26 DECEMBER 1925, Page 24

PSYCHOLOGY AND THE CHURCH. (Macmillan. 12s. 6d$ Tim ten essays

which make up this volume, Dr. Hardman announces in his editorial preface, are designed to " treat of the application of psychology to the whole range of the life and worship " of the Church. Discussing the uses to which the Church may put the recent psychological discoveries, and expressing the attitude of the informed Christian mind to the theories of modern psychology and psycho-analysis, the ten essayists cover too wide a field for adequate description in a short review. The Bishop of Southwark, who contributes an introduction, quotes from Professor Matthew's essay that

The industrialists and advertisers have not been slow to recognize the importance of the new knowledge. The child- ren of the world have often been wiser than the children of light." In the attempt to render this self-administered rebuke unjust, the history and scope of psychology are dealt with comprehensively in the first two brief essays. The work then proceeds to the psychological aspects of such subjects as Evangelism, Religious Education, and Spiritual Healing, all the essays being written with frankness and courage. The editor, in a thoroughly interesting essay on " Moral Develop- ment," properly emphasizes that modern psychology, far from lessening individual responsibility, increases it. Although the book is especially intended to meet the needs and diffi- culties of the clergy, laymen who regard the connexion between religion and psychology as important will find it well worth study.