judgment of persons belongs not to man ; we leave them to God. But systems we may judge: we are bound to do so. And we again say, that they who depart from the great doctrinal foundation of Christianity, as furnished in the supernatural character of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord, whatever else they are, they are not Christians, even in name. Although we should allow them to be, which we do not in any sense, good logicians, good metaphysicians, good moralists, still with the Christian system, as exhibited in the Christian Scriptures, they have not the slightest fellowship. Dr. Stroud, who evidently regards the simplicity of Christian belief as the truest philosophy, and collects from the Scriptures what, if we may be allowed the expression, an English commonsense will always find in them, their divine character being pre-supposed, evidently feels the importance-we had almost said, the tremendous importance

of the fact of Christ's death to the system of Christianity, and has therefore devoted this treatise to the consideration of the subject. It is not a theological treatise on the character of Christ's death, but a physical inquiry into its reality and cause. And it is easy to see that he has, throughout his carefullyconducted investigation, found the advantage of going to work with correct views of Christian doctrine. This was to be anticipated. Truth is self-consistent; and an inadequate view of one portion will of necessity leave some other portion only partially explicated. The doctrine of atonement would be out of place if Christ's death were not stated; and if that death were for the purpose of atonement, circumstances will be found in connexion with it which only that purpose can fully explain. Dr. Stroud limits, indeed, his inquiry to the proximate physical cause of our Lord's death; but he never forgets that Christ "bore our sins in his own body on the tree." He looks at the physical fact, that Christ died, and considers it in the light of medical science; but he likewise looks at another fact, occurring in the divine administration, and explicitly stated in Scripture, that God "made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him;" and each of these facts he finds to be illustrated by the other. The death of Christ establishes the doctrine of atonement: the doctrine of atonement explains the whole history of the passion and death of Christ. And we ought to add, that the spirit with which the in

vestigation is conducted, is just what it should be. Cautious and exact, without the temerity which would have been inconsistent with the sacredness of the subject; without the timidity which would have been inconsistent with the honest pursuit of truth. He carefully examines and compares all the facts of the case, and believes that he at length establishes a specific conclusion. It is one of the advantages of that conclusion, that it contains nothing calculated to unsettle the mind. They who may think that what is specific in it is not fully made out, will find the all-important fact, the reality of Christ's death, in its general character most satisfactorily established: in the solemn language of that most ancient formulary,-" He suffered for us under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, DEAD, and buried." The first part of the treatise contains an Investigation of the immediate Cause of the Death of Christ." In conducting this investigation, Dr. Stroud gives, in his first chapter, the "Evangelical Narrative of the Death of Christ." The second chapter contains a Summary of the principal Circumstances which attended the Death of Christ." In the third chapter, he comes to the great object of his work. Its title is, "Rejection of erroneous Explanations of the Death of Christ." He opens it by saying, "By a certain class of German theologians, who arrogate to themselves the title of Rationalists, the reality of Christ's death on the cross has been questioned, or denied." He adds, "In the course of this treatise the fact will be incidentally established by new and conclusive evidence." But before examining this, he carefully goes through the case, for the purpose of setting aside such explanations as, being in themselves insufficient, might leave it exposed to doubt. The mere fact of crucifixion, considered in itself, and in reference to the comparatively short time of its endurance, is not enough, he thinks, to account for a death so early, that even Pilate regarded it as something very unusual. Nor does the addition of physical exhaustion, in one whose constitution must be taken as perfectly sound, and who was in the full vigour of life, strengthen the case. He comes, therefore, to mental emotion, and its physical effects, especially on the circulatory system, and on the heart as its chief instrument. This he first considers as a general question, and adduces, medically, a large number of illustrative instances. He then enters on the more solemn portion of his inquiry. The passion of our Lord,

as it is usually termed, began, as he considers, in Gethsemane, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death. So intense was the agony that the "bloody sweat" ensued. He shows this to have been, though not a common, yet not a solitary, circumstance. The suffering was so powerful, that the human nature for the moment paused, though in full submission to the divine. Of the cup, which, as the cup of martyrdom, so many had taken with triumphant joy, the Saviour said, "If it be possible, let it pass from me." "What different cause can be assigned to explain adequately this different effect?" Dr. Stroud has no other than the doctrines of substitution and imputation. "He was made sin for us, who knew no sin." In the language of Isaiah, according to Bishop Louth, "Jehovah hath made to light upon him the iniquity of us all. It was exacted, and he was made answerable." So mighty was the emotion, that supernatural aid was afforded; for "there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." But, notwithstanding this, (and we may add, notwithstanding the comparative relief afforded by his recumbent position, a circumstance to which we shall have again to refer,) the heart was so affected, that the blood was forced through the pores. On the cross, all this agony was renewed and heightened; for there it was that the sacrifice was to be completed, and the great atonement made. It was "on the tree" that "he bore our sins in his own body." All here, beyond the fact of the most awful suffering, is shrouded in mystery into which human mind may not seek to penetrate. No one can conceive the nature of the abandonment expressed by the bitter cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The whole weight was laid on him, and he was left to bear it. No angel came to strengthen him, as at Gethsemane. The presence that had before supported, was now withdrawn. "It pleased Jehovah to crush him with affliction." And now, not only was there no alleviating circumstance, but, on the contrary, all was aggravating. Every one knows the relief afforded, where the heart is intensely affected, by a recumbent position. But while the "crushing affliction" was laid on his soul, necessarily affecting the heart, the position was such as every way to heighten the torture, and exasperate the suffering of the stomach and brain, the lungs and the heart. In any posture the agony was mortal: here, the position itself was mortal, though more slowly so. At Gethsemane, the agony, even with its

