New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-27
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.

THE PROBLEM or CHRISTIANITY.
Lectures delivered at the Lowell Insti-
tuition in Boston, and AZ Manchester
College, oxford. BY Josiah Royce,
j. Sc. CIniverslty, Of oxford, Professor
Of the History OF Philosophy in Har-
ward University. Vol. I: The Christian
Doctrine OF Life Vol II: The Real
World and the Christian Ideas. Emo,
PIP XVI, IS, vi, Az. Macmillan Co
Professor Royce's long continued
studies in defence and confirmation Of
metaphysical idcalism come to an i'm
posing issue in these volumes devoted
to the contemplation Of "the religion Of
loyalty" as a religion free from super
'stition and in harmony with a genu
inely rational view Of the world. Be
cause Christianity is, in its essence, the
most representative and, so far in hu-
man history. the most highly developed
example of the religion Of loyalty, DR..
Royce undertakes to eXplicate its lead
ing and essential ideas. ideas which
when properly exhibited. show no faint
Of superstition nor any indocilIty
toward that idealistic view Of the uni
verse according TO which all finite in
dividual lives arc REGARDED as con-
sciously recognized in the Absolute.
The central themes OF Christian faith
as brought under revisal by Professor
Royce are the doctrine of the Commu-
entity. historically represented by the
Church, the doctrine of the lost state
Of the natural man." and the doctrine
Of Atonement, with its implicate doc
trine Of saving grace Accepting these
rs the main deliverances of Christian
teaching, the author is concerned TO
inquire how far they meet the specih-
cations laid down for religion OF 10y
atty such as is called for when once
We are ready to follow 10 its conclusion
the logic Of an ideahstic philosophy.
How much is there in the ancient faith
that may be said 10 have indispensable
| uuality? Apart from officially dogmat-
ic consideration, and viewing it simply
as a product Of human evolution, is
Christianity a creed whose acceptance
by the modern person is consistent with
the lessons that, so far as we can yet
learn. the growth Of human wisdom
and the course Of the ages have taught
man regarding religious truth? What
ever the personal faith Of an inquirer
may he, he is bound TO bring TO the
question a sympathetic mind and the
seriousness and the striving for rea-
sonableness and for thoroughness due
TO every life problem wherewith human
destiny is inseparably woven. The
student. SAYS our author, must be just
to the fact that:
Ruth bv reason of its past history
and by reason of its present ana per
sistent relation TO the religious experience
and to the needs or men, 'hIIstidilitE
stands before us as the most eHectiNe
expression Of religious longing WnlCn tne
human race. Travelling i'm pain unlll now
has i'm its corporate capacity, as yet
been able 10 bring before it's imaglnalloh
"a a vision. or has endeavored TO trans
late. by the labor OF love, into the terms
Of its own life.
There were inspired men among the
Hebrew prophets who had visions OF a
common life wherein all mems good
would he each mans rule, and the
stoics also were able TO depict an ideal
community Of all mankind, but IT was
4 Paul who best interpreted the rich
meaning of the mighticst and amplest
IF all societies. In the Pauline doc
..trlne OF the Church, as DR.. Royce with
persuasive efficacy expounds IT, we