Childhood’s Years (by J. A., G.M.A., and others). A book of true stories for older and younger children. Obtainable from Mr. E. J. Harmer, bookseller, 47 Albion Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (price 3s. 6d. or 3s. 9d. post free). This book contains 128 pages of reading material, printed in large, clear type. There are over 20 true stories of varying lengths. Some are quite short stories, others are longer, and some suitable and interesting for very young children, and all of them having an appeal for older children, which the title indicates. For example, there is the story of John Craig and the dog. Four hundred years ago this man from Scotland had travelled to Rome. He was discovered to be a reader of the Bible and a Protestant and was cast into prison. When the Pope of that time died, he was released. A soldier to whom he had been kind in the past happened to meet him and gave him money to escape. He travelled to the South of France. One day while lying down exhausted, his money all spent, a dog came up to him and laid a bag of money at his feet. John Craig saw at once that it was God who had sent him the money. He, we are told in the story, afterwards preached in Edinburgh and was made a blessing to many. There are also poems scattered throughout the book, having Biblical themes and written in simple form. For instance, a poem of four verses on “Bidston Windmill” begins and closes with the following verses:—
The days have gone when people took
Their corn to Bidston Hill
To have it ground to wholesome flour
In this old-fashioned mill.
So, though I reap all mysteries
Or merely glean like Ruth,
My soul will never feed in Christ
Without the Spirit of Truth.
There are quite a number of pictures drawn by Miss J. Banfield and others, to illustrate stories and poems, as in the case of the above poem when we find a picture of the windmill on the opposite page. In closing this notice we cannot omit stating that the principal authors of this attractive book for children appear to be the Misses Jane and Grace Alexander, of Worthing, a visit to whose home we much enjoyed last summer, being refreshed by Christian fellowship and hospitality. The late Mr. George Alexander of Birkenhead, the father of the Misses Alexander, was a Scotsman and a minister of the gospel. A letter written by him in support of the late Rev. Donald Macfarlane at the time of his separation from the Free Church in 1893 is recorded in Mr. Macfarlane’s memoirs. And finally, we recommend this book for purchase when it is so difficult in these times to obtain suitable and profitable reading for children.