The New Review for August has: 1. "The Relations Between France and Russia Since 1871;" 2. "Matthew Arnold;" 3. "Talk and Talkers of To-day;" 4. "Two Views of the German Emperor; " 5. "Eight Hours the Maximum Working Day;" 6. "Mythology and the Old Testament; 7. "The New Treasure Hunt; " 8. "Electric Lighting." In the second of these articles Chief Justice Coleridge ranks Matthew Arnold very high as a literary critic and an independent thinker; speaks with qualified praise of his political essays; excepts strongly to his opinions about Ireland and America; claims that, despite his irreverent rationalistic writing, in which he sometimes forgot that it is "ill dancing for nimble wits on the precipices of dangerous doctrines," he was a firm believer in the central truths of Christianity; and that he ended his unspotted life with "a hope of acceptance" such as "few souls" possess. In "Two Views of the German Emperor," we have first a spirited sketch of the career of William II., by Poultney Bigelow, describing his conduct and character while a boy under private tutorship, and in the gymnasium; during his university life; while subsequently under the instruction of his royal grandfather and the politically astute Bismarck; and since his ascension to the throne. Mr. Bigelow paints him, in glowing colors, as a man sound in body, having a mind richly stored with practical knowledge, and a spirit devoted to his convictions of duty. In a second paper, which is anonymous, this portrait is deeply shaded by descriptions of the Young Kaiser's unfilial conduct. His visible impatience at the slow progress of his father's disease; his unwise speeches to the civic authorities of Berlin and to the miners on strike; his calling in the coin struck during his father's brief reign and his refusal to permit the new palace to retain the name of Friederichskröne, given to it by his father, are facts regarded by this writer as indications of a character which is likely to make his reign disastrous. For Germany's sake, one may hope that Mr. Bigelow's picture is the correct one. In "Mythology and the Old Testament," Andrew Lang deals with Renan's History of the People of Israel after the Socratic method. Taking that reckless skeptic's theory of the mythical character of Old Testament history, Mr. Lang presses it into the deepest ditch of absurdity by a series of questions concerning the undeniable superiority of the style, the intellectual qualities, the seriousness, the orderliness, the sobriety, and the poetic value of the Bible history to the "myths" of all other nations. By this process he makes Mr. Renan's theory utterly untenable.

Our Day for August treats of: 1. "Possible and Pressing Educational Reform;" 2. "English Literature in American Colleges; 3. "An Age of Lodges;" 4. "Berlin Addresses to Students;" 5. "A Throne Among the Stars;" 6. "Boston Hymn; " 7. "Boston Monday Lectures; " 8. "Robert Elsmere's Successor;" 9. "Book Notices; " 10 "Questions to Specialists; 11. "Editorial Notes." These are all good and sound papers. Among them we note the first, by Professor I. E. Dwinell, as of special importance to educators, and to Christian students of passing social and

political events. After a somewhat pessimistic glance at the present unsatisfactory moral condition of society, Dr. Dwinell claims that our educational system fails of the highest results because it aims chiefly at mind-culture. It develops the intellect but neglects the spiritual nature. This is a suggestive paper, albeit one cannot well help feeling that its author charges more of the evil spirit of the times to our educational system than it is fully responsible for. In the second paper, Professor J. Buckham makes a strong plea for more thorough and higher critical study of English literature than is now given to it in American colleges. His demand is just. His plea deserves attention. In the fourth paper, which is lucid, and full of information concerning theological thought in Germany, Professor Stuckenberg shows how German theology has been hurtfully influenced by philosophic rationalism, by pantheism, and by science which seeks to establish materialism as the interpretation of the universe. Its especial enemy has been "a biblical and historical criticism which started with philosophical principles that were destructive of religion." Any one who is fascinated by rationalistic criticism will do well to stick a pin in this last fact.

7.

