New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
: BOOK BY DR. MINoT J. SAVAGE.


kE PhSsENe b AN nnd dH saEase oo
favo pp sss q. P. Putnam's Sons,
In his treatment of the great essentials of
religion DR. Savage Sits such things cannot
survive the impact Of scientific. historical and
critical study from the great fundamental
truths. and gives us clearer view of those
things that cannot be shaken" He carefully dis
tinguishes between Religion and Theology. the
theory of religion Science. he asserts. has
had plenty OF warfare with theology" but he
protests shat there has been no warfare between
science and religion. He defines religion as
MANS eternal search for the secret Of life" He
discusses in this book Religions and Religion.
Gods and Cod ~Hells.'' Heavens, Saw
iours The Church Prayer" and Worship
one Of the strongest chapters is that on ''Sav-
iours" and while leading up TO the Saviour, the
Nazarene, he says:
Humanity is poor. and suffering for the want
II a million things that can never be attained
without the control Of the forces of production
vet So the creators Of wealth must take their
places among the saviours of men. Those who
have delved into the secrets OF earth and eN-
rlored heavens-these. IL they have forgotten re-
ligion phianthropy-no matter what else they
have done not done--if they have helped men
discover the truth. far they are among the
worlds saviours-
His first chapter on Religions has in it much
that reminds the reader Of IngersolTs state
rnent God is man made" but instead of pro-
ducing = shudder as of blasphemy. DR.. Savage
reduces his study of the religions of the peo-
pies Of al ages to 2 most devout recognition of
God, His power. His eternity, His love.
Many cobwebs are brushed away and many
standards set up truer foundations. In the
chapter on Heavens he says that people have
always been conscious that life did not meet
their Ideals and that for some reason, either
their own fault or some ones else. there were
Inequalities So there has sprung up natural
IL as flowers or grass grow in the spring be-
lief that somehow. somewhere, these inequalities
would be equalized-that people who deserve to
suffer would suffer. and those who should be
happy would be. With this well accepted and
not at ali brilliant hypothesis. the author shows
the heaven of the early races; of the Indian
quoting Popes well known 10, the poor Ind
'ian whose untutored mind sees God in clouds
.or hears Him in the wind which ends with the
coupiet But thinks admitted that equal sky,
His faithful dog shall bear him company'-of
the Orientals. the Mahometans the Greeks, and
so on down to the little girl who told that
she might have piano in heaven. it was
what her soul longed for-the little girl over
whom Elizabeth Stuart Phelps raised such
mighty discussion as TO the nationality of ad-
hitting harps into heaven, and not pianos,
which so many more people would be able TO en-
JOY. DR.. Savage is never fippant. this would
seem TO indicate. He seriously argues for a
heaven which viii satisfy longings and desires
which viii round out the life begun here and
perfect the soul. saying:
: believe that heaven will find free room and
scope for all that is best and noblest in us, and
a man. woman child who has contrib
uted TO the sweetness, the happiness, the beauty.
the glory, the health, the uplifting of human
life IN this world but Will find ample scope and
room for a thousand times grander contribution
TO the growth and development of the universe
over there.
In the discussion q prayer the author re-
marks: IF could accomplish results mere
~ by breathing Il prayer II would result in the
Generalization of the world. 1t would put pre-
MUM laziness and incapacity. II a farmer
should say, I viii not cultivate my crops. l will
lean on the fence and ask God TO do it; if an
engineer should not take pains to build his
bridge properly, trusting the train TO pass over
II safely because of the prayers of the friends
o. the passengers. would you not see the shall
iotrness Of this idea of prayer" Then follows a
lofty discussion of the proper use Of prayer,
It's efficacy and the need for it in the world. The
passing and the past religion he leaves behind
ard comes upon permanent truths which are
clearly stated and in a guise offensive 10 no one.