enjoy in the present case. The basis of the General Division, are those natural land-marks which the providence of God has set up or suffered to be set up, in the progress of that dispensation which is peculiarly his own. The author has taken the more important of these land-marks-such as the life of Christ, the labors of the apostles, the ten persecutions, the decline of paganism, &c. and has been careful not to multiply the periods, beyond the demands of strict convenience.

Next, we are pleased to notice the connection of the leading topics-the due proportion in their discussion-the careful joining of the different periods and sections-and the dependence of one part on another, by all of which the reader is carried pleasantly along, while he obtains clear and distinct conceptions of the various subjects presented to his view.

Again, we are happy to remark several particular topics as very ably and satisfactorily executed. Among these is the full and interesting account of the extension of the gospel, during the apostolic age, embracing not quite thirty pages under the second period. It would not, we think, be easy to find within the same =compass, a more minute narrative of the labors and success of the apostles. In the third period, the story of that affecting event, the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, is well told. We will give below a few passages from the midst of the description, as a specimen of the author's manner.

During the prevalence of the famine, the house of a certain lady, by the name of Miriam, was repeatedly plundered of such provisions as she had been able to procure. So extreme did her suffering become, that she entreated, and sometimes attempted to provoke such as plundered her, to put an end to her miserable existence. At length, frantic with fury and despair, she snatched her infant from her bosom, cut its throat, and boiled it; and having satiated her present hunger, concealed the rest. The smell of it soon drew the voracious human tigers to her house; they threatened her with the most excruciating tortures, if she did not discover her provisions to them. Thus being compelled, she set before them the relics of her mangled babe. At the sight of this horrid spectacle, inhuman as they were, they stood aghast, petrified with horror, and at length rushed precipitately from the house.

When the report of this spread through the city, the horror and consternation were as universal, as they were inexpressible. The people now, for the first time, began to think themselves forsaken of God. In the mind of Titus, the recital awakened the deepest horror and indiguation. "Soon," said he, "shall the sun never more dart his beams, on a city, where mothers feed on the flesh of their children; and where fathers no less guilty than themselves, choose to drive them to such extremities, rather than lay down their arms."

Under this determination, the Roman general now pushed the siege with still greater vigour, aiming particularly, in the first place, to obtain possession of the temple. The preservation of this noble edifice was strongly desired by him; but one of the Roman soldiers being exasperated

by the Jews, or as Josephus thinks, pushed on by the hand of providence, seized a blazing fire-brand, and getting on his comrade's shoulders, threw it through a window into one of the apartments that surrounded the sanetuary, and instantly set the whole north side in a flame, up to the third story.

Titus, who was as'eep in his pavilion, awaked by the noise, immediately gave order to extinguish the fire. But the exasperated soldiery, obstinately bent on destroying the city, and all it contained, either did not hear or did not regard him. The flames continued to spread, until this consecrated edifice, the glory of the nation-the admiration of the priest and prophet of God, became one mingled heap of ruins. To this a borrid massacre succeeded, in which thousands perished, some by the flames. others by falling from the battlements; and a greater number still by the enemy's sword, which spared neither age, nor sex, nor rank. Next to the temple, were consumed the treasury houses of the palace, though they were full of the richest furniture, vestments, plate, and other valuable articles. At length, the city was abandoned to the fury of the soldiers, who spread rapine, and murder, and fire through every street. The number who perished during the siege, has been estimated as little short of a million and a half-pp. 64--66.

We would refer to the period entitled, the Decline of Paganism, as highly interesting from the subjects discussed, and the manner of discussing them. We should be gratified to subjoin an extract, but our limits do not permit.

In an account, under the fifth period, of the rise of the papal supremacy, we have an instance, of which there are several in the book, of that" distinct and numerical statement of causes," which one of our ablest teachers, (who are the best judges in regard to books of this kind,) has mentioned as giving a peculiar interest and value to the present work. After observing that near the beginning of the seventh century, there existed and had long existed, circumstances that contributed to the increase and establishment of the papal power, and after reducing them to three, viz. the ignorance, superstition, and corruption of the world, Mr. G. notices the means employed by the popedom to extend its influence. Those he happily enumerates in the following order; 1. Preference given to human compositions over the bible. 2. Efforts under the patronage of the Roman pontiff, to convert the heathen. 3. Introduction of the worship of images. 4. Influence of monkery which was enlisted in the cause. 5. Sanction given by the popes to the passion for the relics of saints. 6. Sale of absolution and indulgences. 7. Doctrine of purgatory, or a state of temporary punishment after death. 8. Establishment of the inquisition. Of each of these an interesting account is given, tending very much, as a whole, to set this subject in a clear and convincing light. We would refer to the narrative of the important events of the 6th perod, under the title of Crusades, as highly deserving the general reader's as well as the student's attention. It embraces, besides

several collateral subjects, an account of those fanatical and bloody enterprises in the various forms in which they were prosecutedwhether against infidels abroad, or the pious followers of Christ, under the names of the Waldenses, Albigenses, Lollards, Hussites, &c.

In that portion of ecclesiastical history which includes the Reformation, (period seventh,) our author is full, clear, and interesting. In noticing the circumstances which were favorable to the Reformation, he enumerates, 1. A perceptible diminution of the influence of the court of Rome, in respect to a considerably numerous class of individuals scattered over Europe. 2. The general odium which rested upon the clergy and the monkish orders. 3. The revival of learning, and a taste for the liberal arts and sciences. 4. The solid conviction, on the part of many, that a reformation was greatly needed, and the desire which hence prevailed that such a work might be effected.

