LITERARY NOTICES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 26, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 52.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

"MORTON'S ELEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY." By Eliza H. Morton, Portland, Me., member of National Geographical Society. Butler, Sheldon & Co., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston. The above text-book is nearer to our ideal of what a geography should be than any that has come to our notice. Its introductory lessons are simple, easy, natural, and progressive. The story is interesting, the language clear, pure, and the word illustrations comprehensive and apropos. It does not attempt to teach geology, dealing with the surface of the earth and not its elements and their changes. The illustrations are not from cheap, hackneyed old-fashioned wood-cuts; they are neat, clean half-tones, and are well printed. The type is admirably clear and beautiful. It has a pronouncing index of counties, towns, rivers, seas, etc., with usual tables. This elementary text-book will prove a delight to the teacher, the interested parent, and the pupil.

"SEED THOUGHTS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS." By Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. 12mo, buckram, 361 pp. Price, $1.50. New York and London: Funk & Wagnalls Co. Six hundred and fifty forceful paragraphs of bright illustrations chiefly for the use of preachers and other writers and public speakers on religious topics, are conveniently arranged in this new book. Many of these illustrations will be found to contain ready aids to speakers and writers on secular topics. There is a pleasing variety of wit, humor, historical fact, anecdote, and wise sayings. A copious index is provided at the end of the volume, by consulting which any of the contents, and its topical bearing, as also the author or source of any quotation the origin of which is known, may be quickly found. This index is at once simple, complete, and analytical.

"MYTHS AND BIBLE," by Olof A. Toffteen. A pamphlet of 58 pages, in which the author traces a resemblance to Biblical history from creation to the destruction of Sodom in the Scandinavian myths, and in which the author sees great confirmation of the truthfulness of the Bible. Price, paper cover, 50 cents. Published by the author, 1812 Fifth Street, South, Minneapolis, Minn.

"TRAFFIC" is the name of a stirring pamphlet by Mrs. Charlton Edholm. Its fuller and former title is "Traffic in Girls, and Work of Rescue Missions." It warns, in chaste language, of the many traps and snares laid by Satan and his agents for the purpose of destroying not only giddy and thoughtless girls, but young and beautiful womanhood everywhere. Forewarned is often forearmed; but the grace of God is the only enemy for these evils, and hiding in God the one way to escape them. But one can get a more vivid idea of the evils by reading Mrs. Edholm's book. It has been greatly helped in its revision. Price, paper covers, 30 cents. Address, Sierra Printing Co., Oakland, Cal.

"COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE-BOOK TO NATURAL HYGIENIC AND HUMANE DIET." By Sidney H. Breed. Published by the Order of the Golden Age, Ilfracombe, England. 104 pp. Price, 1 shilling (25 cents); illustrated in art canvas, 1 shilling 6 pence. While we do not agree with all the theories and reasons for a reform diet advanced in this little book, we are in harmony with the results aimed at, namely, an ideal food, simplicity of diet, moderation in eating, and hence greater clearness of mind, health of body, and increase of spirituality. We need not say that the book advocates a diet of fruits, grains, vegetables, and nuts. It gives excellent hints as to artistic cooking, what to do when traveling, food for invalids, substitutes for animal food, savory dishes, luncheon dishes, summer and winter drinks, how to cook vegetables, food values, and 136 various recipes. May the little book be prospered on its mission to bring back to a humane diet and better diet the humans who are wandering.

"THE BETTER LIFE, AND HOW TO FIND IT." By Edward Payson Hammond, M.A. 25 Atwood Street, Hartford, Conn. Paper covers, 118 pp., 30 cents. This little book of six chapters,—The Temple, Cheerful Christians, The Shining Path, Why Not Enter the Shining Path? "Looking unto Jesus," Forgiveness,—tells in a winning way, with illustrative fact and anecdote, the simple story of the cross. Illustrated and adapted to children, youth, and young men and women, among whom Mr. Hammond has had great success.

THERE have just come to our table two songs in one binding,—"The Broken Pane," and "The Dream of the Judgment,"—words and music arranged by D. E. Scoles. The first is a temperance song, describing a drunkard's home and its unfortunate ending; the second is described by its title. Price of the two together, 40 cents. Address D. E. Scoles Publishing Co., Washburn, Mo.

We have just received a pretty and touching song, entitled, "If You Love Them, Tell Them So"—solo and chorus. The first stanza gives the thought:—

"When the cares of life are many, and its burdens heavy grow For the ones who walk beside you in the pathway here below, What in thought of little value has a worth you do not know,— Gentle words are like the sunshine; if you love them, tell them so." The price is 25 cents, which also includes an extra set of words that can be sung to the same music. Address the author, Asa Smith, 415 Champion Street, Battle Creek, Mich.