EXPOSITIONS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE.
Expositions of Holy Scripture. By Alexander Maclaren, D.D. "Matthew i.-viii." (Hodder and Stoughton. 7s. 6d.)—Dr. Maclaren has a great task before him ; we wish him health and strength to accomplish it, for such accomplishment will certainly be a great benefit to the Christian Church. His "Expositions" are to extend to thirty volumes. "Genesis" was noticed in these columns not long ago. Now we have the first of two volumes which are to be devoted to the Gospel of Matthew. We cannot, of course, follow the author in his treatment of the subject, but we may point to the "Sermon on the Mount" as specially characteristic of the author. How does he deal with the "Hard Sayings" ? There is v. 38-41, summed up by the word "non-resistance." The three forms of injury are personal insult, legal oppression, im- pressed service. Dr. Maclaren concludes his exposition thus :— "Since it is love confronting and seeking to transform evil into its own likeness, it may sometimes be obliged by its own self to yield. If turning the other cheek would but make the assaulter more angry, or if yielding the cloak would but make the legal robber more greedy, or if going the second mile would but make the press-gang more severe and exacting, resistance becomes a form of love and a duty for the sake of the wrongdoer. It may also become a duty for the sake of others, who are also objects of love, such as helpless persons who otherwise would be exposed to evil, or society as a whole.' And this seems to solve, or at least to suggest a solution of, the difficult question of national duty. Can a nation follow the precept ? If we had promptly resented the attack nn the fisher- men on the Dogger Bank it would not have been a Christian policy ; but to have passed it over without remonstrance might. have led to its repetition and the suffering of other victims.
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