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before us. As a contribution, on the side of truth, to the accomplishment of the great task of the age-the harmonizing of science with religion-the book is one of priceless value. The theory of development as maintained by Lamarck and by the author of the Vestiges of Creation, is rigorously examined, and shown to be as destitute of science as it is of religion. The book abounds in original glimpses of the true idea of the universe-of the relations between the world and man, and between both and God. But we cannot dwell upon it. A memoir of the author, by Professor Agassiz, accompanies this edition, and adds to its value.

(30.) MR. JACOB ABBOTT, who seems never to weary in doing good things for the children and youth of this generation, has commenced a new series, called the "Franconia Stories," of which the first has appeared, entitled "Malleville.” (18mo., pp. 219: Harper & Brothers, New-York.) It is a very simple but attractive book for young children, giving an account of the winter amusements and employments of children in the far Northern States.

(31.) THE admirers of Gilfillan's Sketches will be glad to obtain his "Bards of the Bible," (12mo., pp. 378. New-York: Harper & Brothers, 1851 ;) which is an attempt at a Scripture "Gallery," very much in the style of his "Galleries" of Modern Notabilities. We found ourselves so dazzled with the earthly pictures, that we have not dared to look steadfastly upon these higher ones. In plain words, we think Gilfillan a literary quack of the first water.

(32.) "The Broken Bud," (New-York: Robert Carter, & Brother. 18mo., pp. 325,) is a tribute to the memory of a beloved child, by a bereaved mother. It will be a sad pleasure for others, whose skies are darkened by a similar cloud, to read this unpretending memorial.

(33.) A NEW edition of "Theopneusty; or the Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by S. N. GAUSSEN,” has been issued by J. J. Taylor, New-York. (12mo., pp. 410.) The work is so well known that further notice is needless.

(34.) We have received the first number of the "Chain of Sacred Wonders; or a connected View of Scripture Scenes and Incidents from the Creation to the end of the Last Epoch. By Rev. S. A. LATTA, A. M., M. D." (Cincinnati : Morgan and Overend, 1851.) The object of the work is well stated in the title-page, and it is certainly a well-conceived subject for the purpose aimed at by the author; viz., to "attract the attention of the young to the Bible, the only infallible standard of truth." The sketches contained in the first number are: The Creation, Man in Eden, the Tree of Knowledge, the First Trial, the Sentence, the First Pair Banished, Cherubim guarding the Tree of Life, Mes

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siah Promised, and the First Murderer arrested. The style is ornate-rather too much so for our taste-but graphic and free. The work is to be published in quarterly numbers, at the very low price of one dollar a year.

(35.) AMONG the multitude of books specially adapted to young men, we know none which combines more good qualities than "The Young Man's Counsellor, by Rev. DANIEL WISE." (Boston: C. H. Peirce, 1851. 12mo. pp. 255.) Mr. Wise's style is graphic and agreeable; and his varied reading and observation furnish him with abundant illustrations. The present work shows the absolute necessity, in order to real success in life, not merely of the minor virtues of prudence, energy, industry, &c., but also of early piety, as the only sure basis of character. We hope a wide circulation for the book.

(36.) THE "Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, by B. J. LOSSING,” (NewYork: Harper & Brothers,) has reached its eleventh number. The interest of the work, and the beauty of its illustrations, increase instead of diminishing.

(37.) WE have received an additional volume of Schmitz & Zumpt's classical series; viz., “T. Livii Patavini Historiarum Libri I., II., XXI., XXII.” (Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1851. 18mo., pp. 343.) It is marked by the same features of neatness, cheapness, &c., that characterize the other works of this valuable school series.

