The San Francisco call., 1910-09-18
TIE.
FIRST BULL ELEPHANT =
Thomas a Kempis'
Imitation of Christ


Edited with Introduction and notes by Brother
Leo, r. s. c.. professor OF English literature
In st. Mary's college, Oakland, Cal. Pub
Hshed by the Macmillan company, New York
and San Francisco. Price % cents.
This latest addition to the well
known series of Pocket Classics pub
lished by the Macmillans represents
what, for the average reader, must
prove the most serviceable and con-
venient version OF The Imitation
that has thus far appeared in English
The translation. following closely the
authentic Latin manuscript of 1441,
makes smooth reading with just a sug-
gestion of the archaic flavor TO be ex-
pected In the work Of a medieval monk
and scholar.
Brother Leo's introduction contains a
mass or information concerning
Thomas Kempis and the brothers of
the common life that heretofore has
not been accessible to the ordinary
reader. The biography sof the author
monk enables US to reconstruct in
measure the life of the times in which
he lived and out of which his master
piece lowered. The editor also traces
the various sources ofs"The Imitation"
and tho influencing agencies that were
brought to bear upon a Kempis as
result OF 10 years sojourn in the
monastery Of Mount ST. Agnes in Hol-
land
The present edition OF THE Imitation
of Christ" has been prepared from
literary and educational viewpoint
rather than from the purely devotional
outlook. A section Of the introduction
deals with 1.-The Imitation" as a com
mentary on life. In the course of which
the editor rather pertinently remarks:
:" The Imitation of Christ must be
read from the viewpoint from which it
was written. This is the only sensible
and fruitful method of reading any
book. There Is Omar Khayyam. His
point Of view. shaped by his Book OF
verses underneath the bough,' his Jug
of wine and his warbling thou may
not be your point of view but whether
or not you ultimately adopt his attitude
toward men and life, you must to read
the 'Rubaiyat' with discernment adopt
his views for the nonce. Similarly, to
read Alright The Imitation of Christ to
grasp the meaning of it's authors COM
ments on life, you must don in spirit
the white habit of the canons of ST.
Augustine and look out upon the world
with the eyes of faith through the mar
row cloister windows of Mount ST.
Agnes"
AS rule. religious treatises do not
rank high as works of art. Among the
few exceptions. however, the master
piece of Thomas a Kempis stands alone.
For some 500 years it has been read and
reread by all sorts and conditions of
men. Catholic and Protestant. Jew and
gentle, believer and atheist. all have
admitted it's strength, experienced It's
consolation, yielded themselves to its
fascinating sway. And why?
The secret of O Kempis' power"
writes Brother Leo, was his sympathy
for his fellowmen Knowledge alone
does not suffice. The cynic who points
out our weaknesses and our follies. and
5eers at them and at us, undoubtedly
possesses knowledge; but no cynic who
was merely cynic ever produced a
book of abiding worth. Besides knowl-
edge of men, the great writer's in
variably reveal a profound sympathy
for and with men. They recognize
themselves as a part of the world they
portray, as sharers in the common lot.
as partakers OF humanfty's sorrows and
humanity's joys. They look into their
own hearts, and write"
Here we have the explanation OF the
curious influence exerted by "The Inf
tation OF Christ over men and women
far removed from the time and the life
of a Kempis. 1t is at once suggestive
and anomalous that what is perhaps
the strongest tribute TO The Imita-
ton" that ever appeared dn English
came from the pen of George Eliot. In
understanding of human nature, in
sympathy with human nature. the monk
and the woman were on common
ground.
To bestow praise at this late day on
Thomas a Kempis would SAVIOR of i'm
pertinence, for when all is said his
masterpiece remains for all time his
crowning achievement. On the other
hand. II would be indelicate and un-
necessary to felicitate the professor of
English literature in st. Marys college
on this unique contribution to the
world classics. Let it suffice to say
that this book. written by a monk of
the fifteenth century and edited by a
monk of the twentieth century, de-
serves the cordial reception it is GER
tain to receive