Contemporary Literature [pp. 362-378]

1876.] CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. 363
raphy is eminently so. There is no better way of translating the abstract
propositions of theology, theoretical or practical, into the concrete forms of
life and actual religious experience, than to trace their application and exemplification in the typical lives of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles
Whenever we look in this volume, ada~erturam libri, we find it rich, not only
in delineations of Moses' life and character, but in the instruction and guidance which it derives from the vicissitudes of his career, suited to all the
phases of Christian life and experience. No better book could be put into
the hands of thousands of ministers and Christians, and especially recent
converts, to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. Something equivalent
to it is quite needed to assist new~born Christians to grow in grace and the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
A. D. F. Randolph & Co. publish Pray ftr the Holy S~irit~ By the
REV. WILLIAM Scain~~~.
If the author could have foreseen the remarkable spiritual quickening
which has spread over the country-more remarkable than anything of the
kind, it may be safely said, in our day-he could not have prepared a volume
more seasonable, or better suited to be useful. It would seem, indeed, that
the same good Spirit, who is moving with so much power on the hearts of
great numbers, must have prompted the devout author to have in readiness
such a work as this, as he app~ars in a high degree to possess the spiritual
qualifications for its performance. Laid aside from the active work of the
ministry, his heart has been fully in it; rejoicing in the success of hi
brethren permitted to labor, he has sought to render them what help he
could by means of his pen. His former little volume, fray for your Children,
although addressed to parents, had the same lofty aim.
Mr. Scribner has the theological insight needed for handling the subject of
this second publication with intelligence and soundness; but his spiritual insight and wisdom qualified him especially for this undertaking. The very title
breathes the earnestness of his convictions. In the first part he assigns
reasons why Christians should earnestly seek this priceless gift for themselves;
and in the second, why they should thus seek it for the church and the world.
The style is simple and perspicuous, and there is scarcely a page on which
may not be found suggestions of great importance, evidently proceeding from
that Spirit whom the volume is designed to hono~
We heartily commend the work for wide dissemination. It will remain as
a proof that this busy and-as some are disposed to regard it-shallow age of
ours is not without examples of piety of a deep and spiritual a type as have
distinguished any other.
La Th6ologie Allemande Contem~oraine. Par J. F. ASTI~. Geneve,
Bale, Lyon. H. Georg, Libraire-6diteur. 1875. 8vo, pp. 286, 100, 360.
Professor Astie', of Lausanne, is already well known to our readers, not only
by a former residence in this country, and as a delegate from Switzerland to
the Evangelical Alliance in New York, but also as the author of a valuable
History of the United States, 1620 to i86o, 2 vols., with a preface by Laboulaye, of the French Institute, and a work entitled, EsArit d'Aie~andre Vind