THROLOGT. — The Parable of the Great Supper. By the Rev. F.
C. Blyth. (Rivingtons. 5s.)—This is an effort to exemplify a suggestion cf the author that expositions of Scripture might advantageously be substituted for discourses based on isolated texts. It is a suggestion of considerable value, already, we are glad to think, often acted on. The preacher on a text is often tied down to some unin- teresting composition of his own or a masterpiece of some one else. But an exposition is within the power of any one who has a decent library of reference and the energy to use it.—Notes of an Outlook on Life, by A. G. Mercer, S.T.D. (Bell and Sons, 55. net), is a posthumous compilation of remarks found in this author's private papers. Not a little valuable thought and feeling will be found in them.—Christian Character as a Social Power. By J. Smith, D.D. (Hodder and Stoughton. 3s. 6d.)— Here we have a series of essays on a subject too much neglected by religious thinkers and writers. Our ideal of religion is not the cloistered virtue of the hermit, but the patient, courageous doing of duty in the midst of the world.—On a kindred topic is The Claims of Jesus Christ, by W. J. Sparrow Simpson (Longmstis and Co., 2s.)—In the " International Critical Commentary " (T. and T. Clark, 125.) we have Proverbs, by C. H. Toy, D.D.Pro- fessor Tv is for assigning a late date to the book. He sees nothing distinctively Jewish in it, and many indications of an advanced civilisation. The commentary is accompanied throughout by a new translation, which is decidedly illuminating. The annota- tion on the form of the language, on the interpretation, the references and allusions, and kindred matters, is very full The weak part of the volume is the index, which is quite inadequate to the purpose.—Solomon and Solomonic Literature. By Minicar° Daniel Conway. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co. 6s.)— The Five Theological Orations of Gregory of Nasianzus. Edited by Arthur James Mason, D.D. (Cambridge University Press. 5s. net.)—These five orations were delivered, it is probable, during the brief episcopate of Gregory at Constanti- nople s Dr. Mason thinks in A.D 380). They were addressed to the then prevalent heresy of Eunotnius, an exaggerated type of Arianism. They have always ranked high in the theological literature of antiquity, and the selection of them as the first of a series of "Patriotic Texts" intended for students of divinity is judicious. Professor Mason's introduction gives a candid esti- mate of Gregory's qualities and defects. Nothing is more interesting than to see how near this champion of orthodoxy himself comes to heresy. Illis diebus ingeniosa res erat esse Christianum.—The New Evangelism, and other Papers. By Henry Drummond. (Hodder and Stoughton. 5s.)—Of the seven papers in this volume one, on "The Contribution of Science to Religion," has appeared before. The others, we are told, were not intended for publication, a phrase which seems to mean not prepared for publication. Perhaps our best course is simply to commend them to our readers, who may rely on finding them worth reading. The subjects are related to some of the most important issues of modern life and thought, and the author's name is a guarantee of adequate treatment.—The Ted,ching of Christ. By Henry Edward Manning. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and Co. 68.)— This is not exactly a new edition, though it contains nothing that has not been published before. It is a " Selection of Sermons from the Anglican Writings of the late H. E. Manning." Not a few good judges think that the change of attitude ex- pressed in the words " Sometime Archdeacon of Chichester and afterwards Cardinal" did not improve the literary and intel- lectual value of Dr. Manning's work. It is certain that there are qualities in these early sermons which we may seek in vain in his later utterances.
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