Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-01-24
For the Free Press.
Tho Bards of the Bible.

This is powerfully written and useful book two
qualities not often combined in books now "a days -
We confess, moreover, to being shy of attempts to
show the beauties of the Blbe,-to set of biblical
Characters and scenes Most that have seen,
thus far have been nothing but elocutionizing abou
the word OF Cod But this work OF Gillian is really
fresh and original. The author, we believe, is a
Scotchman, and minister Of the Scotch Kirk. He
certainly writes with the perferridum Hgenium SEQ
forum, and the Scoth reverence Tor revealed truth.
The work is characterized by a wonderfully Dol I!
and animated treatment of the subject, joined wit /
the most absolute for inspiration A severe taste
would find it too intense and bordering the ex
travagnnt, at times but this is the result, not OF tie
strained and ahorivc efflrt ola feeble mind but Of
the unhampcred movements of mind muscular and
full Of blood and that hot blood. There is, to us
something very effective and powerful in the way in
which the mind Of the North Briton handles sub
jcct. 1t seems to have reserve about il, but to
fling itself out with all its weight aud force like
strong swimmer, upon TIE ocean Of truth, and TO
breast it with heart of controversy" The other
recent works OF Gii lan,-"The Footsteps OF the
Creat)r"by Hugh Miller lone Of the most remark
able books that has appeared this many dayO and
the impetuous, surge-Iike sweep OF Chalmers,
illustrations OF what mean.
The author of the Bards Of the Bible" ex ibs
the excelencies, and we may add, the faults OF this
style but the former overcome and drown the
Latter, in the torrent of bold and vivid de.neaon,
that the reader is borne along through the whole book
irrcsstibly and with absorbing interest. The work
is well worth reading for the overlooking abundance
oifresh and striking imagery it contains. Indeed.
the authors mind is that OF painter and he lays on
his colors with great daring and prodigality-in the
same heavy and impressive masses OF light and
shadow that charncterize the pencil of Martin
We have alluded to the proper spirit in which the
work is conceived, aud this is not the least Of its
merits. While clearly recognizing and dciincatna
the pecu,iaritirs Of the Biblical writers-the ndivlI
ua genius OF Isaiah or Paul-hc as crarly rrcosnlz.
the inf .nc- which tn" ,styt AMI peculiar inspira
ton OF the Holy Spirit exerei upon them. The
work is evidently labor o. love. and comes forth in
one uninterrupted gu,h from heart that has felt the
Influence OF the living truths of Scripture, AMI Il
mind deeply imbued with the Hebrew spirit TINS
Latter characteristic enables him feel, and make
h- readers feet tn superiority OF the iI-brew over
a. other lierntules in respect the higher Qiotcs
of VivGnrss Grandeur, and SubIlmity and while
recognizing the excr.cncrs OF other firms o. eia-
turr-the Greek and Roman c g.-he is not incin-
ed as too many critics oi the literature OF the Bible
have been, to jrige of it safely by classical or Dc
cidrn,al model.
The book, to close our already protracted remarks
ia an instructive one,-not merely because II gives
efficient OF the opinions OF Biblical critic,
respecting the different portions of the Bible, and is
the fruit ofronsdrrabr reading in this direction, but
still more, because the author is deeply read in thu |
scriptures themselves. We advise, with no ordinary
e-rnestness our crs buy this book and read It
assuring them that they Wi; rise from its pcrusa
with the belief anI feel that the Bib is intellect
u,ly and morally, TIE Book OF the world, aId with
the consciousness that they have been pat into com
muncation with robust and ong mind, of healthy
tone and sound instincts. A.