(!tnnrnrbiu m4tnlngital :!In11tlJly Continuing LEHRE UND WEHRE MA~ZIN FUER Ev.-LuTH. HOMILETIK THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY-THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY Vol. X February, 1939 No.2 CONTENTS Page The Means of Grace. F. E. Mayer __________________________________ 81 Wie die rechte Stellung zur Heiligen Schrift die Amtstaetigkeit des Pastors bestimmt. F. Plotenhauer 90 Sermon Study on 2 Tim. 4:5-8. Th. Laetsch _ 96 The Institutional Missionary and the Divine Service E. A. DuemHng ___________ 111 Predigtentwuerfe fuer die Evangelien der Thomasius- Perikopenreihe _____________ _ _ ____________ HO Miscellanea __ . ______________ _ ---------------~ Theological Observer. - Kirchlich-Zeitgeschichtliches ______ 142 Book Review. - Literatur _________ 153 JIlIn Predller muss n1cht allein toei- den. also dass er die Schafe unter- weise. wte ale rechte Chrtsten Bollen rein. sondern 8Uch daneben den Woel- fen toeht'm. dass ale die Schafe n1cht angreifen und mit falscher Lehre ver- fuehren und Irrtum einfuehren. Luthet'. Es 1st kein Ding. lias die Leute mehr bel der Klrche behaelt denn die gute Predigt. - Apologte. An.. 24. If the trumpet give an uncertain sound who shall prepare hlm.self to the battle? -1 COf'. 14. I. Published for the BY. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States CONCORDIA PUBLISHING BOUSE, St. Louis, Mo. ABcmv Book Review - 53itetlttut 153 Book Review - £ltefatuf Interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Epistle of James. By R. C. H. Lenski. Lutheran Book Concern, Columbus, O. 685 pages, 5lhX9. Price, $3.50. Order from Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. John, and St. Jude. By R. C. H. Lenski. Lutheran Book Concern, Columbus, O. 662 pages. Price, $3.50. Order from Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jef- ferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. With the appearance of these two volumes the Lutheran Book Con- cern of Columbus, 0., has completed the truly stupendous task of issuing a scholarly commentary on the whole New Testament, written by the sainted Dr. R. C. H. Lenski. Our hearty congratulations are offered to the publishing house on the success which it has achieved in this great ven- ture. The announcement is made that "a topical index to the entire Commentary is in preparation and will be announced as soon as ready for delivery." We here repeat what we said on former occasions, that we admire this Commentary for its insistence on definite Scriptural teaching and for the learning and vigorous style of the author. In these last two volumes, also, it becomes evident that Dr. Lenski is a conserva- tive Lutheran theologian who is not afraid of confessing his faith. Naturally one finds passages which provoke dissent. We hardly have to mention that we do not approve of the author's interpretation of "foreknowledge" in 1 Pet. 1: 2, although, when he adopts the old defini- tion noscere cum affectu et effectu (to know [foreknow] with affection and with a resultant effect), we find ourselves in agreement with him. The much-debated passage Heb. 6: 3-8 is taken as referring to the sin against the Holy Ghost. As to the authorship of Hebrews the view, first expressed by Luther, is endorsed that Apollos wrote the work. The time of composition is supposed to have been between 67 and 70- a very sane and tenable hypothesis. The argument for the theory that James wrote his epistle between the years 40 and 50 and that this book is the oldest piece of writing in the New Testament is not truly con- vincing; nor will general approval be given to the author's opinion that the writer of the Epistle of James was not