even although in matters epistemological, his filiation was to Locke and Hume and the English School of Psychology. He held strongly that Religion was a form of rational knowledge, and that through Religion, the "abstract" views of common sense and science could be revised and supplemented. Religion, far from being an illusion, reveals in Professor Hoernle's words, "the fundamental nature of realty as completely as our minds can grasp it." The defects and limitations of religious thought spring not from "abstraction," which is the vice of lower levels of thinking, but from the inherent finiteness of the human mind. Dr. Merz was in the Platonic tradition, in so far as he maintained the synoptic nature of the philosophic mission. With advancing knowledge, each age demands a new synthesis, which will attempt to reconcile the various conflicts in the spiritual life of humanity, and include not only the results of technical knowledge, but also current movements in art, literature, morals and religion. MATTER, LIFE, MIND, AND GOD. By Professor R. F. A. Hoernlé, Armstrong College, University of Durham. Methuen & Co., London. 1923. 6/- net.

Contains five lectures on Contemporary Tendencies of Thought, delivered to a general audience, with an excellent bibliography at the end of each lecture. This book will be found helpful by both the philosophical student and the general reader. It is not a dry compendium or summary of opinions, but an enlightened and enlightening review and estimate of all the more important philosophical problems of our time. There is not a dull page in the book, yet there is nothing of the superficial or superfluous. In the hands of a good teacher, this volume would be an admirable text-book for use in a W.E.A. Tutorial Class in Philosophy, but it may also be recommended to all those who find it difficult to see their way through the mazes of modern thought.

CHRISTIAN TRADITION AND CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK. By the Rev. K. T. Henderson, M.A., Melbourne. The Australian Student Christian Movement Corporation. 1923. 2/-.

Written by a man of ability, courage, and insight, who can sympathise with both Modernism and Traditionalism, but who is afraid of neither. A "new synthesis between religion and national life is required," and the responsibility for effecting it "rests primarily with educated young Australians." Thus the youth which is the hope of the church is also the hope of the nation. Mr. Henderson is one of the representatives of a new religious movement, with brains behind it, which is being carried on with freedom from prejudice, virile energy, and moral enthusiasm, While not losing touch with the official churches, it refuses to be dominated by them, which is what one would expect from Young Australia. "Our churches have no historical excuse for rigidity in intellectual statement, worship, or any other form of life." This little book deals in an interesting and vigorous way with most of the problems which thoughtful young Australians are being called upon to face. The chapters on The Intellectual Presentation, and The Stark Necessity of Thinking, are especially noteworthy in view of recent discussion.

"RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS." Edited by Rufus M. Jones. Macmillan Co., New York. 1923. (Our copy from Angus & Robertson.) Price 5/-.

The aim of this book is to reinterpret, in the light of present-day knowledge, ten great central problems of religion-how we are to think of God, Christ, Man, Nature, Human Relationships, the Bible, the King

dom of God, Evil, Progress, and the Life Beyond. The book is edited by the well-known historian of Quakerism, who also contributes the first three chapters. The great-souled, public-spirited Quaker, Seebohm Rowntree, of York, writes on Society and Human Relationships in his usual sympathetic and effective way. Professor Jacks, Editor of the Hibbert Journal, contributes the most philosophic chapter in the volume -How shall we think of evil? He deals with this most important of problems in a way which will satisfy the plain man who loves honesty and directness of statement, and also the philosopher who dislikes the false sentiment and juggling with words in which the professional teachers of religion too often indulge. The appearance of this book is another sign of the times. It shows theology in process of purging itself of medieval methods and assumptions, and becoming a philosophic treatment of religious experience from the point of view of men who believe that God reveals Himself in Scripture, in man, in society, through a growing kingdom, and in those great moral and spiritual events and purposes which express his thought and will, and that He is "revealed supremely in that one Person who is most like Him and the nearest like us, i.e., in Jesus Christ.' This volume is what the Editor claims for it in the preface, "an honest book written by men who have said what they sincerely believe."

THE EUCKEN REVIEW. Organ of the Eucken Society. No. 1. January, 1923. Published (in English) by the Eucken Society, Jena. Monthly, 6d. Yearly subscription, 4/-.

Contains two interesting lectures by Eucken himself, on Religion and Civilisation, and Present-Day Problems of Humanity. In the introductory appeal, the aims of the Eucken Society are thus stated,— "We believe in a supreme spiritual life of divine origin, in which we partake by means of our aspirations and actions. While fully acknowledging the necessity of economic life, we do not wish it to be the final aim and to absorb all our efforts. The advance and purification of man in all aspects of his being and the improvement of mankind are of more importance to us than even economic progress. Thus religious and social work must go hand in hand, each helping and advancing the other. We consequently fight against the shallowness and superficiality of our time, and against the moral degeneration of the present day. We wish to emphasise strongly. the German individuality and to shake off all that is alien and immaterial to the national character, without, however, advocating a narrow nationalism. As Cod's soldiers, we will go forth to win a new and harmonious spiritual culture. We will do battle for the cause of God, and thereby also for our poor country. All who wish to join us in true and loyal fellowship will be heartily welcome."

THE EDINBURGH LECTURES ON MENTAL SCIENCE.

The Dore

Lectures on Mental Science. The Law and the Word. The Creative Process in the Individual. Bible Mystery and Bible Meanings. 5 Vols., by T. Toward. Published by A. M. Philpot. (Our copies from Cole's Book Arcade, Sydney.)

