Walker : John Calvin 367 mentary and critical material. Professor Walker's well-recognized qualifications have enabled him to make good use of his rare opportunity. A bibliographical note briefly characterizes the most important material with scho'arly discrimination ; and the book gives the clearest evidence of judicious use of the printed documents and the latest books and articles. The most critical piece of work in the book is chapter iv., on Calvin's " Religious Development and Conversion." The author's tentative dating of the conversion (p. 96) as " late in 1532 or early in 1533 " is likely to win acceptance, especially as his critical examination of the scanty evi- dence and many theories leads him to agree substantially with Kamp- schulte and Lefranc and to reject the more extreme dates advocated by recent writers. " 'hether Calvin actually composed any part of Cop's Address is ... at hest doubtful. The weight of evidence certainly now inclines to the negative side " (p. loi). The treatment of these two questions and the good sense of the conclusions illustrate the author's combination of painstaking investigation and sound judgment. The dis- cussions of the Institutes and Calvin's theology bring out the essentials in Calvin's teaching with clearness and happy avoidance of technicalities. To the sound conclusion that Calvin's fundamental thought was the sovereignty of God, the author adds (pp. 416-417) the needed caution: " it is an error to describe predestination as the ' central doctrine ' of Calvinism, though it became so under his successors and interpreters." Professor Walker with true insight points out that "the chief peculiarity" of Calvin's memorial to the Genevan council on January 16, 1537, " is not ... its regulation of private conduct, — that existed before his work was begun, — but this provision for an independent exercise of ecclesiastical discipline" (p. 190). The latter half of the book will probably prove most interesting to the general reader. The origin and nature of Calvin's liturgy is made clear. In its stateliness and adaptability the churches of the continent. Great Britain, and America have a spiritual inheritance inadequately recognized and utilized. The story of the return from exile, the dis- cussion of the "Ecclesiastical Constitution" of 1541, and the many struggles carried on by Calvin are all given with admirable brevity and clearness. " The Tragedy of Servetus " is told with moderation and fair-mindedness. The book concludes with three excellent chapters on Calvin's influence, theology, and character. Professor Walker has rend- ered a service to a wide circle of readers by calling attention to Calvin's contribution to civil liberty, not merely through his theories of civil and ecclesiastical government, but also through the actual dis- cipline which " made every Calvinistic parish a school of government " Cp. 407). The estimate of Calvin's character is. like the whole book, admirable in its candor and freedom from bias, and in its ability to see both sides of mooted questions. Twenty full-page illustrations add to the interest of the volume. The
