Blackwell Family Blackwell, Alice Stone Subject File Armenia: Reviews of Armenian PoemsReviews of Armenian Poems Harper's April 189616 April 1896 The Congregationalist 637 PROGRESS OF THE KINGDOM OUR OWN WORK. In the Black Belt. Those who have never visited the south can form no adequate con ception of the vastness of the home mission field under the A.M.A.-of its sore distress and need. Even those who have visited the cities and towns of the South have not seen the black South. In the six Southern States containing what has been called the Black Belt there are 4,000,000 Negroes, less than half a million of whom live in the cities, towns and villages. In an interesting article in The American Missionary Secretary Woodbury de clares that "the rank superstitions, the be life in necromancy and witchcraft, the wild orgies of excitement, the utter divorce be tween the moral virtues and what is called religion, which obtain among these millions of plantation Negroes are but little under stood."The moral and religious condition of many communities in this region may be judged from the testimony of a colored man for many years in direct association with min- isters in this part of the South, who says that three-fourths of those who are now acting as preachers in all the Black Belt are absolutely unfit intellectually and morally, to preach the gospel. At its best, in multitudes of cases, what is called religion in these planta- tion churches is but a form of sensational ex incitement. The deep work of regenerating the soul and life, the vital need of these people, is not done, is not even attempted. Yet among these dark masses plunged in ignorance, pov- erty and vice Secretary Woodbury sees signs of a great awakening, an eagerness for educa- tion, a desire for better preachers, a call for pure churches which emphasize virtue and intelligence, and he calls upon our churches to arouse themselves to the opportunity by providing the A.M.A. with means, not only for a more ample support of its educational service, but for the planting and upbuilding of free Congregational churches among these destitute millions. Printer's Ink in India. From Rev. H.J. Bruce of Satara come an interesting pamphlet showing what one of our American Board missionaries has accomplished with a small printing press. More than ten years ago he bought a little amateur press with the thought that it might be a source of amusement and instruction for his children, but he soon rec- ognized its possibilities as an evangelistic agency. The typographical supplies were therefore enlarged and the little press turned out nearly half a million pages of books, tracts, leaflets and Scripture cards. During a visit to America in 1888-89 Mr. Bruce obtained a larger and more powerful press, and began the publication of religious literature on a much larger scale, his primary object being to provide for the wants of his own district, but such urgent requests came from other mis- sionaries that many thousands of leaflets and cards were sent to fields in all parts of the Marathi speaking country. These tracts, some of which are illustrated, have been distributed broadcast in the railway trains, at the great annual festivals, on the city streets and by house to house visitation, and though it is impossible to see the results, it is known that in multitudes of cases the gospel leaflets are eagerly read, and some conversions have been traced directly to their influence. The Columbia press at Satara now takes its place as a valuable evangelistic agency, having issued in six years nearly 2,000,000 publications. A Missionary as a Business Man. Dr. Herrick of Constantinople, in an appreciative biographical sketch of the late Rev. J.F. Smith of Marsovan, emphasizes his service as a financier and business adviser. "Probably the treasurer of the Turkish missions and the treasurer of the A.B.C.F.M. would say that no better station treasurer than Brother Smith could be found and, in saying this, I refer not so much to accuracy in his accounts as to scrupulous fidelity in the prevention of all irregularities or advance drafts upon the treasury, in holding himself and others strictly and uncompromisingly, in the face of strong temptation to a generous laxity, to the spirit and the letter of his instructions. He was a born economist. He could live on less salary than others and his personal account always showed a surplus. Moreover, in gifts to the poor he was unusually generous, always giving more than a tenth of his salary." Mr. Smith's rare business ability, which so ably qualified him to be treasurer of Anatolia College, as well as station treasurer, was always at the service of the humblest individuals. He used to say: "The man who wishes to see me is the man I wish to see," and would often give precious hours to some one who sought advice in his perplexing affairs, careful to turn the interview before its close to spiritual profit. Again Dr. Herrick writes: "I have known Mr. Smith, when in infirm health, on a visit to an outstation church where difficulties existed, to sit through a long evening and even till three o'clock in the morning, watching his opportunity to harmonize and guide to right results, determined the long session should not end without the accomplishment of good." American Board