Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-29


tion. A more definite statement of the form
which this benefit has taken or is likely to take
would no doubt be gratif, ing to them.
A COMMENTARY, Critical and Explanatory,
on the Old and New Testamcnts, prepared and
published in Scotland has been republishcd at
Hartford by S. s. Scranton & Co. 1t is the work
of three gentlemen, who are distinguished as
scholars and theologans, namely, Rev. Robert
Jameson, ID. D., of Glasgow, Rev. A. r. Faus
set of York, Eng, and Rev, David Brown, d. D.,
of Aberdeen. The work appears to have been
originated by Rev. DR.. Jameson, and the method
throughout is bis. The plan is TO give rum
ming commentary on the text, without printing
the text entire, although enough is printed in
every case to introduce it fairly, and this is dis
tinguished from the comment by being printed
in full-face type. This method of proceeding
has important advantages which every reader
will appreciate. The work embodies the results
of the latest researches, and shows that the COM
mentators considered the suggestions of the best
scholarship before making up their own iudg-
ment, in all cases ofspecial Importance. Two of
these commentators are Presbyterans, we believe,
and one is an Episcopalian; but they appear to
be free from offensive sectarian dogmatism.
DIR. Jameson's portion of the work extends
from the beginning of Genesis to the close of
the book of Esther Mr.. Fausset prepared the
commentary on the remaining portion of the
Old Testament, and, also, that on the New Tes-
lament from the beginning Of first Corinthians
to the close of Revelation. Rev. DR.. Browns
portion is that from the beginning of the New
Testament TO the close of PauPS episte to the
Romans. Therefore, more than half the work
was done by Mr. Fausset his portion fills 769
of the 1347 pages. But there seems to have
been constant consultation, and the learning
and ability of all the gentlemen were used in
every part of the work. The publishers
have issued it 1.-TWO volumes in one; and the
zone" is a very large and handsome royal oc-
tavo, very well printed on clear type, and bound
in different styles. There is no lack of maps
and other pictorial illustrations, and the aim
seems to have been TO make the work useful.
There are many commentaries on either the
whole Bible or portions of it. This is one of the
best that has appeared anywhere, for popular
use, and it will be likely to gain much favor.
This commentary has received many very
strong testimonials of appreciation from clergy
men of the religious denominations sometimes
described as evangelical, "-Presbyterians, Epis
copalians, Baptists Methodists, and Congrega-
tionalists. Professor Stowe says:-"0n the
whole like it better than any other work of the
kind have yet SEEM" Rev. J. N. Murdoch,
Baptist, says cit is an anaecta of previous
commentaries, and, in its way, leaves little to be
desired" Rev. Dr. Kitchel, president of Middle
bury college, says:-"It congresses the sub
stance of half dozen great volumes into one"
and has '1ess of fancy and lumber of learned
doubts, and of general swash of preachment,
than commentaries are apt to give us" Many
of the older commentaries are of little value
now, because they do not give the later results
of research and scholarship, and, also, because
they preach when they should eXpouud. These
| faults do not exist in the work before us; and
/ its method has found general favor, if the very
| great abundance of testimonials in its favor may
be accepted as evidence. This work is sold by
subscription only, and the subscription agent
for it, in this community, is Rev. c. A. Skinner,
who is also agent for other important books, at
the corner of Main and Pleasant streets.