The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-09
Literary Notes.

character, and their wide sphere Oh caieiui "
vestioation attracted no little attention. The
first of these papers called, Certain Dangerous
TENDENCIES in american Life, gives title to
volume of similar Essays, most of which have
been made public through The Atlantic Month
hrs pages The name Of the author is not an
nounced but they come to us from the press VI
the new firm, Messrs. Houghton, Mlbt'"' q Cos
of Boston, formerly the well-known house OF
Msssrs Houohton, Osgood 6 Co. The leading
naper which furnishes title to the collection,
and the important one on Preaching are replete
with vital truths which it is imperative that the
American people should take into most serious
consideration. The author says that the rela-
tive potency of old forces has had to receive q
new adjustment since the settling down OF things
after our late civil war. He intimates that our
governmental system which we had come to
vaunt of, superior to everything that the
world has ever seen, and as equal to any emer-
gency, proves to be at times shaky affair. He
shows that our Legislators have never, until this
late period, been brought face to face with Pau
perism, or the Labor question; and that conse-
quently their knowledge of political economy
has been of the narrowest and least practical
kind. A passionate greed for riches, he says,
has taken possession of the nation and the re-
action after the long struggle has left the soul
of the country languid as to patriotism, and in
different as to morality and good government.
Fancied prosperity has intoxicated the masses,
and these masses have become grasping restless,
careless of religion, tainted with infdel solutions
of Darwin, Huxley, and Spencer, to the sad de-
triment of the old beliefs He sees the Church
losing its hold on these classes, and not only on
these classes, but those at the farthest remove
from them-those who cherish the most pro-
gressive culture. We think he exaggerates the
loss of Church powers When we read of what
it is accomplishing for the lowest strata of hui
mainly in our great cities, we cannot believe its
force "is still declining" With such men as
Prof Goodwin Smith who cry out for a new faith
because the old one is worn out" church infu-
ence may be at its lowest ebb-but not with the
classes who know nothing of such advanced
thought" Legislation, he too truly laments, is
becoming weapon in the hands of hostile
forces. He thinks also, that our public school
systems are very defective, and that those in
structed are not fitted for any literary work, nor
even for good manual labor-just such modi-
cum of knowledge having been imbibed as i'm
parts the dangerous" quality. Another ten
dency" to evil, the author finds in the serene
optimism of the average American citizen, who
cannot conceive of anything serious ever hap
pening to mar the working of our national sys-
tem-who will not believe in any danger and
therefore is never forearmed The careful study
of this wise and wellconsidered essay, cannot
but open the eyes of the most unthinking to the
fact of the existence of terrible explosive factors
in the underestimate of American society, which
it might take but little to ignite +1
The article on Three Typical Workinqnaen it
is pity every intelligent workingman, should
not have the opportunity of reading: also the
one Immediately following on Workinqaen's
WlUes. They are full of practical advice and
hints, which if acted upon by these'casses, would
put new face on the Labor question. The
Study of NeW England Factory T5,on still
carries on the authors political economy and
reformatory investigations, and abounds in sta
tistics of his own gatherings. To another class
altogether the last paper on Preaching, is ad
dressed The facts, truths principles. and ideas
illustrated in the American pulpit of TODAY the
author. complains, belong to the domain of the
intellect-there is not enough of a spiritual pur-
pose to spiritual ends. The religious spirit as
he truly says, I" is essentially one of trust and
obedience" But our preaching is preaching
for the times" and has far too little to- do with
trust and obedience" To stand awed before
Him who feeds the very sources of life, the Bearer
Is not summoned rather he is helped to answer
the objectors, who with their modern science
views, are in danger the preacher thinks. Of un.
dermining the old faith which he thus under.
takes to prop. Many persons who have had no
doubts have been, the writer believes led into
scepticism by these very presentations of unbe.
lief which are brought forward that thew NAV be
refuted. While it is right that Christianitv
should change front in order to meet the new
tactics OF the enemy, the author considers that
far too much stress is put upon the declarations
so often baseless, of the scientists and TINS an
Importance awarded them which exapperatos
their power. The popular love for oratoTy is a
crying evil of the times too: the people want
their tastes pleased they are ready to nav anv
amount of salary that they may be erati6ej
and men are always found ready to become tbe
idols Of the pulpit. The love for " high ideals
the writer fears, is almost lost among us. "One|
chief reason why the heart Of the age is not mora
potently moved by the central Parsonage Of the
New Testament, is the fact that men have 70 =