The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-30
THEOLOGICAL BOOKS.


BRIGHTER THAN THE sun; or, CHRIST TRe LIGHT OF
THE WORLD. BY J. r. Macdun, 3D. D. Robert
Carter Il Brohcrs
One would think that there were not only enough
but TOO many books OF this class already. II is a
curious fact that hardly month passes the whole
year round without an announcement the part OF
some publisher in America or Europe that no is about
to issue entirely book this very old subject.
And what ;s more curious still is the fact that the
subject does not appear to be exhausted by this
varied treatment Publishers careful
servers of the wants and tastes OF tho
reading public, and Mould not be likely 10 to the
expense OF printing book Of any kind unless there
evident demand Tor it. 1t is quito easy TO sec
then, that neither Christianity interest in
Jesus OF Nazareth has been outlived, as certain
Of the community delight to aver since every
new volume tho subject meets with ready and
nearly every with extensive, sale This is
OF the IN ost suggestive OF tho tmo and one OF
the most gratifying to those who have the Law and
order OF society at heart.
This contribution to the biographical literature
OF the Bibc is intended specially Tor the young II
runs In the same line of treatment with "The Won.
deriul Life and the "Pccp OF Day." and is intended
present the scenes in Christs life In such
vivid and pictorial fashion that they will the
thoughtful attention OF tho rising generation. Ii fol-
lows close tho heels OF DR.. rrcssensc's work for
ographies, which specially written for scholars
and readers OF maturer age
In order render attractive still 1t contains
a large number OF cngravings from drawings by A.
Rowan. 1t is unnecessary to speak or the workman
ship OF the volume, for the pubic has learned that
every book which comes from tho press OF the
Carriers is scrupulously honest In its manufacture
II lie printed large clear type and thick paper,
and is altogether handy and crcditabc volume. Tho
his Design discarding technical theological terms
and using for tho most part tho vocabulary of youth
in the description OF historical II is pictorial
and attractive its treatment. and nearly piano.
ramic as nero language will admit. We predict Tor
the volume good success, which is only another way
OF saying that We hope 1t Will havca largo sale.
THEOLOGICAL ESSAYS. BY William G. I. Shcdd d. d.
Scribncr, Armstrong Il Co.
DR.. shedd is tho Roosevelt professor OF systematic
theology IN Union Theological Seminary, and there.
fore, occupies promincn; position as an authority.
He is very popular among the embryonic ministers OF
that time honorcd institution and has succeeded in
making the dry and puzzng questions which to
be attacked settled by every student before he is
considered properly furnished for hts vocation
interesting sparkling the possibilities VIII adj
nit. The subject matter OF this book is not new, but
has before The public in shape or another for
the last twenty years. The topics discussed have
however, been carefully revised by the author, who
has done himself and tho reading public the JUS
t.ce OF revision and expansion, and tho book
contains latest strongest and best though, of
n genuine scholar on historical Calvnsm, original
sin and the atoncmcnt He boldly asserts that the
present apparcn, contradiction between culture and
religion is only an Illusion, and that the timo is
at hand when their animostcs shall be changed into
fraternity Ii seems lito curious locker In
Venice that advanced thinkers IN science and the
ology should spend their time so largely In trying to
drive each other 10 tho wall. One would naturally
suppose that what scholar finds in the Bible and
what another finds the larger book OF nature would
agree 1.-THE Bible is true, and II the results OF SCI
encc are by facts then nature and revelation
ought to 20 hand in hand aud not arm themselves like
antagonists in tournament. Daring the last twenty
ycars however they have tried unhorsc cach other
ana each IS waiting for the moment when with his
dagger he can give his antagonist tho coup grace and
| get HIM out of the way.
| Or. Shedd's book is another attempt at rcconcia-
tion He insists that there is nothing blind In Chris
tianny; That all Its fundamental dogmas are built on
nm impregnable logic, and quotes that famous sem
tcncc OF Sclden, that .'wthout school dvinitya d.
| vine knows nothing logically, nor Will DO ablo TO
satisfy n rational out OF the pulpit" The ago Of
controversy has then fairly begun. Theology IS de-
termncd TO hold It's own against all Corners, ana does
| no, propose mako any assertions which arc not
backed by the sernest facts OF experience and up
1 hold by the soundcst philosophy. Tho arena Is
| being cleared for action, and those who live
/ during the next decade VIII SEQ conflict In wh'ch
will BIO engaged the scholars and geniuscs OF both
/ SIDES Each antagonist Is putting on his best
| armor and going into training for tho victory. Dr.
shcdds Is like the clarion note oil defiance, and
shows plainly enough that IL VIII never do to under
rate the ability Of close and clear-hcadcd think
ers as this professor Of systematic theology We are
all Interested in tho issue, and nenrly everybody Is TO
greater less posted as to the position and
aims the two parties We have read the work with
great care only say that he who throws down
tho gauntlet must must DO doughty knight indeed.