Evening star., 1916-06-25

carry this conviction across to the gem
eral reader the writer devotes this
volume to a study of socialism in its
modern aspects and aims. This study
describes the changes that have come
into the socialist theory and program
since it's revolutionary origins. changes
similar to those that have come to all
great movements. through the modify
ing influence of the present sum and
direction of events. He meets. in a
fair spirit of concession, the familiar
objections to the doctrine of socialism.
clearing up. SO far as he is able to do
this. the most conspicuous of the mis-
conceptions surrounding it. Among
other topics considered in this connec-
tion is that of the great war as a So
cializnE force, great cooperative
movement. not in the field alone. but.
more pointedly and directly. in the
temporary state control of certain in
dustries and the means of transporta-
ton 1t is this gradual working to-
gether. this imperceptible trend toward
socialism. that the writer emphasizes
in this study. Presenting this move
ment as the deepening and broadening
of civilization in social and economic
and political lines. as a manifestation
If our profoundly changing sense or
human values, DIR. Sellars projects this
progress into a logical forecast of 1
universal democracy. The advocates
of socialism taken together create con-
fusion in the mind of the lay reader.
1t may he that they themselves are
not clear in their views. 1t may be
that the various views are not prop
erly co-ordinated. One is of the opinion
that Dr. Sellars' study will clear up
much of this misunderstanding by rea
son of its intimacy with the essence of
the doctrine, its rejection of the out
Worn and useless parts of it. and its
recognition of the socialist elements
that are already operating successfully
in many parts of our common life.
Personal RECOLLECTIONS OF Ar
RAHAN LINCOLN. BY Henry e.
Fort Newton, author of Lincoln
and Herndon." etc. Illustrated New
York: q. p. Putnams Sons.
All. did You once see Shelley plain.
And did he stop and speak to you.
And did YOU speak To him again:
How strange II seems. and new
II is with Rrowning's same sense Of
wonder that one reads these personal
intimate recolfections of Lincoln by
Henry Rankin. Having taken his place
in the little group of earth's greatest
men. Lincoln by this act becomes in
fnitely more aloof. more remote from
us than the mere half century of his
personal absence could render him. SO.
before one has had time to make his
computation, il seems incredible to
have Lincoln within the easy intimacy
of any man among us Righting him
self promptly, one moves gratefully
into this free neighborhood of friend
ship with Lincoln which MIR. Rankin
has opened by virtue of his special
privileges as a boy near to Lincoln,
as young student in his law office,
as lifelong friend and ardent follow
er. And the book sums to a treasure
house of "reminiscences where Lincoln
is the dominant figure. Here in his
home setting one sees him in the ease
and accessibility of his manners. in his
homely wisdom. in his public spirit,
in his useful though at that time lin
tied service. Here are his friends, men
ano women, his law partners, with
whom he mingles all unaware of the
distinctions of his future. of the great
ness and durability of his fame. Here
are anecdotes and incidents and scenes,
all Illuminating. and all given in the