These volumes contain, for those whose philosophical taste is not too discriminating, a great deal of miscellaneous feeding. At the same time, works which were praised by the late William James, cannot be dismissed with contempt by the superior critic. The author was a man of broad sympathies. His philosophy was largely eclectic, although he insisted on certain "principles" of interpretation. It is at times a strange mingling of rationalism and mysticism, with

many reminiscences of ancient and mediaeval thought. Thus "no starting point of creation is conceivable other than the Self-Contemplation of the Divine Spirit" (Creative Process). He adopts as a "working hypothesis" the existence of an 'essence intermediate between the Originating Spirit and the world of external manifestation.' This is the Anima Mundi of mediaeval thought, the Soul of the World. es distinguished from the Animus Dei, or Divine Spirit; (Bible Mystery and Bible Meaning). The author's method of treating the Bible is the usual alternation of the literal and symbolic or figurative, according to which is found to be the more convenient mode of interpretation.

THE MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA. weekly. Price, 1/-.

Sydney.

Published

Contains several articles giving accounts of the results of research work, of interest to students of scientific methods.

IN THE MENTAL WORKSHOP. Reflections on Modern Psychopathy. By Ethel Mortimer Langdon.

Sydney. Penfold & Co. 1922.

Is a sign of the awakened public interest in psycho-therapeutic methods, but has little other value.

WORLD PEACE. Arunachal Mission. annas. Calcutta.

Published weekly. Price, 2

Continues on its hopeful way, advocating an Economic World State, and the War against War. "Bolshevism is the natural fruit of the tree of existing social order." As a proof of how Bolshevism is nurtured, a Calcutta incident is described. "A rich man's son was married, and there was a most reckless and heartless waste of money. 100,000 rupees were spent on the bridal procession, and 10,000 rupees on flowers alone. There was a stupid display of pomp and pageantry, a march of camels, etc., etc." It sounds familiar, all but the camels. As a sign of the (Indian) times, it may be noticed that World Peace strongly supports a new Indian Marriage Bill permitting those who wish, to marry outside the caste. "This bill is a great necessity and thoroughly in consonance with the spirit of the age. and it is an expression of the demand of the human soul." The general aim of the World Peace may be described as an attempt to synthesise what is spiritually best in East and West. It reprints Eucken's last address and is broadly sympathetic in its attitude to much in Western civilisation. All this is combined with an Eastern mysticism, which is sometimes vague to the point of unintelligibility.

NOTES AND NEWS.

The first annual meeting of the Association took place at Sydney University on Saturday, 19th May. Four papers on Psycho-Analysis were read. Two of these appear in this number of the Journal; the others will be published in next issue.

The N.S.W. Branch of the Association will hold the first meeting of the 1923 Session on Thursday, 27th June, in the Philosophy Lecture Hall, Sydney University. Professor F. Anderson will deliver an Inaugural Lecture on Social Classes and the State.

The demand for the first number of the Journal, and for the two Monographs, was greater than was anticipated. New impressions are now in course of distribution. The Business Secretary will supply copies, post free, on receipt of published price.

The next (September) issue of the Journal will include articles on "Waste," by G. R. Knibbs, C.M.G., Director of the Institute of Science and Industry: "The Educational Implications of the I.Q.," by Professor John Adams (late of London University); "The Unconscious in relation to Psycho-Analytic Theory," by Professor McKellar Stewart, Adelaide University.

The December issue of the Journal will include a Symposium on the meaning of Philosophy, by Professors B. Muscio (Sydney), W. Anderson (Auckland), and Boyce Gibson (Melbourne).

Arrangements are being made for a visit to Australia of Professor John Adams, M.A., LL.D., in 1924. It is hoped that he will be able to give a short course of lectures at each of the Australian Universities. Professor Adams' reputation as an educational authority is world wide, and most students of education are familiar with his books. Many of our Australian and New Zealand returned soldiers have pleasant memories of their intercourse with him in London, and of the benefits they derived from his instruction.

Professor William Mitchell, of Adelaide, has been invited by the authorities of the University of Aberdeen to deliver the next course of Gifford Lectures on Religion.

The Chair of Philosophy at the University of Queensland having become vacant through the resignation of Professor Elton Mayo, Dr. M. Scott Fletcher, late Master of Wesley College, University of Sydney, has been appointed Acting-Professor of Philosophy for 1923. He will be assisted by Miss Flinn and Mr. W. M. Kyle. Dr. Scott Fletcher is a graduate of Sydney and Oxford Universities.

Mr. A. C. Fox, Lecturer on Philosophy at the University of Western Australia, has, since his appointment, been in sole charge of the studies within the Department of Philosophy. He will now receive some assistance from M. A. Laidlaw, B.A., who will be expected to lecture on both Classics and Philosophy. The Lecturers in new Universities are, as a rule, overworked and underpaid. Mr. Laidlaw graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, with a Double Senior Moderatorship, and was a Gold Medallist in both Philosophy and Classics. He held commissioned

rank during the war, and was mentioned in despatches.

The Tutorial Class system, organised by the University of Sydney in connection with the Workers' Educational Association, was instituted in New South Wales in 1915. Since that date, economics and history have been the main subjects in which instruction has been given, but philosophy has not been neglected. Each class studies a subject for three consecutive years. There have been three of such classes in Sociology, three in Political Science (one being a four year session class), one in Logic and Philosophy, and thirteen classes in Psychology.

Members of the Australasian Association of Psychology and Philosophy

(To May 19, 1923.)

The Council.