THE recent troubles in the Wesleyan Church in England have given rise to a republication of "An Essay on the Constitution of Wesleyan Methodism, in which Various Misrepresentations of some of its leading Principles are Exposed, and its Present Form Vindicated, by JOHN BEECHAM, D. D.:" (London, J. Mason: 1850: 8vo., pp. 135.) The Essay was originally written in 1828, in view of the controversy which then arose about the organ question, and which involved, in the end, the entire constitution of Methodism. The chief object of the Essay was to show that the Conference is the principal authority in the Connexion; and as, after the lapse of twenty years, the same objections are now re-urged against the authority of the Conference, it is as appropriate and timely now as then. It treats, first, of the Constitution of Methodism previous to 1795 and 1797; secondly, of the Constitution of Methodism as settled by the regulations of 1795 and 1797; and, thirdly, of the Constitution of Methodism as it now appears. This last, according to Dr. Beecham, requires no fundamental changes, first, because it properly recognises the pastoral office, and consistently maintains its Scriptural authority; and, secondly, because it affords sure guarantees of the Methodist ical rights and privileges of the whole connexion. The work is throughout methodical, candid, and perspicuous.

The Theologische Studien u. Kritiken for October, 1850, contains the following articles:-I. On the Exhibition of the Doctrine of the Trinity in Preaching, by Dr. K. H. Sack:-II. The Genuineness of the Epistle to the Thessalonians, vindicated against the attack of Dr. Baur, by Professor Grimm, of Jena:-III. Observations on certain Parts of the CXIXth Psalm, on Psalm LXII, 3, and Isaiah LXIV, 8, by Pastor Hauff, of Waldenbach :-IV. The Sacramental Character of the Washing of the Disciples' Feet, by Dr. Böhmer, of Breslau, The object of the article is to show that the washing of feet, as given in John xiii, has all the essential characters of a sacrament, and that it ought to be recognised as such by the Protestant Church:-V. A review

of the first volume of Göbel's "Hi ory of the Christian Life in the Rhenish-Westphalian Church," which gives the history of the Christian life in both the Reformed and Lutheran Churches in Rhenish-Westphalia, from the beginning of the Reformation to the year 1609 :-VI. A review, by C. A. Hahn, of Schmidt's and Monastier's Histories of the Waldenses, and of Herzog's tract on their origin, &c.:-VII. Opinion of the Theological Faculty of Heidelberg on the "Constitution" for the Evangelical Church of the Rhine-Palatinate, with an Introduction by Prof. Ullmann. The "Constitution," so called, here referred to, was prepared by a committee appointed at an extraordinary General Synod, held at Spire, in October, 1848. It commences with the declaration that "The Protestants of the Palatinate desire to maintain a strict union as a Protestant Evangelical Christian Church." § 3 assigns the Holy Scriptures as the sole rule of faith. § 4 declares the doctrine of this Church to be "the word of God as it is contained in the clear expres sions of Holy Scripture, and especially of the New Testament." 7 guaranties free§ dom of faith and of conscience to every member of the Church as a sacred right. Against this Constitution seventy-eight clergymen and laymen have protested, and have appealed to the Theological Faculties of Evangelical Germany for their opinions. That of Heidelberg is given with great clearness in the article before us. The Constitution is pronounced to be fundamentally defective in points of faith, in points of ritual, and in points of churchorder; and, in fact, to be but a wide opening of the door for Atheism and Pantheism to make their homes securely within the bosom of a so-called Evangelical Church. ·

Among the new works announced in Fingland is a treatise chiefly on the evidences of Christianity, by the famous Evelyn, entitled, "The True Religion." The original MS. has been preserved in the library at Wotton, and is now first published with the permission of W. J. Evelyn, Esq. We have not seen the work, but gather from the English notices that it is marked by those

peculiar attractions which characterize everything written by the author of "Sylva." Its principles are said to be of a "strict and decisive Church character.” The first Part of vol. I. of Conybeare and Howson's "Life and Epistles of St. Paul” has appeared. It is in quarto, with thirteen engravings in steel, seven maps and plans, and numerous wood engravings. The whole work is to be completed in twenty parts, of which twelve have appeared. It gives a complete biography of the apostle, and a new translation of his Epistles, inserted in chronological order. The Epistles are translated by Mr. Conybeare, and the narrative and descriptive portions of the work are by Mr. Howson.

