New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


n Dandets new story 10 said to be founded on
,act II is the gossip OF the boulevards that MAJ
oma ,utbe,nan is character from life. the VIE Oh
n wealthy banker in Paris, and that through her
influence young girl has lett her mother 10 preach
tho doctrines of the Evangelist ladies' be Una. Us
IL NAV. the novel has truthfulness other tban
literal. Within the limitations that the author has
set for himself it is a remarkable story.
The character of Jeanne Antheman, the president
of the Evangelist ladies' is the most strongly drawn
In ,he hook. In her mastcrful energy, her single
moss of purpose her utter lack OF mercy or pity In
carrying ont her designs she stands out as the
creation of a great personality. 1t is such spirits
that change the destiny of the world either for good
or evil sha is ruthless fanatic selfish, hard and
vain She recalls an episode of suffering in her own
life only to goat over the suffering oil others-a
suffering which she ingeniousy aggravates, aud
which seems TO bring compensation and consolation
to her cruel natures The steps by which the young
and loving Eline Ebsen. the only and devoted
daughter of poor Danish widow, Is brought under
the spell OF this strange woman are graphically de-
scribed. At first Madame Autheman's hard and
formal relgionism is utterly repulsve TO her; she
cannot understand it. I" What nonsense she ex-
claims as she reads the turgd argon of the book of
prayers which. she is translating. DO you hear
that mammal Ii Is sin for US to love each other !
You must tear me from your heart, that Christ may
stand between us aud separate with His two
outstretched and crucifed arms. This is infamous.
No-I will never translate that" But she soon be-
gins to feel the magnetic power which Madame
Authemau exercises over all WIN come within her
influence and at last she leaves her home altogether
and pnts herself under the direction of the Evangel-
ist She undergoes q six-nIOnths' novitiate, and
then goes out to the highways and hedges of the
world to preach the gospel. In vaiu tie grief
IL hAt,. ,ix,f 0fnf
her child tries 20 get Eline back again. The COM
mauds of Godv are backed by tho wealth of the
Authemaus and she is driven half-mad by her
failure.
III Daudet in Madame Autheman exhibits the
worse slde of religion that which is merely formal
selfish aud fanatical, he has shown IN Pastor
Aussandop some of its better aspects. In homely
goodness, in sterling uprightness, In genuine sim
plicty and iu all the elements of tue religion he is
altogether noble. Seconded by his excellent little
wife be has risen from being peasant preacher in
the mountains to DO of the popular preachers OF
Paris This truly religious mam wishes to warn the
Ebseus of the false religion Of Madame Autheman.
But he IL for a long time afraid. The Authemans
are rich and powerful; they have the ear of the
state; they can do what they please. It would he
serious matter to offend them. And then his little
wife his Bonnie how could he reconcile her TO
the loss OF his positOni Had she not told him
again and again that IL was an absolute flying IN
che face OF Providence to do anything to endanger
n good position such as be held Was he after all
called upon to meddle In matters outside of the
strci line OF his duty
Thus the good pastor tries for a while TO pacify
his conscience. But Ii will not do; he is too honest
q man TO be long contented with such sophsms.
Should be be afraid to deliver the whole message of
God because of the result And with all proph
al 81 tuhf Ia ri MIL
his coming message begins 70 terminate in ais soul
At last Ia a sermon In the Temple. no publicly de
nounces the grim fanatcism which would rend !
asunder the hottest OF earthly ties. An immense
assemblagc. Including Madame Autheman. is pres !
ent lie announces for his text tine words Of Scrip
lure aLord, Lord. have we not prophesied in Thy /
name and In Thy name have we cas-. out devils /
aud ia Thy name done won tetful wofksP
~My brothers. he says. 1t is now three hundred |
years since Pierre AyLant an advocate IN the Par.
s0frow. lie lost his only ssh, who was abducted |
by tho Jcsuits aud enrolled IN their Order lie |
never permitted To see his family again. Tho (
despair OF the father was immense, ana 80 eloquent
that the King the Parll alnent, aud even the Pope
nterpnscd for the estoration OF the son who how
ever, could never bs found Pierre wrote his trea-
tiss on 'Paternal Authority, anl then laid down !
his bed. and died OF broken heart. Three cen
xuries later Protesiants and Christians of the Re-
formed religion have repeated that abOmi cable !
act Hewent on 20 describe the disappearance OF
She has written no treatise; she has disturbed
neither King nor Parliament. She Is one OF the
poor and lowly spoken OF In the Scriptures. who
has only her tears. and who gives them In one per-
petual fountan.p Up TO this time the pastor had
made no personal alusion-he said nothing to des-
ignate the criminals, and his heaters were still IN
doubt.
But when he began to speak Of womsa with
piless heart shetcring herself and her acts under
a respected name and colossal fortune every one
in the Temple understood that 1t was direct attack
Madame Autheman. WI, sat with her face up.
lifted TO the orator, her eyes liked on his and with
out the fanest flush rising to her clear pale cheek
Aussandons rich voice continued TO roll and
thunder like mountain storm, reverberating
through the hills.
II was loug since the Temple had echoed other
than the rounded phrases, the smooth unctuous
words Of the true ecclesiastical type, and these nm
ages drawn from nature. these bold ana simple |
words were startling What contempt he showers |
on The Work y of the Evan gelical ladies nitbnnt
however, naming IT. He calls it, and all other |
pous associations of the same kind, the excres- |
cences of the Tree OF Christianity, the parasites !
which devOur its juices.
In order that this tree may preserve ITS strength
aud its sap, these offending gowths must he at once
exterminated; aud this old pastor raises the axe 10
cut away these public professions, these mystical
representations, these seances nv less absurd but
more dangerous than the Sabbats" of that SAL
vatiOn Army which covers Paris from one end 10
the other with gigantic placards. and place. young
girls ut thf corners of the streets who distribute
"Calls to Jesus" TO every one who passes
And suddenly. with q broad and comprehensive
gesture which seems to set aside the scales Of the
Icsh and the Temple, and to penetrate the yelled
mystery oil clouds, ne cries:
" Great God God Of Charity, Of Pity and OF Jus
tce,-Shepherd Of men and of the stars, behold the
caricaturs they make of Thy Divinity; although
Thou ia Thy Sermon on the Mount hath cursea and
denied false prophets. and the workers of miracles
they still continue TO commit crimes In Thy name !
TIer lying tongues envelop. as IN a thick fog 1ly
Religion OF Light aud this is why Thine aged ser
want heavy with years, and already entered into
that light when one thinks and is silent. once more
hits up hrs voice To denOuuce these acts before all
Christianity. lest Thou again shalt utter Thy male
dietien: Depart from me; have never known
you.'D
The words OF the pastor fell on that profound
silence which is the applause of religious assem-
bIeA Eyes were full OF tears and long-drawn
hreaths were heard as the Dean ceased speaking, |
while In her corner the poor mother sobbed aloud
with her face Ia her hands, The tears however |