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the authorship of the Old Testament, and consequent inferences as to his nature are also discussed. In the last part, "The Bible as Authority," Mr. Crooker gives a brief resumé of the discoveries about the Bible, and then sets forth his opinion that the Bible must in consequence of these be treated as "a religious classic," rather than the direct word of God, and as a means of instruction and source of inspiration rather than an authoritative "rule of faith and practice." He claims for reason a place superior to the Scriptures, and denies that they are the only infallible guide for belief and life. An appendix states some contradictions in the gospel account of the genealogy of Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection, claims that there is no evidence of his reappearance, and that therefore the gospels are not accurately true.

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It will be seen that Mr. Crooker's views are very sweeping. He goes as far as the most radical, cutting and slashing sometimes with truly "ghoulish glee," always with a gay and careless disregard for opinions long held and still held by men of learning and piety about the Bible, and always with an air of patronizing superiority to the holders of such opinions. We have said that he presents the conclusions of modern scholarship about the Bible. We say conclusions advisedly, for he gives little proof for many of his statements. It may be said that a book aiming to give only conclusions needs no proof. But certainly such far-reaching and very new statements as are given, for example, "Hebrew prophecy contains no reference to his (Christ's) betrayal, trial, crucifixion or resurrection," "When we read the birth stories that cluster about the name of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, we say that these are legends," "There is no more evidence of a superintending special providence enforcing uniformity in the Bible than in Hindu or Chinese literature," "We must place it (the Bible) in connection with the other sacred scriptures of the race, and though superior, its superiority is due to purely historical causes," require some proof and explanation, at least for those not fully acquainted with the methods and results of the higher criticism. Mr. Crooker is very scornful of those rigid conservatives who positively and groundlessly assert the infallibility of the Bible, and claim that it is an authority on faith and practice. But no one could be more positive and more careless of proof in assertion than he, nor could anyone be more subservient to authority, for when he gives a reason for one of his assertions, it is usually a quotation from "that conservative scholar, Dr. Briggs," or some similar authority, in whom he apparently places implicit trust, or an appeal to the vague thing called "the general conclusion of scholars."

But we will not find more fault with Mr. Crooker's method of reaching his conclusions, for they themselves are very striking and demand attention. There appear to be two principal conclusions. One of them is reached at the end of the second part, but it also pops up continuously in every part of the book, so as to leave the impression that it was reached long before the book was begun. At the end of the second part, on what the Bible claims for itself, Mr. Crooker discusses Christ's use of the Bible, his attributing, erroneously, as he thinks, the Pentateuch to Moses, many of the Psalms to David, and his mistaken, according to Mr. Crooker, use of texts, and from them he argues that Christ had human limitations of knowledge, and that these were not signs of humiliation from Deity, but rather "the inevitable limitations of a great historic character-the imperfections of a real man ascending heavenward rather than the ignorance of a God becoming human." In short, Mr. Crooker supports the ordinary Unitarian doctrine of the Personality of Christ.

And the other conclusion is that, reason being superior to the Bible, the use of the Bible as an authority should cease, and that it should be used as "a religious classic, a religious literature for instruction and inspiration in righteousness." One is inclined to ask if Mr. Crooker can tell of a time when it has not been so used. As it is so used, not as "a storehouse of texts," but "for religious nurture," " the impression is deepened that religion is not belief in theological opinions, but growth of inner life, outflowing in beneficent action." Sectarianism will cease, because the Bible is not used for creed-making." "That will be a great day for human progress, for then our churches, instead of being dogmatic fortresses, will be temples of the spirit, open to every seeker for truth and laborer for humanity, our fellowship will be as wide as human needs, and the religious waste from sectarianism will cease, while the religious destitution of towns and villages will come to an end, because there will arise an administration of religion so rational and so humane that all good men will gather round these new altars consecrated to a universal and ethical piety." Lastly, "When the bondage to a literal, a textual and a dogmatic use of Scripture ceases, then we shall rejoice in the use of the Bible that allows reason and sentiment full scope. The work of the pulpit will be richer and more attractive, when the minister shall come to use the Bible for increase of life rather than for proof of theological opinions; when, feeling free to range through universal history, he shall go to other scriptures for lessons of hope and heroism." Again we ask, when has not the Bible been used for "increase of life?" And has more "increase of life" been caused by the scholars of the higher criticism than by the old-fashioned preachers? Mr. Crooker's dream of the changes in religion resulting from the new uses of the new Bible is indeed a beatific vision, to him. It may, however, be doubted whether the changes will not destroy religion, whether there would be anything left except a vague, lifeless, useless, ethical piety. Broad theology is very good, but it must have depth as well as breadth to make it useful.

