Page:The Poems and Prose remains of Arthur Hugh Clough, volume 1 (1869).djvu/309

 REVIEW

MR. NEWMAN'S 'THE SOUL.'

appearance of this book is a novelty, and may be thought an epoch, we do not say in literature, but in a more weighty matter, religious writing. For the first time since we know not what remote period, mercy and truth are met together in the world of publication, religion and knowledge have kissed each other. He whom our fathers would have called a Methodist, is also what our contemporaries entitle a Rationalist: one well known to be rich in historical and philological lore and great in critical acumen, is found also possessed of those stores of devout experience which delight the readers of pious biography, proves himself also powerful in those searchings of spirit and delicate which are the shibboleth to the tender conscience. We have before us the true Christian scribe instructed into the Kingdom of Heaven, who, like unto a man that is an householder, bringeth forth out of his treasure things both new and old.

For Mr. Newman is not only powerful in these two departments, but, a more rare felicity, is sincere with himself and outspoken with others. His religious mind holds communion with his scientific, and compares spiritual things with spiritual; his consciousness pervades his whole being; he will not keep his knowledge in one drawer and his devotion in another, put his lexicon on this shelf and his bible on that; he is not worldly