New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-15
RELIGIOUS LITERATURE.

There is much that is suggestive In THE Great
Poets and Their Theology" by President Strong OF
the Rochester Theological Seminary. american
Baptist Publication Society. Philadelphia or
course poets are not conscious theologians; If they
were they would cease to be poets. But the very
character of their message TO the world forces them
to take note Of those aspirations and hopes in the
human heart that may be called religious. HOW
this is true Of nne representative poets OF human
fly. Homer. Virgil Dante Shakespeare. Mlltoh'
Goethe Wordsworth, Browning and Tennyson' IL
well shown by DR.. Strong in this volume which SO
far II goes. IS admirable commentary on these
poets. The society also brings out another volume
OF Its Peoples Commentary series. that on the
"Epstles to the Romans and the Corinthians oy
the Rev. DR. George w. Clark. The Commentary
which is popular in character. is admirably uc-
signed to meet the needs OF busy working pastors
and Sunday-school teachers.
The Macmillan Company brings out TWO note
worthy books By Professor Wilhelm Wundt OF inc
University of Lcipsic namely, The Facts OF the
Moral Life" translated by Professors Julia
CULVER OF Rockford College. and Bradford fitch
ener OF Cornell University. and Ethical systems
translated by Professor Margaret Floy Washoufh
Of Wells College The first volume Is an attempt 10
establish ethics upon empirical foundation. IN
opposition TO those who say that morality Is
question Of race climate or time. The author
works out his thesis with that elaborate thorough
ness characteristic Of the German mind. But ne
just misses proving his theory, for the simple rea
son that II is OF those things that cannot De
proved by mathematical demonstration professor
Wundts argument. however. is both helpful ana
timely Ethical Systems is a sequel TO the first
volume 1t is not only clear and cosent explica-
ton Of various ethical systems that have been
recognized by mankind, but contains Professor
Wundts classification of them by no means the
least valuable feature Of the volume. Both DOCKS
are furnished with copious indexes
The Evolution Of the Idea of God" by Grant
Allen Henry Holt & Coz. is an inquiry into the
origins Of religion. The author attempts 10 answer
the question How did arrive at our knowl-
edge OF God?' by tracing the growth Of the relig-
ious concep, from the lowest fetch!sm up to
Christianity. He does not attempt 10 decide whether
or not this religious evolution was valid or Invalid
but only TO show that religion as a fact in human
history can be accounted FOR without recourse 10
the deus ex machina. There is not perhaps, a
great deal OF original thought IN the book, for the
subject has been pretty well threshed out by the
rego- scientific thinkers Of the present generation
But II gathers together in convenient compass Ill
that can be said the subject While sincere
Christians cannot be expected 10 accept tho au-
thor's point Of view they Will find much IN this
book that is both stimulating and suggestive
William Cleaver Wilkinson who wrote The Epic
Of Saul" some time ago, has now written The
Enic OF Paul" which the Funk & Wagnalls Com
pany issue. It's design is to present living por-
trait OF this great Apostle TO the Gentes' ana re-
fex Of his central and most characteristic teach
ing 1t is written in blank verse. which is nearly
always stately and is often musical But a re-
ugious epic of % pages IS likely TO discourage all
but the inner circle of readers who find It both
duty and pleasure to read anything and every
thing that relates TO religion.
The first volume Of THE Expositors Greek Tesla
ment" edited by W. Robertson Nicoll, has just
been issued by Dodd Mead & Co.. and II deserves
to take its place at once among the indispensable
books OF the Biblical student. 1t covers the four
Gospels the commentary on the synoptc Gospels
being written by Professor Alexander Balnan
Bruce OF Free Church College. Glasgow, and that
on the Gospel OF ST. John by Professor Marcus
Dois. OF New College Edinburgh. These names
are guarantee Of thorough and reverent scholar
ship; and since the monumental work of Dean AL
ford was issued nothing better than this exegesis
of the Greek text of the Gospels has appeared
chose who consult II may feel certain OF finding in
II the latest and most approved conclusions Of
Christian scholarship concerning the fourfold Cos
pei. The same publishers Issue "A Guide to Bib
lical Study" by Professor A. S. Peake, Of oxford
with an Introduction by Principal Farbairn No
guide 70 the study OF the Bible is good except IN
far as 1t suggests 10 the reader the necessity Of
G.xwing up his own rules Of study. and this little
volume is well calculated TO fulfil this function. be-
sides giving some helpful historical facts
Professor David S. schan. Of Lane Theological
seminary, has prepared a life, partly autobio
graphical OF his father the late DIT Philip SchaN
which is a faithful portrait OF that good and use
full man. II will BE read with interest by all who
loved and admired him IN HE; but Il would have
many more readers II It judiciousy con-
densed as might be without the loss Of anything
Of real value.
From Thomas Whitaker several books
that merit a word of comment. The deservedly
popular History OF the American Episcopal
Church" by the Rev. Or. s. d. Mcconnell, has
reached seventh edition. The author has care
fully revised IL and has added TO II sketch OF the
Episcopal Church since the close OF the Civil War.
where the work originally ended. Dr. Mcconnell
has made q close and sympathetic study Of
thorities and documents germane 10 his subject,
and tells his story In fascinating style. 1t Is the
best work Of the kind published. The Facts and
the Faith" by the Rev. Beverley Z. Warner. is an
attempt, only partially successful. 10 reconcile the
supernatural statements Of the Apostles Greed
with some OF the conclusions of ratonalsm Chris
tians arc likely 10 think that Dr.. Warner comedies
TOO much while rationalists Will say that he does
not oonoede enough. Character Through Inspra-
ton" by DR.. T. T. Munger, Is a helpful little bro
chure by highly cultured religious thinker.
prayers For the Christian Year and For Special
Occasions" By the Rev. DR.. Charles Il. Baker.
strikes the true prayerful key, while The Message
and the Messengers" by Professor Fleming James.
Of the Philadelphia Episcopal Divinity School.
fleets the true spirit Of preaching The author be-
neves that preachers need more thorough train
ing IN what he calls the art Of preaching. But,
after all the art Will be Of little avail 10 them
without the spirit which, It IS only fair 10 say.
he lays adequate stress.
THE COAL KING AT NEWPORT NEWS
Newport News Va. Jan. "A (speciaD-The barge