In justice to Mr. Crooker, it must be said that he has presented his views in a clear, concise, intelligible way, and with a spirit, if not of reverence for the Bible, certainly of genuine piety, and desire for the best good of man. Whether the general holding of his views would be for that best good is a different question.

A noticeable feature of the Step Ladder* is the absence of notes, which so generally embellish the pages of children's readers. It has been said with truth, that these learned and dignified explanations of every third line often kill whatever interest the child may feel in what he is reading. Children easily learn to love good poetry and good prose, if they are but allowed to proceed unmolested and digest as much as they can and care to. But aside from notes the strongly didactic tone of much of this sort of literature is a hindrance to the young reader. The Step Ladder has neither of these faults. It aims to interest the child in what is good by the eminently proper method of letting him read what is good and draw his own conclusion. It aims to teach him good articulation and emphasis by letting him read aloud some of the most musical words that have been written by English authors. The subjects are chosen first and foremost for their interest to the child's mind, and are neither milk and mush nor dry bones. The book needs no defence for it will speak for itself.

* The Step Ladder. A collection of prose and poetry designed for use in children's classes in elocution. By Margaret A. Klein. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co.

Head-master W. C. Collar, of the Roxbury Latin School, whose revision of Eysenbach's German Grammar met with such a favorable reception, has taken another step to the front and put forth a revision of his own work,* by Mrs. C. S. Curtis. It will doubtless meet with objections in some quarters, for its primary distinction from the earlier editions is that it is condensed. No more has been included than was thought absolutely necessary. What has more often been expressed in set rules and paradigms, the anathema of the average not too willing scholar, or the one who has but a short time to devote to the subject, is in this edition included in notes and suggestions here and there, as the need for them arises. From the start, the pupil is familiarized with the construction of the sentence, and the noun and verb forms are not learned wholly by rote, but by practical experience. As to the order in which the various portions of the work is arranged, and the methods of explanation, however, every teacher has his or her own ideas, and follows them independent of the text book. The chief advantage of such a book as this seems to be the help it gives the student in such work as he must do alone, by presenting only the essential principles on which as a frame work he may build up a more comprehensive knowledge of the language.

Professor Newcomer's book on English Compositiont is based on a rather minute classification of the various kinds of composition, of which he makes three great classes. The first is "Composition Based on Experience and Observation," which is subdivided into first, Narration, of incidents, of biography, of history; second, Description, of objects, manufactured and natural, of nature, of works of art, of persons; and third, Narration and Description combined, including travels, scenes from life and from history. The second class is "Composition based on Reading and Thought,

* A Practical German Grammar. By William Eysenbach, revised by Wm. C. Collar, revised by Clara S. Curtis. Boston: Ginn & Co. 1893.

A Practical Course in English Composition. By Alphonso G. Newcomer. Boston: Ginn & Company.

