character. There is a singular interest in following Mrs. Ware through the varying incidents of her history-first, as unmarried, she lived a life of cheerful usefulnessthen, as she was honored and beloved as the wife of the lamented Henry Ware, and as she survived him to be the pride and hope of his children. The story is told with great minuteness and in such a way as to introduce the reader to an intimate acquaintance with the springs and motives of her character. It is a beautiful pendant to the charming life of her beloved husband. We commend it most cordially to our readers, as a firm example of what a true Christian woman should aim to become. The ethics of the gospel are here exhibited in their true spirit of self-devotion and self-forgetfulness. We could wish that many who profess a sounder and more consistent creed adorned their course by a character and a life half as consis tent as were those of Mrs. Ware. Pastoral Theology; or the Theory of the Evangelical Ministry. By A. VINET. Translated and edited by THOMAS H. SKINNER, D. D., Professor of Pastoral The ology in the Union Theological Seminary of New York; with Notes, and an additional Chapter by the Translator. ‘Εγω ειμι ὁ ποιμηνό καλος.” Ρp. 387. Har per & Brothers. This book was not prepared for the press by M. Vinet, but is composed of the notes which served as the basis of his instructions in the Academy of Lausanne. Those portions of the notes which were found imperfect were filled out from the note-books of the former pupils of the author. We hardly know whether to call this feature of the book an imperfection, for there is a freedom and liveliness, as well as brevity and condensation in notes thus penned, which would be in danger of being lost in an elaborate preparation for the press. The excellence of the book is that it is what its title page professes, a theory of the Evangelical Ministry. In elucidating this theory there is great comprehensiveness of plan combined with minuteness and powers of the details of the ministerial life, which make it a book of peculiar value to the minister. There are many instances of happy generalization, and clearness of thought, which remind us of the philosophical writings of M. Guizot; while the whole course of thought is hallowed by the presence of a view of deep and tender religious feeling, closely resembling what we find in M. Fenelon, though of a less contemplative cast. The plan of the author leads him to speak of ideal of a minster, the call to the ministry, of the social life, and of the pastoral life of the minister. The sections under each of these general divisions, embrace a large amount of appropriate and interesting thought, the accumulated products of many years of reflection. The book, while it is of interest to the general reader, is, for one of its class, of uncommon value to the clergyman. There is no book of this class, with which we are acquainted, in which the selections, and the duties of a minister are so thoroughly and happily presented. In attempting to give a perfect theory of any practical calling, there is always danger of pushing the theory further than can be safely admitted in practice. We have, however, noticed very few instances in this volume, in which the author's theory is not entirely just, and such as it is the duty of every minister to strive to exemplify in practice. The great problem of the ministerial life, is how to be a minister without ceasing to be in the highest sense a man; or how to contain the churchly (kirchlich) with the secular character. We have never seen a book in which the problem is so happily solved as in this. While we would commend the book to the general reader, we think the ministry will find in it a treatise, far richer and more suggestive, than ordinary treatises on Pastoral Theology. The work of the translator, we should judge to be admirably performed; and a “Chapter on the Care of Souls in times of special declension, and special interest in religion," which seemed to him necessary to the completeness of the author's system, has been inserted by the translator, and besides being of practical value, is in fine keeping with the work of M. Vinet. The Sickness and Health of the People of Bleaburn. Boston: Crosby, Nichols & Co., 1853. 18mo. pp. 148. This tale originally appeared in Dickens' " Household Words." It is founded on fact, and describes one of the most touching passages in the life of Mrs. Ware-her devotion to the inhabitants of an English village when visited by an epidemic sickness. It is a proper accompaniment of the memoir, and will be sought for by those who have read the life of Mrs. Ware. The Friends of Christ in the New Testament. Thirteen Discourses, by NEHEMIAH ADAMS, D. D. Second edition. Boston: S. K. Whipple & Co., 1853. 8vo. pp. 295. This book is written in the peculiar vein of its respected author, and abounds in those graceful and felicitous strokes by which he is so widely known and so justly appreciated. We hope to give an extended article founded upon this volume, in our next number. The First Epistle of John, practically explained. By Dr. AUGUSTUS NEANDER. We have already noticed the two previous volumes of Neander's Practical Commentaries. This third volume closes the series, as with it closed the life of its lamented author. Rich in earnest thought, it is equally so in unaffected piety. Indeed, Neander could not be more in his element than when commenting upon the writings of the beloved disciple. We are not surprised therefore to discover that this volume is written in his happiest vein. It is truly a precious legacy to the church. We cheerfully commend it to all students of the sacred volume. New Themes for the Protestant Clergy: Creeds without Charity, Theology without A Review, by a Layman, of a work entitled "New Themes for the Protestant Clergy: New Themes Condemned: or Thirty Opinions upon New Themes" and its "Reviews," with answers to 1. "Some Notice of a Review by a Layman."" 2. "Hints to a Layman." 3. "Charity and the Clergy." Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. 1853. Politics for American Christians: A word upon our example as a nation, our labor, our trade, elections, education, and congressional legislation. Philadel phia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. 1853. We have been deeply interested in the discussion which has been carried on in these volumes, on a subject which we account very important. We shall take an early opportunity to present our views of the controversy and of its subject. History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century. Vol. 5. The Reformation in England. