p. 128 | LITERARY NOTICES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 25, 1893

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

"HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS" by Rev. John Henry Barrows, D.D., is the title of a work now issuing by the Parliament Publishing Company of Chicago. Published in two volumes, 812 pages each; price per set, in cloth stamped with gold, $5.00; leather stamped with gold, $7.50; full morocco, $10.

Dr. Barrows was the most prominent actor in bringing about this world-famous meeting. He was the organizer and chairman of the parliament. He alone of all others is able to furnish a complete history of the great parliament. While other works may give a verbatim report of all that was done and read at the parliament, Dr. Barrows will give very much which did not come before the parliament at all. None of the cheaper works will compare with it in richness of illustration. These pictures have been sent from all parts of the earth, for the express purpose of furnishing the wealth of marvelous illustrations adorning this book.

Many of the most important papers were not read in full, some not at all, in the parliament, and others were but partially reported in the papers. The learned story of the religions of the world has never yet had such a chapter as the very extended account of Pung Kwang Yu, Chinese secretary of legation, of Confucianism. Here, for the first time in human history, China has told the world its impressive story with a scholarship and literary felicity worthy of the highest honors of any European university. The first and general part only of this masterly Chinese document has been heard or published. The more special and significant second and third parts will appear in full in the first volume of Dr. Barrows' book, and cannot be found in any other publication. Mr. Pung is a gentleman and a scholar, a courteous critic also of American and English mission methods, whose words will raise questions for Christians extremely hard to answer. And what is true of this contribution to the parliament applies to a large part of the wealth of material in the hands of Dr. Barrows for adequately filling out the representation of the religions of the world. Much of it has not been heard at all and cannot be used for any other publication; much of it was specially added by authors of papers to more clearly bring home to Christians the problems which the other religions raise.

One of the most interesting parts of Dr. Barrows' great history will be the account of the years of labor which preceded the parliament. He has given an elaborate sketch, for which no other writer has the materials, of the plans for the parliament, the responses from all over the world, and the scenes and doings of the opening and closing meetings.

Whatever we may think of the influence of the parliament, everyone who wishes to be intelligent in regard to this great meeting must have a history of it; and it goes without saying that the best is that by Dr. Barrows.

The California Illustrated Magazine for December is a superb number. The holly bough and berries in green, gold, and red, adorn its cover. The first thing which greets us in the body of the work is "The Messiah," a fine little poem (illustrated), by Lucius H. Foote. "California through a Snow Bank" (illustrated by photographs) is the experience of a winter in California, with all of its varied changes—delightful reading on a cold winter morning for an Easterner. "Early Art in America," "Hills and Corners of San Francisco," and many others are of interest. The illustrations are excellent. Price, 25 cents. Obtained at any news agency.