Paul of Tarsus. By Thomas Bird. (Nelson and Sons. 4s.
6d.) —Mr. Bird has filled in the outlines which we have of the life and work of St Paul, with details gathered from various sources, literary, archological, &c. And he has done it well. Possibly there is a little too much colour in the picture. But it is mani- fest that much trouble has been expended on the task, and the effect is distinctly good. We do not understand what Mr. Bird means when he says that though " he may not win the approval of Biblical students and theologians," he hopes to interest the young. There should be no kind of opposition between the approval of the one and the liking of the other. Mr. Bird has been a " Biblical student," and to very good purpose, Naturally there are a few corrections which he might profit- ably make. In the description of the Isthmian games, conflicts between men and wild beasts are mentioned. The Greeks abhorred such things, though it is possible that they may have occurred exceptionally, as in Nero's time. The attitude of St. Paul to the Greek philosophies can hardly have been such as is described. " He was not curious to inquire closely [in view of the places where these philosophies were taught] what had been said that so interested mankind. It was enough that they did not worship God." But surely he claimed that they did worship God. " Whom ye ignorantly worship," he said to his audience at Mars Hill, philosophers being certainly among them, "Him declare I unto you." It might have been as well in relating the Conversion to omit, with the best authorities, " it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." St. Paul could hardly have seen the hills of Gilead as he journeyed from Jerusalem to Cassarea. The high ground of Jerusalem would- hide them, being nearly as much above sea-level as they are.
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