gins with the Epistle to the Galatians, giving an Introduction, and a translation and commentary to chapter ii, verse 21. It is clear and condensed. Another valuable article in the same number is on English Versions of the Heidelberg Catechism; a full literature was given last year.

The American Tract Society of Boston is about to publish Gaussen on the Canon, and a new edition of his Theopneustia, translated by Dr. Kirk.

The New Jerusalem Magazine gives some interesting facts about the father of Emanuel Swedenborg. He was the episcopal superintendent of the Swedish mission to this country from 1697 to 1735. He published a work called America Illuminata, 12mo, 1732. He wrote his name Jasper Swedberg, the longer form of Swedenborg being adopted by his son when he was ennobled in 1719. Several of his letters are given in translation. Bishop Swedberg died in 1735.

John Murphy, of Baltimore, proposes to publish a collection upon the early history of Maryland, comprising a Relation of Maryland, 1635, with a Map; Father Andrew White's Narrative, in Latin, with a translation; Maryland Relations from a vol. in the British Museum; and the Sotweed Factor, or a Voyage to Maryland.

Mr. H. F. Buckner, of the Southern Baptist mission, has published a Grammar of the Creek or Maskoke Language; the Gospel of John, and Hymns, in the same. They are printed at Marion, Alabama, for the Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Collection of the Conn. Hist. Society, vol. I, contains 13 papers; among them are a Letter of Thomas Hooker to Gov. Winthrop, 1638; abstracts of two Sermons of Hooker, 1638-9; the Trial of Ezekiel Cheever before the New Haven church, 1649, etc.

The Library of Brown University, Providence, contains 29,000 volumes; the Society libraries of the college have 6,000 volumes. A permanent fund of $25,000 is devoted to the increase of the college library.

Contributions to the Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut " is the title of a volume recently published by Wm. L. Kingsley, of New Haven, giving all the proceedings at the Historical Celebration at Norwich, June, 1859, including twelve Addresses by eminent ministers; twenty-five Historical Papers; lists of all the Pastors who went from Conn. on "missionary tours" before 1798; of missionaries at the West and in the foreign field; a History of the fifteen District Associations; and a history of each of the Congregational churches in the State, 284, and of 21 that have become extinct. The price of the volume is $3.

It is announced, that President Buchanan intends, after his retirement from office, to write reminiscences of some of his distinguished cotemporaries. The biography of President Polk in particular is said to be one of his cherished projects.

The United Presbyterian Quarterly Review is now in its second year. The number for Jan. 1861 contains articles on Philosophical Theology, by Rev. D. C. McLaren, D.D.; Forbearance, by Rev. Thos. C. Guthrie, D.D.; Ruling Elder, by Rev. Thos. Sproull, D.D; Tractarianism traced to its Sources, by Rev. James Harper; The Theology of Art, by Rev. Wm., T. Findley; Reformed Churches in Western Pennsylvania, by Rev. A. G. Wallace; Individual Effort, by Rev. M. Morrison; the Second Assembly. This church was constituted in 1858 by a union of the Associate and Associate Reformed, on the principle of "forbearance in love." The question of close communion is already agitated again, in the case of Rev. W. Davidson, whom the First Presbytery of Ohio sustained in admitting persons of other denominations to communion. The Second Assembly met in Philadelphia, May, 1860, consisting of 224 delegates, 117 ministers and 107 elders.

Literary and Critical Notices of Books.

BIBLICAL

LITERATURE.

