4 JANUARY 1902, Page 26

Samuel and his Age. By George C. M. Douglas, D.D.

(Eyre and Spottiswoode. 6s.)—Dr. Douglas takes up a strongly con-

servative position, holding, for instance, that Deuteronomy was written by Moses, though possibly showing a few changes by a later editor, and, again, that Samuel's father was of the priestly tribe. This latterseems unlikely in the face of the fact that he had nothing to do with the service of the Tabernacle. No dedication of the child would have been needed in this case. Then he is called an Ephrathite (as was Jesse). We cannot attach to a " Study in the Constitutional History of Israel" the value due to the writer's industry and learning if it is based on these prepossessions. Much, doubtless, may be learnt from it, but the student must be on his guard.