The record-union., 1897-01-17

Now Mr.. Ford has shown most un-
usual versatility by writing a novel
that Is not historical, but that is love
story pure and simple, as delicate and
pure in its tone as the best romances
in our language. 1t is full, too, of dra-
matte incidents and the most interest
ing and surprising turns Incidentally
it illustrates student life in Europe and
contains perhaps the most interesting
and truthful picture of the methods OF
modern journalism and of the produc-
ton of literary wares in New York that
has ever been written. This charming
Story of an Untold Love" has been
secured for serial publication by the
atlantic Monthly" and its first in
stallment appears in the January issue.
1t will run through about six numbers
of the magazine Although Mr.. Ford
already has to his credit so considera-
BILE volume of historical and imagina-
tive work, he is yet young man, and
is at the beginning of a most promis-
ing career as a well-equipped, versatile
man of letters.
James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop
Of Baltimore, has sent to us his vol
ume entitled 1.-THE ambassador of
Christ" In a letter accompanying the
volume Cardinal Gibbons expresses the
hope that his book will be acceptable
to the students of civil professions, to
literary men and to the general COM
niunity. In that hope the distinguished
prelate can place confidence, for how
ever men may differ in their views con-
cerning theological doctrine what the
Cardinal has here written of the pur
pose, dignity and responsibility of the
Christian ministry, will not only COM
nand respect, but excite lively interest
since it is not an assumption merely
that he writes ex cathedra but from
heart conviction, such is the respect en-
tertained for him as Chris
tan minister of profound
and devout conviction. This car
ries the implication, however, that the
Cardinal is more the advocate than the
critic, and the work sustains that view.
Indeed, it is but fair to say that the
book is at once advocacy and defense.
Cardinal Gibbons is probably the most
prominent man of his church who has
asserted and defended the adaptability
of the Roman Catholic religion to the
political system and to the genius of the
American people. 1t may not be too
much to say that Gibbons is more
widely known in this country because
of his ardent Americanism and his dec
larations of patriotic devotion to the
American system than as a theologian
and prelate, distinguished as he is in
those capacities. The book before US we
cannot review in detail; it is scarcely
of a character susceptible of that treat
ment without disputation concerning
the tenets of the religious belief of
which the Cardinal is so valiant a de-
fender. But the divisions of the work
may be stated to indicate the character
and scope of the treatise. The book
opens with conSidera ton of the excel
lence of the priesthood as the inherit
ors of the office of the prophets and
Apostles and the continuers of their
mission. Then follow treatment of the
divine vocation to the ministry; the
marks of such vocation; the duties OF
preceptors to their scholars; the du-
ties of scholars to their teachers: rev
erence for teachers and their obedi-
ence; of the truth and sincerity of
character; of self-respect human re-
spect and charity and politeness; of him
ORANGES to charity; of the spirit of pow
erty; of sacerdotal chastity; of humil-
ity and its incumbency upon priests,
and it's compatibility with magnanim-
ity; of necessity for the ambassadors
of Christ being learned men; Of 81
lence and solitude as handmaids of
study; of the personal advantages of a.
studiouS life; of persevering labor as
a key to knowledge; of discourage
ments in pursuing knowledge; of the
study of the Scriptures and the Faith
ers''; of dogmatic theology, canon law,
history and the Greek and Latin clas-
sizes; of the study of men and the
times; of priests as heralds of the Cos
pei and as catechists; of the prep
aration of sermons; of home and the
Sunday school; of Parochial schools: of
the instruction and reception of con-
vsrts; of egational singing: of
sick calls and funerals; and finally, of
the consultations and rewards of the
priest.
"Benners Prophecies eleventh edi-
ton, with forecast for 1S97), by Samuel
Benner, an Ohio farmer. Cloth. 81.
(Robert Clarke Company, publishers.
Cincinnati.) 1t is the most complete and
comprehensive work Of the kind pub
l.shed. claiming by statistics that busi-
ness history repeats itself. and that the
time and manner Of occurrence of ev-
cry boom" and crisis can be fore
told by accurate and systematic call