FLIN,

(38.) “The Oration of Æschines against Ctesiphon, with Notes, by J. T. CHAMProfessor in Waterville College." (Cambridge: J. Bartlett, 1850. 12mo. pp. 182.) Professor Champlin's edition of Demosthenes De Corona is well known; and the present edition of Æschines is prepared on the same principles, and with the same judgment and discrimination,

(39.) WE have received a copy of "Sermons by Wesleyan Methodist Ministers," for the year 1850. (London: John Mason. 12mo. pp. 382.) The volume embraces eighteen discourses, by eminent living ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. It will be followed by other (annual) volumes, including contributions from the foreign mission fields, and from the United States of America,

(40.) A NEW edition of "The Listener, by CAROLINE FRY," has been issued by Messrs. Robert Carter & Brothers. (New-York: 2 vols., 18mo., bound in one.) A book so well known and so widely read, can need no critical notice from us: but if there be any of our readers who have never listened to “The

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Listener's" wise observation on manners, morals, and religion, we recommend them to buy the book at once and begin.

(41.) ANOTHER book of Daily Readings is given under the quaint title of "Green Pastures for the Lord's Flock, by the Rev. JAMES SMITH." (NewYork: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1851. 12mo., pp. 380.) The book (which has passed through thirty-eight editions in England) has a passage of Scripture for every day in the year, with a brief exposition and application—the whole reading for each day occupying but a single page. As a specimen, we quote the reading for February 9 :—

"Be Watchful. Rev. iii, 2.

"Satan is watching to ensnare us, the world is watching to exult over us, and God is watching to protect us. Jesus, our best friend, says to us, 'BE WATCHFUL.' Watch against the spirit of the world, against thy easily besetting sins, against seasons of temptation, and against Satan, the sworn enemy of thy soul. Watch for opportunities to do good, for answers to prayer, for the appearance of God as a God of providence. Unite prayer to God, dependence on His holy word, and watchfulness, together; pray to be kept from sin, in temptation, unspotted from the world; trust in God to answer, but do not leave the throne; and then watch as though all depended upon thy diligence and efforts. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments. Watch ye, therefore, and pray always.' But trust not thy watchfulness, but while watching trust in God. He that keep eth thee will not slumber: He is with thee when on guard, as well as when thou art feasting on His word and rejoicing at His table. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.' 'Watch ye, therefore, and pray always.'

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(42.) "The Annual of Scientific Discovery, or Year Book of Facts in Science and Art, edited by D. A. WELLS & G. BLISS, Jr." (Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 1851.) We renew our cordial welcome given to this "Annual," a year ago. As a record of the most important discoveries and inventions in the whole range of the arts and sciences, it is indispensable as well to the desk of the merchant and mechanic as to the library-table of the literary man.

(43.) DR. BANGS' " Letters on the Necessity, Nature, and Fruits of Sanctification" have been collected and published for the author, in a neat 18mo. volume. We have only room to say that they are calculated to be eminently useful and deserve a wide circulation in their present form.

(44.) Messrs. GOULD & LINCOLN, Boston, have published a new edition of "The Old Red Sandstone, by HUGH MILLER," a work which, when first issued, placed its author at once among the ablest writers of the age. It treats a scientific subject with so much frankness and spirit as to make it abundantly attractive even for general readers.

(45.) Of the following pamphlets, sermons, &c., we regret that we can give nothing more than the titles:

An Address delivered before the Amphictyon Association, at Lima, N. Y., July 25th, 1850, by the Rev. W. H. GOODWIN, A. M.

Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year 1850, by THOMAS S. KIRKBRIDE, M. D.

Catalogue of the Printers' Library, under the Direction of the New-York Typographical Society. Rooms, 300 Broadway.

Public Libraries. From the Princeton Review, January, 1851.

Religious Progress; or, Going on to Perfection. A Sermon by E. MILLER, Presiding Elder of Reading District, Philadelphia Conference.

A Funeral Discourse on the Death of Rev. James Reid, by Rev. BERNARD H. NADAL, A. M.

The Decline of Popery and its Causes. An Address delivered in the Broadway Tabernacle, on Wednesday evening, January 15, 1851, by Rev. N. MURRAY, D. D.

