"is not to convert believers to engage in proselytizing at the expense of any church-to draw away the living members of our communion to the bosom of another. No creed will be presented here as the only creed; no particular formula will be advanced as the sole real expression of the truth, out of which there is nothing but error and falsehood; for we believe that it is, before all things, important to serve the universal church; and there is one religion in our eyes higher than all particular forms of worship above Roman Catholicism as above Protestantism; and that religion is Christianity."

By Leopold Rankè, Translated from the Complete in one Vol

5. History of the Reformation in Germany. Author of the History of the Popes, &c. &c. last Edition of the German, by Sarah Austin. ume. Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard. 1844. 8vo. (Part I. pp. 160. To be completed in about four Parts.)

WE have waited, with much impatience, for the appearance of this work, ever since we saw the notice that it was in process of translation, in England. Judging from the reputation of the author, we have expected to find it the best history of the Reformation in Germany that is to be met with in our language. So far as this first Part, or No., of the American reprint extends, we see no occasion to fear a disappointment. The author appears intent on bringing the whole ground into view, and on treating every thing thoroughly. We must wait, however, till the republication shall be completed, in order to form a satisfactory judgment of the work. Meanwhile, our readers may gather some idea of the breadth of the design, from a sort of table of contents which we give of this first Part:

I. Introduction: view of the early history of Germany, beginning with the Carolingian times. Saxon and Frankic emperors. Emancipation of the papacy, 1074. Relation of the papacy to the princes of the empire. First attempts of resistance to the encroachments of the papacy, 1338. Altered character of the empire, after 1400. State of Germany in the middle of the fifteenth century. II. Book I: attempt to reform the constitution of the empire, 1486-1517. Foundation of a new constitution. Diets of Worms, Lindau, and Freiburg, 1495-1498. War with France, 1498. Diet of Augsburg, 1500, and its consequences. Bavarian disputes, 1504. Diet of Cologne and Constance, 1505, 1507. Venetian war. Diets of Worms, Augsburg, Treves, and Cologne, 1508–1512. Intestine disorders, 1512-1517. III. Book II. Origin of the religious opposition. Position of the papacy with regard to religion. Opposition raised by the secular powers. Character and tendencies of the popular literature.

Condition and character of learned literature. Early career of Luther. Sale of indulgences, and the dispute that followed. Diet of Augsburg, 1518. Mutual relations of the German princes. Character of the emperor Maximilian. Charles V. elected emperor, 1519. New government. Luther before Cajetan and Miltitz. Melancthon. Luther's disputation with Eck, 1518. Progress of the theological opposition. Hutten. Bull of Leo X., 1520. Luther's secession from the Catholic Church. Secular and internal affairs of the empire. Foreign relations. Luther before the Diet of Worms, 1521.

We cannot but revert, once more, to the size of the type with which these cheap republications are printed. We commend the style of execution, in all other respects; but can it be supposed that so diminutive a letter is befitting large works, that must be read slowly, and with careful attention, in order that they may profit? We are sure these editions do not meet the wants of those whose eyes are growing dim; can they be used with safety even by those who are yet in the full possession of their sight? What do oculists say on this point? Let us have a more legible page, and pay accordingly, rather than destroy our eyes. There may be less objection to this manner of publishing novels, and other light reading, which is to be galloped over, in most cases the faster the better; but, surely, it is rather stretching the point, when such works as Thirlwall's Greece, the Reformers before the Reformation, Rankè, Michelet, &c., are sent forth in miniature letter, to fill the market, and thus to foreclose the chance of such editions as alone would answer the purpose of a large portion of the readers of this kind of literature. The type with which the Messrs. Campbell and Co. republished Neander's History of the Christian Religion and Church, is, we think, as small as ought ever to be used in works like those we have mentioned; how little would it have added to the expense to have employed a type equally legible, in the present cases!

6. The Sacred Flora: or Flowers from the Grave of a Child. By Henry Bacon. Boston: A. Tompkins and B. B. Mussey. 1845. 7. Hours of Communion. By Edwin H. Chapin. Tompkins and B. B. Mussey. 1845.

Boston: A.

THE books whose titles are here given, are not numbered among the large and elaborate. They are pretty gift booksminiature editions. This, however, is not all. They possess inThe first contains many touching and profitable utterances of a bereaved parent's soul, when affliction had poured out its bitterness upon it. In a deserved tribute to a beloved young

terest.

daughter, the author has spoken instructive and consolatory truth in genuine gospel strains. Though we cannot say that the peculiar style of the author's composition is always clear as it might be, we have less to complain of on this score in the Sacred Flora than in some other works from the same pen. It is so fresh and so fervent so gospel-like withal, that we have found pleasure in perusing its little pages; and we are satisfied that it will afford gratification to many a heart seeking rest from the visitations of bereavement and affliction. Its just views of the value of earthly enjoyments, however transient, of the goodness of God in our trials and afflictions, of his care of all his offspring whether here or hereafter, and the spiritual improvement and joy, even, which may be drawn from the grievous allotments of our present being, are the best with which men can be made acquainted. As a helper in the needed work of their instructions in this heavenly wisdom, we bid this little book a cordial welcome.

