The Methodist Quarterly Review

set in motion, and then left to run itself, but its inner vitality is the potentiality of the primitive, divine nature which constitutes its essence. Miracles are not transcendent incursions into nature by a metaphysical, transmundane God, but they are, properly understood, simply such divine action upon the world as is identical with ordinary divine providence. Fully comprehended, they no more interrupt the course of nature than does the divine action which causes the lily to blossom. This holds true even of those master-miracles, revelation, incarnation, inspiration, regeneration. There is no iota of the arbitrary, or unorderly, or extraordinary, either in God's nature or in the goings-forth of this nature in creation and history. We only need to have our eyes opened in order to see that in all things there is harmony, unity, consistency.

So runs the general course of Fichte's philosophical theology. Such systems, though not filling the place of biblical theology, have yet their great uses. They help dogmatic theology gradually to slough off the deformities with which a mistaking exegesis and a venturesome metaphysics have burdened it.

Der Kampf des Christenthums mit dem Heidenthum. (The Contest of Christianity with Heathenism: Pictures from the Past as Mirrors for the Present.) Von G. UHLHORN, Dr. Theol. Ober-Consistorialrath in Hanover. Stuttgart: Meyer und Ziller.

A very excellent, liberal, orthodox, historical review of the process whereby true religion took root in humanity, overturned GræcoRoman heathenism, and seated itself in the thrones of the civilized Occident. It is also a book with a "tendency," that is, with a calculated practical bearing; it aims to show how religion should treat the State, and what the State has to do with religion. To do this it shows the inner nature of Christianity, describes the manner of its revolutionary action on the old state of things, and explains its sudden paralysis so soon as seated in the imperial throne. It consists of three books and ten chapters, 376 pages in all.

Book First: The Two Powers in Conflict. Chap. I. The Religious Condition of the Heathen World. Chap. II. The Moral Condition of the Heathen World. Chap. III. The Christians.

Book Second: The Contest. Chap. I. The First Engagement. Chap. II. The Christians brought to Judgment. Chap. III. The Inner Change in both Parties. Chap. IV. The General Persecutions.

Book Third: The Victory. Chap. I. The Definitive Struggle. Chap. II. The Triumph. Chap. III. The Last Reaction of Heathenism.

It is rare that we find pleasanter or more useful reading than these ten unitary, but yet organically connected essays. Aside from its rich review of historical and religious truth, the lesson of the book is this: the absolute dangerousness of the least intermingling of Church and State. Leave to Cesar the outer secular world of form and force; leave to the Church the inner world of theology and conscience.

Die Genesis, nach Knobel neu bearbeitet von Dr. August Dillmann, Professor in Berlin. (Knobel's Genesis thoroughly reconstructed by Prof. Dillmann.) Leipzig: Hirzel. 1875,

Dr. Dillmann's Commentary on Genesis, though based on the work of Knobel, is one of the most thorough, original, erudite, and critical works to be found in theological literature. In form it is rather distinctive and rationalistic, but in spirit it is respectful and reverent. It holds fast to the hypothesis that Genesis is a digest from three primitive, but widely-differing, documents. But, irrespective of its hypercritical hypothesis, the work furnishes in detail a store-house of critical, archæological, and topographical lore which the scholar will thankfully acknowledge.

Miscellaneous.

First Century of the Republic. A Review of American Progress. By Rev. T. D. WOOLSEY, D.D., LL.D., Rev. F. H. P. BARNARD, LL.D., Hon. DAVID A. WELLS, Hon. FRANCIS A. WALKER, Prof. T. STERRY HUNT, Prof. WILLIAM G. SUMNER, EDWARD ATCHINSON, Prof. THEODORE GILL, EDWIN P. WHIPPLE, Prof. W. H. BREWER, EUGENE LAWRENCE, Rev. JOHN F. HURST, D.D., BENJAMIN VAUGHN ABBOTT, AUSTIN A. HUNT, M.D., S. S. CONANT, EDWARD H. KNIGHT, and CHARLES A. BRACE. 8vo., pp. 506. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1876. Lectures on the Gospel. By J. H. SEISS, D.D. 8vo., pp. 1160. Lutheran Bookstore, Smith, English & Co. 1876.

Daniel Deronda. By GEORGE ELIOT. Two Volumes, 12mo. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1876.

Daniel Deronda. By CHARLES ELLIOTT, author of "Adam Bede," etc. Complete in one volume. Paper cover. 8vo., pp. 274. New York: Harper & Bros. With Illustrations. 12mo.,

The Two Destinies. A Novel. By WILKIE COLLINS. pp. 312. New York: Harper & Bros. 1876.

Pastor's Comprehensive Directory. For the Pocket. Arranged by Rev. ALEXANDER M'LEAN, of the New York Conference. Cincinnati: Hitchcock & Walden. New York: Nelson & Phillips. 1876.

This Directory may be recommended as a very ingenious "pocket" convenience for Pastors.

Jehovah-Jesus: The Oneness of God; The True Trinity. By ROBERT D. WEEKS. 12mo., pp. 140. New York: Dodd. Mead, & Co. 1876.

Infidelity Answered by the Father God and his Family. By Rev. JOHN B. ROBINSON, A.M., President New Hampshire Conference Seminary and Female College. 12mo., pp. 268. Boston: For sale by James P. Magee. 1875.

The Vines of Eshcol. By Rev. J. B. ROBINSON, A.M., Dayton, Ohio. 16mo., pp. 133. United Brethren Publishing House. 1876.

Shakspeare's Tragedy of King Richard the Second. Edited, with Notes, by WILLIAM J. ROLFE, A.M., formerly Head Master of the High School, Cambridge, Mass. With Engraving. 12mo., pp. 225. New York: Harper & Bros. 1876.

The Mikado's Empire. Book I, History of Japan from 660 B. C. to 1872 A. D. Book II, Personal Experiences, Observations, and Studies in Japan, 1870 to 1874. By WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS, A.M. 8vo., pp. 625. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1876.

The Select Works of Tertullian. Edited for Schools and Colleges, by F. A. MARCH, LL.D. With an Introduction, by LYMAN COLMAN, D.D. 12mo., pp. 241. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1876.

Harper's School Geography. With Maps and Illustrations, prepared expressly for this work by eminent American Artists. Large quarto, pp. 124. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1876.

Liver Complaint, Nervous Dyspepsia, and Headache: Their Causes, Prevention, and Cure. By M. L. HOLBROOK, M.D. 12mo., pp. 140. New York: Wood & Holbrook. 1876.

Historical Studies. By EUGENE LAURENCE. 8vo., pp. 508. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1876.

Elements of Latin Grammar in Connection with a Systematic and Progressive Latin Reader. By GUSTAVUS FISCHER, LL.D. 12mo., pp. 236. New York: J. W. Schermerhorn & Co. 1876.

English Grammar. By S. W. WHITNEY. 12mo., pp. 282. New York: J. W. Schermerhorn & Co. 1875.

The Mask of Comus. By JOHN MILTON. 12mo., pp. 282. New York: J. W. Schermerhorn & Co. 1876.

Notices postponed to next number:

Richm on Messianic Prophecy. Scribner, Armstrong, & Co.

Stanley's Jewish Church. Third Series. Scribner, Armstrong, & Co.

Haeckel's History of Creation.

Mivart's Lessons from Nature.

INDEX.