The herald., 1897-06-06

'H
ly woman is approaching higher
sphere. but
''will It come with rose or briar?
VIII it come with a blessing or curse?
Will its bonnets be lower or higher?
Will its morals be better or worse?'
THE MYTHS OF IsRAEL~-The An
cient Book of Genesis, with Analysis
and Explanation of Its Composition.
BY Amos K Fiske, author OF "Thel
Jewish Scriptures" etc. Cloth, l2mc.
$1.50. The Mac milan company.
This fine volume is discussion OF the
Book of Genesis, and an analysis or It's
makeup, tracing back as far as is pos
si5le its fables and myths. The general
belief as to this first book of the Bible
seems to be that it is composite pro-
duction, made up largely from frag-
ments embodying the conception OF the
earliest teachers of Israel. The author
declares that to study the early scrip
lures in this aspect is to preserve re-
spect and reverence for what is best and
|truest In them; and it is In this aspect
alone that they can be saved for the best
uses of the world. The ideas of divinity
as expressed in Genesis are not the
most exalted ones. and yet they were
the best ideas of the time. "The great
founders of the Jewish faith laid hold
upon the eternal principle of righteous
ness in human conduct and of submis-
sion to divine law, SO far as it is reveal
ed to human intelligence, and they
sought to give it potent sanction in
the story of their people"
We may not believe, as some have be-
leved, the compact with Abraham and
the promise to Jacob, but the recital Of
these made a mighty cord upon which
the men of old hung many promise AMI
hope of righteousness, and peace, AMI
hopefulness, to all men who were to fol-
low. We can preserve the religious ideas
underlying all the traditions which have
entered into Bible literature, without
calling for strict proof Indeed, we can
treat Bible literature as we do all liter
ature, by accepting what is saving and
noble in purpose, and not minimize 1t
by microscopic criticism. The Bible, at
least, is the best literature obtainable
concerning the ages of which 1t treats.
Let us study it as such, with the best
lights we have, and this will save 1t to
US. if anything can.
The author claims to have studied the
book of Genesis with view to en-
tightening himself. being entirely free TO
think for himself, and to present his
views and conclusions. That he is sin
cere ie not to be doubted, and that this
volume will be a great helper in our
Bible study can be reasonably hoped for.
HIS NATIVE WIFE. By Louis Becke.
author of "By Reef and Palm, " THE
Ebbing of the Tide" etc. j. B. Lip
pincott Company.
The extreme favor with which the pub
lie received by Reef and Palm" will be
extended in this volume also, which is
much more ambitious venture, the other
being collection of small sketches. and
not a novel at all. 1t is wild story, al
most brutal in ite simplicity of recital.
yet curiousIy fascinating. In many ways
it is very slight and lacking in finish.
but it is powerful in its swift and strik-
ing ending. These stories of the South
Seas are almost countless, because of the
adventures that attend all voyaging
there. Sailor life Is rough enough any,
where, but "island" trading is many
shades more exciting and dangerous
than any other line of commerce with
which merchants or missionaries have
to do. All who love the thrill of sharp
intrigue and bold adventure will like
this newest story of Mr.. Becke's.
+ \ +
THE BURGLAR WHO MOVED PARA
Disc. BY Herbert D. Ward, author
of THE White Crown, and Other
Stories" Houghton, Mifflir & Co.
The scene of this whimsical and very
entertaining story is Fairharbor, town
on the Massachusetts, coast. That Is to
say, it 10 a fair bit of shore just east
ward of Boston, Boston being the New
England meridian. 1t tells how
youngish woman was beloved by wild
over, who insisted upon marrying her,
and sharing Paradise with her, which
went against her grain for long time,
but at last it came about. Then followed
a wedding and journey, little furry
of temper, deep-sea fishing, and all the
rest, in long sojourn at the shore. The
march of progress at length robbed Para
disc of something it once had, ard the
question of money came up. A new