the costliest, was a gum exuding, with slight solicitation, from a plant about which there is nearly as much uncertainty now, as Pliny confesses that in his time there was. The Jews obtained it from Arabia Felix, (Jer. vi, 20,) and in all antiquity it was considered to be native there, and there only.† Yet modern naturalists are now generally agreed that the genuine frankincense is a product of India, and was only believed to be of Arabia, because it could not be traced farther than to the Arabian merchants, through whose hands the inhabitants of Western Asia and Europe obtained it. How frequent its use in the Levitical offerings, need not be observed; so frequent and so predominant, that although we cannot affirm it to have been absolutely restricted to the service of God, yet we justly feel that there was an ascription of divine honours to Him unto whom this offering was made. "In the myrrh there is no such explicit recognition of a divine character in Him to whom it is presented, as in the two preceding gifts; nor was it to be expected that there should, since in this lay rather the confession of his mortality. It appears, indeed, as one of the four ingredients of the holy anointing oil, (Exod. xxx, 23,) but this is the only occasion on which we find it serving for holy uses. It oozed from an acacia-like plant, found chiefly in Arabia, and was used dry as a gum, or liquid as an ointment. Its antiseptic qualities caused it to be employed freely for purposes of embalming; and thus it was largely imported into Egypt, (Gen. xxxvii, 25; xliii, 11;) and in a hundred pounds' weight of myrrh and aloes Nicodemus wrapped the dead body of our Lord, (John xix, 39,) so that in his very cradle he receives already the prophecy of his death." Aristotle does not observe the distinction, and in Hellenistic Greek-in the Septuagint, for instance-it is entirely neglected. Thus, often as the frankincense is there named, Aẞavorós is found only once, (1 Chron. ix, 29,) but λíßavos continually. "H. N., 1. 12, c. 31. "† Odor Árabicus, as it was therefore called. Cf. Herodotus, 3, 107. "It is well known that the dramatic representation of modern Europe grew up under the wing of the Church, and only slowly detached itself from this its earliest shelter. Of the dramatic element, which was allowed to find place in its own services, we have a curious illustration in the manner in which this offering of the Magi was set forth in some churches on the festival of Epiphany. (Binterim, Denkwürdigkeiten, v. 5, p. 316.) Three boys, clothed in silk, with golden crowns upon their heads, and each a golden vessel in his hand, represented the wise men from the East. Entering the choir, and advancing toward the altar, they chanted the following strophe:— O quam dignis celebranda dies ista laudibus, During the singing of these verses they gradually approached the altar; there the first lifted up the vessel which he held in his hand, exclaiming : Aurum primo, And the second: mori nutat unctio. Then one of them pointed with his hand to the star hanging from the roof of the church, and sung in a loud voice: Hoc signum magni Regis; and all three proceeded to make their offerings, singing meanwhile the responsal, Eamus, inquiramus eum, et offeramus ei munera, aurum, thus, et myrrham. At the conclusion of this responsal, a younger boy lifted up his voice, which was meant to imitate the voice of an angel, from behind the altar, and sung: Nuntium vobis fero de supernis; Natus est Christus dominator orbis. In Bethlehem Judæ; sic enim propheta dixerat ante. Hereupon the three who represented the kings withdrew into the sacristy, singing, In Bethlehem natus est Rex cœlorum, &c." (3.) “The Popular Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, condensed from the larger work, by JOHN KITTO, D. D., &c." (Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 8vo., pp. 800.) The "Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature," from which this work is abridged, is well known to all Biblical students as, on the whole, the best digest of the present stock of our knowledge on the subject known in the English language. That work, however, was prepared chiefly in view of the wants of theological students, and from its very objects, necessarily includes many things of no use to the general reader. Dr. Kitto has done an excellent work in preparing this abridgment for the use of Bible classes, Sunday schools, and the great body of the religious public. Some dictionary of the Bible ought to be had in every religious family, and we know of no one which is abreast, or nearly so, of the present state of Biblical knowledge, except the work before us. It abounds with pictorial illustrations very well executed, and is, in all respects, well got up by the enterprising publishers. (4.) WE have another gratifying contribution to the history of our Church in “Memorials of the Early Progress of Methodism in the Eastern States,” by ABEL STEVENS." (Boston: C. H. Peirce & Co., 12mo., pp. 492.) The volume corresponds in form and size to the delightful one published by the same author some time since, entitled "Memorials of the Introduction of Methodism into the Eastern States," and which met with unparalleled success, no less than ten thousand copies having been rapidly sold. After an introductory chapter, containing a brief summary of the history and statistics of New-England Methodism up to the opening of the present century, the work treats, in forty-two chapters, of the progress of the Church