Books Worth Reading. By the Editor. [The Editor wishes it to be understood by Members of the Union, and by all his readers, that these books are not noticed here in the way of general review, but as actually suggesting the books which he would recommend for their own perusal, and for their use as presents. The recommendation of good books is a useful help towards progress in Christian Life, and it will be in future one of the definite features of Christian Progress."] LOVING MESSAGES, by Louisa Clayton (Religious Book Society, 2/6), is a volume of sixteen Addresses for Mothers' Meetings. They are just what the title expresses-words of love and sympathy which must have reached the hearts of the mothers who were privileged to hear them. Ladies who conduct Mothers' Meetings will find them very useful to read to the women. LIKE CHRIST, by Andrew Murray (Nisbet & Co., 2/6), contains "Thoughts on the Blessed Life of Conformity to the Son of God." It is a series of readings for a month on the believer's life of likeness to Christ. It is full of deeply spiritual teaching; and will be a help to all who wish to follow Christ. We strongly recommend it. STEPPING STONES TO HIGHER THINGS, by Captain Seton Churchill (Nisbet & Co., 2/6), is a useful and stirring volume, intended, by God's grace, to lead the reader from the low level of an unconverted life to the highest standard of Christian life and work, making clear and firm every step of the way. Believers will find it full of teaching on important truths, and likely to clear up many of those spiritual fogs into which it is so easy to drift. ABOUT JESUS, by William Luff (Partridge & Co., 1/6), is a volume of poems by one whose verses are known to our readers. Many devout and helpful thoughts are feelingly expressed, and we are sure that they will encourage many a soul needing words of cheer and comfort. THE MYSTERIES OF GOD, by P. H. Gosse, F.R.S., (Hodder & Stoughton, 3/6), is "A Series of Expositions of Holy Scripture," full of teaching for believers, touching on almost every point that can possibly arise in the Christian life. It is eminently a helpful book, and states truth with great clearness and precision. The more is the pity that there is one "dead fly"-a controversial chapter on Baptism, in which the author, like all who think with him, confuses between the directions given to the earliest missionaries of the gospel, who were to go and preach to adults and baptize those who believed, and the natural outcome of this, in the arrangements of an existing Church, as to the baptism of the children of believers. We prefer to keep these questions in the background, leaving believers to follow their own judgment. Certainly, in a book of help in Christian life, controversy is out of place, and must hinder its circulation and usefulness. MY SERMON NOTES, by C. H. Spurgeon (Passmore & Alabaster, 2/6), is a selection from outlines of discourses delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. It is a most useful and suggestive volume for all who have to deliver addresses. It abounds in thought, illustration, and anecdote. It will also prove a help to private meditation. My FRIENDS, an Autograph Album (J. E. Hawkins, 2/-), is a very pretty little book, arranged to receive autographs of friends, Each page is embelished with a pretty coloured picture, in which is tastefully set the space for the name. THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE, by H. S. Hastings (Bagster & Sons, 3d.), is a pamphlet which should be distributed by thousands in every direction. Time!* By M. L. Macey. TIME belongs to every one without exception! How solemn, almost awful is Time, when we begin to think of it. So silent, yet ever on the wing, carrying with it tales of faithful service, or the opposite. Think of it now that another year is added to the list of our days gone into eternity. As the clock ticked out in the solemn stillness of a midnight watch, with what a warning voice did it seem to say, "How much owest Thou unto my Lord?" As with softened hearts perhaps we answer, "All," does the Tempter come to us, saying, "No, not quite all, keep a little for yourself?" It is a common expression, "My time is my own," or, "I cannot do so and so, my time is not my own;" meaning that we either have leisure, or else serve others in some capacity. But is time really our own? Can we put forth our hand, and say, "Stop, I wish to do something ?" Or, if laid on a bed of sickness and death, can we call time to our aid? No; remorseless yet merciful time is far beyond our control; we are but stewards who must give an account of it. What are we doing with it? "Millions of money for an hour of time !" was the cry of one who had wasted his life. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness," was the joyful utterance of one who had spent the greater part of his life all for God. Which *This is extracted from a stirring little address for the New Year entitled, "How much owest thou unto my Lord?" which may be obtained of the writer, Mrs. Macey, The Willows, Bourne End, Bucks. Price 2d. each. should we rather be like? "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap" (Gal vi. 7). If we sow for a blessed eternity by using our minutes for God, we shall reap the fruit of them in His presence. Are we always then to be praying, reading the Bible, going to meetings? To answer that question, study the life of the Lord Jesus. We know all His time was given to His Father: how did He use it? To put it in one sentence, "He went about doing good" (Acts x. 38). Prayer? Yes, it was the attitude of his soul. The Scriptures? They were His daily food, the weapon with which He vanquished Satan (Matt. iv.), and the means by which He convinced His disciples of His Messiahship (Luke xxiv.). He loved and attended His Father's house of prayer: but His days were filled up with loving, unselfish devotion to the needs of others. Curing a cripple here, comforting a sorrowful heart there, warning the ungodly, offering the water of life to a poor sinner; in His early years showing in His home what true obedience and submission are; often weary, yet perfect in His daily selfdenial, such was our Saviour's life. We do not want secular and religious times, but should seek in every thing we do to give all to God. Will not this test often show us what things are right to do or not? Oh, toiling ones, whose life is one round of care and hard work, and whose opportunities seem so few, remember your Lord was poor, and "He had no leisure so much as to eat ;" you can glorify God in the time He gives you; only be faithful in your task, do it for Him, and you will have a reward as much as those who have more leisure to work in His fields. What a joy to be able to say as the weary head is laid on the pillow at night," Father, I have not taken Thy message to many souls to-day, but I have tried to use my time for Thee." The Hidden Life. By Eleanor Grant. "HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD."- Coloss. iii. 3. My life is hid, Oh Christ, with Thee, I wait in prayer. For Thou art with me in the gloom, My life is hidden, Lord, with Thee, Oh! fold Thy child within Thy breast, My life is hidden here below And now, whatever may betide I cease from self, and so I hide In Thee again. How feeble and how foolish, I! And Thou hast lifted up my head, To Thee all honour, Lord, belongs, The wilderness, with all its throes, I could not, Saviour, stand alone, Thy words of promise cannot fail, Oh! Master, how can heart conceive, I only look to Thee in prayer, For mercies crowning every day, For all the wonders Thou hast wrought, I can but praise Thee, and I ask Oh! may I brighten some poor heart, If from this timid child of Thine, My Lord, I cannot look for more, "CONSECRATED RECREATION."-The Editor is sorry that, in issuing this little volume, he is not able to please everybody. Some complain dreadfully that the paper on dancing, which they seem to regard as the most useful of all the chapters, is left out. He must ask them kindly to trust his judgment in the matter. There is quite enough said about dancing in the book, as it is now, to lead any right-minded people to give it up at once, and after all, that is the great object in view. And any who still danced, after reading it, would be very uncomfortable in doing so, and that is a great point gained. We think ourselves that it would be a grievous pity, and a deep wrong to those who would be helped by all that is included in the volume, to refuse to distribute it, as some seem inclined to do, because the more lengthy consideration of dancing is omitted. The book is published by Nisbet & Co., 21, Berners Street, |