Schleiermacher's "Brief Outline of the Study of Theology" has been translated by Rev. W. Farrar, and published by Clark of Edinburgh. (12mo., pp. 220.)

The first volume of the new edition of John Owen's Works (announced in our number for April, 1850) has appeared. It is edited by Rev. William H. Gould, and contains a Life of Owen by Rev. A. Thom

son.

The whole work will be completed in sixteen handsome octavos, at the remarkably low price of three guineas. (Edinburgh: Johnstone & Hunter.)

A new edition of Bengel's "Gnomon Novi Testamenti" has lately been published in Tübingen, in two volumes. It is edited by his son, Ernest Bengel, assisted by Steudel. The price is about $4 00.

•Dr. Karl Zimmermann has edited and published, at Darmstadt, "The Reformatory Writings of Martin Luther, in Chronological order, with a Biography of Luther," in four volumes, royal 8vo., price about $5. The first volume contains the reformatory writings from October 31, 1517, to August, 1520; the second goes to the end of 1524; the third extends from 1525 to 1530; and the fourth reaches to the death of Luther. The book is remarkably cheap.

The Journal of Sacred Literature for October contains the following articles :I. Genesis and Geology, being an investigation of the apparent contradictions between Geology and Scripture:-II. Josephus and the Bible, an attempt to develop the value of Josephus' writings for the illustration (especially) of the New Testament: -III. On the Hypothesis which identifies Silas with the Author of the Book of Acts: -IV. Jewish Commentaries on Isaiah.

(This article is simply an extract from Dr. Turner's "Biographical Notices of some of the most distinguished Jewish Rabbies."):V. A Review of Cummings' "Voices of the Night:"-VI On the Literal Interpretation of Prophecy :-VII. Ramathaïn Zophim and Rachel's Sepulchre :-VIII. Life of Rev. H. Heugh, D. D.:—with Miscellanies and Correspondence. Dr. Tregelles is publishing in this Journal a very interesting account of his explorations of MSS. in the different libraries of the continent, and of his visits to eminent scholars in different parts of Europe. At Wolfenbüttel he visited Dr. Schönemann, (librarian of the Ducal library,) who, during the last five years, has become quite blind. Dr. Tregelles remarks :

"It is scarcely possible to conceive any deprivation more trying to a student than the

entire loss of sight, but we found Dr. Schönemann bright and cheerful, and far more willing to dwell on the mercies which God has vouchsafed him than on his deprivations. It was affecting to see his piercingly bright eyes, and to know that they were sightless. Day and night are now the same to me,' he said, looking at me apparently most earnestly. He showed us his study, where now he is compelled to study and to write through the eyes and hands of others, especially his children, whose care and attention are admirable. Dr. Schönemann's house is the same which was formerly inhabited by Lessing: to Germans, it has an interest in connexion with German literature; but to some, the name of Lessing is more painfully associated with The Wolfenbüttel Fragments.' They told me there that those daring attacks on Christianity were never actually deposited in the Wolfenbüttel Library, but that Lessing procured them at Hamburg, from Reimarus, and that he published them under the false designation of being found in the Wolfenbüttel Library, simply because everything published from that library was exempt from all censorship of the press. At Amsterdam, I made particular inquiries of Professor van der Hoeven on the subject of Wetstein's books and papers; they are now in the library attached to the church of the Remonstrants, under the care of Professor van der Hoeven, (who is himself eighth in descent from Arminius through his daughter Gertrude ;) I saw Wetstein's LXX., with many notes and various readings; his correspondence forms a pretty considerable collection, but it would require some time to go through it to search for anything of critical interest.”—P. 458.

