Church of Rome, with regard to which the silence of these inscriptions of the Catacombs is most unfortunate for their cause. No proof can be derived from these retreats in favor of the worship of the Virgin Mary. No prayer is offered to her in the epitaphs of the early Christians. No ora pro nobis is addressed to one, whom they regard only as "blessed among women." It took the lapse of centuries and the coming of darker days for the proper reverence of the Church for the mother of our LORD to deepen into actual adoration. It is doubtful, indeed, whether any delineations of the Virgin were executed before the fourth century, while it took two centuries longer to render them common. And even in these she was almost always veiled, and the highest attempt of the artist was to throw around a figure thus covered, as much grace and modesty as his skill would allow. We might also show the argument which can be derived from this source against the forced celibacy of the Clergy. The monument of Basilus, the Presbyter, which we have already mentioned, includes also on its inscription the name of "Felicitas, his wife." So, too, another records the virtues of LEVITAE CONIVNX PETRONIA,-"Petronia, a Priest's wife." What must have been the custom of the Church when these epitaphs were publicly set up? We believe, indeed, that those Bishops, who, by their support of matrimony among the Clergy, drew down upon themselves the indignation of Jerome, were introducing no new doctrine, but rather striving, in an innovating age, to prolong the early simplicity of the Church. The very spirit, however, against which they warred, showed that clouds were darkening the horizon about them. But we must close this article. We have reason to be thankful that Rome thus bears within her own bosom, the proofs of that early purity from which she herself has wandered that the spirit of the first ages is so indelibly stamped on the walls of the Catacombs, that no sophistry can explain away its force. There the elements of a pure faith are written "with an iron pen, in the rock, forever," and the Church has only to look to "the hole of the pit whence she was digged," to see what she should again become. Would that she could learn the lesson! We are not of those who join in unmeasured vituperation of Rome. We know how much there is to reverence in the zeal with which she clings to the essentials of faith, and in her wide spread policy, which embraces the whole earth in its grasp. We look back with thankfulness to that hour, when the eye of Gregory first rested on the captive Angles, in a Roman slave market, and he planned that enterprise which was to infuse new life into the expiring Church of Britain. But we know, too, the many errors with which Rome deforms the faith, and it is with a feeling of relief, that we turn from the gorgeous services of St. Peter's, to the traces of a simpler faith in THE CHURCH IN THE CATACOMBS. NOTICES OF BOOKS. ANTICHRIST or the Spirit of Sect and Schism. ident of Marshall College. 12mo. pp. 90. lor, 1848. By JOHN W. NEVIN, Pres- This is a remarkable work, from the pen of a remarkable man. The author, the Rev. Dr. Nevin, is a Clergyman of the German Reformed Communion in this country, who enters fully into the new Lutheran, or "Evangelical" movement in Europe, and who, in some respects, has even gone beyond the most orthodox teachers of the "German Church." On the doctrine of the Sacraments, many of the "Evangelical theologians" of Germany, hold doctrines and sentiments, against which the most thorough Churchman could hardly take exception. At the same time, many of these hold most unchurchly sentiments in regard to the Church. In this respect, the Rev. Dr. Nevin, and those associated with him, are more thoroughly orthodox than their brethren in Germany. They seem to have attained a deeper and stronger sense of the truth embodied in the old doctrine of ONE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH,-as the Body of CHRIST,-and the medium of communicating His Life to the world, and hence can not but look upon the present divisions and sub-divisions of Christendom, as a grievous evil, productive of the most bitter consequences,—to be endured while it must,-to be justified never-to be escaped from so soon as possible. The spirit, therefore, which originates, but especially, which perpetuates these divisions, is the spirit of Anti-Christ,-substituting the Sect for the Church, and private whim and fancy, for the general sense of Catholic Christianity. Most of the ideas developed in the book, are familiar to well-educated Churchmen, yet they are presented in the work before us, with a freshness and vigor, and with a copiousness and pertinency of illustration, which throws around them new and lively interest. Our author finds the characteristic mark of Anti-Christ, in the description of St. John,-the denial of the fact, that CHRIST is come in the flesh,-shows briefly how this was done at first, by Judaism on one side, and Paganism on the other, subsequently by the Ebionitic, or Humanitarian heresy on the one hand, and the Gnostic, or spiritually mystic on the other, essentially reproduced in the Pelagian and Manichean heresies, and still again substantially by the Nestorian and Eutychian heresies, re-appearing in these modern days, under the character of Rationalism and Sectarianism. These two forms of error, approaching the truth from different sides, and yet continually falling over into each other, our author regards as the spirit of Anti-Christ; and he has drawn, with clear vision and masterly hand, twelve distinct and prominent marks of AntiChrist, now plainly seen in the sect-system of the present time. The Germanic style of the work, though perhaps unavoidable, considering the origin and object of the book, will be a serious draw back upon the interest of common readers, while the author's stand-point does not enable him to see the sufficiency of the remedy already at hand, for the evil he deplores with such truth and eloquence. The "Church of the Future," to which he is looking with such longing, ardent gaze, must be the ONE HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH, as it existed in the earliest ages, and with various modifications, has existed, and still exists to enlighten and save the world. With these exceptions, the work in question is well calculated to meet the want it has so truthfully portrayed. We commend it to the careful attention of all, in the Church and out of it. THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AND CHURCH, during the Three First Centuries. By Dr. AUGUSTUS NEANDER. Translated from the German, by Henry John Rose, B. D., etc. 8vo. pp. 486. Stanford & Swords: New York, 1848. We can give only a passing notice of this volume at present, since we design as early as possible to give the historical works of Neander a thorough review. That Neander has great learning, none will doubt. That he is strongly latitudinarian, and unchurchly almost to the extreme of Quakerism, are facts that can not be questioned. That he is read, and will be read,that he is exerting, and will continue to exert no small degree of influence, can not be doubted. It is important, therefore, that his readers should know where, and how far he can be trusted, and when and where his imperfect and unsound views will be likely to lead astray. Such a guide we design to furnish at our earliest opportunity. We can only say now, therefore, that of all his works, the one before us is the most reliable, while the notes of the translator furnish a safeguard against some of the more important errors of the work. THE SAINT'S TRAGEDY, or the true story of Elizabeth of Hungary, Landgravine of Thuringia, Saint of the Romish Calendar. By CHARLES KINGSLEY, Junior, Rector of Eversley. With a Preface by Professor Maurice. London: John W. Parker, 1848. 