26 OCTOBER 1907, Page 24

St. Jude's. By "Ian Maclaren." (R.T.S. 8s.)—Here we have a

number of sketches or studies illustrating the spiritual life of a Free Church congregation. They are all good, as one might expect them to be from the pen to which we owe them. Two seem to us of special excellence. The reserved, taciturn man in the "Faithful Servant," leading what appears to be an almost mechanical life, is found after his death to have been a devoted worker of good works. His funeral is thronged by those whom he has helped in secret. We are reminded of the story of one who was the absolute opposite of " Ian Maclaren's " hero,— Oliver Goldimith, the staircase of whose chambers was crowded after his death by the men and women, many of them disreputable creatures, who had been the objects of his sometimes thoughtless benevolence. "Euodias and Syntyche" is the story of a quarrel and a reconciliation. It does not admit of being epitomised. It must suffice to say that it is admirable.