LITERATURE. The Constitution of Comprehensionism; or, The Guide for the Right. Drafted by F. G. WILSON, the Radiationist of the Blue Transept of the Paradision of Comprehension. London: H. Cattell & Co. WHY this piece of profane secularism has been sent to us, we do not know; but as it is on our table, we "The shall say a word about it. Radiationist of the Blue Transept -whatever that may mean-has constituted himself into a "University" (!) and is going to "effect a moral revolution throughout the whole world;" that is, if a sufficient number of other " Universities" join him. We are to have a new religion, vastly superior to that which we possess at present," Comprehensionism" instead of the Gospel. All creeds, churches, sects, are to disappear before our luminous "Radiationist," and the world is to be happy at last. But as we pity the writer, we shall only add, for his information, that men accustomed to the sublime truths of Christianity will not exchange them for the pedantic jargon of infidelity. Lights and Shadows of Ancient Mythology, Language, and History; or, Odin's Runa of Yggdrasil. By ELISABETH WILSON. London: S. W. Partridge & Co. WE expected much from this volume, as we know something of the fine enthusiasm with which Miss Wilson pursues the studies of her honoured father; but we have found much more than we expected. She has really surprised us; and, whilst we appreciate highly the learning and research of this accomplished lady, we must express our admiration of the way by which she clothes with life and beauty the relics of pre-historic antiquity. The advocates of our Israelitish origin have in this fascinating book a magazine of arguments. Talk of romance! It must not be named on the same day with "Odin's Runa of Yggdrasil!" The light which this volume throws on many obscure passages of Scripture is wonderful; and if that were its only merit, which is far enough from being the case, it ought at once to secure a host of readers. Pauline Theology, by H. L. HAST INGS, of Boston, has been issued by the "Conditional Immortality Association," price one shilling. London: F. Southwell, 19, Paternoster Row. THIS admirable little book proves that the Apostle of the Gentiles knows nothing of the awful doctrine of eternal sin and woe. But, as a matter of fact, that doctrine is not in the Bible at all, as the rapidly growing numbers of Christians know, and as all might know if they would search for themselves without prejudice. Blessed be God, this hideous lie of centuries is at last detected and put to shame! But we must labour still, with all fidelity, to chase it out of Christendom! NOTICES. MR. ELLIOT STOCK has published the New Testament in French, illustrated, at the astonishing price of one penny, in paper covers; three pence in cloth. We hope it will have a large circulation in France. "S. D. B." The author you name did wisely in avoiding the Bible when writing his book to prove the immortality of the soul; for he would have had small help in that quarter. "He wished to be independent of the Scriptures." Exactly! "H." We need not tell an educated man that the authorities are divided regarding the doxology. The Revisers have gone with the majority. But we need not lose the precious words, for they are certainly Scriptural, whether our Lord added them to the model prayer or not. You are rather hard on the Revisers, and no good purpose could be attained by the publication of your paper. We could not use your remarks concerning a contemporary, because we think complaints should be sent only to the party complained of. He may have a satisfactory answer which no one else could give. 6 "J. C." writes: "Would it not be well if Mr. Holding would now put into about fifty words-or say, into a nutshell '—what he thinks about the matter he has treated at such length?" Perhaps Mr. Holding will notice this and give us a synopsis, without comment, of his reasons for believing that the Syriac was the original of the New Testament. We will give him a page for this purpose, instead of our correspondent's "fifty words." "A LADY" who cannot profit by the pulpit, as she is hard of hearing, expresses her grateful thanks for the valuable teaching of the RAINBOW. "YORKS." I think of Bradford with pleasure, having met some true men and women there, fine specimens of clear heads and warm hearts. 1 hope you are right in believing that the circulation of the "Rainbow Tracts will do good; but I am much out of pocket by them, and unable, therefore, to add to their number. "Aquila." I will tell you a little story about "published by request." Many years ago I delivered a lecture; subject and place need not be mentioned. Its publication was unanimously voted, one enthusiastic gentleman shouting, "Both hands!" I took comfort from this in relation to the cost of printing, as I knew him to be a man of independent means. When the lecture was printed, he took-one copy, price fourpence! A CLERGYMAN writes: "I have read with much pleasure your paper on 'The Divine Side of the Question.' It could not be better ! Did I think this would endanger your humility, I would not say so; but I think you are proof against that." Oh, quite; thank you! "H. D." says: "Your three recent articles, two on The King,' and one on ' The Divine Side of the Question,' I read with special interest. They are simply very grand. May the mighty God of Jacob make you strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, to prosecute the grand work! It is pleasing and gratifying to know that the Light and the Truth are extending so rapidly." A Magazine of Christian Literature, with Special Reference to the Revealed Future of the Church and the World. DECEMBER, 1881. EBENEZER! OW much there is sometimes in a single word! How 66 Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." As truly as did the illustrious Samuel, we use these words. This number closes the eighteenth volume of the RAINBOW. It is the Lord's doing, and He shall have all the praise, with overflowing gratitude. We meant to labour for Him, to try to clear some portions of His truth from the entanglements of superstition, tradition, paganism, and false philosophy. We knew that we should acquire neither wealth nor popularity on this field. We counted the cost and made our choice with right good will, as it is better to be on the side of unpopular truth than on that of error in purple and fine linen; better, because the consciousness of fighting for the right sustains amidst the privations and hardships of the battlefield; and better, because the great "Leader and Commander" in this warfare is so divinely strong in His cause as to be sure of victory, and so wonderfully generous as to think of the