vironment which abhors it and strives to crush it. The conclusion at which the author arrives in this volume is that the changing of this environment is the first and most pressing duty of Christians. They must first seek to establish the kingdom of God on earth. As the Lord's prayer instructs us, that must be the chief task of every day. No one could, of course, be insensible of the criticism that is certain to fall upon anyone who essays to interpret the gospel in his own way. Being neither a scholar nor a clergyman, I have not familiarized myself with the multitude of interpretations which have been made, not only of the gospel as a whole, but even of nearly every word and phrase of the gospel. Consequently, I shall expect and welcome criticism and correction from those to whom this work has been a life study. Yet I cannot help feeling that Jesus was capable of making his thought clear and that any earnest mind, who patiently and carefully studies the New Testament, will get his message. This is perhaps an unwarranted assumption that might give support to the heretical thought that it is unnecessary for those who can themselves read the gospels to look at them through the eyes of the Church, of Luther, of Calvin or of Mrs. Eddy. Certainly I have not done so and consequently the Pre-millenarians, the interim-ethical theorists, the Christian Scientists and the many other sects will, if they take any notice whatever of such an adventurous person, observe that I have not taken into account the particular verses that may support their widely divergent interpretations of the divine word. And to this criticism I enter no protest. I have found one much needed message in the gospel-the plan of a new society that Jesus bequeathed to his disciples; and I believe that in this society the ethics of the Sermon on the Mount may prevail and that there only can we obey fully the commandments of the Master. It is a pleasure to take advantage of this opportunity to express my gratitude to several of my friends who have taken the trouble to read and criticize the manuscript; and among these I must thank Miss Jane Addams, Mr. Lincoln Steffins, Mr. Fremont Older and Mr. John D. Barry. The Reverend Doctor C. M. Addison, of St. John's, Stamford, Conn., the Reverend Doctor Edward L. Parsons, of St. Mark's, Berkeley, Cal., the Reverend Norman M. Thomas, of the American Parish, and Professor William Frederick Badè, the Old Testament scholar, not only read the manuscript with care but offered me many valuable suggestions. To my ever helpful wife is due the special appreciation of one who finds her aid and inspiration a constant source of strength. Berkeley, California, ROBERT HUNTER |