BOOKS OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 68

BOOKS OF THE DAY.

RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD. “ The Story of Religion as Told in the Lives of its Leaders.” By Charles Francis Potter. (Cloth; 12s 6d net.) London: George G. Harrop and Co., Ltd,

This book, the result of 20 years’ study of comparative religion and the history of religion, is a very interesting volume and guide book. Its writer, refusing to adopt the old method of Christian theo logians who began with God and built their whole theological structure on certain basic assumptions about Him, begins with man and his recorded religious experiences and, by studying the various phenomena of religion, endeavours to find ont the truth about it. His conclusions are interesting, seeing that in no case does he accept the theory that any of the founders of the great religions of the world was a god who came down to earth, a deity incarnate, bringing an absolutely new revelation to mankind. Of the Man of Galilee Himself he says: Jesus 'will be seen by the men of tomorrow as a student of His national literature, possessed of its* quaint superstitions and all its love of demons and angels and seven heavens and the millennium, but possessed of its treasures as well. He will be known to have, made a few original additions to the ethics of His countrymen, but to have been so steeped in the literature of His own godly’ people that He remoulded it into mosaics of sermons and explanatorv parables so artistically and ethically beautiful that they will last as long as the race of man endures. Even more than that, He will be thought of. by the Jew <\nd Gentile of to-morrow, as a man who really lived the beet truth He knew, who took what He had read and thought and interpreted it to humanity by embodying it in His own life. He successfully demonstrated truth by incarnating righteousness. When men hereafter bow to Him it will not be in homage to a deity, but in recognition of a superior craftsman in the art of living.

Even so. But, interesting from one point of view as this interpretation is, the fact must be faced that it is too limited. A study of religion cannot be made without due respect to occultism and mysticism, for, unless these factors are taken into account, the spirit of the letter remains unknown. To take literally the story of a religious leader's life is to make oneself blind to much of the meaning and richness behind it. One will see then that Mr Potter’s book is

excellent as an exponent of facts and data, but is lacking in appreciation of the unknown.

The leaders whose lives are studied in this book with so much interest and wealth of detail are Akhenaten, “ The First Individual in History”; Moses, “ Who Discovered the Personality of God”; Zoroaster, “Who Discovered the Devil ”; Jeremiah, “ The Greatest of the Hebrew Prophets ”; Buddha, “ Who Found Salvation in Psychology”; Confucius, “The Apostle of Morality”; Jesus, “Who Found He Was the Son of God”; Paul, “Who Internationalised Christianity ”; Augustine, “ Architect of the City of God”; Patrick, “Who Christianised Ireland ”; Mohammed, “ The Strange Prophet of Islam ”; Aquinas, “ The ‘ Dumb Ox Who Filled the Earth With His Bellowing’ ’; Nanak, “The Reformer and Peacemaker of India”; Luther, “Who Restored Liberty to Religion”; Nicon, “The Luther of Russia”; Wesley, “Who Revived Religion in England ”; and certain American apostles who, probably because Mr Potter is himself an American, occupy pride of place among modern cults. Each person is studied in relation to the rest, the whole being set down in clear, fluent English under helpful headlines.

If Mr Potter leaves something to be desired in his somewhat “ unenlightened ” approach to his subject matter, his. last chapter is as tolerant and farseeing as can be wished. It is worth quoting verbatim, but space forbids such. Below, however, are a few of its ideas: — The science of religion which is just coming into existence deals with religion, not as up in the sky, but as in the lives of men. . . . Not only are the religious libraries of the world overflowing with material for the scientist of the future, but all around us are developing types of religious experience in most fascinating variety and profusion. Some power has been vaguely comprehended by the millions of followers of various New Thought cults. They do not understand their power. . . .We need an Edison or an Einstein of the spirit to discover this great force, formulate its laws, and make it available for the sons of men. . . There is one striking affirmation made by some of the followers of New Thought, and that is that this power, they are sure, is within themselves, now, whatever its ultimate origin may have begu. In other words, there are untapped resources within the human personality waiting for release. . . . The transcendent God of Heaven has become the immanent God in man. . . . The creative ability of the power which men have called God is available for man. The world is yet to be made.

JUDGE AS NOVELIST. “ A Loaded Legacy.” By George S. Beeby. (Cloth; 65.) Australia: Angus and Robertson, Ltd., Sydney. The Hon. George S. Beeby is judge of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court, and has been a Minister of the Crown and a member of Parliament. It would appear that his recreational taste runs in literary channels, for he has previously written an acceptable volume of plays “ Concerning Ordinary People.” This book will introduce him to a still wider circle of friends who will doubtless endorse our view that the judge has entertained us excellently well. In theme and treatment “ A Loaded Legacy ” is original, the literary style is crisp, the dialogue clever, and' the humour as spontaneous as it is welcome. When the story opens Fergus Campbell is touring in New South Wales with no particular purpose outside pleasureseeking. During his life, with the exception of the war years, he has had a full share of that, his father being a prosperous ironmaster in England. While in Australia he meets the Honorable Sir Robert Pyke, K.C.M.G., a name which thinly disguises a one-time prominent Australian politician now somewhat in eclipse. In his characteristically truculent style Sir Robert tells Fergus that “ we don t want wealthy idlers touring this country,’’ and after a short exchange, in which Sir Robert fails to score all the points, he informs Fergus that Australia “wasn’t made for blithering idiots!” “Who’s that?” asked Fergus. “He speaketh as one having authority.” “ You don’t know who that is ? ” The merchant’s voice shook with pained incredulity. “ Not the faintest.” Fergus is informed who the small man is.

