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Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 52

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BOOK NOTICES. " The Jesus Problem." By the Eight Hon. J. M. Robertson, M.P. London: Watts and Co. (Boards, 5s net.) This is one of the famous Rationalist Press Association's additions to the world's literature. The press is now famous, or, one should rather say, notorious, for its semi-scientific books —books which are so worded that they carry away the unwary reader or careless thinker. As studies in logic they are masterpieces of how, if one point in the first statement is incorrect, the whole structure follows and leads to extraordinary conclusions. Mr Robertson has written so many books and quoted so many texts that he is obliged in this, his latest effort, to quote the books already -written. The whole subject is treated thoroughly, and we must say that he presents his side of the subject with great skill; but we doubt whether anybody who has heard the other side will be led over to see this new light. As we already, know, the "myth" theory -which Mr Robertson here presents is as old as the second or third century, and he takes advantage to quote all the points that have been forgotten by this generation. He shows that the texts of the Gospels and the Epistles do not agree, and that certain texts have been interpolated, and he concludes that there is no reason to suppose that there ever was an historic Jesus. He points out that no writings exist earlier than the fifth century, and that these give no facts that the world did not know long before the Christian era. He rjoints out the different " Eucharist theories," and says that we have no real grounds for thinking that this supposed Jesus could, or did, institute a service so similar to many others which already existed. He points out that the fourth Gospel does not agree with the other three, and that there were so many books written, which the Church has refused to recognise, that he cannot perceive any reason for believing that any of them are worthy of belief, and that at least there is "no proof." He cleverly points out that much of the language of the Pauline Epistles will certainly afford a good position foi argument, if not actual proof, of his assertions. He points out a number of Jesuses; and, indeed, the name in its' various forms was a common enough name, and he claims that had there been a special Jesus Josephus must have mentioned Him. He does not tell us how many times the Jews were' led by different leaders who professed to be " the Messiah," nor how all these came to untimely ends; nor does he answer Gamaliel's old argument: "If this be not from God it will pass away as the others have done, but, if not, beware lest ye fight against God." We cannot expect any reasonable criticism why these things be; but Mr Robertson says that as we cannot prove them they should not be believed. The whole book is well worth careful study, more especially by those who desire to read both sides. We should welcome these books from the Rationalist Press, for they show us how little we can prove and how fallible is the judgment of man, and that '" faith" is the individual property .of each man and cannot be proven.

" The Kingdom of Waste Lands." By Sidney C. Grier. Edinburgh and London: Blackwood and Sons. (Paper, 2s 6d, illustrated.) Mr Crier's new story certainly gives a good idea of the life in the out-of-the-way parts of the Empire. "Sir Gilbert Berringer reigned at Bandeir, and the land had rest " is how this interesting novel begins. Of course, the same peace does not last. The first discord is caused by the fiancee of Sir Gilbert's brother, who comes out only to find that her proposed mate has fled to the bush. From the moment of her arrival till her marriage to the Governor's right-hand man, Peter, she is in trouble. She is the cause of a Chinese rising. These men had seen and desired. Bandeir is burned? and a few of the people are killed and more wounded. But Peter Tourneur saves Rosemond, after she has hidden in a tank of water all night, watched over by her faithful servant, Amelia, one of the mission girls. The rest of the Europeans are shut up in the mission-house on the other side of the river. Thorv do not dare to allow Rosemond to come there, as the Chinese have only allowed them to remain alive on the understanding that "She" is not there. So ooor Peter has to carry her all round the villages, while lie raises the tribes to conquer the Chinese. Out there on the edge of the English territory they meet Rodger Ber-

ringer, who lias become leader of one of the fiercest tribes of the interior. He is quite mad, and persecutes Rosemond with his attentions, telling her that she must marry him and come and live in the bush with him. She soon sees that all she thought she loved in him is dead, so she clings t-o Peter. When the tribes are raised Rosemond and her maid are hidden in a. cleft in a precipice, where they are seen by the fugitive Chinese and. also by Rodger. They are at length rescued by Sir Gilbert and Peter after they have defeated the Chinese. As the mission folk say, "it is only proper that Peter should.marry Miss Durrell after the length of time they have spent alone together in the bush." The whole story is alive with adventure, and we feel sorry for the unfortunate English girl, who has never had to do anything for herself, and lands in a etrange place only to find her lover vanished, and who then gets unceremoniously dragged over impossible tracks and through swamps by a stranger, with no other European for . company.. One feels the extraordinary position of Peter, who has to carry round this girl, over whose charms the whole place is raving, and to whom he has to give all his own camping gear, from his hairbrush to his chair. "The White Champion." By Don Delaney. Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Company. (Paper, Is; illustrated by Lionel Lindsay.) This thrilling little story tells lis of the " call of blood." The grandfather was a famous fighter, and the grandson, Jack Redwood, feels the call of the ring. His training on the farm and as riding expert in a buckjumping show (where he gets trained and has his first fight) gives him that endurance which is his great stand-by. When,* after a chequered career, he is called on to met the great black, Jake Silver, he is ready to stand up to that hero's terrible punch and to give back more than he receives. He wins with the terrible screw punch for which his grandfather was famous, and which he has brought to perfection. We feel quite safe in saying that many people will enjoy this book, and that at least they will not be able to lay it down until they finish it.