Eleven parts of Dr. H. A. W. Meyer's Critico-exegetical Commentary on the New Testament are now complete, namely, I. Matthew, Mark, and Luke-II. JohnIII. Acts-IV. Romans-V. 1 Corinthians

-VI. 2 Corinthians-VII. GalatiansVIII. Ephesians-IX. Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon-X. ThessaloniansXI. Timothy and Titus. The Commentary on Thessalonians was prepared by Dr. Lünemann of Göttingen, and that on Timothy and Titus by Dr. Huther of Schwerin. The whole work, as far as completed, can be had for about $11. Dr. Meyer is now at work on the Apocalypse.

The "Library of the Fathers" (London: J. H. Parker) has reached the thirty-first volume. The recent volumes are,-27. St. Chrysostom on 2 Corinthians-28. St. Chrysostom on St. John, Part I.-29. St. Augustine on St. John, Vol. II.-30. St. Augustine on the Psalms, Vol. III.-31. St. Gregory, Morals on the Book of Job, Vol. III, and last.

The barrenness of English Theological Literature in the department of Church History has long been deplored. As a means toward supplying the want, Dr. Maitland proposes the formation of a new “Ecclesiastical History Society," with three objects:—(1) To form a library of the accepted writers on Church history-for the use of the members of the society generally, but more especially of those who may be employed to edit old or compile new works. (2) To bring out new and critical editions of such writers as Fuller, Burnet, Fox, Strype, and others, whose works, inaccurate in themselves, have, nevertheless, by frequent quotations, become acknowledged authorities, and are not now to be superseded; while other books, such as Le Neve's "Fasti" and Newcourt's "Repertorium," he proposes to bring down to the present time. (3) With regard to original works, Dr. Maitland proposes to have competent persons employed, or encouraged to write or compile a great work on Church history, to take the place of Fleury and Baronius.

Rev. J.H.Newman is surrounded, it seems, at the Oratory of St. Philip, Neri, by an auditory partly of Romanists in form as well as in fact, and partly of Romanists in fact, but not in form, otherwise called Anglicans. His teachings for the last year or so have been collected into a volume under the title of "Lectures on Certain Difficulties felt by Anglicans in submitting to the Catholic Church." The drift of his efforts, which is, in fact, to discredit the Church of England, and especially the Tractarian school, may be gathered from the following summary of the contents of the work:

I. On the Relation of the National Church to the Nation-II. The Movement of 1833 Uncongenial to the National ChurchIII. Life in the Movement of 1833 not from the National Church-IV. The Providential Direction of the Movement of 1833 not toward the National Church-V. The Providential Direction of the Movement of 1833 not toward a Party in the National Church -VI. The Providential Direction of the Movement of 1833 not toward a Branch Church-VII. The Providential Direction of the Movement of 1833 not toward a Sect -VIII. Political State of Catholic Countries no Prejudice to the Sanctity of the Church IX. The Religious Character of Catholic Countries no Prejudice to the Sanctity of the Church-X. Differences among Catholics no Prejudice to the Unity of the Church

-XI. Heretical and Schismatical Bodies no Prejudice to the Catholicity of the ChurchXII. Christian History no Prejudice to the Apostolicity of the Church.

The Biblical Review is no longer published.

A reply to Mr. Newman's Essay on Development has appeared in the form of "Letters on the Development of Christian Doctrine," by Rev. W. A. Butler, M. A., late Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Dublin. The work (which is posthumous) is said to be of great merit.

Professor Butler had himself been educated a Romanist.

NEANDER's library is to be sold at auetion: Professor Jacobi informs us that the Catalogue is in preparation. The number of books in the library approaches 5,000, and they are, as might be supposed, mostly rare and valuable works.

