SIDELIGHTS ON RELIGION.
Sidelights on Religion. By J. Brierley, B.A. (James Clarke. and Co. 8s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Brierley starts from the thesis that - religion, broadly considered, is "the real and only explanation of - the riddle of existence." That is a common ground of which it is impossible to exaggerate the importance. As we proceed some. points of difference will develop themselves. Mr. Brierley has s, tendency, we cannot but think, to generalise hastily. That there, was a sharp conflict between Paulinism and Judaic Christianity is manifest enough, but to say that "Paul's standpoint was regarded by the entire Apostolic body as a most dangerous and heretical novelty" is to go too far. Some terms of peace must have been agreed upon before long, if the testimony of the dots ie to count for anything. And would St. Paul have associated him- self with the "other Apostles," as he does more than once in his letters, if there had been this absolute breach between him and them ? On the other hand, there is little or nothing to which. we can refuse assent in such papers as "Religion and Morale;'
" Sacraments "—we observe here a statement of what Zwingli really held on this subject—and others which it is needless to mention. The book as a whole is full of suggestion. It illuminates some obscure subjects which most of us are content to leave alone. Perhaps we may say that it is a book for those whose business it is to teach, and who have a fairly well assured standing ground of belief. Theee it cannot fail to strengthen, while it broadens their outlook. We would specially recommend for careful study the last but one in order of those thirty-three studies, "Religion and Labour." The Christian Sooialist will get some good from it.
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