The Portland daily press., 1897-04-21

ia Ahslaua, literary In his tAHtes ana
serving as interpreter, his uncle and
adaptive father, being friend of sChin-
ese Gordon" The cross purposes which
Asiatic customs invite naturally work
woe. The crudity of the narrative would
condemn it were it not, as we have said,
Tor It's unusualness Of environment
(New York: Dodd, Mead & Company:
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon.
Price Sl.25.)
Modern Methods in Church Work. The
iospel Renaissance by Rev. GeUrge
Whitef1eld Mead, with an Introduction
by Rev. Charles T.. Thompson. n. D.,
President of the Open Institutional
Church League, United States of America.
The author of this book clearly states
that he does lot set works above grace.
DIR. Thompson in his Introduction also
claims that the methods here set forth
do not tend to secularize the church. In
proof OF this the increase in communi-
Giants Is cited. Nevertheless The Open
or Institutional Church is still IN ex-
pertinent and the question Of division of
duties in the home the publio school. the
church and in non-sectarian organization
is still receiving questioning thought
from Socioloaists. Wherever you put live
work, however, its organization is here
thoroughly exploited. The volume will
lie very valuable to all who are
interested in the marshalling of
forces for good. Here are Young Peoples
Societies sketched out for us; Mems
Clubs; Athletics; Boys' Brigade
knights of the Silver Cross; Temper
ance Work; Penny Provident Fund and
so on in very numerous ramitcations.
Helpers in the church and in philan
thropic societies can CLEAN from this
source suggestions for methods of organ
izing almost any body of workers or
thinkers or worshipers. The early part
of the book Is given to describing the
movement known MS "The Open Church.
and noting its progress up to the present.
time. New York: Dodd, Mead & Com
pany; Portland: Loring. Short & Har
mon. Price S1.5O.)
Perfection City by Mrs. Ofpen, author
of "Mr. Adolf, ''.'The Chronicles of the
Sid, - etc. A little group of Pioneers led
by "Madame Morozoff-Smith" and
gathered from the ranks of the cranks or
| the disappointed or the newly enthus las
tic settle on the Kansas Prairie and form
community. holding goods in common.
chr
good fellow, brings his little bride from
what is, compared with Perfection City,
eastern civilization. The story Ia inter-
| esting and original and carries it's COM
mentary on the system, yet curiously
| enough leaves you with q tender heart
Brother Green defended 1T. There's a
good bit of fun In "Diana" the puppy
anent Aunt Ruby's hens. Ezra learns
that his special owership in Olive is
something not to be threatened; andlthat
Madams" can be an individualist, in
deed. (New York: D. Appleton &
Company; Portland: Lorlng, Short &
Harmon. Town and Country Library
NO. 2l2. Price, paper, go cents.)
A Pinchbeck Goddess by Mrs. J. NJ.
Fleming (Alice NJ. Kipling). Writers of
English army and society life in India
cannot escape some gross ana unattrac-
tive features of description, that is very
sure. Nor does Mrs. Fleming any more
than Mr.. Kipling although the latter Of
| COURSE deals with the subject more thor
| oughly and brings in the barracks. "a
Pinckbeek Goddess is an adroit, i'm
probable little tale, which is all the same
thoroughly entertaining. The writer
knows her Simla. She also is clever and
| full Of brief, apt quotation in prose and
verse. She has moreover blessed sense
of humor. ''Cripps' the fox terrier is a
creation, or reality, unique and delight
full. Steaming through the Suez canal,
we have a picture ga string of camels