The four Gospels, as they are called, bearing the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, contain narratives of the birth, the life, the sayings, doings, and sufferings of Jesus Christ. Luke was a physician. The three others had no claim to human learning. They were men of humble position and occupation. Yet these narratives have successfully challenged the attention of men of all classes, of all professions, and of all grades of talent and learning, through many centuries; and large numbers of men of great erudition have devoted much time and labour to writing commentaries and discourses on these books. In regard to style, whilst the different writers exhibit their individual peculiarities, their narratives and their reports of the sayings and discourses of Jesus Christ are characterized by an inimitable simplicity; and yet, the principles they state, and the great subjects they bring to view, evince extraordinary wisdom.

These narratives contain no description of the personal appearance of Jesus Christ. On this subject they are absolutely silent. Nor do they contain any particular delineation of his character; and yet, when we have carefully read them all, and compared the different parts of the several narratives, we do find his character fully and perfectly drawn. The writers have made us acquainted with him, not by any description of his person or of his character, but by simply stating what he said, and what he did. And his sayings and doings, as recorded by them, not only exhibit a complete, but an absolutely perfect character. During his public ministry, he was placed in many very trying circumstances — circumstances which, if he had any weaknesses or imperfections, must have brought them strongly to view; and yet, in all that he said, and in all that he did, we find no intellectual weakness, no moral delinquency, no defect in temper. On the contrary, in his discourses, as recorded by these writers, and in his answers to questions propounded by sincere inquirers and by cavillers, there is a dignity, a knowledge of human nature, a truthfulness, a majesty, that commands our respect and admiration; and they are pervaded by a spirit that prepares us to appreciate the statement, that on a certain occasion, those who heard him, "all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth." Nay, we are prepared for the declaration of the officers sent by the priests and Pharisees to arrest him — "Never man spake like this man."

And whilst we admire the character thus drawn by the Evangelists, and feel the irresistible conviction that Jesus Christ was more than man, we cannot but wonder how it was possible for such men to write, with such inimitable simplicity, and how they came thus indirectly, but perfectly, to portray. a character of such wisdom and purity — so absolutely perfect. There is no kind of composition more difficult than this; and there is no more difficult work than to portray correctly the character of a man, and correctly to record his sayings and discourses, especially if they relate to great subjects, and embody great wisdom. If these men were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as Christians believe, all is plain. We can easily admit, that under such direction they might prepare such narratives. But if they had no such assistance, then these four books are a profound mystery.

But throughout these narratives, we find many acts and occurrences related, which, if true, prove beyond a question, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and the Saviour of men — that Christianity is worthy of all acceptation. He is said to have instantly restored sight to persons born blind, and without using any means adapted to such a result. He is reported to have healed all manner of malignant diseases instantly, by a touch or a word. He is represented as raising the dead to life. Places and circumstances are mentioned, and sometimes the names of the persons. It is impossible to deny or to doubt, that the facts stated are such as would be palpable to the senses, and, therefore, are susceptible of being proved by testimony. Nor can it be doubted, that men capable of writing these narratives, were possessed of sufficient intelligence to know whether they themselves witnessed those things.

Were they, as witnesses, honest and truthful, as well as intellectually capable? We might contend that they were so, because they had much to lose, and nothing to gain, by publishing those things, if they were not true. We might say that their firm adherence to Christ and his cause, through the temptations and sufferings of a life-time, demonstrate their sincerity. We might contend that bad men could not write what is contained in these four Gospels; and would not if they could. But the author of the following work places the Evangelists on the stand, as before a civil court, and subjects them to the most rigid scrutiny; and he demonstrates that they exhibit such and so many evidences of sincerity and truthfulness, that in any court of justice their testimony would be admitted.

The book is the more interesting, as coming from the pen of an educated layman. The discussion of such subjects has been mainly left to ministers of the Gospel; and they have ably and conclusively demonstrated the truth of Christianity. But we read, with peculiar interest, the views and arguments of men who, though Christians, have been chiefly engaged in secular callings; who have mingled, more than ministers have, with men of all classes, and have thus become more familiar with their objections and cavils. Such works are adapted to arrest the attention of worldly men; and their arguments are likely to have peculiar weight with many. Quite a sensation was produced in England, when Wilberforce published his Practical View of Christianity; and by the blessing of God, it accomplished what no book from the pen of a minister could have accomplished.

Major Hill has not written hastily and superficially on this great subject. His previous training, and his position as Professor in one of our first Literary Institutions, have enabled him to give the subject very thorough investigation; and the reader will be convinced before reading many pages, that every point has been carefully weighed. The many coincidences, evidently undesigned, in these four narratives, the remarkable fact that each not only corroborates, but completes the narratives of the others, afford evidence of the most conclusive character. The work is very much on the plan of Paley's Horæ Paulinæ; and it fills a place not so well filled by any work known to us.

The style of our author is remarkable for its clearness and simplicity; and his arguments are so clearly stated, and are so conclusive, that we find not only advantage, but pleasure in the perusal of the book. Without endorsing every sentiment in this book, I can earnestly recommend it as a work of great merit — a work specially needed in this day, when infidelity is putting forth its cavils in every part of the country, with so much zeal and success.

N. L. RICE.

Chicago, August, 1859.