New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
FARRAR,s LIFE OF CHRIST.


The facts of the simple Gospel narratives are here
presented in the glowing colors of the imagination
forming a series of pictorial effects, rather than
production of purely didactic interest NO pains
have been spared by the authorize give substantial
basis 10 his descriptions, as well as to emoeiish
,he,n nv the charms of local scenery and familiar
rusoms In the preparation of the work, he has not
only made diligent study of the original sources OF
information but has verified their accuracy by per-
sonal observation during visit to the Holy Land
1t forms part of his purpose to discuss the various
theories which have been applied to the interpreta
ton of difficult but he devotes bimset 10 tne
exhibition Of events in the life of our Lord IN ther
human aspects. not always observing rigid line OF
distinction between facts and fances, but presenting
soemc combination of the real and ideal with great
force of expression and beauty of illustration. AL
though his pages make no display OF special cru
dition they set forth the fruits of profound and
choice learning in an attractive form. Intended
primarily for popular reading, they offer copious
mgqestions of no small value to the scholar and the
lheologian. Dr. Farrar has written from the stand
POINT of assured Christian faith with no direct rei
sronee to the attacks Of skeptical criticism lie
does not even undertake TO deal with the serious
doubts of those who shave been forced into state
Of involuntary and honest disbelief. Still his sug-
gestions often have an important bearing
on points of controversy, and may throw
Iubt ON the difficulties of sincere inQui-
rers For himself, he is neither polemlc
nor dogmatist He has no blind attachment to re-
eeived traditions He accepts the doctrines of the
Church in somewhat mitigated form. Thus he
does not insist on the miracles of Christ the ear
dinal proofs of Christianity, although he by no
means regards them as stumbling blocks in the path
of historical belief While he does not neglect the
study of the sacred books of all the great religions
Of the world and recognizes the noble elements IN
which they abound he finds them inadequate to
effect the regeneration of society. The light of
Christianity dawns like tender dayspring amid
the universal darkness.
The childhood of Christ is the subject of an inter
esting description illustrated by notices of Oriental
customs at the present day. His development was
astrictly human development. He did not come
into the world endowed with infinite knowledge,
but gradually advanced in wisdom. He experienced
the weaknesses and imperfectionsof human infancy
He grew as other children grow, only in childhood
Of sinless and stainless beauty, las the flower of
roses in the Spring of the year, and lilies by the
waters The Eyangeists for the most part observe
a profound retlcenee in regard to this period.
This is considered by the author as a
strong proof of their veracty. They de-
SIRED only to tell the simple truth. and not TO
construct a plausible narrative. 1t is not what
any one would have been likely to invent that Christ
should have passed thirty years of his brief life in
the silent obscurty of provincial village; that he
should have been brought up not ONLY in con-
quered land but in its most despsed province; that
during all those years the brightness of his divine
nature should have tabernacled among us, with no
fash of splendid circumstance. "seyenfold
chorus of hallelujahs and harping symphonies" "
10 announce the presence of the celestial King.
IL utter stiffness. In prayerfunsss IN the quiet
sSund OF DAILY anesHe oseI in 10 tS I'm,
of the Bedawn, like jeremiah in his quiet home at
& s AS ss @se
pbscurity, for His mighty work on earth His outward
peasant parents In that gret town, and IN great mea
Nazareth their red caftans and bright tunes of silk
cloth. grded with many-colored sash, and some,
white or blue = he who has watched the
idyo picture of their games and heard sspSt their shG
hills OF their ttle native VALE play 10 bands ON the
perhaps form conception of how Jesus looked and
played when he too was child. And the traveller who
their simple homes and the scany furniture tine
plain but sweet and wholesome food. the uneventfu
happy patrarchal life form vivid conception Of
the manner in which Jesus lived nottingham be palmer
than those houses. with the doves stunning themselves
the white roofs and the vines wreathlng about them
The carpets, are laid loose along the wallis shoes
and sandals are taken off at the threshold; from the
the IN some recess i'll the wall placed the wooden
painted with bright coors, whcn tne
books other possessions Of the family on ledge that
round the wall within easy reach are neatly rolled
che ledge ranged esrthen vessels for daily
use the door stand the large common waterjars
p red clay with few twigs and green leavesoften or
aromatic shrubs-hrust into their orhces TO keep the
water cool. At meal-time a painted wooden stool
pat upon 1t, and in the middle OF the tray stands the
dish of rice and meat or hbbaa or stewed fruts from
which all help themselves in common Both before and
after the meal the servant or the youngest member of
the family, pours the hands from brazen
eypr pfO a how C..
20 uneventful was the outward life Of the family OF
Nazareth
The first visit of Christ to Jerusalem is clothed by
the writer in the brightest hues of romance, who
weaves the merest hints into the texture of gor-
geous narrative. The numbers who fiocked to the
Passover from every region of the East might be
counted by tens of thousands They were far more
than the city could accommodate. Vast numbers of
the pilgrims constructed booths of mat and wicker
work, which provided them with shelter for all
their wants. The feast lasted for week. 1t was a
season of deep religious emotion, to which our mod
ern camp-meeting perhaps affords the nearest re-
semblance. Then the immense caravan, with
their mules. and horses, and asses, and camels,
would clear away their temporary dwelling
places, and start the homeward journey.
The road was enlveued by music and mirth.
They begued the tedium of travel with the sound
of timbrels and drums hating refresh themselves
with dates, or melons, or cucumbers, and water
drawn in skins and waterpots from every springing
well and running stream. The vailed women and
stately old men are mounted while their sons or
brothers with long sticks in their hands, lead along
by a string their beasts of burden. The children
walk and play by the side of their parents and some
times get lift on horse or mule. 1t was an easy
thing to lose one young boy amid such sea of hu-
man beings Not until the third day did the virgin
mother discover her child. He was then found
in the Temple sitting in the midst of the doctors,