Recent Theology The Capacity for God. By R. F. Horton,
MA., D.D. (George Allen and Unwin. 7s. ed.)
Da. Hon:ropes book is delightfully written. It is something better still. A recognized champion of Nonconformity, from the day when, half a century ago, he gained a Fellowship at New College, Oxford, and thence onwards through his long Congregationalist ministry at Hampstead, Dr. Horton offers us now, in words of experience and charming humility, his " Confessio Credentis." The " capacity for God " is the " Master-Faculty," higher than Reason, which he calls Faith. We are not so certain that, in the language of the mediaeval
mystics, it is not really distinguishable from both Reason and Faith, while it avails itself of both—that it is not, indeed, the " Synteresis " of Bonaventura, the " Divine Spark " of Eckhart. " Faith " is a term_ so overlaid by the colours of theological contentions that it hardly seems to serve Dr. Horton's purpose. But mystical phrases, again, repel many; in any case, they who " have ears to hear " will know and respond to the appeal of these pages. Dr. Horton reviews, with wide sympathy and sound judgment, the particular truths and the lurking snares of Nature-Religion, Christian Science, Theosophy, and Spiritualism.. On. Christian Science and Spiritualism he has some specially wise things to say. He concludes with chapters on " Faith's Trial," and his own creed. This he finally gives in set clauses, but these have not the same illumination as his book.
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