer's glory and the best interests of our fellow men; and though we may not in all things be able to co-operate with each other, yet trust that brotherly love will continue to increase and abound towards one another, and towards all men. I thank you for the kindness with which you have treated me, and pray that prosperity may attend you in every good word and work. With sentiments of high esteem and fraternal regard, I remain in the bonds of the gospel, Very affectionately, Your brother in Christ, ARCHIBALD MACLAY. To this letter the following answer was returned : American and Foreign Bible Rooms, TO REV. A. MACLAY, D.D., NEW YORK. VENERABLE AND TEAR BROTHER,— Your letter of June 28, July 1, was laid before the board of managers at their last regular meeting. Your resignation therein communicated was accepted by the board. Your labours in the service of this society have been long-continued and useful, nor do they fail of a just appreciation on the part of the board of managers. I believe I express fully their sentiments when I thank you for the friendly feelings towards the society which your letter breathes, and when I express my regret that your interpretation of the position of the society on the question of a revised English version should have occasioned your resignation. I refrain from arguing the points raised in your letter, though compelled to dissent from some of your historical views. It only remains for me to express to you my wish and prayer, that blessings from the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may be multiplied to you as you close the pilgrimage of life, and that you and we, in whatever labours we put forth in the service of Christ, may be able to serve him according to his will, and so as to win his approval. Very truly and respectfully yours, S. S. CUTTING, Cor. Sec. AMERICAN BIBLE UNION. Under this title a new society has been formed, of which Dr. Cone is president, Mr. Colgate treasurer, Mr. Wyckoff secretary, and with which other well known seceders from the American and Foreign Bible Society have united. Its constitution defines its objects to be "to procure and circulate the most faithful version of the sacred scriptures in all languages throughout the world." DR. BELCHER. The Rev. Dr. Belcher, late of East Thomaston, Maine, has accepted the call of the baptist church at Battle Creek, Michigan, and has entered on his labours.-New York Recorder. EUROPE. FRANCE. Good news from this unpromising region cannot fail to be acceptable, even though a circuitous journey should have deprived it of some of its freshness. The following extract from a letter, dated May 24th, reaches us via New York. On the 11th of that month an annual meeting of baptists was held at Servais, in giving an account of which the Society, says, "Some of your colporteurs are setting the parts in which they labour into a complete uproar. Brother Schlessier, at Schleswig, has roused the clergy against him and the baptists to such a degree, that several of these gentlemen have published it to the world, that the church is in danger from the spread of baptist sentiments. In the ensuing month there will be a convocation of ministers of the duchy of Schleswig, when, among other things, the question is to be discussed, what means can be most successfully employed to rescue the church and prevent the spread of baptist principles. We have recently sent a brother, supported by the north-west association of our churches, to help brother Schlessier, as he cannot any longer draw the net alone. A little church has already been formed at Schleswig, and the opposition of the clergy is only helping the good work on, as many persons begin to attend the religious service there, who otherwise would most likely never have come. Our indefatigable brother Feltang at Oldenburg, in the grand duchy of that name, is labouring with great success among protestants, Roman catholics, and Jews. He has left his isolated abode on the Iade, in the Marsh, and has settled at Oldenburg, the capital of the grand duchy. As a native of that part of the country, and having prayed for more than thirty years for its spiritual renovation, I rejoice exceedingly that through your colporteurs, and by other faithful brethren, the good seed is now sown far and wide. In the middle of next month I hope to visit that part. Brother Rittman, your col porteur for Hamburg, is labouring incessantly, and has now commenced to go from house to house, by which many copies of the holy scriptures are introduced into the families of the rich. From his journals you will learn a little of his experience in his work.” THE DEATH OF NEANDER. An announcement of this event was made in our last, and a few sentences were subjoined relating to the early history of this justly celebrated scholar. The following sketch of the death-bed scene is translated "Our present number of active labourers is nine, where one hundred are needed. Our anniversaries were not of much interest, but I hope that they will improve; you know that a beginning must be made. The building of the chapel at Chauny has frightened the priests exceedingly. I suppose that the walls must be finished by this time. When we open that chapel, we expect that a gendarme whom I saw at Servais will come from Soissons with his wife to be baptized, and perhaps an institutrice from Paris, if she be not baptized before. There are others also wait- by the Rev. A. McLaren of Southampton "from the German of Licentiate Rauh, pubing, and we shall probably have a very inlished in a small pamphlet containing, along teresting time. The Lord blesses his work; what a consolation for us who have been so with the article we give here, the addresses long plodding through difficulties and perseat the interment by Krummacher, F. Strauss, and Ac. J. Nitzsch. The translator has cutions, neglected and forgotten by most curtailed the men. Including the five you saw baptized original, which contains April 1st, the brethren have baptized twenty-worthy of the place where it stands, in a a great deal of rather bombastic writing, not eight persons." GERMANY. Mr. Oncken, writing to the Corresponding Secretary of the American and Foreign Bible memorial of Germany's greatest theologian." Wiegandt. May be had in London for 1s. of any |