naturalized in Judæa? Who but one so destitute of reason could persuade himself, in the presence of this evidence, that the Jews continued to speak Chaldee? I pledge my word that I do not think it probable posterity could muster as many arguments, at a future day, to prove that we men of Italy now speak Italian for neither is our money struck, nor are our public monuments engraven, nor our sacred books composed, in this tongue, nor even those other works which we throw off from day to day; but to the Jews the reverse of all this accrued. What I have just described as our condition, is equally true of the other nations of modern Europe-the English, the Dutch, the French, the Germans, the Spaniards, etc., etc. From the premises, then, it is evident that the Jews used no other language than Hellenistic; they spake Hellenistic to one another; Hellenistic was the medium of converse with foreigners; their prayers to Deity were offered in Hellenistic; nor did they know any other language than the Greek or Hellenistic.

ARTICLE VIII.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

1.-Anastasis: or the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body, rationally and Scripturally considered. By GEORGE BUSH. NewYork and London: Wiley & Putnam. 1845. pp. 396, 12mo. THIS book has awakened as much interest as any other which has appeared among us for a long time. The subject is, in itself, interesting, and the boldness of the Professor's theory prompts men to desire, at least, to know for themselves, what it is and whereof the author affirms.

We have never been of the number of those who make a man an offender for a word, and would persecute a brother unto death, for writing a book which does not tally precisely with their own sentiments. Nor, on the other hand, do we feel ourselves at liberty to be indifferent as to what is written and circulated through the community A bad book will do more evil than a bad man; and it, consequently

becomes the duty of those who are watchmen on the walls, to give note of alarm, when danger approaches from this quarter. Yet we would not fix the finger of scorn on a man, by trying his book instead of himself; but when he has manifestly broached dangerous error, we deem it to be the straightforward course, to deal with the author personally, and in the way prescribed by the Book, considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted.

In respect to the case before us, our humble opinion is, that Professor Bush has begun at the wrong end, in his search for truth, and, in consequence of advancing backwards, has fallen into great perplexity before reaching the desired goal.

It seems to us that, on a subject so momentous, one that cannot be apprehended by intuition, nor reasoned out by logic; one that lies beyond human ken, and must be developed by divine intelligence, it were wise not to commence with theorizing, and exalting human reason, but to go and sit, like a little child, looking up into the face of Infinite Wisdom, imploring a revelation of the truth.

The "Argument from Reason" is well conducted, but proves nothing; for to us it seems to amount to no more than conjecture, at best, and not to be a whit more rational than the ordinary understanding of the subject. The analogies are often pressed beyond measure, and sometimes there seems to be the straining out of a gnat and the swallowing of a camel. To our apprehension, it lies as much within the precincts of probability, that departed spirits will all, at once, assume their spiritual bodies, at the consummation of all things, as that each, as it departs from the body, enwraps itself in one evolved from some germ of the vital principle caught up from the clayey tenement, as it makes its escape forever.

It is not necessary for us to believe that the identical particles of matter which constituted the body, at death, are re-formed at the resurrection into a spiritual body, but that such a body will then be given to cach as to secure personal identity: and to contravene the whole of the author's philosophy and hermeneutics, it seems to us only necessary to adduce one or two testimonies of the word of God—e. g. 1 Cor. 15: 20, 23. On this we have only to remark: (a) An incongruity in Prof. Bush's paraphrase. He interprets v. 23, thus: "Christ the first fruits, not in the order of time, but first in rank, the author of the resurrection of the saints." Then a few lines further on: "Every man," (of the family of Adam's race) "is to be quickened 'in his own order,' or, as he dies, from Christ down to the last generation." In the latter case, 'every one in his own order' is referred to time-' as he dies; but in the former, in respect to Christ, to rank. (b) The quickening, or being "made alive at Christ's coming," can only refer to a resuscitation of the body, at that period, for every other quickening has already taken place in respect to 'them that have

fallen asleep.' (c) The common-sense meaning of Christ's resurrection from the dead, here spoken of, is the rising of his body.-John 5: 28, 29-Prof. Bush here feels that he has met a serious difficulty, and labors hard to make the passage conform to his theory, but we must say, we think he fails, and is fanciful in his exposition. "The hour is coming," (yet future,) "in the which all that are in the grave" (all the dead) "shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Can this, by any possibility, be so interpreted, as to exclude a general rising of the dead, and to signify any thing consistent with only the assumption of a spiritual envelope by each individual at his death?

Our space forbids more at present, but we must add, that we hope our friend, the Professor, will begin the study of the subject anew, as it is revealed in the word of God, independent of any merely philosophical theories, and subject his philosophy to the simplicity of faith. For, be it remembered that, in this case, there is no certain, demonstrated science to conflict with the orthodox view.