humblest private in His army. We need not remind our friends and fellow-labourers that to promote a doctrinal reformation is the hardest task under the sun. Political and social reforms require energy, perseverance, and money to realise them. It usually takes many years to remove from the statute book of these realms a law whose workings experience has found inimical to the commonweal, notwithstanding the obvious fact that, in political and social matters, there is nothing specially holy to prevent men doing what, on mature consideration, they think best for the general interests of the community. But when you come to the religious region, and suggest that, after reverent examination, as becomes the subject of study, you are obliged to conclude that there are dogmas in it which never came from God, you instantly create suspicion, doubt, dislike. The reason of this is perfectly clear. It does not require a moment's investigation. You have touched sacred ground, where even examination seems presumptuous. Early training, catechism, creed, pulpit, and religious book, all rise up against you-a phalanx of guardians of the ecclesiastical citadel, every stone of which is supposed to be holy. You must respect the sentiment, whatever you may think of the wisdom which, without question, venerates everything which is thought to come from God. 66 Of course it is legitimate to criticise the indolence that will not try the spirits whether they are of God," which takes everything for granted, and assents to propositions which are palpably false; but, recollecting that you yourself once dwelt in that same region of unquestioning credulity, charity whispers in your ear not to criticise too keenly the brother you have left behind in your march Sunward. Well, it is right to listen to this whisper; but it cannot be right to conceal a glorious truth with which the MASTER has honoured you, lest its brilliance should pain the eyes of men who have lived hitherto in a theological fog, or in that "dim religious light" which suits the vision of sentimental people, but is simply irrational to the man of robust faith who goes forward vigorously to ascend the Mount of God. Yet in the case of those who wish to preserve every thing that is nominally religious, lest you should touch any thing that is really so, we must be at once courteous, tender, and faithful. If asked how are we to combine these attributes, the answer is not so difficult as at first it may appear. The law of the case is clear: "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose," from whatever motive. This is the law, in loyalty to which we have acted all these years. But we claim no credit in this; for, setting aside for the moment its divine wisdom, it commends itself to our intelligence as the best "policy." The fierce polemics of the past, when good men vilified each other with opprobrious epithets, are, we hope, past for ever. Their malign adjectives were greatly owing to the cruel parts of their creed. They served God bitterly, imagining that the keenness of their invectives vouched for the truth of their theology. We are thankful that this mode of theological warfare is out of date among all who have any claim to the distinction of Christian gentlemen; and we are certain that truth loses none of its moral force by coming clothed in a "still small voice," instead of that of earthquake or fire. We make no reflection on the memory of our noble fathers; on the contrary, we honour them highly as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; to whose fidelity we owe much, although it was sometimes shown in a fashion which it would be unpardonable in us to copy. Truth has not changed, and cannot change; but it is a delightful fact that the more she is left to the quiet operation of her own dew-like influence, the greater is the beauty and fruitfulness that result. We make these illustrative remarks, partly as suggestive of the spirit in which the Lord's witnesses should bear testimony; and partly, we gratefully believe, as accounting for the wonderful success of the truths we teach in reaching the minds and hearts of Christian people in all parts of the world. The LORD hath helped us! We give thanks, fervently. The work is not ours but His. "Ebenezer!" EDITOR. IN GOSPEL MIRACLES AND THE JEWS. N two articles which lately appeared in the RAINBOW, I drew attention to the general question of "Revelation and its Evidences," in connection with the argument of the late John Stuart Mill. I wish to add further thoughts suggested by the same writer, and having reference to the light in which the miracles of our Lord and His apostles were regarded by the people before whom they are alleged to have been wrought. One main objection made by Mr. Mill to invalidate the testimony in favour of the Gospel miracles is, that it was given "in times when no one thought it worth while to contradict any alleged miracle, because it was the belief of the age that miracles in themselves proved nothing, since they could be worked by a lying spirit as well as by the Spirit of God" (237). With that admixture of truth which is necessary to give credit to every plausible error, it is difficult to imagine a statement more opposed to fact than this. The sole element of truth in it is, that it was the common belief among the Jews that works beyond human power, or the spontaneous agencies of nature, and as such supernatural, were sometimes wrought by evil spirits. The broad startling inferences which Mill draws from this fact are justified neither by the premiss itself, nor by the opinion or conduct of any class whatsoever among the Jewish people, or of any Gentile nation. We fully admit, then, that it was a very common belief in the land where the miracles of Christ are alleged to have been performed, that it was within the power of evil spirits, and permitted to them by God, to perform works accounted "supernatural." But when this is conceded, the concession will be found, upon examination, to serve Mill's purpose in no respect whatever. In order to serve his purpose it should be shown that the supernatural power, whether justly or unjustly attributed to evil spirits, was equal to, or in any considerable measure approached, that miraculous power which was attributed to Christ first, and afterwards to His disciples. If supernatural power, to this extent, were generally conceded to evil spirits in the land and time of the alleged Christian miracles, there can be no question that it would lead very naturally to the inferences which Mill has drawn from the fact that some supernatural power was, beyond doubt, attributed to them. If Jesus and His disciples were supposed, even by His bitter enemies, |
