Parable of the Good Samaritan, and six of them upon the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The preacher's style and method of presenting his thought, as well as what he says, may be usefully studied. The sermons will amply repay reading.

THE AUTOBIOGRaphy of Charles H. SpurgeoN. Compiled from his Diary, Letters, and Records, by his Wife and his Private Secretary. Vol. I., 1834-1854. 4to. Pp. 373. To be completed in four volumes, for $10.00. New York, Chicago, and Toronto: Fleming H. Revell Company. 1898.

A finer volume, as to its mechanical features, has seldom been produced. Broad pages, printed in large, clear type, on heavy paper, handsome illustrations, and substantial binding, furnish a worthy setting for the account of such a life as Spurgeon's. It deals with the first twenty years of the great preacher's life, from his birth to his entrance upon his metropolitan pastorate. The story is told by himself, and his diary, and other records, are characterized by the same sweet simplicity and genuineness which marked his public career. As it was in this early period of his life that he laid the foundations, in doctrine and principle, for the work of his maturer and more widely known life, this volume will possess special interest to students of his career in their analyses of the secret of his power and success. It lets the reader into the inner sanctuary of his heart and mind, at a period which was formative and critical.

IN KINGS' HOUSES. By Mrs. Caroline Ripley Dorr. Boston: L. C. Page. 1898.

"Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses."

A touching little romance of "ye olden time," telling how Robin Sandys, "grandson to Dame Dorothy Sandys," for six years head nurse to the Lady Anne Stuart, became Sir Robert, Lord Valdegrave, and won the “little lady.” The basis is historical, most of the events grouping around the pathetic career of William, the fifth Duke of Gloucester, "Heir to the Crown of England, but never the Prince of Wales." The characters are natural and the plot well sustained throughout. As years pass, the pen of Mrs. Dorr loses none of its power.

The musical rhythm of "The Guest" still echoes in her writings of to-day, and her sense of the fitness of things is as keen as it ever was. She cannot fail to charm the boys and girls with this story of those who dwelt In Kings' Houses. We most heartily recommend the book, with a single criticism. Says the author: "Who shall say that the wider sympathies, the broader outlook that came to Robin through this experience, were not worth all the pain through which they were won? In after years he looked back to the loitering journey with Father John as to some blessed pilgrimage." However holy Father John may have been as an individual, he is not a fair type of the priest of the seventeenth century, and the broad-mindedness-accruing from intercourse with him is a mistaken one. We cannot too zealously be

ware of the pernicious doctrine that a man's creed is nothing and his life everything. "As a man thinketh, so is he."

Elsewhere in Mrs. Dorr's writings we find her soaring to the realm of the Universal Fatherhood of God. Take, for example, her poem, "Somewhere :"

"How can I cease to pray for thee? Somewhere
In God's great universe thou art to-day.
Can he not reach thee with his tender care?
Can he not hear me when for thee I pray?

"What matters it to him who holds within

The hollow of his hand all worlds, all space,
That thou art done with earthly pain and sin?
Somewhere within his ken thou hast a place.
"Somewhere thou livest and hast need of him;

Somewhere thy soul sees higher heights to climb;
And somewhere still there may be valleys dim

That thou must pass to reach the hills sublime."

We believe that "the souls of believers do immediately pass into glory," and do not interpret 1 Peter iii:19 as indicating a second term of probation to those who are suffering the just penalty of the law. To believers there are no "dim valleys" to be passed after the valley of the shadow of death. In either case our prayers for the dead are useless, and on examination what appears to be a sweet sentiment degenerates into mere universalism. With the exceptions of these occasional lapses Mrs. Dorr's writings are good, healthy, moral reading for our youth.

ALASKA, ITS NEGLECTED PAST, ITS BRILLIANT FUTURE. By Bushrod Washington James. 12mo. Pp. 444. 1898. Philadelphia: The Sunshine Publishing Company.

A thoroughly delightful work, portions of which have appeared from time to time under the nom de plume of Bushrod. The author gives us an extended trip through this our land of the midnight sun, vividly painting its beauties as well as its neglected opportunities. It is a masterly appeal to the members of our Legislature, lest, through neglect, we lose one of our most promising possessions. Particularly interesting is his discussion and representations of the totem poles, the family crest of the Alaskans. The slaughter of our seals, the encouraging mission work, and the preparations for a journey to the Klondyke are most ably discussed. There are thirty-four fine illustrations.

THE BEST OF BROWNING. By Rev. Jas. Mudge, D. D. New York: Eaton & Mains. 12mo. Pp. 252. $1.50. 1898.

A book for Mr. A who likes Browning and for Mr. B who dislikes him. Comparatively few have time or inclination to explore all the turbid depths that Browning has sounded, yet would be pleased with the gems. Here we have them. Dr. Mudge has carefully selected the best of Browning, comprising many complete poems with extracts from the more lengthy ones, and

presented them in a charming style. He gives us a biography which in itself explains many of the poet's eccentricities, and, in addition, many criticisms from his friends and foes, impartial criticism, too, freely admitting his faults while extolling his real merit. "How to Read Browning," and "The Benefits of Browning Study," are interesting chapters. This is a book which ministers will find interesting and probably helpful.

AMONG THE FORCES. By Bishop Henry W. Warren, LL. D. New York: Eaton & Mains. Pp. 197. Price, $1.00.

This little volume is a series of illustrated short chapters on the wonderful power exerted by the forces of nature, written in an easy, simple style and adapted to our intelligent youth. It seeks to divert attention from fairyland and stories of genii and sprites, to the greater wonders that lie in the realities around us, as seen in the application of the powers of nature to the service of man. The actual and present workings of God are vastly beyond all the dreams of Arabian imagination. The volume includes interesting sketches of the Matterhorn, the Grand Canon of Colorado, and the Yellowstone Geysers. It concludes with two chapters previously published on “Spiritual Dynamics" and "When This World Is Not."