from 1800 to 1810. Although the author modestly disclaims writing history in this work, he has yet done it most effectually. The essential facts of the history, so far as they can be ascertained, are fully given-but interwoven with what must have been, of itself, a dark web of dry detail, we have a glowing, many-coloured woof of biography, incident and description, so that the whole texture is no common product of the loom, but a piece of highly-wrought tapestry. In fact, men are beginning to learn that biography is history, or at least the chief key to historythe French and Macaulay have taught us that. We welcome Mr. Stevens's book, and trust that he will yet find time and strength to write the history of universal Methodism as well as he has sketched his New-England memorials. (5.) A COMMENTARY upon the Scriptures is the great want of our Church in these times. Those that we have, however excellent they may be in many respects, are so far behind the present state of knowledge, especially with regard to the geography of Palestine, as to be useless, or even worse, so far as the illustration of Scripture from that source is concerned. But we do not want a commentary made up of extracts from antiquated authors, or prepared by any other than a thorough scholar-one who can stand in the advanced rank of modern philology, and rely upon his own knowledge for his interpretations. The man, or men, for this work exist among us-when will they address themselves to the great task? A specimen of a new commentary has reached us in the first number of "Critical and Exegetical Notes and Discourses on the Gospels, designed for Theological Students, Bible Classes, Families, &c., composed with a view to meet the Infidel objections of Paine, Bolingbroke, Herbert, and others, by Rev. AnDREW CARROLL." (Cincinnati: printed for the author, at the Methodist Book Concern.) The work is well-meaning, and must have cost a great deal of labour, but Mr. Carroll does not exhibit the qualifications necessary, in our view, for a task so great as that which he has undertaken. (6.) “The Methodist Almanac" for 1852 is a great improvement on preceding years. We know no Almanac surpassing it in the abundance and beauty of its illustrations, except that published by the American Tract Society; while, in intrinsic excellence of matter, the Methodist Almanac is unrivalled. As a text-book of ecclesiastical information, it is indispensable to every Methodist family. (7.) WE have long felt the want of a summary view of the geography of the Holy Land, which should embody the latest results of travel and discovery. That want is now fully supplied by " Palestine: its Geography and Bible History, by F. G. HIBBARD, of the East Genesee Conference." (New-York: Lane & Scott, 12mo., pp. 354.) The work is divided into two parts, of which the first treats of the geography of Palestine under four geographical eras, the first extending from the call of Abram to the arrival of the Israelites at Canaan; the second to the revolt of the ten tribes; the third to the restoration from Babylon; the fourth to the final overthrow of the Jewish polity, A. D. 70. The abodes of Jewish life, and the political and other divisions of the country, are thus described, in their proper relations to chronology and history, with a clearness, accuracy, and fulness to be found in no similar work within our knowledge. The second part exhibits the history of Palestine under precisely the same division; the two parts thus running parallel with each other throughout. This part of the work is marked by the same pains-taking accuracy and fidelity as the former. The work is illustrated by twenty lithographic maps. A full index closes the volume. Our full conviction is that there is no book extant on the subject so well adapted for the use of Sunday schools and Bible classes, as well as for general study. (8.) “Trenton Falls, Picturesque and Descriptive," (New-York: G. P. PUTNAM, 18mo., pp. 90,) is a full description of the celebrated waterfall named in the title-page. It is profusely illustrated, and in every respect got up in the best style of the typographic art. (9.) WE have received two new volumes of Bohn's Classical Library; viz., “The Fasti, Tristia, Pontic Epistles, Ibis and Halieuticon of Ovid, translated into English prose by H. T. Riley," (12mo., pp. 503;) and "The Works of Plato, vol. iv., translated by G. Burgess." A constant supply of these libraries, of whose valuable substance and convenient form we have repeatedly spoken, is kept in New-York by Messrs. Bangs, Brother & Co. (10.) MESSRS. HARPERS have issued the third volume of "Cosmos; a Sketch of a Physical Description of the Universe, by ALEXANDER VON Humboldt,” (12mo., pp. 219,) containing that grand outline of the whole field of phenomena which Humboldt alone, of living men, was capable of conceiving. The first volume exhibits the external world of nature under a general picture of the heavenly and terrestrial spheres; the second gives the reflection of this image impressed by the senses upon the inner man, that is, upon his ideas and feelings. The design of the third volume is to present those "results of observation on which the present condition of scientific opinion is especially grounded." As a "first attempt" to combine all cosmical phenomena in one sole picture of nature, this work is not simply entitled to the indulgence which the author, with the true humility of science, asks for it, but to the genuine praise which is due only to the highest