“ Never heard of him.” was his reply. “Really, really! Where have you been during the last five yeare? ” “ Most of ’em in the trenches in F rance.”

The point of all this is that when the very small man with the very big voice goes to London to an Imperial Conference Fergus again crosses his path, and the author gives the reader some rare entertainment in the complications which arise out of Sir Robert’s discomfiture. The plot of the story consists in the matrimonial difficulties which confront; Fergus as a result of his father’s will. Learning of his father’s death just after his interchange of courtesies with Sir

Robert Pyke, he also becomes acquainted with the terms of the will. Fergus is given the choice of penury or marriage in 12 months with one of four named ladies. A man who has never given any thought to marriage, who dislikes the company of the opposite sex, Fergus finds himself in a dilemma. How to retain his freedom and his patrimony is •’ ’ * which for the allotted time absorbs him. He meets the women whom in,> .. ... .

has chosen as the Jiinit of the field of his adventure into matrimony. Two are quickly captured by friends, but even the reduced choice of two presents difficulties. The one who has decided to capture Fergus is an assertive Theosophist who claims to have the largest collection of gramophone records in the world. But Fergus has at last found a girl who really appeals to him. She is the daughter of his manservant, previously his father’s butler. Susan Annabel Pickering is a girl of original ideas, however, and even Fergus's possible fortune of £549,000 Us fails to reconcile her to his way of thinking. The main obstacle facing Fergus is to persuade the court that Susan, in the terms of the will, “ is of good birth.” His Honor reminds him when his peculiar application is before the court that he has had a wide field of original selection, “with an alternative, if the four ladies proved to be unsatisfactory.”

“ The field of original selection, as your lordship puts, it, proved to be rather limited. Two of the ladies married other gentlemen shortly after probating of the will.”

” For a young man of such presentable appearance, you must have been rather dilatory.”

“ On .the contrary, your Hon hr, I fear 1 was too impetuous.” A “But the other two?” Incompatability of temperament, m lord. “ How did you discover that before marriage. I have always understood from observation, not from experience, that a woman’s real temperament is like a sealed book till after the ceremony is over.” '

“ That is so, your Honor, but there are exceptions even to that generalisation. One of the ladies was a Theosophist, with a hobby—collecting gramophone records. The other—gallantry forbids further remarks.” . I known men to swallow more than theosophy for less than half a million. But not the world’s greatest collecHonor” granlophone records, your

There is much of this kind of sparklin" dialogue in the book, and for a time it appears that the court is enjovin" itself at the expense of Fergus. The case takes an unexpected turnT however, and 1-ergus ultimately gets some of his own way. There is much by-plav throughout, in which journalists, poli ticians, James Pickering the clever butler and others perform most acceptably. A Loaded Legacy ” was worth writin" and because of that it is worth readin" more than once. ° A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT STORY. AlibL ” B - v Neil Gordon. (Uioth; 65.) London: John Lane (the Bodley Head, Ltd.)„ George Cranford and John MacLennan had been winning a comfortable liviii" by writing detective stories which sold well I he crisis in their fortunes arrived when Henry Haddington, their literary agent, informed them that the bottom had fallen out of their particular line of fiction. A man of few words is Haddington. In two lines, when returning his manuscript, he tells Cranford tersely that “ It’s no good. Anyhow , Pttblic is fed up with stilettos,” while MacLennan learns that “It’s bad. Anyway The public is tired of murders.” These fi iends in distress have everv confidence in Haddington, but they' have made the detective story their own. In an interview of very short duration next morning their . agent advises certain departures which neither have the inclination nor the confidence to follow. The sentimental stuff does not appeal to them, and the other possibilities such as jobs in Fleet street or elsewhere, the Poor Law, and suicide are all ruled out. Di desperation they decide to revive public interest in thrillers and to involve themselves personally in a murder mystery. MacLennan is the master mind so far as the details of the “ crime ” are concerned, but Cranford plays the chief villain’s part. The conspirators take a lease of Greville House, situated in the New Forest, and when the tragedy is discovered a distinguished company are .guests of the novelists. The scene of the crime is in New Forest, and on a peaceful evening a desperate man rushes into the household of a peaceful family and seeks protection. He murmurs the one word “ Cranford,” and then a still more desperate character commands the members of the Warner family to drink a certain liquid and to occupy one room of the house. Many hours later the Warners wake up. MacLennan reports that one of his guests, the same Haddington who had previously prophesied the end of the detective storv, has disappeared. A search suggests the perpetration of a foul murder, and the facts supplied by the members of the Warner household throw suspicion on Cranford. The suspicion is not strong enough to justify the police in making an arrest until a blood-stained stick with Cranford’s fingerprints is discovered. In the meantime a bevy of journalists arrive from London, but Lady Angela Stroud, who is a press representative and happens to be one of the guests at Greville, makes the biggest newspaper sensation. and

