Religious Teaching in Secondary Schools. By the Rev. George C.
Bell. (Macmillan and Co.)—There is nothing, it may be said, in the whole cycle of education about which there is more delusion than religious teaching." A very large portion of what is so called has no real claim to the title. It deals with facts, historical or geographical, that are connected with places or persons mentioned in the Scriptures ; but there is nothing religious about it. In one sense all teaching may be religious. But laying the scene in Palestine does not make it so of necessity. On the other hand, a teacher who strives for something more real has to encounter great difficulties and avoid great dangers. He has an open mind, for instance, on the questions dealt with by the Higher Criticism. How far is he to let this influence him in his teaching ? He has, for instance, to give instruction in the Book of Daniel. Is he to discuss the questions of authenticity and date ? Mr. Bell has some wise suggestions and warnings on these and kindred points. He gives some excellent advice, the outcome of many years of successful teaching; and he draws out schemes which the teacher may fill in. His book will not save the teacher trouble. It does not put into his hands, as so many text-books do, a ready-made series of lessons. But it gives plenty of profitable hints, tells the teacher where to look, on what principles to work, what to seek, and what to avoid. We do not remember to have seen Mr. Bell's name on a title-page before. But it is no small thing to be homo unius libelli, if the libellus is as good as this.
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