12 MARCH 1836, Page 19

The Christian Atonement is the subject of the third series

of the Congregational Lecture. In its nature it does not possess so general or rather so popular an interest as either Dr. WARDLAW'S Christian Ethics" or Professor VAUGHAN'S " Causes of the Cor- ruptions of Christianity." In its treatment, it did not, of course, admit of so much mere literary character being infused into it. But the theme having been chosen, perhaps the most scientific and -direct mode of dealing with it would have been the most interest- ing. In this view of the matter, what the Atonement is, should have been clearly stated at the outset ; the difficulties which beset it might have been candidly admitted ; its necessity should have been broadly urged, from the fall of man as distinctly narrated in the Old Testament, and from the scheme of redemption as par- tially unfolded in that book, and finally consummated in the New Testament; its truth, maintained froin the authority of the Gospels and the Epistles; and tits probability, from 'what reason could allege in its defence. Some glimmerings of these points may in- deed be found in Mr. GILBERT'S nine Lectures; but they are so enveloped in a mist of words, the arrangement is so unscientific, the lecturer so often wanders in a maze of his own creating, and appears so fearful of boldlygrappling with his naked subject, that we cannot award a high place to this work in a literary point of view. • The notes are numerous, and better than the text, as deal- ing more closely with the subjects discussed.