The University of Berlin is at the present time the most complete and thoroughly manned institution for public instruction in Europe. To give an idea of the extent and variety of its lectures, we translate the outline of the course in Theology from the programme of lectures in the summer Semester, 1850:

1. Professores Ordinarii. C. J. Nitzsch, on the History of the Propagation of Christianity among the Gentiles, twice a week; on Dogmatic Theology, daily; on Homiletics, twice a week. E. G. Hengstenberg, on Genesis, five times a week; on Matthew's Gospel, compared with Mark and Luke, five times; on the Apocalypse, (a private exercise,) once a week. A. Neander, on Church History, daily; on the Epistle of Paul, daily; on the Antithesis of Catholicism and Protestantism, twice a

week. F. Strauss, on Practical Theology, four times a week; Exercises in Homiletics, twice. A. Twesten, on Theological Encyclopedia and Methodology, twice a week; on the Literary History of the New Testament, daily; on Philosophical Theology, five times; private exercise on the same, once.

2. Professores Extraordinarii.

F. Benary, Introduction to the Old Testament, five times a week; Interpretation of Job, four times; Exegetical exercises on the Old Testament, once. J. L. Jacobi, Ancient Church History, daily; Modern Church History, daily. F. Piper, Ancient Church History, five times; Ecclesiastical Antiquities, twice a week. J.C. W. Vatkè, Universal Theology and the History of Religion, daily; Interpretation of the Psalms, five times. F. Uhlemann, Interpretation of Isaiah, five times; Antiquities of the Jews, twice.

3. Privatim Docentes.

G. Neumann, Prophetical Theology of the Old Testament, thrice a week; Interpretation of Isaiah, five times; Canticles, once. S. Rauh, on the Gospels and Epistles of John, daily. H. Reuter, Symbolical Theology, five times; on the Nature and Notion of Religion, once. C. Schlottmann, Interpretation of the Psalms, five times; Disputations (private) in the Hebrew Language, once a week. F. L. Steinmeyer, History of Homiletics, twice a week. F. A. Strauss, Biblical Archælogy, twice a week.

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR JACOBI. The New Ecclesiastical Constitution of

Prussia.

YOUR readers are aware that a few years ago, in Prussia, the connexion of Church and State was in a certain sense dissolved. The Protestant Church, left to the independent regulation of its own affairs, has felt the necessity of a new organization, putting it under a jurisdiction constituted by itself, instead of, as formerly, controlled by the State Minister of Worship and of Public Instruction. Preliminary measures to this end are now going forward under the royal authority. That division of the Ministry, which heretofore constituted, in subordination to the Minister of Worship and Public Instruction, the highest spiritual court, is now constituted into an independent Supreme Ecclesiastical Council. It stands more as co-ordinate to the ministry than

subordinate, and holds, in fact, immediately under the King.

This Council has jurisdiction over the expected Synods; over Worship, in relation to doctrines and liturgy; over festivals, the examination of candidates for the ministry, and the ordination and installation of ministers; over discipline, and many administrative relations. The former consistories are constituted central and superior courts. With these privileges the power of the Supreme Council is by no means insignificant; and with the tacit understanding that it is recognised by the King, the influence of the monarch becomes such as not to be easily distinguished from that of summus episcopus. It is among the defects of this fundamental law, that it seeks to preserve the former position of the king; well knowing, however, that this would give rise to strong opposition, the king's name is avoided, and the law is thus made ambiguous and obscure. We Germans are not yet able to resolve upon the bold step by which the churches in America made themselves independent of the State; indeed, there is also this great difference, that at the time when this step was taken there, the Christian life was more powerful than it is now in Germany. For yet a while, therefore, shall we in Prussia reap some advantage, but certainly not less prejudice, from the religious or irreligious tendencies of the head of the State. The plan of organization adjusts the organic law of congregations or societies after the manner of the Presbyterian Church. Under the guidance of the pastor is a church consistory, composed of laymen, of choosing, on account of the often low at least four in number. The active right state of Christian life, it has been necessary to connect with very stringent conditions. The right to elect is permitted to all who, in the Jewish sense, are independent heads and fathers of families, twenty-four years of age, and in possession of civil rights. Eligibility requires of a person to be thirty years of age, of moral conduct, and a participant in the church's means of grace. The pastor and church-warden present at least a double number of candidates, out of which the electors choose. It is then the duty of the consistory to sustain the pastor in his care for souls, to maintain the order of worship and of the Sabbath, to take charge of the property of the church, to concur in the appointment of the pastor and subordinate church officers, to represent the church in the school, and to superintend the care of

the poor and the sick. It is also its duty, by representatives, to take part in the synod of the circle. On the authority of the synods, however, and the time of the installation, the plan says nothing. This has taken from it the confidence of many; we also believe the activity of the synods might be deferred to a season of greater prosperity in the Church; we do not overlook the difficulty, but we believe that something must be adventured. In activity itself will the Christianity of the churches be invigorated.

