ation of language and the adoption of modern phraseology. If one attempt to show the difference between ancient and modern symbols and writers in our church, he is said to be splitting hairs. No difference is conceded between the theories of sinful acts and sinful natures. Whether God or man regenerates a heart is claimed to be all the same for substance of doctrine. Foreknowing and foreordaining may be regarded as about the same thing, unless one is over-nice in his distinctions. It is said to amount to the same whether we make the atonement an appearance man-ward, as in the governmental theory, or a reality God-ward, as in the satisfaction theory. We are all of one mind, all like the standard fathers, and all safe. This is a convenient assurance and proclamation, and has some of its designed effect. To claim to be sound, to be a unionist, and to affect a holy horror of disturbing the peace and fraternity of the churches, has a good appearance, and is politic. It is another of the signs of the times that a body of preachers and writers, no matter now how large, are said to be very old-fashioned in their theological views, and in their ways of expressing them. They are said to be unprogressive, and quite unwilling to adopt any improvements in theology. When these men preach a sermon or read an essay showing that we now have two theologies in one church, they are said to be fighting only a man of straw, that we are all agreed; and then the essay or sermon is belabored as setting forth an antique, fossil, unscriptural, and very dangerous theology. These peace and unity men are constantly saying there is no difference, yet always attacking somebody who differs from them. It is rare that an ecclesiastical council passes without their showing the new and the old landmarks. They love dearly the old Catechism, but do not think it fit to be used, and want to change its phraseology. They are Edwards's great admirers, but it turns out to be Edwards the Younger, if closely examined. They are Calvinists, but moderate, and do not agree with him on the little matters of the nature of sin, depravity, decrees, election, atonement, regeneration, and so forth. And so it is another of the signs of the times that the same men are saying there is no difference and there is a difference. Who shall decide when a doctor differs from himself? A FRIEND of ours has an artist's eye for the changing glories of our matchless sky-scenery. We take a couple of off-hand pictures from private correspondence. This is a night-scene, well worth preserving: "Such great majestic clouds marching on in silent grandeur across the blue vault, just stirring their wings as a token of recognition to us who watch them; then the paler and thinner ones come floating onward to drape the moon as with a bridal veil; and then such glancings of rainbow-light, such soft, dim shadows - 'twas enough to make one stand still and worship!" Its companion-sketch has many a gorgeous reproduction every year, in our latitude: ""Twas a real summer-day. The purpling ether poured down floods of brightness upon the distant hill-tops, while shadows came and went along their sides, like pensive memories through the human heart.” At the end of another year's labors, we must so far vary our anonymous rule, as to inscribe on our page the name of a lady to whom we are indebted for several beautiful favors in verse. We do this to gratify our own desire to introduce to our readers one who has proved herself unusually accomplished in the difficult art of sacred, and particularly, devotional poetry. The poems which we have given from her pen, under the titles of "After the Storm," "Trust," "The Last Appeal," "A Hymn," "Jesus, Take my Sins Away," "The Two Cities," will amply sustain our opinion of their excellence. We have pleasure in saying that the same favorable criticism has privately come to us from high literary sources. The author of these poems is Miss HARRIET MCEWEN KIMBALL, of Portsmouth, N. H.- already known to the readers of the "Transcript," and "The Atlantic Monthly." WE close our Second Volume of the BOSTON REVIEW in comfort and hope. During the year we have enlarged our circle of contributors and subscribers. This, for war times, we confidently mark as success. The times were not auspicious when we first gave this REVIEW to the public. Aside from the ordinary difficulties of starting a substantial literary and theological periodical, the war cloud, that had been muttering, burst over the land soon after the issue of our first number. But we It was a time to pause in any new business operations. remembered that the Pauline and Calvinistic theology was announced in the midst of social and civil and religious struggles, and is in itself somewhat polemic and troublesome. It has not been wont to strike sail to a storm, and we were not inclined to furnish the precedent. We have made good gain in writers and subscribers and confidence. We are gladdened to find so many, near and afar off, who ask for the "old paths." We would remind the friends of the REVIEW that they can aid us in finding these paths and in walking firmly in them, and in showing them unto others. INDEX. A. Alexander on Faith, noticed, 463. Aristocracy, Southern, 80. Arnold of Rugby, 141. B. Battle of the Books, article on, 382; Essays Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, C. Cheever's Waymarks of the Pilgrimage, Christ's Work of Reform, noticed, 464. Church Culture and Discipline, article on, Cities, The Two, poetry, 614. Confessions of Augustine, The, noticed, 114. D. Davidson's Introduction to the Old Testa- Day's Revival Sermons, noticed, 212. E. Ecclesiastes, Stuart's Commentary on, no- Education, a superficial, 506. Elliot, Charlotte, The Hymns of, article on, English Country, and Country-Folk, article 422. English Woman at Home, The, article on, 536. Ephesians, Ellicott's Commentary on, no- Exegesis of Gal. iv. 21–81. F. Felt's Reply to Judge White, on N. England 255. G. Gail Hamilton's Country Living and Think- Gasparin's Uprising of a Great People, German Piety, 467. Great Expectations, Dickens', noticed, 219. H. Hagenbach's Text-Book of the History of Harper's Handbook for Travellers, noticed, Hebraisms, 333. Hieroglyphics, earliest use of, 686. Holmes, Oliver Wendell, article on, review- ing his Currents and Counter-Currents Hopkins' History of the Puritans, noticed, Hugh Miller's Essays, noticed, 666. tained, 232; remission of past sin, 234; K. Knowledge, its measure, 508. L. Language, The Science of, article on, re- Leisure Hours in Town, noticed, 329. 656. Little Memorial, Rev. G. B., noticed, 218. - M. Human race, theory of plurality of its ori- Maud, Tennyson's, criticized and defend- gin, 548, 647. Hymn, A, 334. I. Indian Tribes, Our, article on, 517; num- Irving, Washington, Works, noticed, 659. J. Jubilee Essays, noticed, 661. |