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alleviations, was all but mortal was proved by the bloody sweat. heightened woe was now laid upon him, all alleviation withdrawn, and the mental suffering aggravated by physical torture. The result was, his death. Dr. Stroud had previously said, illustrating and proving his position by anatomical facts and reasoning, "that one of the exciting passions is palpitation, or vehement action, of the heart;" and that "when this action is intense, it produces bloody sweat, dilatation, and ultimately rupture of the heart." This Dr. Stroud believes to have occurred in the case of our Lord. He quotes from a living Divine, (Dr. David Russell, of Dundee,) "He at last expired under the curse, not so much in consequence of the exhaustion of nature by bodily pain and the loss of blood, (for in the article of death he cried, with a loud voice, and Pilate marvelled when he heard of it,) as in consequence of the extreme pressure of mental torture. This was too racking, too exquisite for nature to support; it literally broke his heart. That sorrow which is the very soul of the curse terminated his life, and thus discovered the nature of his sufferings, together with their great and glorious design." The proximate cause of death, Dr. Stroud considers to be, rupture of the heart, produced by extreme mental agony in the midst of the tortures of crucifixion. "By the rupture of his heart he completed that atoning sacrifice which he had undertaken to offer." "If in a lower degree, at Gethsemane, they (his mental sufferings) excited palpitation, it is equally evident that, when aggravated," —we would add, "by the mortal tortures, though lingering, of crucifixion,"—" and longer continued, they were capable of producing rupture." The effusion of blood and water from the wound made by the spear of the soldier, Dr. Stroud considers to be a corroborative proof of his previous statements :-" Whilst such an effusion would necessarily have followed rupture of the heart, it would not have occurred under any other conceivable (physical) circumstances; thus proving, by a sort of experimentum crucis which leaves no alternative, that the former was truly and exclusively the immediate cause of the Saviour's death." This he shows by an examination of the facts of the case, and a reference to the laws according to which the blood separates into its component parts. We give Dr. Stroud's statement of the substance and results of his investigation in his own language, especially as they afford a fair specimen of the style in which the volume is

features which ought to be known; for instance, the distinction is broadly marked between physical and political geography. The etymology of a great number of names is given, where such names are themselves significant. Thus when the pupil has learnt that stan is the Persian word for "land," he knows the meaning of Hindostan, Afghanistan, &c. Afon is given as the old British word for "water," and it is then at once seen why we have so many river Avons in England. When the AngloSaxon dun, and the Danish fell, are said to mean "hill," the pupil not merely understands the meaning of the names, the Downs, and Cross Fell, &c. ; but he learns the historical fact, that as the name fell occurs only in the north of our island, the permanent conquests of the Northmen or Danes were almost confined to that part. Every fact is ranged under its proper head, the exercises are unusually long, and the pronunciation and accentuation of difficult names are given at the time of their occurrence. All these are confessedly improvements, and will not fail to render the work more acceptable and useful.

ceived unmerited and universal attention and kindness; I had been loaded with benefits on every side; I had enjoyed many high privileges of acquaintance, both religious and intellectual; and I had seen much to admire and to love. I esteemed myself abundantly repaid for all the cost and labour of my visit. Many dear names of English friends will live in my memory and affections while life shall last; and I shall long look back with unmingled pleasure upon the scenes through which I have thus passed. I have nothing to record as a whole, but affection and gratitude; and thanksgiving and prayer will henceforth be mingled with the names of many in whose society I hope to rejoice in the presence of the Lamb for ever." Sentiments worthy of a gentleman, a Christian, and a Minister.

Recollections of England. By the Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D.D., Rector of St. George's, New-York. 12mo. pp. 302. Bagster and Sons.-We are informed that Dr. Tyng came not to this country in pursuit of health, as too many of the Clergy of the United States are compelled to do, but with the happier intention of meeting with the great and good in this land, the father-land of America, the nursing-mother of the church of Christ there. His object, therefore, was to become acquainted with persons rather than things; with societies and institutions of religion, rather than the buildings connected with them; and though he occasionally indulges in the description of places through which he passed, his object, so to speak, was man; he sought for the wise, the learned, and the good; and his "Recollections tify that he sought not in vain. are, on the whole, pleased with the volume. The remarks of Dr. Tyng are freed from all that acerbity which too often characterizes the writings of certain gentlemen who visit old England, and on their return to America write a book to inform their friends what they saw, and heard, and thought. We allude to Dr. Tyng's concluding reflections on leaving our shores, and recommend their perusal to all such tourists. He says, "I left England with gratitude to God for all that I had enjoyed there. I had re

