New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-21
THREE NEW BOOKS
FOR TRUTH SEEKERS

THE CHURCH ENCHANTED. BY william A. X
GOODWIN. as pp y. p. button Co.
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH. BY
Psnl Moore Strayer. 3o5 pp. The Macniilsh
Company.
SOME CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS. By Henry
sloane Cofsn 222 ~. Yale University Pres
Amid the thousand conflicting and
consequently confusing issues OF these
DAYS. nothing quite so much en-
beartens him who earnestly and con-
scientiously seeks for an unravelling
of the completing system of opinions
which has been woven about the place
Of the Church in the life of the world
as a bold and soulful delineation OF the
Church itself and the message 1t was
sent TO announce and explain.
There has likely never been pre-
sented to the Church in such close con-
nection more clear statement OF the
Church's relation TO the world or a
more inspiriting analysis OF the
Church's message than that found IN
the three books, the titles of which APP
near at the head of this article,
whether they he taken together or
separately.
That the Church has felt the handi-
can of the limitations which are mani
testify of its own making there can be
no question; that a read ustment or re-
construction of Itself is imperative no
one who is a dependable member OF the
Church will try TO deny. and that It's
message. however old, certainly has a
more immediate and life-engendering
connection with the life of our day
than many have been willing TO allow,
no truth loving adherent can happily
doubt.
Mr.. Goodwin, the altogether thought
ful benefactor of the Church of our
time. has written as becometh a true
prophet, who seeks TO bring back again
his own people from the shackles OF
other kingdoms, and who strives
against the encroaching enslavement
which is the essential fruit of the
alignment with that altogether foreign
foe which is the personiiication Of self
satisfaction and contentment with
things as they are"
1t is a rare coincidence that from out
the same city of Rochester. and from
the pen of a fellow minister of Mr..
Goodwin, Mr.. Strayer should write the
equally strong appeal to the thinkers
Of the modern Church on the theme Of
the need within the Church for pro-
gramme OF efficiency commensurate
with its appointed place in the accom-
plishing of its share of the worlds
work. The author of "The Reconstruc-
ton of the Church." strong believer
in the reality of the spiritual life.
makes an undeniable plea for a trans
lation of faith in such manner as
will leave its imprint imbedded in phys
ical, moral and mental life as surely.
and no less positively. as many seek
to relate il to the spiritual life alone.
There are multitudes of seekers
after the truth concerning the funda-
mental doctrines of Gods relation TO
His world Dr. Coffin. author of Some
Christian Convictions" has not gone
far Of the mark. Neither has he failed
in making this quest much happier and
more easy Of accomplishment in his lat
est book, to which he very wisely gives
the subtitle "a Practical Restatement
in Terms of Present Day Thinking"
Splendidly and modernly homiletic,
"Some Christian Convictions" deserves
place among the first books 20 be
read this winter by the ministers Of
this city: and being couched in the
clearest and most readable style it will,
no doubt. be read by many more lay
men than have been readers Of relig-
ious expositions. {. w. W.