churches, in relation to the world's evangelization, should at present appear to be so slight.

The Ancient Scriptures and the Modern Jew, by David Baron (Hodder & Stoughton, Lordon), is a fresh and notable contribution to prophetical interpretation in reference to certain very significant movements, intellectual and otherwise, among the Israelites at the present time. The book is in two parts-Part I., The Ancient Scriptures, with four chapters, and Part II., The Modern Jew, in nine chapters. The especial interest of this book lies in the interpretation of the Zionistic and other present-day movements in the light of the ancient prophecies. It is a most suggestive and helpful contribution to current thought.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

From Hodder & Stoughton, London.

The Ancient Scriptures and the Modern Jew. By DAVID BARON. Cloth, 5 x 84, pp. 342.

From Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York.

The Life and Literature of the Ancient Hebrews. By LYMAN ABBOTT, D D. Cloth, 54 x 8, pp. 402. From Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

Word Studies in the New Testament. By MARVIN R. VINCENT, D. D. Four volumes. Cloth, 64 19. pp. 822 607. 565, 624.

The Social Life of the Hebrews. By REV. EDWARD DAY. Cloth. 54 x 7, pp. 255

The Messages of the Bible. By THOMAS CUMING HALL, D. D. Cloth, 54 x 64, pp. 244, $1.25. From A. J. Rowland, Philadelphia.

The First Epistle of John. By ROBERT CAMERON. Cloth, 5% x 7. pp. 274.

From D. C Heath & Co., Boston.

A Short Introduction to the Literature of the Bible. By RICHARD G. MOULTON, M. A., PH. D. Cloth, 4% x 7, pp. 365.

From Geo. W. Jacobs & Co., Philadelphia.

The Incarnate Word. By WILLIAM HUGH GILL, D. D. Cloth, 44 x 7. pp. 273 $0.75.

From The Macmillan Co., New York.

Reconstruction in Theology. By HENRY CHURCHILL KING. Cloth, 51⁄2 x 8, pp. 257.

The Solitary Summer. Cloth, 5 x 84, pp. 190. The Rule and Exercises of Holy Dying. By JEREMY TAYLOR. Cloth, 44 x 64 pp. 386, $0 50. Jesus Christ and the Social Question. By FRANCIS GREENWOOD PEABODY. Cloth, 51⁄2 x 73⁄4, pp. 359.

From The Pilgrim Press, Boston.

The Divine Origin of Christianity. By RICHARD S. STORRS, D. D., LL. D. Cloth, 6 x 9. pp 639, $2. Ginsey Krelder. By HULDAH HERRICK. Cloth, 51⁄2 x 72, pp. 452, $1.50.

From James H. Earle, Boston.

The Purple and Scarlet Woman and Her Relatives. By REV. A. B. KING. Cloth, 5 x 7, pp. 221. From Bonnell, Silver & Co., Boston and London. A Summer Journey to Brazil. By ALICE R HUMPHREY. Cloth, 5 x 8. pp. 149.

From The Lakeside Press Chicago.

A Minister's Life. Memoirs of Charles Hill Roe. By ELIZA ROE SHANNON. Cloth, 5 x 8, pp. 186. From Funk & Wagnalls Co., New York and London.

The Royal Houses of Israel and Judah. By GEO.
O. LITTLE, D. D Cloth, 74 x 9, pp. 329.
From The American Thresherman. Madison, Wis.
The Childhood of Ji-shib, the Ojibwa. By ALBERT
ERNEST ENKS. 6x7. pp. 130.

From J. S. Ogilvie Pub. Co., New York.
To Nazareth or Tarsus. 5 x 7, pp. 217.
From D. Appleton & Co., New York.

Some Ill-Used Words. By ALFRED AYRES. Cloth, 4% x 6, pp. 242.

From International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations, New York.

The Life and Works of Jesus According to St. Mark. By WILLIAM D. MURRAY. Cloth, 61⁄2 x 8, Pp. 182.

From E. Munson, New York.

China and the Boxers. By REV. Z. CHARLES BEALS. 5 x 7%; cloth, pp. 158, $0.60; paper, $0.30. From F. H. Revell Co., New York.

A Valley Muse. By CHARLES G. BEANDEN. Cloth, 5 x 2, pp. 166.

The Everlasting Harmony. By ROSE PORTER. Cloth, 41⁄2 x 7, pp. 120.

Practical Studies in the Old Testament. By GEORGE HAGUE. Cloth, 6 x 9, pp. 546. From A. C. Armstrong & Son, New York. Modern Criticism and the Preaching of the Old Testament. By GEORGE ADAM SMITH. Cloth,

5 x 8, pp. 322.

From American Tract Society.

Ecumenical Missionary Conference. Vols. I. and II. Cloth, 6 x 91⁄2. pp. 558, 484.