2-Sermons. By HUGH BLAIR, D. D., F. R. S. Ed. To which is prefixed the Life and Character of the Author, by JAMES FINLAYSON, D. D. Complete in one volume. From the last London edition. New-York: John S. Taylor & Co. 1844. pp. 622, 8vo. This is a neat and convenient edition of Dr. Blair's Discourses, compressed into one volume, yet printed in a type sufficiently large for reading. The author, as Professor of Rhetoric in the University of Edinburgh, and Minister of the High Church of that city, paid much attention to style. And, although his sermons want the unction which belongs to the pulpit performances of evangelical preachers of the present day, they are not devoid of interest as specimens of chaste, lucid, and often beautiful composition. And if we regard the times and the seasons in which the author wrote, we shall not be too forward to blame him for his want of what we now denominate revival-preaching. His sermons, in his own day, were highly prized, and he was manifestly among the most popular preachers of the age. Although wanting in the fervor of Dr. Grifin's sermons, this volume of Dr. Blair's deserves a place on the shelf for "Sermone."

3-The Philosophy of Rhetoric. By GEORGE CAMPBELL, D. D., F. R. S., Edin., Principal of the Marischal College, Aberdeen. A new edition, with the author's last additions and corrections. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1844. pp. 435, 12mo.

We are pleased to find the great press of the Harpers bringing out so many valuable standard works at present. It augurs well for the public taste, which, for some years past, has been any thing but ele

vated and refined. We trust the day is fast passing away, when the community will be content with such miserable trash as has been of fered it so abundantly, and which, by too many who should know and do better, has been but too greedily consumed. Let us return to our senses, and hold fast to that which is good, for our children's and our country's sake.

Dr. Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric is a book which should be read by all scholars, and more especially by those professional men who are expected to write and speak for the public benefit. It is a masterly production, by no means superficial, but, on the contrary, piercing to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow of the subject. He who would write and speak well, can here learn what he is to be, and what to do, in order to attain this end. We know of few exercises more profitable to the ministry of reconciliation, than occasionally to sit down and ponder the principles and illustrations of such a work as this of Dr. Campbell's.

4.-Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism, with copious Practical Exercises and Examples. For the use of Common Schools and Academies. Including, also, a History of the English Language, and of British and American Literature, etc. Compiled and arranged by J. R. BOYD, A. M., Principal of Black River L. & R. Institute. New-York: Harper and Brothers. 1844. pp. 306, 18mo.

We have been very much pleased with a cursory inspection of this little volume. It seems to us to meet a want which has been felt in the common schools and higher schools of both sexes. It is eminently practical in its method, illustrating every principle by an abundance of examples, and taking the juvenile scholar, as soon as he begins to write at all, and teaching him, in the best way, how to think, speak, and compose correctly.

The book is, of course, not a Dr. Campbell's Treatise on the Philosophy of Rhetoric; but it is a text-book, "compiled and arranged," by the author, with great judgment and practical tact.

5.—Sermons, not before published, on various subjects. By the late EDWARD DORR GRIFFIN, D. D. New-York: M. W. Dodd. 1844. pp. 326, 8vo.

This volume contains sixty sermons, including some of the Doctor's Baccalaureate Discourses. They are generally of great practical interest, and in the fervid style of the justly celebrated author. The reasoning, in one or two of the sermons, would probably not be acceded to by all, but the sermons, as a whole, need no other com→ mendation than to say, that they are the production of Dr. Griffin,

6.-The Reformation in Europe. By the Author of the “Council of Trent." With a Chronology of the Reformation. Published by

the American Tract Society. pp. 422, 18mo.

This little work on the Reformation has been prepared with considerable care, is written in a good historical style, and presents a compendious view of the progress of light and truth through the different countries of Europe. The principal facts are detailed, the great results are briefly exhibited, and the misrepresentations of Romanists and semi-Romanists are triumphantly exposed. Such compendiums as these we shall rejoice to see placed in the hands of thousands of readers throughout the length and breadth of our land. This volume is suitable for Sunday School libraries.

7.-A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful; with an Introductory Discourse concerning Taste. By the Right Hon. EDMUND PURKE. Adapted to popular use by ABRAHAM MILLS, A. M., Prof. of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1844. pp. 219, 12mo. Essays on the Nature and Principles of Taste. By ARCHIBALD ALISON, LL. D., F. R. S. With Corrections and Improvements, by ABRAHAM MILLS, A. M., Prof. of Rhetoric, etc. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1844. pp. 461, 12mo.

There is unusual beauty of execution in these school-books; and it is peculiarly fitting in this case. They treat of "taste," and ought certainly themselves to be models of it. The publishers, undoubtedly, intended to awaken in the pupils who should handle them, the emotion of "the beautiful," and they have succeeded; for no one can take them up without feeling that, as school-books, they are truly beautiful.

Of the value of the works themselves, it is too late in the day for much to be necessary. Both have been a long time before the public, and have won laurels for their authors. They belong to the standard works of their day; and, if they are not now the most perfect exhibitions of "Taste," of "the Sublime and Beautiful," they are works to be read and studied by all who cultivate belles lettres.

The editor, Mr. Mills, has adapted them well to the use of schools, by expurgation on the one hand, and addition of "Questions," on the other.

8.-The Works of the Rev. William Jay, of Argyle Chapel, Bath. Comprising matter not heretofore presented to the American public. In three volumes. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1844. 3 vols. Svo.

The Rev. William Jay's Morning and Evening Exercises are already so well known in this country, and have refreshed and instructed so many minds; his character is so highly appreciated by the pious of this land; and the style of his writings so admirably adapted to do