The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-25

What is Religion? and other new articles
and letters. BY Lyof N. Tolstoi. Au-
thor1zed edition. T. Y. Crowell 6 Co.,
New York 60 cents.
Tolstoi always forceful whatever else
we may say about him, is seen here in
one OF his most Characteristic attitudes
stern adherence to what he thinks is
right fearless denunciation of what he
thinks is wrong, and able in exposition
Of the tenets Of his creed Of religion
philosophy-politics. Whether or not we
Hgree with him in that creed is quite be-
side the situation; the spirit of religious
liberty should give every man hearing,
5 especially when that man is OF the Toll
Btoi dimension.
It will be remembered that he was ex-
communicated from the Russian Church,
few months ago, which fact lends color
Z and purpose to. the present book. The
leading article q fines Religion as the
esta blishment by man Of such a relation
to the Infinite Life around him, as, while
connecting his life with this 1nfinitude
+ and directing his conduct, is also in
agreement with his reason and with hui
man knowledge Upon this basis Of q
religion founded upon reason he stands
daily. although such position has often
been found shifting sands. Reason was
termed the source of error" he says
again. land the Gospel was interpreted
not as common sense demands, but as
; those who composed the church desired. :"
!. Nevertheless, In view Of his present be-
lie1s. which question many OF the funda-
mental truths o. LIE Bible one does not
see how his church could avoid refusing
him the sacrament; for he follows Vol
& taire at more than one point, while yet
adhering to the true religion, that IS.
a true relation to the source Of all
1 God.''
st OF scarcely less Import, though much
shorter article. is the succeeding paper
..On Religious Tolerance Here he
sounds the note Of the prophet-and the
iconoclast. Then come a score Of essays
and letters. not one of which is without
its interest. Nearly all of them are of
theological trend. We cannot give the
bent of his mind better than by quoting
once more from the author, where he
takes issue with Coleridge and says: IT
began by loving my Orthodox faith more
than my peace; then loved Christianity
more than my church; and now I love
the truth more than anything in the
world. And until now the truth coin
cides for me with Christianity as I'M
derstand it; and I profess this Chris
tianity, and in that measure in which
I do profess it peacefully and joyously
live and peacefully and joyously am ap-
preaching death
Nature-Study Leaflets Issued by the
Hampton Institute. To be had free by
addressing the Nature-study Bureau,
Hampton Institute. Hampton, Va
That progressive institution, the Hamp-
ton Institute. has inaugurated successful
~ the publication during the year of a
series of ..Nature-Study Leaflets for
Southern teachers and children that are
CIV oil i,,fa
The idea of the originators, according
to Mr.. J. e. Davis, is that the children of
our schools are growing up without see
ing the things that they look at. Every
day as children go to school they pass
hundreds of things that are worth exam
lining. but they seldom give one of these
things thought. In the South, where
fields and roads are not often covered
with snow or ice, there are objects of in
terest to be found out of doors all win
ter long. All these are proper subjects
Tor nature-study.
The leaflet tells how to make all this in
teresting to the original young mind with
precision. yet without tresomeness. They
explain the great good in training its at
temptivcness and to its health, that come
to the child from nature-study. For In
stance, tho first leaflet Is devoted to "A
Child's Garden" contributed by Emily
Heron: practical. yet dainty little study
Of how to make the humblest cabin bright
With easily-found vines and flowers. The
second leafet is a description by Nettye
Blanchon. of How Seeds Travel"
The officers of the institute under whose
direction these leaflets are issued are II.
B. Frissell, principal; Alexander Purves,
treasurer, and the following staff OF pro-
fessors: c. L. Goodrich, director Agri-
culture Department: W. S. Sweetser.
chemistry and animal industry; Rosa u.
Cooley. nature-study; Ethel B. Gowans.
nature-study; Addie Joynes. nature-study;
Amy Treadwell. nature-study; c. Frances
Butler. nature-study; Jean z. Davis, in
charge Of bureau.
AT Large, Novel BY 2. ". Hornung.
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.
<l.59. The Bell Book and Stationery
Company.
The situation which is presented in the