BOOKS REVIEWED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 20, 5 November 1935, Page 7

BOOKS REVIEWED

THE PACIFIST ATTITUDE.

PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER’S

VIEWS.

A booklet that deals with a subject of prime importance at the present juncture in world affairs is published thy Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. It is )3y the Rev. Isaac Jolly and is “Pacifism at the bar of Holy Scripture and: History.” In a foreword the Hon. W. Downie Stewart says: “I hope that Mr Jolly’s contribution' to this vexed question will be studied not only by his fellow-members of the Presbyterian faith, but by all those who have been led to adopt the pacifist view on Biblical or historical grounds without perhaps having given the' matter as careful thought as the writer of this booklet.” The author discusses his subject under five headings: That pacifism is contrary to the teaching of God; that pacifism is contrary to the teaching of history; that pacifism is contrary to the principles of the Reformed ' Church; pacifism and the changed character of war; snd that pacifism, if widely adopted in the British Empire, would increase the danger of war and would endanger the safety of the Empire. It is a booklet that will/,interest and should certainly be studied. ; ~ ■ • ' ' - \ ROMANCE OF OLD TIMES. Jeffery Farnol needs no introduction to those who find pleasure in roinances dealing with olden days. In liis latest book, published by Sampson, Low, Marston and Co., London, he tells of the adventures of one known as “John o’ the Green”—this being the title of the book —who, captured by the King’s soldiers, was condemned to death with nine companions on the charge of being outlaws. The King, unable to break John’s spirit, promises the life of all the party if within four months he shall, by force or guile, bring.a “proud termagant” duchess to his Majesty, dead or alive, so that lier possessions may be added to his realm. John, sets out, and is soon joined by tlired friends who, like himself, hide knightly lineage under Greenwood names. John is a whimsical maker and singer of rhymes and. jingles and one of the first adventures that befall him is to rescue a young woman from three assailants. Thereafter his time is spent between uttering shrewd words of wisdom in the guise of nonsense, fighting many foes and falling in love. How the duchess went before the King provides 'a fitting conclusion to a well written,/ exciting story. Tbo review copy was received from Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., per Mr Newton C. Jones.

“STARLIGHT PASS.” “Starlight Pass,” by Tom Gill, is a new; book published by Angus and Robertson, Ltd. It deals with the life in the .United States forest .service, in which the authorities are pitted against a gang of exploiters of. the timber assets of the North West, who stop at no crime in order to achieve their ends. There enters the township a stranger, who is induced to meet in a boxing match the bully overseer of the logging camp. He is befriended by only- one man, a forester, and a warm comradeship develops between them. The two ultimately overcome their opponents', but ‘ not before they . and others have narrowly escaped death by violence and the forces of nature. “Starlight Pass” is a sparkling out-of-doors aomance crammed with gripping incident and with a fascinating love interest. All who like a wholesome story in a rough and dangerous setting will enjoy it thoroughly.