Christian Biographies through Eighteen Centuries. By the Rev. F. St.
J. 'Thackeray. (S.P.C.K. 35. 6d.)—We could not have a better illustration of the advantage of presenting history by means of biography than is to be found in this volume. Mr. Thackeray takes in, it will be seen, eighteen centuries. He begins with St. Paul, and he ends with John Wesley. What could be have done if he had attempted a Church history in even the barest outline in the space here accorded to him, just over two hundred pages ? Nothing could be less readable than such a sketch : as it is we get a really instructive and illuminating account of the great movements of thought and action in the Christian Church. He begins with St. Paul, giving him an ample, but not too ample, share of the space available,—forty-three out of two hundred and three pages. (It is strange how inadequately St. Paul has been appreciated by Christendom. St. Peter has five or six dedications for one to St. Paul.) This portion of the book is Mr. Thackeray's own, and an excellent piece of work ; else- where, as be tells us in his preface, he has often compiled, though he gives an impress of his own thought to the matter of which he makes use. We would especially mention the chapters on "Erasmus and Luther" and "Laud." He is no follower of the strange cuitus of the Archbishop; but he does justice to his great qualities.
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