The Judgement of the Nations by Christopher Dawson (review)

136 REVIEWS natural and the supernatural. In his Introduction he reminds the reader tl1at Christian mysticism is unique. But in the body of the book his loose modes of expression give the impression that the author has not understood the matter. Sencourt, lost in the wonders of the saint's poetry, tends to obscure the theme of the poet by concentrating on the resemblances that are found in common with some English poets (p. 219). A true portrait might justifiably include these resemblances, but it certainly would sharply distinguish them, depicting in fuller color the unique position of Catholic mysticism. Natural contemplation of beauty, no matter how intense, that finally results in mental quietness, does not lead to sanctity in divine union. It has only a resemblance to Christian contemplation. The mental quiet in natural mysticism can be acquired by human effort. The prayer of quiet mentioned by St. Teresa and St. John is a gift of God beyond the grasp and the power of unaided human nature. It is misleading to say: "The better way can never be learned except by those who have made effort enough, or endured enough, to have their nerves tired out " (p. 150) . The framed portrait by Sencourt lacks firmness of shape and outline because the author lost sight of and failed to understand the central theme that runs through the major works of St. John: The direction of souls to divine union with an explanation of all the natural and supernatural (visions, ecstasies, etc.) apprehensions of the soul along the way and in the highest degree of union. Our criticism of Carmelite and Poet has been of necessity completely adverse because we have limited it to what we believe is fundamental to an understanding of the mystic. It would appear from Mr. Sencourt's Introduction that he was well aware of the path he had to follow-indeed, he approached his task with genuine enthusiasm. It is regrettable that he has not succeeded in achieving his purpose. REv. KILIAN HEALY, 0. Carm. Whitefriars Hall, Washington The Judgement of the Nations. By CHRISTOPHER DAwsoN. New York: Sheed & Ward, 1942. Pp. 2£2. $2.75. Most books, if they are not reviewed as soon as they are published, need not be reviewed at all. Others, either because of the authority of the author or the importance of the content, can always be profitably considered. In the case of the present work, it is fortunate that we can consider it now and ask some questions about it that might have been more disturbing and more easily dismissed if they had been brought up sooner. REVIEWS 187 I Mr. Dawson's intention in this his latest work is clearly practical in nature -to heal the dissension and disunities of nations through a return to the love and service of God. It includes an analysis of the forces that brought about the present diseased state of the world and a discussion of the measures necessary to bring about a cure, if that is possible. Western civilization has reached a judging point in its history: it has two alternatives -a continuation on the path to destruction or a complete Christian renewal. The work has two main divisions: the first part exposes the historical forces which brought European civilization to its present state (The Disintegration of Western Civilization); the second part is more patently theological and attempts to show the Christian principles that must underlie any enduring and just civilization (The Restoration of a Christian Order). The scientific and technological advances of the last few centuries have become the primary instruments of the greatest effort ever attempted to destroy and subjugate man; consequently the present crisis is unequalled by anything in history. There are two reasons for this. First of all, the nations that are making the greatest bid for power ever attempted have weapons, both physical and psychological, unknown to previous conquerors. Secondly, the civilization which is threatened with destruction is a Christian civilization, whose fall would be incalculably more disastrous than the fall of the Roman Empire. In the face of this totalitarian drive for power, liberal humanism, the secularized version of Christianity, which was the enemy of the...