12mo. pp. 271. If not a drama in the highest sense of the word, we have here a true poem, which seems to fulfill all the author's attempt. It is not a play, but it is a fine succession of deeply interesting scenes, and would furnish a gorgeous series of pictures to the dramatic crayons of Moritz Retzsch. We wish Mr. Kingsley had more clearly shown us his theological bearings in his preface, for we hardly know what to make of his equivocal use of the terms Catholic and Protestant, or what he means to include in the expression, "Luther and his associate reformers." Does he mean the reformers of the Church of England? Mr. Maurice is proverbially "a blind guide," and we can not explain what he means by praising such a writer as Michelet. We wish such a poem as this had been put rather under the patronage of Maitland, the admirable critic of "the Dark Ages." We have no fault to find with the plot, for this drama is a history, and we have no right to expect any other plot, than the facts which are very ingeniously fitted with circumstances, or illustrative accidents. The versification is very often faultless, but is perhaps too often broken by Shaksperean prose, and hemistichs; and by most un-Shaksperean asterisks. We wish these blemishes were removed, and several instances of metrical impropriety amended. There is a too frequent recurrence of the double-close, in which blank verse so much rejoices if it be sparingly introduced. In one instance a false emphasis is required by it: "Or towns retaken from the Tartar can give.” Why not strike out the can, and leave it a good verse? We must also be pardoned for rapping Mr. Kingsley's knuckles for an occasional Americanism. There ought to be no such word as lengthy, and no such verb as test ; yet we find both in this book. Greenhorn will do for "Sam Slick;" but from the mouth of a Court-fool of the 13th century, we are surprised to hear it, in a work so rich in its antiquarian material, as "the Saint's Tragedy." An American author would suffer severely, for such slips, from British Critics. In the great purpose and drift of the poem, we deeply sympathize with its author. It sets forth (with honesty and fidelity, but with true charity) the lights and shadows of Medæival piety; and after reading it, we feel that we better appreciate, than before, the secret springs of that kind of fanaticism which characterized St. Dunstan; and the real sensualism which lurks at the root of Romish views of virginity and marriage. Its moral is allowed to point itself, and we feel it keenly, conceiving more clearly than ever the holiness of that "great mystery" of matrimony, which the word of God commends as "honorable in all," but which the theology of Rome so shamefully degrades into licensed concubinage. There is a very small sect of Mediæval sentimentalists in the Church who talk much, and know nothing, of the times which this poem portrays; and if we really supposed them capable of studying any thing, or of any true appreciation of art, we should beg to call their attention to this beautiful poem. To others we commend it on general principles; but to them on principles of medicine. There is wine in it which they will relish; and bark, which will distort their faces as they swallow, but which will break their fever, and prove a healthful tonic. THE WORKS OF WASHINGTON IRVING. New edition, revised. Vol I. Knickerbocker's New York. New York: George P. Putnam. 1848. 12mo. pp. 452. New Haven: Durrie & Peck. It was with no ordinary feelings of pleasure, that we recently saw announced, as about to appear, a new and complete edition of the works of Washington Irving, revised and enlarged by the author; and to be published by a house which will faithfully and satisfactorily perform what it undertakes. Notwithstanding the narrow-minded, unscholarlike spirit which has characterized certain of the English Reviewers, especially the Westminster, in speaking of Mr. Irvings' works, they are beyond question justly and universally regarded as occupying the very highest place in the department of elegant literature. In the purity of his language; the gracefulness of his style; in his fascinating union of the gay, the pensive and the whimsical; and especially in the high moral tone of sentiment which pervades his pages, he stands unsurpassed in the range of English Classics. With as much genuine humor as Swift or Sterne, he is entirely free from their grossness: and with all the unaffected ease and naturalness of Addison and Steele, he excels them both in vivacity. Of him it may be most truly said, "Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit." The first volume in the series, is "A History of New York, from the beginning of the world to the end of the Dutch dynasty, by Diedrick Knickerbocker." In the "author's apology," which prefaces the book, we have the circumstances under which the work was at first written, and which must certainly disarm criticism at the author's acknowledged liberties with the early provincial history of New York, and at his mirth-provoking picture of its manners, customs, &c. The style in which the publisher is furnishing these volumes to the public, is every thing that could be desired. At the risk of ringing again a coin which has passed undisputed for almost half a century, and whose image and superscription of wit and genius, are bright as when it came fresh from the mint, we promise our selves the pleasure of returning again to this inviting series. LITERARY SKETCHES AND LETTERS: being the final Memoirs of CHARLES LAMB, never before published. By THOMAS NOON TALFOURD, one of his Executors. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton, 1848. 12mo. pp. 206. New Haven: T. H. Pease. The delay of the publication of these "Sketches and Letters," so long after the death of Charles Lamb-about twelve years-is owing to a melancholy |