The Bibliotheca Sacra for July has: 1. "The Creative Laws and the Scripture Revelation; " 2. "The Intellectual Element in Matter;" 3. "Coeducation at Oberlin; " 4. "Notes on Dr. Riddle's Edition of Dr. Robinson's Harmony of the Gospels;" 5. "The Glacial Period and Noah's Deluge;" 6. "Dr. Cochran on the Moral System and the Atonement;" 66 The New Testament and the Sabbath;" 8. Lovest Thou Me?" 9. "The Bible and the Public Schools;" 10. "Critical Notes." The first of these papers, by Dr. S. Kellogg, of Toronto, Canada, is scientific, and in its bearing apologetic. In the system of law operative during the Geologic Ages, as taught by science, it finds a very remarkable agreement with the representations of Holy Scripture concerning the divine administration of earthly history, both past and future. A very thoughtful, valuable, and suggestive paper. The second article, by Rev. C. Caverno, of Boulder, Col., is a unique theistic argument based on three facts accredited by scientists of all classes; namely, that the elements in every compound of which the crust of the earth is composed "always co-exist in exact mathematical ratios;" that force in nature is mathematically regulated; and that "the beautiful" is every-where abundantly impressed on matter. Then Mr. Caverno rightly reasons that these facts are expressions of intellect, will, and æsthetic sensibility, and can only be explained by theism, which recognizes in them the presence and work of an intelligent personality. On atheistic principles they are utterly inexplicable. In the fifth paper, Dr. G. F. Wright views Noah's deluge in the light of certain geological theories respecting the Glacial Period; to wit, that prior to it the earth was largely populated even up to the polar regions; that the coming of the ice age forced southward men and animals that did not perish; that the pressure of the ice upon the northern portion of the globe produced vast changes in the level of the

earth southward, and caused immense flows of lava to burst from its interior. The meeting of the glaciers, he thinks, caused a universal flood. A very interesting speculative paper. The seventh article, by Rev. A. E. Thomson, is a strongly-written defense of the Sabbath of the decalogue, showing how Christ ratified it, how Paul supported it, and how its principle was sustained in the Christian sabbath, or Lord's day, by the practice of the primitive Church. A timely paper, clearly written, and conclusive except to such as are predisposed to ignore the Lord's day. This number of the Bibliotheca Sacra sustains its high reputation as a theological Review of the very highest class-critical, scholarly, and unflinchingly orthodox.

In the Baptist Quarterly Review for July we have: 1. "The Anabaptists in Switzerland; 2. "Past Attempts at Church Union, especially on the Continent;" 3. "Our Ethical Theories;" 4. "The Lord's Prayer;" 5. "The Man of Sin;" 6. "Editorial Department." In the first of these articles Dr. Philip Schaff treats of the Anabaptists from a purely historical point of view, showing that the controversy between them and the Reformers referred only to the subjects of baptism, the Anabaptists denying that infants were its proper subjects. They also claimed that none but converts should be admitted to church fellowship. In briefly sketching their history in Switzerland, Dr. S. defends them against many false imputations heaped upon them by their enemies; eulogizes their patient martyr-spirit under persecution, and their heroic struggles in defense of the principle of religious liberty and separation of Church and State. The second paper, by Rev. W. W. Everts, discusses the question of Church union from the view-point of historical doctrinal differences in Protestant Churches. Its conclusion is, that human creeds will not unite Christendom; Christian love may do it, but baptism and the Supper cannot be used as the ordinances of Christian and Church union until "men subtract what they have added to the liturgy, government, doctrine, and discipline of the Church of Christ." By this it would appear that Mr. Everts sees no road to Church union except one built beside "much water." The third paper, by Dr. J. R. Kendrick, discusses, with much acuteness, the sources of moral conceptions and the grounds of moral obligation. It clearly states the progress and present condition of ethical opinion; exposes the selfism of utilitarianism and egotistic hedonism; defends the intuitional theory of Butler, McCosh, James Martineau, etc., and points out the fallacies of the mechanical or evolution philosophy of morals.

The Forum for August discusses: 1. "The Republican Programme; 2. "Government by Aliens;" 3. "The Problem of Poverty;" 4. "Methods of Ballot Reform;" 5. "The Transformation of New England;" 6. "Canada's Form of Government;" 7. "The Abuse of Fiction; " 8. "Prohibition and License;" 9. "The Extinction of Leisure;" 10. "Defects of the Coroner System." In the first of these papers, Mr. J. G. Carlyle prophecies that the Republican party will do so many foolish things between

now and the next presidential election that the public patience will be exhausted. Perhaps so; but political forecasts are generally as unreliable as weather prognostications. In the second article, Bishop A. C. Coxe, though pessimistic in tone, states some startling facts concerning the corrupting political influence of Roman Catholic aliens, which deserve the serious consideration of every Protestant American who has any national spirit. In the fourth paper, Judge George Hoadly reasons well on the necessity of election reform; discusses the Australian system of secluded voting, approving its principle, but objecting to some of its details; and finally insisting that if the corruption of the ballot, now so wide-spread, shall become a common fact of general use," then good-bye to American liberty! In the eighth paper, Senator John J. Ingalls sums up the contents of the liquor problem and presents a comparison of facts under license and prohibitory systems which tend to prove that, while high license has failed both in England and America to diminish drunkenness, prohibitory law has succeeded to a very remarkable degree in Maine and Kansas. He believes that prohibition is the only means of overcoming the evils of intemperance, and that it will finally prevail. This number of The Forum well maintains its high literary reputation.

