The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-07
New Books
Received
Brief Comment Upon Current
Publications.

The Protestant Episcopal Review; Feb
ruary, 1897. Richmond. Va, and Theolo-
gical Seminary, Va. 81 per annum.
l.
The contents of the Review this month
are particularly interesting and include
papers by Rev. DR.. Thomas A. Tidbail.
on THE Holy Spirit AS Energizing The
| Sacramento" Or. Packard, on "Recollec-
| lions OF a Long Life; Rev. Herbert Nor
| rison Clarke. on THE Question of Church
| Entertainments and Rev. Carl T.. Gram
mer on James McCosh; President.
/ Philosopher. and Preacher" The Book
Reviews are as usual dlscriminative ard
| strong.
or all the delightful series OF DR.. PACK
ards "Recollections" it is possible the
installment contributed TO this issue IS
the most delightful. 'The very name
Virginia Convention" says he. calls up
most pleasing and sacred memories and
1t is those memories with q record OF
(which his paper has to do. They are la
| turally inextricably associated with names
| dear and familiar to every Virginia
Churchman; in most cases the names
| of virile figures who have now joined
the ranks of the church triumphant. VII
liam Meade. VIM. IL. Wilmer. Bishop
| Polk, DIR. Adam Empie, Bishop Moore
Messrs. Cobbs, Keith, Parks. Atkinson
Andrews. Jackson, Mcclure. Jones. Blsh-
op Whittle, Rev. 7. GraysOn. Dashiei.
and many others equally honored, are re-
called in connection with interesting In
cidents and periods Of Church life.
III.
THE MADEIRA ISLANDS: BY An
! thony j. Drexel Bidde; Drexel-Biddie
and Bradley. Publishing Company, 9O5
Walnut street. Philadelphia,
For Sale By Hunter * Company.
The various critical periodicals OF tie
country have been busy lately comment
ing upon the publications of that talented
and ambitious young journalist Mr.. IN
thony ]. Drexel- Biddle. His social d g
tinction has made him, of course. shin
ing mark for the reviewers, and ne pre-
sents the certainly not altogether in
variable combination OF inherited wealth
with energy of purpose that does not
despise first steps. While a reporter on
the Ledger his entire lack of caddishness
and genuine simplicity and genlaity
made him uncommony popular win his
associates, and his record In that con-
nection was one which commands admira-
ton and good wishes for his literary ti-
ture.
The present volume is. we think, tie
first written by an American on the
subject with which It deals IL IS fully
and beautifully illustrated. the pictures
being twenty-seven IN number The maps
are also excellent and helpful. To his
work Mr. Bidde brings a pleasant liter
airy style that does not allow the recital
OF facts 70 become tedious. He writes
entertainingly, and his book occupies
middle ground between the mere guide
books, and the technical record OF tic
resources. population. and general statis-
tics of the Madelras. IL Is a slender
volume, but presents an exceptional
amount of information regarding the past
and present Of the Islands and comment
upon their probable future as could be
desired. 1t is clear that Mr.. Biddle has
quick appreciation Of local color, and this.
Of course, adds to the interest OF his
book.
The islands do not present n great sub
ject to any writer, but they are pictures
que the people are singuiarly primitive.
and altogether. they are extremely at
tractiye If they are not great. Ii is be-
lieved in the Islands that their fate Is
annexation TO the United States And
many OF the natives believe that Uncle
Sam is but awaiting favorable oppor-
tunity 10 stretch forth his hand 10 the
Madeirans and lift them from under the
monarchical Portuguese yoke" As indi-
eating the ignorance OF the people we
read that the son Of a wealthy merchant
Of Madeira asked Mr.. Biddle II War be-
tween the States had ever come to a
close. Again-at dinner. a young lady
remarked to him that president Wash
ngton must be very popular Old gentle
man. Mr.. Biddle responded that Washing
ton had been dead many years" where
upon she replied, II am so sorry az this
news II is so sudden 10 me. for It is
the first time I have heard of it,
On the whole the book has a piquant
quality that Is very enjoyable. and that
gives it a most pleasant individuality.
III.
COMMENTARIES ON HEBREW AND
CHRISTIAN MYTHOLOGY: BY Judge
Parish y. Ladd, l.. l.. b.. Of tie San
Francisco Bar. The Truth Seeker Com
pany; S Lafayette Place, New York.
70 cents.
Nobody in this day and land will ques-
ton any mans right TO an opinion and
its expression. But this gentleman's
facts are so at variance with ours that
we do not concede that his conclusions
are either important or true. The follow
ing quotation from his preface VIII in
dictate the character Of the book, which
can never have a vicious tendency except
among uniformed people.
His aim, he says, has been TO AFFORD %
most readers all of the desired informa-
ton as 10 the origin or foundation OF
Christianity and its Christ; also the
foundation of Judaism. on which Chris
tianity rests. The evidence so collected.
and presented herein, we think clearly
establishes the following facts: That Ju-
daism rests on Myths borrowed and copied
from legends in common use among n
Of the Oriental nations; that Abraham
was myth; that Moses has Deen buried
beneath the debris of legends which from
time 10 time enveloped him: that the
Pentateuch-the so-called Five Books OF
Moses was not written by Moses nor until
from 500 to 1000 years after his death; that
the Bible story OF the Creation. Of Adam
and Eve-as we'll as the FIOOd-are but
myths borrowed from legends, and copied
into Hebrew Scriptures.
As TO Christianity and its founder. we
think the evidence raises a serious doub-
of the mans existence; that II he ever
did live. the fathers of the Church have
never been able TO find out when he was
horn or when he died. or 10 fix the real
time within more than 100 years that
the time given in the Scriptures was ar
bitrariv fixed by the Church In further
ance OF its interests and at the expense
OF truth: that OF the sayings and doings
of Christ little or nothing Is definitely
known that the Four Gospels and other
christian writings are forgeries, and were
made up from tradition. letters and
scraps picked up here and there voted
into the Canon in the interest OF the
Church 10 which have been added, at
different times such matters and things
as suited the Church; that much or the
Sacred writings was the result OF force
S-s..a "a bribery In polnt OF morality.