NO TICES OF BOOKS.

Evening Star, Issue 3309, 27 September 1873, Page 3

NO TICES OF BOOKS.

Sketches of the Life of Bishop Fatteson in Melanesia: Published under the direction of the Tract Committee by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. .Keith and Wilkie, Dunedin, EvePy age of Christianity has its martyrs —men of whom the world was not worthy. Some have died witnesses to. the truth in nations where civilisation had raised up a system of superstition and philosophy, which, pandering to the vices of men, rendered them intolerant of gospel purity ; others have been sacrificed to the bigotry of men professing to be Christian, who assumed the right to interfere with the spiritual relations of their fellows to their Maker, aud to put those away who asserted man’s liberty to worship God as conscience dictated. Their blood has not been shed in vain, for they won for us that religious liberty which we now possess, and which has created in the true Christian of the present age an earnest desire that all men shall enjoy the spiritual freedom that has proved so great a blessing wherever it has taken root. "Bub no matter where developed, whether in the first missionaries or theßeformers of the 13th century, or the iffissionr wies to the heathen of the present age, the same spirit is there : they still exhibit “patience in afllictions, in necessities, in distresses” . . “in labors, in watchings.” Forsaking the comforts and pleasures of home and of civilised society, they still encounter “perils of waters.” .... “perils by the heathen,” “perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brethren, weariness, painfuiness, and watchings ; and to some of them is added a responsibility like that which weighed heavily on the great Apostle, “the care of all the churches” included in the area of their mission. Of this last class was Bishop Fatteson, whose untimely death, just about two years ago, created so painful a sensation throughout all the Protestant churches. The Melanesian Mission should have special interest for us in New Zealand, for it forms a part of the work of the Episcopal Church connected with these islands. Bishop Selwyn’s original diocese extended from iUdeg, K. lat. to 50deg. S.—rather a wide range to be under the oversight of one man. But the Church Missionary Society were fortunate in their choice. Bishop Selwyn was animated by a truly apostolic spirit, and when ’ after some years of successful work he visited England, he secured the services of Bishop Fatteson, who succeeded him in the mission work. The admirably written volume under notice, in that spirit that marks most of the works published by the Society for the diffusion of Christian Knowledge, tells far more of the work done of the obstacles encountered and overcome than o) Bishop Fatteson himself. But men are known by their works, and their characters are unfolded by the manner in which duty is performed, and the spirit in which it is done.

The history of missionary work in the South Seas invariably charms. There is bo much to interest in the lovely island* in which it is carried on, in the manners, customs and the influence of Christian teachers upon the inhabitants, that no coloring is needed to render a work describing it acceptable to both young and old. The book is profusely illustrated by well-ex'cuted wood engravings ; it is e’egant y bound, of convenient size, and forma a sadly pleasing addition to the history of the Church. Not the least lamentable feature connected with B shop Patteson’s murder is the unquestioned fact that it was one of the consequences of the lately established slave trade for furnishing labor to Queensland and Fiji. His memorandum on the subject is annexed to the work, and should be a stinging reproof to those of ua who have evinced so little sympathy w>th him as not even to join him in indignant protest to the Home Government against it. One valuable life has been sacrificed to it: it is not too late now to speak out to the Home Government, and thus, at least, clear ourselves from any participation in the blood of future martyrs whose lives may he sacrificed to revenge fostered by this unchristian and iniquitous traffic. The Christian Year : Thoughts in verse for the Sundays and Holidays throughout the year, George Routledge and Sons, London. Reith and Wilkie, Dunedin. This is an effort to create “ a sober standard of feeling,” in addition to a “sound rule of faith,” by recommending to Churchmen the conning cf a few' verses, now published, on different Sundays and holidays throughout the year. The ritual of the Church of England is so arranged as to render each Sunday as it occurs commemorative of some event connected with Church history. The Rev. Mr Keble has endeavored to illustrate these memorabilia by short poems bearing upon the subject of the day. Perhaps this may be considered the chief merit "of the work, next to some admirably engraved illustrations. The poetry is pure in thought and elegant in language, but seldom rises above mediocrity. Occasionally there are verses that would bear ? etting to music, and grafting into our col’cctiou of hymns, The book is neatly bound, and is a very elegant volume.