15 AUGUST 1863, Page 23

CURRENT LITERATURE.

Egyptian Mythology and Egyptian Christianity. By Samuel Sharpe, author of "The History of Egypt." (J. R. Smith.)—Mr. Sharpe, who has devoted considerable time and labour to the study of Egyptian antiquities, has written a small volume to prove that some of the most distinctive doctrines of Christianity may be traced to an Egyptian origin. He informs us that "many of the doctrines which together now make up orthodoxy, or the religion of the majority, as distinguished from the simple religion which Jesus taught and practised, are so many sad and lamentable errors," and that "moat of the so-called Christian doctrines, that have no place in the New Testament, reached Europe from Egypt through Alexandria." Foremost among these errors are the doctrine% of the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, and the atonement by vicarious sufferings, none of which, in Mr. Sharpo's opinion, formed part of the religion taught by Jesus. Even if we granted Mr. Sharpe's premises, we should scarcely think that they warrant his conclusions ; for the fact that a Christian doctrine appears to have been more or loss dimly fore- shadowed in the Egyptian creed does not seem to us to be conclusive as to its truth or falsehood. •