The Washington herald., 1908-02-23
THE WORLD OF BOOKS
LITERARY GLEANINcs AND GOSSIP


The Man of Gaiilee.
"The Man of Gaiilee: A New Inquiry. -
by George r. Vending, is an outgrowth
of this authors lectures on modern doubt
which have attracted wide attention on
the platform of various lyeeums 1t is
well that this handsomely printed volume
should have for its subtitle "A New In
qury' for indeed Mr. Vending has ap-
preached the subject Of the divinity OF
Jesus Christ from a new point OF view,
which strikes one not only with its rea-
sonableness. hut is convincing because of
the sincerity Of the argument There has
been. within the past generation. a world
Of literature in the field Of wbat is known
as 'the higher criticims." and with the
advent of Darwin, TyndaH, Spencer.
Huxley, and Wallace and the revolutions
they wrought in the domain of physical
science and in the field Of mental and
moral philosophy. 1t seems that the old
theology was very near to shipwreck.
1t is well always to get back to first
principles. and recognizing that much
of the higher criticism based on scientific
discoveries cannot be mgnored. Mr.
Wendling goes back 20 the one question
upon which the whole fabric of Christian
ity is reared. a decline of faith. he points
out, is not a decline in belief as to the
admirable ethics Of the New Testament,
or about the beautiful. even nlatchless
character OF the Nazarene. If there has
been decline OF faith. it has been simply
in the divinity Of Jesus Christ and as
Mr.. Vending says
The men and women cf to-day who believe there was
mysterious manifestation Of God Himself that moved
for season among men the living CHRIST. they
have no doubt whatever Of the sIhiciency 0f the
Bible. and they need argument 10 lead them into
that cooperative effort which results IN the church
Hence. the paramount question Is to-day. and always
viii be. the supernatural character OF the great Cali
lean- The inspiration Of the Bible the doctrine Of a
future state, and other problems which perpex the
seeker after religious truth are all subordinate to
this question OF the divinity Of Jesus Christ they
fasten themselves 10 IL and range themselves about
IT, as a spiral stairway IS attached 10 A massive
column, leading up into clouds Of doubt and
darkness OF u9 into the sunlight.
The inquiry which Mr. Vending under
takes is necessarily interviewer with
many old and familiar arguments; il
touches some undevelOped chapters in
the life OF Jesus; lays considerable
stress on internal evidence and seeks 20
place the controversy as to His natural
origin on a broader basis: and is be-
sides. a study in psychology and In COM
parative religion.
Mr.. Vending examines critically into
the mental life of Jesus Christ, and sub
Jecting the mental processes and the gen
erai scope DOise. and strength OF His
intellect 70 the same dispassionate and
judicial analysis with which we appraise
Plato's philosophy or form a critical es-
innate of Shakespeare's genius. he hnds
1t impossible to escape the conviction that
IN the presence o. the Great Gallean we
are face 10 face with the most majestic
mind the world has ever known.
In chapter devoted 10 Mental Char
acteristics" AIr Vending shows that
throughout His life there are no periods
Of mental uncertainty. He never con-
lectures. He is never afraid of going
too far. He has no intellectual curiosity
He always speaks with the uncompromis-
ing authority Of eternal Omniscience.
Il IS not for us here to go at length into
the arguments so ably presented, so
logically put, by Mr.. Vending. Arguing
purely from q human standpoint. and
using Unanswerable logic which appeals 10
the finite mind. the result of his volume
is TO convince all who read il of the d.
vinity of the Son of Man. He fears.
perhaps, that some Of the arguments
used 10 support the claim Of Christianity
may be used also to support the claims
OF the feNglonS or the Orient. He does
not regard this altogether as misfor-
tune, for he points out that the Oriental
religions are true religions containing
much truth. But the Man Of Galilee
taught all truth.
He taught the great simple truth Of
Buddhism-purity and self-denial; He
taught the high morality Of Confucius;
He taught as did Mahomet. the existence.
unity. and the Omnipotence Of one God.
He accepted the divine legation Of Moses
and recognized the exalted mission Of the
Jewish race. but TO all these things He
added the divine element which has made
Christianity the vital force for good which
It has beer in the world
This is O. volume that should be placed
into the hands Of every young man who
in the daWning Of superficial knowledge
begins TO ieel the agony Of doubt as to
the reality Of Christianity. 1t IS a work
so simple and plainly written that its
arguments force home conviction. Its
style is pleasant 20 read and easy TO alb
sorb. and the ingenuity OF its arguments
must appeal 20 ell who have the power
10 reason It is a work that will shine
as a bright light in the darkness of the
days of modern unfaith. washington.
d. c.: Alcock Publishing Company.