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W. C. T. U.

At the twenty-ninth annual convention of the National W. C. T. U., held recently in Portland, Me., the Prohibition State had the honour of welcoming into its midst the world's president, the honoured and loved Lady Henry Somerset, as well as five hundred delegates from distant States and lands. The religious press speaks with the highest commendation of the splendid work and executive ability of Mrs. Lilian M. N. Stevens, the national president. The convention was also very pleased to have as a guest Rev. Henry Sanders, of London, whose East Side parish numbers seventeen thousand.

We are glad to present such an adequate treatment of the life-work of the great and good man whom God has taken from the Church militant to the Church triumphant, Hugh Price Hughes. Mr. Harrison knew this leader of men for years, and can speak of his work with competent knowledge. We hope the day is far distant when his great colleague of the West London Mission shall follow his life-long friend and leader.

Mr. Hughes made it a condition of going to that mission that Mark Guy Pearse should go with him. Each was the complement of the other. The very dissimilarity of character and manner filled the other's lack, and made them together a marvellous power to touch the souls of men. Although Hugh Price Hughes was not the originator, or rather reviver, of the institution of English deaconesses-that honour belongs to Dr. Bowman Stephensonyet he more widely than any other adapted the organization to the manifold needs of the modern Church. His wife became a leader of the movement, and the West London Mission demonstrated its vast possibilities for good.

CHRISTIAN UNITY.

The able paper by Dr. Chown, on Christian Unity, in this number, is a very timely contribution to the solution of one of the most important problems of Christendom, and especially important in view of the advances towards its solution already made by the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of this country. We believe that, as Canada has had the honour of leading in the great union movements of the severed branches of

these two Churches, it shall have the further honour of leading in the union of these Churches, or at least, a federal compact which shall enable them to act as one in the great work to which in the providence of God they are called. There is much more unity of purpose and of effort among the Churches than they get credit for.

We are meeting continually fresh evidences of Christian co-operation both at home and in the mission field. During 1901 the Y. M. C. A. of the United States, an undenominational organization, dedicated 23 city association buildings and 15 railway buildings, and spent in all over $10,000,000 in Association work. A late number of The Westminster notes the growing friendliness of all branches of the Christian Church, and asks for still larger co-operation so as to prevent overlapping in the mission fields. This is the pronounced policy of the great missionary societies, which cooperate harmoniously in mapping out their work. In Japan not only different Churches, but different nations, combine, as our own and the United States, in maintaining a Methodist college in that land.

What bond ever so united men of different races, different Churches, different political affinities as the Christian religion? Do we find it in politics, with its bitter antagonisms in the press, the platform, the legislature? Do we find it in trade, with its keen rivalries and competitions, with its strikes and lock-outs ? Do we find it in professional life, with its not infrequent jealousies and mutual disparagements and criticisms? Do we find it in literature, with its cliques and schools and spites? Witness the bitter things said by the great critic, author, and poet, Henley, about his deceased friend, Stevenson.

The world has known nothing so unifying, ennobling and elevating as the religion of Jesus Christ, which from the time of the protomartyr Stephen to that of the thousands of victims of the Boxer rebellion in China has prayed for its enemies and persecutors, "Lay not this sin to their charge."

THE CHURCHES ARRAIGNed.

We are sorry to find in so excellent a monthly as The Canadian Magazine the following arraignment of the Christian Churches:

"The Catholic and the Protestant, the Methodist and the Baptist, the

Presbyterian and the Episcopalian, are at enmity collectively and individually. Peace on earth and good will towards men' too often means only peace and good will to your own particular Church and its members. Even in the missionary field, where union and co-operation are most needed and most necessary, there is only competition and unfriendliness.

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'As is the Church, so is the Church member. When he finds the Church does not love its neighbour as itself, he feels justified in oppressing his neighbours. When he finds the Church is intolerant of opposition, fond of passing glory, eager to amass wealth, envious to be a great power in society, willing to compromise with the world if it be profitable-he practises the same virtues. In all things temporal and spiritual the Church standards are the standards of the Church member. For the lukewarmness of the members the D.D.s and bishops are responsible. Their selfishness has prevented the Church attaining ideal unselfishness."

