ages, which the boldest powers of thought cannot reach. It embraces the numberless worlds which shed their light upon our little earth;-the thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers, with which the highest heavens are filled. It comprises the laws which apply to every action, and every thought, of all the accountable beings, in all these worlds, throughout the endless period of their existence. It takes a view of the influence which is to go down from the present hour to distant ages; which is to operate on the countless millions which are yet to people the earth. It allots the rewards of the heavenly world, and dispenses the terrours of the eternal prison. It is a system vast as the universe, possessing an endless variety in the relations of its parts, and known only, in all its extent, by the omniscient Mind. It is high as heaven, what can we know of it? Can we find out the Almighty to perfection?" So much of his purposes and works as he has condescended to reveal to us, we may be able to understand. These are parts of his ways. But how little a portion is heard of

him.'

"Another reason why some hesitate to preach distinctly certain doctrines of the Bible, is, that they find a difficulty in explaining to their own satisfaction, the philosophy of these doctrines. In a perfect system of truth perfectly understood, each portion may be explained by tracing its relations to other parts, and to the whole. But God may have revealed to us some truths necessary to our welfare, without showing us how they are connected with the complicated arrangements of his providence. These we are bound to receive upon his simple testimony, whether we can or cannot explain them, by our philosophical theories. When He who gave us all our powers of judging, speaks to us from heaven, we are not to suspend our belief of his declarations, till we can try their credibility before the tribunal of human wisdom. It belongs to us, it is true, to examine the evidence in favour of a proposed revelation, and also to exercise our judgement in applying the rules of interpretation. But when we have once determined the meaning of an inspired passage, we are not at liberty to call in question its truth; or to treat it with neglect, because it is not easily explained by the suggestions of philosophy.

"But are we forbidden to attempt the removal of difficulties to which scriptural declarations may be exposed? By no means. Let spiritual things be compared with spiritual; let different portions of the sacred volume be brought together, to throw light upon each other; let even the aid of philosophy be called in, not to explain away, but to elucidate scriptural truth. But if, after all, difficulties still remain, let not the testimony of God be set aside, because our limited understandings cannot fathom the counsels of infinite wisdom.

"Should not Scripture, however, be so interpreted, as not to present a meaning contrary to the dictates of reason? No revelation from God can contain a meaning which is intuitively or demonstrably false. But he may reveal things to us, which to mere reason, without divine testimony, would appear highly improbable. 'How unsearchable are his judge. ments, and his ways past finding out!' His plain declarations are not to be explained away, on the ground that, to our apprehension, they contain improbabilities.

"Some preachers omit a distinct exhibition of certain scriptural doctrines, because they apprehend that they are liable to be perverted. But, if liability to perversion did not prevent infinite wisdom from giving these doctrines a place in the Scriptures, ought it to prevent preachers from stating them to their hearers? It is proper that more than usual caution should be used, in the manner of exhibiting such truths, to guard them against misapprehension. It may be well to blend their influence with that of other truths, which may make their practical bearing to be better

understood. But to exclude from the desk every doctrine which is liable to be perverted by apostate man, would be to withhold from the hearers the whole system of scriptural truth. The brightest exhibitions of wisdom and grace to a fallen world, are made the occasion of deepening the guilt of multitudes, and sinking them to a lower place in the abodes of wo."

American Advocate of Peace. Conducted by C. S. Henry. Hartford, Conn. Wm. Watson. pp. 56.

The Calumet; New Series of the Harbinger of Peace. No. 19. May and June, 1834. L. D. Dewey; New-York.

It indicates a decided advance of the Peace cause in popular estimation, that it should have two periodicals of so respectable a character as the present devoted to its interests. Even if the patronage bestowed upon them should be but scanty, yet we augur well from the fact, that talents of such high order are enlisted in the cause as we see evinced in the pages of these pamphlets. The fact of itself discovers the reaching of superiour minds towards the attainment of an object of no less importance than the entire abolition of War and the universal establishment of Peace on earth. The engagement of such minds in such an enterprise is sufficient to rescue it from the charge of being a Quixotic or chimerical attempt.

