Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-05
Parts for any stove and gas
oline stoves repaired at j. E.
Gossett's, 1914 End avenue.
BOOKS OF THE WEEK AND THE LATEST
NEWS ABOUT THEM.

The simple announcement of a new
work by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps is suffi-
cient to interest that large class of read
ers who have long since grown to love
the author in her many vigorous, we'll
written stories.
"A Singular Life" the authors latest
novel, has been widely read, and is justly
considered one of her best works. The
beautiful, Christ-like life of Emanuel
Bayard has been compelling and truth
full delneation of what the Christian life
should be. He was one of those staunch,
spirited men who, in refusing the COM
Portable and prosperous life of the popu-
lar pastor, seeks rather to emulate his
Master in great and glorious life Of
prayerful devotion and unselfish ministry
along the humber walks of life and
among that large class of humanity
which Is so responsive to earnestness and
sympathetic teaching The spiritual In
sight and religious thought of Elizabeth
Stuart Phelps work has appeared strong
ly to many readers, and those who have
admired her earlier works, THE Gates
Ajar" and Beyond the Gates" will APP
preeiate the authors beautiful story,
The Supply at st. Agatha's," which fit
tingly appears at the glad Easter tide,
appropriately illustra ted by Mr. and Mrs.
Charles II. Woodbury. who render with
exquisite feeling the delicate sentiment
of the author. 1t is delicately bound in
white and gold, making it peculiarly suit
able as an Easter gift.
i don't know that the author has
evinced in any of her previous works
quite that pervading spiritual quality and
suggestive illumination which character
ICES this one. AT the crossing of the old
avenue with the stream of present traffic
in city which, for obvious reasons, will
not be identified by the writer of these
pages, there stood-and still stands-the
Church of st. Agathas." SO the story
opens and in the recital of a winters
supply" during the absence of the young
preacher of ST. Agatha's is found the
beautiful story, which might more appro-
priately be called soul experience. In
the picture portrayed of the aged coun-
try preacher, who realized the great, joy
Gus opportunity of his life was afforded
him when he was asked to be one Sun
days supply" at St Agathas, the pros
porous city church, there is much that
suggests Ian Maclaren in the delineation
of this character and there is a bond OF
sterling human nature, tempered and
perfected by Christian purity, between
THE Country Doctor" and this aged, hon
est country parson-that spiritual es-
sence of true brotherhood which makes
all the world akin. 1t Is a pathetic and
sou-stirring picture just here when the
old parson is called out at the midnight
hour, in the midst of binding snow
storm, and from the Illness contracted
from this nights rigorous performance
of duty surrenders his great opportunity,
and with 1t his life. 1t is the simplicity,
beauty and truthfulness of treatment
that prepares the mind of the reader for
the illumination and exaltation of soul
which follow.
Lord he said, into Thy hands I
commit my SIP
HE commits his spirit to the Lord!
sobbed the landlady.
but the listening parshioner raised
her finger to her lips.
Lord he said again, and this time
the dulfest ear in the parish could have
heard the words, Lord he prayed, into
Thy hands l commit my supply
l have given the opening lines of this
beautiful story. Something of it's en-
nobiing grace of thought and purity of
spiritual fervor may be CLEANED from
its closing lines.
I'm the sudden brilliance the kneeling
people lifted their wet faces to the
strangers, thinking to catch last sight
of him for lifelong treasure.
But the chancel was empty AS ST.
lently, as strangely as he had come, the
preacher had gone 1t was the fashion
of the man. Such was his Will. He was
never seen at Saint Agatha's again, nor,
though his name and fame were widely
sought, were they ever learned by any.
The great, strange crowd OF worshtpers
melted mutely away. No man spoke to
cret of his own soul. The sick returned
to their sufferings; the bereaved to their
lonliness; the poor to their struggles; the
rich to their pleasures; the erring to their
temptations, and God went with them.
"Down the avenue, in the room of the
lifelong invalid the receiver fell from
womans shaking hand. All theseTall
they, the saddest, the sorest of them all
had been preferred before her Oh to
have seen his facer she cried. She held
her thin hands before her eyes. Then.
flashing by that inner light which burns
in the brain of the sensitive sick the face
of the stranger swan before her for an
instant-and was not-for she had rec
ognized it,"
In McClures for April is an interesting
article called Chapters from a Life"
by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. The per-
sonality of an author is always interest
ing, and particularly so when they write
in their own individual reminiscent way