New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

JouN MlLIxR, Princeton n J. l2mo. pp. All. J. b.
Lippnoott & Co
The remarkable volume now issued by an
eminent master in Israel Of the Presbyterian Church,
consists of three separate monographs in each OF which
an important perhaps may be said cardinal doctrine
OF theology is discussed with frankness and ability
which challenges attention TO the Dolness OF is con-
cusOns In the first Of these essays, Dr. Miller oeVoteS
himself 10 the question, Are Souls Immortal when nc
answers in the negative basng his assurance OF future
state of existence the fact Of the resurrection as
announced in the Christian revelation. Was Christ IN
Adam furnishes the second subject of discussion IN
which the author attempts 90 show thai the savior WAS
child OF Adam, and subject 10 the cdrse OF original sn'
but preserved from this faint Of nature, by his bh OF
the virgin through the efficacy OF the Ransom which he
offered for himself nd for the sins of the people Chst
was of guilty parentage though only ola woman he was
OF wicked nature by right Of descent; its wieKednesS
though not inGTmy, being cut of from MIN py inc
Holy Ghost" Tho remaining monograph considers 'he
question: Is God TTnity9 and will probably be found
of greater interest the majority Of readers than to
other essays in the volume. The process by which he
was "destred of the doctrine of the Trinity Is described
b. Dr. Miller in singaSy curious confession OF psycho-
loical experience His attention had been directed TO
certain sacrsons that prevail In every oranch OF INC
Church ana almost reach TO the rOck-5ed Oh absolute
Christianity" The Presbyterian communion, OF when
thu author has seemed to be pillar. and which he bghy
valued Tor It's sobricy and sOldy, was discovered to
have made TIC very simpEctcs Of faith an nsram en- OF
superstition In the course CT his Biblical studcs ne as
led 10 give the whole theological Cystcm critical ana
searching examination. The result was decided oppo-
son TO any changes that have been proposed I"r 'he
Confession. He found total depravity doctrine OF
reason and experience imputaton of sin in accordance
with the law OF hereditary descent and the Godhead OF
Christ fact Of the incarnation Out Of all his lnqusi
ton there emerged remarkably rigid faith lie was
moreover, a churchman on the basis OF olNIhe
right He was frmer believer in ScrptuIal
nYpflV
challenge NJ his ancient faith, and finding so deeply
seated in his maturest thought that at his time OF HE
change OF conviction intellectual lmp0ssibity.
there ensue sweet serenity Of soul The restless feNef
Of uncertainty quoted and he felt himself rVetcd
for ever to the communion IN which he had been brought
up But in the full slend0r Of this heavenly sunshine,
one great central ojcc: began disappear from the
armament % the Confession. II was not new cX-
DC -ience Years before he had suffered similar assault
The discovery broke upOn him with dismay that the
Trinity was fiction, not odicus TO reason, hut absent
from the Word lie persisted in his researches till he
found that the Bible cOloreSs of such DOGMA ~
could Le forced Tie support OF the fyosatic
dinercuces On this occasion, however he rallied. Ger
tain texts powerfully BONE il upon bis mind and
70. The time restored bis oh impressions But it was
only an ephtmcra Tie crisis came ST last ana
on "A more thorough review, the texts that had AZ
peared 20 stand by the doctrine utterly failed He
felt tha, the fountains OF tho great deep
breaking mp He could give himself rest and became
utterly absorbed in the inquiry. For months ne dld
nothing but study the doctrine Of tue Trinity His DAYS
and nights spent in consulting library rich in the
literature OF tho subject to which he had convenient
tie abstained from all speculative rcaeonings III
his simple and faithful cudoayor to follow the teachings
OF tic Word Of God The verdict was reached at last lie
was convinced that the Eble taught the Trinity little
as the sacrifice of the Mass that its teaching Of either
was one OF the vagres the human heart growing out
Of mistaken fancy the meaning Of icuratiye Ian
H.. ..l.paI affuf Ip
mains a firm and uuqucsonng adherent 10 The Divinity
Christ with regard to the absolute Deity of the Re
detnl there is question between him and the Trni-
tartan IRE sole point issue Isl Whether the Deity ia
Christ Is the second person the Trinity the One Per
soma Juloyahl 1.-THE Trnitarian believes in but of
tic thrce persons as in Christ whereas believe"
saws the author lin the Sole Person of the Almighty,
~ present in oar Great RcdcemCr." The mode Of
reasoning regard 10 the doctrine of the Trinity
may he taken, IL certain extent as specimen
Milci's treatment Of the question Of the immor-
tay the soul In Both cases, he rejects the method
OF philosophical speculation, and plants himself squarey
and firmly OF the teachings of the Bible He Geals less
with abstract argument than with scrpural analysis
No INTELLIGENT reader can mistake his spirit OF ardent
fsiIn for the love OF skcPtical criticism His absolute
religious sincerity Is transparent his moral earnest
ness Nor can Ills views De described decided novelties
IN the history OF ecclesiastical opuOu They have been
held in the main, by many thinkers in different ages OF
the Church they have not attained the honOrs OF
orthodox consecratOn it has been from no want OF
conviction tLGr truth, ability in their defense. Ii
they should now rail receive the sanction OF caDoncai
auhor,y as Will doubtless be the case, DR.. Miller viii
not be the ffst good and able who has abored in
vain impress his personal convictions On the current
OF do unatIc tradition.