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Glimpses of the Old World; or, Excursions on the Continent, and in Great Britain. By the late Rev. John A. Clark, D. D., Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, United States. In Two Volumes. The Fourth Edition. With a Memoir of his Life, by the Rev. S. H. Tyng, D.D., Rector of St. George's, New-York. 12mo. pp. xxiv, 475; xii, 463. Bagster and Sons.Melancholy reminiscences cannot fail to accompany the perusal of these interesting volumes. The author's great errand, in his excursion to Europe, was the recovery of his health, which seemed to be rapidly sinking under the influence of a disease, still lamentably prevalent, especially among Clergymen, affecting both the throat and the lungs. His medical advisers concurred in recommending a winter's residence in the south of Europe. This having been decided upon, an earnest wish was expressed by a number of the author's friends that he would send home, from different points of his route, a sketch of whatever might interest him in the places and countries through which he passed, designed for subsequent publication, if, on his return, it should be deemed expedient. То meet these wishes, the letters contained in the volumes before us were commenced. Some of them were written entire while the author was absent; but the larger portion of them, owing to the state of the author's health, were only partially finished; these he has written out more fully since his return, from notes taken at the time the facts related occurred. These letters were published, partly to gratify a numerous circle of friends, who desire to possess a detailed account of the author's journey while abroad;

partly because he feels that he owes it to his congregation, by whose kindness he was enabled to make this tour, to tell them how he spent his time during his absence; but principally because he is under the impression, that the more extensively a knowledge of the actual state of things in the OLD WORLD is circulated in America, the more will our friends across the Atlantic be led to love, and endeavour to preserve in their integrity, their own civil institutions, and to prize the unspeakable blessing of our common Protestant faith. The accomplished and truly excellent author did not long survive his return to his native land. He died November 27th, 1843. The "Glimpses" are well written, abound in remarks truly evangelical, and contain a fund of information which is at once entertaining and instructive.

History of the Society for Promoting Female Education in the East. Estab lished in the Year 1834. Foolscap 8vo. pp. viii, 292. E. Suter. That this is a truly Christian Society, will be at once acknowledged by our readers when we say, that it was begun and is carried on under the patronizing attention of Baptist Noel. The importance of the object which the Society seeks to secure (and evidently by the most proper means) cannot easily be overstated. And this brief collection of details furnishes a volume, than which we know not that we ever met with one more powerfully affecting. To our female readers, especially those who take a lively interest in the advancement of Christ's kingdom among the Heathen, we earnestly recommend it. Such a Society deserves to be known and supported. We cannot help extracting a notice or two as illustrative of the sort of instruction which the children receive from the devoted females who are sent forth on this errand of mercy. The first refers to the death of a scholar: "For some days before she died, she constantly said, whenever I went to her, 'O Ma'am, I want to go to heaven!' When she complained of the excessive pain she suffered, I read to her of that land where there will be no more pain. She said, 'O my dear Ma'am, what sweet words! I do want to go. I love you, and I love my school-fellows; but I want to go!' When she was in great pain, I said once, There was one who suffered much more pain for us, Mary: who was it?' She replied, 'Jesus; O yes, he suffered

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plenty of pain.' I added, 'Why, my child, did he suffer it?' She answered, To save us from hell!' Her end was peace." Of another little girl, an orphan, who had been purchased to be sacrificed, according to the bloody superstitions of the neighbourhood, for procuring a plentiful harvest, by literally cutting a living child to pieces, each piece being buried in a field, but had been rescued by Christian benevolence, and afterwards died happy, it is remarked, "A short time before she expired, she said to those who were with her, Sing Hallelujah! I am now going home."" We ought to add, that the plan of the Society is as catholic as its objects are Christian.

Thomas S.

Memoir of the Rev. M'Kean, M.A., Missionary at Tahiti, who was killed by a Musket-shot, during an Engagement between the French and the Natives, on the 30th of June, 1844. By the Rev. Joseph A. Miller, of NewCourt Chapel, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. With an Introduction by the Rev. Arthur Tidman, Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society. Foolscap 8vo. pp. xxiv, 208. John Snow.— A brief, but well-written and interesting, memoir of an excellent man, whose life and valuable labours were suddenly and prematurely terminated, through the mysterious permission of the "Lord of the harvest," when, to man, his services appeared to be most necessary. When we think of Tahiti, and Popish aggression there, and remember whose forces have thus trodden under foot the liberties of an unoffending people, and blighted what was growing into a fruitful Christian Missionary vineyard, we see with awe the dark and threatening clouds gathering round a throne which not long ago appeared surrounded with a cheering brightness. Was Louis Philippe shielded from the attempts of miscreant assassins, that he might flatter the French passion for naval glory, and the Jesuits' hatred of Protestantism, to be gratified at the expense of the insulted feelings of Pomare, the independence of her subjects, and the holy labours, and even lives, of devoted men, thus painfully brought to a close ? Talk of Napoleon! What more could he have done, what more, as to principle, did he ever do, than has thus been done by the son of Philippe Egalité? We had hoped that he had learned other and better lessons.