The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-22
BOOK CHAT.

The "Mind OF the Master" Is a new
book Of religious discourses, by John
Watson, ID. ID. DIR. Watson has done wisely
TO suppliment his name on the title page
by his psuedomyn of Jan Maciaren--the
name under which he has endearcd him
self ID numbers of readers OF his "Bonny
Briar Bush stories and hence name
that will ensure an audience at once for
the sermon that he has grouped in this,
his lates; volume. One might Eay that
the author has designedly followed the
advice to proceed "from the concrete to
the abstract" In the order in which he has
published his books. Certainly the "Mind
OF the Mastero einbodies in the abstract
just what the "Bonnie Briar Bush" stories
teach in concrete form and 1t is a ques-
tion whether the latter are not after all
the better and more lasting sermons
The discourses under consideration de-
serve special mention for their sincerity,
simplicity, straig aud liber-
ality of thought. Very rarely does DIR.
Watson let the "bistoric Christ" obscure
to his mind the real Jesus OF Nazareth
the man, the master.
There are sharp contrasts teilingly
made etween the essenti ias OF Jesus re-
ligion as he himself stated them in the
sermon on the mount, and the dogmatic
demands made upon holders of popular
Christianity today as outlined in the
various church creeds. Special emphasis
Is laid upon character as the one thing
needful according TO the teachings ana
example OF Jesus. Altogether these dis
courses are just what many comfortably
churched ministers and laymen need to
take to heart and measure themselves
and their religious methods by. The
doctrine Of the theologian needs replac-
ing by the mind of the master in many
cases.
Dr. watson's book Is appropriately dedi-
s-1 l. A.. - Il -
include such titles as Jesus, Our Supreme
Teacher, The sovereignty of Character
Optimism, The Attitude OF Faith, The
kingdom:of God, and others equally sug-
gestive.
Dodd, Mead & Co., are the publishers,
and the makeup Of the volume Is inica-
tive OF their usual excellent taste and
workmanship.
"In Sight Of the Goddess" is a bright
story OF Washington life, with an oc-
casional shot at the short comings of
Congress, written by Harriet Riddle
chapters by the nero, private SECRETARY
to cabinet officer and by the heroine,
the daughter of the same official. Both
tell the same story, Dut 1t is from the
mans point OF view and the womau's and
the contrast bewteen the two constitutes
tnc ptluClpdl CDdIU1 Ot ING DOOk.
1t Is published in the Lotus Library
Series and 10 on sale at Gregorys for rs
cents.
Another recent publication on the
Lotos Library list Is "a Marriage BY
Capture" written by Robert Buchanan.
This is rather improbable story of the
old-time romantic methods OF dis
appointed lovers In which modern
4. -
She says that the man who wins her
must overcome all obstacles. The man,
whose offer OF marriage she has refused,
taxes this declaration very literally, kid
maps her and holds her as captive up-
til she relents. Gregory has 1t for 70
cents.
"Maggie, Girl Of the Streets" pub
lished by ID. Appleton & Company is the
latest story from Stephen Crane. Ii may
safely be credited with having the very
essence Of realism IL that means an un-
vanished account of what Is disagree
able. The telling of the story is perfect
syllable for very much the same reason
that one will stand INCA crowd and
watch a drunken man under arrest until
ne Is driven of out Of sight in the patrol
wagon.
lightful collection OF short Irish sketches
by Jane Barlow. "Mrs. Martins Com
pany," the name of the first story ia give as
the title of the book. 1t is series of
sweetly told stories of the simple folk of
Erin and makes most entertaining read
ing. There are good illustrations by
bertha Newcombe. The book Is Oh sale
for 75 cents.
"Iife in Arcadia" is the latest volume
published In the Already library by the
Macmillan Company. j. s. FLETCHER Is
the aut or, and he has given US coll
lection of thirty-two very readable char
acter sketches. AS intimated in the para
graph of dedication to LORD Crewe the
purpose OF the book is to depict life
among the simple folk OF on English
hamlet and this purpose is admirably ac-
complIshed. The stories are all simple,
and nothing more than halt dozen
pages apiece OF clever descriptions of
country scenes and country characters,
ano the style in which each is told is
old fashioned and refreshing.
The book is for sale by Preston & Rounds