The American Advocate of Peace, conducted by Mr. Henry, will doubtless, if we may take the present number as a specimen, prove a rich repository of able discussions on War, and its various collateral topics, tending to awaken a wider and deeper interest in the subject, not only among Christians, but also among statesmen and patriots. The first number is ushered to the public under the auspices of the respectable names of the Editor Rev. C. S. Henry, Rev. Prof. Holland of Washington College, and Francis Fellowes, Esq. of Hartford, Conn., by each of whom is furnished a talented and very interesting article: the first, On the Progress and Objects of Peace Societies; the second, On the Influence of War in the Wealth of Nations; and the third, On the Progress of International Law in Reference to the Objects of Peace Societies.

The Calumet has been for some years the organ of the American Peace Society, and has held a rank, and made a progress, similar to that of the cause which it advocates-humble, but insinuating. Having recently passed into new hands, it appears both editorially and typographically to great advantage, and in every respect appeals strongly for support to all the friends of Peace, which is, we take it, but another name for the friends of man and of the Gospel.

A Guide to the Study of Moral Evidence, or of that Species of Reasoning which relates to Matters of Fact and Practice. By Rev. James Edward Gambier, Eng. With Illustrative Notes. Being an application of the principles of the Science to the Divine Origin of the Christian Religion. By Joseph A. Warne, A. M., Pastor of the Baptist Church in Brookline, Mass. To which is prefixed an Introductory Essay on Moral Reasoning. By Wm. Hague, A. M., Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Boston, Mass. Boston; published by James Loring, 1834.

The subject of Moral Evidence is one of radical importance to the inquirer after truth. The author states that his motive in undertaking this subject, was his having observed persons of ability and education delude

themselves as to the truth of facts of importance to their moral conduct, by applying to them principles of reasoning unsuited to the nature of the case. After stating very particularly and ably the points in which moral evidence differs from demonstration, our author makes the following just remarks as to the importance of the former. "However inferiour it may be to demonstration, it is not possible to avoid using it constantly. For it is the only light afforded us to form our practical opinions and regulate our conduct. Without attending to it, we can neither act, nor cease to act. We cannot even subsist without acting upon it; since it cannot be demonstrated that our food will not poison, instead of nourishing us. Instead, therefore, of contemning it on account of its inferiority, it becomes us to improve to the utmost, the light which it affords, by qualifying ourselves to apply it as correctly as possible on every occasion. This must be incumbent, not only on the student in science, but also on every man, whatever be his business or employment." He then proceeds to point out the different kinds of moral evidence-to give general directions relating to moral reasoning-special directions relating to each kind of moral evidence-and, finally, to show the kinds of evidence of which different subjects admit. All these points are treated ably and judiciously, though without much originality, to which, indeed, the author does not pretend. This work may be regarded as one of the most useful summaries of what has been written on different parts of the general subject of moral reasoning, by Locke, Watts, Campbell, and other writers.

The Notes appended to this work by the American Editor very much increase its value. They are designed to make a special application of the general principles laid down by the author, to the evidence of the Christian Religion. The annotator alludes, on p. 79, to the evidence of mira. cles in a way which has been common among our writers, but which, to us, appears unsatisfactory. For different views on this subject, we refer to a passage in Olshausen's Commentary, translated in our first Number.

The Comprehensive Commentary on the Holy Bible; containing the Text according to the authorized Version, Scott's Marginal References, Matthew Henry's Commentary condensed, but containing every useful thought, the Practical Observations of Rev. Thomas Scott, D. D., with extensive crpla natory, critical, and philological Notes, selected from Scott, Doddridge, Gill, Adam Clarke, Patrick, Pool, Lowth, Burder, Harmer, Calmet, Rosenmuel ler, Bloomfield, and many other writers on the Scriptures ;-the whole designed to be a digest and combination of the advantages of the best Bible Commentaries, and embracing nearly all that is valuable in Henry, Scott and Doddridge, conveniently arranged for family and private reading, and at the same time particularly adapted to the wants of Sabbath-school teachers and Bible Classes; with numerous useful Tables, and a neatly engraved Family Record. Edited by Rev. Wm. Jenks, D. D., Pastor of Green-street Church, Boston. Embellished with five portraits, and other elegant engra vings from steel plates, several maps, and many wood cuts, &c.—Brattleboro'; published by Fessenden & Co.-and Boston; Shattuck, & Co., 1834.

