A CORRESPONDENT has written us asking if we could see our way to make some reference in the Magazine to sound religious books indicating where these may be obtained and at what price, and as requests are made to us now and again about books of this kind, we purpose in this short article to direct attention to a few of these. In a short notice like this it is only a very few that can be mentioned, and it may happen that some of the most useful and most interesting will, through oversight, be omitted. Most of the good old religious books are long out of print, but those who are in search of them may be successful in obtaining them on applying to Mr W. F. Henderson, George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh; Mr Charles Higham, Farringdon Street, London; Messrs Farncombe and Son, 30 Imperial Buildings, Ludgate Circus, London, E.C. 4; or Mr Clement Wileman, 5 Redcross Street, London, E.C. 1. Rutherford’s Letters, which stand alone in religious literature, may be obtained second-hand. The best edition is Dr Bonar’s. Another famous Scottish religious classic is Boston’s “Four-fold State,” which was at one time so well known in Scotland, but which is now suffering undeserved neglect. Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” and “Holy War” may be also had second-hand at a very cheap rate. Those who appreciate the writings of the Erskines and Boston may pick up copies of their works at the above-mentioned second-hand book shops. The works of Dr Duncan, such as “In the Pulpit and at the Communion Table,” and also Dr Hugh Martin’s “The Shadow of Calvary,” “Christ’s Presence in the Gospel History,” are somewhat difficult to obtain, and sell consequently at rather a high price. His “Prophet Jonah” and “The Atonement” are not difficult to get. In biography, Dr MacGrie’s Life of Knox and Life of Andrew Melville are still standard works, and are full of the most valuable information. In the same category may be mentioned Boston’s “Memoirs,” a work of the deepest interest. The “Select Biographies,” published by the Wodrow Society, also contain material of the most interesting kind. Halyburton’s “Memoirs,” another notable biography, may be had very cheaply.
Those who are interested in the great Second Reformation Struggle will find in the “Scots Worthies” of John Howie, Lochgoin, something to deeply stir their feelings, and make them thankful that Scotland
produced such men and women, who willingly laid down their lives for the Lord Jesus’ sake. Belonging to this class, without mentioning any of the more recent publications, may be noted A. B. Todd’s “The Scottish Covenants.”
As far as Scottish Church history is concerned, there is no really good church history covering the whole field from the Reformation to the present time, but readers interested in the period from 1560-1690 will find in “Sketches of Church History,” by the younger MacCrie, and the more recently issued and up-to-date publication, Dr King Hewison’s “Covenants” (2 volumes for 14s), much to instruct and enlighten them. The history of the Disruption struggle is vividly set before us in the “Annals of the Disruption”; and in the “Disruption Worthies” and “Disruption Worthies of the Highlands” we have biographical sketches of the men who played a prominent part in that great struggle. For those interested in the religious life of the Highlands, Dr Kennedy’s “Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire,” and Rev. Alexander Auld’s “Ministers and Men of the Far North” (unfortunately very difficult to get), may be recommended. In connection with the Reformation, D’Aubigne’s history gives a graphic account, and the book may be had very cheaply. Another historical work of absorbing interest is Motley’s “Rise of the Dutch Republic,” in which the life story of the good and noble William Prince of Orange is given. The account of his calm trust in God and the struggle against the Roman Catholic Spanish power is very inspiring. We find, as we proceed with our subject, so many books coming before our mind that to mention them all would unduly lengthen this article, which is not intended to do more than give a fragmentary list.
