The morning journal-courier., 1908-07-13
HISTORICAL BIBLE
Excellent New Teaching Work from Pen of Professor
 Charles F. Kent.

All readers of Professor Rents books are accustomed to expect and find ade- quate scholarship and scientific meth cd, In this latest work the high stand ard of scholarship and thorough grasp of his subject are everywhere present
 This volume is the first of series which Is primarily intended for those interested in teaching, As such we know no other work equally satisfac- tory. Hitherto 1t has been necessary for those wishing to gain q knowledge of the results of Biblical criticism In this field to examine q vast number or authorities and plod through many weary debates. Professor Kent IS clearly on the side of the higher critics and sets before his readers in close and well ordered statements the latest achievements in this wide field. To the ordinary reader 1t doubtless seems very simple thing to write so brieiiy and clearly on topics which have been for long the battle field of many the orles, but 10 one who has had the slightest experience in this department of study the marvellous thing is that so much has been put In such concise and convincing form. The early history of the Semtes, their close relations with the surrounding nations, the pow erful influences which came to them from the old and mysterious civllza- tions of Babylon and Egypt are here stated so plainly that no one can es- cape from the feeling that here, In the large, is probably the real order ol events and the actual course the his- torlc forces took through those dim and bewllderng centuries. Many things remain as yet unknown, but further light will not to any marked degree change the outlines which are here sketched with such Il free hand ani ample knowledge,
 One of the most impressive features of the volume Is the way in which the author has revealed the overwhelming religious nature of man even in the earliest and dimmest centuries Of his history. Beneath the strange and ab- normal forms which are presented to us we see glimpses of truths which took centuries to work their way to clearness and to power, but they work ed with prevailing force and undying Itenacty through all those long ages of Ibarbarism and ignorance, the brute struggles of savage men. the iron tyr amy of mighty kingdoms and the gross perversions of the appetites and llusts of the ancient races of the world. Even In the earliest periods of mans history, where clear ideas seem want
 Ing there Is the play and passion of Iundying instincts which furnish a light of their own strange and confus- led they may be but real and q true light which in time grew into the dim dawn of that which we call the historic period of mans life 1t is the percep- ton of these great forces In the most primitive times which are so thorough fly recognized which seems to us one of the chiefest merits of this little book and forms the most fascinating pages
 of It's contents.
 The later and more familiar period:
 of the history have for the teacher ol
 the learner possibly more of interes
 and satisfaction and we would not wisl
 to place too much emphasis on the be Iginnings. But for those who arr
 deeply interested in the evolution o
 religion the far off beginnings of man.
 history will always have a charm ant
 wonder which the clear steps of de lberate and more scientific progres do not possess. For it Is in the seed and first beginnings of things that tn , future lies embosomed. The laws c , growth we understand in part but tn
 principle and origin of life whethe physical or spiritual dip the mind i wonder and surround the soul witt mystery as 1t strains the eye into tha . vast darkness which lies around tn
 cradle of the race and the untainte springs of human history.
 If the series to which this volume be longs maintains the hfEn quality of it , beginning it will fill place which ha hitherto been empty, and aid a vas number of people who are now onl stumbling in the darkness of old the ories, half knowledge and latent unbe , liefs