The English language is peculiarly favoured, both in the excellence of its version of the Scriptures, and in the number and high merit of its commentaries. In the single point of minute and thorough acquaintance with the original languages, do they seem to be inferiour to the commentaries of the recent exegetical school in Germany; while in the exhibition of general theological learning, sound judgement, genius, and practical piety, they far surpass it. But while the standard commentaries in our

language certainly have great excellences, they also have glaring defects. And it was a good thought to form a Commentary which should combine the excellences and exclude the defects of our most approved interpreters of the Bible. Such is the object of the Comprehensive Commentary. The task was certainly a difficult one, and failure would not have been strange. But it has been accomplished thus far, under the auspices of the learned and able editor, in such a way as to realize the expectations of the public. The title-page itself gives all the account which is necessary of the plan and contents of the work. The mechanical execution is uncommonly fine, and no expense has been spared to render the work deserving of patronage.

We have no doubt, that the best and only way of promoting a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, is for writers to devote themselves to the more careful study of particular books. The whole Bible is too large a field to be successfully cultivated by a single hand. Hence we think the labours of Professors Stuart, Robinson, Bush, and others, are far more wisely directed, in being employed upon particular portions of the sacred word, than in being extended, like those of some others, over the whole Bible. This opinion, however, does not diminish our approbation of the attempt, to render the riches of scriptural knowledge and practical instruction already existing in the language, more available by the great mass of the community. The one is an effort to elevate the standard of biblical learning, the other to disseminate the knowledge already accumulated. And for the latter object, no work on the Scriptures which we have seen is bet ter calculated, than the Comprehensive Commentary.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

The United States.

The Indians on their new Lands.-The removal of some of the Indian tribes from certain states of the Union, to unappropriated regions west of the Mississippi, (which was first proposed under Mr. Monroe's administration,) has within a few years excited much interest in this country. Documents relating to this subject were published in May last, by the House of Representatives, with the Report of the Committee on Indian Affairs; and from them the following statements are derived. The readers of the Literary and Theological Review will wish to be informed, at least in general terms, concerning the condition of those tribes.

"Whatever difference of opinion may heretofore have existed," remarks the report, "the policy of the government, in regard to the future condition of these tribes of Indians, may now be regarded as definitely settled." Such being the case, all must now

desire to see it proving as beneficial to them, as its most sanguine advocates have ever anticipated. A large proportion of them have now been removed, and placed on districts allotted to them, with which, after some difficulties, they are said to have at length be. come satisfied. Five of these tracts are nearly oblong, and lie contiguous, generally separated by imaginary boundaries, from Red River nearly to the 38th degree of latitude. Others, of various forms and sizes, are either intermingled with these, or grouped together near Fort Leavenworth. These tracts occupy a part of a new territory, to be formed under the title of the Western Ter ritory, and appropriated exclusively to Indians, which it is proposed, at some future time, to admit into the Union as a State. The boundaries are these: on the east by Arkansas and Missouri, north by the Platte, and west and south by the Mexican possessions. The Indian title has been extinguished, and the Indians are to receive their titles from the United States. Several tribes residing north of the Platte have wished to become members of this confederacy, but the committee reported against its extension, and recommended the question of a second to future inquiry.

"It is admitted," says the report, "that we have given them [the Indians] guarantees which we have not fulfilled.” ** “Our inability to perform our treaty guarantees arose from the conflicts between the rights of the States and of the United States." The committee are not surprised that the Indians should now ask, "What new security can you give us to the lands in the West, that you did not, in times past, give us to lands in the East?" "The case," says the report, "is now free from all conflicting interests;" that territory is the exclusive property of the United States. "The United States and the Indian tribes are the sole parties," and are free to do whatever they please.

The right of self-government is secured to each tribe, with jurisdiction over persons and property, except that persons travelling there, or residing among them under public authority, are to be under our protection. The governour, however, may reprieve, and the president may pardon, a person sentenced capitally under the Indian laws, if of another tribe, or a citizen of the