Character-Studies in the Old Testament. By James Rankin, M.A. (W.
Black wood and Sons.)—Character-studies are generally interesting, if there is any kind of freshness in them, and these, having a spice of that quality, are no exception to the rule. In addition, they are some-
times even amusing. We are told, in a sermon on "Abel and Sacri- fice," that "Cain took offence at plain, strong Gospel doctrine [the doctrine of the Atonement is referred to) ; he fancied he could improve it,—could give it more beauty, more philosophy." Are we to infer that Cain was the father of Broad Churchmen ? Mr. Rankin admires the policy of Joseph in his measures relating to the people of Egypt during the time of the famine, which policy we confess we have thought possibly open to question. He becomes quite enthusiastic in de- scribing Joseph's conduct to the Church :—" Only the land of the priests, being inalienable, escaped this wreck. Joseph was too prudent a Prime Minister to abuse the present power and opportunity to pro- mote a system of disendowmont, even although the State Church was
not fully, or not at all, his own Church The State was re- modelled" (to the supposed advantage of the monarch)," but the State Church was let alone." It is evident who is the father of Tory Prime Ministers. It is interesting to learn that in the time of his prosperity the patriarch Job was worth from £30,000 to £40,000, besides his land and slaves. Surely Mr. Rankin is too severe in his judgment on the character of Job's wife, which he expresses by quoting from the "Northern Farmer,"—" She wur a bad no, shea." Much excellent and plain-spoken, practical teaching is mingled with Mr. Rankin's delinea- tion of "Scripture characters."
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