LIFE AND SERMONS of the late Rev. J. R. ANDERSON, Minister of the Gospel, Glasgow, 1834-59. Edited by H. P. Pitt, Trowbridge. Price, 2s.
This volume contains 11 sermons with an interesting sketch of Mr. Anderson’s life by the Editor, Mr. Pitt, in which he acknowledges his indebtedness to the late Rev. N. Cameron’s preface to the Life and Diary of Mr. Anderson. In a letter to us his grandson, Mr. R. Wodrow Anderson, 29 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow, says: “We are selling the book at 2s. post free which is really just cost price, but I would be glad to let friends in the Highlands, who are not possessed of much of this world’s goods, have a copy at a reduced figure.”
THE TIGER TAMED, by R. H. BOYD. Glasgow: Pickering & Inglis, Bothwell Street. Price, 2s.
This is one of the most interesting missionaries’ books that has come our way of late. It contains brief sketches of Indian converts in whom the grace of God shone forth with remarkable brightness. It tells of the devoted labours of the pioneer
missionaries of the Irish Presbyterian Church (Revs. James Glasgow and Alexander Kerr) who in the face of heart-breaking opposition and persecution saw some of the fruits of their labours in Gujarat. Mr. Boyd has a deft pen and his sketches of some of the triumphs of the Cross read like a romance. One meets with Dhanjibhai of whom the old worthies in the old Free Church days took so warmly to their hearts when he preached in the north of Scotland. The book takes its title from a sketch of one of the wild Kolis whose savage and terrorising career was brought to an end through his conversion. This took place as recently as 1900.
GOLDEN TREASURE: TALKS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, by the late Mrs. E. A. HOUGHTON. London: R. B. Taylor, 23 Bedford Street, Strand, W.C.2. Price, 2s. 6d.
We have read these beautiful and edifying talks with unfeigned pleasure. They are written in simple language and fragrant with the gracious teaching of the Holy Spirit. They are as free from that sentimental religiosity that so mars the productions of so many books written for the young as any book we have read for long. There is here no vapid sentimentalism nor Arminian poison to drug the minds of the young. Man’s utter ruin by the fall and his utter helplessness on the one hand and God’s all-sufficient provision in Christ and the Spirit’s divine work are set forth with refreshing clearness. If one might be allowed to offer a word of criticism it is in connection with the use of the pagan word “Sunday” for the Sabbath. Our English friends have been so accustomed to the use of it that the word does not appear so out of place to them as it does to some of us. In saying this we do not mean to say that the authoress does not inculcate careful observance of the Lord’s Day for this she does on every available opportunity that comes her way. Those who are in search of interesting, solid, and Scriptural reading for the young cannot do better than purchase the book.