ed, but seasonably administered; adapted in solution and illustration to the state of the people.

We cannot too highly estimate, in this plan, the importance of earnest, united, unceasing prayer, for the Holy Spirit's influence. Without his agency, nothing can be accomplished. An humble, confident reliance on his blessed efficiency, unitedly expressed in fervent, persevering prayer, indicates our only hope. The most encouraging thought which associates with our prospect, is the connexion of these revivals with the widely extended observance of the monthly concert for prayer. These concert seasons seem to have excited a solemn earnestness of humble entreaty, which binds the interests of the Church and immortal souls to the intercession of Christ our advocate. Let every Christian who knows the way to the Mercy seat, there be often found; there plead for the influence of the Holy Ghost on the whole population of all lands; there pray that these reviving excitements may be conducted by the Holy Spirit's agency to the glorious consummation of converting from sin to God this nation, and the world.

ART. VIII.-SHORT NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICA-
TIONS.

I.-The Book of the Priesthood: an Argument, in three parts. By Thomas Stratten, Sunderland. New-York, Jonathan Leavitt. Boston, Crocker & Brewster. 12mo. pp. 285.

And

THIS is a work of real talent, and of no small value. When we first glanced at its title in a bookseller's advertisement, we had no doubt that it announced a production of some hightoned and zealous advocate of prelacy. The perusal of a few lines of the preface, however, agreeably undeceived us. we soon discovered that the writer, (who is an English Dissenter of no common power,) under cover of a title somewhat quaint, and, perhaps, not entirely judicious, has assailed the fundamental principles of the hierarchy, whether Popish or Protestant, with great force and effect.

In Part I. of his work, the author demonstrates that "the

Christian Ministry is not a Priesthood." This he does in five sections, showing-That there is no basis like that on which the Jewish Priesthood rested, to sustain the claims of an official Priesthood in the Christian Church:-That there is no Priesthood included, either in the incipient, or the complete and final Apostolic commission :-That no Priesthood is required for the observance of the ritual institutions of the Christian Church:-That no Priesthood was conferred in the personal authority with which the Apostles were invested:and that no Priesthood is referred to, in the supplementary appointment of the Apostle of the Gentiles. In Part II. it is shown, with equal strength of argument, that "Christ is the only, and the all-sufficient Priest of the Christian Church." This is done in four sections, proving, that Christ is the only Priest-that he is the all-sufficient Priest, on account of the perfection of his sacrifice-that he is an all-sufficient Priest, on account of the prevalency of his intercession -and that the all sufficiency of Christ's Priesthood supersedes the necessity of sacramental efficacy. In Part III. the author shows, that "The Levitical terms employed in the New Testament, which do not apply exclusively to Christ, belong equally to all true Christians." This is accomplished in three sections, in which he maintains, that the designation given by Peter to the members generally of the Christian Church, corresponds with the declaration of Moses to the Jews, that they should be a "kingdom of Priests:"-that in the knowledge of God, which is the basis of all true religion, the Jewish people, when they were obedient, were a kingdom of Priests, and Christian people are "a holy Priesthood:" -and that, in separation to the service of God, the Jewish people, when they were obedient, were a kingdom of Priests, and Christian people are a holy Priesthood.

We are constrained to differ from this writer in a few points. More particularly, if we rightly understand what he says concerning the sacraments of the Christian Church, as involving no vow or engagement whatever, on the part of those who attend upon them; and especially of the Lord's Supper, as not requiring the presence of any minister or other official man in its administration,-we must entirely dissent from him. What he says on this subject is not at all necessary to his general argument; and we are persuaded is untenable, and mischievous in its tendency.

Mr. Stratten, however, is a lively, vigorous, clear,, and

cess.

eloquent writer, and we think has maintained the leading doctrine of his book with great force, and with triumphant sucHe seems also to be a warm friend to the peculiar and most precious truths of the Gospel, and to write with the spirit of a man of fervent piety. His book is well worthy of public attention.

We cannot help praising the good size and clearness of the type in which this book is printed. It is delightful to our old eyes to see a page on which they can rest with ease and comfort. If all readers felt as we do, American printers would not be much encouraged to give us books in the small and obscure type which we so frequently encounter to our great annoyance.

II. A Text Book of Popery: comprising a brief history of the Council of Trent, a translation of its doctrinal decrees, and copious extracts from the Catechism published by its authority; with notes and illustrations: to which is added, in an appendix, the Doctrinal Decrees and Canons of the Council of Trent, in Latin, as published at Rome, Anno Domini, 1564. The whole intended to furnish a correct and complete view of the Theological System of Popery. By J. M. Cramp. With additional notes translated. New York, D. Appleton, 12mo. 1831, pp. 451.

