APOLLONIUS OF TYANA.[35]—This volume is the result of a gage thrown down by a well known Brooklyn clergyman, who some few years ago said that he “challenged any one to produce anything which rises to the sublimity of the miracles of ‘the Blessed Redeemer,’ or the simplicity of his life, or to produce from the dust of eighteen centuries, a record of the life, sayings and doings of any personage so well attested, and by so many reputable witnesses, as is that of our Savior in the account of Matthew.” When we reflect upon the well known fact that the writings of the alleged time of Jesus, contain no reference to him, and that every precept of morality ascribed to him, can be found abundantly through the well attested and written sayings of his predecessors, and upon the grave doubts clustering about the same Matthew gospel, we are not surprised to find that Mr. Tredwell has succeeded in fully meeting the challenge. But no one ever suspected the “Brooklyn clergyman” of being in earnest or of expecting any reply. The book before us is replete with information, and especially in its bibliographical references. Our only regret is that the author has altogether put aside the so-called miracles of Apollonius. We would like to see, in treating the subject, those occurrences taken account of, not as miracles, but as actual incidents, the result of natural forces, and not subject to chance, nor being a proof of claims to divinity. In the preface he well says, that error courts investigation and is nearly always the prelude to the discovery of truth, but, “Falsehood seeks exemption from every scientific régime, and recoils from the light and scrutiny of investigation, and postulates its own canon, setting up a claim to miraculous interposition; such is revelation.” And further on he quotes the celebrated Moody, who said: “It is not only every man’s privilege, but every man’s duty to make _honest_ inquiry into the truth of the gospel; but should we conclude that it is not true, _then we will surely be damned_.” This book, and that of John Henry Newman, D. D., on the same subject, with Rev. Edward Berwick’s translation of the great philosopher’s life by Philostrates, should be in the library of every student, for comparison, if for nothing else.[36] A great deal of time and careful study have been devoted to the preparation of this book, from a love of the subject, which increased so fast as the author proceeded, and grew so strong, that he says he entirely forgot the clergyman who stirred him up to the task. We are sorry that lack of space prevents us from going further into this valuable work.