THE NEW GOSPEL AND THE OLD. If any reader of "Robert Elsmere," an imaginary biography, has shaken in his faith, let him read the Memoirs of James Hanning the story of an actual life. Both are typical English characters, “mu: Christians," and graduates of Oxford. Both entered the ministry o Established Church, and each subsequently went through a severe mental struggle. As a result, one gave up his belief in supernatural religion; the other rose to a higher spiritual plane. Both resigned their livings: one to wander aimlessly abroad for a time in company with his family while struggling with his doubts and unbelief; the other to plunge into Africa alone, yet with a heart all aglow, as a missionary of the old Gospel. One came back home restored to health, and after a time established, not a church, but the club of "The New Brotherhood," in East London; the other returned broken in health but not in spirit, only for a more thorough equipment, and with broader plans and new desires to win a continent for Christ. One moved much in the refined atmosphere of art and science and literature; the other dwelt in the coarse environment of a pagan land. And finally, when one broke down under his London labors, again, in the company of those whom he best loved, he went abroad in search of health, but only to die, with these incoherent utterances falling from his lips: "The child's cry! Thank God! Oh! Myrick! Catherine! Thank God!" The other, on a missionary journey hotly pressed by savage enemies thirsting for his life, was for eight days a lonely prisoner far from home, kindred, and friends. And yet, on that last day of life, he wrote in his diary—and the ink was scarcely dry when he was led forth to be shot to death: "Oct. 29 (eighth day's prison). I can hear no news, but was held up by Psalm xxx., which came to me with great power. A hyena howled near me last night, smelling a sick man, but I hope it is not to have me yet." While his last words to his friends in England (written not long before), words scribbled by the lamp of some camp-fire, were: If this is the last chapter of my earthly history, then the next will be the first page of the heavenly; blots and smudges, but sweet converse in the presence of the Lamb.”—N. Observer. *THE LIFE OF JAMES HANNINGTON, D.D., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., First Bishop of Equatoria Africa. A History of his Life and Work. By E. C. Dawson, M.A., Oxon. New and cheape edition. With portrait, map, and numerous illustrations. 12mo, cloth, $1.25. Sent by ma on receipt of price. New York: ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & Co. |