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D. D., President of the Theological School of Genoa, and the President of the Société Evangelique. Translated by H. WHITE, B. A., Trinity College, Cambridge, and Ph. Dr. Heidelberg. The translation carefully revised by Dr. Merle D'Aubigne. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 285 Broadway. 1853. This volume fully sustains the reputation of the author as one of the most successful historians of the age. We have read it with the greatest pleasure; indeed, once begun, the work must be finished by every reader. It is timely. We trust it may be read by every intelligent Christian; it will teach him the value of Protestantism, and at what a cost it was purchased. Daily Bible Illustrations: being Original Readings for a year, on Subjects from Sacred History, Biography, Geography, Antiquities, and Theology. Especially designed for the Family Circle. By JOHN KITTO, D. D., F. S. A. Editor of the "Pictorial Bible," "Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature," &c. Evening Series. The Life and Death of Our Lord. New York: Carter and Brothers, 285 Broadway. We have often spoken of this valuable series. The present volume is fully equal to its predecessors. As heretofore, we are glad to bring another volume to the attention of our readers. Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates, with Notes and an Introduction. By R. D. C. ROBBINS, Professor of Languages in Middlebury College. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. 1853. This is a very valuable edition of the Memorabilia. It has the best text, and is furnished with useful notes. It is also accompanied by a Memoir of Socrates. We are glad of the opportunity to recommend so good an edition of this classic. BOOKS RECEIVED. The University Speaker. A collection of Pieces designed for College Declamation and Recitation, with suggestions on the appropriate elocution of particular passages. By WILLIAM RUSSELL, author of a series of Reading Books for Schools and Academies, Orthography, Pulpit Elocution, &c. Boston and Cambridge: James Munroe & Company. 1852. A Statement of the Trinitarian Principle, or the Law of Tri-Personality. Boston: Jewett & Company, 17 and 19 Cornhill. 1853. We must reserve our notice of this book. Justification by Faith. A Sermon. By Rev. J. F. STEARNS, D. D. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1853. The Canon of Holy Scripture. Trinity Church, Newark, N. J. The Prophets and Kings of the Old Testament. A series of Sermons preached in the Chapel of Lincoln's Inn, by FREDERICK DENISIR MAURICE, Chaplain of Lincoln's Inn, and Professor of Divinity, King's College, London. Boston: Crosby, Nichols & Co, New York: Charles S. Francis & Co. By MATTHEW H. Henderson, M. A, Rector of 1853. THE NEW ENGLANDER. No. XLIV. NOVEMBER, 1853. ART. I.-EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA. Athanasii Kircheri E Soc. Jesu China Monumentis, etc. Illustrata. Amstelodami: 1667. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft. Leipzig: 1850. Die erdichtete Inschrift von Singan-Fu, von Professor Neumann. Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. 3. No. 2. New York: 1853. On the Genuineness of the so-called Nestorian Monument of Singan-Fu, by Edward E. Salisbury. THESE three works discuss the same question, although near two centuries have elapsed since the first made its appearance. A host of writers might be named, including some of the most eminent in literary history, who, at different times during this long period, have taken part in the contest, but undoubtedly the most prominent champions of the two opposing parties have been Father Kircher and Professor Neumann. The question itself is one not unworthy of such a prolonged discussion. It relates to the early triumphs of Christianity in China. The solemn mystery which envelops that venerable empire, the vastness of the field, the unequaled ardor of the missionaries, and the splendid but deceptive results which crowned their daring undertaking have always surrounded the history of these at61 VOL. XI. tempts with an enduring and melancholy interest. The present aspect of China can hardly have failed to attract new attention to this subject. Amid the confused and contradictory accounts respecting the character and opinions of the revolutionists which have been transmitted to us, there have appeared from time to time indications of a movement which must have dated far back of the labors of any of the present missionaries. It was stated by a correspondent of the London Times, that the Hermes, when on her return from Nankin with Sir George Bonham, was visited by a Maoutsee, from the mountainous districts of Quangsi, who affirmed that his people had possessed the Scriptures for two centuries, and on being questioned through an interpreter, he added, that they had been brought down from Heaven two thousand years before. And about a year since a letter was published from a missionary in Ningpo, giving an account of a visit made to the chapel there by a respectable looking stranger from one of the western provinces of China, who said that he and his ancestors had worshiped only one God, the Creator, that he knew of Moses and Jesus and Mary, that he was neither a Romanist nor a Mohammedan, nor had he ever seen any of the books of the Protestant missionaries. His doctrines had been handed down from his fathers for many generations. It is well known that similar traces of Christianity existed when the first Jesuit missionaries visited the empire in the early part of the seventeenth century. It is a striking fact that the provinces in which the rebellion broke out lie in the precise region in which these early efforts to disseminate Christianity are said to have been attended with the greatest success. Although with our present information one would hardly venture to hazard an opinion as to the connection of these two events, yet a brief summary of what remains to us of this somewhat neglected chapter of missionary history may not prove uninteresting to our readers. The early history of Christianity in China is veiled in uncertain tradition. An ancient and wide spread legend of the Eastern churches assigns the honor of its first introduction to the Apostle Thomas. Many marvelous wonders used to be related which attested his journey to those distant regions. A curious letter to the Emperor Alexius Comnenus, said to have been written by that mythic personage, Prester John, who plays so conspicuous part in Eastern story, places the grave of the Apostle in Farther India. The researches of modern scholars, however, have rendered it probable that he never extended his labors beyond the confines of Persia. But notwithstanding the uncertainty as to the precise date, there can be no doubt that |