REVIEWS.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 236, 18 February 1915, Page 7

REVIEWS.

“Jaya,” by Beatrice M. Harband. By the courtesy of the author, we have received a copy of “Jaya," Miss Harband’s recent work. We would like to see this work more widely read and known in our Dominion. It is a thrilling story of missionary work in India; there is not a dull page in it. The reader, who is transported to India, with it> warmth and light and colour, lays down the book, when read, and gazes around with a start, to find herself still in grey and sombre New Zealand. Jaya, the heroine, is daughter of a Brahmin. Her life is described at her home as maiden and a> girl wife, then her departure with her husband, his death, her return home as a despised, neglected, ill-treated widow ; finally the struggle, vividly pourtrayed, when she renounces her religion and embraces Christianity. Other characters are Krcshna K.iu, Java’s father, Hindu gentleman, with a thin veneer of Western lulturc spread over the Hindu traditions and superstitions engraved deep in his character. The husband, a man who haunts shrines and consorts with dancing girls, and the old grandmother, are portraits drawn from life. Mani, the dancing girl, and Sudevi, her mother, roust* in us feelings of deep pity for these unfortunate women, dedicated to a life of vice, which is counted virtuous, because sanctioned both by law and religion. The two missionaries are well drawn, and give us some idea of their work, its sacrifices, its discouragements, and its glorious triumphs. Miss Harband is a returned missionary, forced by ill-health to abandon the work she loved, and now anxious to help it with her pen. Her sister, a graduate of the NI niversity, is Lady Principal of the London Missionary Society’s Training Institution for Bible Women and Zenana Teachers in Madras. By the proceeds from one of her books Miss Harband built the training institution which bears her mother's maiden name, “Lucy Hartelon Hall.” Miss Harband writes: “My heart’s desire is that someone may read ‘Java’ and be inspired to go forth in my stead to help the girls and women whom Jaya and Mani represent. Abiding at home, I pray that Cod will use my pen on behalf of these Hindu women. “Jaya” contains 300 pages, is plainly printed, and well bound, and costs

bs. Any Union may take copies to sell, and receive 25 per cent, on sales to be put to the funds of any missionary or other society introducing them to the reading public. (Published by Messrs Morgan and Scott, Ltd.) “Choice Sayings.” Robt. C. Chapman. is net. “Secret of Adoration,” by Andrew Murray, D.D. Cloth, is. These two books are for the quiet hour of meditation and prayer. Dr. Murray’s book contains a reading for every day in the month, and truly these readings lift the soul up to heavenly places. Reading them, we seem to be in the secret of His presence. “Choice Sayings’ are what their name says, “Choice.” Culled from many expositions, grouped under different and varied heads, such as “Conflict,” “Conscience,” “Unbelief,’ etc. They bring the <hild of God into dose relationship with the Divine Father, until he "ocm to hear His voice in grieved accents speaking to His erring child in loving tones, inspiring the faint-hearted, and saying, “Well done” to the faithful. “The Bible in Brazil,” by F. C. Glass. 2s fid net. This the story of marvellous work done by the circulation of the Bible in Brazil. How “Happy Peter," the prisoner, found God by reading His Word even in gaol. It tells of hardships and struggles to carry God’s word to the people of Brazil, and gives incidents of many trophies won for the Master. For 15 years Mr Glass has been at work distributing the Bible in Brazil, and has had many thrilling experiences. It is vividly written, and decidedly worth reading. “The Supplement” i- what it- name implies, a supplement to any hymn book. It contains words and musie of hymns. Some of the h yin ns are old favourites, but very many are new. The tune*. are n< w and choice, and well within the range of any average choir. The harmony is above the average in books of its dass, each part having an interesting melody, instead of, as so often, sing ing right through on a few notes continually repeated. As it was issued last year, it is decidedly “up-to-date.”