FOREIGN MISSIONS IN INDIA.† Bishop Thoburn is one of the great missionaries of modern times and his work in India one of the most remarkable victories of the cross. His own book about India, the work and problems, the people and the needs, is a missionary classic. The bearing upon missionary work of history, climate, custom and languages, everything that came within reach of the great missionary, is made to witness to the needs and possibilities of the great empire. Mr. Beach has given us a more modern work on India. His purpose is the same and yet his point of view different. His volume is more scientific in its survey and use of material, as it is meant for mission study classes. More attention is given to the work and problems of the different denominations though the very multitude of workers in India allows only briefest mention of individuals or separate missions. This is one of the excellent series that is now growing quite comprehensive from which study classes can take their pick. MISSIONARY HEROES. Dr. Walsh's book is intended to show the unbroken line of missionary heroes from the days of the apostles until the beginning of our modern missions. The names in his twelve chapters are some unfamiliar but such are included as St. Patrick, St. Augustine, Raymund Lull, Francis Xavier, Eliot and Schwartz. The Knights of the labarum chosen are Judson, Duff, Mackenzie and Mackay. We hope the widespread use of this book will make familiar the Latin word of its title. It is illustrated on the cover of the book and is to be found in any dictionary. The book itself is excellent. It is sure of interest in telling such stories as the work of these master missionaries and it adds meaning to what we know about them in the way the book is written. Dr. Maclear's little volume has to do with less known characters but all are important and there is a glamor in the time perspective. Of St. Patrick we know somewhat and have heard a good deal. Columbus and Gallus, along with St. Augustine and St. Boniface, are of interest to us as Anglo-Saxons. St. Cyril †INDIA AND MALAYSIA-By Bishop Thoburn. 566 pages. $1.50. New York: Eaton & Mains. INDIA AND CHRISTIAN OPPORTUNITY— By Harlan P. Beach. 308 pages. 50 cents. New York City: Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions. HEROES OF THE MISSION FIELD-By W. Pakenham Walsh. 249 pages. 50 cents. KNIGHTS OF THE LABARUM-By Harlan P. Beach. 111 pages. 25 cents. MISSIONS AND APOSTLES OF MADIAEVAL EUROPE-By G. F. Maclear. 149 pages. 40 cents. New York City: Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions. and Methodius are farther removed but their part in the mission history of the middle ages is important. The three books give us a valuable survey of great missionaries and are welcome to our libraries. A ROMANCE OF LIFE. We expect a strong story when we see the author's name as we have not forgotten The Main Chance. We are not disappointed. The plot is very different, marked by an originality separating it from other stories of the same kind. A girl with a good deal back of her and around her that tend to spoil her life, a friend or two, but more than all else determination and the details simply make the story. The outline is the same as The House of Fulfilment and yet there is no likeness except in the skeletons and very little there except that both have the same number of heads and hands and feet. With the flesh in place and they are as different as a man and a woman, as a blonde and a brunette. We have already said that this story is strong. It is strong in treatment and development rather than in outline. The conception is not so noteworthy as its working out. We are surprised at some things and yet we know about how it will all turn out. But our pleasure is continual as it works out. The tone of the story is also helpful, in spite of the hard part. PEREGRINATIONS IN GENESIS.* This third part of this work on the book of Genesis is not as unsatisfactory as the first volume. But it does not arrive anywhere. The conclusions do not fit into any definite plan. In the preface the author asks for more particular criticism but this is impossible as almost every paragraph would need to be handled. He expresses his surprise that with one accord critics have objected to his fancy scheme for the divine training of the first man. Of course no one except the author believes in his crude origin for Adam. And even were his conception conceivable fe would be no more need of such a strange arrangement than under the Bible conditions. Naturally the author would be surprised at the content of any particular criticism of such absurd mental wanderings. We need only say that the whole idea of his work is wrong and the writing and publishing a complete waste of time. "ZELDA DAMERON-By Meredith Nicholson. 411 pages. $1.50. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company. *GENESIS AS AN AUTHENTIC RECORD-By George Greenwood. 175 pages. London: The Church Printing Company. RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES.† This is an invaluable work for the missionary library. The author is a presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal church in the Philippines. He writes with authority and with interest. He evidently gave his heart as well as his time to the writing of this account. We have a summary of the geography and history; a good account of the friars; an outline of the American occupancy with reference to its plans and possibilities as well as its conquest. Finally we are given a view of the religious situation, needs and present work. The work of his own church is naturally given prominence but full justice is done to other denominations, especially the Presbyterians. We need just such a book to make it possible for us to understand the conditions in our new possessions on which we must base our plans for future work. SIX MISSIONARY STUDIES.