Contemporary Literature [pp. 175-196]

1874.] CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. 193:
Beside the characters named in the title page we have frequent references,
as in the preceding note, to Charles Wesley and to Whitefield. These, with
John Wesley, constitute a group who are designated by Mr. Tyerman as
Church of England Ritualists, up to the time of their separation from the
ULniversity of Oxford. It is curious to trace the process by which their ritualism was eliminated, and they were brought into harmonious cooperation in
a movement which has deservedly became historical. Much that is recorded
of them will appear strange to the reader, but he will admire that ordering of
Providence which made the circumstances of their age more powerful than
University training to fit them for their work. This book is appropriately
designated as a companion volume to "The Life and Times of John Wesley."
Across the Desert,- A Life of Moses. By the Rev. S. M. CAMPBELL,
D.D., with maps and illustrations. Presbyterian Board of Publication.
This biography with its illustrations has twice the charm of many of our
flashy novels, besides shedding much light upon the portion of Scripture on
which it is founded, thus being profitable for instruction.
The Board have also issued a memoir of George Paul, of Benita, one of our
devoted missionaries, which, besides being a worthy tribute to its subject. gives
information on African missions and people.
The Harpers have brought out Anecdotes of Public Men, by JOHN W.
FORNEY, originally published in the Washington Sunday Chronicle and
Philadelphia Press, which are at least quite readable and entertaining.
Dodd & lead, of New York, are continuing their interesting, if somewhat
highly, not to say over-wrought, biographies of the Pioneers and Patriots of
America, by JOHN S. C. ABBOT. We have now before us the lives of De
Soto, and Kit Carson, as recent additions to it.
Mementos of Edward Payson, D.D., embracing a Sketch of his Life and
Character, and Selections from his Works. By Rev. EDWIN L. JANES.
With an introduction by W. B. Sprague, D.D., LL.D. New York: Nelson
& Phillips.
Probably no preacher and pastor of this country or century has surpassed
Edward Payson for solemnity, now verging towards severity, and now melting
into unearthly love, in spirit and manner, in the pulpit, and in every sphere
of life and action. He was apt to be fired into an agony of earnestness which
often threw into his preaching, prayers, and private exhortation, a power almost preternatural. So his ministry was great, typical and memorable; and
now, after near half a century, may be profitably held up as a counterpoise to
dangerous tendencies of an opposite kind which are gaining strength. This
volume condenses the pith and marrow of volumes of his life and sermons,
long out of print, and likely to remain so. There is no other practicable
method of bringing them before this generation.
The Story of Madagascar. By JOHN W. MEARS, D.D., Presbyterian
Board of Publication. We are glad that the story of the progress and fortunes of the work of Christianizing Madagascar has been published by our
Board, and that its preparation has fallen into the hands of one so competent