Expositions of Holy Scripture. By Alexander Maclaren, D.D. (Hodder and
Stoughton. 7s. 6d. per vol.)—Dr. Maclaren is going on energetically with his great work. We hope that he may be able to bring it to a conclusion, for it is a most valuable addition to Christian literature. Two volumes are now before us, "Isaiah xlix.-Lxvi., and Jeremiah," and "St. Matthew xviii.- xxviii." The treatment of the fifty-third chapter-in the first is an excellent specimen of Dr. Maclaren's manner. He accepts the critical conclusion which divides the Book of Isaiah, and in this chapter he admits a primary reference to Israel in the suffering servant. At the same time, his expositiou of the secondary meaning, the Messianic reference, is very full. It is just the subject in which he shows himself at his very best. The volume which completes the exposition of St. Matthew we intuit pass over no less rapidly. We note a suggestive remark relating to criticisms often made on the Gospel narratives of post-Resur- rection appearances. The Gospel "moves wholly within the limits of the Galilean ministry,"—the Passion story, of course, excepted. "What more probable than that the same motive which induced Jesus to select the mountain which He had appointed as the scene of this meeting should have induced the Evangelist to pass by all the other manifestations in order to fix upon ,this one. It was fitting that in Galilee, where He had walked in lowly gentleness, 'kindly with his kind,' He should assume His sovereign authority."
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