RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2242, 31 August 1914, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

RECENT LITERATURE. DR. INGE ON MYSTICISM. Two striking articles on mysticism appear in the July number of the "Hibbort Journal" (Williams and Norgate). Olio is by tho Dean of St. Paul's (Dr. Inge) and tbo other by tho Hon. J3ertrand Russell. Tho Dean tells us that "this revived belief in the inspiration of the individual has immensely strengthened the position of Christian, apologists, who find their old fortifications no longer tenable against the assaults, on natural science and historical criticism. It has given to faith a new independence, and has vindicated 'for tho spiritual life the right to stand on its own feet and rest on its own ovidenoe. . . . The primary evidence for the truth of religion is religious experience, which in persons of religious fcenius—-those whom the Church, calls saints and a'clear perception of an eternal world of truth, beauty, and , goodness, • surrounding us and lionetrating us at every point." The Dean deals with the relative importance of mysticism and institutionalism in the religious life. Tho question, he-says, is largely one of temperament. ' Christianity has found room for both types, but ..the- aberrations of institutionalism have been, and aro, in the opinion of Dr. Inge, more dangerous, and further removed from the spirit, of Christianity than those of mysticism.' The Hon. Bertrand Russell, in an article entitled "Mvsticiam and Logic," deals with the philosophic aspects of the question.

Schweitzer as a Missionary. A very interesting paper is that jby ■ the Rev. W. Montgomery, describing the -missionary experiences of Dr. Schweitzer, the wellknown. German scholar, whose book entitled "The Quest of the- Historical- 1 Jesus"- caused much discussion a few years ago.-' ■ Dr. Schweitzer is now a medical missionary in Equatorial Africa. He brushes aside without hesitation the contention that it is 'a mistake to interfere with the customs of the noble savage. He 'writes: — '' • ' "It is impossible for Europeans to understand how cruel life is for the miserable beings who pass their days- in fear of being destroyed by fetishes and sorcerers. Only one who has seen this close at hand can realise that it is a duty laid upon us by the merest humanity to give -them a different outlook in life, and deliver them from their delusions, On this score the greatest sceptics, were I they once face to face with the facts, would become supporters of missions." A number of other subjects of great interest are dealt with in tlio July "Hibbert." Mi\ A. D. M'Laren writes on the present state of German Protestantism; the Rev. J. M. Thompson on "Post-Modernism"; Dr. L. T. Farnell oii "Tho Presence of Savage Elements in the- Religion of Cultured Races"; Dr. J. Agar Beet-on "The Hereafter in the Bible and in Modern The other contributors of articles are Archibald' Weir, Canon Adderley, Francis-Howe Johnson, James Cuunispn,, and Caasius J. Keyeer. Christianity and Hinduism. The July issue of the "International Koview-,of. Missions" (Oxford -University Press) is a decidedly interesting number. ' Tho various aspects of missionary work are dealt with by writers who are iu a position to speak with autuority on the subjects they write about. In an article on "The Relation of Christienity to Hinduism" Mr. J. N. Farquhar holds that-all-that is , best in the hopes and aspirations of- Hinduism are fulfilled in Christ. He says that "the idea that Christianity is the fulfilment of the ■religions of tho world is' not merely the whim of two or three miswontmes worlring in India fo-day, but is a thought which has been frflquentjy expressed by writers of many schools, although only m a sporadic way, as:the necessity of a theory'of rdatio'nship has .not been keenly folfc in ■Mβ past. ' A striking artiole by Father fechwager. explains what ho considers the essential differences between Protestant and Roman Catholic Missions. , Dr Snailer Matthews writes on "Missions and tlio Social Gospel," and in addition to a number of other papers', the Renew contains extracts from noteworthy articles iu recent periodicals, an<J reviews qf books bearing on mission, vjorli.

Between the Old and the New. 'Ono of the latest additions to the Home University Library (Williams andiVorgate) is a volume by Dr. R. H Charles, Canon of Westminster, on 'llDUgious Development Between the Old and Now Testaments." Dr. Charles is one of the lsading authorities on this ppnod of Jewish hastory, and ho succeeds in making, his subject extremely interesting to the ordinary reader. Until recent years tho period between the Old and.Now Testaments 3ms been much neglected by scholars, and yet its literature thro .to a flood of light upon many New Testament problems. Many people seem to think that "the Old' Testament was closed in the fifth century 8.C., and that in the interval, between the fifth century and tho Now -Testament no divine voice had broken, the silence, no diviuo message beon 6ont to the faithful remnant of Israel, .nnd no development had beon achieved by the righteou , - , seekers aftor God in Palestine." Dr. Charles's littlo book showa in a, very striking way how erroneous -this view is. . Critics now tell that, the Old Testament was not ■ comploted until a much later date than that fixed by scholars of a previous generation. " This reduces the "period of silencfl" to something under two centuries, and recent -research shows that no such period ever oxisteciF In fact, "these two centuries were m many respects centuries of greater spiritual progress than .any two that had preceded them in Israel. ,, Dr. Charles makes .tile, period covered by his book live again, and shows the important Waring which the developments in religious thought and exporienco which then took place had an early Christian literature. Many interesting phases of recent New Testament criticism, such as those relating to prophecy.and'apocalyptic, the Kingdom of God, the- Messianic idea, and the doctrine of a futu.ro life are touched upon. Dr. Charles has succeeded in compressing a wonderful amount of interesting information/ into 256 pagss ■ "Difficult Words." "Difficult Words of Jesus: An Effort to Understand Them" (The Walter Scqfcfc Publishing Co., Ltd., Melbourno). This book, which is written by the Rev. A. R. Stephensoii, pastor of East St. Kilda Congregational Church, Melkoiinie, will ho doubt prove, helpful to many people. It explains such sayings J as "The Son of Man hath no place to lay His head," "The keys of tho Kingdo'in of Heaven ahall lie given you," i "Bonder unto Caesar the things that ore I Caesars," and other well known words jot' l Christ about the interpretation of ; which thore has always been difference of opinion. The book is written in simple language, nnd is evidently intended to meet the needs of ordinary people in their everyday life."