We appeal to the sense of candour of our readers whether this is a correct picture of the Churches of this land. Are the Churches animated by the mutual hostilities which are here Though described? they may be superficially separated like the waves, they are in essence one, like the fathomless sea. They stand as one in their efforts for righteousness, for truth, for temperance, for purity, for higher ideals of civilization and humanity. They are the embodiment of that passionate charity that remembers the forgotten, visits the forsaken, that seeks and saves that which was lost, and sends forth its missionaries and its money to the ends of the earth to bring the heathen world to a knowIt is to easy ledge of the truth. stand aside and gibe at the Churches. but they are not the truest friends of humanity who traduce and disparage and malign the greatest agency God has ever created for the uplift of the world.

So far are the Methodists from feeling the petty jealousies with which they are charged, they rejoice at every effort to extend the Redeemer's Kingdom. We have welcomed to this periodical contributions from such representative men of the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches as the late Bishop Fuller, Principal Grant. Dr. McMullen, Dr. Laing, Principal Caven and other writers not of our own Church.

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DEATH OF J. WESLEY SMITH. Some one has said, "If you would wine the love of men, do them good." That is why Halifax mourns so deeply the death of one of her foremost citizens, Mr. J. Wesley Smith. Mr. Smith was a living example of "consecration in the pew." One of the foremost business men of Halifax, he demonstrated the fact that business can be conducted on strictly Christian principles. Says The Wesleyan : was one of the band of young men who, between thirty and forty years ago, by their evangelistic zeal and faithful work among the lowly, laid the foundations of the missions which have now grown into Charles Street, Kaye Street, and Oxford Street churches." Το have one's name written in the foundations of three churches-what a monument ! Mr. Smith left about $60,000 to various branches of Methodist Church work, and about $30,000 to educational and charitable institutions.

DEATH OF PRINCIPAL MACVICAR.

The Presbyterian Church, and its college at Montreal, have suffered a severe loss by the death of Principal MacVicar, who died suddenly in his room at the college, December 15th. Being late for his lecture, an unprecedented event, one of the students went to his room and found him unconscious in his chair. In a few minutes he passed away. For thirtyfour years he was principal of the college, and saw it grow from the feeblest beginnings to its position of prominence and vigour. He took an active part in the religious and educational life of his Province, and of the Dominion, and wrote much on educational and theological subjects. He was а broad-minded, cultured, Christian gentleman. He did much to promote comity and good will between the Churches.

In this Magazine much space will be given to the Wesley bicentenary. Our preachers and teachers will find ample material for the study and exposition of the great religious movement of the eighteenth century, which saved England from the horrors of a French Revolution, which so largely spread scriptural holiness throughout the land, and which gave such an impulse to Methodist missions throughout the wide world.

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Book Notices.

The Testament of Our Lord." Translated into English from the Syriac. With Introduction and Notes by James Cooper, D.D., and Arthur John Maclean, M.A., F.R.G.S. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. Toronto William Briggs. 8vo. Pp. xiv-269.

The well-known firm of T. & T. Clark, whose Ante-Nicene library we have personally found to be invaluable in the study of the early ages of the faith, is rendering a new service to Christian scholarship by the issue of this important book. It is a translation from the Syriac of an apocryphal work of early date. It professes to give the words of our Lord and His last message to His disciples after His resurrection. It is described as His last will or testament, in which He provides them with rules for the conduct of their work. It is thus of the same class as the famous Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve, but much more extensive, filling ninety printed pages.

It is ascribed to Clement of Rome, a disciple of Peter, and gives an apocalypse of the future, of the portents of the times and the overthrow of Satan. It sets forth directions for the organization of the Church, its various orders, presbyters, deacons, sub-deacons, widows, virgins, catechumens, and the like, directions for the observance of the eucharist, the agape, paschal solemnities, hours of prayer, visitation of the sick, and burial of the dead. Much of it is liturgical in character, and many of the prayers and hymns are in a very noble and lofty strain. The ritual of ordination of the various officers is set forth, and their duties. These are a note of its post-apostolic origin, after the organization of the Church has been fully developed. The one hundred and eighty pages of notes on the characteristics of this remarkable book, on its date, authorship, place of writing, and parallel literature, give it an enhanced value.

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a preacher of righteousness. He has preached more widely with his pen than even with his tongue. Few men have reached such millions of readers as he in his strong, terse, vital papers of practical religion. In this book he gathers up the recollections of a long, useful, and happy life. He gives striking incidents and anecdotes and brief character studies of some of the distinguished men whom he has known, Wordsworth, Dickens, Carlyle, Gladstone, Shaftesbury, Dean Stanley, Guthrie, Hall, Spurgeon, Storrs, Beecher, Finney, Haven, Schaff, Whittier, Abraham Lincoln, and many others. He gives vivid pictures of the great temperance reform and of his co-workers, of the Civil War and his part therein, of his pulpit work, revival experience, home life, and the joys of a Christian ministry. The book is so full of interest and inspiration that we purpose making it the subject of a special article in this magazine, to be accompanied by a fine portrait of the venerable author.

