Curious Church Customs and Cognate Subjects Part 27

Biblical and Shakespearian Characters Compared.

Studies of Life and Literature.

By the Rev. JAMES BELL.

Between the Hebrew Bible and Shakespeare there exist some interesting and instructive points of resemblance, especially in respect of their ways of life and character. No doubt certain inevitable differences also exist between them, but these do not hide the resemblance; rather they serve to set it, so to speak, in bolder relief.

The author in this volume treats of this striking resemblance, under certain phases, between Hebrew Prophecy and Shakespearian Drama.

The following are the chief "Studies" which find a place in the work:--Hebrew Prophecy and Shakespeare: a Comparison--Eli and Hamlet--Saul and Macbeth--Jonathan and Horatio--David and Henry V.--Epilogue.

The foregoing list of subjects will give some notion of the drift and style of the book, which, it is hoped, is a contribution towards a better study of the Bible in connection with our literature and moral experience.

The following short extracts are selected from a large number of reviews of Mr. Bell's book:--

"One of the most suggestive volumes we have met with for a long time."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._

"An interesting book."--_North British Daily Mail._

Second and cheaper edition. Crown 8vo. Price 1s.

The Studies of a Socialist Parson.

By the Rev. W. H. ABRAHAM, M.A. (London).

The volume consists of sermons and addresses, given mostly at the St.

Augustine's Church, Hull. The author in his preface says, "It is the duty of the clergyman to try and understand what Socialism is, and to lead men from the false Socialism to the true."

CONTENTS:--The Working-man, Past and Present: A Historical Review--Whither are we going?--National Righteousness--The True Value of Life--Christian Socialism--Jesus Christ the True Socialist--Socialism, through Christ or without Him?--The Great Bread Puzzle--Labour Day, May 1, 1892--The People, the Rulers, and the Priests--Friendly Societies--Trades' Unions--The People's Church--On some Social Questions--The Greatest Help to the True Social Life--The Great I Am--G.o.d as a Present Force--Signs of the Times.

The following are selected from a large number of favourable notices:--

"The volume is deserving of all praise."--_Glasgow Herald._

"An admirable contribution to the solution of difficult problems. Mr.

Abraham has much that is valuable to say, and says it well."--_Spectator._

"Eminently readable."--_Northern Daily News._

"The book is nicely printed and got up."--_Eastern Morning News._

Crown 8vo., 140 pp.; Fancy Cover, 1s; Cloth Bound, 2s.

Stepping Stones to Socialism.

By DAVID MAXWELL, C.E.

CONTENTS:--In a reasonable and able manner Mr. Maxwell deals with the following topics:--The Popular meaning of the Word Socialism--Lord Salisbury on Socialism--Why There is in Many Minds an Antipathy to Socialism--On Some Socialistic Views of Marriage--The Question of Private Property--The Old Political Economy is not the Way of Salvation--Who is My Neighbour?--Progress, and the Condition of the Labourer--Good and Bad Trade: Precarious Employment--All Popular Movements are Helping on Socialism--Modern Literature in Relation to Social Progress--Pruning the Old Theological Tree--The Churches: Their Socialistic Tendencies--The Future of Earth in Relation to Human Life--Socialism is Based on Natural Laws of Life--Humanity in the Future--Preludes to Socialism--Forecasts of the Ultimate Form of Society--A Pisgah-top View of the Promised Land.

The following are selected from a large number of favourable notices:

"The author has evidently reflected deeply on the subject of Socialism, and his views are broad, equitable, and quite up to date. In a score or so of chapters he discusses Socialism from manifold points of view, and in its manifold aspects. Mr. Maxwell is not a fanatic; his book is not dull, and his style is not amateurish."--_Hull Daily Mail._

"There is a good deal of charm about Mr. Maxwell's style."--_Northern Daily News._

Bound in cloth gilt, demy 8vo., price 7s. 6d. Only 500 copies printed, and each copy numbered.

The Monumental Bra.s.ses of Lancas.h.i.+re and Ches.h.i.+re.

With some Account of the Persons Represented.

_Ill.u.s.trated with Engravings from Drawings by the Author._

By JAMES L. THORNELY.

"Mr. Thornely's book will be eagerly sought by all lovers of monumental bra.s.ses."--_London Quarterly Review._

"Local archaeologists will give a hearty welcome to this book."--_Manchester Guardian._

"Mr. Thornely has produced a very interesting volume, as he has not only figured every monumental bra.s.s within the two counties to which he has confined his researches, but in every case he has given a description also, and in some instances the genealogical information is of a high order of value."--_The Tablet._

"The book is wonderfully readable for its kind, and is evidently the result of careful and painstaking labour. The chapters are well condensed, nowhere burdened with verbiage, yet sufficiently full to serve the purpose in view. The ill.u.s.trations of the various bra.s.ses are exceedingly well done, and add much value and interest to the work, which should become popular in Lancas.h.i.+re and Ches.h.i.+re."--_Warrington Guardian._

The Press on Messrs. William Andrews & Co.'s Printing and Binding.

"The book is very handsomely got up."--_Dundee Advertiser._

"A remarkably handsome volume, typographically equal to the best production of any European capital."--_North British Daily Mail._

"The book is ent.i.tled to unstinted praise on the ground of its admirable printing and binding."--_s.h.i.+elds Daily Gazette._

"Will bear comparison with the best work of the first publis.h.i.+ng firms in London or Edinburgh, the printing and paper being everything the most fastidious could desire."--_Boston Independent._

"The book is handsomely brought out."--_Scotsman._

"Beautiful work in typography and binding."--_Yorks.h.i.+re Post._

"Very pretty binding."--_Publishers' Circular._

"Most elegantly bound and tastefully printed."--_Hull Daily Mail._

"Beautifully bound and printed."--_Daily Chronicle._