Methodist Idylls. By Harry Lindsay. (James Bowden.) — It is
rather a matter for regret that Mr. Lindsay should have chosen the word " idylls " as a title for this volume of carefully executed studies in character and spirituality. It cannot fail to recall the book by means of which Mr. Barrie attained fame, and to suggest the idea of imitation on its author's part. As a matter of fact, there is a considerable resemblance between the earlier artist's "Auld Lichte " and the " Methodies " of the later. The two sets of pietists are about equally uncompromising, and their "dialects "—although Mr. Lindsay assures us that in this matter he has spared us—are equally hard nuts to crack. At the same time, there is every reason to believe that Mr. Lindsay has seen the men and women whom he describes, and if he has neither the humour nor the pathos which have been enlisted in the service of the humble saints of Thrums, he draws forcibly and writes clearly. Mr. Lindsay seems better suited for the telling of a story than for the sketching of a character, even although in the latter case the aid of incident is invoked. Thus "Aaron Priestley's Stewardship," and "Do Unto Others," with which the volume opens, though interesting enough in themselves, and although their teaching is unimpeachable, are scarcely so enjoy- able as "The Mellowing of Jesse Stallard" and "Ned Thorn- bury's Love-Story," both of which turn upon the softening, —thanks to circumstances,—of an uncompromisingly austere Methodist nature. "Ned Thornbury's Love-Story" is both very pretty in its way and very well told ; the gradual succumb- ing of Ned's mother to the influence of the girl who is destined to be her daughter-in-law is admirably sketched. "The Back- slider" brings out very clearly: the essential generosity and comprehensiveness of the Methodist nature ; "A Member o' the Boord " shows with equal clearness how it can be effectually com- bative if the necessity should arise. "John Oakley's Christmas- box" gives a new and bright view of the prodigal son. It repre. gents a ne'er-do-well, not only as repentant, but as bringing sub- stantial happiness into the lives of his parents. Altogether this is a strong though unpretentious book of its kind ; the teaching which is indirectly conveyed is thoroughly wholesome, and the sketches, although they are not painfully realistic, have nothing of the character of extravagance about them.
Previous page