In the last period, that of the Puritans, we remarked as particularly excellent, Mr. G.'s description of the means employed by the Romish church to regain its power after the Reformation. These means were described to be, 1. The employment of the order of Jesuits. 2. Attempts to christianize the heathen in several parts of Asia and South America. 3. The better regulation of its internal concerns. 4. The persecution of the Protestants. A small part of the last head, relating to the massacre of the Huguenots, we will give our readers.

"The successor of Francis, Henry II. was even more bitter against them, than the former monarch. On the day of his inauguration, he caused several Protestants to be tied to a stake; and, as he passed by, the flames were kindled, as a spectacle for his amusement. In the subsequent reign of Charles IX. as if to signalize himself beyond his predecessors, a plot was formed by that monarch, by which to extirpate the hated race, at a single blow. At this time, A. D. 1571, they numbered 2,150 congregations, some of which included no less than 10,000 mem

bers.

This plot consisted in an attempt to effect a general massacre of the Huguenots; and the celebration of the marriage of the king's sister with the prince of Navarre, presented an opportunity to put it in execution. The prince being a Huguenot, the chief men of that sect were invited to attend the celebration of the nuptials. On the Sabbath following, (Aug. 24th, 1572), it being St. Bartholomew's day, as the bells were ringing for morning prayers, the work of destruction was commenced. Charles and his mother, from a window, witnessed the scene with extatic joy; and, as if the sanction of his presence were not enough, the monster himself fired upon the Huguenots, and in a tone of vociferation cried "Kill them, kill them!"

A scene of horrid carnage ensued. On every side the Catholics were seen rushing like bloodhounds upon the appalled and unarmed Huguenots; and before the succeeding morning, they had butchered above 500 persons of distinction, and 10,000 of inferior order. To this massacre at Paris,

succeeded a general destruction throughout France. At Rouen, at Lyons, at Orleans, and other cities, the streets were literally covered with blood. Sixty thousand are supposed to have been slaughtered, for which solemn thanksgivings were rendered to God, in the Catholic churches.

Taken by surprise, as the Huguenots had been, they were for a time incapable of any resistance: but at length, rallying under the prince of Conde, they nobly stood for their defence, and combated their enemies with success. But for the space of 30 years, the Protestants suffered the most grievous calamities, and during this period, it has been estimated that 39 princes, 148 counts, 234 barons, 146,518 gentlemen and 760,000 of the common people, were destroyed for adopting the reformed religion.-pp. 291-293.

We would direct our readers under this head, also, to the account of the Reformation in England, as valuable for its fulness combined with brevity. As a summary of events, in that important portion of the history of protestantism, it will be perused with much interest. The above are a few only of the particular topics of interest, which are presented in the work under review. From these specimens, we trust our readers will agree with us in opinion, as to the merit of the book in respect to the manner in which it is executed. If an easy and lucid style, discrimination of thought, rich and various matter, solidity of judgment, and a liberal and candid spirit, attach a value to any work, they will be appreciated, we doubt not, in the present production. We may add, that the questions, and the manner in which they have been inserted at the bottom of the page, with two sizes of type, corresponding with those of the text-have been pronounced by teachers to be excellently adapted to the end in view; that great judgment has been displayed in respect to the size of the book, and the quantity of matter it contains.

We conclude our remarks, by introducing to our readers a hint or two which has elsewhere appeared, in relation to this work, and which we cordially approve. "It might be studied with great advantage by the young and even middle aged people of every parish, formed into a class, to be under the immediate instruction of the clergyman, who might meet them one evening in a week or fortnight, for the purpose of recitation. Appropriate religious exercises might be added. Such a plan has already been adopted in some parts of the country. The benefits resulting from it are obvious. It would present the clergyman with an opportunity of refreshing his own memory with the great outlines of an interesting subject, and even of enlarging his views, as he would naturally, as the class proceeded, turn to the pages of some more voluminous history, for the purpose of amplifying on some portions, here necessarily abridged, and of illustrating other portions, which might be found in any degree obscure. At the same time, he

would often find an appropriate place, for warning the young convert against backsliding, and of exhibiting to the indifferent the importance and excellence of a life of godliness. He would also enjoy the pleasure of contributing to enlarge the minds of the future supporters of himself and of the church of the Redeemer. A foundation would also be laid for their understanding allusions to events in the history of the church, which he would find it often convenient to make in his sermons; but which, if made, while his audience are ignorant of the subject, would be entirely lost." Other advantages equally important, will be found to grow out of the plan here suggested, which to the reflecting mind it is needless to

mention.

ART. VI.-REVIEW OF DERHAM'S PHYSICO THEOLOGY.

Physico Theology. By the Rev. WILLIAM DERHAM, D. D. One vol. 8vo. London.

Or this work of Dr. Derham, it is but justice to say, that it holds a high rank among standard works on natural theology; and, on account of its varied and useful information, and the habits of observation and reflection which it is calculated to generate, is worthy of frequent perusal. It evinces on the part of the author, great research, and a familiar acquaintance with the various branches of natural science. We do not intend however, to present any thing like a review of this work, but rather to make its perusal the occasion of offering some remarks on the importance and utility of mingling the study of natural science with that of the bible. In scrutinizing the works of God, either singly, relatively, or collectively, no reflecting mind will fail of being overwhelmed with the conviction, that they are the productions of an infinitely wise and beneficent Intelligence, who rules the universe at pleasure. They every where exhibit the impress of his attributes and the indications of his will. Though a complete knowledge of these works, or even of the least of them, immeasurably transcends the highest exertion of the human intellect, yet enough of them can be discovered, with their harmonies and proportions, their marks of contrivance and benevolent design, to give us an impressive idea of the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Creator.

Let us glance at some of those works, which, by the aid of science, are submitted to our examination. We will look first at what is unfolded in the mineral kingdom.

Minerals comprehend generally every substance found in the globe, that has not an animal or vegetable organization. From the arrangement and constitution of their component parts, and their VOL. III.

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