The New York herald., 1875-09-19
NEW BOOKS.
cheerful aspeC

THE THEIsTIc CONCEPTION OF THE WORLD
wIGwAM AND wARPATH.
Tho Positive Philosophy -Materialism and Panthe-
ism-haying attacked with great vigor Christian
Theism number Of able defenders of it have lately
taken the field There has been lucid logical,
unpreiudced and broader view given the theisc
side or the question than '"The Thestic Conception
the World by B. f. Cocker, Professor Of Mental and
Moral Philosophy in the University of Michigan,
and published by Harper Bros. New York. To
attempt to give even the barest summary Of the
tents Of this comprehensive and thoughtful volume
would be beyond our limits. OF the book It may be
said in brief that it has grappled with tho most per
picking questions Of the origin Of the universe and the
maerastc panthestic and theistic theories thereof
In stating the grand problem proposed for solution
the author gives clear and vigorous definition of the
difference between the materalistic pantheistc and
thestic theories OF the universe and OF first causes.
The materalist says that in the beginning matter
the pantheist asserts that the beginning mind
but the thest insists that in the beginning will.
The unconditoned will he regards tho creative prin
cpe OF all reality, efficiency and perfection. The alb
solute first is living personal being "lrom
whom in whom and to whom all things" The
writer then makes a clear cut argument to show that
God is the first principle the unconditional of
all existence" No better statement Of Christian the
ism could be made than that God, tho absolute first
/
power, seeing its way and having the and
| law Of It's action in itself alone.
The view taken by the author of the creation and es
pecally Of the Biblical account of it, is sufficiently
striking; but it is questionable whether it will COM
! mend itself in all its parts to theologans. He first
treats Of the question whether the pure
supernatural organization, absolute creation,
whether it simply formation out OF a first SUB
stance, existing coeva with and Independent of God
Speaking Of the creation he does favor the prac
tice Of theoogans accept the determination of the
! Biblical notion Of creation upon purely pathological
| grounds considering that method inadequate and in
conclusive. The Biblical notion of creation he thinks,
is not to be determined by a critical study of the
several words which employed to express
the creative act, to the neglect of the in
| forming thought. The chapter upon ''The Genesis
or Beginning" exceedingly readable and interesting
and good deal Of scientific testimony and close reason
ing is given to show that the common conviction of
our that the existing order Of the universe had
! beginning and will have end wel founded. There
is no priori ground he insists for believing it the
! performance Of the universe For this he cites the
universal belief Of the race, and quotes Herbert
Spencer insisting that such universal convictions
have some foundation and amount Of verify The
laws Of conservation Of energy, Transformation of
energy and dissipation Of energy treated Of this
connection.
As TO the Scriptural narrative OF the creation Dr.
Cocker gives reins to his imagination Promising that
the design ofthe sacred narrative teach theology
and science he insists that uses ihe language Of
appearances, the revelation, however containing
nothing that is inconsistent with the scientific
Interpretation Of nature. The sacred nara
tive he insists is "poetic, symbolca and
meteorological" ''The Book Of Genesis opens with
psan-the inspired psalm Of creation grand, sym
poem, and the author thereupon illustrates by ar
ranging "the solemn sonnet rhythmcally Besides
being poetic the narrative symbocal and not a literal
detail Of the actual processes of creation This is not
he claims an Interpretation forced upon thoologians by
modern science but long ago held by many dlstiu-
guished fathers OF The Church. 'Ihis sacred hymn"
he says, twas composed probably, by Adam and
chaned in the tents Of hc patrarchs, their morning
and evening deyotions, for more than 1000 years"
The knowledge Of the facts contained in it was he
thinks conveyed in a symbolic represcntation-a
vision Of the past in succession OF representa-
tions
one OF the most thoughtful parts Of the book con
his notions OF 'the providence OF God in human
history" and here he makes some striking points.
He touches a very vexed question in his theories Of
Especial providence and prayer" OF course he Ut
torly declines the 'Tyndall prayer gauge" as it is
called while he believes that temporal blessings do
follow from prayer; yet his idea is that Gods promise
principally covers spiritual blessings This chapter
does not seem to us satisfactory as most OF the
others in the volume.
There has opportunity barely glance at a very
few Of the thoughts which he presses upon tho reader
Every one interested theological controversy, and
especially II caring know the foundation upon which
the Bible theism rests and the principal arguments for
it, will read this book, which must be regarded as a
y
wIGwAM AND wARPArn.
Messrs John P. Dale & Co. OF Boston, have recently
published work entitled "wigwam and Warpath; or,
The Royal Chief in Chains" by the Hon, A. B.
Meacham ex superintendent Of Indian Anars and
chairman OF the late Modoc Peace Commission Mr.
\ Meacham's manuscript has been edited and revised
\ by Mr. D. J.. Emerson, who explains his aJors in the
preface saying:-'I have ondeavorcd TO review every
page as an impartial critic and have FAR as possible
retained an Us simplicity aud beauty the singulary
eloquent and fascinating style Of the author" wig
wan and warpath" is presented in a handsomely
bound octave volume illustrated with over twenty
ongravngs Ia the circular advertising tho work the
publishers say ar Meacham does not attempt
conceal the atrocities cruoHes and barbarcs OF the
Indians any more than he doos The Ielchcrous acts
and unathfuness OF tbo government or the rapine Of
ts officers and cmissarcs the frontier but treats Tie
subject fairly and imparta.y"
Tho nrst portion Of the book devoted to series Of
sketches Of the different Indian agencies In Oregon that
came under The observation Of the author during his
term Of o1cc as superintendent Of Indian Affairs In
that state They written 30 pleasant stylo ana
give rather one sided view OF the condition OF
affairs AZ the siAz Asoa Grand Round. warm
Spring, UmatiIia, Klamath and Yoinox agencies
Nr Mcacham Is rather on enthusiast on
the Indian question: and often allows his love for me
noble savage TO carry him beyond the Inc Of impartial
reasoning There doubt that in many cases
Indians have the victims Of injustice on tao mart
Of the whites but frontier where law has but com.