Receipts. The receipts during March are more encouraging than for the same month last year, but the record of seven months of the financial year as compared with the same period in 1895 shows a decrease in every item, making a total falling off of more than $20,000, as is seen by the following figures: Mar., 1895 Mar., 1896 Regular donations, $31,291.12 $32,499.91 Donations for special objects, 2,537.55 4,456.73 Legacies, 11,094.83 19,482.77 _______ ______ _______ ______ $44,923.50 $56,439.41 Seven mos. Seven mos. last year. this year. Regular donations, $235,292.33 $233,120.02 Donations for special objects, 28,211.74 26,414.30 Legacies, 91,793.66 75,005.72 _______ ______ _______ ______ $355,297.73 $334,540.04 THE WORLD AROUND. Menelek's Religious Views. A remarkable let- ter has recently been written by Negus Men- elek to Mr. F.S.R. Clarke, an English mis- sionary, in which the King of Abyssnia shows imself as well able to discuss theology as to lead an army. With much dignity he beings: "You are mistaken in believing that I do not care for your prayers. All prayers of believ- ers are dear to me, even when they come from the children of Eruope. Not all are aggres- sors in my kingdom; not all have bet the knee before Baal, the god of destruction and the slaughterer of brothers. Many, I am sure, still truly adore the God of the cross, the God of justice and of peace. With them I feel in perfect communion of faith and I am happy that they pray for me, for my house- hold and my people." The remainder of the letter indicates the strange mixture of Juda- ism and Christianity which characterizes the Abyssinian church as seen in the practice of circumcision, fastings, ablutions and other Mosaic institutions. Menelek defends the authority of the Old Testaments laws, and ex- pressess a wish that Western Christians would "return and lead others back to the truth gospel which began with the creation of the world, instead of a mutilated gospel which ex- plains the confusion and the infidelity of the peoples of Europe," and he asks, "By what right do they efface the whole portion of it which precedes the coming of Jesus Christ and have they done away with what God estab- lished for all time?" After an argument in favor of circumcision and a warm tribute to the 300,000 Jews in his kingdom, who are not subjected to the persecution their race receives in Europe, this African ruler closes his curious epistle with these words of advice: "What you need is to return to our God, to observe all his ordinances, no longer separate Moses and the prophets from the apostles, or St. Peter from St. Paul. Whoever wishes to serve God must humble himself and obey. You know that, envoy of God. Teach it in Europe and Asia. I am having it taught in Africa." Jews of Abyssinia. Menelek's reference to the Jews in Abyssinia opens up an interest- ing subject. They are a peculiar class known as the Falasha, that is, "exiles" or "emi- grants," whose origin is utterly unknown. It seems probable that they are a portion of the great Jewish dispersion, but whether they found their way to Abyssinia before New Testament days or after the destruction of Jerusalem is uncertain. These Hebrews ave the Old Testament and observe the Mosaic ritual, but know nothing of Talmudic Juda- ism. They have been despised the perse- cuted in former times by the Abyssinian Christians, although the present king chooses to praise the Falashas and call the attention of Christendom to their comfortable condi- tion. Missionary work was undertaken among the Abyssian Jews in 1859 by Dr. Stern under the auspices of the Society for Promoting Christianity Among the Jews with encouraging results, but in 1863 the gov- ernment interfered, the missionaries were thrown into prison, where they remained sev- eral years until released by Lord Napier. Since that time no European missionary has been permitted to labor among the Falashas, but native converts have carried on the en- terprise under the superintendence of J. M. Flad, who has cared for and planned the work from his home in Kornthal. Y.P.S.O.E. Prayer Meeting By Rev. Isaac O. Bankin Topic, April 26 - May 2. Choose the Good Part. Luke 10:38-42; Matt. 6:31-34. Supposed, in order to make Martha's error plain, that we break apart the word in which our Lord described her case. "Martha, Mar- tha, thou art full of care and trouble." She was so anxious lest something should go wrong with her housekeeping that she had no strength left to enjoy Christ's company. She was so hospitable that she had no hospitality left for the higher ministry of her guest. We often make this blunder of preferring a lower to a higher good, and must learn to re- member that what comes first in our heart's seeking gives color to all that follows it. It was no mistake for Martha to be concerned with her housekeeping. That was her business in life, and we are to be diligent in business. But the love of God comes first, and when it comes it takes away anxiety. Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be added. Beginning with the love of Christ means continuing with Christ's promise. Worry is always a form of doubt. It spoils our peace and hurts our in- fluence. True Christian strength does its best quietly and leaves the result to God. We are educated by our choices. The lower and the higher are always before us, and our temptation is to look down and not up in choosing, to do the easy or the habitual thing, and to forget that the good part is the best part for all the uses of life. Parallel verses: Matt. 7: 13, 14; 1 Kings 18: 21; Josh. 24: 15; Luke 19: 41, 42; 1 Cor. 12: 31. Disillusioned. Dr. F. H. Wines, the penologist, tells the following story to illustrate the chasm that sometimes yawns between theory and fact. A woman in Denver becomes a jail matron. She thus expressed her theory in a quatrain written in her diary: Help whomever whenever you can. For man forever needs help from man. Let never a day die in the west Without having comforted some sad breast. Four years later she wrote the following in her diary: Watch whomever whenever you must Knowing full well there are few you can trust. Never a day dies in the west But somebody euchres me doing my best.The Congregationalist Literature -------- Book Reviews THE LIFE OF THOMAS HUTCHINSON. No man in the early history of the New England colonies was more unpopular, and perhaps none was more prominent, than Thomas Hutchinson. He was representative to the General Court, chief justice, lieutenant governor and governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and in all the heated controversies between the people and the English Government he was the steadfast defender of royalty. For many years he was the cause of irritation often breaking out in the province, occasionally intensified into riots which have become famous in history. During the Stamp Act riots in 1765, his house on Court Street, Boston, was destroyed by a mob. Two of his sons were consignees of the tea that was destroyed in Boston Harbor in 1773. He was the last of the royal governors of Massachusetts. His public career in New England extends over thirty-seven years, and during nearly all that time he was in the midst of public controversies, often with men like James Otis, Samuel Adams and others who are famous in the annals of the Revolutionary War. There are abundant documents throwing light on Hutchinson's career, many of them the productions of his own pen. Many more were written by his political opponents. The writer of the biography now and before us, Mr. James K. Hosmer, is well qualified for his task, having already won honorable distinction by his lives of Samuel Adams and Sir Harry Vane, and by other historical work of high value. His task in this instance is not a popular one and will not please all his readers. We do not think he has done full justice to the patriots of Massachusetts Colony, and we are not disposed to accept without qualification the character of Governor Hutchinson as her portrayed. Mr. Hosmer's sympathy with his subject leads him sometimes to take the position of an advocate rather than an impartial biographer. Yet he has evidently devoted much time to painstaking research and is familiar with writings which have done injustice to the governor, as well as with the voluminous "Hutchinson Correspondence." He has aimed to speak in a judicial mood. The style is pleasing and forceful, and the material is connected with the most important period of our colonial history. The book is a valuable contribution, along fresh lines, to the early history of New England. [Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $4.00.] RELIGIOUS. Two volumes of the Little Books on Religion edited by W. Robertson Nicholl are The Visions of a Prophet, by Marcus Dods, and The Four Temperaments, by Alexander Whyte, D. D. Dr. Whyte's book is dedicated to Jacob Behmen, and is pleasantly tinged with a mystic view of humanity and its relation to the world, which will be helpful as well as enjoyable to its readers. Professor Dod's book is a study of Zechariah. How modern the prophecies of Scripture are, with the recurrence of the old problems of humanity in new conditions and combinations, the exposition and application here bear witness. In speaking of the problems of the day Professor Dods says: "Our hope lies in the continuance of resolute, serious minded inquiry into religious matters. Serious men will in the long run be drawn where there is freest access to the truth," and this never needed more emphasis than it does today. [Dodd, Mead & Co. Each 50 cents.] The Life of Privilege, by Prebendary Webb Peploe. These addresses were delivered at the Northfield Bible Conference last summer. They are fine examples of the hortatory style of speaking, and their publication in book form will extend and perpetuate their influence. [Fleming H. Revell Co. $1.00] Notes from My Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, by D. L. Moody. Students of Mr. Moody's method of Bible exposition will find some of its secrets recorded here in preface and text. To him the Book is alive with divine suggestion, and he comes to it with earnest study and welcomes suggestion from all quarters. Any one who uses his books slavishly will miss its best help, which is inits suggestiveness. If it shall direct the attention of preachers to the real power of thought and prayer and searching to bring forth treasures new and old from the familiar mine, the book will have done its best service. [Fleming H. Revell Co. $1.00] Christianity Vindicated by Its Enemies, by Daniel Dorchester, D. D. This is an interesting theme, and the materials gathered by Dr. Dorchester are valuable. An index will help the reader to refer to the instances quoted. [Hunt & Eaton. 