LITERARY NOTICES | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 32.

LITERARY NOTICES.

There has come to our table from the publishers (Morgan & Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C., England), a neatly bound and helpful book, entitled “THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE WORLD,” by B. Bramhall. Neatly bound in cloth, 258 quarto pages, illustrated with fine photogravures; price, cloth, two shillings sixpence; gilt, three shillings sixpence.

The object of the book is to show that “in the whole compass of human benevolence there is nothing so grand, so noble, so Christian, so truly godlike, as the work of evangelizing the heathen.” It contains the record of a “missionary band,” consisting of seven educated young men, two of whom had formerly been soldiers, who gave themselves to the work of God for China’s millions. It gives account of their farewell meeting, their voyage, their work, and their rich experience as expressed in their letters home. The book sets before the church God’s object in her existence, the giving of the Gospel to the world; the condition of the earth is shown by a colored diagram; letters, articles, and extracts from such faithful friends of missions as Earl Cairns, Wm. Carey, Miss C. F. Gordon Cummings, Alexander Duff, Bishop Hannington, John G. Paton, Bishop Patterson, A. T. Pierson, W. M. Punshon, Earl of Shaftesbury, C. H. Spurgeon, and more than two-score of others. It gives a list of some of the best works on missions. There are 18 illustrations, more than a dozen portraits, 3 maps on China, and 4 pieces of music. It is a good book to have in the family, and among the children, as well as a book of reference.

“BIBLE WORD PICTURES OF TRUTH” is a unique and neatly printed pamphlet, with numerous marginal notes and references, by William Lane Winner, of 96 pages, which comes to us from the Society for the Promotion of Bible Study, 1724 North Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. It is a running summary of “Foretold Signs, Events, and Conditions of the Past, Present, and Future, with Their Location in the Broad Field of Prophecy.” It is an interesting and helpful pamphlet, and ought to stimulate Bible study on the part of its every reader. Its price is not given. It may be obtained from the publishers.

“PLAIN TRUTHS FOR PLAIN PEOPLE,” by H. L. Hastings, No. 44 of the Anti-Infidel Library. Covered, 10 cents; without cover, 5 cents. The little book presents a series of propositions proved by the Scriptures, with “confirming testimonies” from men whose words are not inspired, tho what they are intended to confirm we are in doubt. It may be the author’s proposition; but if the Scriptures prove it, what more is needed? The little pamphlet contains many blessed and plain truths concerning the hope of the church; and the “confirming testimonies” show that the doctrine is not a novel one in the Protestant church.

In McClure’s Magazine for September will be reproduced a superb life cast of the face of Henry Clay, made by John H. I. Browere in 1825, when Clay was forty-eight years old. It is probably the most real and vivid likeness of Clay in existence, and it has never been published. In the same number of McClure’s will be reproduced the only portrait ever painted of Mrs. Henry Clay. It also has never been published. Notes by Mr. Charles Henry Hart will relate the history of the portraits and the circumstances under which they were produced.

Popular Astronomy for July contains a very good account of the Yerkes Observatory, by the editor-in-chief, Prof. Wm. W. Payne, with illustrations from photographs by Prof. E. E. Barnard, beside other matter of interest, by competent writers. Price of Popular Astronomy, ten numbers a year, $2.50. Northfield, Minn.

Good Health for July is a most excellent number. It contains two illustrated articles, “The Land of the Aztecs,” and “Practical Hydrotherapy,” the latter by the editor, Dr. Kellogg. Valuable articles in various lines of health and hygiene appropriate to the season, and all seasons, are given. The price of this leading health journal of America is only $1.00. Battle Creek, Mich.

THE SQUARE WORLD, by Orlando Ferguson, Hot Springs, S. D. 92 pages; price, 25 cents. The author holds that the world is not concave or convex, but square. The little pamphlet also contains erroneous views on the Lost Tribes of Israel, and the pyramids, but the writer is evidently honest, and has a right to present his theories.