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Pascal and the Port Royalists." By William Clark, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L., F.R.S.C. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Toronto William Briggs. Pp. ix235. Price, $1.25.

Professor Clark in this book, as well as in his famous Life of Savonarola, has gone to original sources and studied comprehensively the literatureof the subject. Pascal the man, he asserts, is far greater than Pascal the writer, though his works are of incomparable merit. "The greatness of Pascal," he says, "lifts him above all ordinary expressions of praise or admiration. He towers above all save the very greatest of the sons of men." Pascal was one of the great geniuses of the French nation, but his special note was his genius for religion. As a mathematician he rivalled in capacity the great Sir Isaac Newton. But his noblest work is his famous "Thoughts," a contribution to "An Apology for the Christian Religion." His "Provincial Letters " brought down on himself and the Port Royalists the undying hate of the Jesuit order, and the destruction of that sanctuary of learning and of piety, Port Royal. Or Dr. Clark's charming literary style may be said, as Johnson said of Gold

smith's, "Non tetigit quid non ornavit." The story of Port Royal will be the subject of a special article in an early number of this magazine.

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The Words of Jesus." Considered

in the light of post-biblical Jewish writings and the Aramaic language. By Gustaf Dalman. Authorized English version by D. M. Kay, B.D., B.Sc. Edinburgh T. & T. Clark. Toronto: William Briggs. 8vo. Pp. xiv350.

This is a piece of thorough-going German scholarship made accessible to English readers by the translation of a Scottish professor. It discusses exhaustively the subject of Aramaic as the language of the Jews, and the Hebraisms and Aramaisms of the Gospels. It regards as formally established the fact that Jesus Christ spoke in Aramaic to the Jews, and that the apostles preached, though not exclusively, in that language. The author then takes up certain fundamental ideas in the words of Jesus, as, Eternal Life; the divine names, the Son of Man, the Son of God; the titles Messiah and Christ, and other subjects of vital importance. The book is and accurate

profound one of scholarship, and cannot fail to be of much service in throwing additional light on the words of Jesus.

"The Valley of Decision." By Edith Wharton. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Toronto William Briggs. Pp. 656. Price, $1.50.

This book records the failure of a high purpose and noble endeavour. A hundred and thirty years ago Italy was divided into a number of petty kingdoms and duchies, the feudal system prevailed, the rulers were oppressive, the people were plundered, the Church and the Inquisition were the dominant powers. Great areas lay waste, and palaces and convents multiplied. Odo Valsecca was the heir of the moribund Duke of Pianura. As a preparation for his succession he studied arms, visited the courts of Turin, Naples, Rome, and Venice, and had many adventures. Under the inspiration of the rising poet, Alfieri, and of a new school of Italian patriots and liberals, he glowed with enthusiasm for the elevation of the people, and their relief from the feudal oppressions of the nobles. Succeeding to the dukedom, he enendeavoured to carry out his high

purpose, to grant a constitutional government, to restrict the powers of the monks and the nobles. But the forces of the Holy Office, the apathy of the peasants, the antagonism of the townsmen and the feudal lords thwarted his purpose, broke his will, crushed his endeavours, and drove him from his throne. The French Revolution was overthrowing both throne and altar in the dust, and breaking for ever the power of feudalism, but Italy was still shackled with the fetters of ignorance and superstition.

The literary treatment of the theme is of remarkable excellence. The knowledge of the times, the analysis of character, the grace of diction are worthy of George Eliot or Mrs. Humphrey Ward. The Jesuits are described as the greatest organized opposition to moral and intellectual freedom that the world has ever known. The pictures of the period reveal a moral deterioration which it is difficult to conceive.

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'Russian Life in Town and Country." By Francis H. E. Palmer. Illustrated. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Toronto: William Briggs. Pp. xi-320. Price, $1.20 net.

We have had occasion to commend very highly the previous volumes of "Our European Neighbours." They are written with full knowledge of conditions resulting from long residence, such as the rapid tourist by no means obtains. This is especially true of the volume on Russia, which, in the author's phrase, is hidden behind a veil. Through St. Petersburg, its western window, it looks out upon Europe. But St. Petersburg is only a Russian Paris or Vienna. Indeed, the Russian civilization is a thin veneer over Slavic semi-barbarism. Of this the savage treatment of the Jews, the Stundists, the Doukhobors, and other religious dissenters, is striking proof.

