LITERARY NOTICES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 29, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 17.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

DANIEL AND THE REVELATION; THE RESPONSE OF HISTORY TO THE VOICE OF PROPHECY; a Verse-by-Verse Study of These Important Books of the Bible. By Uriah Smith, author of "Here and Hereafter," "Looking unto Jesus," "The Marvel of Nations," "Synopsis of Present Truth," and other works on Bible subjects. Review and Herald Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich., Chicago, Ill., and Atlanta, Georgia.

Such is a part of the title-page of a large octavo volume of 758 pages which has come to our table. It has 56 illustrations and two maps, each in four colors, besides illustrated chapter headings. The typographical work is all that could be desired. The book is sold by subscription, but mail orders will be filled. Prices, cloth, marble edges, $2.25; cloth, gilt edges, $2.75; library, marbled edges, $3.00; full morocco, gilt edges, $4.50.

He who assumes the detailed exposition of prophecy, especially as regards the unrolled future, and bases his reputation on his exposition, assumes a tremendous responsibility. Even in the practical instruction in the Word of God, having reference to the conduct of his people in the now of all time, how additional light and truth continually shine forth, calling for the enlargement of faith and broader field of vision! How much more is this true in the ever-unrolling scrolls of divine prophecy. It is too much to expect that one man could see all or comprehend all the light of history and prophecy. He who writes in so large a field as is presented in the book under review must necessarily borrow from other writers in the same field, and in so doing is in danger of borrowing error as well as truth. Years ago we well remember with what avidity we devoured the second edition [we believe it was] of "Thoughts on the Book of Daniel," and its companion book, "Thoughts on the Revelation." We felt then that the light given in those two books was marvelous. Later editions have shown that more light from the "more sure word of prophecy" was shining from the heavenly sanctuary into the mind of the author, and he has given the public the benefit in the several revisions the work has undergone. He, like every true student of the Word, has not been satisfied with the first and narrower views; more light demanded revision. The book has done much good in the past; we hope it will do more in the future; and that not long hence we may have a still further revision, embodying more of the glorious "revelation of Jesus Christ" which God has given us in the last book of the Bible; for there is more and clearer light in these prophetic books, and it is no disparagement to any writer on these prophecies to say this. For this reason we wish that this revision had been less conservative of some "old views," and surveyed anew, from different base lines and heights, so to speak, some of the great, grand landscapes and "unfenced fields" of the prophetic Word. But this we leave to future revision. We are sure that he who is interested in the past and future, in God's hand in history even now, who would read to-day in the light of God (and who would not?) will find pleasure and profit in the above work. But as we would say of every book on the Bible (and so we are sure the author would say), let it be a help in the study of the Bible, not a hiding of the precious jewels of truth.

"GOD IS LOVE," by G. E. Fifield. Theodore Reese, 155 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill. Neatly bound in cloth, 222 pages, with portrait of author. Price, 50 cents.

Many of our old subscribers will recognize that the title of this book (a Bible expression) is the same as that of an interesting series of articles by the same author, which were published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in 1892. There were many requests made at that time that the articles should be published. This book is a response to these requests. The articles have been revised and placed in book form, with two additional chapters and an appendix which did not appear in this journal. While we heartily agree with the author in his view of the boundless love and eternal mercy of God, we do not think his conclusion respecting the closing of probation and the pouring out of the seven last plagues necessary to vindicate God's love and mercy. But we commend the book to the reader, and pray that it may open the eyes of many who have been blinded by pagan ideas, to the true conception of God's character of love. The typographical work is good; it is well and eloquently written, and its price is low.

ABBOTT'S COMMENTS ON THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. J. H. Abbott, 79 Mapledale Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. 94 pp.; price for a time, 75 cents.

The book is nicely bound in cloth, gold embossed, and is printed in clear, bold type on good paper. The text is in bold face. Of the comments we can only say, some are in harmony with Scripture, and others not. They are altogether too brief to give much more than the writer's opinion.

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL IN THE LIGHT OF THE HIGHER CRITICISM," by I. D. Steele, edited, with additions, by H. L. Hastings. Anti-Infidel Library, No. 49, H. L. Hastings, 47 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. This tract of 32 pages is an excellent answer to the Higher Criticism, and is well worthy of a perusal by all. Price, with covers, 10 cents; without covers, 5 cents.