p. 10 | LITERARY NOTICES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 3, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 44.

LITERARY NOTICES.

“THE DESIRE OF AGES;” by Mrs. E. G. White, author of “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “The Great Controversy between Christ and Satan,” “Steps to Christ,” “Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing,” etc., etc. Large octavo, 866 pages, profusely illustrated, bound in cloth, sheep, and full morocco. Price, $3.50 to $7.00. Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; New York City.

The above work is not a technical, chronological history of the life of our Lord upon the earth. It does not discuss chronology in any respect. It does not deal in verbal criticism nor lengthy disquisitions relative to customs and manners of the times of eighteen centuries ago, tho it does not ignore them. And yet the work deals pre-eminently with the LIFE of our Lord. There are longings in every soul for that which it does not now possess, indefinable tho the longing may be. Above all else, the soul longs for that which will bring peace, rest, strength, and encouragement. All these longings are met in the Desire of Ages, our Lord Jesus Christ. And this book, “The Desire of Ages,” tells us in beautiful simplicity of language and clearness of style how this Desire is, how He meets all our needs, and fills every longing of the soul to overflowing. It reveals the Son of God, giving Himself, pouring out His life for the world, revealing the all-loving Father as the one who withheld not His choicest gift for the salvation of sinners. Christ is set before the reader as the eternal Sacrifice, the merciful Saviour of sinners, the Sun of Righteousness, the great High Priest, the Healer of all human maladies, the compassionate and companionable Friend, the ever-helpful Yokefellow, the Prince of the House of David, the Shield of His people, the Prince of Peace, the coming Eternal King. This magnificent work is divided into nine sections and eighty-seven chapters. The sections are as follows: An Outlook, Early Years, The Anointed One, Days of Promise, Falling Shadows, The Rejected One, Nearing the End, The Crucified, To the Father’s Throne. The book is beautifully illustrated with forty full-page half-tone engravings, and more than 180 smaller text and chapter heading illustrations, also half-tones. A few of these (perhaps twenty) are reproductions from great paintings, but the great majority are original, designed especially for this book by such New York artists as Messrs. Mente, Perard, Fogarty, Mora, Bardwell, and others, under the general direction of Mr. W. A. Reaser. The book is beautifully printed, on excellent paper, and will prove a blessing to every home and heart when it is read and received. The book is enhanced in value by two excellent indexes, scriptural and general.

“THE GREAT EMPIRES OF PROPHECY FROM BABYLON TO THE FALL OF ROME;” by Alonzo Trevier Jones, author of “Two Republics,” “The Rights of the People,” “The Empires of the Bible,” etc., etc. 696 large octavo pages, 22 full-page colored maps; price, cloth, $2.00. Review & Herald Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Atlanta, Ga.

This is indeed a timely and labor-saving book. To learn from original sources all that is contained in this volume would mean a searching of ponderous tomes, covering years of labor. The author, a thorough student of history and the Bible, has summarized it into one volume. He who desires to learn from the original sources, ought to read this first, so as to save himself time. The careers of these great empires are summarized in forty-six chapters, in numbered paragraphs, in a clear, forcible style. We speak advisedly when we say that no more important historical work has been issued in these later years than “The Great Empires of Prophecy.” We have but one criticism to bring against this book, together with others by the same author,—it has no index. Has the author a prejudice against indexes? If so, as there is no conscience involved, he ought to have deferred to the wishes of his readers; and, too, he need not have used it himself, or he might have had his copy bound without one. There may be those who will study the book sufficiently to need no index, but they are few and far between. Life is too short and time too fleeting to spend a half hour in looking up some particular thing, when a good index would enable one to find it in one minute. We are sure that a topical index, an index of authorities quoted, and an index of scriptural passages cited, would have added to the usable value of the work full fifty per cent. Will not the author and publishers furnish us indexes to this valuable work, in future editions?

“THE NEW ECONOMY; A PEACEABLE SOLUTION OF THE LABOR PROBLEM;” by Laurence Gronlund, M.A., author of “The Co-operative Commonwealth,” etc. Beautifully printed, cloth, gilt top, wide margin, 364 pp.; price, $1.25. Herbert S. Stone & Co., New York and Chicago.

The author truly says, “Something must be done.” He discusses the question under the following headings: Industrial Democracy Inevitable, Industrial Democracy a Most Noble Ideal, Practical Statesmanship, Leadership. We respect the author and every other person who is endeavoring to find a right solution of the problems of the discontent which menaces the world. We believe that, from a worldly view-point, his scheme is as good as any other. We wish that the world were in a condition in which it could apprehend the noble efforts put forth in its behalf; but it is not; and all human schemes will prove failures. Co-operation is the true idea; but true co-operation can only come through the reception of the Spirit of Christ. Then that Spirit will beget and develop the fruit of co-operation. But the will is free, and the majority of men will not receive the Spirit, will not let that Spirit guide them. As long as the heart is carnal, no co-operative scheme will solve the labor and social problems.

“ETIQUETTE FOR AMERICANS,” by a woman of fashion. Cloth, gilt top, uncut edges, 272 pages; price, $1.25. Herbert S. Stone and Co., New York and Chicago.

This is a discussion of etiquette from the American view-point. It takes up the subject under twenty-one different heads, prominent among which are Etiquette versus Fashion, Introducing an Art, Calling, Invitations, Dinners, Luncheons, Weddings, Funerals, Letters, Conversation, Phrases and Titles of Address, Telephoning, Rules for Married Women; Miscellaneous Hints for Men, Dress, Servants, Treatment of Reporters. It contains many useful hints.