there can be no hope of its revival. The author replies to these charges by pointing to the facts of the case. Although the interest in philosophy shows no signs of diminution, mankind are doubtless learning that there is no ready made answer for all its problems. The present age has to a greater extent than any other shaken itself free from the traditions of the past, and sought an independent start. It is true there are no comprehensive systems being produced, but thinkers are devoting their lives to the investigation of particular problems; and although the number and size of the volumes produced is not so great as it was in the age of Schelling and Hegel, the quality of the work is incomparably better. Nor is it true that philosophy is not a practical necessity. Morality, politics, and most of all theology, require its support and service. Another statement of the address which our author combats is, that the methods of the natural sciences can never be applied to the investigation of philosophical questions. Professor Exner's account of that method makes it clear, that he is thinking exclusively of the mathematico-mechanical method. But as a matter of fact, but few of the natural sciences are in a position to employ this method. Most of them proceed by means of observation, hypothesis, and verification, and this is the procedure which philosophy must adopt if it is to make advances.
J. E. C.
This is the third work to appear in the "International Theological Library" edited by Charles A. Briggs and S. D. F. Salmond. The introduction gives a brief historical sketch and a discussion of the functions and method of Apologetics. With respect to the philosophical side of the subject, the author says: "What the Christian apologist is concerned to show is not that a God of some sort exists, but that the Christian idea of God is worthier to be received than that of the pantheist or the deist, or of any rival theory of the universe." Accordingly Book I, consisting of one hundred and eighteen pages, is devoted to a discussion of "Theories of the Universe, Christian and Anti-Christian." The author finds that, according to the Christian theory, God is an Ethical Personality; that man at his worst is a son of God and hence occupies a very important place; that sin is a reality, that it does not originate with God and is not necessary, but consists in choosing the guidance of the lower animal, rather than that of the higher human, nature; and finally that Christianity while fully cognizant of the reality of evil, both moral and physical, is inherently optimistic, confident in the progress and relief of mankind both in this world and in the world to come. This theory of the universe is defended in the next five chapters against 'Pantheism,' 'Materialism,' 'Deism,' 'Modern Specula-
