and make its path smoother and easier to travel. The common notion, however true, that in the gradations of matter and life lower forms preceded higher and newer forms, does not by any means include all the facts or answer all those inquiries that inhere in the subject. The fact of gradation is one thing, which evolution has emphasized; the cause of gradation is another, which evolution has not determined. The author, confident of scientific accuracy, elaborates an inquiry into the physiological cause of the various changes in the anatomy of the animal kingdom, carrying the mystery of the evolutional process somewhat further than the pioneers of the theory, and making plausible a view of nature that cannot but be helpful in investigation. It is too soon to pronounce upon the finality of his inquiry, but it is in order to say that it deserves scientific consideration. Beginning with the doctrine of cosmogony, he traces the earth's history through the paleozoic, mesozoic, cenozoic, and posttertiary periods, applying his physiological tests wherever they can serve his purpose, and preparing the way for his exposition of man as a product of evolution. It is interesting to note his attempt to place man in the same line of development as other animals; and it is equally awakening to read his prognosis of the terrestrial sphere, a part of which is as speculative as it is scientific. From none of these inferences do we dissent, except to say that his physiological inquiry at these points needs buttressing. On the whole the book is a valuable development of an inquiry that may suggest a profounder and wider research into the great mystery.

Memorabilia of the New World. By W. FоTSCH. 2 Vols., 8vo, pp. 365 and 367. Price, cloth, $1.25 each.

These volumes in the German language were, as their author expressly states, written for the instruction and entertainment of youth. They cover a wide field and discuss subjects which must forever prove Memorabilia, A hasty glance at the captions of the various chapters will afford a conception of their range: "Columbus and the New World; " "The Land of the Montezumas;" "The Land of the Incas; 'Huguenots in the New World;""Concerning the Mormons; ""The Struggle for the Emancipation of the Slaves." The author purports only to give panoramic views of some of the more remarkable phenomena the New Worid has to offer; wherefore the chapters of his work take on rather the appearance of detached essays. A real connection there is not between them; a progression, however, is traceable, and the materials necessary to fill out the gaps have been appropriately sketched in introductions to the several volumes. The essay on Columbus is timely, and sums up briefly what is known of his remarkable career. German readers especially will be attracted by the chapters on Mexico and Peru. For American readers none of the essays will perhaps possess quite the interest aroused and sustained by that on the Mormons. Much of the information here offered on this topic was hitherto not readily accessible to German readers even in America. Altogether these books are uncommonly replete with instruction; and, intended for the young, they are quite adapted to their purpose in their

arrangement, succinctness of details, and general attractions of style. To be sure, the critic may take exception to some things in the work, but it will do good in spite of blemish or criticism, which cannot be said of thousands of works offered in these days to the public.

MISCELLANEOUS.

My Mother. An Appreciation. By BISHOP JOHN H. VINCENT. 16mo, pp. 45. Meadville: Flood & Vinceut.

This tribute to a mother's character and influence by a distinguished son is a model biography, being dignified in its relations, exquisite in its literary taste, and effective in the impressiveness of the lessons it teaches. Bishop Vincent, under the impulse of a reverential memory and in recognition of the strength of the filial relation, portrays his mother in her house-life, with her domestic habits, in her association with neighbors, in mutual acts of kindness, and in her religious experiences and activities, that indicate a decided Methodistic spirit from her conversion to the day of her death. The brief history reveals a Christian woman whose earnestness was in proportion to her knowledge, whose faith was undisturbed by doubt, whose stability was unmarked by vicissitude, whose love never wavered, and whose devotion to duty was only eclipsed by her growth in those virtues that raised her to the elevation of the saints. In these things she was a pattern, and therefore the appropriateness and value of the setting forth by one whose judgment was not impaired by love and whose discriminations were not lessened by appreciation.

Samson and Shylock; or, A Preacher's Plea for the Working-men. Himself a Day Laborer. By the REV. JOHN M. DRIVER, Pastor of Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. A. 12mo, pp. 271. Chicago: Patriotic Publishing Company. Price, cloth, $1.50.

A series of discourses-sixteen in number on the rights, obligations, and privileges of the working-men-a class of men whom the author rightly holds to have been in subjection to capital long enough. As a remedy for the existing condition he discountenances the more violent methods of socialism and nihilism, and recommends the religion of the Nazarene carpenter to the consideration of the class whom he would help. Occasionally he is extravagant in description and claims, but the subject is an exciting one and likely to beget inflammatory speech and action, the excuse for which is the motive of sympathy with those who are wronged. The earnestness of the author has not compromised his sense of justice or blinded him to a recognition of the other side. The book is comprehensive in plan, exhibits a unity not usual in miscellaneous addresses, and will be useful in proportion as it is circulated.

METHODIST REVIEW.

JULY, 1892.

ART. I. THE DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION

PSYCHOLOGICALLY DEVELOPED.