which is divided again into first, Exposition, including essays, scientific treatises and criticism; second, Argument, including the various kinds of reasoning, evidence and debate, and third, Persuasion, which includes persuasion by appeal to various motives, and different kinds of oratory. The third class is Miscellaneous Forms, which includes news, editorials, book reviews, letters, diaries, dialogues, the short story, and rather strangely humor, which all will not concede to be a class of composition, any more than pathos. It is not to be supposed that Professor Newcomer would attempt to find a place for any specimen of literature in this classification, but such a detailed and mechanical division as this is, particularly in the beginning of the book, will probably be useful to younger scholars, for whom this part is chiefly intended, in making definite their ideas on the divisions of literature. The book is arranged in about seventy exercises, each on some particular class of this classification. The exercise consists of a description of the kind of composition in hand, advice for its writing a list of appropriate subjects, and usually, as models, an extract from some writer of recognized position, and further references to such writers. There are also at the beginning of each of the three parts some general directions for the class of composition treated of in that part. The book has the promise of being successful. The descriptions of the various classes of composition and the hints for writing are in good taste, sensible, clear, and seem easy to be followed. The subjects given are suitable, and the models well chosen, with some exceptions, such as a selection from Dr. Talmage as a specimen of pulpit oratory. The first part seems especially helpful, and in particular the suggestive introductory chapter on "How to Find Material," for the choosing of a satisfactory subject is usually the hardest part of the beginner's work in composition. It may be thought that the minute classification of composition which the book gives, for example, the divisions of narration into narration of simple, complex, colored, embellished, and complex incidents, and so on, may cause in the scholar a mechanical arrangement of all composition work in these classes, then a following of the rules for the classes, and so a stilted, stiff style of writing. In many cases it doubtless will at first, but the study of the latter part of the book will cause a more comprehensive view. It seems as if a thorough, complete and intelligent following out of Professor Newcomer's method, with the large amount of practice he advises, will surely give the scholar an ability to write correctly and clearly, and in an appropriate style. Doubtless it will help some scholars to go further.

Baker's Elements* is a new treatise upon the subject of Solid Geometry. including a short chapter on Conic Section. The propositions are brief in their statements, and so clear as to be easily mastered. Much is gained in brevity by the grouping together of many propositions which follow naturally as the corollaries of others, and the treatment, on the whole, seems unusually clear and comprehensive.

* The Elements of Solid Geometry. By Arthur Latham Baker. Boston: Ginn & Co.

The Language Lessons* of Mr. Conklin, ought, in spite of the many text books that have been published in this department, to find a place in our Grammar Schools. Though little novelty is to be expected in the treatment of so elementary a subject, his method, in paying unusual attention to composition, is one that thoroughly commends itself. By its means, through alteration as well as original composition, he tries to develop thought and clearness of expression by encouraging its unfolding from within, instead of impressing it from without. The lessons are intended to cover a period of two years, and are graded to suit the capacity of pupils as they advance.

The Harvard Graduate Club, assisted by similar clubs at Cornell, Johns Hopkins and Yale, has prepared and issued a pamphlet entitled "Graduate Courses," which is an account of the advanced courses announced by eleven of the leading universities of the United States for 1893-4. The institutions whose work is presented are Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Clark, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale. The pamphlet gives a very short description of each university, and then sets forth in detail the courses of graduate work now offered by it with the names and positions of the instructors. The courses are in the book divided into three classes-Language and Literature; Philosophy, History and the Fine Arts; Pure Science. These are subdivided into many smaller departments, with a sufficient description of the studies in each; and the whole presentation thus shows how far specialization may be carried, and what studies are generally regarded as most important. The book will doubtless be useful to those who wish to do graduate work, and are uncertain where to go, and it is, because of its showing what prominence advanced studies are beginning to have in America, encouraging.

This book is designed to be a permanent memorial of the Fair. It is filled with artistic illustrations; the press work is excellent, and the subject matter is well written and entertaining. This is undoubtedly the best of the many books to which the Fair has given rise.

The American Book Company has issued in the English Classics for Schools series an edition of Arnold's "Sohrab and Rustum," and a volume containing Emerson's essays on The American Scholar, Self-Reliance, Compensation. Sensible introductions, containing short biographies of the authors'

*Practical Lessons in Language. By Benjamin Y. Conklin. New York: American Book Company.

Graduate Courses. Boston: Ginn & Company.

The Book of the Fair. By Hubert Howe Bancroft. In twenty-five parts. Price $1.00 per part. Chicago: The Bancroft Co.

Sohrab and Rustum. By Matthew Arnold. New York: American Book Company. Price 20 cents.

The American Scholar, Self-Reliance, Compensation. By Ralph Waldo Emerson. New York: American Book Company. Price 20 cents.

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