Review and Criticism.

The Typology of Scripture: or the Doctrine of Types investigated in its Principles and applied. By the Rev. PATRICK FAIRBAIRN. Two volumes in one. Daniels & Smith: Philadelphia, 36 North Sixth Street. 1852.

The schoolmen had a maxim, "theologia symbolica non est argumentativa." Reasoning from types is better suited to confirm and edify believers than to convince the sceptical. Indeed Christianity has suffered not a little from the fancies and extravagances of those theologians who have discerned similitudes every where. Extremes are dangerous as well as false. Whilst some have found types in the most trivial details and incidents, others reject them altogether, unless there is a divine warrant for them in the New Testament. The latter opinion is as narrow as the former is latitudinarian. Why is inspiration more necessary to explain the types than the prophecies? It would be unreasonable to suppose that the notices of the apostles in the New Testament, direct or incidental, had exhausted the whole subject. There is a wide field in the Old Testament left for the believer to explore, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

An argument from the types, when conducted in a rational manner, is exceedingly impressive and awakening. It is as difficult to evade as the coincidences, of which Paley makes so much, with all the addition which comes from the clear design of God. The typical argument for the doctrine of election, for example, as unfolded by Mr. Fairbairn, is very striking. This doctrine, which has ever been, and will be, among the most repulsive to the human heart, belongs to the earliest age of the Church. Abel was of "the election of grace," and by faith offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. Divine sovereignty in the bestowment of favours was one of the ideas and principles developed in the special Providence which God exercised towards his Church from the earliest period. It was seen in Noah and his family, in Abraham and his family, &c.; and the antitype was in the man Christ Jesus, whose birth was limited by God's appointment, first to the tribe of Judah, then to the family of David, and then to the Virgin Mary, "a handmaiden of low estate."

The study of the types brings to view, in an attractive form, the whole system of revealed truth. No department, however, requires more evangelical sagacity in settling its true principles. Mr. Fairbairn has produced not only a very able work, but a very judicious, safe, and practical one. It comprehends the investigation of the principles of typical interpretation, and their application to rites and events connected with the different periods of the Old Testament Church. A chapter on the history of theological opinion regarding the types contains a mass of important information. The author then considers the exact nature, use, and design of types; first the ritual, and then the historical. He then proposes some general rules to be observed in conducting such investigations; and points out the connection between type and prophecy. Among the benefits flowing from the study of the types, the following are mentioned. 1. It shows a very close analogy between God's method of instruction in the Old Testament Church, and Christ's with his disciples during his personal ministry. 2. It discloses an analogy of faith under the old and new covenants. 3. It is fitted to render great service in helping out the spiritual idea in the minds of believers, and enabling them to apprehend it in its proper fulness. The application of the author's principles is then made to the tree of life, the cherubim, and the flaming sword, and the primitive mode of worship by sacrifice. After which, he discusses the ideas and principles developed in the facts of patriarchal history, which forms a most interesting part of the volume. The period of the bondage next passes in review, with the typical bearing of its historical transactions in regard to the higher things of redemption. After which, the moral law and its purposes are unfolded; and the volume concludes with the types of the Mosaic dispensation; the tabernacle, priests, laver, altar, golden candlestick, feasts, &c. &c.

The volume displays a great amount of learning, a thorough acquaintance with evangelical doctrine, and a sound discrimination. It is written in a pure and perspicuous style; and is destined to be a standard work of theological literature.

Messrs. Daniels & Smith have republished the work in a handsome royal octavo volume, and deserve well for their enterprise.

The Christian Statesman: a Discourse, occasioned by the death of the Hon. James McDowell, &c., by the Rev. D. X. JUNKIN, D.D. James Nourse, Washington; and Daniels & Smith, Philadelphia, 1851.

We esteem it among the privileges of life to have seen, heard, and known James McDowell. One of the noblest of his species in personal appearance, of high natural endowments, diversified acquisitions, commanding eloquence, and a purity of character which owed its origin and cultivation to the divine Spirit, he was indeed one of the completest men, and Chris. tian statesmen, that our country has produced. The sermon of Dr. Junkin is a very interesting and suitable memorial.

"His tall, erect, and dignified form was a fitting tabernacle for the noble spirit that dwelt within. With a sense of honour, chastened by religious sentiment, and sustained by inflexible Christian integrity: with a modesty as profound as his merits were exalted; and with gifts and acquirements fitting him for the highest stations in civil life; he would have remained in private to his dying day, rather than have sought preferment by any of the arts, alas! too common among politicians. He seldom spoke in deliberative bodies; but when he deemed it his duty to speak, the whole man spoke, head, heart, conscience, imagination, body, spirit; and the effort was always worthy of himself and his subject. Mr. McDowell was for many years a member of the legislature of his native State; subsequently its Governor, and afterwards a representative in Congress; and in every station he was the dignified gentleman, the disinterested patriot, the CHRISTIAN STATESMAN.