one of the apostles. In its treatment of the crux interpretum J as. 2: 14-26 the commentary defends the position that there is no conflict between Paul and James. "Both James and Paul attribute salvation to a living faith (Mark 16: 16; John 3:16); but Paul lays stress on what must be removed if a man is to have and to retain this faith; James, on what dare not be absent when a man has, and wants to retain, this faith. Paul roots out what destroys and excludes faith; James stimulates sluggish faith." (P.587.) Dr. Lenski, as his exposition shows, holds that Paul and James do not contradict each other because their object in the polemics they carryon is not the same. "Paul and James deal with different kinds of works. Paul deals with law works, which have nothing to do with true Gospel faith, which form 154 Book Review - 53itetatut the boast of all Pharisees and all work-religious men, who think that they are able by such works to save themselves, at least to aid Christ in saving them. Trust in law works is the direct opposite of faith in Christ alone. James deals with Gospel works, which ever evidence the presence of Gospel faith, which like this faith glorify Christ alone, with- out which all claim of having true faith is spurious, is self-delusion." (lb.) In general we can say that here there is a commentary which de- serves the widest circulation and which, we hope, will displace unworthy non-Lutheran commentaries on the shelves of our pastors. W.ARNDT '\lllnbflJttflJrblln~ ~um grten,ifn,en 9leuen ~eftament. (ste!:t nad) !lleftle.) mon D. Dr. snlfreb 6djmoUer. 6ielite, berme~t:te snuflage. 6tuttgart, q:lribi~ legierte Wiirttembergif dje mibe1anftalt. 534 6eiten 6% X 9%. q:lreis: @analeinen RM. 5.50. ~lir jeben st~eologen, bet lidj audj nUt einigermaflen mit bem @runbte!:t bell !!teuen steitamentg lieid)aftigt, foUte es eigentfin, fdjon genligen, luenn er erfa~tt: ~s ift cine neue, betbefferte snuflage ber 6djmoUetidjen I/S"danbfonforbana" aUf bem lJ.ilatft. !Reaenfent toill bas m50tt I/unentbe~rlidj" nid)t au oft gebtaudjen, um beffen ,!l'taft nid)t abauidjluadjen. snbet bei bieiem mudj ift es luitflidj an~ gebtad)t; benn 91et 9anbeTt es fidj tatfadjfidj um ein Wert, bas mit aU bem notluenbigften .\~1l11bluetfs5eng cines jeben st~eorogen unb cines jeben q:lajtots ge~ ~iitt, ber audj nut einigermaflen @riedjifd) leien fann. ~ll ift rin !lladjfd)lage~ loed, ball auf bem 6tubiettifdj nelien bem Qriedjiidjen steftament, bet griedjiidjen @tammatit unb bem gtiecl)iicl)en m5iir±erliudj fte~en foUte, unb aluat sum tag~ Iidjen @ebtaudj. (Is fann tohfHdj faum genu\! uetont luetDen, in lueld)em lJ.ilajie bet @eliraudj Dieier Ronfotban3 basu lieitragt, ben 6inn bes griedjifdjen ste!:tell IU erfaffen unb bar3ulegen. m5ir id)Iie~en uns gana unb gat ben lllusfli9tungen bes merlags liver bieie neue snusgabe an: I/::Die 6e!)moUeridje ,S'danbfonforblln3' 3um gtiedjifdjen !!teuen steitament ift rin banfliar benutte~, aud) bon ben merttetem ber neuteftamentlidjen m5iffenfd)aft alS fe~r liraud)flat anedannte~ S"dilfsmittel 3um 6tubium bes !!teuen steftaments. 6ie ift bas lffietf bes berftotbenen ::Defans Lie. theol. Dtto 6d)molIet, bet mit bet 53iebe 3um -I>raftiid)en ::Dienft in Rtre!)e unb 6d)ule ein ieltene~ 9Jlaji bon @ele~tfamtcit betbanb unb neben ber geluiffeu~aften ~tfliUun\l ieiner snmtsauf~ oanen fid) unabfiifjig audj ber loiffenfcfJafUidjen snrlieit am !!teuen steftament luib~ mete. 6ein 60l)u, D. snlfteb 6djmolfet, ift in bie ~ujita-l>fen beil matets ge~ treten unb f)at nad) beffeu stob bie meforgung ber lueitercn snuflagen bet oItonfotbana libernommen. ,,::Die neue ftc snuflage ift nidjt nut mit fclJiinen neucn st~pen ausgeftattet, [onbetn fie