NOTES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.

HE ARENA begins its Twenty-fifth Volume and the

THE

twentieth century under the most encouraging aus pices. The need of a magazine of rational and feasible Reform-along all lines of human thought and activity-was never more imperative than now. We are about to enter upon a new era of economic change, of social transition, of ethical advance, of political reformation, of new religious ideals; and of the ripest development of the intellectual phases of these forward movements THE ARENA's aim is to be the leading exponent in the literary world. In this endeavor we are having a degree of success that at once confirms our position and policy and augurs well for mental freedom.

In this number the burning question of Christian Science is discussed, from opposite viewpoints, in a symposium that is in many respects unique. It is refreshingly free from the acrimony that so often marks debates on this subject, and is luminous in its presentation of facts.

Judge Ewing, who contributes the opening paper, is perhaps the ablest thinker in the cult founded by Mrs. Eddy; Editor Patterson, in defining the New Thought, writes from the vantage-ground of long experience as a practitioner and teacher of its principles; John Brooks Leavitt, LL.D., speaks from the standpoint of an intellectual layman of the Episcopal Church, and Dr. Winkley from the dual platform of medical science and Unitarianism.

Christian Science is a subject about which the truth should be more widely known, for it assumes to deal simultaneously with man's bodily welfare and his spiritual destiny.

Whether it shall prove possible thus to effect a coalescence

between science and theology can only be determined by referring the proposition to the crucible of discussion, to which this month's symposium is a most important contribution.

Mrs. Underwood's paper on "The Spiritual in Literature" is also in line with the new religious concepts that are proving fatal to creeds in some quarters and offering defiance to tradition and superstition everywhere. The author's use of the term spiritual, it will be noted, has reference chiefly to the science of psychics, technically so called, and not to religion per se.

She is a Spiritualist of wide experience and unique attainments, and those who think that believers in the possibility of communicating with the unseen world are restricted to the mentally undeveloped will be surprised to learn, from this article, of the great number of intellectual lights who accept the chief tenet of psychical science.

The next paper in this series, to appear in February, will be entitled "Vibrations, Waves, and Cycles," by the Rev. J. S. David, of Vineland, N. J.

Frances A. Kellor's introductory article, which appears in this number, is a most instructive study of the sociologic conditions that help to develop criminality in the American negro. Other conditions, peculiar to our Southern States, that tend to promote the same end will be described by the author next month-education, religion, social and domestic life, politics, etc. No one interested in the race problem, or in any of its phases, should neglect to read this valuable series of papers.

We give space in this issue to two articles on economic subjects that are sure to provoke thought even among those who decline to accept the conclusions of the writers-Prof. Van Ornum and Mr. Phillips. But, in the chaos of legislation-national, State, and municipal-by which the American people are becoming yearly more confused, even propositions that assume only to palliate inequalities are worthy of a hearing

while we await the advent of the man with the larger and necessarily radical solution of our social problems.

Editor Flower's discussion of "Topics of the Times," this month, embraces a number of subjects, under the general head of "A Program of Progress," which will be found of especial and timely interest. Beginning with our next issue, Mr. Flower will contribute to THE ARENA'S essay department a series of papers dealing with the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and bearing the general title of "The Foundations of a Higher Civilization."

These articles, together with some contributions from Prof. Frank Parsons on the political, social, and economic history of the nineteenth century and its general trend, will make THE ARENA absolutely indispensable to all interested in the progress of government and the elevation of the individual.

They will be especially helpful to tens of thousands of young men and women in our colleges, or on the threshold of active life, who wish to place themselves in alignment with the great moral and ethical currents that are bearing humanity upward.

J. E. M.