The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-05-15
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
DANIEL THE BELOVED. By the Rev. W. NJ. Tay-
lor, D. D. Harper Brothers, New York.
This book is another of that series of instructive
Scripture biographies which has for some time past
engaged the attention of the fertile mind of the
pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle. Already the
reading public is familiar with DR.. TaylOr's Elijah
the Prophet; David, King of Israel; Peter, the
apostle: and to those who have been edited by
these volumes the present one will not be the less
welcome or attractive. 1t deals with one of the
very noblest aud manifest of the recorded personal
characters Of Holy Writ and we'll does SO princely
life merit oil the distinct acoentuation that the
embodiment of it in an exhaustive separate nara
tive can give it. For young men especially the Ca
reer Of in most pregnant lessons, which
the author does not fail to bring out wildly and
impressively. In the fifth chapter-DGaieL at COL
| lege- the Hebrew lads frmness and resoluteness
n standing true to his convictions, even in face OF
the king order, is made to convey most pointed
rebuke to the weak kueed compliant spirit of the
present day. What is said about national con.
science, and the startling want of it, is particularly
timely Just now when there is so much to make us
blush for our own too often furnished honor, and
when the great powers of the old world are trying
to practice such gigantic deceits upon each other
in regard to their motives and conduct in the pre-
sent diplomatic state Of affairs. The Non Con-
formists of Babylon, (Chap. ~ is full Of pungent
truth which pre-. eminently commends itself to
youth. Indeed these leeturs are adapted to the
needs Of young men above c g, and finer, more
digni6ed or lofticz ezampla atriOtism, fearless
devotion to duty truthfuIuess to the right at all
hazards, calm serenity under fiery prosecutions,
ndomitable purpose, and majestic self-pOise in the
exercise of sudden and almost unbounded power,
can nowhere be found in all the annals of the
worlds proudest periods.
| DR.. Taylor does not enter largely into the pro-
phetc aspects OF the book Of Daniel. He accepts
without controversy, the generally received inter-
pretations of the best known commentators and
repeatedly owns himself much indebted to DR..
Pusey's critical work on the subject, while making
free use of other acknowledged authorities. The
last chapter-in which the strong points of Dan
iels character, and the most impressive events OF
his career are summed up is SO excellent in its full
ness Of sound and timely advice that We would like
to see it scattered widely in tract form. The youth
of the present need to have their attention fixed
upon what is there SO strongly urged about the
manliness the dignity, the wholesOmeness, the
nobility of true piety.
Roberts Brothers, of Boston, have been issuing
lately some marvelousy cheap and convenient lit
tie books, called The Wisdom Series; viz -Selec-
tons from The Imitation Of Christ by Thomas
a Kenpis; MeditationS of Marcus AureliuS-T The
DiScowses of Epictetus and lastly, portions of the
Sermons of Doctor John Tauler, together with a
brief history of his life. Tsnler, as not all of our
readers may know, was, if not the originator, at
least very important and influential man among
the mystics Of the fourteenth century who were
subjected to much persecution for styling them
selves 1.-THE Friends of God, )" and setting their
faces boldly against the corruptions of the times.
"NiCholas," who figures as the cody "Msn" in
Tsuler's History suffered martyrdom. The
Friends of God" resembled in some points our
Higher Life brethren, but their mysticism was of
course tinctured strongly By the superstitions Of
|
Romish Communion, they denied many of its
most Objectionable tenet5 They were the wit
nesses' of their time for nat purer faith which
the God Of truth takes G,re shall always shine
brightly somewhere, even 3, the darkest days of
the Church. And Doctor Tsalar's Sermons ware
favorite reading with Lutb Id the early Re-
formers. Even now we fua IN them much golden
grain of truth, with surprisingly little admixture
of Popish chaf As the original is rare, it was q
good thought to reproduce these selections in this
Wisdom Series.
Royal COMMANDMENTS. By Frances Ridley
Hsvergal. A. D. f. Randolph & Go.
| This beautifully printed, red bordered, limp
bound little volume Of 800 pages, will hardly need
auy commentator for those who are already ia.
miliar with Miss Havergaps deyout hymns and
religious writings. That this book is reprinted
from the fifteenth London edition, shows how. pop
ulsr this English author is in her own land; and
among Christian readers, she is nearly as well
known here. Her meditations on special Scripture
commands, arranged for morning and evening
reading, of which this collection consists, are some
what alter Ur' uuaouuH HOTuS " Jesus -lu some
respects stronger and more exegetica with less (f
we dare say it, of work SO popular with such
pous class of readers of the sentiment Of religion,
and more of the sturdier doctrines. These medita-
tons and counses are SO instinct with the very
spirit of the Gospel, that to commend them is only
to commend the exhauStless teachings of the Word
of God. AS a closet companion, all deyOut readers
of Scripture will find this little book delightful
help, that will stimulate their search after the
divine riches hidden in the sacred volume.
CoUNsELs TO THE CONFIRMED. By DR.. Oxenden,
Bishop of Montreal
Is another Of those pretty brochures which Ran
doIph & Go. are constantly issuing. Although