The New York herald., 1877-11-19
LITERATURE.


the attention OF all American scholars. II was en-
titled 'Phiiosophia Utima,n and what tho paint
ers call ''studyn rather than an exhaustive treat
men OF the allimporant question as TO how science
and religion, which for some years have been at
swords points. can be harmonized. IL made such an
impression the minds of certain wealthy citizens
OF Philadelphia and seemed clearly to indicate the
way in which the differences OF science and religion
could be settled, that they established chair
OF instruction in the College OF New Jersey with THIS
object in view This large volume one OF the results
Of that endowment
The publishers have entered into the work with
enthusiasm, and produced book comely TO LOOK at
and easy to handle. They have tailed TO cut the
pages, however, which is the only fault we are able to
and. 1t adds very little to the expense oil production
but great deal the comfort OF the reader TO have
book ready immediate use. 1t involves serious
loss temper be compelled TO hunt round for the
paper cutter which way OF secreting itseli when
it needed, and the temptation TO separate the
leaves with your and finger is oftentimcs too
great to be resisted IL Is pure, uaduerated vanda
to do So but for the crime the publisher IS parity
responsible With this exception she volume is
every thing that could be desired.
Dr. Shields states the difficulties which bcset the set
tleInenl OF this question with great fairness. He
spends whole chapter on the early conflicts and
alliances between and religion and the histor-
ica Of the present disturbance He then cata
logues tho various elements Of antagonism. and with
u pungent wit describes the battles between nhdeis
and aDologiss He that DUR ng the last three
centuries religion has grown more tolerant OF scien-
tinc opinion science has she'd new light relig
lous truth. Nothing be evident TO the
scholar who is not also fanatic than that society
suffers injury aud real progress impedcd long
these Two giants-science and reglon-stand lace 10
lace with drawn swords instead Of side by side
Ina a.I,t. axi hath,
the same. Science Is OF no value unless what II fnds
out is OF practical value the Improvement OF
tue race and OF the individuals OF winch
IL composed Facts have value In them
selves. IL Is their relation 10 the moral
condition Of and their ability TO refine and ee
vate that constitutes their worth Religion has no
other purpose than this, either. Theology IS smpo-
tent useless unless the truths II teaches impel
men toward higher plane. dogma without a life
Is only bit Of gtter.ng ice, bu; dogma that pio-
nuces lie is priceless.
Since truc culture and genuine religion have the
same object in view, then It seems great pity that
there should be any misunderstanding, and all at
Lempts reconciliation Will be more than welcome
Dr. Shields has entered his task with the acumen
Of scholar and the heart Of u Christian. Without
beng SO earnest that he must necessarily be one
sided he Is yet earnest enough TO make the reader
tcel that truce ought to be declared and that
smicaoc settlement ought to be arranged. We have
road the volume with great pleasure and with the
feeling that large contribution has made to the
general cause OF peace As book Of reference it is
Invaluable
FAITH PHILOSOPHY. By Henry b. Smith, D. D.,
LII D. Eaited by George l. Prsntlss, d. u. Serb
Ier, Armstrong a. Co.
Anything that comes from the pen Of DR.. Smith is
acceptable and instructive The world Of sacred
ike clinsa
when he died. As theologian he was wonderfully
clear aud direct as a philosophical thinker he was at
once acute aud profound, and general scholar he
was almost untquaed.
The present volume is entitled "Faith aud Philoso
phy, NOT because IT consists OF systematic treat.
nen of the differences between the advanced thinkers
IN natural science and those in the depar tment OF
philosophical religion but simply because that
most fifty describes the character OF the book IL
made up OF variety OF essays variety Of TOPICS
and shows The author to have been careful well
excessive reader
In tue introduction by DR.. Prentiss many testi
monials OF the appreciation which he was held by
his peers given. Mr.. Bancroft writes ip glowing
terms, as does also Professor Godet, ol NeuichateL
DR. smith was peculiarly fortunate in his relations
with the greatest men OF the age. He was acquainted
with Sir William Hamilton and a welcome guest
a. the house VI Neander. de was intimate with
IhoucS aud Uirci, at Halle, ana with kahnis, now
Professor OF Theology, at Lcipsic- You might natu-
rally expect from who the companion Of
such giants some grand systematic work. II is a pity,
great piiy that such life OF industry and such un-
doubted ability have not lett behind something lar
bitter than any mere collection OF essays We must
bs Sat sned however with what has been done. In
these twelve dsquistions the most important qucs-
LIONS OF the age are treated. They exceedingly
suggestive, and have, therefore, peculiar value for
Tie student
The volume is very handsome does credit to tho
drm which issues It, We predict Tor 1t large sale.
AMONG THE TURKS BY Cyrus Hamn. Robert Carter
x Brothers.
This IS exceedingly interesting book on an ex-
ceedingy interesting subject We all greatly
cerncd about the Turks just nov, not only because
tuey are an anomaly in European CIVILIZATION, but
mostly account OF the conflict with Russia which Is
likely to issue IN very great social change, and
pretty careful dednion OF the rights oil the Christians
IN Turkey, but also possibly material alteration in
the geographical limits Of that Empire. Dr. Hamlin
Is peculiarly qualified Tor the task hc has set himself
having lived under the snadow OF the Crescent for
over thtly-aye years When read the hasty words
of a traveller who rusnes from place to place.
aud possibly writes a whole chapter on q city
through which he passed the night time, we
feel that treadlng uncertain ground,
and that facts may be facts after all We have
loo many books OF this kind The productions OF
tourists who never rest anywhere long enough see
things thoroughly but doscrib be everything
though they had bcen familiar with II from child
hood are altogether too frequently tarust on credu-
lous and thirsty public We SO much ike that
We read vagt deal VI trash, and become intellectually
bcfogged, There is such thing us reading n book
nad really knowing less alter IL ID nnsned tnan you
knew before you took II IN hand Here, how
ever, We have volume IRON tho pen a
eose observer OF men and manners AMI withal
writer who evidently felt something like moral
restraint sncut representing them they really
are II 10 by no means profound work, and for that
reason VIII be all the more popular II not q
treatise. bat chatty talk about what the has
read and experienced. and is ntcrspersed with
coles which range from grave gay, from lively to
psvere. The n,st lew chapters gvo succncl his
tory OF the Turkish past, ana conlan large