The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-28
NJ. j. P.

LIVES OF THE LEADERS OF OUR CEupcp 1rv,
vERsAL, from the days of the Successors If
the Apostles to the Present Time. The Lives
by European Writers from the German as
edited by DIR. Ferdinand Piper. Professor Of
Theology, in the University Of Berlin. Now
translated into English and edited with lives
by American Writers, by Henry Mitchell
MacCTaGken, ID D., Philadelphia Reformed
Church Publication Board, 907 Arch street
The editor remarks that he undertook this
work at the suggestion of Prof Charles A.
Briggs Zone of the editors of the Presbyterian
Revie,o) and Dr. Philip Schaff.
The original German work was begun by DIR.
Piper In 1850. The chief argument for the book
was that, next to Gods word, Christians. for
their own edifcation, ought to know the do
ings OF God in the history of the Church." and
the manifestations of his Spirit in the witnesses
commissioned and enlightened by Him ever
since the day of Pentecost" In order to ac-
complsh his purpose, DR.. Piper, in cooperation
with other German scholars, commenced the
publication of periodical or Year Book. ="
which was maintained for twenty-one years.
and, finally, in 1875 the completed work was
published 1t has met with great favor in the
German Church, and the roll of names contained
IN 1t has been officially published and commend
ed by the German Government
The American work does not present all the
lives included in the German, the object being
to keep it of popular size. As it is. there are
nearly 900 pages. On the other hand, the edi-
tor has added the biographies of number of
leading American divines In selecting his
American Church leaders, he.has followed less
his ownJudgment than that of eminent men in
the respective denominations.
The following will give the reader an idea of
the names selected from all parts of the world.
The first " life is that of Symeon of Jerusalem.
Among great many others, then follow in
order Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Justin
Martyr, Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, Blandina.
Athanasius Chrysostom, Ambrose of Milan Je-
rome, Augustine. This closes the first period
and covers the first FIVE centuries. The second
period, from the 9Th to the 10th century. in
cludes (among others Patrick of Ireland, Co.
lumba OF Scotland, Anstin of England Bede
Alfred the Great, Remy of France. COLUMBIAN Of
Germany, Gall ofSwitzerland. The third period
from the 18th to the 18th century, includes
(among others) Auselm of England Bernard lof
Clalrvaux, Louis of France, Thomas Aouinas
Tauler of Strasburg, Wiclif John Huss, Savan-
arola. Period " includes the Reformation
Luther, Melancthon, Zwingle, Farel, Calvin.
Beza Coligny, Cranmer, Ridley Wishart, Knox,
William of Orange Period V includes Gus
tavus>AdolPhus, Francke Bengel, Rabaut. Jas
Guthrie, Baxter, John Wesley, Wherefore. and
among the later leaders of this period, Jonathan
Edwards, Samuel Hopkins, John Witherspoon
Muhlenburg, Asbury, MacKendree, Bishop
White, Alexander Campbell, John Mason Peck
Francis Wayland, Richard Fuller, LYMAN
Beecher, Charles Finney, Archibald Alexander
Charles Hodge, Albert Barnes, Henry Martvn
Adonlram Judson. The biography of Richard
Fuller is by DR.. Jeter that of DR.. Alexander bv
DIR. ii. G. Alexander, that of DR.. Hodge bv DR.
A. A. Hodge. The European biographies are
by the most eminent names in the European
churches.
Our object has been to give the character Of
the work, and this will at once exhibit its great
value. We feN sure that it will be received
with great favor by the Christians of all demon
nations, and will prove of great service in pre-
sentlng at a single view, and in reasonable com.
pass, the history and life of the Church from its
foundation to the present time 1t ought to be
in every theological library.
A Tract ON INFANT BAPTISM Bv Rev A
Wade, NJ. D., of the Diocese of Virginia Balti.
more. 1874