Public Opinion and Theology: McConnell. A Book about the English Bible: Penniman. The Riddle of Personality: Bruce. The Order of Nature: Henderson. The Contingency of the Laws of Nature: Boutroux. An Ethical System: Deshumbert. Our Knowledge of the External World: Russell. The Idolatry of Science: Coleridge. To the Gentle Personalist T HE FOLLOWING letter from Dr. Hocking of Harvard University so completely expressed our wish for THE PERSONALIST that we print it herewith. "I have seen the early copies, and have welcomed the prospect of a new and vigorous organ of philosophy and theology, especially as representing the strong philosophical spirit of the Western Coast. I hope it will become one of the staple expressions of American thought, and that it will open its columns to debate and dissent, as well as to development of the views for which it primarily stands, and with which I am very heartily in sympathy. This policy will at once emphasize its own stability of faith, and enlist the interest of many shades of opinion which have lively representatives in California and elsewhere among us." Yours sincerely, WILLIAM ERNEST HOCKING. Thus is summed up for us our hope that The PersonALIST may be able to serve the interest of the larger group. We shall be glad from time to time to publish leading articles from other standpoints than that of personalism and to make the Notes and Discussions column a medium of expression of dissent as well as of commendation. Borden Parker Bowne was born in Leonardville, Monmouth County, New Jersey, January 14, 1847, and died in Boston, April 1, 1910. He was the son of Joseph Bowne and Margaret Parker Bowne. His father was a farmer living on inherited acres. He was not only farmer but local preacher and Justice of the Peace, a man widely respected who settled the disputes and made the wills of the neighborhood. He was a man of unusual common sense, fond of books, public spirited, a strong abolitionist, and a devoted adherent to the cause of temperance. And this at a time when nearly every home had a sideboard loaded with wines and spirituous liquors, especially in anticipation of a visit from the minister! His immigrant ancestors on the Bowne side were William Bowne and wife Ann, English Puritans, who came to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1631. They left England on account of religious persecution and William Bowne was granted forty acres of land at Jeffries Creek, near Salem, in 1636. He remained at Salem for some years, then removed to Gravesend, Long Island, New York, probably in 1645, as Gravesend was settled by English Puritans from Massachusetts about that year. William Bowne and his sons, John, James, and Andrew, went from there to Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1664 and his son James was the direct ancestor of the subject of this sketch. The three sons of William Bowne were prominent in the settlement of Monmouth County, New Jersey. John was a patentee in the famous Monmouth Patent which was issued by Governor Nichols, agent for the Duke of York who had received from Charles II a grant of land comprising all New Jersey. This Monmouth Patent included what is now Monmouth and Ocean Counties with parts of adjoining ones. These men bought their lands from the Indians, the Bownes contributing a greater sum than any other family with only two exceptions. This purchase was made years before Penn did likewise in Pennsylvania and their charter provided for complete liberty of conscience in all religious matters. The Bownes especially emphasized this as William had left New England on account of his sympathy with Roger Williams and had also experienced enough persecution in Old England. The three brothers were prominent in the settlement of the colony both in church, civil, and political matters. John Bowne was a deputy to the first assembly in 1668; again a deputy in 1675; was in the first legislature, and in 1683 speaker of the House. He was one of the founders of the Baptist Church at Middletown in 1668 which was the first of that faith in New Jersey. He gave the lot of land on which the meeting house stood and being an effective public speaker was the first to preach in the house when erected. His brother Andrew was a member of Governor Hamilton's Council in 1692, was appointed Deputy Governor of New Jersey by Governor Bass in 1699; in 1701 was made Governor of Eastern New Jersey, and in 1703 was commissioned by Queen Anne a member of Governor Cornbury's Council. James Bowne, the other brother and direct ancestor of Borden Parker Bowne, was one of the interpreters at the first purchase of lands from the Indians. He was later a Minister of Justice and held various offices of honor and trust both by appointment and election which he filled with ability, integrity, and to the complete satisfaction of the people. In fact, he held some difficult positions from the time of being interpreter until his death and was one of the most prominent men of Monmouth County in his time. The father of Borden Parker Bowne was a farmer in comfortable circumstances. Both father and mother were thoughtful, God-fearing people. His father was social and optimistic, his mother more reserved having in her a vein of religious mysticism probably due to her Quaker antecedents. In his youth Borden Parker Bowne read widely but no particular books stand out in the foreground as having been more helpful than others in shaping and influencing his life, except the Bible with which he was "saturated." He was never a passive reader nor was he ever unduly impressed by book authorities not supported by reason. He had all a healthy boy's love of play, running with the swiftest and shouting with the loudest; but in addition to this he was thoughtful beyond his years and very fond of conversing with older people. He was shy and sensitive. As a very little boy the reading of death bed stories so keenly affected his imagination that he often left his play and ran home from school at recess time in order to make sure that his beloved mother was still alive! He was conscientious and religious with a keen sense of justice-which qualities characterized him throughout |