Muhlenberg.] ^-'-' [March 16, 



the Lutheran Church has a mode of presenting these subjects, in her judg- 

 ment in accordance with the Scriptures, whicli require careful and dis- 

 criminating study to understand, as is sufficiently proved by the mistakes 

 into "which men of the highest ability in some of the other Christian de- 

 nominations have fallen, in the attempt to state them as they understand 

 them. 



The mode of the Saviour's presence in the Supper ; the doctrine of the 

 " communicatio idiomatum ;" the union of natures in the person of the 

 Redeemer and consubstantiation, which the Lutheran Church is said to 

 hold, but does not, have especially been the occasion of the grave mistakes 

 made by the gentlemen to whom reference has above been made. They 

 are known and believed by those onl}^ who have been brought up in the 

 Lutheran Church, but they require profound acquaintance with the sub- 

 ject, and native and philosophical acumen, to defend tliem against objec- 

 tions, without falling into error. In this field, difficult though it be, our 

 friend showed himself a complete master, and the careful study of these 

 profound subjects is visible on every page. The volume contains several 

 elaborate chapters, prepared years before, designed specially to correct the 

 mistakes made on the above subject, by learned Doctors of Divinity in 

 sister churches. 



The chapter also, on the history of the "Formula of Concord," which 

 was prepared at a later period than some of the others, is exceedingly well 

 fitted to show the solid theological learning, superior penetration, and in- 

 dependence of judgment of our gifted and diligent associate. It amazes 

 me whenever I read it, to see how he unravels the tangled history of the 

 theological controversies which agitated Germany, during the latter part 

 of the sixteenth century, and iiow he follows, with clearness of intellec- 

 tual vision, the intricate thread of truth, with which he started, to its 

 final issue in the adoption of this Symbol. It pleases me to find, that he 

 does not condemn, where others bitterly condemn "the gentle Melanch- 

 thon;" who had, by his laudable, though sometimes mistaken desire for 

 peace and aversion to controversy, given occasion to some of those acri- 

 monious disputes. Yet, with all his high regard and esteem for this fine 

 scholar and excellent man, he is not blind to his faults, but censures him 

 when he thinks him deserving of it. It is easy to see that the writer is 

 guided in his judgment by the love of truth, and not by prejudice, and 

 Melanchthon fares better in his hands, than he does^with many of his own 

 countrymen and contemporaries. This was a fine field, for the exercise 

 of that "speculative" mind, with which Providence had endowed the 

 author of this volume, and wiiich is displayed in it, with such happy re- 

 sults. 



The independence of our able friend is shown also in an article, which 

 he prepared during his ministerial life in the year 1857, on the Lord's Day, 

 which does not appear in this volume, but which must be alluded to, be- 

 cause in it lie expresses and defends views which do not harmonize with 