CODEX ALEXANDRINUS. Novum Testamentum Grace ex antiquissimo Codice Alexandrino a C. G. WOIDE olim descriptum: ad Fidem ipsius Codicis denuo accuratius edidit B. H. CowPER. Londini venumdant Williams & Norgate. New York. B. Westerman & Soc. 1860. 8vo. Pp. xl. 503. We announced in our last number the publication of this beautiful edition of the famous Alexandrine Codex, presented by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch successively of Alexandria and Constantinople, to Charles I. of England in 1629, considered the most valuable Ms. of the Greek Scriptures in England, and ranking in importance, at least next to the Vatican and the recently discovered Sinaitic codices. This edition is most carefully edited; the type and paper are excellent. The Old Testament portion of this Codex has been several times edited, recently by Mr. Field. The New Testament has been published only once before, in folio, by Woide, 1786. The present edition is more accurately conformed to the original, retaining its peculiar orthography-even the anomalous forms, the contractions, and in most cases the punctuationadding to Woide's edition accents, aspirates, iota subscript, etc. The pass ages missing in the Ms. are supplied from Kuster's edition of Mill, and always carefully noted. The modern divisions into chapters and verses are noted in the margin-but the ancient sections are also retained. The text is nowhere altered, even where defective. The order of the books is as follows: The Gospels; Acts; the Catholic Epistles; Paul's Epistles (Hebrews after 2 Thessalonians and before Timothy); and the Apocalypse.

The manuscript itself is a fine and beautiful vellum, written in uncial letters in a delicate hand (very possibly a female, and in fact ascribed to one Thecla by Cyril). Each page contains two columns. In the margin on the left hand the Eusebian canons are noted throughout the four Gospels; and also the larger sections. Some of the numeral letters, and the commencement of the separate books, are in red ink. The text has been retouched in ancient and modern times (as a line over Os, or Os, in 1 Tim. iii, 16). Twenty-five folia (says Patrick Junius) are wanting at the beginning; Cowper says about sixteen or seventeen; it begins with Matthew xxv, 6. In John two leaves are missing, vi, 50 to viii, 52; and a calculation shows that the account of the woman taken in adultery could not have been included in them. In 2 Cor. there is a hiatus from iv, 13 to xii, 6. The original MS. also contained, appended to the New Testament, a part of Clement's Epistles,

and eighteen (apocryphal) Psalms of Solomon; though the latter are no longer a part of the Codex. Several texts are thought to be represented in different portions of the Ms., and it also shows traces of some variety of penmanship (besides the later additions). The present editor adopts the reading Os instead of Os in 1 Tim. iii, 16; if it ever was the latter, he says, the evidence for it in the мs. is now effectually destroyed. The line over the contraction is modern; but it is impossible to say whether, or not, it overlies a more ancient one. The transverse line in the O is "a mere shadow"; so slight that, as the vellum is there very thin, it may be only the central line of e, which is directly underneath it, on the other side of the leaf. And Cowper adds: "The mere absence or invisibility of the cross line of the Theta would not of itself be demonstrative, because it has disappeared in a number of cases about which no question ever has been or ever will be raised. We hope that henceforth there will be no more endeavors demonstrare digito the true reading of this passage; and indeed that the Museum authorities will studiously resist all who wish to have the clause at their fingers' ends."

As to the age of this Codex, Cyril in his Letter of Donation, ascribes it to Thecla, an Egyptian woman, in the 4th century. The evidence for its Egyptian origin is considered satisfactory by Scholz, Tregelles, and others. Two baskets of fruit, e. g. figured at the end of the Catholic Epistles, are just like some Egyptian paintings in the British Museum. The form of the letters, mode of spelling, Arabic numerals, and the fact that Alexandria was famous in the 4th and 5th centuries for the production of books, many of which were written by female copyists, confirm the tradition. As to its age-Patrick Junius says it was written soon after the council of Nicea; Archbishop Usher puts it after Basil, who died A.D. 378; Walton thought it at least as old as the Vatican Codex; Grabe assigned it to the last part of the fourth century. Tischendorf, Tregelles, and Cowper assign it to the fifth century.

In its present edition, this priceless relic of antiquity is made more gencrally accessible. No public library should be without a copy of it; and it is indispensable to all who are interested in the critical study of the New Testa

ment.

