Simple Talks for Christian Workers, W. Herschel Ford, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1961, 120 pages, $1.95.
W. Herschel Ford has written many books for the Zondervan Publishing House the titles of which begin with the word "Simple," meaning, I suppose, not involved or too heavy—something along practical lines that could be used by ministers, layman, Sabbath school teachers, and youth leaders. This book for Christian workers is divided into four sections: several prayer meeting talks, some sermon outlines, a book of illustrations, and several gospel invitations. The material contained is varied and has some helpful, some inspiring, portions that could be used for devotional talks, personal work, and other phases of Christian service. The author is sharing some of the messages, outlines, and illustrations that he has found successful in his long years of ministry, and especially now as pastor of the First Baptist church of El Paso, Texas.
A. C. Fearing
Women's Groups and Shepherdess Leaders and Speakers
Inspiring Devotional Programs for Women's Groups, Leila T. Ammerman, W. A. Wilde Company, Natick, Massachusetts, I960, 62 pages, $1.95.
These meet the requirements of groups for spiritual uplift and a social Christian life. Helpful devo-tionals, installation services for officers, and many excellent ideas to stimulate adaptations for making such gatherings more than a social function are found in this book. For the latter, there are simple suggestions for the hostess—pencil games, et cetera —but the main purpose is Christian fellowshiping. It is a gem for the responsible leader.
Devotional Programs for Adult Groups, Leslie Parrott, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 64 pages, $1.00.
This is another of a series especially arranged for church groups. Lora Lee Parrott's Programs for Women's Groups, Number 3, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1958, is a recent book of the same type. It is composed of good devotional programs that can be adapted to your needs. Outlined Programs for Women's Groups, H. J. Kamphouse and Marie Ver Voorn, is based on the lives of Bible women. Also, Just for Mothers, Dorothy Haskin, has some inspiring messages of value when mothers are to be honored. Another interesting book titled Mother-Daughter Banquets, Grace Ramquist, Zondervan Publishing House, 1961, 59 pages, $1.00, is a handbook of skits, readings, toasts, and poems, and has been arranged for various age levels from kindergarten to college. Devotions and Dialogs for Women, Wilma L. Shaffer, Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati 31, Ohio,
60 pages, $1.50, contains twelve monthly programs on the following themes: Pettiness, Fault-finding, Self-seeking, Pretense, Self-pity, Hasty Judgment, Take Time, Serenity of the Soul, Better Impulses, Little Things, The Common Heart, and Kindness.
The Christian Family Baby Book, Allegra McBirney, Zondervan Publishing House, 40 pages, S1.95.
It contains spiritual counsel for parents and words of wisdom for their children. It is a most artistic, personalized record book and provides space for souvenirs and many mementos of a baby's life, his experiences, and adventures. We have checked each page and find it to be a sweet Christian gem and a helpful book to young parents. Not all such books have its high ideals so practically set forth.
Louise C. Kleuser
Evolution and Christian Thought Today, edited by Russel L. Mixter, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids 6, Michigan.
We suggest that this book be read carefully and with some caution. However, within these pages there is a great wealth of valuable scientific reasoning. One comes to the conclusion that he need not be ashamed of Christian scholarship. Evolution and Christian Thought Today consists of a symposium of thirteen Christian scientists who tell of the effect of Darwin's theory in biology and related science. Clear distinctions are drawn between the Biblical view of creation and Darwin's theory. At a time when many have recently celebrated the Darwinian centenary of the publication of The Origin of Species, this work clearly, logically, and intelligently exposes the fallacy of man-made concoctions that contradict the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.
A. C. Fearing
The Papal Princes, Glenn D. Kittler, Funk & Wagnalls, New York, 396 pages, $4.95.
This is a history of the Sacred College of Cardinals and is a most outstanding and revealing book. It is written by a Roman Catholic and carries the imprimatur of Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York.
Kittler's study is based on the theory that the apostle Peter was the first pope, known as the "vicar of Christ." He continues by mentioning some of Peter's most prominent successors, "the good and the bad" through the centuries, bishops as well as cardinals and popes. The reader gets the impression that there were more bad ones than good ones.
With a frankness that has been unknown in the past the author reveals some of the sins and crimes that were committed during the papal hierarchy, many of which had been mentioned previously only in Protestant literature and usually denied by Roman Catholics. The "questionable methods by which various men worked their way to the papal throne," and how some were elected by intrigues and bribery, are fearlessly described.
Adventists are often criticized, not only by the Catholic Church but also by Protestant denominations, for their view that Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 and 17 apply to the Papacy. But in this book we find all the needed proofs for this interpretation. The Papal Princes is a book that should be read by every pastor, evangelist, and Bible instructor and by as many Seventh-day Adventist church members as possible. R. Ruhling
Personalities of the New Testament, Ralph G. Turnbull, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids 6, Michigan, 1961, 114 pages, $1.95.
Dr. Turnbull is pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Seattle, Washington. He tells us that his favorite reading is biography and autobiography. He turns again and again to the Bible to find what influenced the lives of the Bible worthies. This has greatly affected his preaching, giving him a wealth of what we would call character sermons. The author says he has endeavored to spill over in this book a little of what he has gleaned over the years. He draws lessons from the personalities who invested their lives in the will of God. The chapters are short, right to the point, and marked with logical presentation and comprehensive coverage of Bible characters such as Mary, Andrew, Matthew, Thomas, Dorcas, John Mark, Silas, Lydia, Timothy, Aquilla and Priscilla, Titus and Gaius.
A. C. Fearing
