L'Eternité des peines de l'Enfer dans Saint Augustin. Achille Lehaut. Paris, Beauchesne, 1911. Pp. 205.

This historical study is divided into three parts: the prevailing errors of the time occupy the first, Saint Augustine's refutation of these the second, and his positive exposition of the Catholic doctrine the third. It is a scholarly and thorough piece of research into the history of the doctrine of eternal punishment. Saint Augustine, it is true, does not write as an historian recounting the errors of the day, but rather as a defender of Christian belief. Still, it is possible to read between the lines, and in this indirect way discover whether Saint Augustine himself is proposing the objections to forewarn and forearm the faithful, or reciting the hostile views of others. It is by this careful method of procedure that the author distils history out of his sources. There is nothing arid about the presentation; on the contrary, the liveliness of the style sustains one's interest unflagging to the end.

There was first to be considered the idea-attributed to Originof a universal final restoration, based for the most part on philological grounds, and refuted by Saint Augustine on these same grounds, supplemented by an appeal to the Scriptures, especially to the text of Isaiah "their worm dieth not," and to the manner in which the Church had always understood and interpreted the meaning of the last judgment.

Then there was the theory of mercy which made light of the Scripture threats of everlasting punishment, and extended salvation finally to all, or withheld it from the merciless and uncharitable only. Saint Augustine demolished the argument based on the divine promises of life to all, by showing that the divine threats of everlasting spiritual death to sinners were equally a part of the Scripture record, and could not be impugned without calling the whole in question.

After the bleatings of the sheep of the fold had been reduced to silence, there remained to be considered the arguments proposed by the unbelievers. The physical objection to the doctrine of endless chastisement was that bodies could not live in fire. It was against nature to suppose that they could. To this the great Doctor made the reply that it was man's theories of nature, and not nature itself, which rendered the doctrine of endless punishment incredible.

And then there was the moral argument that justice forbade a punishment out of all proportion with the fault or offense committed. The parity between human justice and divine was urged in support of this point to clinch it. Saint Augustine denied the parity, and showed that in sin there is an adherence to evil, which lasts until the will itself yields, and that may be never. Not content with this reply, he plunges into a profound analysis of human malice, and finds the reason for questioning eternal punishment in the lack of a proper sense and appreciation of the seriousness of sin. Was Saint Augustine acquainted with the medicinal theory of punishment which holds that the true end of all chastisement is reform? He mentions it in one passage, but pays no further attention to the problem which it suggests a sure sign that it was not a current objection on the lips of his opponents. It was much later that this objection began to go the rounds, Origin himself, to whom the theory also occurred, not having realized its full drift, whatever Turmel may think to the contrary.

It is impossible to follow the author into the positive side of the exposition, the restricted space at our disposal forbidding our doing so. Suffice it to say that the full thought of the great Doctor loses none of its vivid glow in this admirable scientific re-presentation. In the sentimentalism of our times, when this doctrine of the heinousness of sin and the endlessness of its chastisement is in danger of being depreciated, it is good to have set before us the words of a giant mind in all their bearings. The author has accomplished his task most creditably in this contribution to the history of theology, and we wish him well with his work.

EDMUND T. SHANAHAN.

Introductory Philosophy. A text-book for Colleges and High Schools. By Charles A. Dubray, S. M., Ph. D., Professor of Philosophy at the Marist College, Washington, D. C. New York, Longmans, 1912. Pp. xxi + 624. Price $2.60.

The greatest difficulty which teachers of philosophy encounter is the inability of the average student to realize the problems of philosophy as problems. In other words, the teacher finds that the pupil is already convinced of the truths of philosophy, that

the work of proving them is labor wasted, that he must first develop an interest in the problem before he can engage the attention. of his class. One of the many good qualities of Doctor Dubray's book is that it facilitates this task. It justifies the title, Introductory Philosophy, by showing the way to the problems of philosophy, by pointing out the paths which lead to philosophy from science, literature, history and human experience in general. The historical presentation of the problems of philosophy has very great advantages from the point of view of interest to be cultivated and attention to be secured. But sound method requires that the historical presentation be supplemented by systematic discussion. Doctor Dubray's book is an excellent aid to the latter and will undoubtedly recommend itself both to teachers and students.

Introductory Philosophy while it is a textbook and, as such, keeps in view the needs of the beginner in philosophy, is more than a mere compilation. In manner and method it is a departure from the time-honored manual, and by reason of its originality of presentation will interest many who, perhaps, have decided to close their textbooks for good, and seek inspiration among the philosophical essayists and the writers of philosophical classics. The book will interest the mature student, as well as the beginner. It will show how, in accordance with the instructions of Leo XIII, the modern exponent of scholasticism brings forward "New things and old," and knows how to combine the principles of Thomistic philosophy with what is true in modern philosophy and established as the result of scientific investigation. While we congratulate the author on the success he has achieved, we cannot but call attention to this additional indication of what the Catholic University is doing to assist our schools and colleges in their laborious task. Introductory Philosophy is a credit to the University as well as to the author.

