The New York herald., 1922-12-24

VI lue more uOldDIe
".
Somewhat more philosophical and crit
ical but still measurably within the folt
are such careful studies as those which
make up the volume, The Christian
Faith" (Dutton), edited by DR.. C. F. Nollotf
of oxford, q symposium by various British
professors and other scholars on religion
and philosophy, the bible and Science,
comparative religious study. the value,
Of the Old Testament, evidences of Chris
tianity. ethics and social problems. In thi.
class also may be listed such books as "Th,
Church and the overcoming Kingdom o
God" by the Rev. Elijah Z. Kresge, who i:
chairman of the committee on Education
OF the Social Service Commission of the
Reformed Church-a plea for a "sancti
fled democracy by a return to the teach.
ings of Christ: Spiritual Energies in Daily
Life by Rufus NJ. Jones. of HaverforC
College, and 'The Freedom of tn,
Preacher" by DIR. William Pierson Mer.
rill. Of the Brick Church." New York, al
issued by Macmillan.
Theological Seminary and one of the pas
tors of the First Presbyterian Church Of
New York, has drawn the lightning o
criticism by his 'liberality' His position
is clearly stated in christianity anC
Progress" CRevelD, wherein he pleads fol
certain modernism at least equal Il
recognizing the facts of progress. but hs
Al
ton to any such extent. as for instance
DIR. Mcconnell or Dean Inge.
V.
keener study of the problems Of
ethics is natural concomitant of liber-
allied religious thought. Noteworthy con-
tributions in this field are ''The Mora
Life and Religion" by Professor Jane:
Ten Brooke. of McMasters University
Toronto (Macmillan), which regards NOR
ais and religion as biologically forms o
behavior in response to environment, anC
finds. in brief, little essential distinction
between morality and religion adequately
conceived" and 'sThe Theory of Ethics.
by Arthur X. Rogers (Macmillan), which Il
an empirical search for a basis of dut!
i'm the psychology of the individual, find
ing it partly in certain negative emo
tional restrictions on the positive life o.
desire They serve TO illustrate the diff
ficulty Of building a system of ethic:
without some divine sanction; it can b'
done, but it will leave the average mar
with a chilly feeling. Here may be added
What Is There in Religion?" by Henry
Sloane Coffin. of the Madison Avenue
Presbyterian Church; Matter and Spirit.
by Prof James Bissett Pratt, of William.
College. and 'The Religion of Science.
by Prof William H. Wood, Of Dart
mouth. DR.. Wood is perhaps guilty o
forcing his title somewhat. as his thesis
is rather that religion and science canno
be identified, and that the roots of relig
ion lie outside the sciences. For anything
that may accurately be termed a religion
of science we must still turn to such mel
Thomson.
VI
OF wider popular interest is the larg,
number of books dealing with social anC
economic problems from the standpoin
of the Church. or of a possible new
church. The compact little booklet OF
christianity and Economic Problems
put out by the Association Press. editet
by Kirby Page is an interesting practica
attempt to get busy 1t aims to be
discussion group text book" dealing will
poverty industrial unrest and their pos
sible cure in Christian economic order
Prof William Adams Brown. of UnioI