New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
FARRAR,s LIFE OF ST PAUL.

Apostle of the Gentlles portrayed by the author
of these volumes in the hight ot vivid poetlcal
imagination. In connection with the picturesque
narrative of ST. Pauls life, Canon Farrar has
treated fully of the theology of the EpStcs giving
a clear aud Ineligible impression of their teach
inrs and their relation to the universal doctrines of
the Christian Church. lie has brought to the illus
tratlon OF his magnificent theme the resources OF
co9ious learn ing wide and discriminating research,
sound and temperate judgment combined with ar
dent enthusiasm and tender sympathieS. and sin
gular command Of emphatic and suggestive dlction.
His conception of the character OF Paul Is broad
and generous, giving full scope 10 the purely human
elements of his nature and wisely approaching his
gifts of special inspiration. lnhs view. it Is impos-
sible to place too high estimate on the services To
Christianity which were rendered 10y the APOSTLE
or the benefits which mankind has roaped from his
life and genius. His Epstlcs present the earliest
uttcianccs If the Christian literature TO which the
world Is indebted for its richest treasures of poetry
and cloquemce, of moral wisdom and spiritual con-
collation. Ii was his clear vision that freed religion
from the yoke of legal Observanccs, and cut asundcr
the living body of Christianity from the brcathleSs
corpse of an obsolete LevitiSm. He was cmucntly
the Apostle of freedom, of culture. of the under
standing. More than any other. he brought the
moral significance of justification by faith TO the
consciousness OF mankind. Canon Fairar refers to
the curious fact in the history of opinions that not
uufrcauoniy the destroyer of creed or system has
been bred IN the faith which he destined 10 OPP
pose. SakyaT-Nouui had been trainodin Brahn nismi
Luther had taken the VOWS of an Augnstlnian
monk Pascal was educated jesuit Splnoza
was jew; Wesley and Whiteteld were ministers
of the Church of England. SO II was with s.. Paul.
The victorious enemy of heather philosophy had
passed his boyhood amid the heather infuen e. Ola
philosophic city. The deadliest antagonist OF jew
tsh al Nras iN n uf le
Hebrews The final blow 20 the spirit of Pharl-
sasm was struck by one who was himself Phar-
sce, and the son of PhaIscos. His training was as
different as his work from that of the other Apos-
ties. Their earliest years had been spent the VII
lagos of GenncSarcth ana on the shores of the Call
lean lake his III the crowded ghetto of Pagan
capital With few exceptions, they not men
of commanding genius. nor strongly marked char
acters. Paul man of intense individuality
and wonderful power OF intellect. They were I'M
learned and ignorant he had sat at the feet of the
Rabbits, and surpassed his fellows in zeal for the
traditions of the schools.
With regard to the sources Of information con-
corning the biography Of Paul, the author takes
medium ground IN accordance with the results Of
the souudrst critical learning. The time has gone
by ne ailiIms when 1t can he assumed without fur
thcr inquiry that the Acts OF the Apostles and the
Epistcs Of Paul can be absolutely relied on. Still
uiue and trustworthy history although OF a fIag
mentary character. We have enough, and more
than enough. he declares. 10 show what manner of
life Pau lived and what manner OF man he was.
The circumstances attending the conversion Of
Paul. ON his journey from Jerusalem 10 Damascus
are related the most effective style of the author
aiprlmc good specimen of his descriptive power
and the skill with which he invests the narrative of
facts with the colors Of Imagination. The journey
# nearly 100 miles, which could not occupy less
than q week. afforded ample time for reflection.
Hitherto Paul had been living in whirl of excite
mout that left but slight opportunity for quiet
Thought. The active part which he took IN the per-
tecutiou of the Disciples must have absorbed all
his energies He had no inclination to face
the difficult questions OF 10 allay the secret mis-
gymgs which might have begun to rise IA
his nature. His Pharisaic pride forbade him
10 examine whether after all he might not be in the
wrong. But now that ms work was done, when
there Were no more Hceni>ts ln Jerusalem to per-
scrutc when even the Galiicaus had 1cd, or been
sicuccd. OF been slain lie could not escape the OBJ
ftinatc qu,stiopmrs which thickencd around him.
a. he pa sued his way 10 Damascus, lac could not
save himself from his own thoughts lie was
forced To place himself before the dark tribunal Of
ms own conscience. Day after day as he rode
under the morning sunlight or the bright stars of
an Eastern night las urgent thoughts would give
linn no rest. They would wander back over the
past. they would glance sadly at the futuIe:-
d-tr,c'ins doubts. is mallnaii,f hsunted oy sights
Of cruelty winch IN spite Of an zeal narrowed ny ms
soul Dc loatncyea on ne road To- D@qesca'' GnagT
g. 49, , i ,', ,r,r',I ,,ei fe r,ss'6,r
Bethel and shioh-in the Loft green fields that lie
around the base OF Mount GeI1 uiu Jacob. tomb ana
Jacobs Well-'n Bethsncau, with ITS memories of the
miserable end of that old King of his trne whose name
hc oorc-iu the blue ghmpses OF TIE Lake OF Glice
with i~ nnnn, r4es cmoas "i tot Prophet oi N9za
ieih whose ioll'N'ls De- Mas ulm[ 10 destroy. but