WILLIAM TURNER.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Commencement Exercises, 1912.

Commencement Week at the Catholic University began on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 2, when Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Denis J. O'Connell, D. D., Bishop of Richmond, Va., and former Rector of the Catholic University. The Sermon was delivered by the Rev. William J. Fitzgerald, J. U. D., of Milville, N. J., President of the Catholic University Alumni Association. On Wednesday morning, June 5, the Twenty-Third Annual Commencement and Conferring of Degrees took place in the Assembly Room, McMahon Hall, the Rt. Rev. Rector of the University presiding. The Deans of the Schools of Sacred Sciences, Philosophy, Letters, Science, and the Sisters College presented 96 candidates for degrees. The exercises closed with an address by the Rector.

Degrees were conferred as follows:

In the School of Sacred Sciences, for the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S. T. B.): Rev. Leo Thomas Ennis of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Rev. Francis Aloysius Fadden, of New York City; Rev. Joseph Hafford, New York City; Rev. Robert Thomas Riddle, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Rev. Stanislaus Zmijewski, of the Order of Friars Minor; Rev. Joseph Thomas Barron, of St. Paul, Minn.; Rev. Francis James Rakowski, of St. Paul, Minn.; Rev. Vincent Joseph Ryan, of Fargo, So. Dakota; Rev. Theodore Christian Peterson, Rev. Henry Francis Riley, Rev. John Elliot Ross, Rev. Hugh Anthony Swift, of the Paulist Congregation; Rev. Edward Peter McGrath, Rev. Louis Alphonsus Pelletier, and Rev. James Teynac Reilly, of the Society of Mary; Rev. James Joseph Quinlan, and Rev. William Peter Lennartz, of the Congregation of the Holy Cross.

For the Degree of Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S. T. L.): Rev. Sigourney Webster Fay, of Baltimore, Md., Dissertation: "The Rise and Development of the Christian Doctrine of the Supernatural."

Rev. John Joseph Finn, of Albany, N. Y., Dissertation: "Christianity and the Theories of Social Progress."

Rev. Michael Ambrose Gilloegly, of Scranton, Pa., Dissertation: "The Present State of the Divorce Controversy."

Rev. Francis Henry Kehlenbrink, of St. Louis, Mo., Dissertation: "The Ordinary Convalidation of Marriage."

Rev. William Peter McNally, of Philadelphia, Pa., Dissertation: "The Ecclesiastical Policy of Otto the Great."

Rev. Philo Laos Mills, of Baltimore, Md., Dissertation: "The Meaning of 'Peithomai' in the Greek Bible."

Rev. Paul John Ritchie, of St. Louis, Mo., Dissertation: "The Diocesan Synod."

Rev. Paul Sandalgi, of Baltimore, Md., Dissertation: "De Orientalibus Vagis."

Rev. Celestine Paul Smith, of the Order of St. Benedict, Dissertation: "The History and Morality of the Oath.”

For the Degree of Bachelor of Canon Law (J. C. B.): Rev. John Joseph Clifford, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Rev. Thomas Patrick Durkin, of Scranton, Pa.; Rev. Francis Aloysius Fadden, of New York City; Rev. John Joseph Featherston, of Scranton, Pa.; Rev. Celestine Anthony Freriks, of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood; Rev. Michael Ambrose Gilloegly, of Scranton, Pa.; Rev. Godfrey Francis Kuratko, of San Antonio, Texas; Rev. George Joseph Hafford, of New York City; Rev. Thomas Francis Kelly, of Scranton, Pa.; Rev. Francis Patrick Lyons, of the Paulist Congregation; Rev. William Michael McGuire, of Rockford, Ill.; Rev. Thomas Joseph McHugh, of Scranton, Pa.; Rev. James Joseph Mulholland, of Scranton, Pa.; Rev. James Bernard O'Brien, of Providence, R. I.; Rev. George Michael Sauvage, of the Holy Cross Congregation; Rev. Celestine Paul Smith, of the Order of St. Benedict; Rev. Owen Joseph Smith, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Rev. Hugh Anthony Swift, of the Paulist Congregation; Rev. William Turbiaux, of Duluth, Minn.

For the Degree of Licentiate in Canon Law (J. C. L.) :

Rev. John Ignatius Barret, of Baltimore, Md., Dissertation: "The Impediment of Sacred Orders."

Rev. Andrew Joseph Carroll, of San Francisco, Cal., Dissertation: "Extrajudicial Methods as Applied to Ecclesiastical Legislation."