The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-07-07
B O O X S
The Inside Of the Cup"


The novelist of established reputa-
ton exerts so wide an influence that
II becomes his duty to write with a
purpose 10 make use OF the power he
has gained. For this reason 1t is with
especial interest that we should con.
slider book like Winston Churchill's
latest novel, The Inside OF the Cup.
Nor do we find II lacking In the pre-
sentation of n real problem OF con
temporary life. Many of his readers,
no doubt, are disappointed that II
deals with a religious theme. That
disappointment is TO be expected In
view of the fact that the novel-read-
ing public is recruited so largely from
polite society In which religion is
not suitable subject for serious dis
cussion.
The central figure OF the story is
John Holder, young minister OF
m"cn ABILITY who, after having been
buried for several years following
his graduation in rural parish, is
suddenly called TO occupy the pulpit
of st. Johns. large city church His
new charge is supported by wealthy
members whose business ethics are
distinctly pragratic rather than Chris
tian. For he Hrst time he comes face
to face with the problem of class dis
Injections and what should be the
church's attitude toward them He is
we'll received, however, and becomes
friend of Eldon Darr. his chief par
ishioner, and a national financial fig
ure. ~
Gradually Holden comes 10 feel the
need of applying the teachings OF
Christianity 10 current industrial and
social questions. As a result his SER
mons give offense to the powerful
members Of his church because OF
their "socialistc" tone
In the meantime he learns also TO
appreciate the viewpoint of a group
of educated, earnest persons who have
no longer an unquestioning faith in
the theological dogmas of the church.
The challenge 10 prove the vitality
of his religion and its ability-ro meet
modern conditions comes TO him es-
pecially strongly from Allison Parr a
girl who frankly renounces religion
as II is practiced by her wealthy
father
The attempt TO make his religion
practical brings on an irreconcilable
breech between him and bis leading
parishioners. and at the same time re-
suits in his loss Of faith in the inelas-
tic dogmas of his church.
Instead. however. of being swept
away completely. he catches a new
vision of Christianity which satisfies
those earnest persons who were out
of sympathy with his orthodox min
istry and even appeals to Allison
Parr.
The plot Of the story In many OF
its details is conventional-alm
trite. in fact For instance. while
Holder is losing his bearings and
finding himself again, so TO speak, he
is sustained largely by friendship with
Horace Bentley. a man who before ne
was shorn OF his wealth by the shady
dealings OF Eldon Parr was member
Of ST Johns. and who. after dropping
his church connections. spent his life
helping the poor and unfortunate.
Again, Parr. for the sake of pride.
buys off a poor uneducated ship girl
with whom his son is madly in love;
an action which proves the wrecking
Of both their lives
But between the spiritual tribula-
lions OF Holder and the vain search
for a satisfactory philosophy of life
made by Allison Parr who is herself
successful landscape architect. the
question raised is deeper than relig-
ious in the accepted superficial sense.
II is the old. old search for the phil
osophers stone restated; query for