19 JANUARY 1929, Page 20

Some Books of the Week

Sia WILFRED GRENTELlo of Labrador, contributes a Preface to The Life and Teaching of Christ chronologically arranged by Reginald Ponsonby (Simpkin, Marshall, 7s. 6d.), an excellent compilation of the Christ-story, and we do not think that he speaks too highly of it when he says .that " it will find a place in every wise man's library." The very words of Scripture, as translated in the Revised Version, with occasional notes from its marginal references, are used ; but the notes are restricted to those dealing with important variations of rendering or differences of dates. Harmonies of the Gospels have been attempted from the time of Tatian's Diatessaron downwards, one of the most interesting being that prepared by Mary Ferrer in the Concordance Room at Little Gidding : this is now in the Bodleian. A special merit in Mr. Ponsonby's arrangement is the exceedingly careful and perspicuous treatment of the last discourses in St. John, and the trial of Jesus. Difficulties as to the number and occasions of Peter's denials are clearly indicated. Perhaps a note as to the part played by Caiaphas might have been in place : the Fourth Evangelist, if his tenses are truly trans- lated, shows a desire to shield the High Priest (not unnatural if the writer were " known " to him), and in the scene of the Prophecy places him on a higher. plane than do the other Gospels. But this is a passing comment. The book is admirably dope, and includes a good map of Palestine prepared by the Ordnance Survey, and reproductions of two pictures by Titian and Antonio Ciseri. Teachers in schools_ will welcome the volume.

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