New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
CHRISTIAN ECONOMICS.


THE DIVINE ORDER OF HUMAN SOCIETY. Being
the L. P. Stone Lectures for 1891, delivered in
Robert no Rns Thompson, '' G. +. D., University Of
Pennsylvalia. syo. PIP. vi 27<. John d.
Wattlcs, Philadelphia.
These interesting and suggestive lectures ought 10
be read by every candidate for the Christian ministry
Among the practical problems discussed by them are
Christian socialism, the Family its nature, history,
relationships and social problems; the Nation. its
idea development and problems; the School and It's
problems; and the Church. It's idea. unity, worship
and social problems. on ali these great qucsnohs
the author brings 10 bear an acute anaiyuca IN
tclligence and farreaching power Of synthesis The
lecture on Christian Socialism will perhaps attract
the attention. because the Intellectual ana SOCIAL
movement OF the age is rapidly bringing this ques
ton TO the 'front.' and because so many OF the cers
are studying 1t with minds open to receive what
ever of truth there Is In IL. Properly enough; Dr'
Thompson begins by emphasizing the fact that inc
Bible is sociological book; and 1t is because 10 many
people fail TO grasp this fact that the Bible Is reey
a scaled book TO them. The present age. however,
Is peculiarly ready to take hold Of this IDEA. Inc
preacher is trying 10 put the idea OF Goa into the
social system and tho political reformer Is sui'e
TO infuse Justice and righteousness into IT, DouoV
less they are often mistaken I'm their IDEAS ana ooh'
10 may be- their methods are faulty II may even
hammer that working in different spheres and en-
blowing a different termnology, they may sometimes
seem TO be antagonizng each other But IN spite Oh
admitted mistakes and seeming contradictions hey are
an rcallv working for the same end, the social re-
generation of man. The most hopeful fact In inc
current life OF the Church is its acute though perhaps
NOT always intelligent, interest In the great questions
relating TO the betterment Of mans temporal LIE
Questions that IL once waved aside being merely
secular
Men seek God to-day. not merely in His private
disclosures TO the Isolated SOUL but on the lines OF
social relationships and social ties. We catch this
tone in the teaching which reaches ana moves the
great masses. II is mark which DISTINGUISHES MT:
Moos preaching from tsa S.s 'ne more or less m
The puiplts. whose message reaches beyond the I'M
mediate congre cation Of the preacher and helps 70
heard in the debates of our religious assemblies our
popular conventions. our ministers meeungs' ,he
the present-day truth which holds the ear vi 'no
thoughtful classes.
Very wisely, DR.. Thompson does not attempt 10
unfold any doctrinaire scheme Of Christian socialism,
but contents himself with pleading for the larger ana
miller recognition OF the social side OF the Gospel AS
n matter of fact there is no welldefned science OF
Christian Socialism to-day. Its most thoughtful ex-
cnents are united neither its facts nor its prn-
cples. They are simply cropping their way out OF
a labyrinth of unsolved problems and apparent
contradictions feeling sure of only one thing, that
somehow and some day way out win be found and
The message OF Christianity will prove itself to be In
very truth q Gospel of glad tidings to men,
We have not the space TO dwell upon the authors ex-
position OF the family and the Church Much OF what
he SAYS on these topics is necessarily OF an ele-
mentary character and some OF his views OF the Ohucn
are more or less coOred by his UNCONVENTIONAL pre-
rossessious But admitting all that. it still remains
frne that the book Is both stimulating and helpful.
~ theological Summaries generally would provide FOR
III. annual delivery Of such lectures there would not
be SO much complaint that young clergymen know
little about almost every thing except the world In
which they are sent to do their work.