New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-17

COME RELIGIOUS BOOKS.

SOME RELIGIOUS BOOKS.
Ep Dutton & CO. bring out Essays and Ad-
dresses Religious. Literary and Social by fniIiips
BROOKS The volume which is edited by his brother.
the Rev John Cotton Brooks. will at once attract
ysnaraI attention and deservedly so; for II is al
most the first adequate picture presented 10 the
public Of Phillips Brooks. the religious ana soc'ai
reformer His place among the great preachers OF
the age has been pretty accurately determined
With the possible exception of Beecher he did more
+ban any American clergyman of the present gen.
Grafton 10 make the American pulpit known through
ont ChrisendOm. But those who read MS serH'ohs
will fail to find in them any discussion OF the prop
lens Of the day. Even the religious questions such
ms Biblical criticism with which Christians OF al
denominations so generally concerning them-
solves at present were hardly referred TO by him.
In preaching. he limited himself entirely TO the
ethical side Of life and except for certain large
ness Of view and catholicity Of thought that per
yaded his utterances in the pulpit. 1T would be hard
@o decide from his sermons 10 what ecclesiastical or
economic school Of thought he belonged.
The publication Of his delightful letters or travel
a few months ago gave the public picture of the
MIN as he in private life that was most VIII
ming But besides being a great preacher and
genuine man, Phillips Brooks was a religious and
social leader; and these essays and addresses de-
livered on various occasions, show us what ne
thought Of the many questions of modern life that
are pressing for an answer. Every essay and ad-
dress Is distinguished by that rich eXuberance OF
made Phillips Brooks unique among the religious
teachers of this generation. The rule-of-thui
theologans of his own ecclesiastical body VIII ma
much In the volume that will grieve and even nor
rfy them. But open minded Christians or ever!
name will in this collection of noteworthy utter
the truest picture of what Philips Broohs
his day and generation. as mouthpiece OF
its noblest thoughts and Hottest aspirations.
This seems to be an era of Biblical archaeology
Faith might almost pictured as waiting for the
news OF what the last spade has turned up IN 'he
ruins OF ancient Karnak. Nineveh or Babylon 20
many books. indeed. are being issued on this SUD-
feet that IT Is not easy keep track Of or to col
late them The latest that comes TO us Is entited
'.Studes in Biblical Archaeology Macman d
Coz, and is by Joseph Jacobs, Corresponding Mem
Der OF the Royal Academy OF History, MADRID
The author devotes himself especially to study
OF early Institutions in their relation TO the books
OF the Bible. He holds that the literary criticism
OF the Bible has about reached the end OF It's
tether in the reconstructions OF Genesis by Fripp
and Bacon, and OF the whole Hexateuch by Addis
AMI Holznger. Literary research has thrown
much light on the problems relating TO the Old
Testament But OF itself, II cannot solve those
problems That this be done in measure
however by the discoveries OF archaeology is
firmly believed by the author.
OF late years indeed. this field OF research has
been we'll covered by enthusiastic investigators In
SYRIA Phoencia and the Holy Land. Those VINO
this department OF Biblical study will find Dr.
Renzingers great work Hebrew Archaeology
very useful The researches OF Professors Rod
ertson Smith and Sayce and Professor Flinders
Petre at the ancient site of Lachsh should also
be consulted. This little volume of Mr.. Jacobs Is
itself we'll worth perusal. Some of his sugges-
lions are startling. as for instance those III REL
erence to the Indian origin Of the Book OF proverbs
But his views are presented with candor cearness
and ability: and while they may provoke CRITICISM
they will also suggest thought
Aaolph Moses writes a brochure entitled The
Religion of Moses louisville: Flexner Brothers.
70 prove that the basal ideas of Yahvism or Jeho-
vism originated in the inspired genius OF Moses.
He was the founder of the religion of Israel God
appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as I'll Shao-
dai: but to Moses first he revealed Himself by
His name, Yahve. or Jehovah The fahVisn tha'
Noses by Divine direction, formulated into a re-
ligion was, in the opinion OF the authors, uni
versal religion from the start, and the origin OF
all that is enduring and true In modern religion
and civilization.
Professor William Jones Seabury, Of the Episco-
pal General Theological Seminary, in this city, Is
the author Of IAN Introduction to the STUDY OF
Ecclesiastical Polity" (Crothers Korth). which is
designed to be authoritative statement OF the
Church" view OF ecclesiastical poity. The spirit
in which II IL written may be inferred from the
fact that in chapter on the right 10 the
name Church the author denies that right 10 nom
episcopal bodies, such Congregationalists,
Methodists, Presbyterians etc. His learned m
yestigations on the subject Of the Church's divine
nolitv are not disturbed or modified by any Of the
great upheavals Of thought that since the days OF
the Reformation have done so much TO monty
the traditional ideas of Christianity.
As didactlc writer, the Rev. DR.. J. r. Miller has
attained wide popularity. His last booklet. issued
by Thomas Y. Crowell Co.. is entitled Secrets
of Happy Home Life" Strictly speaking the author,
NJ course has no secrets to reveal this question.
But he puts the old ethical truths about happy
home life in a fresh and readable way.
.IIonoe Talks About the Word" for mothers and
children by Emily Huntington Miller Hunt
Eaton) have already appeared ser'ally In religious
Journal They once wholesome. reverent and
interesting The same publishers issue illustrative
Notes on the International Sunday School Les
sons for 1885," edited by Jesse Lyman Hurbut ana
Robert Remington Doherty. Their work mas peeh
done with great and the volume VIII be
useful handbook for Sunday-school teachers who
use this series OF lessons
THE Power Of an Endless Life" by the Rev
Thomas c. Hail. pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian
Church Chicago CA. c. McCluTg Coz. Is little
volume of nine sermons that reveal the preacher as
q man of spiritual insight and great cearness OF
thought There little theological statement In the
sermons so little indeed. that they give no indca-
,on OF the denomnatiOnal affiliations or the writer
Rut there is in them practical ethical impulse
which has become a dsting uishing note of present
dav Christianity and which Is doing so much 10
NH off the sharp angles Of the traditional theoogies
Tn tho preface Mr. Hall declares that the sermons
80 only nublished through the kind insstence OF
f,.,ds Rut they will be read with satisfaction by
many outside the preachers circle OF friends