JOHN CALVIN: His Life, His Teaching, and His Influence.
By William Wileman. London: Robert Banks & Son, Regent Court, Fleet Street, E.C. Price, 1s. net; postage, 3d. extra.
John Calvin was born on the 10th of July, 1509, and so in the present year falls to be celebrated the 400th anniversary of his birth. Mr. Wileman has done well at so opportune a time to write and publish this interesting little book on the great Reformer. There are very few people but have heard the name of Calvin. At the same time, it is doubtful if many could give much account of his history. Here in a brief compass are the leading facts of his career and influence, written in an easy and sympathetic style. The book may be taken up by young and old with profit. In chapter ix. Mr. Wileman gives a chain of extracts—”golden truths”—from Calvin’s Institutes. The eleventh of these extracts would have been better of a little further addition from his writings, to show that Calvin did not regard “the special calling,” which those who are illuminated “only for a season” are subjects of, as the same thing as the effectual calling of the truly saved. There are few books but have some defects here or there. The present work is well printed and neatly bound, and contains a number of interesting portraits of the Reformer and of scenes in his life. It is well worth the price, and would form a nice gift-book for the young.