Part 19

The first and, perhaps, the most important achievement of the book is to show that the _fact_ of _inspiration_ can be _demonstrated scientifically_; in other words, that the inner subconscious mind _can_ be influenced irrespective of influences exerted through the eyes and the ears, _i.e._, by what one sees or hears. In connection with this fact it is also shown that, when the mind is thus inwardly or inspirationally influenced, as, for example, in hypnotism, the influence is _suggestive_ and _not dictatorial_. Not only so, but such faith as it is natural and right that a rational being should exercise can be stimulated and developed in only the degree in which the text of a sacred book is characterized by the very vagueness and variety of meaning and statement which the higher criticism of the Bible has brought to light. The book traces these to the operation and requirements of the human mind through which inspiration is received and to which it is imparted. Whatever inspires must appear to be, in some way, beyond the grasp of him who communicates it, and can make him who hears it _think_ and _train him to think_, in the degree only in which it is not comprehensive or complete; but merely, like everything else in nature, illustrative of that portion of truth which the mind needs to be made to find out for itself.

“The sane, fair, kindly attitude taken gives of itself a profitable lesson. The author proves conclusively that his mind—and if his, why not another’s?—can be at one and the same time sound, sanitary, scientific, and essentially religious.”—_The Examiner_, Chicago.

“The author writes with logic and a ‘sweet reasonableness’ that will doubtless convince many halting minds. It is an inspiring book.”—_Philadelphia Inquirer._

“It is, we think, difficult to overestimate the value of this volume at the present critical pass in the history of Christianity.”—_The Arena_, Boston.

“The author has taken up a task calling for heroic effort, and has given us a volume worthy of careful study.... The conclusion is certainly very reasonable.”—_Christian Intelligencer_, New York.

“Interesting, suggestive, helpful.”—_Boston Congregationalist._

=Fundamentals in Education, Art, and Civics: Essays and Addresses.= 8vo, cloth. Net, =$1.40=; by mail, =$1.53=

“Of fascinating interest to cultured readers, to the student, the teacher, the poet, the artist, the musician, in a word to all lovers of sweetness and light. The author has a lucid and vigorous style, and is often strikingly original. What impresses one is the personality of a profound thinker and a consummate teacher behind every paragraph.”—_Dundee Courier_, Scotland

“The articles cover a wide field and manifest a uniformly high culture in every field covered. It is striking how this great educator seems to have anticipated the educational tendencies of our times some decades before they imprest the rest of us. He has been a pathfinder for many younger men, and still points the way to higher heights. The book is thoroughly up-to-date.”—_Service_, Philadelphia.

“Clear, informing, and delightfully readable. Whether the subject is art and morals, technique in expression, or character in a republic, each page will be found interesting and the treatment scholarly, but simple, sane, and satisfactory ... the story of the Chicago fire is impressingly vivid.”—_Chicago Standard._

“He is a philosopher, whose encouraging idealism is well grounded in scientific study, and who illuminates points of psychology and ethics as well as of art when they come up in the course of the discussion.”—_The Scotsman_, Edinburgh, Scotland.

“Agreeably popularizes much that is fundamental in theories of life and thought. The American people owe much of their progress, their optimism, and we may say their happiness to the absorption of just such ideals as Professor Raymond stands for.”—_Minneapolis Book Review Digest._

=Suggestions for the Spiritual Life—College Chapel Talks.= 8vo, cloth. Net, =$1.50=; by mail, =$1.63=

“Sermons of more than usual worth, full of thought of the right kind, fresh, strong, direct, manly.... Not one seems to strain to get a young man’s attention by mere popular allusions to a student environment. They are spiritual, scriptural; of straight ethical import, meeting difficulties, confirming cravings, amplifying tangled processes of reasoning, and not forgetting the emotions.”—_Hartford Theological Seminary Record_ (Congregationalist).

“The clergyman who desires to reach young men especially, and the teacher of men’s Bible Classes may use this collection of addresses to great advantage.... The subjects are those of every man’s experience in character building ... such a widespread handling of God’s word would have splendid results in the production of men.”—_The Living Church_ (Episcopalian).

“Great themes, adequately considered.... Surely the young men who listened to these sermons must have been stirred and helped by them as we have been stirred and helped as we read them.”—_Northfield_ (Mass.) _Record of Christian Work_ (Evangelical).

“They cover a wide range. They are thoughtful, original, literary, concise, condensed, pithy. They deal with subjects in which the young will be interested.”—_Western Christian Advocate_ (Methodist).