In the midst of a political campaign in 1831, when the minds of most men, similarly situated, would have been absorbed with the exciting circumstances, and the plea "go thy way for this time" would have seemed to many specially appropriate, he first publicly evinced a concern as to personal interest in the great salvation. A revival of religion was in progress under the ministry of the venerable Dr. Baxter in Lexington, and the very day preceding the election, at which he was one of the candidates, he appeared amongst a band of inquirers asking what he should do to be saved. After a season of spiritual distress, he, at length, found a good hope through grace. When informed that his end was nigh, he was perfectly calm and collected-laid his hand upon the heads of his beloved ones, and gave them a silent, unutterable blessing and farewell-declared that 'nothing else was precious but Christ and his promises' -asked his pastor to pray that he might have 'a stronger faith-more reliance,' and in answer to the inquiry, if he had any other hope but in Christ, declared, (and they were his last words,) 'none whatever."

The Epoch of Creation; The Scripture Doctrine contrasted with the Geological Theory. By ELEAZAR LORD, &c. Charles Scribner, N. Y., 1851.

Mr. Lord is an original and powerful thinker. He asks for no favours about a που στω; but takes his stand just where he pleases, and, with his

ponderous lever, which he handles like a flail, threshes out a good deal of wheat, and by no means not any chaff. He gives a sort of a priori argument against the speculations of the infant science. The geologers will not receive his statements with much submission; nor will the unbiassed gen. eral reader be satisfied with the line of argumentation. Our only hope in overthrowing the speculations of geology, is from the facts of its own gathering. Inasmuch as new facts are brought to light with considerable rapidity, those persons who have little faith in present theories may safely occupy a position of "masterly inactivity." At present, theory and fact are mixed up in intolerable confusion. Mr. Lord intersperses many fine thoughts throughout his volume, but we cannot concur in the details of his logic. We regret to observe that he himself sometimes theorizes like-a geologist; when, for example, he supposes that the inclination of the axis of the earth was brought about at the time of the deluge. p. 203.

The Oath, a Divine Ordinance, and an Element of the Social Constitution. By D. X. JUNKIN, A. M. Second Edition. Philadelphia, Wm. S. Martien.

In this volume, almost every thing relating to the Oath is discussed. Its importance, divine origin, nature, ends, efficacy, lawfulness, expediency, obligations, interpretation, form, and abuses, all engage the author's attention. The following extract shows his views of the origin of oaths.

"From the preceding view we think the inference is inevitable, that man could not have originated the ordinance of the oath. If he could not, without a revelation, come to a knowledge of ideas that are elements of the oath: if he could not, by his unaided reason, originate the conception of an omnipresentan omniscient-a true a righteous and a sin-avenging God: and if it seem impossible that he could originate the scheme of calling upon such a God to witness the truth of testimony, and to punish perjury, it is obvious that the oath must be ascribed to a Divine origin.

From the fact that it was used in the earliest ages, even in patriarchal society, we cannot but infer that the oath is one of the earliest social institutions; and that it was probably given to man so soon as he needed such an ordinance, i. e., iust after the fall, and so soon as our world became a world of lies. And if it be considered that it is authorized, and even commanded in the Scriptures, as we shall elsewhere fully prove-and if it be noticed that it is commanded not as a new institution, but as the enforcing of an ordinance that had been in use previous to any recorded revelation, the conclusion cannot be avoided, that it is an ordinance of Divine appointment."

Mr. Junkin opposes the practice of kissing the book-1st. Because the kiss, as an act of reverence and worship, is no where authorized or enjoined in the Holy Scriptures. 2. It is idolatrous in its nature, being derived from Pagans who used this form as an act of worship. 3. It is superstitious, and tends to defeat the object of the institution. Many persons seem to think more of the presence of the book than of the God in whose presence they ought to appeal, and that if they do not kiss, or touch the book, they are not sworn. The true form of taking the oath is maintained to be, standing and holding up the hand towards heaven; and in this statement we heartily concur. This volume would do good in those parts of New York, where, at the recent election, some of the inspectors used Watt's Psalms, Olendorf's French Grammar, and the Statutes of the State. Prepared for the PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. Philadelphia.

The Child's Poetical Keepsake.

Many a little band will turn over these pages with delight, and many a bright young eye glisten in reading the good poetry. This book must get into our families and Sabbath Schools, and we predict that a great many copies will be sold before next New Year's day. As a specimen of the contents, we give the following:

CHILDREN IN HEAVEN.