The North American Review for September has: 1. "The Elixir of Life;" 2. "Common Sense and Civil Service Reform;" 3. "An English View of the Civil War;" 4. "The Coming Congress; " 5. "Why I Am an Episcopalian?" 6. "The Value of International Exhibitions; " 7. “Capital Punishment by Electricity;" 8. "The Transformation of Paris;" 9. "Are Public Libraries Blessings?" 10. "The Real Rights of Women;" 11. "Nurseries of Crime;" 12. "Can the Mosquito be Exterminated ? 13. "Ministers' Wives;" 14. "Notes and Comments." Of these papers, the second, by General John Pope, will command the attention, but not the unqualified approval, of civil service reformers. The fifth article, by Canon Farrar, presents the question of scriptural episcopacy very ably and distinctly. The liberal Canon's views will delight every Low Churchman, but will be as "vinegar to the teeth" of Romanists and High Churchmen. In the seventh paper, Elbridge Gerry writes sensibly in favor of electricity as a fitting substitute for the barbarous method of putting criminals to death by hanging. In the ninth paper, James M. Hubbard pleads rightly for some general method of keeping bad books out of public libraries. In the tenth paper, Rose Terry Cooke objects to those who clamor for "the rights of women to be men," but enumerates eight rights of women that "ought in the name of religion and humanity to be respected," but which, she says, "alas! rarely are."

The Contemporary Review for August discusses: 1. "The Papacy;" 2. "Speech and Song;" 3. "Centenary of the Bastile;" 4. "A Female Medical Profession for India;" 5. "Reform in Teaching the Old Testament;" 6. "South Africa Under Irresponsible Government; 7. "Mr. Wallace

on Darwinism;" 8. "The Proposed Royal Academy Reform;" 9. "Ibsen's Peer Gynt;"" 10. "The Civil List and Royal Grants." The first of these papers, by an anonymous but well informed writer, describes Leo XIII. as cherishing two dreams: 1. The re-establishment of his temporal sovereignty; 2. The making of the holy see once more "the active and omnipresent embodiment of the conscience of mankind." These are wild and arrogant dreams. Yet even to-day the papacy "still represents an immense moral force." But Leo's ideals are incompatible. The steps necessary to secure the first must tend to prevent his realization of the second, as the failure of his attempt to secure diplomatic recognition by England, through a rescript which weakened his authority in Ireland, abundantly proves.

The Nineteenth Century for August has: 1. "A Breakfast Party in Paris;” 2. “The New Liberalism;” 3. “On Change of Air;” 4. “ Wanted -a Gospel for the Century;" 5. "The Deadly Wild Beasts of India;' 6. "The Works of Henrik Ibsen; 7. "Mr. Gladstone's Plain Speaking;" 8. "The Art of Conversation;" 9. Phenician Affinities of Ith10. The French in Germany; aca; 11. Wool-Gatherings; 12. "Noticeable Books; " 13. The Appeal Against Female Suffrage: a Rejoinder." The fourth of these papers is a subtle but inconclusive assault on Protestantism, by Rev. Father Barry; the seventh is a scathing review of Mr. Gladstone's article on "The Irish Union," by Lord Brabourne. Besides its "Appeal Against Female Suffrage," by Louise Creighton, this number of the Nineteenth Century contains, in over twenty-six double columns, the names of ladies who protest against female suffrage. And these are only a first installment of names on that side of the question. Apparently English women do not desire to possess the right to vote.

The Andover Review for August discusses: 1. "Chance or Design;" 2. "The Psychology of the Modern Novel; " 3. "Out of Town Missions for City Churches; " 4. "The Lost Tribes;" 5. "Primitive Buddhism: A Study;" 6. "Editorial." In the first of these articles Professor N. S. Shaler reasons forcibly in behalf of the hypothesis that either human intelligence "is the result of a fortuitous concatenation of unadjusted impulses, dependent on one chance in a practically infinite number of possibilities, or that this life of man is the product of control.” He also aims, with less conclusiveness, to show that man's evolution from the lowest forms of life is theistically consistent. In the fourth paper L. N. Dembitz, Esq., attempts to prove that the alleged “Lost Tribes "never were lost, but only absorbed in the kingdom of Judah, excepting such as were deported to the lands of their Eastern conquer

ors.

Even of these many subsequently returned to Palestine and joined themselves to their Judean brethren. "No tribes are lost; and those of Galilee are now in the lead," is the conclusion Mr. D. reaches. If not convincing, this paper is yet suggestive.