New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-25
SOME RELIGIOUS BOOKS.

Professor George Park Fisher has prepared a
little manual Of Natural Theology" (Chares Scr'o-
ner's sons for readers and pupils VINO iia'e no.
time for the study Of extended trea'ises. IL
Is marked by the ucdity and comprehensive grasp Va
great principles which characterize all PROFESSOR
Fishers writings One NJ the most important chap-
tiers discusses the argument from design Inc hu"e'
Gus evidences OF design In nature and man are pre-
sented ard an attempt IS made to show that 'hcse
adaptations OF means TO end could only nave occni
produced by supreme Intelligence. and not by 'hat
lave OF nature known the snrvlval OF tie httest'
While Professor Fishers reasoning here is not con-
elusive Il IS strongly stated. II will not convince
the motcIialist the agnostic that the wofid Is
anything more than tho natural evolution OF an
unknown and unknowabc Power. Force or Law ou'
II will strengthen the wavering faith OF many Chrls
tians whose reading has led them TO fear that inc
foundations Of Christianity lave been undermined by
modern science
Dr. william G. T. shedd believes that the natural
effect OF the changes which the Presbyterian 'hr'"
Is now attempting 10 make in the Westminster va"
fession will be to weaken and break down the GAVIN.
istic system contained in it, and hc states his Den'i
clearly and strongly In a monograph entitled "0hV"''
ism: Pure and Mined. \ Defence CT the N'NI-
minister Standards Charles Scribner's SohS)'
OF the arguments he adduccs 1t may
be sad that they Will convince al
who agree with DR.. shcdds point OF view,
But they will not convert those who reject his prem
ises There are today, even In the Prcsbytcilih
Church. many devodt Christians VINO "ouiu "''
regard the destruction OF Calvism as a bio" a'
Christianity. but rather d benefit to H. Ana sac"
Presbvterians will not stay their hand from revision
because 1t Is proved that revision will impair Gavin
ISM
"The world Is not clear ineligible. III we
are to deliver message as Christians VIC must
face the riddles of life and consider how others have
faced them" These words are the Key 10 Inc
Gospel Of Life" by Brooke Foss Westcott. ID. De-
Bishop Of Durham Macmillan CO... who has already
achieved fame as great biblical critic. Or. WcNtcott
discusses with singular candOr and deep religious
insight some of the inscrutable problems OF human
life and their relation to the thought Of God, ms re-
vealed in Christianity. An especially valuable sec
ton Of the book l. that relating 10 the religious be-
lefs OF the pre- Christian nations and their relation
TO Christianity. Altogether, the book is one that
will repay a careful pcrusa Those who Hike TO have
Ill their religious problems and difficulties solved
for them OF hand will bc disappointed In II, Tor
Dr. Wes,cou is at too honest and too learned
To ignore difficulties which cannot be removed B"'
be shows that ut least no other religion has thrown
so much light the problems of life rs has Chris
tianity.
A. c. Armstrong & son issue two more volumes
Of the EXpcsltors Bible" the second volume OF the
"Acts OF the Apostles by the Rev. q. T. Stokes
lessor G. G. Finday. DR.. Stokes. who Is professor
In the University Of Dublin, gives most satisfactory
exposition OF the Book OF the Acts covering, as II
does the most critical period in the history OF TIE
infant Church. The reader may be reminded that an
expostory commentary has nothing 10 do with crt
c,sm. 1t simply brings out the facts In the Bible
which are most suitable for eXposiory or h0mietic
purposes. And this Professor Stokes does with great
success. Even his quotations from the fathers III
the footnotes are in plain English, his aim being 10
help the ordinary reader rather than to parade IFS
own learning. OF equal merit Is Professor flhdlaS
exposon OF the Eplstle to the Ephesians," one OF
,bo most dtfcult of all Paul's letters and requiring
sor It's explanation singular discrimination and clear
understanding Of Pau's idOsyncrases While ~ can
rot be said that the author has always been success
full In explaining the parenthetical and ehipucai
phrases with which the epstle aboundS' ne mas uohe
much to penetrate its spirit, ana MS eAplahn'on u
its ethical message will De useful TO all Chrisuan