obdurate if they can read his book without a quickening of their conviction that they ought to be more devoted to finding the place and the way.
Mr. Crafts is a social evangelist rather than a sociologist, and I am often ready to confess that the class he represents may temporarily do more good, if they are judicious, than the other class. It is well for us to be told forcibly that we must bestir ourselves if the world is to be redeemed. Agitation is wholesome when conducted by men of good will, who have positive beliefs, even if the things they believe are not relatively as important as the agitators imagine. For this reason the book is to be welcomed.
Ruling Ideas of the Present Age.—The Fletcher Prize Essay for 1894, by Washington Gladden. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 16mo., pp. 299. $1.25.
Dr. Gladden never fails to provoke thought—yes, provoke is the word. The virility of his style often becomes pugnacity. He defies opposition instead of conciliating prejudice. True, he sometimes makes monsters out of mild misdoers, and belabors them relentlessly for constructive crimes. But even in these cases it is edifying to see his ruthless logic lay on the blows, though we are obliged to think he rather thoughtlessly concentrates the castigation.
This little book, apparently adapted from pulpit discourses, does not claim to present novel ideas. It tries to enforce some vital Christian conceptions. I wish it could be read by every intelligent person in the land who wishes to be a better citizen. No candid reader could fail to receive spiritual quickening from its arguments. Jews and Agnostics might accept many of his principal conclusions, without admitting that they depend upon the reasons alleged.
It is not necessary for such a book to convince at every point in order to do splendid service. I feel the need of a much broader treatment of the ethics of property (pp. 158 sq.); of more precise analysis of public opinion (p. 207); and of more judicial treatment of supposed "Pharisaism" (p. 233). But these are minor details. The whole argument is heavily charged with moral galvanism, and I prefer to herald rather than criticise.
The following epitome will indicate the course and quality of thought:
