CURRENT LITERATURE.
Faith and Works. By J. O'Connor, B.A. (Saunders and Otley.)— Mr. O'Connor puts together under this title six essays which speak well, on the whole, for his ability and theological knowledge. It is no little credit that, dealing with such subjects as that which is specified by the title and others which are connected with it, he generally avoids a con- troversial tone, and is always moderate and fair. On some topics, as the Divine purpose of redemption and punishment, he expresses himself with a liberality and breadth which we are glad to observe. His principal fault is a rhetorical wildness of expression into which, in seeking to be striking and original, he is sometimes betrayed. Thus we read, "Sin preserves the equilibrium of the moral universe ; the evil without is resisted and balanced by the evil within." This is surely a most absurd way of illustrating the truth which he wishes to set forth, namely, the intensity of the suffering which evil caused to the sinless nature of our Lord. But he sometimes writes very well. The follow- ing, we think, is good :—" Religion, like civilization, flourishes in the interval that lies between law and the unseen goal towards which the instinct of progress is continually striving."
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