Wednesday, 1st. Colossians iv. 7 to 18. The apostle most lovingly commends the two bearers of this epistle (verses 79) Tychicus (Acts xx. 4; 2 Tim. iv. 12; Titus iii. 12) is sent for a fourfold purpose: to take Paul's letter to the Colossians, to tell them, as was impossible in writing, all the details and surrounding of his life in Rome, to encourage and strengthen them in their faith, and to bring back to the imprisoned apostle a viva voce report of their state, about which, since the arrival of Epaphras with his dread tidings, he had been concerned. Onesimus, a Colossian, is also to tell them of Paul's doings and condition, but he will not return to Rome. He is to stay in his native town with his master, Philemon, from whom, before becoming a Christian, he had run away (Phile. 10-21).

Then follow salutations from the apostle's companions in Rome (verses 10-14). The first three, Aristarchus (Acts xix. 29; xx. 4; xxvii. 2; Phile. 24), John Mark, the cousin of Paul's one-time fellow laborer, Barnabas (Acts xii. 12, 25; xv. 37. 39; 2 Tim. iv. 11; Phile. 24; 1 Pet. v. 13), and Jesus Justus, were Hebrew Christians, and the only ones of all the Jews in Rome who sympathized with the apostle in his work and imprison

ment.

Another who sends greetings to the Christians in distant Colossæ is Epaphras, their compatriot (1. 7; Phile. 23). The mention of the name of this devoted servant of Christ recalls his constant "wrestling" in prayer for his brethren, that they may "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." And with his earnest prayers for them are associated the names of their fellow believers in the neighboring cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea.

"The last salutation comes from a singularly contrasted couple-Luke and Demas, the types, respectively, of faithfulness and

apostasy." Of the five names just mentioned the last is the only one of which no word of commendation is uttered. It would seem as if the keen, observant eye of the apostle already detected indications of that love of the world, which some years afterwards led Demas to forsake him.

The next three verses (15-17) are filled with special messages from the apostle himself, greetings to the church at Laodicea, to Nymphas, a person of influence there, and "the church in their house" (R. V.)—perhaps his own family only-an injunction to the Colossians to read the epistle to Laodicea, and to the Laodiceans to read that to Col. ossæ, and a special warning to Archippus, presumably the son of Philemon (cf. Phile. 2), and not improbably a young pastor recently appointed to the church either at Colossæ or in the surrounding district, perhaps Laodicea (cf. Rev. iii. 14-16).

From Donald Fraser:

At the close the apostle gives his own salutation in autograph. Perhaps, as he rose to do so, the clanking of his chain suggested to him to add, "Remember my bonds." But there is no more of this, no whining over his own unhappy lot. His great heart yearned over the church in the love of Christ; and he hastens to add, "Grace be with you." The grace of the Head to be with all the members; the grace of the Lord with all the servants! A sweet note on which to rest as the music of this profound epistle dies away. They who love the Lord and wish to do all things in His name, have daily need of grace; and the Lord has for them all the grace they need to guide, to support, to console, to purify.

It was in the course of his second missionary journey that the apostle, with Silas and Timothy, had, in the face of vehement opposition from the Jews, preached the gospel of Christ in Thessalonica, an important town on the Thermaic Gulf (Acts xvii. 1-15). The duration of their stay in this great commercial centre is uncertain; it has been variously estimated at from six to sixteen weeks. Before they left, however, the banner of the cross had been planted and a Christian church founded in the largest and most populous city of Macedonia.

That this church was mainly Gentile is seen from the facts that in neither of the letters to the Thessalonians is any quotation from the Old Testament found, and that "the converts are addressed as those who have turned to God, not from Jewish fables and traditions, but from the practices of heathen idolatry." The apostle apparently again visited Thessalonica during his third missionary journey, though subsequent to his writing the two epistles to the church there (Acts xx. 1, 2). On leaving the city the first time it was Paul's intention to return very shortly. Twice he endeavored to make his way back, and each time was "hindered by Satan" (ii. 18). Failing, therefore, in his attempt to revisit his converts in person, he sent Timothy in his stead to see how they fared, and to comfort them in the persecution which had by no means ceased with the departure from the city of the apostle himself (i. 6; ii. 14; iii. 3-5). The report Timothy brought back of their fidelity was such as to set Paul's heart at rest (iii. 6-8). Still there were some matters that needed setting right. In a company of Christians, so recently converted from heathenism, and who had for so short a time enjoyed the presence of the apostle and his companions, it was but natural that points should arise upon which further light and teaching were necessary. These will be taken up, each in its several place.

With two or three exceptions (e. g., ii. 18; iii. 5, etc.), these epistles are written in the first person plural, the "we" standing throughout for the three who had first proclaimed the gospel of Christ in "the mother of all Macedonia." After the customary greeting and giving of thanks to God on their behalf, the First Epistle to the Thessa

their faith, love, and hope, and of their election.

From Alexander Maclaren:

If your hope prove itself by the patience that comes from it, and your faith by the work which it produces, and your love by the labor which is its result, then you may believe that the hope and faith and love of our God, will abide forever. Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past, it is possible to be sure of the future, it is possible to be diligent in the present. Then how blessed such a life!

