JOHN WILHELM ROWNTREE.
John Wilhelm Rowntree: Essays and Addresses. Edited by Joshua Rowntree. (Headley Brothers. 5s.)—This volume, apart from the strong biographical interest attaching to it, will be found of great sociological value, as indicating the position, in theological and other respects, of the Society of Friends at the present day. Had the author of the essays and addresses which constitute the bulk of the volume and shed light on Quakerism not died at the early age of thirty-six—he was born in 1868—be would probably have exercised a great influence on the history of the very remarkable, and still unique, body to which he belonged. As things are, he will always be remembered within the Society of Friends for having organised " settlements " for religious study. He had an extraordinary physical struggle. He belonged to a well-known cocoa firm in Yorkshire, and took his share in the business. But from childhood he was afflicted with deafness, and while he was still a young happy married man he was informed that he would probably become quite blind by the time he reached middle-age. He actually died in New York of pneumonia, contracted on a voyage thither from this country ; and the editor of the American organ of the Friends wrote : "His death removed the person whose life at this Ameture seemed the most important and indispensable for the expansion and re-inter- pretation of Quakerism." John Rowntree's " remains " may help in the accomplishment of the work which was interrupted by his death. They consist mainly of lectures and addresses upon various subjects, the most important being "The Rise of Quakerism in Yorkshire" and "The Basis of the Quaker Faith." On the question of creed Rowntree was specially entitled to speak, because in his early days he had his period of spiritual doubt. He was an excellent writer as well as an im- passioned speaker; there are historical passages in his "remains," particularly in his lectures on the history of Quakerism, which are genuinely eloquent.
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