Book Reviews 



127 



is reminded of the directness of expression and the wealth of imagery 

 of our own John Muir, and feels that, like Muir's many beautiful chap- 

 ters, these of Rey's, "hymns of praise, proclaiming the ancient virtues 

 and the eternal beauties of this earth," can come only from the depths of 

 a great and understanding soul. Mountain lovers will read this book and 

 rejoice in it. It is a classic of mountaineering literature. 



The translator has shown himself in intimate sympathy with the au- 

 thor and his theme. The book is beautifully printed, illustrated with a 

 quantity of excellent plates, and well indexed. A. H. A. 



"The Old Testament in The theme of Professor Bade's book is stated 

 THE Light OF Today"* in the subtitle, "A Study in Moral Develop- 

 ment." It may seem to some that the author 

 is undertaking to expound the obvious — one must concede, it would 

 seem, a very considerable "moral development" from the Old Testament 

 records of primitive beliefs and social customs, of primitive worship and 

 ritual, to the standards of thought and belief of the later books. But even 

 if it be conceded that a moral development is involved — nor is this so 

 obvious to many, for many do not read the Old Testament from the 

 point of view to which this conclusion appears — it is an extremely in- 

 teresting and valuable work which Professor Bade has done in laying 

 that development clear before the reader. 



Still more valuable is the service which this study renders to the Old 

 Testament in seeking to relieve it from a burden which it is not compe- 

 tent to bear — the burden of an immense moral authority, to which itself 

 it lays no claim, except perhaps for the particular civilization and time 

 to which it pertains. Doctrines still insist that the Old Testament shall 

 be regarded as divinely authoritative throughout as a guide to morals and 

 faith. A faith so founded must be found sooner or later to be incom- 

 patible with truth. Professor Bade shows the danger of such teaching to 

 our Christian beliefs. But while his analysis and discussion deprives the 

 Old Testament of the character which has been ascribed to it by dog- 

 mas, it enhances the value of these scriptures for what they really are — 

 the record of the development of a nation from the primitive worship of 

 nomadic barbarism into spiritual light. As such the Old Testament be- 

 comes the more instructive, and even inspiring. 



Particularly valuable and instructive are the author's chapters, "The 

 Moral Character of Jahveh and his Clients in the Early Literature, and 

 "The Origin and Moral Significance of the Decalogue." A. H. A. 



* The Old Testament in the Light of Today, a Study in Moral Development. By 

 William Frederic Bade. Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin Company, 1915. 

 xiv — 326 pages. Price, $1.75. * 



