New-York tribune., 1903-04-16
NOTES.

The first part of the Rev. Alfred Mortimer's
new book, The Creeds" Oongmans. Green &
COB consists of historical studies of the three
greatest creeds OF ancient Christendom-the
Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian. The second
part comprises expositions and doctrinal inter
pretations Of the teachings of these documents.
The history Of them appears here not, apparent
" as q result of any considerable original re-
search by the author, but embraces rather
summary of the facts discovered and the opin-
sons held by the standard authorities. In con-
sidering the Apostles Greed the conclusions of
Caspari and Kattenbusch in many points agree
ing, are accepted by Mr. Mortimer. He seems
not 10 have been aware that this creed has re-
eeived its most thorough treatment at the hands
cf an American scholar. DR.. McGifert. whose
monograph anticipates all that he has written
The arguments of both these investigators make
this venerable document d product Of the first
half of the second century. and base it upon an
earlier symbol made at Rome, which in turn
developed from the baJtisnaI formula in
Matthew's Gospel.
DR.. Mortimer adopts the more recent view
that the Nicene Greed did not absorb and in
corporate the Constantinopolitan symbol point
ing out the historic separation Of these two doc
1frnents He confesses the difficulty of authen-
ficating the Athanasian Greed. which arose dur
ing the earlier Arian controversies, but regards
,ts authorship by Athanasius impossible The
conflicting views held by the different authori-
ties are given without any conclusive opinion
from the author. The expositions in the second
part Of the book are made from the standpoint
Of the dogmatic theologian. AS Chuch Of Eng
land divine. the author makes the rather sur
prising admission that the acknowledgment of
Apostolical Succession is not tracea bic beyond
the second century. He supports this doctrine,
nv curio1Is aSSur1rfiop oft he Doinf
disputed arguing that laymen cannot impose
clerical orders because they are laymen. AS he
expouncs the various articles Of the Greed at
length Dr. Mortimer incidentally gives them
considerable argumentative defence in behalf OF
the traditional positions usually supported by
loyal churchmen-
We have received from Samuel Buckley &
Co. agents IN this city for "The Burlington
Magazine" just started In London. the first
number Of that periodical It is a handsome
ouarto Of nearly one hundred and fifty pages
on the whole. the most sumptuous publication
Of the sort which has thus far issued from an
English press-and in its text and illustrations
giving promise Of work which readers inter
ested in art will not want TO ignore. Mr.. Robert
Dell IS the editor. and he has arranged to re-
ceive advice from consultative committee"
the members of which are nearly all well known
in England France and America The editorial
announcement which opens the first number IS
pitched IN a rather unfortunate key. II is pre-
tentious in tone and affected in style. But this
IS doubtless due 20 the nervousness of Mr.. Dell.
overwhelmed with g sense OF his responsibility.
and tu any case IL Is not what he has to say
about his venture that concerns US. but the
character Of the venture itself This is alto
getaer admirable. Mr. Berenson Is al MS best
In bis paper on Alunno di Donenico. another
reconstructed artistic personality like his
i, -o,co 4, sandro: and there are two other i'm
ro-.s,. contributions TO the criticism Of Italian
.r+ naner by Mr. Herbert p Horne on a lost
aadorstion of the Magi" by Botticelh. and a
y,ost ingenious essay by Miss c. J. Ffoulkes on
,be cate Of vincenzo Fopps's death M Emile
Nolinier begins In this number a series OF ar
,sclss on a subject which he. Of al men, is quail