12 SEPTEMBER 1896, Page 24

The Beatitudes. By Robert Eyton. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co.)—Canon

Eyton makes a very vigorous attempt to establish what we may venture to call a modus virendi between the Beatitudes and actual life. They contain, by common consent, the standard morality of the Gospel ; is it possible to adapt the ideal which they set forth to the necessities of practical existence ? We have Kings and armies. So the great majority of mankind has determined. Can a King be poor in spirit ? Can a soldier be meek ? Or must we accept a universal equality and non- resistance ? Such are the questions which the preacher sets himself to solve. As may be supposed, he is not always success- ful ; nevertheless, these discourses, vigorous and plain-spoken, are a valuable contribution to Christian morals.