LITERARY NOTICES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 27, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 52.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

"The Twentieth Century Chronology of the World." Being a Digest of Universal History from Earliest Times to the End of 1903, A.D. Compiled after the most careful and thorough research, and containing a complete alphabetical index, tables of rulers, notes, etc., with dates computed according to eras of before Christ and Anno Domini, Julian Period, Anno Mundi, Olympiads, Year of Rome, Roman Indictions, and Hegira. By Carolyn Norris Horwitz. Over 120 illustrations, many from rare old French and Roman plates, collected in Europe many years ago. 560 large pages, printed on good paper with clear type. Prices, cloth, $3.00; half-bound, marbled edges, $4.00; a still finer binding, gilt, $5.00; full morocco, $6.00. Publishers, Grafton Press, New York. For sale by the author, 830 Hamilton Terrace, Baltimore, Md.

This great work of industry, toil, and patience is divided into six periods as follows: From earliest times to the first Olympiad, B.C. 776; to B.C. 1; to the flight of Mohammed, A.D. 622; to the Reformation, 1550; to the Independence of America, 1776; to 1903.

The Biblical chronology is that of Archbishop Usher's, with a few modifications. It is less satisfactory than the civil-historical. For instance, Belshazzar is made identical with Nabonadius, when in reality, as clearly shown by archeology, he was the son of Nabonadius; the crucifixion is placed in A.D. 33, instead of A.D. 31, as it seems to us clearly fixed by Hale. But as a reference work, as set forth in form above stated, the book is immense, and is the fruit of arduous research and patient toil for years. It is a condensed encyclopedia. The work grows fuller as we near our own times. It is of great value as a quick reference in matters chronological. The long tables of kings, popes, rulers, the chronological, alphabetical indexes are of great value. We hope the book will have a large sale. If any of our readers desire it, we will order for them.

"The Story of the Seer of Patmos." By Stephen N. Haskell, author of the "Story of Daniel the Prophet." Illustrated, cloth, 424 pages. Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., Fort Worth, Texas.

The arrangement of the book is unique. The page is in two columns; about two-thirds of the page is occupied with the author's text; in the one-third are texts of scripture paralleling or explaining the scripture under consideration. The character of the work is that of an intensely spiritual story of the Revelation, rather than an exposition. For those who wish to study the book, suggestive questions on each chapter are given in an appendix at the close. Its reading will, we are sure, bring all to see much more light in the Word of God, and a greater love for its precious truth.

"Did Daniel Write Daniel?" The Genuineness and Authenticity of the Book of Daniel, Discussed by Joseph D. Wilson, D.D., Professor of History in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Charles C. Cook, 150 Nassau Street, New York.

In this little work, the author reviews the contentions of the higher critics, and shows them, when properly understood, to make for, rather than against, the genuineness and authenticity of the book. While we do not agree with him in all his interpretations of prophecy, as, for instance, that the everlasting kingdom of God on earth is set up among the ten horns, and that the "little horn" of chapter 8 refers to Antiochus, we are glad for the good word he speaks for one of the most important books of the Bible. The book of Daniel, traced again in fulfilment, is evidence which can not be overthrown.

"How to Use the Voice in Reading and Speaking." With selections for practise. By Ed. Amherst Ott, Principal of the Drake School of Oratory. Cloth, 275 pages. Price, $1.25. Hinds and Noble, 31-35 West 15th Street, New York.

The design of the book is twofold: a text-book of elocution for colleges and high schools, and a helper in self-instruction. The writer's object is to explain vocal phenomena and teach students how to build up a voice that will meet the demands of the platform. And he feels the more confident in the success of this object because the teaching of the book is fortified by actual practise and experiment. It has not been the purpose of the author to make the work exhaustive, but suggestive and instructive along the more important phases of the subject. The work is illustrated by many diagrams, and will prove a help to him who is willing to work.