The Early Church : a History of Christianity in the
First Six Cen- turies. By the late David Duff, D.D. Edited by his Son, David Duff, M.A. (T. and T. Clark.)—The late Dr. Duff was Professor of Church History in the United Presbyterian College at Edin- burgh, and this volume contains lectures which he delivered during his tenure of office. It always seems a pity that good work should be lost ; that lectures, for instance, which probably were found profitable to a succession of classes, should pass into oblivion ; yet we doubt whether the publication of this volume was judicious. It does not fulfil the promise of its title ; much that should be included in a histiiiry of the " first six centuries" is not to be found in it. The earlier part is notably more complete than the latter. But what is meant by this remark on Origen ?—" Sin- cere and grave, though possibly not always incorrupt, he was tranquil and grave." Should the eloquence of Origen, mentioned in the preceding sentence, rather than the speaker, be the sub- ject F The index is lamentably deficient.—Two volumes of a series which promises to be of considerable utility, " The National Churches," edited by P. H. Ditchfield, M.A. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and Co.), may be mentioned together. These are The Church in Germany, by S. Baring-Gould, M.A., and The Church in Spain, by Frederick Meyrick, M.A. The names of both writers are a guarantee for good work, for carefulness as well as learning. We have little or nothing to say against Mr. Baring- Gould's treatment of his subject, except, indeed, when he commits himself to the rash statement that it is impossible for German Protestantism to have a revival, impossible because the Lutheran Church does not possess the Apostolical succession. But are all religious bodies in which there is a similar defect, incapable of spiritual life ? Mr. Baring-Gould is no friend to Protestantism, and thinks no better of Old Catholics. On the whole, we prefer the tone of Mr. Meyrick's book. He is not afraid to show his sympathy with the Spanish Protestants ; while his belief that "if they are careful to show that their faith is the faith of St. Paul and of the primitive Church, a great future may await them," is one which no one need fear to accept.—With these volumes may be mentioned The Church of England in Nova Scotia, by Arthur Wentworth Eaton, B.A. (Whittaker, New York).
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