fteUt aue!) cine lueitgef)enhe !!teubeatbeitung bat. ::Der lffiortidjat bes 9/euen steftaments luurbe mit bem bet 6eptuaginta betglidjen unb in ber Ron~ fotban3 jebes 6tidjluott, bas nidjt in bet 6eptuaginta borfommt, gefenn3eidjnet, fo baji ber 53eier bon ben libtigen meiji, bab tie tidj aue!) in bet 6eptuaginta finben. ~emet: ift bei jebem m50rt fenntlidj gemadjt, luie es Die mulgata je au ber lietreffenben 6teUe luiebetgilit. ::Das ift inrofem liebeutiam, als babutdj maudjes 53idjt aUf has metft1inbnis bes ste!:teiJ in aIter Scit, IJismeiIcn alier aud) anf bie sntt, loie 53ut~er Die betreffenbe 6teUe liberfett ~at, faut. ,,::Der Rontorban3 liegt ber ste!:t bes griedjifdjen !!teuen ;teftaments bon !!teftle 3u\lrunbe, bas aur Sdt hie allgemein lienutte ste!:tausgalie ift. ::Der liiUige ~tei!l Book Review - 53itetatur 155 be~ ~uef)ell etmiigHd)t ell iebem ~Deologieftubietenben unb ~fattet, jlef) biefell Illiel)tige &,~ilfsmittel gum i5tllbillm bes 91etten ~eftmnents 3unute 3U mad)en. 'lla§ 'Urbeiten mit bet !i'onrotba113 fJat fief) ia nod) immet fOltJODl in ben i5emi, 11llrcJt bet ~odjfdjulen al!l aud) in bet i5tubietfhlDe bes ~fattets alS Dcfonbers fiitbet!icf) etltJiejen. Unb fo ift 3U Doffen, ball unfete .ITontotbang auef) ferner ill loeiten .ITteifen lllillfommenen 'llienft tun batf." 'lltucf unb ~inDanb finb bot3ugfid), lllie bie bon \Ral)lfs i5eptuaginta in bemfelben !!letlag. 'llet ~teis ift luittlief) niebdg aU nennen, liefonbets im !!let' oleicl) mit l)eutigen ~uef)etpteifen in ~lmetita. ~. ~ . .IT t e t man n mtuJe ltnll ~enenmnl)r. (\;in ~eittag gum !!lerftanbniS bes ~ltatfaframents. !!lon ~etmann i5affc. ~!)t.'.ITaifet'!!let!ag, lJJ1und)en. 79 i5eiten 6X9. ~teiS, rat±oniett: RM. 1.50. G:s ltJitb l)iet ein ftCiftiges SeugniS flit bie biblifdj,lutl)etifd)e ~benbmal)lS~ (el)te abge(egt. ~in folef)es SeugniS tut not. !!lOt einigen ~al)ten fef)tieb bie ,,~Ugemeine ~b.~53utl). stitef)en3eHung": //(\;g tam [3U lJJ1atDutg] gUt 51laltung, 3ttr bleibenben 53el)tittung im ~!Jenbmal)l; unb biefe 53efJtittung btang unb bringt bot bis in bie innerftcn .lheife bet ~ird)e bet mefotmation. Dbet lllie bide glaul1en fJettte nod) an bas ~benbmal)(, lllie 53ut!)et geglaubt fJat? s:mie bide ~fanet le!)ten in feincm i5inn? s:mas glaulien unfete .ITonfitmanben, luenn jle 311m erftcllmal gum ~ifef) bes S)~trn tteten? 'llafl nod) teef)tet @laube ba ift bei ~fattern unb @emeinben, bletbe unbejttitten. 5teUt man aliet aUgemein bie {ftage naef) bem ,€linn bes ~benbma!)lS', fo et!)ebt 1lef) etn ltJal)tl)aft bab~(onifdjes 5ptaef)engelllirr .... // (10. ~Pti1 1931.) Unb ba teben bie angefel)enften lutl)e~ dfef)en ~l)eologen, ~1tl)aull, 5tange UfIU., ungefef)eut bie tefotmierte 51ltaef)e. ~tof. 5affe ronjtatiett //bie ~atfadje, ball bieienigen ~fattet unb tl)eolooifef)en 53el)tet in ben lutl)etifdjen .ITitd)engebieten 'llelltfd)(anbs, bie l)eute n~e!) oie 1!(oenbmal)lslel)te bet lllt~etiicf)en mefotmation bertreten, eine betfef)lllinoenbe lJJ1in' nerf)eit bilben". (5.67.) 91aef)brucrlid) l)Cilt et ben irrenbctt \Refotmietten unb ben abgefaUenen 53ut~etanern ben ~ebt bet @infetungslllotte bot unO befteljt aUf bet realen @egenltJatt bes 53eibes unb ~luts, bet fah:amentalen Union, bet mandu- catio oralis unO bet manducatio indignorum. ~ucJ;J ben 53utfJetanern ~me~ tHas fei bies gef agt. 'lla meint nod) mand)et, bat et, l1Jcttn et lel)rt, bat im Illbenbmaf)l (;l:l)tiftus lllaf)tl)aftig gegenltJCittig ift, lut!)etifd)e 53el)te borttligt. 'llet [0[[ rid) bolt i5af[e belel)ten laffen, bat auef) ~a!bin unb feine ~linget nac!)brucr~ lief) bie ltJaljte @egenltJatt ~l)dfti im ~benbmal) ( lef)ten - um eben babutef) bie lval)re 0egenltJart bell £Jeilies unb ~!utes ~l)tifti nadjbtlicrlief) ab3UltJeifen. 