The New York herald., 1869-06-04
LlTERATURE.
Reviews of New Rook..

Reviews Of New Books.
THE LIFE OF JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, THE NATURAL
isT. Edlted Dy ms widow With an Introduction
g son. sansS Grant WILSON, New York; G. Putnam
or the many biographies which have been recently
published the life OF Audubon must undoubtedly
rank as one Of the most entertaining and INSTRUCT
i've. The viossudes of fortune which the naturalist
encountered. the Wild adventurous life he frequently
led, and his enthusiastic labors IN the world Of
nature, combine to make his history almost ro-
nance. We have read the book before US with
great interest. 1t is written III admirable manner
and deserves to be widely circulated. Messrs Put.
nam Son Lave published 1t In excellent style, the
printing and binding being all that could be desired
BY Rufus Anderson, d. D., LII. d. New York:
Charles scribner Co. 1859.
If, es seems evident, DR.. Anderson intended tnis
book to be lanaate.@ - modern foreign missions,
10 very worst thing he could have possibly done
was to Introduce the Apostolic missions, the mis-
sions Of st. Patrick and Of others IN early days
in connection herewith Any comparison be-
tween the work OF Peter and Of Paul and the work
Of the thousands OF missionaries scattered the
anti-Christian world at the present day must
be most damaging to modern Christianity The
great success which Dr. Anderson claims for
modern missions we cannot perceive. Grant
ing his own assertion that not sixty years
have passed since 1t was safe for missionaries
pursue their work in heather countries, let
what has been done during this space of time.
By the table gwen IL has taken halr century
for 1000 missionaries obtain 25l O2s communicahts
from population OF nearly 200 900 OF heathens.
TO tell u.s. III the face OF this deploraby small ex-
hiblt that these missions have met with attering
success is an absurdty. The islands or the China
Sea and Pacific have been Chrisuanized, 1t is true;
here the success has been marked; but 1t Is none the
less true that the Aslatic and African continents
have remained virtually untouched. The Lord de-
sented by the late Theodore OF Abyssinla. 1t may
be gratifying to the missionaries to know that they
have gained any converts ut ALL but to the thought
full mind the work seems Insignificant, when COM
pared with the spread OF Christianity III other days
The whole OF Ireland was converted within forty
years. St. Peter and st. Paul converted thousands In
o single day, and In fact the early teachers OF Chris
tianity met with great success wherever they went.
ern mssionaries the teachers Or the early and mid
die ages had no protection nom powerful govern
msns Win 10 afmles ana AZ peeas Idey stSS1
upon the aid OF Providence.
But Dr. Anderson Is grossly incorrect In his asser
tion that but few have passed away since these
evangelical missions practically began The first Pro-
testant mission was started over 800 years ago, and
to the East Indies and to the Malay Archi-
pelago. Including scholars, there are at the present
day less than half million OF converts TO Chris
tianity from the heathen inhabitants Of America,
AFRICA and Asia. Dr. Anderson appears to be con-
scous OF the poor exhibit he makes for all the labor
and millions or money expended during two centu-
Failing to furnish evidence or what Protestant
missions have done he adopts that weakest OF all
arguments BY showing what Catholic Missions nave
not done. Well we readily admit that the Catho-
lies have done no better tnan the Protestant mis-
sionaries. But what has that fact to do with the
subjects II any Catholic writer was TO attempt
to cover the shortcomings OF his Church by arguing
that the Protestants have not done 80 we he would
be guilty OF the most puerlle argument that could be
penued. After admitting that for forty years mis-
sionares have traversed the entire Cmnese empire
In safety, Dr. Anderson naively adds that .'the sue
can yet speak Of In that vast domain OF pa
ganism Is chiefly Of discovery, OF accessibility, OF
AT this rate now long will it take to convert the
3Oo, 900, 600 or more Of Chinese to Christianity
thoughtful non.sectarian Christians are deploring
the TACT that but little or no impression has been
t6e pasy ceneur1 Gentleman OF nr
eruditlon should venture to write and publish book
that does not exist may be- excusabie in mIssion
society, but cannot be tolerated In O work designed
to show the progress I OF the Christian religion among
day millions Of dollars being spent in the cause
OF Christianity Without any adequate returns. Pro-
testants and Catholics have alike failed to make an
impression upon paganism Brahmanism Buddhism,
Mohammedanism, the religion OF Confucus and the
stantialy unarYected By the teachings Of Jesuit and
Methodist or dominican and Baptist or Franciscan
@ anu h presoyteran. Ana N while the neathens have
lied Christian world the spread Of inhdelty in
thousand forms and under a thousand names. rem.
as missionaries abroad. Fulsome laudatlons cannot
disguise the fact that there is something radically
wrong In the management Of home and foreign
missions at the present day.
MALBoNE: AN OLDPoRr ROMANCE. BY Thomas
wentworth Higglnson. Boston: Fields, Osgood
Co. 1869.
When TINS novel was appearing In the columns Of
tile Atlantic Mor,thlv expressed the opinion that
It was work Of the most ordinary merit. We have
not changed this optnion since. Malbone Is a namby
pamby story with just sufficient Of interest in It 70
weary the reader. Whatever the author may do in
the future Is certain that In this book he has made
not failure, something very much like 1t
PRIMARY TRUTHS OF RELIGION. BY Thomas NJ
Clark, d d., LID. New YorS: D. Appleton a. Co.
Bishop Clark writes very earnestly and very ably.
The doubter Of Gods divinity viii be benefited
by perusal OF this book, and those who sincerely
believe Will find their faith strengthened by its ar.
guments Its great merit Is the calm and unimpas-
stoned manner In which the author disproves tho
views held by those who are inclined to regard re-
lgion more as social than as spiritual manlfesta-
ton. On the whole the book Is well worth reading.
FUR, FIN AND FEATHERS. Containing the Game
Lhws OF the Principal states OF the United States
and Canada. New York: NJ. b. Brown 4 Co.
This WORK will be found OF value TO sportsmen
who desire to become acquainted with the game
laws OF the republic. II appears to be carefully and
accurately compiled. The sporting tales told at the
end OF the volume are very stupid and very com-
monplace, and add nothing to Its value.
FIRES IN THE UNITED STATES DURING MAY.