Professor Mau.

Theological science has sustained another blow in the loss of Professor MAU, of Kiel, who died some weeks ago. His studies lay mostly in the line of New-Testament Theology; and he is known especially by his treatise "Of Death the Wages of Sin; and of Salvation:" (Vom Tode, des Sünden Solde, u. von d. Erlösung.) The work, which is distinguished for its acute and vigorous thought, was written in reply to one on the same subject by Prof. Krabbe, of Rostock. Its chief peculiarity is the doctrine that the death of the body is inherent in its constitution, not the effect of sin; and therefore that redemption has regard only to spiritual death.

Ritschl on the Early Church.

In Bonn, a kind of theology appears at present to be taking root, inheriting the principles of the Tübingen school of Baur, but not declaring so many of our canonical books of Scripture spurious; and therefore departing especially from both Baur and Schwegler in acknowledging the apostolic tenor of many of the epistles of the New Testament, and in the reception of the history of the first two centuries of the Christian era. A characteristic production of this mongrel school, and one put forth with no little confidence, is a book with the title, "The Origin of the Ancient Catholic Church," by Dr. Albrecht Ritschl, Private Tutor, in Theology at the University of Bonn.* The author, in his introduction, gives a critique on the hitherto received idea of the origin of the ancient Catholic Church in primitive Christianity, in which Neander's conception of this period is characterized as unhistorical and self-contradictory; he then gives, in the first book, the

* Die Entstehung der altkatholischen Kirche von Dr. Albrecht Ritschl, (Privatdocent der Theologie a. d. Universitat Bonn.) Bonn bei Marcus. 1850. 622 Seiten.

dogmatics; in the second, the development of his work. The first book begins with a somewhat detailed, but gratuitous, selection of passages, explaining one-sidedly the relation of Christ to the Mosaic law, His personal importance as Messias, and the doctrine of Paul. For the first point, the most important consideration is, whether or not we are to hold the Gospels as authentic. Dr. Ritschl confines his discussion to the Gospel of Matthew. He observes that he expects to find in it inaccuracies and interpolations; he fails, however, in that definite explanation which was the more to be expected, as the critical doubt is here favoured by the discrepancy between the Aramaic original and the Greek text. Of Mark's Gospel the author says not a word; and the authentic Gospel of Luke he does not look for in our canon, but in that used by Marcion, out of which, as he assumes, the canonical book originated by retouching, according to a later tradition of the church. Already may be seen, in the relation of this circumstance, what is betrayed in other remarkable examples, namely, that the author lacks the ability to distinguish between the original and its proper derivatives. This, however, is a small matter compared with his neglect of the Gospel of John, of which he hardly once makes mention even in pass. ing. In the construction of the history which Baur and Schwegler are bringing out, they borrow, indeed, also from the Gospel of the apostolical times, and attribute to it considerable importance; but, well knowing that its authenticity is sufficient to destroy the entire phantom of their primitive Church history, they attempt to accommodate its origin, as well as may be, to a later period. For any one, however, to venture, in order to describe the Church, for two hundred and fifty years from its foundation, to defame Montanius, Tertullian, the Alexandrian Fathers, Polycarp, the pupil of John, and Irenæus, the greater part of whom lived after this Gospel was written, thereby entirely ignoring this canonical book, is as contemptible as it is unexampled, and constitutes the most original feature of the entire work. It follows from this conduct, that the sublimest conceptions of Christ, which are especially to be found in this Gospel, are either designedly or tacitly avoided by the author. He declares, indeed, his belief in the sinless life of Christ, and in his dignity as the Saviour of men,— a valuable confession, but one which is irreconcilable with his total conception of Christ.