Friday, 3rd. Thessalonians i 5 to 10. It is noticeable that in neither of these Epistles to the Thessalonians is Paul's apostolic authority declared, the reason being that at this time it had not been questioned. Only later, when the Judaisers took this means to hinder his work, did he feel it incumbent upon him to vindicate his apostleship. Having assured the Thessalonians of their gratitude and prayer to God for them, the apostle-whom his colleagues, Silas and Timothy, gladly allowed to voice their sentiments-goes on to remind the converts at Thessalonica of the time when they had first heard the glad tidings of salvation. He asserts that the conviction of their election, which he has just declared himself as having, is based upon the way in which the gospel had come to them, the way in which it must ever come to be effectual-in power, in the Holy Ghost, in much assurance.

"The history of Paul's preaching of the gospel in all his ministry is briefly described in this passage, and is most significant. It was not in word only. By a consistent life among them he adorned the gospel of Jesus Christ. More harm is done the gospel by the inconsistencies of those who proclaim and profess to love it than by all the scoffers and infidels in the world. Then his message was in power. The simple gospel is always a power, and in its simplicity Paul preached it in power. His message was in the Holy Ghost. He alone convicts of sin, and the eloquence of Gabriel would be nothing unless the Holy Ghost was present to convict of sin and woo the soul to God. Paul believed the Word of God. He made no apologies for it. He knew whereof he spoke, and his own assurance served to convince others. The preaching for the twentieth century is to be of the Pauline character, if it is to win sinful men to the Saviour."

From F. B. Meyer:

Notice how closely the apostle combines the service of the living and true God-herein distinguishing Him from the dumb, dead stones of the heathen idolatries-with this waiting for His Son from heaven. It has been alleged that the hope of the Second Advent is a dreamy, mystical sentiment, which disqualifies one for the active fulfillment of the duties of life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those who cherish that anticipation, who awake in the morning saying, "Perhaps it will be today" who go to their sleep whispering to their hearts," Perchance I shall be changed into His likeness in a moment as I sleep, and wake in my resurrection body"-these are among the most devoted, strenuous, and successful workers of the church. We should never lose this spirit of eager longing and waiting. It hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. It lifts above the darkness of the present age; links the present with the great future; comforts us amid bereavement with the hope of speedy reunion; quickens us to watchfulness and consecration by the thought of the shortening of our opportunities; leads us to purify ourselves as He is pure, to gird our loins and trim our lamps.

"Oh, blessed Hope! With this elate
Let not our hearts be desolate;
But strong in faith and patience,
Until He come."

wait

Saturday, 4th. Thessalonians ii. 1 to 6. Paul esteemed the gospel message a sacred trust, for which he must some day give an account. Although he had suffered persecution at Philippi, on coming to the Thessalonians immediately afterwards, he was the same fearless denouncer of sin and proclaimer of the gospel, as previously. Many present-day professors of Christianity would have recommended a more conciliatory attitude on the part of Paul. The prejudices of society should have been recognized, and it was unwise to offend the superstitions of the people. This is the language of some worldly-wise people to-day, in criticising missionaries. But the apostle knew that some day he would have to render an account for his trust, and he sought to be faithful at the expense of popularity. Will our final accounting to the Master be of the character of Paul's or will it be after the pattern recommended by Mr. Worldly-Wise?

Nor of men sought we glory. Nothing is more pitiable than a "glory seeking" minister of the gospel. We have never yet known one who really found favor with God or man. True, some find a short-lived fame,

but it is a powerless reputation. There was more influence in a day of St. Paul's life than there is in a generation of compromising ministers. The real object of Christian service is to magnify the gospel message, and to minimize the messenger. This was the secret of the success of Paul's ministry. From G. T. Bedell:

We, sinners saved by grace, are made trustees of the gospel for saving other sinners. We are exercising this trust for the kindest, and gentlest, and most gracious of masters. Our considerate Saviour, Who has called us to the work, understands whereof we are made. He expects of us no more than we can do. He asks of us no more than He will give us strength to execute. He knows that the vessel is earthen; that it cannot bear all trials, or endure all shocks.

He is watching. He is with us. With a simple, trusting patience we labor on, committing humbly and confidently to Him to fix the place of our ministry, to surround it with such circumstances as will best forward its purpose, to sustain us in its faithful discharge, and to secure its success.

13.

Sunday, 5th. Thessalonians ii. 7 to The ministry of Paul was not only fearless and self-effacing, but it was characterized by tenderness. Mankind must be won to Christ. It is the love of Christ that con straineth us, and a true and successful minister must know the love of Christ experimentally to draw others to the Master. What a tender, loving heart the apostle reveals in his letters to the early church. As a good soldier, he fought and endured; but as a tender shepherd, he watched over the flock entrusted to his care.

While preaching a free gospel, the apostle was unwilling to become a burden to any. Working diligently at his trade as a pentmaker, he earned his own support and then gave his services. It might be a wise provision to have a manual training establishment connected with some theological seminaries. Acquaintance with a trade did not seem to impair St. Paul's ability as a logician, and it occurs to us that possibly such an intensely practical training would tend to bring men into a closer sympathy with mankind. See what powerful ministers God has raised up from the pit's mouth and the cobbler's bench; even Christ was prepared for His ministry by years of manual labor in a humble carpenter's shop.

The Word of God is as effectual to-day as in the times of the Thessalonians. When