New Readings of Old Parables. By the Rev. C. Anderson.
(Henry S. King and Co.)—We cannot say that we like Mr. Anderson's New Readings. That old interpretations may be enlarged, and that study will ever find new meanings in words of wisdom, we doubt not, but we much doubt whether these results will be attained through the an- tagonistic and even contemptuous attitude which Mr. Anderson assumes towards former thinkers. He is never weary of using hard words to what he calls the "religious world," a phrase which seems to include all who want something more definite than his own shadowy creed,— shadowy, that is, as far as it is announced here. He sees reality and earnestness in the "Greek life of beauty and philosophy," and in the 'Hebrew life of moral struggle ;" but the middle-ages were" unprofitable, and the men of these ages unprofitable servants." What pitiable narrow- ness this is !—Mr. Anderson sitting in judgment on Thomas Aquinas, and Anselm, and Bernard, and pronouncing them to be "unprofitable servants." But theologians, it seems, are a useless, nay, a mischievous set. The preachers of righteousness are the men of science, political economists, sanatory and educational reformers. If Mr. Anderson thinks to propitiate the enemies of belief by these flatteries, he is terribly mistaken. Men of science will laugh at him, and tell him that, minimise his faith as he will, it will still be a superfluity. It is with reluctance that we have thus expressed ourselves about Mr. Anderson, whose former books have left a favourable impression, which it is a distinct pain to lose.
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