WATTS’S LITERARY GUIDE B E I N G A M O N T H L Y R E C O R D O F L I B E R A L A N D A D V A N C E D P U B L I C A T IO N S .
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No. 80.]
JU L Y is , 1892.
[P rice One Penny.
N E W P U B L I C A T IO N S .
O U R L I B R A R Y S H E L V E S .
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Messrs. Watts & Co. have now ready for publication I)r. Uithell’s “ Handbook of Scientific Agnosticism ” (2s.). The work is divided into three parts— (1) Definition of Terms ; (2) The Fundamental Postulates of Agnosticism ; (3) 'I'he Agnostic Method and its Applications. Kach part is sub-divided, with appropriate headings; the object of the writer being to make the treatment of his subject clear to the merest tyro in scientific and philosophical subjects.
Whatever else Christianity may have done for the world in the early centuries of its existence, it cannot be said to have produced any masterpieces of literature. Justin Martyr is the first notable Christian writer whose name is attached to his productions; and after Homer, Plato, Virgil, and Cicero, the venerable Father cuts a very sorry figure. This statement may be easily tested by a perusal of a recent reprint of Justin’s
“ first apology”
Professor E rnst H aeckel writes the opening paper in the new number of the Monist. It is a concise and remark ably intelligible exposition of Monism, regarded as a con sistent, unitary world-view. Professor Hermann Schubert follows with an essay on “ The Magic Square.” The editor, Dr. Paul Carus, in addition to two lengthy articles— the first entitled “ Mr. Spencer on the Ethics of Kant,” and the second “ What Does Anschauung Mean ?”—contributes a reply to Mr. Charles S. Peirce (who, in another part of the Monist, attacks the doctrine of Necessity), and also offers some useful observations in the section devoted to “ Diverse Topics.”
Messrs. W. Stewart & Co. will issue immediately a brochure on “ Calvin and Servetus ” (6d.). The writer, who is a new aspirant for literary honours, records with vivid accuracy the leading incidents in the persecution and mar tyrdom of the illustrious heretic.
Professor Max M uller is preparing for press the fourth volume of his Gifford Lectures, on “ Psychological Religion.” It may be expected late in the autumn.
Mr. J . M. Wheeler’s new work, entitled “ Bible Studies (2s. fid.), deals with Phallic worship and other curious rites and customs.
(in “ Ancient and Modern Library of Theological Literature;” Griffith and Farran ; 1891 ; 260 pp.; is.). “ Some Account of the Writings of Justin Martyr ” is a prefatory review, occupying 16 1 pages, and was written three generations ago by Bishop Kaye. The ninety-nine following pages contain the “ Apology ” itself, as translated by William Reeves in 17 17 . The estimate of Justin is consequently very orthodox and considerably behind the times. What it lacks in novelty it makes up in learning, for Bishop Kaye’s original notes and Greek quotations are all faithfully reprinted. YVe doubt if the publishers did a wise thing in going to all this conscientious length. The preface, with its heavy fringe of Greek citations from Justin and other Fathers, will perhaps scare away the timid genera! reader. Nevertheless, the Bishop took much pains with his essay, and gives what is, in the main, a reliable summary of Justin’s opinions (as gathered from the whole o f the Father’s writings) on the Logos, the Trinity, Original Sin, Freedom o f the Will, Justification, Baptism and Eucharist, Immortality of the Soul, Resurrection, Angels, Demons, and the Christian ethics, etc. In one chapter Bishop Kaye discusses the question whether Justin quoted the gospels which we now have, and concludes Y e s ; but the reader who has considered the matter under the guidance of the writer of “ Supernatural Religion ” will, of course, dissent with emphasis from his Lordship’s easy method of dealing with Justin’s divergence from the exact text of the Four Gospels.
Mu. G. YV. Foote has issued a brochure on “ Rome or Atheism : The Great Alternative” (3d.).
S imultaneously with the biography of the late Mr. Ernest Jones, by Mr. George Howell, M.P., will be pub lished the literary works and speeches of the deceased.
M r. F. Hugh C apron must possess exceptional courage, l i e has, under the title of “ The Antiquity of Man from the Point of View of Religion,” just written a reply to Mr. S. Laing’s “ Modern Science and Modern Thought.”
S aladin’s forthcoming work will be entitled “ Janet Smith," and will surpass all his previous efforts in withering satire and sublime pathos. It will be ready about October.
Mr. A rthur B. Moss’s “ Christianity and involution” is now going through the press. The work has been written with great care, and should be heartily welcomed by the talented author’s many admirers.
The Bishop quite justly remarks that the “ Apology ” is “ not perspicuously written, and we have difficulty in discovering the train of the author’s reasoning.” Instead of proving the truth of the Christian religion by an appeal to archives, monuments, contemporary evidence of Roman authors, and traditions carefully collected from the scene of the Gospel drama (and all this sort of argument would have weighed with thoughtful Pagans), Justin meanders about among the Hebrew prophets, laboriously searching for predictions of Christ’s Virgin-birth, miraculous achievements, etc. The good man displays a comical ingenuity in explaining the practice of baptism and the eucharistic meal among the followers of heathen religions. The devils, he affirms, scented these elements of the future Christianity out of the prophets, and cunningly forestalled the true faith by slipping them into the Egyptian worship, the mysteries of Mithras, and the Eleusinian ceremonies ! As to the speculations of the Greeks on the soul, Justin accused the Hellenic philosophers and poets of wholesale plagiarism