Education and the Church. An Address delivered at the Request of the Trustees and Faculty of Falley Seminary, of the Black River Conference, Fulton, N. Y., at the Opening of their new Seminary Edifice, Dec. 5, 1850, by Rev. D. W. CLARK, D. D.

A Letter to the President of Harvard College, by a Member of the Corporation.

A Lecture, delivered in the Musical Fund Hall, on Monday Evening, Dec. 23d, 1850, on the Jesuits, by Rev. JOSEPH F. BERG, D. D., Pastor of the First Reformed Church, Race-street.

Methodist Monthly: Devoted to Religion, Education, and Literature. T. N. Ralston, A. M., Editor. W. H. Anderson, A. M., and G. W. Brush, Associate Editors.

Inspiration of the Scriptures: Morell's Theory Reviewed. A Lecture on the Evidences of Christianity, Delivered at the University of Virginia, November 24, 1850, by the Rev. T. V. MOORE, Richmond, Va.

Report to the Smithsonian Institution, on the History of the Discovery of Neptune, by BENJAMIN APTHORP GOULD, Jr.

Free-Schools in Virginia: A Plea of Education, Virtue and Thrift, vs. Ignorance, Vice, and Poverty. "Let there be light." By MONCURE DANIEL CONWAY.

Annual Report of the Normal, Model, and Common Schools in Upper Canada, for the year 1849. With an Appendix, by the Chief Superintendent of Schools. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly.

Third Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Girard College for Orphans, for the year 1850.

A number of notices are omitted for want of room.

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ART. XII.-MISCELLANIES.

On the relation of the theory of "inherent properties in matter, working by general laws," to the doctrine of a special Providence, and free agency in prayer and other actions.

TO THE EDITOR:-The writer of Article I. in Quarterly Review of January, 1851, in arguing against the theory of "inherent powers and tendencies in matter,” &c., and in favour of the doctrine of immediate Divine agency in all natural events, uses the following language: "The system that excludes the immediate Divine agency from nature, denies, of course, the doctrine of special Providence, and makes prayer, at least so far as relates to temporal blessings, absurd.” “With reference to the objection founded on prayer, it may be said, that God, foreseeing all things, had reference to prayer in the original direction given to the properties of matter, and ordered events accordingly. From this it follows, that prayer is a part of the universal scheme of things, and is as directly governed by the law of necessity as matter. When the Almighty created matter, and gave it those laws which make its phenomena fixed and sure, he made provision for a certain number of effectual prayers, neither more nor less, and these prayers must be offered; the stability of the universe depends upon it." I object to this argument, that it is a sophism, sacrificing an elementary principle of Arminian theology, as it is based on a confusion of the ideas of certainty and necessity—of knowledge and causality.

The fundamental questions at issue between Calvinists and Arminians, are : "The power of God to create a free agent," and "The power of God to foreknow the volitions of such free agent." These being decided in the affirmative, the conclusion is easy that God can foresee the volition of a free agent, under given circumstances, either in one case or in a succession of cases through life; and though the foresight be infallible, it is not causative, leaving the volition free, as if not foreknown. If, therefore, God choose to bring about the given circumstances, the volition is certain though free. Any given circumstances, then, may be thus foreseen as the occasion (not the cause) of a volition to pray; the circumstances being ordained, the volition is sure to arise, and other events may be provided as answers to this prayer, by operation of general laws impressed upon matter. The material changes are forecaused, and necessitated; the volitions are foreseen and free, and woven into the "universal scheme of things."

We say, then, that God can, by constitution of nature, or otherwise, run out a line of necessitated events, which shall be parallel to another line of sure, though free, volitions; that so his special Providence may regulate the machinery of events, with reference to every prayer, and every change of human purpose and spiritual condition.

2. Moreover, the writer's theory of immediate agency does not relieve his difficulties, if his argument against the other scheme be sound. For, admitting God's immediate and particular agency, yet it will be acknowledged that it is excited in accordance with regular laws; that most answers to prayer are wrought by

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