THE STUDY OF HISTORY. We are constantly being reminded, nowadays, that old methods of historical study have passed away, and we are given to understand that the new method " is, as it were, a revelation and a revolution. But just what is meant by the new method, and just why it is superior to the old, it would be difficult for many, and among them some who glibly use the phrases, to explain. For the clearing away of all haziness of ideas on the matter, we recommend this invaluable little manual on The Study of Ecclesiastical History.* Besides serving the purpose of an introduction to the ways and means of present historical study, it may well be a guide for the constant use of those who are beginning or continuing a study of the history of Christianity. For the work is, in effect, an "Introduction" to the study of ecclesiastical history, and an "introduction," as every one knows, is, in the technical sense of the word, not so much a literal introduction, as it is a reference book, to be kept constantly at one's elbow, long after one has mastered the beginnings of a science. We say that such works are "indispensable," but it is wonderful how long we allow ourselves to go along without them; wonderful too how much energy we waste simply because we have them not. The present work is small and quasi-popular, but thoroughly able. The author immediately recommends himself to the reader by taking and maintaining a firm stand on the matter of the breadth and dignity of the subject of ecclesiastical history. He refuses to allow that the science-he declares and proves it to be a science, not a mere branch of literaturemay be narrowed into a small, isolated, departmental kind of study, but claims for it a scope as wide as Christianity, for the history of the church, he quotes from Bishop Westcott, "is, in a sense, all history from the day of Pentecost." Sacred history is the view of the world and of all things in the world by the Light of the Incarnation, for no event since that most important of all historical events can fail to have relations with it, and with the gigantic system of belief and action which was begun with the coming of Christ. Evidently, one who takes this broad stand is in no danger The Study of Ecclesiastical History. By William Edward Collins, B.D. New York: of going back to the old idea which so cramped the noble science as to make it a synonym for the story of "the successions of bishops and the records of councils, disputes about doctrines and conflicts with heretics." But if Church History be so widely conceived, will not one be frightened away by its very magnitude? Undoubtedly, if one imagines that the study must be got at with "hammer and tongs" and beaten into subjection by main strength. But we don't study so nowadays; we don't sit down in front of a huge and repellent "General Church History," and try to "eat the book." No, but we take the other method: we begin not with what is general and work down to what is particular, denying ourselves, during all the long process of dragging through with the enormous task, the consolation and the pleasure of reading the really fascinating particular histories; we begin with a biography, a monograph, a classic on some individual subject, master it, and then, going out on excursions into the unbounded fields, bring back something that we can fit to what we have gained. We get a subject into our consciousness, then read around it, and draw all things to it; and this process, instead of being a burden and a bore, will fill one's "whole intellectual life with a new meaning" and "will be a source of unceasing interest and enrichment." The details of the process, the help in its pursuance, the choice of books, the best ways towards an actual dominion over an historical subject or a period, all this is learnedly given by Professor Collins. Finally, he has collated an admirable bibliography. Without attempting to make it exhaustive—an impossibility he has scarcely omitted any of the best works necessary. History in general, and perhaps particularly church history, differs from literature in this, that its classics are modern rather than ancient; its golden age is now, or will soon be; the masterpieces of its achievements are being wrought in the present, and marvellous works they are, for so highly are they perfected, and so incorporated and inspirited with method, that a thorough mastery of only one of them may easily produce a well-rounded understanding of the status of the science of history, and a grasp of true historical method. After that the study will be a delight. What these masterpieces are, and how to use them, is not the least of the lessons to be learned from ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRI- The sixth volume of the Encyclopædia Britannica opens with an essay on Modern Conditions of Literary Production by Augustine Birell, K.C., in which the author takes quite an optimistic view of the elevated tastes of the general reading public. Professor Case, of Oxford, writes on Logic and Metaphysics; on the · latter very extensively. Two particularly interesting articles at present are those on Korea and Louisiana. The legal and the medical subjects receive detailed attention. Principal Fairbairn writes on Martineau. The Rev. A. W. Hutton writes in a sympathetic and appreciative manner of Cardinal Manning, and under the word missions are some interesting though not very complete details of the activity of the Catholic Church. Frederick Greenwood opens the seventh volume with an essay on the Influence of Commerce on International Conflict, which covers many centuries of human history and is remarkable for its wealth and adornment of rhetoric. Speaking of the change of our policy marked by the Spanish-American War, the author writes: "And so, with a right-about face, the American people turn from their entirely successful experiment in industrial monasticism, hasten to build fleets of warships and launch forth upon the ancient ways of national emulation." The Rev. A. W. Hutton contributes the article on Newman, and Arthur Waugh writes on Walter Pater, and also on Patmore, whose work he rates very highly indeed. John Fiske writes of the historian Parkman; Dean Worcester treats of the geography of the Philippines, and John Foreman of their history. The illustrations throughout the volumes continue in the same high standard. This brochure† celebrates the memory of the last survivor of Père Lacordaire's original disciples in restoring the Dominican Order in France. P. Danzas was a holy religious, a zealous priest, and a cultivated author. His life has little of conspicuous achievement, but it was filled with hard work for God and beneficence for men. *The Encyclopædia Britannica. New volumes constituting, with the volumes of the Ninth Edition, the Tenth Edition of that work. Vols. vi. and vii., forming vols. xxx. and xxxi. of the Complete Work. New York: The Encyclopædia Britannica Company. Un Moine. Le P. Antonin Danzas, Frère-Prêcheur. Par le P. Ingold. Paris: P. The Month (Jan.): Contains an article by Fr. Tyrrell on a grave religious problem, that of the possibility of a reconciliation between Theology and Science, or more precisely, between Catholic theology and the purely scientific, natural, or, as it is called, liberal theology of those outside the church. After insisting upon the permanent and necessarily unchangeable character of Catholic theology, in so far as it is based upon a divine deposit of revealed truth, always and essentially the same amidst the changes brought about by centuries of development, the writer points out the essential diversity that must ever exist between such a position and that of the liberal theology, which, ignoring supernatural revelation, traces the development of religion in all its manifestations, as purely natural phenomena subject to the laws of physiological and historical evolution. While no reconciliation which implies the fusion of ideas so contradictory seems possible or desirable, the writer thinks that a more intelligent understanding by each of the position, spirit, and methods of its opponent would go far towards establishing a "modus vivendi " based upon mutual respect and toleration.-Writing on the "Antiquity of the Angelus" Fr. Thurston gives reasons for assigning the origin of that devotion to the first half of the thirteenth century. An interesting sketch of the Venerable Julie Billiart and the order of Notre Dame is made by F. Beton. The Tablet (5 Dec.): The Roman Correspondent records an amusing blunder of the Italian Liberals who erected a statue to to a Sicilian priest of the eighteenth century, under the impression that he had been the precursor of "New Italy." After the statue had been duly erected it was discovered that the priest in question had been a zealous clerical of reactionary principles. (12 Dec.): The Roman Correspondent writes that there is no foundation for the current rumor with regard to the abolition of the "non expedit."The Bishop of Liverpool in his Pastoral Letter warns Catholics against maintaining "an open mind" on the question of Temporal Power. (19 Dec.): A leading article on the Japanese Diet gives (26 Dec.): The enthronement of the Archbishop of International Journal of Ethics (Jan.): In an article on the "True Democratic Ideal," Prof. W. Jethro Brown emphasizes the point that democracy does not consist entirely in liberty or equality; these are only negative characteristics; the positive elements are a deep appreciation of humanity and a broad conception of social justice. |