The Homilist; or, The pulpit for the people, conducted by D. Thomas. Vol. 1 ...

Literary Notices.

[We hold it to be the duty of an Editor either to give an early notice of the books sent to him for remark, or to return them at once to the Publisher. It is unjust to praise worthless books; it is robbery to retain unnoticed ones.]

THE REVIEWER'S CANON.

In every work regard the author's end,

Since none can compass more than they intend.

HISTORY OF RATIONALISM. Embracing a Survey of the Present
State of Protestant Theology.
By JOHN F. HURST, D.D.
Paternoster Row.

With an Appendix of Literature.
London: Trübner and Co., 60,

THIS work reminds us that the best things in our world get sadly perverted. Rationalism is a good thing. To adopt a system of thought conformable to the laws of reason, or to pursue a course of conduct agreeable to the dictates of our rational nature, cannot be wrong. And yet, here are systems of thought and methods of action denominated rational, that will neither bear the test of reason or Scripture. "The rationalists," says Lord Bacon, "are like the spiders, they spin all out of their own bowels. But give me a philosopher, who, like the bee, hath a middle faculty, gathering from abroad, but digesting that which is gathered by its own virtue." Our author describes rationalism as the most recent, but not the least violent and insidious of all the developments of scepticism; and his object is to show its historical position, and its antagonism to Christianity. The three principles which he declares to have influenced him in undertaking this discussion arethat infidelity presents a systematic and harmonious history-that a history of a mischievous tendency is the very best method for its refutation and extirpation-and that rationalism is not in its results an unmixed evil, since God overrules its work, for the purification and progress of his Word. Those who in theology are called rationalists, are not infidels in the sense of rejecting the Scriptures. "They admit," says Dr. Bretschneider, "universally that there is in Christianity a divine, benevolent, and positive appointment for the good of mankind; that Jesus is a messenger of Divine Providence; that the true and everlasting word of God is contained in the Holy Scriptures, and that by the same the wealth of mankind will be obtained and extended. But they deny that there is anything supernatural in Holy Writ, and consider the object of Christianity to be that of introducing into the world such a religion as reason can comprehend." This description, perhaps, may be regarded as generally correct. The volume

before us is most valuable. It gives by far the most fair and comprehensive view of the whole subject. It is, in truth, a history of the rationalistic idea, in all its phases, as it has appeared in the works of the great theological writers of Christendom. We have no work like it. It takes a place entirely unoccupied in theological literature, and fulfils a mission exclusively its own. Theological students must get it.

THE HUMAN WILL: ITS FUNCTIONS AND FREEDOM. By T. HUGHES. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

THIS work is on a subject of very limited interest, but of universal importance. Who cares about studying the human Will? Who ought not to study it as the spring of all moral life, and as the fountain of all history? This work is divided into four parts. In the first the Willis considered in itself, and in some of its peculiar characteristics. The second, the question at issue between the necessitarian and the libertarian. In the third, necessitarianism is stated and considered, and in the fourth, the liberty of the will is explained and vindicated. Though the author necessarily touches such points of metaphysical difficulty as will prevent all his thoughtful readers from going thoroughly with him, none will fail to appreciate the remarkable fairness and great ability with which he has conducted the discussion. He has evidently made himself well acquainted with our leading metaphysical writers, and shows he can fathom their profundities, and measure souls with them. We are not a little pleased to find that an author so manifestly Christian, and philosophically thoughtful, should find in an age so superficial as this, a class of readers sufficiently large to keep bis pen so busily at work, for we observe that he has become a voluminous author.

BROKEN FRAGMENTS. By Rev R. THOMAS, Liverpool. THE author of these discourses combines reverence for antiquity with delight in the progress of thought and knowledge. The first discourse, on "The Creed of Lost Spirits," exposes hollow religionism, and sets forth the energetic goodness of faith in the Living God. Sad is the sight of a Christianity without Christ, as our author shows. "Cæsarism" is a similar exposure of religious worldliness or wordly religionism-wealth worship. "The Address to Working Men" exhibits the sympathy of a true man with men in every condition of life. The heart of a loving brother of human kind pulses in all; he expounds life in connection with truth and love. "Recognition in the Unseen World" is a very suggestive discourse. "Misrepresentation" is a separate sermon from the series entitled, "Broken Fragments." We commend the publications.

