Readers of Alan Paton s novels, Cry, the

Beloved Countr7 and Too Late the Phala-

rope, remember vividly the author s prob-

ing insights into men s minds and hearts

as well as his stylistic skill. Equally moving

is this new book of eloquent and affirmative

reflections based on the prayer of St. Francis

of Assisi, "Lord, make me an instrument of

Thy peace."

Alan Paton has written this book, he tells

us, "for sinners, for those who with all

their hearts wish to be better, purer, tess

selfish, more useful." And in doing so, he

looks searchingly into the heart and soul of

contemporary man to discern the fears and

obstacles that shut him away from God

and God s love, and away from love of his

fellow man.

Few of today s important issues are over-

looked as he addresses himself to ?he hard

questions which confront our lives-the

dilemmas of faith and doubt, of discourage-

ment, melancholy, violence, of love offered

that receives no response. He dares to re-

consiqler traditional Christian interpreta-