The Critical Review of Theological and Philosophical Literature, which is
edited by Professor Salmond, of Aberdeen, has now entered on its third volume, and—to use a popular phrase which is being rapidly classicised— " it looks as if it had come to stay." The bulk of the contributors to its columns are Scotch thinkers and professors, but the books and authors Criticised belong to all nationalities. Thus, in the present number, such widely differing books as " Kirkpatrick's Doctrine of the Prophets," Steven's "Pauline Theology," Schaff's "Swiss Reformation," Professor Walker's " Three Centuries of Scottish Literature," and Professor Caird's "Evolution of Religion," are subjected to very competent criticism. Principal Fairbairn notices the lust work very fully and also very pointedly. He indicates what he considers one of its main defects,—" A law of mind or logic is made to govern the development of religion and the course of its history, with the result that we have an inner and dialectical process made the formula or framework for an outer and actual. The theory controls the history ; the history does not suggest and verify the theory. Thus, particular instances which happen to illustrate the philosophical principle, are raised to the dignity of universal laws,"
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