The Lives and Times of the Minor Prophets. By the
Yen. Archdeacon Farrar, D.D. (Nisbet and Co.)—Archdeacon Farrar has brought to the composition of this book the learning, the felicity of illustration, and the width of sympathy which make his work in the department of Biblical criticism so valuable. The freedom with which he discusses the questions, sometimes very difficult, suggested by these prophetical writings, is never dis- sociated from reverence. Of course there is a school which would practically prohibit discussion, for what discussion can there be when all the conclusions are fixed beforehand ? One is glad to think that it is losing ground. Its predominance in the Church would be nothing less than a disaster. But Lux Mundi, on the one hand, and such a work as this, finding its readers mostly, we do not doubt, in circles remote from those addressed by Lux Mundi, are hopeful signs. Archdeacon Farrar dis- cusses, in order, the "Characteristics of Hebrew Prophecy," the " Writings " and "Chronological Order " of the Prophets, their attitude as religious teachers, and then deals with each prophet and his writings in turn. Jonah is put last, as differing in character from all the other books; and Zechariah is divided into two, the chaps. ix.-xi. being considered as much earlier in date than those which precede them. "Every indication in these chapters points to the fact that they must have been written by some younger contemporary of Hosea." There can be little doubt that the prophecy gains by being disseveied from the obscure and mystical visions which go under the same name. We may also mention as calling for special attention, the chapters on Micah and Joel. Dr. Farrar does not mention Mr. Maurice's " Kings and Prophets," but the two books may be profitably read together.
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