New-York tribune., 1871-01-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

HTcncoCTs, ET 4Sp M SoMTIETE LSSGs hysHss o cT TE
pp lSa A. J. johns a.
systematic. digest of the contents OF
the Sacred Writings, arranged under appropriate
heads of dCctrinc, history, and practical in'tiuc'
tion, ot attempted ia the English language untl
within a comparatively recent period. The pan was
probby suggested, in the first instance by the legal
compilations which collect the provisions of the statutes
nd the decisions Of the courts under their respective
titles and which form important element in the a-
paratus for the study and practice of the mi Nearly
sixty years ago. accomplished mcmbCr .of the MaSa-
ohusotts Bar prepared work on this method called
compendium ef the Bible" in which numerous pas
sagcS OF Scripture selected with reference 10 to
chief points Of Christian ethics and theology and ar
ranged in chapters under their respective titles The
volume although 10y means exhaustive, was the result
of considerable labor and skin, and excited not little
interest among professional students Of the Bible IL was
introduced a. rcaJingbook into some of the common
schools and was highly commended 10y the clergy OF the
day although never obtained wide circulation ana
has now been out of print for many years The com
p!lor OF that work, but undoubtedly without MS
knowledge had been anticipated by an English laynan'
Matthew Talbot, who about the commencement OF the
present century published Analysis Of the Bible
10 the preparation Of which he had devoted the leisure
Of many years and in which the OF tAe Old and
New Testament were distributed according to theH
sense in no than thirty gencIa al divisions An edtOh
OF this work, with additions and improvements by the
Rev. Nathaniel West d. d.. was issued III thls country
IN the year 1883 The abors Of Talbot aud West have
been adoped by DR. Hitchcock the basis OF the pres
ent volume although their work has been entirely re-
cast new arrangement has been chosen, ana great
amount OF studious industry been applied to the In
movement Of the New Analysis, Us 10 render an
essentially original production. Its plan Is sngulary
comprcheusive II reproduces every verse IN the Bible
In CONNECTION with e Parallel passages that treat Of the
topic. The rubrics under which they are disIib
NgI~ ~feb md lVN
theology us well as the Bible history and antiquities
The labor and necessary 10 the completion OF such
arrangement be sufficiently appreciated only by
those who are familiar with the execution OF similar
tasl In order facilitate the convenient use Of the
work several accurate indexes have been added giving
the titles and position Of all the books into which the
"Analysis" is divided the chapters sections, and sub
sections OF the respective books alphabetical list
of subjects catalogue Of every book, chapter
and verse in the English Bible in their regular
order and the place in which each can be found in
the Analysis" The well-knOwn Bible Concordance by
Cruden ubjoned enabling the reader TO turn instantly
TO the text OF which he is in pursuit On the whole,
ihore have few if any, books recently issued from
the American press that indicate more exact ana
thorough workmanship, greater skill in applying the
results OF conscientious labor 10 the execution OF well
matured original purpose The editor was eminently
qualified for the duty by his habits Of minute and accu-
rate research his critical instincts and his taste
FOR literary order and harmony His
the Bible combined with his high culture
has enabled him TO accomplish task TO which few OF our
schoars were competent to suggest not only
approval but encOmium The plan Of the work certainly
open TO objection for that the editor responsible
1t may he said the reduction Of the Sacred Text 10
The form ethOdCa treatise gives an air OF scientific
unity 10 the Bible which has foundation in fact II
makes no allowance for the fragmenary character of diff
ferent portions Scripture and endeavors TO find har-
rnony among the conceptions Of different ages which
never existed. The dslocatiOn of passage from the
original context moreover, is not favorable to the Just
apprehension Of its And In cases the mere
placing Of text under q theological title ascrbes to il
theological significance, which cannot he justified by
strict construction Of the language and correct appre
citation Of the under which it written
But no fully OF the force Of these con-
siderations than the erldte editor OF the work, who
though not accountable for the nfecie cf its plan, Is
entitled TO the praise Of its admirable execution,