The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1914-01-15

lNSlON CHURCHlLL'S la
" est work, "The Inside of IL
Cup" is a study, undo
the form of fiction, of the church
relation to modern conditions.
is probably the most noteworth
piece of fiction in this partis
ular field since the publicatio
of Robert Elsmere." Like tn
author of "Robert Elsmere," Nh
Churchill selects as his central char
acter clergyman whose mind has no
yet become stereotyped, and traces hin
through the processes of a disinte
grafton of traditional faith and re-
adjustment of newly evolved faitl
to modern views. The analysis OF
this process af partial emancipation
Is set forth with vividness and copi-
lsness that raises this book far above
lost of the fiction of the day. "The
aside of the Cup, roughly speak
e, may be said to present a study
two phases of the modern reli-
lous problem--the church's relation
society at large, and the church's
lation to modern criticism.
The author gives the inmost
oughts Of his hero with a direct
ess and completeness that forms
be central core of the novel. The
ev. John Holder, full of faith and en-
husiasm, comes to take charge of
city church, built and en-
lowed by a rich man who has ac-
Iuired his wealth in the orthodox
ashton of fiction-by the predatory
Methods sanctioned by law and the
Methods of modern business. The
oor do not attend this church; and its
forts seem to have no bearing upon
he problems of crime and poverty
'hich fiout themselves at its very
oors.
This anomaly preys upon Holders
lind and set up a train of question
lgs which leads to the collapse, one
fter another, of the pillars of his
nth. The clergyman is forced to
* himself whether he can remain
his post. At first he is disposed
answer the question with des-
airing negative; but influences in
Ice him to seek a reconstruction !
hich will bring his preaching and ;
ideals into harmony with the work
uplifting the fallen and helping the j
or.
Concurrent with his stury of social l
ndltlons goes study of that mass |
biblical and historical criticism 9
lich had remained, for the most I
TT, sealed volume to him in the 4
US of his university career. Scru- n
IS standing in the way of a candid c
examination of the questions in a
lived are put aside. Mr.. Holder l
1es a resurvey of the field in the p
npany of the higher critics. He 4
,ertains that the educational insti- c.
ion that has given him his clerical D
lining was sort of factory for the a
of certain convictions
the modes of expounding and de- IL
ding those convictions. These con- tC
lions having given way, his mind p
time is at sea and without u
der. OF
1t the same time certain construct %
influences are at work. His inner :,
lights are receiving the compelling "
sction of two positive personali- :.
among his friends-Horace Bent "
embodying the spirit of disinter-
I'd philanthropy, and Allison Parr -
'odying the spirit of truth-seeking ~
revolt against conventions. AL y,
with these forces is his study of ~
reconstructed statement of reli- eo
| afforded by the writings of Will -,
James and Josiah Royce. -
no
odder Games out of the struggle e.
! reconstructed religious belief al
fresh vision of the mission of 80,
church, both of which he decides 60,
nforce from the pulpit. He meets
situation with unfinching cour- ~,
and faces the antagonism of the ov,
persons who first called him to co;
oh the old doctrines in the old ~
and to ignore the conditions that NO
set up his train of doubts. At 10,
lose of the book the author leaves a.
Zero in the thick of the fight with tha
suggestion that success promises 80
own his efforts. ~,
lie really vital part of the book fict
ne attempt at reconstruction ano
aith. The author claims to give her