5affe flil)rt l)iet aus, bat bie tefotmiette ~eflim\lfung bet \Realptlifen3 aus bem {fleifef) fommt. Sl1Jing[i l)at feinem tationaliftifef)en {fleifef) auliebe ben @laubensfa\l nufgefteUt: Deus nobis non proponit incomprehensibilia; ~albin l)at il)n iibernommen; bie tefotmietten 53utl)etanet l)aben il)n libernommen; unb biefen n[fen "ift bie leiblief)e @egenlllatt cin 5fanba(on". (5.48 ff.) mleHet legt i5affe c1n ftaftiges ,seugnill ali flit bie bililifef),lutl)etifdje 13cl)re bon bet "bon aUem menfd)lid)en ~un unabl)Cingigen DliieftibHCit bet giiitlid)C1t @nabe unb bet @na' bemnittel"; et l1Jeifi aud) nad), bat bie \Refotmierten ben eigentlid)en SltJecf unb IJlu\len bes ~benbmal)g betfennen, inbem jle lel)ten, ball "bie ~itef)e aUes, l1Jas [ie an Ileiftlief)en @litetn befitt, auef) ogne ball 5aftament l)aben l1Jlitbe". (5.73.) 'llies, bas mlunbet bes ~benbmal)g unb ben ltJunbetbat reief)en 91uten bes 5afra~ ments, fieUt i5affe auef) feinet lutl)etifef)en ~itef)e bot: bie (ebenbige G:rfenntniS »icfes s:munbetll unb €leg ens llllitbe bet ,,~benbmal)gnot" abl)clfen, libet bie man 156 Book Review - Xlitetatur in ~eutid)lanb unb aud) ~ier in ~medfa nag±. l5d)fielifid) ift l5affe omit, "bas ODium unflt:iiDetlicljer, und)dftncf)et lRed)t~abetci, Das unfere miiter im IG. ;;sa~r~ ()ltllbert aUf jlcl) ge1aben ~abenll baburcl), bat fie ben lReformierten bie lBntberlJanb \lerlueigerten, mit3uttagen. ,,~benbmaf)rsgemeinic(laft ift ~ird)engemeinfd)aft. ... jffiit Wnnen bie ~itd)engemeinfd)aft io lange nicl)t reaHjleten, als fie fic(l nid)t bolt ilJren &:liitejlen lo§gefagt ~alien. . .. ~ie XluH)eranet laffen bie ~lefotmier~ ICIt Dum ~benbma!)l erft SU, toenn fie ftd) [lon ben ;;srrIef)ren losgefagt lJalien." (15. 7G.) jffiegen biefer I5tcllultg ift bot einigen ;;sa!)ren ~rof. l5affe \lOlt bet Christian Century !)art angegriffen luorben. (l5iel)e CONC. THEoL. MTHLY, 1936, 15. 539.) jffias toirb er too!)! bon ben unioniftifcf)en Xlut!)etanern ~eutfc(l~ (mtDS 3U !)iit:en liefommen ~ - @oU fegne fein mannlJaftes 3eugniS! jffiir biltfcn nicf)t berfcf)tueigen, bat in bicjer l5d)rift mand)e irtige 9Jleb IIltngen Bum ~htsbruct fommen. :vem l5ahamcnt luirb 3. Q). ou biel 3ugcfcl)ticben, Illwn eil l)eitt, ball "es bas l5aftament ift, bas bie @emeinfcl)aft bet £1:itcl)c 3 u ~ [t a n b e b r in g t ". (15.41.) - ,,~all bies £1:ajJitef (;;sol).6) bom ~DenbmalJf ()l1nbeU, ift lJeute allgemein anertaltnt. . .. l5ellift ein %!)eologe luie 53nt!)er f)at bi,: Q)e3ie~ung auf bas ~1tarfaframent nocl) lJeftritten." (15.57.) - ,,~l1tf man l)llffClt, ball mtl1 enbHd) bas tiiricl)te @etebe \letftnmmt, tooJlQcl) bie Xle~re bon ber kiblicf)en jffiitiung bes l5ahammts in ultjmr ~ird)e ein %~eOfo\1umCllon bes ,~leufutlJertums' fein foll1 11 (15. 72.) ~as ift allctbings fein %ljeo[ogumenon, ball "bex I5cgm i)es &'d{,hrenmalJH; aud) unfern 53eib bettifft, bem burd) i)ies l5afra~ 1I1mt i)ie ~uferftcI)Ltn(l nnb bas etuige 53eDcll bctDiixgt tDhb" (5. 53); abet (5 ift II i(!)t bibfifd)~htt!)erifd)e Xlef)re, tDmn "bie mlirhtn\l bes l5ahaments anf ben .53cib" bc[cOtieben toit)) ag "ein tounbctuares 0;illgeljcn feinet [bell .Id~tt:lt] 53eiulicf)teit in unferc 53eibHd)teU". (15. 73.) - linb toas foll bies f)eillen: ,,;;snbem bie (.\lliiuliigm ntit ~f)rifti 53eib gef.peift luerben, toerbm fic, bie £1:itd)e, 3um .53eilJ Cif)rifti. . .. 5::er .53eib ~ljrifti ift in bet £1:irC!)C i 0 teal ba, toie et in ber (i;1tCf)a~ l'iftie ift"~ (5. 42.) ~rof. l5affe fett lJin31t: "SJJ1:an fann fagen, bas fei l5~cfu~ [n tion. ~liet toer bas fagt, mitt minbeftms 3ugeben, bali e5 cine bibfifcl)e l5.pefu~ htHon ift." llliiire biefe I5jJetufation in ber l5d)rift lJegriinbet, fo toate es teine I5jJefufation. % f). ~ n gel bet Where Are the Dead? By Herbert G. Stockwell. The John C. Winston Co., Chicago. 