Who are they whose little feet,

Pacing life's dark journey through,
Now have reached that heavenly seat
They have ever kept in view?

"I from Greenland's frozen land,"
"I from India's sultry plain,"
"I from Afric's barren sand,"
" I from Islands of the main;"

"All our earthly journey past,
Every tear and pain gone by,
Here together inet at last,
At the portal of the sky."

Each the welcome now awaits,
Conquerors over death and sin;
Lift your heads ye golden gates,
Let the little travellers in.

The Dead of the Synod of Alabama. A Discourse, by the Rev. ROBERT NALL, of Mobile. 1851.

The Presbytery of Alabama was formed in 1821, and the Synod of Alabama in 1829. Mr. Nall enumerates twenty-seven names among the departed ministers of the Synod, and makes appropriate and solemn remarks as he passes from one to the other. The whole plan of the sermon is a happy one. The impressions it leaves are tender and monitory. Its utility as an historical document is also very great. The Synod showed its appreciation of Mr. Nall's researches and services, by ordering an edition of two thousand copies. We hail the discourse as one eminently adapted to enlist both the understanding and the affections, and trust that other Synods may be equally fortunate in preserving the memory of their early dead.

Sketches and Statistics of Cincinnati in 1851. By CHARLES CIST. Cincinnati. William H. Moore. 1851.

In 1841, Mr. Cist published a work on a similar plan. After an interval of ten years, he wisely puts forth another volume, and we hope he may live long enough to publish several more. Every thing relating to Cincinnati, its geography, population, schools, courts, banks, commerce, manufactures, fine arts, public institutions, &c., is here recorded. Mr. Cist has displayed talent, research, and enterprise in getting out the volume. It is enriched with portraits of eminent men, &c.

A Wreath around the Cross. By Rev. A. MORTON BROWN. Boston, Gould & Lincoln. 1851.

The chapters of this interesting work, recommended by the Rev. J. A. James, are headed as follows: - The Cross Needed. The Way to the Cross. The Cross Set Up. The Sufferings of the Cross. Meditation by the Cross. Life from the Cross. Faith in the Cross. Submission to the Cross. Glorying in the Cross. The Cross and the Crown. A work so evangelical in its subject and general spirit, is adapted to do good.

Vol. II. No. 1

6

Che Religious World.

THE METHODIST CHURCH CASE. - The United States Circuit Court has decided that the Methodist Church South, has a right to its proportion of the funds of the Book Concern. Under the circumstances of the division of the Methodist Church, this decision appears to be equitable. The General Conference of 1844 passed what is called "the Plan of Separation," in which it was agreed that a division of the Church might take place. This plan is complete in all its details, amicable in its spirit, and bears upon its face the expectation of a separation. The twelve Articles are clear and definite. The 5th Article contemplates the division of the capital and produce of the Book Concern, on the basis of the number of travelling preachers in each section of the Church. The only contingency was, that the Annual Conferences should authorize an alteration in what is called "the 6th Restrictive Article" for the government of the General Conference-which alteration does not appear to us to have any bearing upon the separation of the Church, except that it gave to the Northern Conferences incidentally the power to prevent a transfer of part of the property to the Church South. The alterations proposed, required "a vote of three-fourths of all the members," which was not obtained. Although, on this one point, the letter of the agreement was with the Church North, we think its whole spirit was with the South; and hence consider the result of the suit proper and satisfactory, whatever may be thought of the argument of the Judge.

PUSEVISM IN HIGH PLACES.-The Episcopal Recorder, in a criticism on some of the publications of the Episcopal Sunday School Union in New York, gives the following among other specimens of the Romish tendencies which the society encourages.

"In 'Conversations on the Evangelists and Apostles,' it is asked, 'In what manner did the primitive Christians observe festivals in commemoration of eminent saints?' and answered-'they used to meet once a year at their graves,' &c. And in a little volume entitled 'Rush-bearing, this is said of some such festival celebrated by children, as

'Charged with those offerings which their fathers bore
For decoration in the Papal time

The innocent procession softly moves,

The Spirit of Laud is pleased in Heaven's pure clime.'

In 'The Children's Magazine, vol. 23d, p. 13, this language is used: 'The means established by God, whereby his favour is to be obtained, are first, prayer; second, the dispensation of his regenerating grace in the sacrament of baptism; third, the holy communion of his most blessed body and blood in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.' God's revealed truth not even being mentioned among the means of grace? It is only thus subordinately used-To which, if we add reading, hearing, and meditating on the Holy Scriptures, we shall have done all on our part toward growth in grace.'"

THE OVERTHROW OF MAYNOOTH.--A determined effort is at length about to be made by the Protestants of Great Britain, to shake off that monstrous incubus, the Popish College of Maynooth. The London Pro