of Christianity who lived in the first three centuries of our era; confirmed by as many Christian writers of fame, contemporaries who wrote in different countries and periods; the whole reconfirmed by many remarkable evidences recently discovered: ancient documents, monuments, arches, inscriptions, coins, superscriptions and Christian art. The book is a fine compendium of matter along this line, and will bring to many who are a little out of the reach of accumulating evidence from discoveries just the information they desire.

A LOUISIANA PURCHASE NOVEL.*

We often wonder whether the life of a century ago was so much more varied than that of today. Of course we understand that a few people today live the exceptional lives which we are glad to be spared. The trouble seems to be that the novelist always chooses the exceptional life for his pages, and we jump to the conclusion that everyone lived such lives. We almost wish for a Jane Austen to change the fashion. On the other hand we cannot help but be glad to have a story of such timely interest as this. Of historical novels, with their hairbreadth escapes and almost impossible combinations of circumstances at critical moments, this is a fine specimen. The interest is sustained at a fine height to the very end. The historical personages take their part naturally and the special characters are attractive.

URQUHART ON THE BIBLE.

This first volume of Urquhart's new work on the Bible should receive a wide welcome. As a conservative scholar his reputation is high and widespread. His attitude on Biblical questions is not in the least uncertain. The least suspicion of higher criticism is to him like a breath from a fleeing deer to the nostrils of a hound. This sensitiveness leads the author into unnecessary arguments, and often he makes statements dogmatically which will not hold. The substitution of personal opinion for scholarly agreement is a mistake. We refer to such statements as that "Every Hebrew scholar must admit that Tholedoth refers not to what has gone before, but to what comes after." We need not turn to radical scholarship for a contradiction of that statement. Men of as high scholarship and as conservative as the writer do not accept that statement. Aside from such general criticism we have nothing but welcome to express. This volume is mainly introductory, and that introduction is able and valuable. The discussion of the Book of Genesis promises well for the treatment of the volumes yet to come. We need more such devoted scholarly work to offset the activity of the leaders of the opposition.

$1.50.

*THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS-By Mary Dillon. 460 pages. New York City: The Century Company. THE BIBLE: ITS STRUCTURE AND PURPOSE-By John Urquhart. 251 pages. $1.25 net. New York City: Gospel Publishing House.

LUTHER'S WORKS IN ENGLISH.

A new translation of Luther's works by Prof. Lenker will be welcome to many admirers of the great reformer. This volume on the Epistles of Peter and Jude contains some of Luther's best known and some of his most widely discussed expositions and sermons. The work of translation is finely done, and the editorial work is excellent. The introduction contains some very valuable material and studies. The plan for this set, in at least thirteen volumes, deserves support, as the finished work will be of great use.

WAR.°

When we bring together the words of the careful student, the fiery orator and the eloquent preacher, all centering their attack upon the world-demon, WAR, we may well stop and think. The publication of these classics in form that is inexpensive is welcome. That they are to be followed by other works of the same kind should be known by all who are interested in the great question of peace. The Russian mixture of peace tribunal and disastrous war is only one of the present day anomalies. We know what ought to be, we even have hopes, but expectations are still in the future. With the information and the inspiration offered by the combination of Bloch, Sumner and Channing, a more active interest should be awakened through this land of peace in this matter which is of vital import for us and for all men.

A MASTERPIECE OF HISTORY.*

Once upon a time there were only a few books on history which were worth reading. Then every educated man read Gibbon when he was a boy. John Richard Green was sixteen when he read Gibbon. With that book began his lifelong interest in history. Thus indirectly to Gibbon, largely neglected today, we owe this most noteworthy treatment of the English people. Today there happens to be too much to read for many to plod through Gibbon, Macauley, Carlyle or Guizot. We refer to them but seldom read them. It would be well if every educated person could point to Green as a well-read friend. The value is not simply in the material brought together nor in the point of view held; rather it is in a certain undefinable personality in the cold type which sets this volume apart

THE EPISTLES OF ST. PETER AND ST. JUDE, PREACHED AND EXPLAINED BY MARTIN LUTHER. 383 pages. $1.65. Minneapolis. Lutherans in All Lands Company.

"THE FUTURE OF WAR-By Jean de Bloch. lxxix and 380 pages. ADDRESSES ON WAR-Fy Charles Sumner. xxvii and 319 pages. DISCOURSES ON WAR-By William Ellery Channing. lxi and 229 pages. Each 50 cents net. Boston: Ginn & Company.

*A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE-By John Richard Green. 872 pages. Chicago: American Book Company.

from any other. Indispensable in any well rounded library, attractive as well as instructive, to be read as well as studied, interpretative and illustrative, Green belongs to this generation as well as the last, and we shall pass him on proudly to the next.

REVIEWS IN BRIEF.

The State of Missouri is the official volume prepared by the Missouri Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, under the editorship of Walter Williams. As an advertisement of the state it may well be circulated through the union. Historically, statistically, descriptively it is as near complete and correct as any such book could be made. A Missourian should be proud to possess the volume. He should first read of his own locality and then read all the rest. (Press of E. W. Stephens, Columbia.)

The Supplemental Lessons for Beginners and The Westminster Beginners' Lessons are valuable additions to the series of helps for Presbyterian Sunday School work. The Two years' international beginners' course and the supplemental lessons, both prepared by Marion Thomas, give the best course of work for schools with separate primary departments of anything available. In the present awakening to the need of something more than a haphazard class work with the little folks and the application more and more of kindergarten methods we have been in need of such helps. The need is now fully supplied. phia).

(Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadel

Dr. H. M. Hamill is widely known for his excellent writing on subjects which concern the Sunday school. His latest book, Sunday-School TeacherTraining, is his best. He raises the question first. "Is Teacher-Training Needed?" "Who Should Do It?" "What It Should Be?" In the next three chapters he gives answers. The chapters are: "Ways of Doing It;" "Teacher-Training Agencies" and "Interdenominational and Denominational Work." Then he gives illustrations under the headings: "What Southern Methodism is Doing" and "A Specimen Teacher-Training Course." (Sunday School Times Co., Philadelphia.)

Study of the Four Gospels. Life of Christ. Acts. This is a practical outline by Prof. H. M. Hamill. For two kinds of work it is not surpassed by any other short study. Busy people will find here the finest kind of guide for work with the New Testament. Also teachers of the little folks will find the diagrams and questions well adapted to their work. The author's name is a guarantee of careful opinions and successful methods. (Winona Publishing Company, Chicago, 40 cents net).

Dr. Kerswill's discussion of The Old Testament Doctrine of Salvation is worth reading carefully. We feel sure that the author's doubt concerning any clear knowledge of how men were saved in Old Testament

times has good foundation. It would not be hard to find very intelligent Christians who have never thought of the matter deeply enough to realize that simply being a Jew was not enough for salvation. This work is carefully done, and will clear away much of the mist which obscures a very important subject. (Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia, $1.00

net).

The literary value of Lamb's essays is beyond the need of critical support today. Dr. Wauchope gives us a worthy little volume in Selected Essays. Lamb. Along with the more familiar essays of Elia we have four of his critical essays which undeservedly are not so widely known as the others. The editorial work is excellent, and the introduction, covering "Chief Events in Lamb's life," "Lamb's personality and influence," "Style and matter of the essays" and "Library references, is deserving of special praise. (Ginn & Company, Boston, 50 cents).

His Sister is a story by Mary W. Brownson which gives a new picture of events connected with the resurrection of Jesus. Without telling the story we would refer to the sweetness of the way it is told and the beauty of the idea worked out in the plot. Only a little while is needed for the reading, and the devotional and spiritual effect can hardly be overestimated in the case of anyone who has a heart that can be moved. lishing Company, Chicago, 35 cents net).

(Winona Pub

Dr. Fisher's A Brief History of the Nations is an excellent manual of general history. The six hundred pages cover the ground as completely as could be done. The author's style is clear, even when subjected to such careful condensation as this. His treatment is so careful and comprehensive that the reading is pleasant, as well as instructive. (American Book Company, Chicago, $1.50).

The Making of a Christian, by R. E. L. Jarvis, is a very helpful book. The introduction raises the expectations rather too high, as it leals the reader to expect something beyond the ordinary in the explanations offered of certain puzzles of Christian service. There is nothing new, but the simple restatement of the truth is better than anything new. Undoubtedly some do not understand the way to reach Christ, and the reason for seeking Him, though they call themselves Christians. May this book bring to them the vision of the truth, and to others may it bring the pleasure of reading what they have found true in their own lives. (Presbyte rian Board of Publication, Saint Louis, $1.00).

Under the title, Old Time Religion, is combined considerable interesting matter drawn from the revivals of the past, with an earnest appeal for a return to such methods. There is much of interest in the volume, but the incidents chosen are largely extra-emotional, and we can hardly agree that a return to trance and overwhelming emotion is what God asks of us today. (S. B. Shaw, Chicago).

What a Young Man Ought to Know is one of Dr. Sylvanus Stall's valuable series. Following the volume to boys it gives the special information which the boy ought to know as he grows into manhood, information which many lack to their misfortune, but which in these days is being put within the reach of all. The present generation owes Dr. Stall a debt of gratitude, the only possible payment of which will be in purer, stronger lives in generations to come. (Vir Publishing Company, Philadelphia, $1.00).

A book of sermons by the pastor of the largest Presbyterian church in Chicago deserves attention. Love, Faith and Joy is the title chosen by Rev. William J. McCaughan for the volume. The sermons come from a large heart and with a sincerity and power which is convincing. They are published by request and the proceeds from the sale of the volume go to mission work in the city. The audience should be far larger than his large congregation. (J. Graham Staats, Chicago).

One of the late numbers of the Columbia University Studies in History, Economics and Public Law is Dr. Samuel B. Crandall's Treaties, Their Making and Enforcement. It is a technical study, but not too deep for general reading. The survey of the laws of different nations is full of interest. The discussion of the proceedure and development of law in this country is ably carried through. (The Columbia University Press, New York City. $1.50.)

Rader's Civil Government and History of Missouri comes to us in a revised form. It includes a survey of the civil government of the nation and the state, with also a history of the state. It is meant primarily for use in the schools and the revision has improved it for present day use. It is the best work of the kind though it is not entirely free from bias. There is no serious criticism to be offered, and it is well to have every boy and girl in the sixth state in the union study such a book. (Tribune Printing Company, Jefferson City, Mo. 75 cents).

Adam and Ere is an ultra-conservative answer to the question: History of Myth? Dr. Townsend has always been extreme in his arguments, losing largely in effect by his lack of logic. His explanation of the creation is a unique blending of science and theory. His point of view is correct. We want more constructive thinking and writing in defense of the Bible, but it should be more sympathetic of the other side. Dr. Townsend fails entirely to understand those whom he wishes to criticise and he seems to lack that saving sense of humor so necessary in controversy. (Chapple Publishing Company, Boston).

Harry Leon Wilson handles his pen well. He is a ready writer and a vivid story teller. We have not forgotten his tale of the Mormons. Never was he stronger than in The Seeker, but it is not a satisfactory book.