The New York herald., 1870-01-02
LITERATURE.
Reviews Of New Books.

The ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS
BELIEF. By y. Baring-GOuld, N. A. Part l.
Heathenisnl ana MosaisIn. New York: ID. Apple.
ton Co.
We have read this book with more than ordinary
interest. Coming from prolessed believer In
ChrIstiaaity, 1t is q curious well valuable pro-
duction. Tho author ignores entirely the existence
OF God and the truth OF revelation, and argues
from strictly phiosophic standpoint. Although
the contents OF the book cover over four hundred
pages the reasoning Is 80 close and perspcuous that
anything ike AN exhaustive review would consume
far greater space than We spare. HeaLhenism
and Mosalsm are subjected to . searching, and,
the whole, impartial criticism. The physicai organ
Ization Of the human race and It's capacity for
ceiving and developing the religious instinct, the
origin Of the religious idea, the idea Of immortality
and the law OF religious development are all eX.
plained and argued In clear and agreeable style.
The origin aud charac ter OF poiytheism ana myth
ology idolatry tneocracics, the ethics or religion
origin and history oil nl0nOthelsm and panthcism,
tneosophy, the Idea o. evil, ascetcism and mysticism,
sacrifice and sacraments, form subjects Tor most
Instructive chapters The WORK ends with = Keen
analysis OF the human ideals. While We do not mean
TO DO considered ~ endorsing all the views contained
IN tue book We 10 not hesitate to recommend II aS
one or the most thoughtful and valuable Of philO-
sopnical writings II II does not in every respect
satisfactorily determine the religious instincts OF
man 1t at least gives us very ialr history Of 'the
origin ana development ol religious bel,cf." such
as us title claims II TO be- The extensive researches
OF the author enabled MIN to inclade all peopies,
from the earliest ages to the dawn OF Christianity
and to trace their gradual progress from the most
deDaslng superstition 10 the pure ideal OF divine
essence. This volume VIII Oe followed Dy another
devoted TO the Christian faith In this second work
the writer proposes Ito snow how tnat Christianity
by Its fundamental postu!ate--tne incantation--
assumes TO meet all thesc instincts religOus instincts
and how failure is due 10 counteracilag pontcx or
social causes" II the proposed book Is an, tnng
equal to the one before Us We shall welcome 1t with
the lvelleSt Interest
Ten nEgI 4 Gum
BY All ecclesiastical architect New York: u. 4 J.
Sadiier Co.
The object Of this large volume IL TO supply
want which must be greatly felt In this church
building country. With the Increase Of Christian
congregations oil over the United States churches Of
every denomination are beng constantly erected,
and work OF this kind Will prove OF inanite value
TO both pastors ana congregations, furnishing It
does not only plans and designs for the elevations
external and interior, or the buildings bat care
fully prepared estimates OF all the expenses, down
to the minuest DETAIL that, In fact, every pastor
can almost DC his own builder, ut least he is not
likely to be deirauded IN the estimates
for the work. Although the title Indicates
that these designs are intended for Catholic cburcnes,
It appears to us tnat they are suitable for churches
Of all denominations. There Ii not u plan In the
book that would not answer quite as wei for any
Protestant place OF worship with slight moui1ca-
ton ia the INFERIOR such, Tor instance rs change in
the sanctuary and altar. We may add that The pur-
pose OF the author Is not to supply designs for
pensivo churches but rather for those OF moderate
cost graduating nom about $2.5oo to $4,000. The
get up'' or the book Is exceedingly fine, indeed
the best style of the publishers Ihe letterpress IL
large and clear printed on nall tinted paper Of the
best quality and the engravingS are admirably exc
cuted. We should Judge Lhat this Will prove most
acceptable volume TO ecclesiastical architects
pastors VI congregations throughout tue country.
A COMMENTARY on THE HOLY SCITprUREs Critical
Doctrnal and Homilellcal; with special reference
TO Ministers and students. BY Joan Peter Lange,
ID. ID. Translated from the German, and edited,
IN "A AAOt tnrL
Charles ScriDner * Co.
This massive volume Is the production OF several
eminent English and American dIvines and is a
translation from the work CT DR.. otto Lccker the
distinguished German tneoogian II embraces vol
ume ten OF the Old Testament, containing Proverbs
Ecclesiastcs and the song Of Solomon. TO The orxi
nal the American editors have made considerable
additions. In the Proverbs DR.. Charles A. Aiken.
the translator has superseded the test of the au-
thortzed version by mctrlcal version IN accordance
with tine law OF Hebrew poetry. In Eccleslases nc
common version Tor the commentary has been re-
tanned, but IN separate appendix che translator,
DIR. Tayl0. Lewis has given his netrcal version,
whicn VIII be read with considerable interest. The
translation OF the Song OF solomon Is the work vi
DR.. ". II. Green and Is In all respects equal 10 the
others. TO the theological student no better con-
mentary on the scriptures than this could be OBJ
tanned The editor. DIR. Schaff. hes performed has
work with marked good judgment aud ability.
TWISTED THREADS. by M y. Nauman. Pti!ade-
phia: Ciaxton, Remsen IafYeunger
This Is another OF tho old stories oft told and ever
dear the hearts Of sentimental misses The orphan
daughter 0f clergyman, who Is compelled to teach
french Tor LIVING tells the story OF her chcckered
career her joys and happiness, her loves and dsap
po.ntnents until that tide IN the affairs OF life rows
onward with her 10 fortune and felicity, IN the
shs pc or loved apd loving husband. And, enjoying
domestic bliss, we leave Maud Elinor Forsytne,
| formerly Lennox, with her dearest Maurice Tor
! litte whiie; ior, beyond doubt, she VIII appear
10 us again with another name, ana tell her story
let us hope, in no less agreeable manner than she
| tells II here.