SOME BOOKS OF TUE NIT - 1nm [Under this heading see tidies
inch Davis, of the wok as have not been reserved for review in other forms.) Simple Bible Teaching on the Rudiments of Christianity. By Arling Whelpton, M.A. (A. R. Mowbray and Co. Cxl. net.)— If Mr. Whelptou can got all that Ise gives bore into "Simple Bible Teaching," ho will have no cause to complain of the new Education Bill. But he seems to us to press the text (Hebrews vi. 2) on which he enlarges beyond due limits, and to forget that it must be interpreted by its context. The "doctrine of baptisms," for instance, must refer to teaching given to Jewish catechumens. Alford, who follows very good authorities, says that the plural includes "those various washings which were under the law, the baptism of John, and even Christian baptism. also, perhaps, included, the natures of which, and their distinctions from one another, would naturally be ono of tho fundamental and primary objects of teaching to Hebrew converts." Mr. Whelpton's inference from the "laying on of halals " is even more daring. Among them is "Apostolical Succession" ! Does he concede this to all Christian bodies which use this form ? But the most surprising thing is the statement that St. Thomas's "scepticism arose from undisciplined irregularity in assembly with his fellow Christians." We can imagine a preacher using the incident rhetorically to enforce regularity in attendance at church ; but the rhetoric would be of doubtful propriety. The grave asser- tion is strange beyond words. Who can tell why St. Thomas "was not with them" ? We may contrast with Mr. Whelpton's reading of the Apostle's character one quoted some months since in these columns. It was Thomas who said : "Let us go with Him that we may die with Him." It was the fall from this resolution in a moment of panic that so disturbed his balance of thought. The remembrance of his cowardice, trebly painful to a really bravo man, kept him away from his old companions. Surely this is a broader and snore generous view of the matter than Mr. Whelpton's, who seems to think that it was as easy to go to the "upper room" as to an Eastbourne church.
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