The style of the work is as it should be, plain, simple, direct; often vigorous and striking; always serious and earnest.
It abounds in fine a.n.a.lyses of thought and trains of argument, admirably adapted to aid Sabbath School Teachers in their responsible duties: often too, very useful to Ministers when called suddenly to prepare for religious meetings, and always helpful in conducting the exercises of a Bible Cla.s.s.
Without vouching for the correctness of every explanation and sentiment contained in the Notes, its author appears to have succeeded very happily in expressing the mind of the Holy Spirit as revealed in those parts of the New Testament which he has undertaken to explain.
The theology taught in these volumes, drawn as it is from the pure fountain of truth, is eminently common sense and practical.
It has little to do with theory or speculation.
The author appears not to be unduly wedded to any particular school or system of theology, but to have a mind trained to habits of independent thinking, readily submissive to the teachings of inspiration, but indisposed to call any man master, or to set up anything in opposition to the plain testimony of the Bible.
We would here say, once for all, we consider Barnes" Notes the best commentary for families we have seen.--_N. E. Spectator.