Contemporary Literature [pp. 395-424]

404 CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. [April,
earth, purged, renovated in paradisiac perfection, and made the abode of
the saints reigning over it with and under the King of Kings. The author follows very much in the track of the Irving school. His discussicns,
however, are wanting in closeness, unity and continuous logical evolution
In order to exercise any considerable influence, they should be less rambling and desultory.
The Footste~s of Christ. Translated from the German of A. CASPERs,
Church Provost and Chief Pastor at Husum, by ADELAIDE E. RODHAM. Edited with a Preface by Rev. C. H. H. WRIGHT. Edinburgh: T.
& T. Clark. New York: Scribner, Welford & Armstrong. The author
is an eminent pastor belonging to the High Lutheran party in Germany.
The present volume, though thick and solid, is quite an abridgment of
the original German book, which overruns 8oo pages. The condensation
is effected, not, for the most part, by alteration, but by the omission of the
parts relating to the Sacraments, which take the extreme sacramentarian
views distinctive of High Lutheranism. However this ritualistic extreme
may logically antagonize with evangelical views, it is none the less true
that this volume is intensely evangelical, and founds all true religious experience in justification by faith through the imputed righteousness of
Christ, as earnestly as Luther himself did. It is very rich in devotional
and experimental theology. It is intensely christological, and full of unction. Our own devotional literature is all the better, if thus amplified by
the best from the continent.
Inauguration of the Rev. w?n. H. Hornblower, B. B., to the Profcssorshi~ of Sacred Rhetoric, Church Government and Pastoral Theology in Alleghany Theological Seminary, Nov. 15th, 1871. This pamphlet consists of a preliminary statement of the Origin of the Professorship, and its endowment by Dr. and Mrs. Beattie; a charge by Dr. Geo.
Hill, full of practical wisdom, with some things rather strongly put; and
the inaugural of Dr. Horablower.
It has been a matter of rejoicing to the whole Church that this importtant Seminary has been able to secure for its practical department the services of a divine so able and scholarly, and of a pastor so long tried and
successful, as Dr. Hornblower. His inaugural indicates a due appreciation of the nature and responsibilities of his office, and no small independence and vigor of thought. It gives promise of success in the administration of his office. We do not understand, however, what the author
means by " impossible discriminations between the Church invisible and
the Church visible."
Such a distinetion between the Church visible and invisible seems to us
clearly taught in Scripture; affirmed in our Confession of Faith, Chap.
xxv, Art. I., II.; and to be our chief bulwark of defence for our Protestant churches against the exclusivism of Rome.