Nothing more is necessary to refute and discredit that system of error and superstition commonly called Popery, in the view of all thinking people, than the simple statement of facts. If its rise, progress, claims, and character were understood, as they really exist, and as they are undoubtedly represented in the decrees of their most approved councils, and the writings of their most eminent divines-the spell would be instantly broken. No serious mind would need to be warned against it a second time. It would stand revealed a system of the most heartless, abominable, soul-destroying superstition that was ever imposed on the credulity of mankind under the name of Christianity.

The great excellence of the work before us is, that it makes Romanism speak for itself. As the title page indicates, the decrees of the Council of Trent are presented in all their naked and undeniable deformity. Other Romish authorities, of unquestionable character, are also adduced in confirmation of the compiler's statements. A more ample survey of the doctri

nal and practical corruptions of the Church of Rome is here presented than in any volume of the same size that we have lately seen. We think the American publisher judged well in giving an edition of the work on this side of the Atlantic; and we would heartily recommend it to the attention and patronage of the religious public.

III. A Key to the Gospels: being a compendious exposition of the principal things contained in them; intended for Sunday school teachers, Bible classes, and Families. By Ichabod L. Skinner. Washington, D. C. Greer. 12mo. pp. 276. 1831.

The author of this work is a respectable minister of the Gospel, who resides in the city of Washington, and who has thought proper to employ a portion of his time in writing for the benefit of Sunday school teachers and Bible classes. He could scarcely bestow his attention on a more important object; and of all modes which can be adopted for promoting the benefit of the rising generation, that of bringing them in contact with the BIBLE-and rendering its contents more plain, familiar, and interesting to their minds, is most likely to be permanently beneficial.

The volume before us is intended by the author to be a short, practical, lucid commentary on the four Gospels, in the form of question and answer. We are pleased with the plan of the work, and we think it is well executed. It is full of condensed, important instruction. It is in a style brought down to the plainest capacities, and yet sufficiently elevated to be acceptable to all. And the explanation and exhibition of Gospel truths which it contains, will, we think, be acceptable to serious evangelical Christians of all denominations.

But the views of the Rev. author will more fully appear from his own statement. He says, in the Preface:

"This work is neither an abridgment, nor [a collection; but an original undertaking, upon a plan entirely new; and is designed to occupy ground supposed to be open, notwithstanding the variety of books in use. For although, in the Sunday schools especially, there are books enough, perhaps, well adapted to the scholars, there are none as well suited to the instruction of the teachers themselves; yet it is obvious, that many of the teachers are as unable to give proper answers to the questions they make use of, as the scholars who are taught by them.' "The work now presented to the public, is not offered as a substitute for any of

the books in use; some of which are so well suited to their design as hardly to admit of a substitute. It seeks only its own appropriate place; as peculiarly adapted to the instruction of Sunday school teachers, Bible classes, and families; for all which it is thought something of the kind is needed. Whether the author has been successful, the public will decide."

"Perhaps it might be thought assuming, to suppose that this compendium could be of any great advantage to the teachers of Bible classes, as they are, usually, theologians. But it is hoped it may be useful to the scholars, both as an exposition of the sense and harmony of many passages contained in the Gospels, and also as furnishing a clue to the answers which may be sought, even where the questions are not answered by this compendium."

"There is yet another field, where it is thought this work may be highly useful. When we consider how few families, even in the best furnished portions of religious society, have possessed themselves of Bible or New Testament expositors, in any form, is it not manifestly desirable that a cheap and compendious manual of this sort should be thrown into circulation? And would not such a work, if it were happily executed, be extensively useful?"

We agree to the justness of these remarks; and we think that Mr. Skinner has furnished a book which may well answer the purposes for which he intends it. He has manifested much judgment in its execution; and we cannot but hope that he will be rewarded for his labour by seeing it extensively patronized and useful.

When a second edition of this work shall be put to the press, we take the liberty of suggesting, as a small improvement on the score of convenience, in using the book, that the names of the Evangelist, and the chapters under consideration, in the successive pages, be placed at the head of every page. The use of this, for convenient reference, is too obvious to need explanation.

IV.-Prize Letters to Students, in two parts. By Rev. Baxter Dickinson. Newark, N. J. New York, Šleight. Boston, Pierce and Parker. 18mo. pp. 85. 1831.

A benevolent individual having offered a prize for a series of "Letters to Students," it was adjudged to the work which stands at the head of this article. Mr. Dickinson had before done himself honour in the field of authorship, particularly in behalf of the cause of temperance. His reputation will by no means suffer by the work now under consideration.