295 pages, 51hxS. Price, $1.50. There is an intense interest among many persons today in such questions as the one which fonus the title of this book. The interest is proved also by the fact that the present volume is the second and re- vised edition of a similar work, which sold out in a comparatively short time. Herbert G. Stockwell is a layman who was led to the study of the Bible on matters eschatological by the very interest evinced by his friends in the question "Where are the dead?" His purpose in writing the book was "to give consolation to those who sorrow for departed loved ones," his specific aim being "to show that the instinctive feeling that they are thoroughly alive is confirmed in the Bible." Unfortunately the writer does not always set forth the Scriptural truth on the sub- jects which he treats but gleans his doctrines from subjective human feeling, either his own or that of others (e. g., again and again the author quotes Swedenborg). While not directly teaching a millennium, he quotes with approval authors that speak of a millennial reign of Christ. (P.2S.) He assumes the possibility of a conversion after death (p. 31 if.), Book Review - £tteratut 157 and this in the "near-hereafter," in the abode of the spirits after death, in which they are prepared for the "far-hereafter," or heaven (p. 51 fl.), or for hell (a subject which he treats too meagerly). In heaven the blessed saints become angels, who serve the Lord as also such souls as are in the world of spirits, the "near-hereafter." (P. 292 and others.) The writer nowhere teaches salvation by grace through faith in Christ but rather awards eternal life as a recompense to those who tried to lead a good life. (P.244 and others.) In heaven no new marriages will take place, but the marriage union established upon earth between hus- band and wife continues. (P. 180 fl.) In heaven there will be growth in service and good works. These are some of the many errors which are taught in this popular book, which is written so invitingly, pleas- ingly, and deceivingly that we are not a bit astonished that its sale has been quite gratifying to both the author and the publisher. What we need in our own circles is a book on the same subject but one setting forth the whole, pure doctrine of God's Word on the matter for warning and for consolation. J. THEODORE MUELLER The Faith of the Church. By Charles M. Jacobs, late president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. United Lutheran Publication House, Philadelphia, Pa. 114 pages, 7ljzx5ljz. Price, $1.00. May be ordered through Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. These addresses on the oldest creed of the Christian Church were delivered in the chapel of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mount Airy during the academic year of 1936-1937. Their purpose was not so much the formal presentation of the dogmatic truths contained in this creed as the emphasizing of the personal religious values which it possesses. There are fourteen addresses in all. They are direct, fervent, and heart-searching. Dr. Jacobs shows himself a master of style, with an unusual ability to present profound truths in a simple, yet beautiful, eloquent, and edifying manner. He is never trite and never wordy. Nor does he hide paucity of thought behind theological catch-phrases. In fact, he avoids as much as possible the theological terminology of the lecture hall and couches his thoughts in language that the layman as well as the clergyman can readily understand. As his special branch of theology was