The work by Mr. Chapin is written in reference to the communion service. It comprises a number of sermons on topics closely connected therewith. These are An Argument for Church Membership; the Lord's Supper considered as a Memorial; Our Saviour's Prayer of Forgiveness; the Crown of Thorns; Christ within us; the Cross of Christ; Religion founded in Character; the Great Exemplar; Thoughtfulness and Meditation; Christ after the Resurrection; Christ's abiding Presence invoked; Hour of Communion. We have no book like it in our denomination; and we doubt if any other denomination can present a much better one of no greater pretensions. It is strong in truth, stirring, attractive, and highly practical; and we believe it will do good, where good is especially needed; for it is not to be questioned that in reference to the observance of the Lord's Supper, we need a deeper sense of duty and a more general conformity to it. There is too great a lack of individual interest in this subject by many who profess to love Christianity and its accredited institutions; and any thing that will call attention anew to this subject, we hail with joy. It is thus we welcome this excellent little work, and pray that it may prove the true light to many an inquiring mind, and an instructive and cheering companion to those who have already numbered themselves among the communicants at the table of our Lord.

8. Travels in the Great Western Prairies, the Anahuac and Rocky Mountains, and in the Oregon Territory. By Thomas J. Farnham. New York: Greeley & McElrath, Tribune Buildings. 1843. 8vo. pp. 112.

IF it be thought rather late for a notice of Mr. Farnham's pamphlet, our apology is that we have but recently become ac

quainted with it. We are glad even of this opportunity to mention a narrative which has been so interesting as well as instructive to us in the perusal. Many of our readers have, no doubt, gone over part of its ground, in the beautiful and graphic pages of Irving's "Astoria," and "Rocky Mountains; " but, still, they will find the interest fresh in following Mr. Farnham through the scenes he describes, as none but an eye-witness can describe, or rather, present them.

On the 21st of May, 1839, he set off, with a small company, from Independence, in Missouri, and, following the trail of the Santa Fé traders, struck the Arkansas. This river guided the party up to its source in the Rocky Mountains, near Long's Peak. Here they entered the Great Gap, and pursued their course through the successive ridges, till they reached the upper waters of the great southern branch of the Columbia River. The remainder of their way ran either on the banks of the stream, or at no great distance from it.

One of the most striking pictures which the author gives, is of the moving world of buffaloes on the great western prairies, near the Arkansas; herds that covered, in one dense, black, stirring mass, the whole prospect, all around the horizon. The natural scenes, too, which presented themselves in the mountain region, and the views which stretched around him, sometimes for days together, are inexpressibly wild and grand.

On the western side of the mountains, it appears, large tracts of country are irreclaimably barren; and it seems, indeed, that much of the Oregon Territory will always remain as it now is, a desert.

Mr. Farnham gives a very clear account of the various tribes of Indians who roam over the regions through which he passed. Their habits, characters and occupations are detailed, and especially the dangers which the traveller has to apprehend from the more fierce and mischievous among them. Geographical surveys of all the country west of the mountains are given, and notices of the travelling establishments both of the English and of the Americans. To conclude the whole, we have an abstract of Commander Wilks's Report and Statistics of the Oregon Territory. We commend the work both to those who wish information of the character and condition of that region, and to those who wish to read a very interesting book of travels.

ART. X.

Religion and the Fine Arts.

UNDER the deadening influence of the sensual philosophy of the eighteenth century, the aesthetic arts became greatly deteriorated, and imagination and genius lost much of their wonted elevation and interest; but, in our immediate age, they seem to have regained something of their natural inspiration; they have begun to exhibit new signs of life and vigor, and are assuming again their proper rank in the estimation of the civilized world. The philosophy of Schelling, which makes the science of Esthetics "the key-stone of the Absolute Philosophy," has operated in conjunction with many lesser causes, to awaken a fresh interest in the arts, and to incite multitudes of enthusiastic aspirants to strive after distinction through devotion to the chisel and the pencil. Even in our own country, where hitherto the spirit of practical utility has prevailed the most exclusively, for a few years past the arts have received more comparative attention than at any former period; and it is perhaps not too much to hope that, among us, their claims will soon come to be better understood and acknowledged, and their relative value be, at length, generally appreciated.

Under such circumstances, it would be interesting, without doubt, to take a general view of the philosophy of the fine arts, and to set forth at large the duties which they devolve, at the present time, upon the American people. Our present purpose, however, is somewhat different. We propose rather, in the following article, to sketch hastily the philosophy of the connection which subsists between religion and art; to indicate, in a very general manner, the relation which several of the principal historical schools of art have sustained to the respective forms of religion, under which they have arisen; and finally, to point out, in particular, how greatly and how directly modern art is indebted for its excellences to the Christian revelation and faith. And, in following out our design, we may be able to throw 10

VOL. II.