14 JULY 1900, Page 23

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as have not been reserved for reriew in other forms.]

The Life of Dwight L. Moody. By his Son. (Morgan and Scott. 10s. 6d.)—Mr. Moody was born in 1837; he began life as a commercial traveller; at the age of twenty-four "he turned his back on an income of five thousand dollars a year." His work as a teacher and preacher was at first carried on in Chicago. He was there when the Civil War broke out. The spiritual oppor- tunities which this offered him interested him profoundly and were eagerly seized. They took him away from Chicago to the front; but he returned to the town when peace was restored. In 1870 he met Mr. Sankey at Indianapolis. After some little time the two joined hands in a partnership which certainly had a remarkable success. Mr. Moody had already visited England. He went again in 1872, and this time he summoned Mr. Sankey to join him. We need not follow the story of his work any further. That be did a great amount of good cannot be doubted, but

Chrictianitywould-be but poorly served if all its preachers were of the Moody type. He had a mind quite incapable of appreciating criticism, and put, it would seem, all the allegories and traditions of the Old Testament on the same level with the Gospel. It is curious to see him complaining. of .the. men who recognise facts that "they are emptying the churches and driving the young men of this generation into infidelity." The complaint might certainly be retorted. A Moody ministry would certainly banish education from the Christian .Church.--The Great Awakening, by a Chancery Barrister, edited by Bishop Courtenay (R. Grant and Son, Edinburgh), is 'a treatise on the life after death. • (The " Chancery, Barrieter," it may be explained, is the Bishop himself:)--In the Shadows; or, Thoughts for Mourners. By May Wynne. (Marshall Brothers. 6d.)—.4 Form of Prayers. By John, Marquess of Bute. (Burns and Oates. ls.)—" For the use of Catholics unable to hear Mass on Sundays and Holidays."