church history, it was inevitable that he should weave into his discussion the historial background of the Apostolicum; but this is never inapropos nor tiresome; rather does he thereby clarify and enlighten. In his introductory address he well says: "The Creed was kept down to 110 words, including the Amen at the end. It contains only the what of faith and leaves the how and why to the theologians. This utter simplicity is one of the reasons why this Creed has kept its place through all these centuries. Theologies have come and gone and been forgotten; arguments for and against this or that belief have had their day of cogency, then lost their pith and fallen out of use; social revolutions and intellectual revolutions have swept the world in successive waves and changed our modes and our thought-ways; - but the Creed has not been 158 Book Review ~ ~itetatut altered. In thirteen centuries it has had no additions and in eighteen centuries no subtractions. It still lives as in the days when it was young. One generation learns it from another and passes it on to the genera- tion yet to come; when we say it we are echoing the chorus that has sounded in all the Christian centuries, saying, '1 believe.''' Jacobs clearly shows the fallacy of the modern slogan "Deeds not creeds": "What we believe does matter; it is what we live by, unless our living is a sham." Against the present trend toward atheism he argues: "Atheism is inconsistent. It does not do away with God at all. It runs out at last into a boundless polytheism by making every man his own god." In his discussion of creation the author sets up a strong argument against mechanistic evolution. After emphasizing the divine fiat in creation, he states: "Weare not concerned, as Christian believers, with the method by which God brought the world into existence, nor are we interested in the number and the nature of the steps that lie be- tween His purpose and its fulfilment. But we are convinced that the world and all it contains comes from God's hand. The power and the purpose and the plan are His." As to the "days" of creation, the author seems to consider them periods. Dr. Jacobs's discussion of the Second Article is an eloquent and im- pC'essive acceptance of the deity of our Lmd and His atonement. He is not clear, however, on the vicarious nature of that atonement. The chapter on the Descent will no doubt arouse much discussion. He frankly states that the clause "He descended into hell" was not univer- sally accepted in the Church until the sixth century, points to the fact that the Formula of Concord says that we shall do well not to inquire too curiously concerning it, and then gives his own pious hope that it was, not a descent for the purpose of declaring judgment on the souls of the unbelievers, but to show Himself both as Lord cmd Savior to those who knew Him not, and had no occasion to know Him, in this life, thus departing from the views of Quenstedt and other Lutheran dogmaticians. Space will not permit a detailed discussion of other points, nor is it necessary to do so. The little volume must be read. One will not always agree with every statement or argument, nor could that be expected, but we believe that our pastors will do well to add this book to their libraries and that they will find it in many respects to be a timely and able apology of the Creed that is so dear to us. It is unfortunate that a few slips were not caught by the editor and proof-reader, such as attributing the prayer "Help Thou mine unbelief" to Peter. W. G. POLACK Utterances or Jesus. By William H. T. Dau. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 161 pages, 5%X8. Price, $1.50. We gladly announce this volume of brief addresses by Dr. Dau, who was a member of our St. Louis theological faculty from 1905 to 1926. His former students, as also many others, will be delighted to read these evangelical messages. The style is not heavy, the diction is simple, the contents are edifying. These addresses, says Dr. Dau in his foreword, "go out as a witness to the Jesus of the Scriptures, who has been preached Book Review - mteratur 159 for a lifetime. Utterances of Jesus are exhibited in their contextual setting, and the chief aim is to bring out fully their evident purpose and import." Pastors will find in these addresses material for sermons. In his first address Dr. Dau says: "This fact gives to the utterances of Jesus a dignity, a sublimity, a majesty, such as cannot be accorded to any other words ever spoken on this earth. Though uttered by a man, they are not a mere man's words, no matter how great, wise, noble, and good he may have been in the estimation of his fellow-men. They are utterances of God in the speech of men, and He who uttered them is Himself God, come on an errand from the eternal Deity to make them known to men. These utterances, moreover, deal not with any temporary and transient interests of men alone within the limited span of life here below but with the life beyond, for which men's present life is but a preparation and probation. They aim not only to set up man in a pure and noble manhood after the divine image in which he was created; not only to establish true and righteous relations between men in a uni- versal brotherhood, but chiefly and primarily to set fallen man right with the God whom he has offended, to make him understand the hor- rible crime of sinning against his Maker, and the divine mercy that comes to him in his lost condition with an unbelievably great loving- kindness and an astonishingly free, unconditioned offer of salvation by faith in the Redeemer, Jesus Christ." (Pages 16,17.) From t."he last address we quote: "This twofold mission of Christians, by sound teaching of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and by godly conduct, is perennial. In all ages the Christian Church, its pastors, teachers, theologians, with all its members, old and young, have had to face and to stay the unsoundness of men's thoughts regarding God and divine matters and the corrupting practises in men's lives that were shaping themselves in accordance with those thoughts. The early Chris- tian Church grew up amid intellectual and moral dung-heaps and morasses of the Jewish, Greek, and Roman world. The forms of putrescence surrounding it bore different labels in later ages, but it was always essentially the same corruption in which malliTInd was steeped since it became alienated from the true God and from life with God through the incoming of sin and the commencement of Satan's dominion over men. In our time the Christians everywhere and their organized church forces are opposing false teachings of Christianity, false religious movements, false philosophies, and false ethics that are eating into the lives of men by upholding the true teachings of Jesus regarding sin and the forgiveness of sin for His sake, by applying the principles of righteousness and purity, and setting men an example by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." (Pages 158,159.) J. H. C. FRITZ Fathel's and Founders. By W. G. Polack. