THE WAY TO STUDY THE BIBLE.° Dr. Gray is noted for his knowledge of the Bible and his success in inspiring others to thorough, earnest study of the Book. This new volume from his pen is small but its value is not to be proportioned to its size. It is just what the church needs today. If this book could be placed within reach of every member of the church it would go far toward solving the great problems of indifference of today. The other volume is along somewhat similar lines but with a different purpose. The author goes into detail of plans of study. After an introduction treating of "The Bible and How We Came by It in English" and "Personal Use and Study of the Bible," he takes up six ways of studying. These are "Study of the Bible by Periods," "Study of the Bible by Books," "Study of the Bible Characters," "Study of Sermons and Addresses in the Bible," "Study of Bible Scenes and Incidents," and "Study of the Bible by Topics." All these are handled well and he closes with a word about "An Effective Means of Promoting Bible Study." Such books are doing much to awaken an almost lost interest in Bible study. A MYSTERY OF POSTBELLUM DAYS.* The same vitality of style which makes "The Mississippi Bubble" and the same sense of unreality. It is not so long since the war after all. Can it be that people were quite like this? We are not cavilling at the mystery of the story; the plot is well worked out. Nor at the intensity of feeling as worked out personally or racially; the picture is never too strong. It is over a peculiar, intangible element in the storytelling that we stop and query. But we do not stop long for the story calls us on. Characters and scenes are compelling. The plot is unfolding like a labyrinth with many a suggestion to trip up the unwary reader and send him on a false course. Of course it is the old story with everything working out just as you wish but you hardly recognize that fact till you stop to think. The chapter headed "Muley" with the dialogue between Jim Bowles and his wife about the new railroad is the best short piece of humor in many a long day. HOW TO MASTER THE ENGLISH BIBLE-By James M. Gray. 84 pages. 40 cents net. BIBLE STUDY POPULARIZED-By Frank T. Lee. 315 pages. $1.25 net. Chicago: Winona Publishing Company. THE LAW OF THE LAND-By Emerson Hough. 416 pages. $1.50. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company. HOME MISSION SKETCHES.† The three volumes on the Mexicans in the United States and the Mormons and the Indians which have been prepared by the Presbyterian church are not only suited to the needs of missionary societies but are important monographs for study of grave national problems. Every one knows of Dr. Wishard and his word concerning the Mormons stands. Miss Brain is the leading writer on missionary work and methods in this country and Mr. Craig writes with equal authority in his book. For real information from the sources, for candid Christian opinions of problems and conditions, for inspiring words of hope from those who might well be overwhelmed by the enemies they face and the apathy at home, we can ask nothing better than these little books. ECCLESIASTES.‡ Prof. Genung is well known not only as a master of the rules of rhetoric but for his vital interpretations of the great poets and the Old Testament books. His volume on Job has for a long time held a high place for its insight into the purposes and style of that Biblical masterpiece. His new study of Ecclesiastes is even more interesting and valuable. The book is in two parts: the first a study of the literary and spiritual value of the words of Koheleth; the second a new translation and running commentary. This work avoids the technical dryness and lack of transparency which makes the large part of the common run of commentaries. The book will read, which can be said of few commentaries. The interpretation is written in such a style that the argument is conveyed naturally to the mind of the reader. Without taking space to explain the author's scheme of treatment, we do not hesitate to recommend the book to everyone and are glad to say that it throws more light upon a little read part of Scripture than any other work we have ever seen. A STORY OF ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.° The author of Emmy Lou naturally has the handicap with a new book in that every one compares the new with the old. Too many of us try OUR MEXICANS-By Robert M. Craig. 102 pages. THE MORMONS RED MAN-By Belle M. Brain. 35 cents each. New York City: "THE HOUSE OF FULFILMENT-By George Madden Martin. 379 pages. $1.50. New York City: McClure, Phillips & Company. to find traits of Emmy Lou in Mary Alexina. They are alike only in both being natural. Judged by itself the new book has a value of its own. It is a novel which the other story was not. The plot is well defined though loosely developed. It is transparent but that in itself is not an adverse criticisın. Better to have a plot too easy to see through than one which is not natural in its development. The book is meant to center entirely around Mary Alexina. Her character is remarkably developed. The conception is good and the successful handling of it is remarkable in view of the difficulty of the elements surrounding it. A development, improbable under the circumstances is made consistent and natural. Certain crudities in the minor characters and details fail to spoil the effect of the whole. We feel that the standard set before has been maintained with fuller promise of what experience could bring. THE METHODIST PULPIT.