THE IMPRECATORY PSALMS. Six Lectures, with other Discourses, delivered at Bacup, Lancashire. By the Rev. R. A. BERTRAM. London: Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row.

THE Imprecatory Psalms are puzzles to the critical student, and often stumbling-blocks to the common reader of the Holy Book. The attempt which our author has made in these lectures, to show that they contain nothing that is contradicted, or condemned by anything in the New Testament, whether satisfactory to all, or not, is most praiseworthy in motive, and able in effort. The volume contains not only six lectures on the Imprecatory Psalms, but also six discourses on other important subjects. Every page teems with vigorous thoughts, and rings the notes of an intelligent, honest, and athletic soul.

THE WEDDING GUESTS; OR, THE HAPPINESS OF LIFE. A Novel. By Mrs. HUME ROTHERY. London: F. Pitman.

THIS is a tale written with skill and in a good spirit. It is very unpleasant to have the company of nasty and unnatural creations even in books. This is the great complaint we have against some of the many tales of the day, particularly those issued by a certain eminent authoress in her fashionable monthly. The absence of low views of human nature and the presence of right principle entitle Mrs. Rothery's novel to respectful consideration. Her views on her own sex are excellent and commendable.

CHAMBERS'S ENCYCLOPEDIA: a Dictionary of Universal Knowledge for the People. Vol. IX. London: W. and R. Chambers, 47, Paternoster Row.

THIS makes the ninth large and handsome volume of this most valuable work. We have frequently called the attention of our readers to it, indicated its characteristic merits, and heartily commended it. We expect the next volume will complete the undertaking, which constitutes, in truth, a library in itself. Every known thing and person of any interest whatever, are not only brought into notice, but described with historic accuracy, and in a scientific spirit. We have been astonished to find the immense amount of light which is thrown upon a subject from the space of a single column. There are no waste words whatever. Every word stands for a thing. The illustrations too, which are very numerous, are so life-like that their rough sketch brings the subject which they illustrate clearly before the eye. The maps are the most accurate and artistic productions of the kind which we have ever seen in a work. In this volume we have no less than nine maps. We have a map of Spain and Portugal, of Sweden and Norway, of Switzerland, of Tasmania, of Turkey in Europe and Greece, of Turkey in Asia, of the United States of North America, and also of Victoria.

THE COMMON-SENSE OF ENGLISH ORTHOGRAPHY. By E. JONES.
London: F. Pitman.

THIS little work is dedicated by Mr. E. Jones to the Bishop of St. David's, as the President of the Philosophical Society. It is intended as a guide to the spelling of doubtful and difficult words, and is for the use of printers, authors, examiners, teachers, and students generally. The subject is one of very great and of ever-increasing importance; and Mr. Jones has treated it in a logical, careful, and clever manner. His book is altogether very interesting, and will well repay an attentive perusal, and a critical examination.

FAITHFUL ENDURANCE AND HIGH AIM. By THC MAS HUGHES. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

On several occasions we have had pleasure in noticing the works of Mr. Hughes, and in recording our appreciation of them. The present one is worthy its predecessors. The occasion of its publication was the death of the Rev. Dr. Wesley Ethridge. In addition to the funeral sermon which Mr. Hughes preached for that gentleman, it contains a brief memoir of his life. Interesting and valued as this little book will be to those who were connected with its immediate subject, its value will not be confined to them alone. Its contents will be profitable to any reader. Mr. Hughes is no common-place thinker.

THE CLUSTER CRUSHED: An Exposition, Doctrinal, Experimental, and Practical, of the last chapter of Hosea. By JOHN DAWSON, Hull, B.A. London: William Macintosh, 24, Paternoster

Row.

HERE are fourteen short, plain, and practical discourses on the last chapter of Hosea. There is a spirit and an unction in this little volume that will make it very acceptable to a large class of Scripture readers. It has also much good thinking and vigorous writing in it.

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, with Sermon Notes, of the late Rev. C. J. Collinson, M.A. London: William Macintosh, 24, Paternoster Row.

THIS book contains a biographical sketch of a very excellent clergyman, who for many years laboured hard and well in our own neighbourhood. All loved him and not a few were blest by him. Though dead he yet lives. The sermon notes are simple, brief, evangelic. Whilst those who attended his ministry will value them, others may derive great profit by their perusal.

JUDD AND GLASS, PRINTERS, PHŒnix works, st. ANDREW'S HILL, E.C.