Literary Notices | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 7, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 19.

Literary Notices.

“Scientific Basis of Sabbath and Sunday. A new investigation after the Manner and Method of Modern Science, Revealing the True Origin and Exact Nature of the Jewish Sabbath and the Lord’s Day for the Purpose of Ascertaining Their Real Significance and Proper Observance.” By the Rev. Robert John Floody, M.S., S.T.B., etc. Cloth, 8vo, 360 pp., price, $1.25 net; postage 12 cents. Cupples & Schoenhof, Boston, Mass.

The author in his preface remarks that “the times call loudly for light on the Sunday question,” and that in the diverse claims and divergent theories, “our battle with Sunday desecration has been a gradual retreat.” This book is written to help out in the matter. It is not a Biblical book tho it deals with a Bible subject. The author has no faith in the divine origin of the day. He traces it among primitive peoples, and concludes upon his own argument, “It was the moon, then, that first determined the week and Holy Day,” and the Hebrews got the seventh-day Sabbath from Egypt, the sacred day of the Egyptian moon-goddess, Sin. To those who believe in the vagueness of evolution as opposed to the creative power of God, who prefer to accept the higher critics’ view of Genesis rather than the Biblical story and the words of the Master, who prefer the tradition of the heathen to the Word of God, Mr. Floody’s work will be satisfactory; but to those who still believe the Old Book it will prove Dead Sea apples. We may have more to say hereafter.

“Windows for Sermons.” By Louis Albert Banks, D.D., cloth, 12mo, 433 pp. Price, $1.50 net; postage, 15 cents. Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York and London.

This book is “a study of the art of sermonic illustration, together with four hundred fresh illustrations suited for sermons and reform addresses.” The sermon too deep for comprehension Dr. Banks characterizes more properly as “muddy,” or “dry,” or “dull,” or “uninteresting,” and this book is written with a desire to help in the art of sermonizing. It is not to be supposed that imitating Dr. Banks’ style will make a second Dr. Banks, or telling his anecdotes will give the same point and power to the sermon that is manifest in his. He offers some excellent suggestions, but we see no force in his advice that “the best books of fiction are valuable to the preacher.” Why? Because, he tells us, the “novelist has a genius for human nature. He sees deeper than most people into the motives that are back of human living.” But why not use the Word of God, in which “the thoughts and intents of the heart” are laid bare as in no other book? Study human nature in the light of God. The best books of fiction grade down to the sensational literature against which one of Dr. Banks’ illustrations so forcibly warns us. What he says on poetry and personal experience is of worth.

“Beware, or Irma’s Life.” By Ida Carmichael. With an introduction by Prof. C. C. Lewis, of Keene Academy, Texas. 45 chapters, 183 pp., price 75 cents. Address the author 1318 Market St., Oakland, Cal., or Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

“Beware” is a book written for Sabbath-keeping girls especially, and for fathers, mothers, and sons. It is written by a Christian mother upon whom the Lord has laid the burden. It would have been better if some of the reasons for the radical positions had been given, if some expressions had been omitted or modified; but its appeal is Biblical and at times soul-stirring. We wish that every Sabbath-keeping parent and girl might read it. Its experiences are enacted in practical life in hundreds of cases in the present.

“A Revolution in the Science of Cosmology; the Keystone to the Arch of Science.” By George Campbell. 210 pp., illustrated, price, $1.00. Crane and Company Publishers, Topeka, Kansas.

We reviewed this book when the first edition appeared a year ago. It now appears greatly improved in typography, in style, in appearance every way. It is a direct attack on the old scientific theory of world-building, holding that the earth is not a cooling globe condensed from nebulous matter; but rather the reverse is true; that the earth’s origin is aqueous rather than igneous, beginning in water rather than fire, with electricity as the mighty agent in world formation. Professor Campbell’s work is a mighty blow to the commonly accepted theories, but we are sure that a more faithful Biblical adherence would have improved his substitute. The book is, however, worth reading for its negative arguments.

“Under My Own Roof.” By Adelaide L. Rouse, author of “The Deane Girls,” “Westover House,” etc. Illustrations by Harrie A. Stoner. 12mo, cloth. Price, $1.20 net; postage, 13 cents. New York and London: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

This neatly bound volume is the story of a literary woman who determined to build a house for herself in a New Jersey suburb. The house idea seems to be used as an excuse for a romance, tho it gives in a bright way many nice suggestions in regard to house-building. Its aim is to entertain, however, more than to instruct.

“Jesus as a Penologist” is the title of a paper by the Hon. Samuel J. Barrows, Commissioner for the United States on the International Prison Commission, read before the National Prison Congress at Kansas City, Mo., November, 1901. Printed by the Bradley and Gilbert Company, Louisville, Ky. It is worth reading by every one, and especially do we commend it to our Christian brethren who are crying for vengeance, or lynching oftentimes imaginary wrong-doers. “What May the Prison Expect of the Church?” and “What May the Church Expect of the Prison?” By Rev. Henry Hopkins, D.D., is the title of another paper read at the same time. Address Joseph F. Scott, President National Prison Association, Concord Junction, Mass.

“A Sequel to Annie Moore Cable, or a Mind Destroyed Developing as a Medium.” This pamphlet is written by the father of the girl, and is an appeal for legislation to investigate asylums, etc., concerning the fruits of Spiritualism. While we know from God’s Word that so-called “Modern Spiritualism” is evil and only evil, it can not be checked by legislation. Only by the truth of God and the power of His Spirit can the devil be frustrated. His work will cease only at his destruction by Jesus.

Hand-Book of Musical Statistics, published by the Boston Musical Bureau, giving dates of noteworthy productions, size and location of great organs in the world, famous violinists, singers, etc. Price, 20 cents.

“The Utility of an Academic Education for Young Men who have to Earn their Own Living and who Expect to Pursue a Commercial Life. An investigation by R. T. Crane,” is the title page of a pamphlet by a practical and successful manufacturer of Chicago. It contains the opinions of educators, commercial men, and college graduates.

“A Message of Rest” is a sweet song. The words and the melody are by Frances Eugenia Bolton, and the arrangement and accompaniment by Harry J. Chalmers. Published for the author by the Review and Herald Pub. Co., Battle Creek, Mich. Price 25 cents.