* Throughout the central west Dr. Hughes has won quite a reputation for originality in the pulpit and on the platform. He may be more widely known as a lecturer but he is best known as a preacher. The sermons in this volume are representative. They are varied in theme and purpose but all show power of thought and expression. The titles are such that their aptness is clear when the sermons are read but do not give a good idea of the purpose beforehand. The title of the volume is misleading and might have been better chosen. Of all the sermons we consider "Higher Criticism and Human Documents" the best in many ways. Especially is the final impression strong. Noteworthy is the fact that there is very little, if anything at all, of denominational theology or phraseology in these picked sermons. We take it as one illustration of the fact that the younger men of today are nearer together in pulpit thought without proving false to their training and ideals than ever before. This message and this messenger are for us all. CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY.† Dr. Thorpe is an authority on the constitutional history of the United States and any volume from his pen is welcome. The purpose of this volume is stated in the preface. It covers "the origin of our civil system, the principles on which it is founded, the adaptation of the plan of government to public needs by amendment and construction and the interpre *THE HIGHER RITUALISM-By M. S. Hughes, D. D. 188 pages. Chicago: Western Methodist Book Concern. †A SHORT CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES— By Francis Newton Thorpe. 459 pages. Boston: Little, Brown & Company. tation of the principles of the government by the supreme tribunal, the courts." For so compact a treatment the style is lucid and interesting. Any who desire to enjoy a treatise on so heavy a subject will find this interesting along with its evident depth and authority. In fact it gains by the brevity of the treatment and still accomplishes more than many a longer history of this kind. EXPOSITORY SERMONS. A series of expository sermons covering the life of Christ would be a great undertaking and valuable. This volume approximates such a series. The expositions appeared in connection with the Sunday school lessons and are not sermons only in a difference in style more or less apparent. The selection was made to give a representative treatment of the great scenes in Christ's life and his important teachings. The effect is fine in the whole and perhaps even better when a chapter or two are read by themselves. We need more expository preaching in these days and the value of such a book as this is not limited by the value of the message of its written words. THE TEACHING OF JESUS.° A book on any religious subject the first chapter of which is headed Antecedent Presumption; a book on the Bible which begins its first chapter with if; a book meant for these days which clings to phrases of yesterday: such a book must fail of the full success it might have. We welcome Dr. Burrell's new book on the Scriptures. The author is on the Bible side in all that he writes. For those of his own generation his language and arguments are convincing; for those of this generation who are ready to study a book like this he has written well. But what we need more than anything else today is a leader of conservative, consecrated scholarship who will put the eternal truth into twentieth century language which will be convincing to those who are in doubt. Perhaps it is unfair not to review such a book from the author's standpoint. We are fighting with him but we do not like the way he fights. The ponderous catapult was once the best of powerful weapons but its day is past and we must use new weapons. ‡SCENES AND SAYINGS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST-By James H. Snow. den. 371 pages. $1.50 net. Pittsburg: Presbyterian Banner Com pany. °THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURES-By David J. Burrell. 211 pages. 75 cents. New York City: American Tract Society. REVIEWS IN BRIEF. There will be no wide interest in a History of Presbyterianism on Prince Edward Island and yet there is much in this volume by Rev. John MacLeod of more than local interest. Cutting out the details, we find proof of the vitality of Presbyterian faith and many an illustration of its power. (Winona Publishing Company, Chicago. $1.50 net.) Machiavelli and the Modern State contains three lectures by Louis Dyer well worth reading to anyone interested in the philosophy of history. Long hours of direct investigation would fail to give as clear an idea of this strange but wonderful individual. (Ginn & Company, Boston.) Frederick S. Isham disapoints us in his Black Friday. The mixture of scenes of such national moment with a very pretty plot, the misuse of certain historical characters by unnecessary variations from the facts, an unreality throughout spoils a novel with several masterly scenes. The author would have done better to keep to the style of his earlier books. (The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Indianapolis. $1.50.) The Presidents of the United States is a small volume giving brief but satisfactory notes of each president, including Roosevelt. The only criticism adversely is of noticeable party leanings such as the roundabout plea for Roosevelt's re-election. However, there is no better book of the kind. (W. B. Conkey Company, Chicago.) Modern European Philosophy is the companion volume to Denton J. Snider's Ancient European Philosophy. Beginning with the seventeenth century it gives us a psychological treatment of modern philosophy. (Sigma Publishing Company, St. Louis. $1.50.) General Ben Viljoen has received considerable criticism for seeming make merchandise of his patriotism in his show on the Pike. There is perhaps an element of the same in his novel, Under the Vierkleur. Some things are too sacred to be made public. However we feel that his reasons for writing were sincere and we are sorry that the story has so little intrinsic merit. (Small, Maynard & Company, Boston.) Elisha the Man of God is an imposing volume, for the subject, by R. Clarence Dodds. The picture given of the great prophet is good. The expanding of the brief but explicit account of the Old Testament into the more ample biography has not added anything vital to our knowledge of him but it may serve to emphasize his importance. (Winona Publishing Company, Chicago. $1.25 net.) |