credits- the reliability of both author and editor as witnesses upon this and other subjects on which Mr. Crafts is said to give "expert testimony." For another illustration we may cite the remark (p. 428): "Chicago, whose reformers in City Hall and Civic Federation have been picking and choosing among the laws as a bill of fare—attacking gambling, but sparing its 'pals,' the saloon and the brothel—etc." This is the most masterly specimen of unconscious mendacity that I remember. It deserves to become a classic example of the advocate's tendency to smuggle conclusions into his allegations of facts. It would be difficult to cram more unfairness into an equal number of words without resorting to absolute falsehood.
On the other hand, everything which Mr. Crafts writes is inspired by a noble purpose, and its substance is true and strong. In the present instance the author's purpose is to "coordinate all these reforms as parts of one great reform—the reform which is the culmination of religion, namely, the Christianizing of society, which is the 'kingdom of God,' to the establishment of which, not to personal salvation merely, 'the chosen people' of both Testaments are divinely, but not yet effectually, called." While differing somewhat with Mr. Crafts on the systematic relation of this programme to "Sociology," I am glad to acknowledge the largeness of his view and the clearness of his aim in practical application of his conception.
The lectures treat of "Practical Christian Sociology." (1) From the standpoint of the church. (2) From the standpoint of the family and education. (3) and (4) From the standpoint of capital and labor. (5) From the standpoint of citizenship. This programme is plain, direct, candid. It is a plan to throw the clear white light of Christian revelation upon the importunate practical questions of modern society. It does not claim a mysterious philosophical endorsement assumed but never produced. The discussion proceeds boldly upon the presumption that Christianity has something decisive to say about unsettled social relations, and that it is possible to voice the Christian message in unmistakable form.
The primary value of the book will accordingly be found not so much in the force of the specific conclusions which it exhibits as in the cumulative effect of its insistence that religion is vain if it does not apply itself to the rectification of all sorts of human relations. Christian leaders may not be convinced that Mr. Crafts has discovered just the place or just the way to apply Christian force, but they will be very
