Historic Scenes in Egypt and Palestine: With Sketches of Places, the People, and Their Customs. By Angus M. Macdonald. Illustrated. London: Marshall Bros., Ltd. Price, 3/6 net.
The author of this very interesting book, Mr. Angus Macdonald, who, we may state, is a native of Skye, and an adherent of St. Jude’s, Glasgow, was one of the thousands of young men who were called abroad during the Great War. He was a member of the Field Ambulance connected with the Lowland Mounted Brigade, which, after the Gallipoli campaign, was transferred to Egypt, and afterwards advanced with the Army through Palestine. Mr. Macdonald made full use of his opportunities of visiting historic places in these two countries, which will for ever hold an important place in the minds of all readers of the Bible. The glamour of Egypt has cast its spell over the minds of thousands—its ancient civilization, its mighty pyramids,
and its marvellous river have all helped to awaken that interest. But it is the land where Joseph ruled, where Israel suffered, and which witnessed the mighty work of Jehovah when, with His strong right hand, He set the people free, that gives it an interest peculiarly its own. It is the land also that nurtured Moses, through whom the Law was given, and sheltered the Holy Child Jesus, through whom Grace and Truth came. Mr. Macdonald has much to tell of this wonderful land—its Biblical associations, pyramids and ancient ruins, its present inhabitants and their marriage and funeral customs. All these are described in a pleasing descriptive literary style. The main part of the book is taken up with a description of the Holy Land, which has an interest above all other lands. It was the favoured spot of the earth trodden by the Son of God, and it witnessed the awful sin of setting Him at nought and putting Him to death. From the earliest Biblical times it was associated with God’s chosen people, and here He worked out His marvellous purposes towards a disobedient and gainsaying people. As was to be expected, the interest of Christendom in this land was likely to awaken the cupidity of its later inhabitants, and it is no wonder that they cultivated a highly imaginative skill in inventing the localities of sacred events, and clothing them with traditions which appeal to the superstitious. Mr. Macdonald, while giving these traditions as indicative of the beliefs of the present inhabitants, is careful to remind his readers that he does not regard them as true, at least in many cases. He gives graphic accounts of the heat of the desert, which helps one to understand, literally at any rate, the promise that the Redeemer would be as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land and as rivers of water in a dry place. The description of ploughing and fishing methods is interesting in view of the frequency with which these are referred to in Scripture. The account of the climate and the seasons throws light on such expressions as “clear shining after rain” and “the former and latter rain.” A considerable portion of the book is devoted to a description of the Holy City, with the many sacred places within it and in its vicinity. The book is well illustrated, and, in one of these particularly, a photograph of an ass and a camel ploughing with a yoke over their shoulders, one has a vivid picture of the Biblical figure—unequally yoked. The author mentions his appreciation of the service and encouragement given to him by the late lamented Editor of this Magazine, and dedicates his book to his memory as “a man greatly beloved.” The whole get up of the book, alike in printing and illustrations, is highly creditable to the publishers. The author informs us that copies of his book may be had from the agents who sell the Free Presbyterian Magazine.
The New Bible: A Menace to the Christian Faith. By Benjamin I. Greenwood. London: The Bible League, 40 Great James Street, Bedford Row, London, W.C.1. Price, 6d. net.
Mr. Greenwood, who writes as “a layman for laymen,” has done excellent service to all lovers of the Bible in his exposure
of the dangerous teaching of Prof. Peake’s Commentary of the Bible, a book intended for laymen, and especially to Sabbath school teachers and lay preachers. As a specimen of the teaching served up for the above a sentence from one of his comments on Genesis may be given:—”Myth and legend are related as though they were actual occurrences.” Thousands will buy this commentary, and will readily accept its false teaching, and if only Mr. Greenwood’s booklet could be placed in their hands, with God’s blessing, it might open the eyes of many. We heartily commend this booklet, for though it is not likely many of our readers will ever see Prof. Peake’s Commentary, yet it will gratify those who love God’s Word to know that there are men who are willing to do their best to expose the false teaching that is palmed off in the name of scholarship.
Urnuigh an Tighearna: Mineachadh Simplidh. Oban: Hugh Macdonald.
We have received an excellently well-printed and bound copy of a book entitled Urnuigh an Tighearna: Mineachadh Simplidh (The Lord’s Prayer: A Plain Exposition) by the Rev. Alexander Macdiarmid, Morvern. The book is in plain, simple Gaelic. It is quite sound in doctrine, and will amply repay the reader’s outlay. The several petitions of the Lord’s Prayer are ably treated, and the illustrations are well chosen and adapted to enhance the exposition. We recommend it to the Gaelic readers of our Magazine. The publisher is Mr. Hugh Macdonald, bookseller, Oban. The price 3s.; per post, 3s. 3d.
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