Cylchgronau Cymru

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traditional views, as most trained teachers have, but who are afraid to handle critical views, will here find adequate guidance, and a mediator be- tween themselves and the4 expert Biblical scholar. The teacher may question here and there whether this or that ancient form conveys the spiritual value as effectually as a modern form would. One feels that one would like to see the author's work- ing out of more of the values embodied in Biblical stories. Of course, a writer cannot do every- thing in one book. But I believe this book claims The New Testament in Modern Education 2 a more unique position for the Bible in education than most present day educationists would be prepared to grant. It is only by practicable demonstration of its use in inculcating the supreme values that such a claim could be fully implemented. But a more fundamental question emerges as to the authority of the Christian values themselves. The author advances the highest possible claims for Jesus Christ, and presses them home in the field of education in a way that has scarcely been done before. Beyond the immediate aim of fit- ting the New Testament into a modern system of education, lies, perhaps unconsciously, an apolo- getic purpose, the presentation of Jesus Christ as the Lord of thought and life in every realm. Edu- cation is essentially religious. And "the spirit of Christ must not only animate the teaching throughout, but also the central place must be assigned to the actual presentation of Jesus Christ Himself." Now this is a very bold chal- lenge to the modern mind. When we look at our schools and colleges and other functions of cul- ture, we find that not only people who are more or less indifferent to religion, but many very or- thodox Christians, would hesitate to claim such a Y Tannau Coll.* By T. Huws Davies. IT has indeed become a serious business in Wales to attempt to give an honest and sin- cere opinion on any literary work, be it a creative effort, a humdrum piece of research work, or even a mere compilation for public use and consumption. Every review, even every casual expression of opinion, is followed by a grand inquest, and the question of motive as- sumes the importance it does in a sensational mur- der mystery. I am constrained, therefore, to open this humble review with one or two wholly irre- levant and, in so far as those who are interested !n Welsh literature for its own sake are concerned, absolutely unnecessary statements. In the first place, I must say that I believe that Cynan is a real poet and that there are no more than a baker's dozen, at the outside, of his kind in Wales Y TANNAU COLL, Pryddest ail-oreu Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Rhydaman, 1922, gan Cynan. Cy- hoeddedig gan yr Awdur. Td. 40. Pris Swllt. supreme position for Jesus Christ in modern cul- ture. And it is not a position that will be granted Him for the mere asking. It will have to be established by an authority that the modern mind will recognise, that is in a view of the Universe that will convince reason and conscience. Pro- fessor Jones has not in this book set himself to articulate the Christian values either in a theology or in a philosophy. Though he has claimed for Jesus Christ the supreme place in the life of the spirit, he has not occupied the whole realm of validity in His name. That did not belong to the purpose of the book. But one also seems to detect a tendency to regard subjective criteria as adequate. As a rule, he appeals no further than individual or historical experience for the validity of Christian values. His general position seems to be Intuitionist or Pragmatist. But the appeal to history can only obtain an ambiguous verdict. It is not at all clear that the history of what are called Christian countries has as yet pronounced in favour of Christian values. And in any case, the direct appeal to history is, after all, an appeal to individuals, to a subjective, not to an objective criterion. Though, it is true, that the writer recog- nises the need for a more universal construction and articulation of the Christian values. And no more could be asked within the limits which he had set for himself in this book. But the teacher will not gain the confidence and power, even though he had the skill, to place Christ at the head and centre of education, until we have placed Him again at the heart of our modem world view. And that it not work for one man, nor perhaps for one generation. The demand of this book is for a great co-operative effort in thought and life to establish the supremacy of the "Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God." to-day. I have never, to my knowledge, seen him, but rumour and report have it that he is still young. If so, he has had the good fortune which falls to very few adventurers, of discovering in youth new territory. Figures of speech and illustrations are always misleading. What I mean here is that Cynan discovered, either in- stinctively or from his acquaintance with other literatures, a new poetic form, and adapted it with great deftness and cunning for his own purposes. I suppose those who deal liberally in labels to save themselves the trouble and weariness of thinking, would say glibly that he is one of the New School of Welsh poets. To me, I confess, that conveys nothing more than that he was born after say, 1875; that he has taken a little trouble to ascertain the most authoritative teaching as to the orthography, accidence and syntax of the language which he uses as his medium; and that he has realised that there are poets and artists of supreme merit outside Wales who have a great deal to teach him. Except in this sense, there is for me no one New School of Welsh poets. If tests of form and tradition are applied, there are, indeed, many new schools, and to which of