THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19970, 11 December 1926, Page 4

THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.

FOR THE RELIGIOUS MINDED. By Constant Readee. I,—THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. For many years past the coming of Christmas has brought a booklet from Dr Rutherford Waddell, and happily the Christmas of 1926 forms no exception to the rule. Years ago, in the days of his active pastorate. Dr Waddell preached a series of sermons on “The Voyage of Life," and four of those addresses were published in booklet form. Subsequently : a second booklet was issued and both met with a very favourable reception but they have long been out of print. The demand for a new edition has induced Dj- Waddell to publish a third book, under the old title, containing eight addresses, four ol which have not been published before. These will be new, save to those who were privileged to hear them preached. They bear the titles “The Sea, Ships, Life,” “Sailors’ Food,” “Breakers Ahead,” and “Doing Business in Deep Waters.” These addresses exhibit all the originality of thought, felicity of expression, and aptness in the use of suitable quotations a combination of qualities which have rendered Dr Wad- ' dell’s writings so deservedly popular. More careful editing would have eliminated the reference to a previous day’s paper and the sentence “They were talking in the city last week about some failure of the Waipori electric energy,” should have been brought up to date, but there are minor blemishes which may readily, be corrected in a new edition. The main thing is that this booklet will be a suitable Christmas present to send to friends of a serious turn of mind who like serious things served up palatably. This book is published by the New Zealand Book Depot, and the price is 4s. 2.—HIGH ROADS AND CROSS ROADS. Under the title of “High Roads and Cross Roads,” the Rev. Archibald Chisholm, of Glasgow, has published a series of addresses in which an endeavour has been made to indicate some of the implications of loyalty to Christ in the ordinary affairs of life. Among the subjects dealt with are wealth, sport, books, the Church and Sacraments, a new beginning, and immortality. The addresses are simple yet practical, and the book makes a suitable gift to young folks starting out in life. The publishers are Longmans Green, and the price is 2s 6d net. 3.—THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST. FRANCIS. There have been many hooks of late dealing with St. Francis of Assisi, his life and his writings, but a pocket edition of “The Little Flowers” is a thing to be treasured. This Mr H. R. Allehson has issued, printed in clear type on India paper, mak ng a companion volume to the same publisher’s well-known “Great Souls at Prayer.” The text is based upon the translation ‘ made by the Franciscan Fathers at Upton, which has for some time been out of . print. In every way this little book is attractive, and for devotional purposes it is probably unsurpassed. The price is 3s 6d.