John Albert Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament. Now first translated into English. With original Notes, explanatory and illustrative. Revised and edited by Rev. A. R. FAUSSET, of Trinity College, Dublin. 5 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh. T. & T. Clark. Philadelphia: Smith, English & Co. Fourth edition. 1860.

John Albert Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. Pointing out from the Natural Force of the Words, the Simplicity, Depth, Harmony, and Saving Power of its Divine Thoughts. A new Translation, by C. T. LEWIS, M.A., and M. R. VINCENT, M.A., of Troy University. Philadelphia: Perkinpine & Higgins. 1860. Vol. I., through the Acts. Pp. 925.

Bengel's Gnomon, after a century of quiet seclusion, always, however, consulted by scholars, has come to new honor and life in the present generation. In 1856, Schlewitz, of Berlin, published an edition, on the basis of the third (1773), complete for 24 thalers ($1.85): this was reissued in 1860. Fries, of Tübingen, also reprinted it in 1855 (from Steudel's edition of 1835), with Bengel's portrait; and the fifth edition of this reprint (now owned by Steinkopf, of Stuttgart) is advertised for about $1.75. Werner's German translation appeared at Stuttgart in 1853. A translation into German of extracts from Bengel on Revelation (from his 60 sermons), by Von Pfeil, was published in a second edition in 1856; followed in 1858 by a small volume

of selections from his minor works. The Edinburgh translation (for the first time) into English is in its fourth edition, and its sale in this country has been such as to warrant the publication of a new translation by American scholars. The whole of the Edinburgh work, five volumes, as reissued by Smith & English, can be had for $5; and the American version, which will make 2 vols. of over 900 pages each, is offered at the same rate, "with a liberal discount to clergymen.'

John Albert Bengel was born in 1687, and died in 1752. He was educated at Tübingen, where he was a proficient in philosophical as well as theological studies. From 1713 to 1741 he was head tutor of a theological seminary at Denkendorf; he then became Prelate of Herbrechtingen, having already completed his Gnomon. His Sixty Practical Sermons on the Revelation were preached at Herbrechtingen. In 1749 he was elected Prelate of Alpirsbach, and henceforth resided in Stuttgart until his death.

Besides editing various classical and patristic treatises, he wrote thirty original works. The best critical edition of the New Testament of his time is from him; and he proposed principles of classification of Ms. and of criti cism, which introduced a new phase into the history of sacred philology. The first edition of his Gnomon was in 1742; the second in 1759, edited by his son-in-law, Rev. P. D. Burk, Dean of Kirchheim. In his work on the Apocalypse, and his Ordo Temporum (1741), and Age of the World (1746), he assigned A.D. 1837 as the probable date of Christ's second coming. His commentaries are remarkable for condensation, lucidity, seizing on the points needing explication, and holding fast the order of thought. They have been a treasury for all subsequent scholars. The principles he adopted have made their way: "Put nothing into the Scriptures, but draw every thing from them;" "Fasten primary attention on the letter, but never forget the spirit," "The historical matters are the bones of the system; the spiritual matters are its muscles, blood-vessels, and nerves;" "Those expositions are the safest which keep closest to the text." For a full account of these points, and of his prophetical system, the Preface by Fausset is valuable. Bengel's Life, by Burk, was translated by R. F. Walker, London, 1837.

Mr. Fausset in his edition has been aided by several scholars, Matthew being translated by Mr. Bandinell, Paul's Epistles by Dr. Bryce, the general Epistles by Dr. Fletcher. The translations are, generally, more diffuse than the original, and brief explanations of the more terse and obscure passages are subjoined. The results of modern textual criticism are given in the notes. An appendix to the fifth volume contains an index of technical terms, which Bengel, for conciseness, frequently used. The translation reads, for the most part, well and smoothly, and the additions are made with judgment, and enhance the value of the work. It is handsomely printed, and well done up, in five convenient volumes, in the usual style of Clark's library, and is offered at a rate which can only be remunerative with a considerable sale.