HOLINESS is the demand of the hour. Never was Christianity called upon to prove its claims by its fruits as it is to-day. In this era of realism men ask after results. Applied Christianity is the only Christianity in whose behalf the preacher can gain the attention of a busy age. The preponderant ethical element in a well-rounded doctrine of sanctification ought therefore to make it an attractive theme. With the religion of historical Christianity much fault may be found. But few have the hardihood to criticise the religion of Christ; and the gracious processes of sanctification all tend to produce in their subjects a moral and religious likeness to Jesus.

Why, then, has sanctification become a word of offense to the present generation? It will not suffice to answer that the natural heart is averse to it, for if one does not call it by name he may preach all he will about the subject, and no one's prejudices will be aroused. Nor is the explanation to be found in the failure of its professors to meet the expectations of their observers and critics; for most people believe in religion notwithstanding the imperfections of Christians. Observation shows that the source of opposition is either ignorance or misapprehension. When the doctrine is clearly set forth as taught in the Scriptures, criticism is disarmed, not so much by the authority of God's word as by the reasonableness of the doctrine itself. The peculiarly practical nature of the doctrine imposes upon all ministers of the Gospel the duty of clearly compre34-FIFTH SERIES, VOL. VIII.

hending it. Yet in what practical domain of Christian doctrine does so much confusion of thought reign as here? Consecration, sanctification, holiness, perfect love, Christian perfection, the second blessing, the higher life, the mind that was in Christ, the image of Christ in the soul, and a variety of other terms, scriptural and unscriptural, each having in reality a definite meaning, and giving expression to some particular phase of the whole work, are used in the most indiscriminate manner, and, with the exception of the first, are generally allowed to be identical in significance. Under such instructions professions are likely to be equally indiscriminate. Listeners feel, rather than perceive, the incongruity. They do not charge hypocrisy, but error, and mentally resolve not to be guilty of a similar mistake. They may be wrong, but if we can prevent such consequences by greater precision in the statement of the doctrine and experience we are bound by the most solemn obligations to do it.*

The subject is much larger than any treatment of it ever given to the world, although it has been the theme of many excellent treatises, the reading of which can but fan the devo tional feelings into flame. But all these works are practical rather than critical, and do not propose to do more than to set forth clearly the teachings of Wesley concerning the doctrine. Without exception, too, they give to one single phase and juncture in the process of sanctification so much prominence as to withdraw attention from the wider and all-inclusive work. Probably no one would be more surprised than Wesley himself that his followers have been content with the study he made of the doctrine in the course of his busy life. As a matter of fact he wrote very little upon this subject as compared with the practical importance it holds in his system. Even his "Plain Account" was not written to make the doctrine plain, but to make plain that his teaching concerning Christian perfection had been self-consistent from the beginning. In other words, it is a history of his connection with the doctrine among the Methodists. This accounts for the repetitive character of the

*On the profession of the blessing Wesley has given most sensible advice. Works, vol. vi, p. 524.

See full title of the work and first paragraph, as well as throughout. Works, vol. vi, p. 483, f.

document. But it also accounts for the fact that although it occupies forty-nine pages of his published works the doctrine itself is little developed therein. Wesley's mind was intuitional rather than reflective, and practical rather than philosophical. He reached the truth, but he reached it in bulk rather than in detail. His doctrinal teachings will, we predict, undergo but little modification in the course of the ages. But they are capable of immense elaboration and development. What he stated in general needs to be analyzed, that the contents and implications of his opinions may be made clear. On the subject of sanctification he was especially prolific of undefined suggestion, both as to method and fact. His constant limitation of the terms of Scripture by the facts of psychology was a logical consequence of the emphasis he gave to man's part in salvation; but he never developed the method, nor has any writer acted upon the hint.* The nature and powers of the soul, man, in his environment, the subject of sanctifying grace, must be taken into consideration, and not the will and power of God alone. Divine grace is a power at work upon human character and life. Its reactions upon the human soul, and their modifications by the other forces at work in him and upon him, need careful study. This is, in part, the psychological side of the theme.

Then, too, the scriptural teachings concerning holiness need to be more exhaustively studied. It does not suffice to examine the meaning of a few such words as "holy," "holiness," etc. Holiness is, indeed, the central doctrine of the Bible; but a center implies a circumference. To exhibit the center alone is inadequate. We want all those Scriptures which lie about the center and shade up into it and illustrate it. Yet how inadequately the subject has been studied from the script

*Dr. Daniel Steele, in his delightful and helpful book, Love Enthroned, has shown some appreciation of the value of psychology to a study of Christian experience. See Chapter XIII, § 2. Bishops Foster and Merrill employ the psychological method incidentally, especially the former in his Philosophy of Christian Experience, Lectures VII, VIII. But no one has undertaken to employ it systematically, so far as we know.

This is the chief defect in Beet's excellent work, Holiness as Understood by the Writers of the Bible. The work of Dr. A. Lowrey, Possibilities of Grace, is the most complete in this respect, as in many others, with which we have met. We have wished, however, for a more thorough discussion of the passages adduced.