The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-07
Literary Notes.

Randolph House, 900 Broadway, New York J
the most royal of textbooks offered for Christmas?
This Edition is not simply elegant in morocco
and gold, and artistic Illustration, after the fash
ion of the all Astounding gift books of the sea
SON; but 1T has substantial value even above
the rich text which will never grow old, that
makes it, not the admiration of the drawing
room for the Christmas week only, but valua-
BILE heir loom for ones children 1t is called,
par excellence, " The Elstow Edition." and for
the reason we give. We quote from an article
published by Messrs. Walker & Co., London.
The ancient church, whose bells Bunyan
loved to ring, had long been in a state of diiap
idation, and at Easter, 1880 it was found no
cessary to replace the roof and partially, to re-
build the walls. Most of the woodwork was
found unit for further use the oak beams hav
ing done duty since 1530,) and it was suggested
that, as the old material possessed value far
IN excess of Its intrinsic worth it was desirable
TO utilize 1T In such way to add to the re.
storatlon fund and give the public at the same
time an opportunity of possessing genuine
SOUVENIR OF the Immortal Dreamer
Whereupon the Messrs. Walker & Co. pur-
chased the old timber, and have worked up the
best portions of it into bindings for the Elsto,o
Edition: and this is the book that lies before us.
forms each cover, on one of which is inserted a
photographic copy of the original pencil por-
trait of Bunyan, preserved in the British Muse
um-the only authentic one extant. Two lines
in gilt letters on the reverse cover warrant
that this oak is taken from Elstow church. pre-
vlous to its restoration in $780,
One cannot take into ones hands the ele-
gantly- bound volume without something like a
Jingle of the fingers, as one remembers that un-
der this very oak, the child, Bunyan, was bap-
tized,-the fbres of this veritable wood felt the
tremor of the loud voice of Christopher Hail. as
he preached that memorable sermon on Sabbath
breaking which was the means of arousing in
Bunyan deep conviction of sin,-the rafters that
compose these panels are the same under which
ne stood In his terrible mental struggles, pulling
the bell ropes, and asking himself" Hon. If one
Of these bells should fall ?"-the same that echoed
to his prayer of penitence and his song of praise
Assuredly Mr.. Randolph deserves the thanks of
American readers, for giving them the oppor-
tunlty of possessing wood that has hidden in
Its grain such stirring "reminiscences. And the
book is only S3.5o-an uncommonly low price
for any volume illustrated, bound, and fitted
with such intrinsic memorials as this The
that delicate outline order to which master
hand can give so much character We know
not that more than limited number of this
rich volume can be procured in this country so
that those who desire to possess a COPY of this
EtstoiO Edition had better not lose their chance
by delay, in applying to Messrs Randolph & Co.
at once.
81. Pals Piston and Other Sermons (llessrs.
Randolph & Co., 81 .50) is translation from the
French of Eugene Bersier by Marie SteDarN-
one OF that noble band of French. preachers
which has grown up under the teachings of
D'Aublgne, Vinet, Gaussen and, the giants of
the Geneva School of Theology. Tholuck, Null
Ter, barnes, were his allies at Halle and Got
tengen; and he is connected by marriage with
the family of De Pressens6: but for himself. he
has made a brilliant record in Paris, as one of
the most eloquent, godly, and earnest of modern
Protestant preachers. He raised by his own
personal exertions, the sum of 100000 francs,
and erected In one of the most central points of
Paris, large Gothic church that seats some 1900
persons. One of his latest aggressive acts has
been to try and wiring from the Minister of Pub.
lie instruction, M. Jules Ferry greater toler-
alton In all matters Of religion His very last
work IS, the obtaining the French governments
consent to the erection of a statue to Admiral
Cohgny, the grand Huguenot who persisted in
the massacre of st. Bartholomew, right opposite
the Palace Of the Louvre. All this shows how
fearless Protestant M. Berser is and happy is
the wicked city of Paris In possessing preacher
OF such undenlable energy and of such earnest
Plety' The Sermons address themselves to the
French mind, by their vivacty, their pictorial
quality, and their high strain of eloquence.
They remind one of Theodore Monod and that
is saying much for them. The subjects are not
at all commonplace; the two on Doubt we
would emphasize for their tender, persuasive
spirit. The work of translation is quite per-
fectly done; we detect no French idioms.
The Sayings and Doings of Little Lou by
DR.. Paysons daughter, the late Mrs Prentiss, is
as sweet Christmas Book as any good child
can desire TO have. Its fine large text its
dainty pictures, its interesting stories, its lovely
Christian teachings are just what ludicious
mother would like to put into her children's
hands. Nothing but good could come to any
child from forming the acquaintance of Liale
Lou. This is also one of the Randolph books.
(Prlce ll.6O) MARGARET J. PRESTON.
SAINT PAUL's VISION and Other Sermons bv the
Rev Euoipa Parainr pootor e ffs.1.-e Z I