The translation issued by Perkinpine & Higgins is to be contained in two volumes. It was begun by Mr. Lewis in 1856, but suspended on the announcement of the Edinburgh edition. It claims to represent the sense of Bengel more concisely and precisely than the other version, "not depending on the Edinburgh book for a sentence." It contains much valuable additional matter, in the criticism of the text from the works of Tischendorf and Tregelles; and in the interpretation, from Meyer, De Wette, Lücke, Tholuck, Neander, Olshausen, Winer, Stier, Gesenius, Quesnel, and Calvin. These additions are inserted in brackets in the text, and are very useful. To make space for them, without increasing the bulk of the volume too largely, parts of Bengel are omitted, chiefly his discussion of matters now reckoned obso

lete, his references to older books, and some of his Greek etymologies. Additions have also been derived from the German version of the Gnomon. The work is a highly creditable production of American scholarship.

Both of these editions have their particular value, which we have briefly indicated. While there are, doubtless, some inaccuracies to be found in the Edinburgh version, yet we could hardly join in the statement here made, that "it is verbose beyond all books we have ever seen." We hope that the rivalry between them may contribute to a wider circulation and study of one of the most suggestive commentaries upon the text of the New Testament.

Bunsen's Bibelwerk. The second half of the fourth half-volume contains the translation and interpretation (very concise) of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve Minor Prophets. The first two volumes of the translation and interpretation are now completed, containing an Introduction, the Pentateuch, the older Prophets (Joshua, Judges, 1, 2 Samuel, 1, 2 Kings), and Isaiah, besides those above mentioned. The part just issued was prepared for the press by Bunsen. His decease will not prevent the continuation of the work, for which he had amassed a large collection of materials. The publisher (Brockhaus) has also published a Bible Atlas, to accompany the work, completed by Bunsen. The further arrangements for the continuation are not yet made known.

Lange's Theologisch-homiletisches Bibelwerk. The ninth part of the New Testament division of this excellent work contains the Pastoral Epistles (1, 2 Timothy, Titus), and the Epistle to Philemon, by Dr. J. J. Van Osterzee, who here gives new proof of his great ability as a commentator. A translation of the whole work is announced by the Clarks, Edinburgh, as a part of their Foreign Theological Library.

Commentary on the Epistles of St. John. By Dr. JOHN H. A. EBRARD. Translated by Rev. W. B. Pope. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. Philadelphia: Smith, English & Co. 1860. Pp. 423. The Biblical Commentary of Olshausen is continued in this volume by Dr. Ebrard, who also wrote the commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, for the same work. This volume is the eighth of the third series of Clark's Foreign Evangelical Library. As an expositor, Dr. Ebrard occupies a high position, though he is occasionally somewhat prolix, and has not that marked accuracy which distinguish De Wette and Meyer. Among the commentaries on these three Epistles of John this work will take a high place; it is less comprehensive, but at the same time less diffuse, than Düsterdieck. The introductory essay on John and his writings contains a valuable reply to recent criticisms impugning the authenticity of the first Epistle. The Second and Third Epistles are ascribed by Ebrard to the Presbyter John, but vindicated as canonical. An Appendix on the Catholic Epistles discusses the historical sense of the word "Catholic" in this connection, contending that it means "evangelical," and not "canonical," nor "written by many others in common." The introductions to the different Epistles are valuable summaries of the various opinions and views entertained respecting them. The work is well worthy of its place in this Library. The translation reads generally quite smoothly.

The Gospel according to Matthew. Explained by JOSEPH ADDISON ALEXANDER. New-York: Scribner. 1861. Pp. 456. This excellent exposition is complete to the close of chapter xvi; the other chapters are merely given in analysis. Dr. Alexander was employed upon the latter portion of this work during the last weeks of his earthly career. His lamented decease has taken away one of the ablest and most learned men in the American Presby