Reviewed in the Critical Review. July, 189!. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON THE FIRST EDITION. 'A healthy and very timely contribution to the study of Christian ethics and sociology.'-The Independent. 'This is a large book on a large subject by a writer who has the courage of his convictions, and who, believing the gospel is adequate for settling our social problems in a satisfactory humanitarian way, confronts, in a whole-hearted manner, the problems of old and new political economy, the land and labour questions, co-operation, sweating, child-life, and the place of women in the movement of the race.'-Liverpool Mercury. 'Mr. Matheson's sound and rational words of advice come in good time to direct fresh attention to the subject.'-Literary World. 'The author is evidently anxious to be impartial and fair, and has taken the trouble to read extensively and to think carefully on the various questions passed in review.'London Quarterly. 'The addresses are capital summaries of the case for advanced social Christian opinions. They are full of facts, figures, and quotations, and are, to the amateur in such subjects, a perfect mine of information and suggestion.'-Methodist Times. 'The book contains a vast amount of interesting information, concisely put together, and is brightly and thoughtfully written.'-The Darkest England Gazette. 'The author treats each problem in a broad and liberal spirit, and shows throughout a thorough grasp of the different subjects he deals with.'-Northern Whig (Belfast). 'As a popular exposition of the problems with which Church and State are alike attempting to deal, Mr. Matheson's book may be recommended.'- British Weekly. 'Its author is well read in the literature of political and social economy, and has thought independently on the problems which he so ably discusses.'-Montrose Review. 'The book is one of the best of its kind which we have seen, and will be found a useful compendium of valuable thoughts and facts to all who are engaged in the study of social problems.'-Glasgow Echo. 'A volume of much value as a contribution to a solution of the acknowledged wants and crying social needs of the age in which we now live.'-Manchester Courier. A valuable contribution towards the solution of many of the important problems which at present so force themselves upon the attention of all thoughtful persons. The enormous accumulations of capital in the hands of a comparatively few, the deep and degrading poverty of large masses of the population, the depletion of the rural districts and overcrowding in great cities, the fierce struggles between capital and labour,-these are phenomena which amply justify the demand of our author for a writer of original and independent ability" to do for the laws of distribution of wealth what Adam Smith did for the laws of its production. The work has the merit of being written in singularly clear style; there is not an obscure sentence in it, and the reader who has a genuine interest in the subject will scarcely be inclined to lay it aside till he has read to the last page.'-Scotsman. 'We have read few books of late years that so admirably fulfil their purpose as does this one of Mr. Scott Matheson's. It is a most judicial and comprehensive survey of the whole social field; and we may say at the outset that the various essays are all and severally so well rounded, so well supplied with solid fact and vital illustration, that they will be of immense use to the social reformer as such, be he religious or not; more especially will they be of value to him that lectureth.'-Daily Chronicle (London). This is a volume of great interest, and deals in a very full and thorough way with the burning question of the relation of the Church to the various social problems which are forcing themselves on the attention of the community.'-Glasgow Herald. 'Full of information attractively presented.'-Methodist Recorder. 'After a preliminary statement on the two types of Political Economy which have come into contrast in our day, he deals with the land question, the labour question, the liquor question, the problems of poverty, housing, sweating, the co-operative movement, and other pressing difficulties of the time. He has no novel specific to offer, neither does he make any startling or revolutionary proposal. But he shows a keen sense of the urgency of these problems, and a large knowledge of the circumstances which go to form them. He offers many just remarks on the Church's duty in relation to them, and writes in a hopeful strain with regard to the issue.'-Critical Review. 'Deserves to be widely read and carefully considered, if only for its numerous illustrative facts.'-North British Daily Mail. 'We have nothing but commendation for this intelligent and useful book.'-Christian Leader. 'The evident sincerity with which this work is written, together with its scholarly character and literary excellence, gives it a claim to the attention of all who are interested in the relation of modern Christianity to the movements of modern life.'-Newcastle Daily Leader. |