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 79 pages. Price, paper-bound, 20 cts. This is the history of the fathers and founders of our Synod, a memo- rial booklet for this centennial year. The first chapters present the Ger- man background, showing the causes that motivated the emigration of these staunch and faithful Lutherans; then follows the story of the 160 Book Review - 53iteratut Saxons, of Pastor Wyneken, and of the Franconians under Craemer; then the founding of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. Special stress is laid on the fact that from the very first they provided above all for the education of the children and the training of ministers and teach- ers for the future, though this necessitated great sacrifices and required a faith and trust in divine help that puts us to shame. Rightly is this emphasized; for to these efforts is due, above all, the permanence, the growth, and the success of these hundred years. - Only a small book and a ridiculously small price; it would be a pity if the end of this year should not find the book in every home in our Church. It should be spread broadcast, so that all of us may the better learn what God hath wrought for us and appreciate His blessings. Particularly should the book be used in Bible classes and young people's societies. I do not mean that it is too elementary for older people; quite the contrary; Professor Polack has the happy faculty of, as we say, "writing down" to the younger generation, though this phrase is usually misunderstood; it takes more to make history interesting to the young than to the old. Credite experto! - Many pictures and reproductions of interesting and valuable documents are included in the booklet. THEO. HOYER BOOI EeEI TlED FTOm Fleming H. Revell Company, New York, London and Edinburgh: The Secret of Christian Joy. By Vance Havner. 120 pages. Price, $1.00. Star in the East. By Winifred Kirkland. 27 pages. Price, 75 cts. From the Textford Presg, New York, N. Y.: The Life of Christ. For boys and girls of junior age. By Eveleen Harrison. 96 pages, 3VzX51fz. A Garden of Prayers. Prayers for boys and girls of junior age. By Eveleen Harrison. 69 pages, 31fzx5V2. From the Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Filled! With the Spirit. A Book of Devotions. By Richard Ellsworth Day. 389 pages, 51fzx71fz. Price, $1.50. NOTICE TO OUR SU RmERS In order to render satisfactory service, we must have our current mailing-list correct. The expense of maintaining this list has been materially increased. Under present regulations we are subject to a "fine" on all parcels mailed to an incorrect address, inasmuch as we must pay 2 cents for every notification sent by the postmaster on a parcel or periodical which is undeliverable because no forwarding address is available or because there has been a change of address. This may seem insignificant, but in view of the fact that we have subscribers getting three or more of our periodicals and considering our large aggregate subscription list, it may readily be seen that it amounts to quite a sum during a year; for the postmaster will address a notification to each individual periodical. Our subscribers can help us by notifying us-one notification (postal card, costing only 1 cent) will take care of the addresses for several publications. We shall be very grateful for your cooperation. Kindly consult the address label on this paper to ascertain whether your subscription has expired or will soon expire. "Feb 39" on the label means that your subscription has expired. Please pay your agent or the Publisher promptly in order to avoid interruption of service. It takes about two weeks before the address label can show change of address or acknowledgment of remittance. When paying your subscription, please mention name of publication desired and exact name and address (both old and new, if change of address is requested). CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE, st. Louis, Mo.