‡ How to interest the children in missions is a problem in all churches, large and small. Few parents know what books are interesting for few parents read missionary books to find out. It is strange that few pastors know what to recommend. In too few churches is there any one who can conduct a successful boys' or girls' mission band. That raises the problem and too few of us have the time to work it out. We are grateful that the assistant pastor of one of our most important churches has been able to serve us all so well in preparing this first series of missionary studies for the Sunday school. Perhaps it may not be easy to work them in at once in every school but they are ready for use and approve themselves as usable both by their inherent value and by experience. The six studies cover the mountaineers of the South, foreigners in the United States, William Carey, David Livingstone, John G. Paton and John Kenneth Mackenzie. A ROMANCE OF REVOLUTIONARY BOSTON.° Constant Drake begins the story as an arrant little Tory but she ends it hand in hand with the patriot John Brandon. It is a love affair †THE PHILIPPINES AND THE FAR EAST-By Homer C. Stuntz. 514 pages. $1.75 net. Cincinnati: Jennings & Graham. MISSIONARY STUDIES FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL-By George Harvey Trull. 64 pages. New York City: Presbyterian Foreign Missions Library. "MY LADY LAUGHTER-By Dwight Tilton. 442 pages. $1.50. Boston: C. M. Clark Publishing Co. and a war story all the way through. Love can strengthen one to do wonders but the wonder of her transformation and service almost jar the reader. She is quick witted and devoted to king, to lover, to country. Meaning and possibility open for her and she acts as she understands, sometimes before she understands. The use of the battle of Bunker Hill is fine in effect; the tea party which Constance springs on the loyal patriots is as rich as any scene in recent fiction; the story is well told and full of interest. There are a few of course-but what do you expect? You enjoy the book and like the story and the new acquaintances. You forget how long ago it all was and think yourself there with them. You are sorry when the last page is turned. A MANUAL ON THE GOSPELS.* Though not a recent work this study of the purpose and message of the four gospels is not out of date. It is strange that with all the critical study of the gospels the people at large have grasped so little of the difference between the four parts of the first section of the New Testament. The message of Matthew to the Jew and to modern counterparts of the Jewish attitude, of Mark to the ancient and modern Roman mind and of Luke to the philosophical Greek must be studied in the light of the point of view of each writer if we would gain the real power of the threefold story of the life of Christ. Upon this as a basis alone can come the best understanding of the purpose of the universal message of John to the church universal. Dr. Gregory has put his message on the gospels in excellent shape for use. We are glad to see how thoroughly this same method is being applied to the whole Word of God by the American Bible League to which Dr. Gregory is now giving his life. TWENTY-ONE CUPID STORIES.† Some of these stories are commonplace; but love is often commonplace. Some of them, like the little god they praise are quite extraordinary. You can hardly imagine yourself acting as some of these lovers do but some of us have been through just such experiences as form the plot of some of the stories. All are ingenious; some were too good for a daily paper. As a book we cannot say much; we are not through laughing yet. Probably that is as good praise as any. There are few tears which is just as well for we cannot afford to weep for the father of the THE KEY TO THE GOSPELS OR WHY FOUR GOSPELS-By D. S. Gregory. 348 pages. New York City: American Bible League. LITTLE LOVE STORIES OF MANHATTAN-By Melville Chater. 225 pages. $1.25. New York City: The Grafton Press. castaways or any of those left behind. They should all jump in and enjoy the outcome. Something worth while would surely happen if they would all trust cupid once in a while as the young folks do. MISSION WORK IN JAPAN.‡ Both these volumes have been prepared directly for mission study classes. Mr. Carey's book was written in 1899 but is brought down to date by a supplementary chapter. The material is more crowded into its fewer pages. Dr. DeForest's book was written last year. It is rather easier to read, perhaps largely due to the more open printing which makes it more attractive. Both outlines of the history and missionary work in Japan are good. They are written from a missionary point of view and yet with full appreciation of the Japanese point of view. Dr. DeForest particularly gives an interesting idea of the Japanese character which all successful missionary work must take into account. The work in Japan has been wonderful and these books emphasize the great opportunity and the present dangers. We cannot afford to hesitate in our mission conquest. THE PRACTICABILITY OF ARBITRATION.° A title of present importance, an author of authority; the result is a book of more than ordinary value and interest. We so seldom find careful historical research on popular matters put in shape to attract the ordinary reader. The very size of this book will widen its circle of influence. Without becoming tiresome to any reader, a beautiful volume to handle and read, a distinct message drawn from the past and intended for the present with meaning for the future, there is reason for nothing but praise. The historical survey and the careful study of the meaning of what has been done, with criticism and suggestion, make tne monograph of great value as well as a pleasure to read. HOME MISSIONS.† This book is intended primarily for study classes in home missions but it is written in a style perfectly adapted to general reading. The 50 ‡JAPAN AND ITS REGENERATION—By Otis Carey. 150 pages. CROSS IN AMERICA-By Don O. Shelton. 304 |