Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25
IDA GILBERT MYERS.

CHRISTIANITY PAST AND PRES
ENT. BY Charles Guignebert, pro.
lessor of the history Of Christian.
ity, University of Paris. New York:
The Macmillan Co.
~ RITICAL study OF the New
Testament has occupied this
author at the Sorbonne for
~ the last 20 years. 1t Is out OF
such study that "Christianity
Past and Present" has emerged for
the use Of the general reader. do
not pass this book by through the
fear that II is q discussion OF our re-
ligion as such. 1t Is not. Tine con.
tent of the Christian religion--its
form, or forms, Of belief, it's dogmas.
it's creeds, it's rituals, do not enter as
n part Of this examination. Rather
ia this an investigation of the history
of Christianity by a scholar trained In
scientific modes Of research. The au-
thor's aim Ia, therefore, to account Tor
and to describe the beginnings OF the
Christian religion, to trace the sue
cessive notifications sustained by 1t
under the influence Of general changes
in the life of the world itself, and to
describe the final destruction Of those
articles Of faith known to us under
the name Of dogmas. Here is q con-
crete study of the life Of one particu-
lar religion, our own. 1t Is concerned.
exclusively, with facts, with Wnat
these facts mean, with the results
that follow in their train. with the
connections that they in their course
make. One Of the chief points OF the
work is to show that religion, IKE
anv other organism, undergoes proc.
esses of change in adapting itself 10
changed environments OF time ana
outlook and aspiration. Upon exactly
the rational basis that marks every
other subject of historical inVestlga'
ton this author examines into the
rise and growth Of the Christian re-
licion, He shows that as in otner
living organisms this one also eiiIni'
mates worn.out parts taking hVe ma
terial into it's being assimilating II
there for healthy powers and uses. In
addition to such plain and req sonabie
treatment this study Is projected In q
manner of great simplicity ana charm.
Once engaged in the study or TINS
book the reader will abandon 1t only
for the moment and under the pres.
sure of work that must be done. II
is illuminating. 1t Is reasonable. l.
is based upon every known means VI
notification that scholarship has thus
far been able to find. All in all,
It IL a book worth every thoughtfui
mans study, from its beginnings in
the rise Of the Christian religion on
through its aspects in the Middle
Ages. and on TO the present in a criti'
cal examination of its outstanding
chara cteristics and significances.
FOLKS IS FOLKS. BY John Henry
Bartlett, author OF Spice for
Sueeches." New York: II. A.
Donohue & Co.
TOHN HENRY BARTLETT, former
y Governor OF New Hampshire, for
mer president United States Civil Serv'
ice Commission, now First Assistant
Postmaster General. is clearly IN
Folks Is Folks" taking a day OH
from official duties and dignities TO
smash and spatter around in the
nools OF early recollections that cen.
ter about a New England boyhood ana
youth. You may never have lived IN
rural New Hampshire. But II you
have lived In the country or the small
community OF any part of the United
States YOU recall certain men or wom'
en- whom you from your urban neisht
smilingly mention as characters,
rough products OF the soil that remain
unchanged. no matter what the new
ia shion in humans may success'Veiy
he. You recall certain sturdy atu-
tudes of mind and body. certain ia
vors of vernacular that have a spicy
charm Notwithstanding their lack or
conformity to the moderns. In Folks
Is Folks" Mr.. Bartlett has recalled
lust these characters. just these ways
and customs that were a part or ms
own boyhood up north. Mr.. Ford,
YOU remember, has been up through
New England collecting old furni'
ture, old inns and such like. SO mere
Mr.. Bartlett has been collecting per-
sonalities and customs for the sake
of keeping them wholesomely fresh
in the minds of all Of US. A bit OF q
preacher as we'll as collector, this man
of Puritan ancestry. So. no matter
what his theme, the sermon done, ne
adds the precept for admonition. For
instance. In a little discourse upon
the passion OF lying that possesses
people talking about the weather. ne
adds in conclusion and III the biggest
letters that the modest page size can
hold: avoid exaggeration." This Is
perhaps the best place to say that in
the matter of type MIR. Bartlett him.
self liz a prince OF exaggerators. For
his pages yell right out loud to every
passcr.by in the stentorian tones OF
many capitals. Indeed. this Is the
only bar TO a thorough enjoyment or
this sum OF good humor. good In
sight and worthwhile intent. So un.
usual Is the face OF each page that
for a second II loses Its likeness TO
the familiar printed page of every
ones experience. This popularity
overcome. the reader finds good en-
joyment In these pictures or early
town. meeting" days. OF the huskinE
bee with Its occasional read ear" and
tho reward TO It's finder. OF tho sugar
ing.off" days. OF country counting
not so different. I take it---of the re.
ligious man who was poorer jobs
turkey" and 80 on and SO on. through
a program that IL familiar 20 many
of us and 10 such Is n thoroughly en-
ioyable program.
THE HAPPY PILGRIMAGE By
Cora Harris. author ~ As a
Woman Thinks" etc, Illustrated.
Boston: Houshton. Miiiiin 20.
T IKE every other ascent. the upiitt
- OF Christmas IL bound 10 be fol-
lowed hy some sort and degree OF COM
ing down. When tho depression be-
gins To set In. read The Happy I'll
grimage' Of Cora Harris. II you have
not already done NJ. In either case,
plan an adventure NJ your own,
Within the lines OF possibility make II
An much like hers as YOU can. II.
however, you do not take the same
route. and you will not do that. YOU
may. IL YOU are among the lucky ones
OF the world. take it In the same spirit
an that which sent this woman cut
to new experiences and new astonish'
ments. Going around the world. her
hgh hopes sayiy declared. No. not
around the woeid. AZ matter W iact.
only out to the Pacific coast, Hut the
world itself. In people. In fresh out
faringa of the heart and mind, III new
friendships, in changed drifts or
thought. In everything that 'chahse
connotes. spread generously To THIS
rahuaf ana eatiant aIxAnturNr. IL IN