Book Notices | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 17, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 11.

Book Notices.

“Training the Teacher.” By A. F. Schauffler, D.D., and others. Sunday School Times Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

This little book is a compilation of lessons and suggestions by some of the eminent teaching contributors to the Sunday School Times. “Organizing and Conducting a Teachers’ Training Class,” is contributed by Charles A. Oliver; “The Book,” is by Dr. Schauffler; “How the Bible Came to Us,” by Ira Maurice Price, Ph.D.; “The Gist of the Books,” compiled; “The Pupil,” by Antoinette Abernathy Lamoreaux, B.L.; “The Teacher,” by Martin G. Brumbaugh, Ph.D., LL.D.; “The School,” by Marion Lawrence. Then there is an Appendix of Teaching Hints, Paul’s Journeys, and eight different maps. It is a helpfully suggestive little volume for the best teachers of the Bible.

“Hallowed Hymns, New and Old.” Edited and compiled by I. Allan Sankey. In three bindings: board, cloth, and extra cloth and gold. Prices, post-paid, 25 cents, 40 cents, and 50 cents. The Biglow and Main Company, New York and Chicago.

This is the special edition used by Gipsy Smith. The music to a large number of the hymns is by Mr. Sankey. The book is adapted to all departments of church work. There are 265 hymns and songs, most of which are excellent, in the main body, with thirty-two responsive Scripture readings, the Lord’s Prayer, “Apostles’ Creed,” and the Ten Commandments, excellent indexes, and twenty-nine supplemental songs.

“The Evolution of the Atmosphere as a Proof of Design and Purpose in the Creation and of the Existence of a Personal God.” By John Phin. Price, $1.25, net. Industrial Publication Co., 16 Thomas St., New York.

This is a long title for a little book. Its object is to strike a blow against what the author calls “Modern Materialistic Atheism.” He believes that materialistic atheism is increasing. He does not base his argument upon design in the organic world, but upon adaptations and necessary conditions exhibited in the inorganic world, in the atmosphere, which stands unaffected by any theory of evolution. We think the author has from his argument proved design. That part of the treatise upon the atmosphere itself is admirably and simply taught. But we do not know why he has conceded what he has to atheistic science regarding organic matter. Is the secret of it found in the great fact that “scientific” evolutionists do not recognize the existence of sin? If that were recognized, creation would be seen to be reasonable, and Christ and His work would mean infinitely more.

“The True Way of Life.” By Nanny Randolph Ball Baughman. Price, 50 cents. Burlington, Iowa.

A strong protest against the abuse, the degradation, the prostitution, of the marriage relation. The writer speaks of an utterly inconceivable thing, a personal God as “without form,” tho the image of God must have included His moral attributes. She loses the power of the expression concerning woman by uniting the two terms “help” and “meet” in one word, “helpmeet.” God made woman a “help” “meet,” or fit, for man. Yet the little book is a strong, elevating appeal for a pure and holy married life, for a truer manhood and womanhood. The bookbinder has not done justice to the author.

“Barham Beach.” By Julia Ditto Young. Published by Lawrence Ditto Young, 371 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y.

The printing and illustrations, in fact, the whole get-up of the book is excellent. There are some fine passages in the poem itself. The worst feature of it all is that Theodore Roosevelt is made its hero with a fulsome adulation fit for a demigod.

“A stainless gentleman, Who never yet hath uttered any word Less whitely true than what the angels breathe Nighest the throne.”

Such expressions regarding poor humans do not help either hero or reader. The honorable members of the “Ananias Club” would doubtless take strong exceptions. That club was not in existence, however, when Mrs. Young wrote “Barham Beach.” There is in it a lot of languorous, moonstruck sentimentality rather than noble sentiment. It will never be great.

“A Man of Valor.” By Arthur W. Spaulding. Price, 75 cents, post-paid. Review and Herald Publishing Assn., Washington, D. C.

This neatly printed and well-illustrated volume is a well-told story of the life of Jonathan, the wonderfully unselfish son of the selfish King Saul. The Bible story is amplified, excellent descriptions of the country and times are given. It is a book which ought to interest and inspire the youth and young. It may be obtained at this office.