As many at this season of the year find it difficult to make choice of suitable books for gifts of a useful and edifying religious nature, we mention a number of books which may be had new. In the Silver Library, published by Messrs Longman’s, London, there are Köstlin’s “Life of Luther,” and Conybeare and Howson’s “Life and Epistles of Paul,” both standard works. Messrs Melrose, 16 Pilgrim Street, London, E.C., publish in their “Books of the Heart Series,” “David Brainerd’s Journal” and “Religious Affections,” by Jonathan Edwards; Bunyan’s “Grace Abounding,” and Guthrie’s “Christian’s Great Interest.” The Sovereign Grace Union, 98 Camberwell Grove, London, E.C. 5, have issued Boston’s “Crook in the Lot” (2s), and
Bishop Ryle’s “Light from Old Times” (5s), both of which are very cheap as books sell in these post-war days. Another book of fascinating interest is Dr John G. Paton’s “Autobiography” (published by Messrs Hodder and Stoughton, London), in which he tells the wonderful story of the progress of the Gospel among the cannibals of the South Sea Islands. The last edition of Dr Kennedy’s “Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire” may still be had new from the “Northern Chronicle” Office, Inverness (price 5s).
In giving the above list of books it is not to be understood that we agree with everything in every one of them, but, taken generally, the writers keep to the good old ways, acknowledging the Scriptures to be the Word of God, and recognising the absolute necessity of the Spirit’s work in regeneration and God’s power to keep His elect safely to the end.
Liberty and Equality.
THE Rev. Mr Shirra, Kirkcaldy, an eminent minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, died at Stirling on 12th September 1804. During his ministry the subject of Liberty and Equality began to assert itself in our large manufacturing towns, Kirkcaldy included. It was seriously proposed to overturn all the existing British institutions, and establish liberty and equality on the French model. Some of the members of Rev. Mr Shirra’s congregation waited upon him, and desired to know his opinion on the subject. He told them he could not answer them off-hand that day; but would take the matter into serious consideration; and, on the following Sabbath give his views publicly from the pulpit. The news somehow got abroad that Mr Shirra was to preach on Sabbath on Liberty and Equality, and a great multitude flocked to hear him. At the close of the service, Rev. Mr Shirra said:—”My friends, I had a call from some of you the other day, wanting to know my opinion about liberty and equality, when I told you, if you came here to-day, I would let you know it. Now, since that time I have travelled in the spirit all over the world, and I shall just tell you what I have seen in my travels. I have travelled over the earth—its frozen and burning zones, mountains and valleys, moist places and dry, fertile lands and deserts; and I have found grown men and children, big and little, strong and weak, wise and ignorant, good and bad, powerful
and helpless, rich and poor—no equality there. I have travelled through the sea—its deeps and shoals, rocks and sandbanks, whirlpools and eddies—and I have found monsters and worms, whales and herrings, sharks and shrimps, mackerels and sprats, the strong devouring the weak, and the big swallowing the little—no equality there. I have ascended to heaven, with its greater and lesser lights, its planets and comets, suns and satellites—and I have found thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, angels, cherubim and seraphim—no equality there. I have descended to hell, and there I have found Beelzebub, the prince of the devils, and his grim counsellors, Moloch and Belial, tyrannising over the other devils, and all of them over wicked men’s souls—no equality there. This is what I have found in my travels, and I think I have travelled far enough, but if any of you are not satisfied with what I have told you, and wish to go in search of liberty and equality yourselves, you may find them if you travel somewhere that I have not visited. You need not travel the same road that I have done. I can tell you positively you will never find them on the earth, neither in the sea, nor in heaven, neither in hell. If you can think of anywhere else, you may try. Meanwhile I have given you all the information I can. It rests with you to make a proper use of it.”
In view of the advance of infidel Socialism and Communism, all should study more and more the Bible, and be in all things guided by it; and to ponder well the views given expression to by the Rev. Mr Shirra. Socialists are open, determined, and persistent violators of the Fourth Commandment. It is their habit to hold political and other secular meetings on the Lord’s Day. “If ye love Me, keep My Commandments,” is the language of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who support Socialists are neither the friends of the Lord Jesus nor of the Bible. “Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” The Socialists also covet their neighbour’s property. They thus come under the ban of the Tenth Commandment. They possess the spirit of Ahab, who coveted Naboth’s vineyard.
D. MacK.
A Christian’s graces are but Christ’s picture, Christ’s image; and therefore do not you worship His image, and in the meanwhile neglect His person. Make much of His picture, but make more of Himself; let His picture have your eye, but let Himself have your heart.
—Brooks.