THE BIBLE TRIUMPHANT IN TWENTIETH CENTURY DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH
by C. Urquhart, B.A. Glasgow: Pickering & Inglis, Bothwell Street. Price, 2/6d.
This interesting book is from the pen of Mr. C. Urquhart, a son of the Rev. John Urquhart, who in his day did such noble service in defence of the Bible. The son is worthily following in the footsteps of his father as is evidenced in the book before us. It deals mainly with the material gleaned from different fields in archaeology and is in a way supplementary to Dr. Neatby’s reviewed in August Magazine. Mr. Urquhart deals at some length with the light thrown on Biblical chronology by the new discoveries and while one may not accept as final all that he advances on this intricate subject yet it is interesting to find that he clears up some difficult points. Archaeology is not a subject that appeals to many—the study of ancient monuments, the digging up of old foundations, the deciphering of inscriptions on stones may appear to be worthless work and misspent time. But archaeology may prove to be a most useful handmaiden to history especially for primeval times. It certainly has yielded splendid results in undermining the literary criticism of the Higher Critics and confirming the Bible record. Mr. Urquhart pertinently remarks: “It is of special significance that those portions of the Biblical History which were most attacked have been the very portions which the modern investigations have most fully illustrated and confirmed.” He has kept himself well abreast of the archaeological finds of recent times and when the abundance of these is taken into account it is a high compliment to Mr. Urquhart to be able to say so. Those interested in the way recent discoveries have supported the Bible and overthrown the critics would do well to purchase this volume.
DALGARNOC: ITS SAINTS AND HEROES
by J. King Hewison, D.D., Dumfries: Courier Press, 111 High Street.
In the publication of this book Dr. King Hewison says the dream of his youth has been realised. As was to be expected from a historian of Dr. Hewison’s standing the book bears the impress of one accustomed to deal with historical data. The part of the book which makes an especial appeal to us is its references to the Covenants. Dalgarnoc is now a solitary graveyard in Mid Nithsdale, thirteen miles north-west of Dumfries. In 1928 a memorial commemorating 57 Nithsdale martyrs was erected; “it is the only monument of its kind in Scotland, whereby and whereon so many martyrs for Christ, His Crown and His Covenant are commemorated.” The sinister figures of the Marquis of Queensberry, Claverhouse, and other persecutors cross the pages of Dr. Hewison. A few of his pages are devoted to the Enterkin Pass incident when a number of prisoners were delivered from the soldiery as they were being taken to Edinburgh. In addition to the story of Dalgarnoc the book contains an account of the parish of Morton and also of Thornhill or New Dalgarnoc. The material gathered by Dr. Hewison will be useful to the historian when Scotland’s complete story in the great struggle of religious freedom will find a competent and unbiased writer.
THE EDICT OF NANTES AND AFTERWARDS: The Story of the Huguenots (1685-1935)
by Henry J. Cowell. London: 4 Bouverie Street, London, E.C.4. Price, 3d.
This is one of the Lutterworth Press series published by the R.T.S. It is an excellent summary of some of the leading facts in the noble witness of the Huguenots. It was a tremendous struggle through which they passed. The cold-blooded inhumanity that made the massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day a possibility and stained forever the page of French history with the blood of the noblest in France throws a lurid light on the savagery that lies dormant in human nature. Mr. Cowell’s little pamphlet is worth reading and if it creates a desire to peruse the larger books written on the struggles of the Huguenots it will have accomplished a worthy purpose. It is computed that some twenty years after the death of the Bloody Mary no less than 200,000 perished in France on account of their adherence to the Reformed religion while 250,000 to 300,000 left their native land for conscience’ sake.