75 cents.] STORIES We have six stories dealing with events in French history. O'dest in point of date of writing as well as of historical order is Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities and Edwin Drood, with illustrations and introduction, biographical and bibliographical by Charles Dickens the Younger. This may be called the classic historical novel of the French Revolution, and it is needless to stop to discuss its merits or shortcomings here. It is well printed and makes a satisfactory edition of a favorites story. [Macmillan & Co. $1.00] To the same general school belongs When Greek Meets Greek, by Joseph Hatton. The author calls it a tale of love and war, and both are present in its well-studied pages, while the plot is clever, retaining the interest of the reader to the end. [J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.50] Treating of the same scenes as the other two is At the Sign of the Guillotine, by Harold Spender. It shows some traces of a lack of experiences in story writing, and is artistically marred by a conclusion which involves an anti-climax, but has a good plot, well sustained and gives a vivid picture of Paris during the Terror. [Merriam Co. $1.00] The Outlaw of Camargue, by A. De Lamothe, translated by Anna T. Sadlier, is of quite another school. It is a French picture of France in teh time of the Revolution, in what might be called a series of sketches hung on the thread of a romantic story. [Benziger Brothers. $1.25.] At a slightly later period begin The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, by A Conan Doyle, which belongs to the school of the elder Dumas rather then to that of Dickens-if so original a writer as Dr. Doyle must be referred to any school. Those who enjoy well-invented and brightly told adventure, with a good spice of humor, will get a great deal of pleasure from the book, which is well printed and illustrated. [D. Appleton & Co. $1.50.] The American in Paris, a biographical novel by Eugene Coleman Savidge, has its scene in the second Terror, the days of the Commune. The book is written from an American standpoint, and is strongly planned, but perhaps bears too many marks of the notebook and the library for its best literary and dramatic effect. American patriotism is the moving force of its creation, and the writer finds the influence of his own country's life and thought in all the movements of modern history. In spite of this literary overweight the book is a stirring and readable one. [J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.00.] POETRY One of the most spontaneous and musical of our younger poets is Clinton Scollard, whose IIills of Song comes to be added to his former poetic achievement. We like these verses, not merely her the unfailingly skillful workmanship, but for a spirit of faith and cheer which is not too common in our singing. Here is a bit quite appropriate to the season: Be ye in love with April-tide? I' faith, in love am I, For now't is sun and now't is shower, And now't is frost and now't is flower, And now't is Laura laughing-eyed, And now't is Laura shy. Ye doubtful days, O shower glide! Still smile and frown, O sky! Some beauty unforseen I trace In every change of Laura's face. Be ye in love with April-tide? I' faith, in love am I. [Copeland & Day. $1.25.] The House of the Trees and Other Poems, by Ethelyn Wetherald. This is a dainty book, beautifully printed on creamy rough paper, with a portrait of the author for a frontispiece and a picturesque and poster-like young lady in green on the title-page. The verse is somewhat unequal, but at the best it is of a high order and of a delightful music. Such a lyric as Autumn Fire sings itself into the memory. The author loves the out-of-door world, and her verse gains from sympathy and insight with its changes. [Lamson, Wolffe & Co. $1.00] Armenian Poems, rendered into English verse by Alice Stone Blackwell. Miss Blackwell has succeeded in carrying over much of the native fire into her translations from the classic and modern poems of Armenia, a thing all the more difficult to accomplish because the material was at her disposal only in a prose English or French translation. Patriotism, love and lament over the long and unfortunate story of the Armenian nation appear in these verses, which give us a very high opinion of the literary capacity of the race which produced them. The book is well edited and has a portrait of Raphael Patkanian, one of the poets from whom translations have been made. [Roberts Brothers. $1.25.] A beautiful little book is Emily Shaw Forman's Wild Flower Sonnets. The poems are thoughtful and melodious, and the illustrations by Abbott Graves are remarkably successful in catching the spirit of the blossoms in their natural surroundings. Such work as this in purely home scenes is full of the highest promise. The book is a blossom calendar for wood and shore and meadow. [Joseph Knight Co. $1.00.] Bishop Spaulding of the Roman Catholic diocese of Peoria sends us his Songs, Chiefly from the German. Many of the translations are successful, although in the sense of reaching the highest level in English in a