Book Reviews
most indispensable, for a minister, especial ly a young minister. Yet the work is dis appointing because the execution falls a long ways short of the idea of the book. .The sermons, or extracts of sermons, given in the book are taken from too narrow a circle of preachers, the American pulpit is scarcely represented at all and the sermons given by Scotch and English preachers represent largely a very narrow circle. Further than this, some of the greatest texts in the Bible do not appear in the book at all, for example 1 John 1:5, “God is light, and in.Him is no darkness at all.” Possibly,' no worthy ser mon on that text was obtainable. We have not been able to fihd in this dictionary any sermon, or part of a sermon, by Spurgeon, who many regard as the prince of evangeli cal preachers aifd who certainly was a clear, Biblical preacher. There are numerous ref erences to Spurgeon in the “references” given at the close of the different sermons and outlines, but no sermon or part of ser mon given. Neither, as far as we could dis cover, is Mr. Moody represented, nor is there even a reference to him, though he moved America, England, Scotland and Ireland more than any other man of his daily, and made some texts live as no other man of his day. But in spite of these criticisms, these vol umes are of great worth to any minister who will use them right. They- will prove of great value: First, as suggesting texts and themes for sermons. To most ministers, es pecially young ministers, unless they are very diligent and intelligent students of the Word, the time often comes when they are at their wit’s ends as to what they shall preach about on the following Sunday. This work will suggest no end of texts and themes for profitable sermons. Second, the work will be of great value in setting the preacher’s mind to work in right directions. It is always useful to read what great thinkers have to say, not that we may repeat what they say, but as a sort of stim ulus for our own thinking. If a man has a mind that is at all alert, when he hears another man preach, or reads what another man has preached, it suggests more than one sermon to him. Oftentimes, of course, the sermon will be on quite a different line from the one he is reading or listening to. Third, the work will be of value as sug gesting lines for the development of the va rious texts treated. Of course, it goes with out saying that none of the sermons should be slavishly imitated.
The Faith of a Modern Christian. By Professor James Orr, D. D. Hodder and Stoughton, N. Y. Anything from the pen of this eminent de fender of the faith is by the fact guaranteed to be sound, timely, practical, and popular in its style. We feel his death as a per sonal loss, and grieve for the Church be reaved of so staunch a champion. Our book takes the ground that the faith of the ancient, is valid for “ the modern Christian.” To find these burning questions discussed concisely and clearly by such a master in the field, .should give special satis faction to him who has little time and slight knowledge of theology, and yet longs to have his questions answered and his faith confirmed in reference to current argument on Christian doctrine. Dr. Orr first marks the vital contrast be tween other “ sacred books,” so-called, and the Bible. He makes three points here—The Bible: “1. Embodies a supernatural revela tion which the others do not. 2. It possesses, because of this, a structure and purposeful ness which the others do not. 3. It exhibits spiritual qualities and powers which are traceable only to Divine inspiration.” The second section sets before us, “The Problem of the Old Testament,” the questions that give rise to the Higher Criticism; and the third considers those that bear on the New Testament. Miracles; the Incarnation, in volving the Virgin birth; the Teaching of Jesus on the matters in question; the Cross and Resurrection; the harmony of Paul’s teaching with that of his Master,—relation and development; the position and testimony of the Early Church; Protestantism and Ro manism; Christianity and Science; and the Outlook, are here treated by a man thor oughly competent to handle such themes. If you have doubts; if you do not see clearly; if you enjoy a review of our irrefutable de fence, in either case get the book and make its argument your own. The Expositor's Dictionary of Texts. Edited by the Rev. Sir W . Robertson Nicoll, M. A., LL. D., and Jane T. Stoddart, with the co-operation of the Rev.. James Mof- fatt, M. A., D. D. In 2 volumes. George H. Doran Co., New York. $10.00 net. This is a very expensive work, necessarily so from its size, but its value is greater than its cost. Indeed, it is invaluable, and al
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