CHRIST AND THE CRITICS. By "Gerome." Cincinnati: Curts & Jennings. New York Eaton & Mains. 1898. Pp. 85. Price, 50 cents.

The purpose and scope of this booklet will be best presented by quoting entire the preface from the pen of its author. It is brief

"A glance at these pages will show that no attempt has been made to solve any philological, geographical, historical, theological, or other question of Higher Criticism. None of the supposed inaccuracies, discrepancies, or contradictions pointed out by radical critics have been touched. I did not design to do so. Holding all these matters for the time being in abeyance, I have sought the answer to one question only, and that was, not what the Old Testament books said as to their authorship, not what the apostles and evangelists said, not what the voices of the ages have said, but what did Christ say? All other questions, except the authorship of the Pentateuch, remain as they are. But the settlement of this one question will enable earnest students to approach difficulties with less fear. The final chapter is added for the simple purpose of showing that the conclusions reached are not inimical to the noble results of modern scholarship."

The tone of the book is dispassionate, its style clear, and its argumentation for the most part cogent. The conclusion to which the author is led by his examination of the "testimony of our Lord" is that Christ is unequivocally committed to the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch. As a popular presentation of an important phase of a large subject, this little book, despite certain unnecessary concessions, will fill a useful place.

THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE CRITICS. By John Milton Williams, D.D. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr & Co. 1898. Pp. 95.

This book with all its defects, and they are not insignificant, has some things to commend it. Its author writes out of conviction, and hence not

only with vigor, but frequently with force also. Had he been content wholly to pass by some things, and give his entire strength to fewer points, the results would have been more satisfactory. But he has attempted too much, and does not always show sufficient insight into the real nature and merits of the positions which he assails. It is only fair to add that, while he puts some things well, in other cases the author does not represent the real conservative position, and that in other cases he does not by any means represent the real strength of the conservative position. We have no doubt that Dr. Williams is himself a virtuous man, but his theory of virtue is, we regret to say, most vicious. It is the well but not favorably known "New England theory." The proof-reading of the book was very bad.

THE HOLY Land, in GeoGRAPHY AND IN HISTORY. By Townsend Mac Coun, A. M., Member of the American Historical Association, Fellow of the American Geographical Society, etc. Vol. I., Geography. Illustrated by fifty-three maps. Pp. 96. Vol. II., History. Illustrated by one hundred and one maps. Pp. 136. New York: Townsend Mac Coun. 1898.

In this work the author seeks to popularize the subjects dealt with, first by clear, practical treatment, and then by brevity and compactness. They are dainty little books, too dainty, we fear, for general use in their present form, except by the most delicate hands of young ladies in our adult Sunday-school classes. The maps are marvels of clearness for their size, which is almost diminutive. For average Bible students there is too much of modern Palestine and its unfamiliar and difficult names. We do not think the volumes will displace Smith or Thompson, or even those more old fashioned and less pretentious works of Osborne and Barrows.

AFFUSION, THE ONLY SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM. By Rev. J. W. Tyler, M. A. Pp. 39. 5 cents. Richmond, Va.: Presbyterian Committee of Publication.

This tractate takes its place with the many others of its kind on the mode of Baptism. Its contention is for Affusion as the Scriptural mode. The discussion is concise and clear. Mr. Tyler himself seems to have been an immersionist once, but now undertakes "to show that there is no immersion in the Bible." We think his proposition is sufficiently proven. He considers the Use or Meaning of Baptism, cites Individual Instances, infers the mode from similarity in Purification, notices two prophecies concerning, and closes with answers to Objections to Affusion as the mode. This tract may be found useful in pastoral work where there are cavils and questionings upon this subject.

JOHN G. PATON, MISSIONARY TO THE NEW HEBRIDES. An Autobiography. Edited by his Brother. Cloth. 16mo. Pp. 99. Price, 50 cents. New York: Fleming H. Revell Co.

The title of this book carries with it a sufficient commendation. Vols. I.

and II. of this Autobiography have become a Missionary Classic, which has not only been read in America, Great Britain and the Colonies, but which has been translated, in whole or in part, into many modern languages. Probably no book of this century has been blessed in a greater degree to the honor and praise of God than the History of Dr. Paton's remarkable life. The public from the very first hailed it with an uncommon welcome, and God in many ways signally owned and blessed it. This volume tells the story of Mr. Paton's life during the twelve years that have elapsed since Part First and Part Second were completed-1886-1897. It is a graphic, simple, unctuous, inspiring, faith-strengthening narrative. The Editor says of it what he did of the first two volumes, "I publish it because Something tells me there is a blessing in it." And, indeed, "there is a blessing in it.”

THE STORY Of John WesleY. By Marianne Kirlew. Told to Boys and Girls. Pp. 168. 75 cents. New York: Eaton & Mains.

The life of this great man is here briefly and simply told. We recommend it particularly to those in seach of good literature for the Sabbath School library. For, besides containing the chief events in the life of this great man, it also has the "sweet old story" ingeniously woven in, and which may take hold of the hearts of our boys and girls for whom the book is written.

DID THE PARDON COME TOO LATE? By Maud B. Booth. Chicago: F. H. Revell Co. Pp. 48. Price, 30 cents.

This little story of a wanderer from the fold is pathetically told, and the power of God's free grace and the efficacy of Christ's blood as manifested in the heart of "Frank," one of the convicts of Sing Sing, is well portrayed, and every Christian must rejoice to be assured again that even the vilest may return, and that Christ came to save even to the uttermost.

Mrs. Booth is no doubt doing good in this prison work, but like many others in this present day she takes pains to let the world know it. This feature of the book we do not admire.