22 FEBRUARY 1930, Page 22

Some Books of the Week

BROADCAST sermons came in for some severe criticisms last week in the Convocation of Canterbury on the ground that they were indefinite and had to be trimmed. to suit all prejudices. A very effective answer to these criticisms is provided by one who probably preaches more broadcast sermons than any other English padre. Mr. " Pat " McCormick has written in the form of a book the sort of thing he is accustomed to broadcast, and the Bishop of London has written an introduction. Be of Good Cheer is its title (Longmans, 2s. 6d.), and it might lead the pro- spective reader to suppose that they were in for facile optimism and easy uplift. It is nothing of the sort, and its author certainly does not eschew -theology or - definiteness. Moreover, it is probable that some will fmd his doctrine very controversial. But to a much larger number the book will be in the literal sense of the term a Godsend. Here is a man who can talk theology that grips by its reality and its intelligi- bility. There really is quite a lot about God in this book, and Mr. McCOrmick is quite sure that he knows what He is like. But his sureness is not cocksureness. This is a very winning book, and many people who do not observe Lent much would find that it became quite an interesting thing to do under this guidance.

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