class of works of genius. At the same time, it is deeply to be regretted that the God of nature is so seldom named in the work. (11.) PROFESSOR C. D. CLEVELAND'S " Compendium of English Literature" has found great favour with the public, as it deserved to do. It is now followed by a work on the same plan, entitled "English Literature of the Nineteenth Century, designed for Colleges and advanced Classes in Schools, by CHARLES D. CLEVELAND." (Philadelphia: E. C. & J. Biddle, 12mo., pp. 746.) The editor's refined taste and catholic spirit are admirably shown in this compilation from our more recent literature; and the biographical sketches scattered through the volume are brief, pointed, and in general satisfactory. We trust that the volume will be as successful as its predecessor. (12.) “Travels in the United States during 1849 and 1850, by the Lady EMELINE STEWART WORTLEY." (New-York: Harper & Brothers, 12mo., pp. 463.) This book stands in marked contrast with almost every English book of travels in America heretofore published. The author seems to have gone on her way through the country in the happiest humour possible, and determined to be pleased with everything. At every step she "likes the Americans more and more," and finds that "either they have wonderfully improved lately, or else the criticisms on them have been wonderfully exaggerated." Instead of the rude vulgarity which Capt. Marryat and Mrs. Trollope met at every turn, she finds the people "particularly courteous and obliging, and amiably anxious that foreigners should carry away a favourable impression of them." She discovers just as much difference among different classes of people in America as anywhere else, and remarks that "the superior classes here have almost always excellent manners, and a great deal of real and natural, as well as acquired, refinement." It was not her purpose on leaving England to write a book, and the present work is made up of letters written home during her excursion, so that it is very loose and fragmentary in its structure, though perhaps not the less agreeable on that account. (13.) "The Christian Retrospect and Register, by ROBERT BAIRD," (NewYork: M. W. Dodd, 1851; 12mo., pp. 420,) is one of a class of books that we are glad to see multiplying among us. In the humble guise of a summary of the scientific, moral, and religious progress of the first half of the nineteenth century, it contains an amount of useful knowledge for which one might search in vain through many volumes. It is divided into two parts, of which the first sets forth the social, material, and political progress of the race during the last fifty years; the second treats of the moral and religious advances of mankind during the same period. This last part is of special interest to all Christian readers, as it presents a summary, condensed indeed, but ample enough for all the purposes of ordinary reference, of the growth of Christianity since 1800, of its present condition, and of the means employed, in the form of missionary and other societies, for its advancement. The book bears evident marks of the haste with which it has been compiled, and it would be no difficult task to note many deficiencies in it. But, such as it is, it is the best we have of its kind, and should find a place on every minister's table, and in the library of every Christian family that can afford to purchase it. (14.) MR. W. GOWANS (New-York) has issued a new edition of " Elements of Thought, by ISAAC TAYLOR." (12mo., pp. 168.) The work contains concise explanations of the principal terms employed in the several branches of intellectual philosophy, and is designed to impart, in a familiar form, elementary instruction on these branches. It is calculated to be eminently useful as a book of reference for all who are not familiarly conversant with metaphysical topics. At the same time, it furnishes a clear summary of mental science in a convenient and portable form. (15.) “Memoir of the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, late Rector of Watton, Herts, by Rev. T. R. BIRKS." (New-York: Harper & Brothers, 2 vols., 12mo.) The name of Bickersteth is like ointment poured forth. It has been the synonyme of ministerial devotion and fidelity for many years. Almost every Christian enterprise of modern times has been aided by his labours or cheered by his sympathy. As an earnest Christian minister, Edward Bickersteth has had but few equals in any age. “The zeal of God's house" was the impulse of his life, the advancement of Christ's kingdom was his only aim. The memoir before us is an ample record of his religious experience, of his faithful labours, and of his untiring devotion to his work; but at the same time it is prolix to a degree which must greatly hinder its usefulness. All that is characteristic of the man in these two volumes might easily have been given in one. (16.) Ir is grievously to be regretted that there ever should have arisen cause for the publication of such a book as "The Methodist Church Property Case, heard before the Hon. Judges Nelson and Betts, May 17-29, 1851, by R. SUTTON, Special and Congressional Reporter." (New-York: Lane & Scott, 1851; 8vo., pp. 372.) But as the necessity has arisen, it is well that the case is so fully and admirably exhibited as in this ample volume—one of the best specimens (if not the very best) of reporting that we have ever seen. It is a pleasant feature, also, that the two parties to the suit have not got up rival FOURTH SERIES, VOL. III.-42 |