ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

AMERICAN EDITION.

THE following able analysis of this work is from a review of it in the columns of “The London Morning Advertiser,” of June 1, 1855:—

“This work belongs to the highest class of the productions of modern disciplined genius. The author modestly intimates only the simple truth when, in the preface, he states that the construction, if not the idea, of his high argument, is new to the world. Its materials are obtained by a wise and severe application of the inductive method of discovering truth, to those general portions of the evangelic narratives, which are readily acknowledged to be undoubtedly historical by the most profound and frank skeptics.

“The author consents, for the sake of argument, to leave out of view all that is miraculous. He gathers together some of the facts, with their teachings, which present to men the manhood of Jesus, and endeavors to prove that such a manhood, under the particular outer conditions, can only be possible by the presence and union of Godhead.

“We can not, in our very limited space, do more than give a brief, though not unpremeditated, description of the work. We take up the book as seekers after truth, and our author speedily introduces us to ‘the outer conditions of the Life of Christ.’ Without perplexing us with too minute details, or with innumerable theories, Mr. Young leads us into the immediate presence of great historical facts. We pause in their presence only long enough to see and understand clearly the great realities themselves: and we are hurried onward to the next step in his argument—‘The Work of Christ among Men.’ This is handled somewhat more fully, as was becoming so high and regal a theme; but even here he will not allow us to delay too long. As illustrations can at best only shadow forth ale writer’s own conceptions of his subject, the author indulges in but few. The spirit viof respectful modesty will always be that of the worthy guide and philosopher among such high and great sights. Mr. Young is under its influence, and our eye is ever fixed on the primary distinctive features of the separate objects before us. At length we enter upon what every reader must feel to be ‘holy ground.’ We are invited to behold what our author terms ‘The Spiritual Individuality of Christ,’ and we fain hope that, among our readers, none will be found unwilling to bow and worship this mysterious, wonderful Personality.

“In all the three parts of the work it is demonstrated that the only philosophy that can satisfy the facts of the case lies in the doctrine of the Incarnation of Divinity. The Incarnation is ‘the enlightening fact.’ The argument cumulates in force as we are brought nearer and nearer to this mysterious Being, until it finally becomes so irresistible that we anticipate the inquiring look of our guide, by the confession, that only the doctrine of the Incarnation of Divinity can harmonize the phenomena which history affirms were actually harmonized in the life of Jesus. A joyous smile instantly lights up the countenance of our guide when he adds: ‘Grant the fact of the Incarnation of Divinity, and you grant that which demands the miraculous and divine as its necessary and natural companions. In the person and life of Jesus, the miraculous becomes natural and inevitable. The evangelical narratives are justified, and raised above suspicion. The world has a Saviour.’

“We would express our own obligations to Mr. Young for the help given us in perceiving the consistency and unity of the life of Jesus. We heartily recommend this book to all earnest thinkers, for such alone know the worth of a helpful book. Mr. Young has succeeded admirably in condensing his great argument into the small compass of 260 pages—no insignificant achievement in this age of ours. There are many minor matters we wish corrected; but these sink into nothingness by the side of the feeling, of which we are conscious while studying this volume: that this method, by its severe simplicity and directness, excites within us feelings of devotion and adoration. We may describe the book as one of the best works, in modern English, for introducing us to the knowledge and life of Jesus.”