The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-10-13
FAITHS BATTLES AND VICTORIES"

\ duodecimo volume Of 2S5 pages, Inst apEa
lished by Randolph 4 Co, of New ok, has been
in our hands for week or two. It's full tide is
Faiths Battles and Victories; or, Thoughts for
Troublous Times" 1t is written by the Rev.
John s. Grassy, of ShelbyviIe, Kentucky. The
author is well known in Virginia, where, with the
exception of the last two years, his whole life has
been spent So many still remember, with the af
lection of their first as well as of their ripper Chris
tan experience the faithful ministry of one who
led them to the Saviour, and under which they
we're afterwards strengthened amid temptations
and conflicts, that the appearance OF this volume
will be welcomed by them with JOY. For their sake
as well as for the satisfaction of Others brief no
tice of it may be acceptable,
The sixteen chapters of the work furnish the
following topics; Providence; Abraham, the faith
full Lot, the tempOriser; Jacob, the bereaved; ;
Job, the man of principle; Balaam, the miser; ;
Moses, the incorruptible; MOrdecai and Esther,
or, Waiting and Watching; Sampson, the aveng
er; The Hebrew ConfesSor; Nehemiah, the
Christian patriot and earnest worker; Paul and
Silas, the prisoners; Stephen the Martyr; The
Sword, versus the Truth God in history; Lots
Wife, the Engerer Leaving the Wilderness.
These subjects, presenting as they do some Of
the most remarkable characters of sacred history,
are discussed In manner which no intelligent
reader can fail to appreciate IF this volume is
opened under any impression that it is to be
ranked among the thousand common place discus
sions teeming from the press, it will be an entire
mistake. The staple of the thoughts, of course,
cannot be expected to furnish much that is new;
but the author has interviewer through the whole
much that is fresh and interesting. The matter
may be honestly pronounced not only good, but
superior. 1t is therefore decidedly instructive.
The views it presents of the providence of God
are not only scriptural but they are uncommonly
striking. In addition to this they are skillfully
adapted to the present times. We consider this
book and the one written by the Rev. DR.. Plumer,
under the title of Jehovah Jireh, as better
suited than any we know to meet that Responding,
doubling, half nfdel state of mind into which too
many oil our people have allowed themselves 10
fall because certain events did not happen accord
ing to their notion of the fitness of things; who
luluh luO AAlSu duu lAOly OuO OuSuV W hoNO VI
dered it otherwise, and because He did not, their
weak faith has staggered and is ready to fall. The
Church is now full of the children of Bunyan's
"Mr Ready-tO- Halt" 1t is of great importance
to meet fatering Christians, and skeptical states
of mind and this was the express object of our
esteemed brother in writing his work. He says in
the close Of his prefaee-'If the present volume
shall comfort the feeble mind and support the
weak if the slothful are quickened to diligence,
and the doubling encouraged to believe; if, above
ALL this offering Of the servant shall be accepted by
the Master, the authors JOY will be large, and his
gratitude unfeigned. y
The style in which the author writes is worthy Of
special notice While it cannot be claimed as per-
feet, it may, we think, be honestly commended as
having every essential element of excellent writing
1t is clear, simple, direct, full of point and vyaci
ty keeping the attention without WEAKNESS, and
is uncontaminated with that gariShness which be-
sets and depraves so large part of what now is
sues from the public press, and passes with many
for fine l0ritjRg,
After what has been remarked, we can only say
in conclusion, that those who may procure and
read this volume will find in it food for thought
food for the soul, in the strength of which they
may go forward many days.