Cranford are making the best of their opportunities, and Cranford is appointed representative for one of the sensational dailies.

then follows his sensational arrest. His books are now in—'unprecedented demand, and his paper makes the most of the dramatic events. The police are certain they have discovered the murderer, but they are faced with the puzzling task of finding the murdered man. MacLennan becomes somewhat jealous of his comrade’s change of fortune, and he seeks similar notoriety. Sawing off a piece of gas pipe in one of the many unused rooms, he leaves his finger-prints on the main pipe, hiding the piece of blood-stained pipe in a henhouse. Lady Angela sees MacLennan.’s legs protruding from under the sofa when he is dissevering the gas pipe, guesses what the novelists are after, and later rubs his finger-prints off the main and leaves her own. The police are somewhat slow in piecing together the gas pipe, so the ingenious lady loosens MacLennan’s seal. A smell of gas gives the policeman a clue, and Lady Angela’s finger-prints lands her in a cell. Bv this time public interest is at fever heat, and Cranford’s books are in almost universal demand. MacLennan is much upset by his exclusion from one of the chief parts in the exciting drama. He calls on Cranford in his cell and demands a share of the profits on the enhanced royalties from his books- His terms are not accepted. From Lady Angela he received nothing hut banter, and it is a very morose MacLennan who returns to Greville House. In the meantime all the guests at Greville are impounded, and as these include a versatile company, the lighter side of the story is enacted there. A famous cricketer, chosen to tour South Africa with the M.C.C. eleven, chafes at his enforced residence at Greville, but he whiles away the hours by telling his audience about his wonderful scores. The only sympathetic listener is the village policeman. Other guests exhibit curious characteristics, but the company is an interesting one. .MacLennan then develops the Big Ben Alibi and Cranford is released. The body cannot be found, but suspicion rests on Cranford and Lady Angela. Haddington is the missing man, the conspirators having drugged him and bribed a rum-running boat owner to take him to sea. Then comes the news that Haddington has been drowned. This gives the story a serious turn for the novelists, who had alwavs reckoned on Haddington’s reappearance when the opportune moment arrived. Now the body would be washed up and the police could proceed. Cranford is re-arrested when attempting to flee from justice, but Lady Angela is more fortunate in making her escape. For the dramatic climax the reader must consult the book, and it is worth while. It is a refreshing thriller this, with many illuminating touches of comedy. Cranford, in the face of a real murler charge, loses much of his sang-froid, and MacLennan, though somewhat mollified, is not quite sure of the turn of eventsNeil Gordon has done some good work in previtis books, but the originality displayed in “The Big Ben Alibi” will further enhance his reputation. AN EARLY VICTORIAN HOUSEHOLD. " The Lorain Picture.” By Mrs Fred Reynolds. (Cloth; 65.) London: John Lane (the Bodley Head, Ltd.) Early Victorian scenes are favourites with Mrs Fred Reynolds, who seems perfectly at home in an atmosphere which many have come to look upon as stuffy. But, under her skilful fingers, one is aware, not of heavy draperies, a confusion of knick-knacks, starched morals and antimacassars, but of charming furbelows, pretty homes, natural men and lovable women. “ The Loram Picture,” her latest novel, provides one such impression, and a very human and pleasing one at that. The book is the record of a family in the days “ when blood was thicker than water, and the family tree a very close and loving bond, when parents regarded themselves and each other as autocrats of the home, and when sons were expected to do as they were bid and daughters entered upon marriage in the state of dense ignorance then known as ‘innocence.’ ” Richard Loram, the father, had, in young manhood, given up his heart’s desire of becoming an artist in order to manage a decorous, well-estab-lished print-shop, many Clarissa Fulcher, aged 16 years, and become the father of 10 very beautiful and normal boys and girls. The tale, a leisurely domestic chronicle, tells of the lives of this family—papa, mamma, Eliza, Eleanor, Richard, James, Amelia, Caroline, Nancy, Dick, Kate, and Clara—and leads them gently from childhood to early middle-age. There is very little “plot” in the narrative, but such is unnecessary. Merely to read of the Lorains’ doings provides sufficient interest

“ The Loram Picture ” is a pretty, appealing trifle, its descriptions obviously written by one who loved them, its characters sweetly sensible and appealing, and its situations in keeping with the general trend of the tale. Mrs Reynolds is to be congratulated on bavin" observed a nice balance, so that, in no