Less than twelve per cent. of the nation reside in towns. Russia is the youngest and least developed of European nations. The priest asks the peasant in confession, "Have you stolen anything, got drunk, beaten your wife unduly, or told a lie ?" Yet the Russians are religious in their way. The church service is impressive, the singing superb, although no organ nor instrument is used. priest," says our author, "is shunned by the peasantry, snubbed by the nobles, brow-beaten by his bishop."

"The

The winter life is austere; in spring and fall the roads are impassable. The Russians have but little taste for outdoor sports such as give special charm to winter in Canada.

The press censorship is very rigorous, but sometimes queer mistakes occur. An innocent yacht race was severely blacked out, and the seditious paragraph overlooked. The censorship often piques curiosity, and the condemned paper or article is zealously sought. The Jews are loyal to their faith, though suffering bitter persecution. The book is strikingly illuminative of a country but little known outside of a beaten track.

"Fuel of Fire." By Ellen Thorney

croft Fowler. Author of "Concerning Isabel Carnaby," etc. With eight illustrations by Fred. Pegram. Toronto: William Briggs. Pp. viii-336. Price, $1.75.

Methodism is more than ever making its influence felt in the lighter literature which is read by the million. Miss Thorneycroft Fowler, the daughter of that distinguished statesman, Sir Henry Fowler, and granddaughter of a Methodist minister; Mr. J. H. Yoxall, a Methodist member of Parliament; Silas and James Hocking, John Ackworth, and many others, have written books that have won the ear and heart of the world. Miss Fowler's latest story does not deal with Methodism so much as some of her earlier ones, but it is marked by the sparkling epigram and repartee which characterize all her writings. The prologue is a prose poem which can almost be scanned in blank verse. musical, vivid in portraiture, and tragic in topic. The rest of the book is in lighter vein. An old legend declared that

"First by the King and then by the State, And thirdly by that which is thrice as great

As these, and a thousandfold stronger and higher,

Shall Baxendale Hall be made fuel of fire."

The third fulfilment of this prediction is the theme of her tale. Few things could be more tragical than the situation of Laurence Baxendale when confirmation, "strong as Holy Writ," it seemed, convicted the woman whom he loved of firing the ancestral pile to get its hundred thousand pounds insurance, and so permit their marriage. The solution of the mystery, the clearing of her character, form the plot of the book. Some

of the character drawing is wonderfully strong; that of the monomaniac, Rufus Webb, who, a missionary in China, had slain his wife to save her from a worse fate from the Boxers of that day, is a gruesome figure. The clever sketch of Mrs. Candy, the garrulous lodge-keeper's wife, is as good as any of Thomas Hardy's Wessex folk. The author has added a new chaplet to her laurels in this book.

"Cecilia."

By F. ronto

A Story of Modern Rome. Marion Crawford. ToThe Copp, Clark Co., Ltd. Pp. 421. Price, $1.50.

This is a story of human friendship stronger than that of Damon and Pythias, or of David and Jonathan, a friendship which endured the greatest possible strain and proved faithful to the end. It is a striking picture of that Roman life which Marion Crawford knows so well, and which he so vividly describes. There is interwoven with it a fantastic theory of metempsychosis, which is not needed to explain the world-old problem which it discusses. It treats also of telepathy and the charlatanry of spiritualism. The book maintains the high standard of the reputation of the author of Saracinesca," and "Ave Roma Immortalis."

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Bayou Triste." A story of Louisiana. By Josephine Hamilton Nicholls. 12mo, cloth, illustrated. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. Toronto William Briggs. Price, $1.50.

This is a dainty and sympathetic sketch of life in Louisiana by the daughter of Chief Justice Nicholls, of the Supreme Court of that State. She writes with full knowledge of the negro character, with indulgence for its weakness, and admiration of its many virtues. The strange blending of fidelity and unconscious audacity, of jealousy for the dignity of the family, and unwarranted means of maintaining it even by interfering with its most sacred rights, the proud integrity and honour of the simple old creole woman, and the trust in human nature, though often deceived and betrayed, of Colonel Lossing, a gentleman of the olden time, are all admirably portrayed. It is one of the most illuminative books on Southern life that we have read, worthy of a place with Cable's immortal studies. This book has four handsome halftones.

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