Book Mention

EDITOR'S TABLE. 633

which the express duties, in that regard, of the "traveling presiding High Council" of the Twelve, and of the Seventy, are declared. When the servants of the Lord withdraw from the Gentiles and proclaim the fullness of the gospel to the Jews, it is un- reasonable to presume that they will, as a body, reject the divine message. Such a position would bring upon them severe divine condemnation. Doubtless there will be a class of those, who gather to Palestine who will be unbelievers, but it will probably be proportionately small. A considerable number of the references in the foregoing are clear upon the point that, when the times of the Jews are ushered in, many of them will gather in upon the land of Palestine in a condition of belief in Jesus Christ. Other passages refer merely to the future fact of the gathering, while others indicate that they will consist of two classes — believers and unbelievers. It is safe to accept of both as correct, as they do not conflict. Existing conditions foreshadow that the believers in Christ will preponderate also from the following indications: 1st. The turning of the desire and attention of the Jews toward the land of Palestine. 2nd. The wonderful change in the intelligent Hebrew mind in favor of an exalted estimate of Jesus of Nazareth, as a great teacher, a pure character, and an inspired prophet of God. 3rd. The prospective and positive duty, sure to be fulfilled of the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when the set time is reached, to declare the fullness of the gospel to the Jews. Just as sure as this glorious duty shall be per- formed, so is it that the labors of the servants of the Most High shall not be fruitless. Present events are leading up to that final

preparatory process for the gathering of the remnants of Judah, that when Christ shall appear he will find faith among his ancient people. John Nicholson.

BOOK MENTION.

The Andrew Jenson History Company has just issued volume one of the Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia^ volume of 828 pages con- taining brief annals of over seven hundred leading and prominent men and

634 IMPRO VEMENT ERA .

women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,with portraits. Andrew Jenson, assistant Church historian, has written or compiled the sketches which include the names of many of the pioneers of the state whose worthy deeds the book is intended to perpetuate. As a work of reference it is extremely valuable. Many of the sketches are carefully written, and are really character sketches,the subjects being mostly men and women who have become prominent in the Church as general of- ficers, bishops, presidents of stakes, counsellors to bishops, leading elders, seventies, patriarchs, Sabbath school superintendents, officers of Mutual

Improvement associations and others. This is undoubtedly one of the most valuable works that have yet been compiled by Elder Jenson, whose "Historical Record," and "Church Chronology" are well known in the literature of the Church. Christian and Mormon Doctrine, by Charles Ellis, is a little pam- phlet of thirty-eight pages defining the differences between Chris- tian and "Mormon" doctrines pertaining to God, the origin and destiny of man, future life, eternal torments, endless progress, etc. Charles Ellis is a well-known free religionist, and in this pamphlet has set forth with great plainness the Christian conception of God, and the origin and destiny of man, as well as the repugnant doctrine of eternal torment. He maintains that the horrors preached by early Christianity on the torments of hell, are still believed in, and that they came through a false conception of man's origin, purpose and destiny ; and he makes very clear that the mission of "Mormonism/ is to restore the religion of Jesus of Nazareth, and to bring back the brotherhood of man and the father- hood of God unto the hearts and homes of men. He has succeeded in de- fining the position and purpose of the Latter-day Saints very well, and the pamphlet is one that will be read with deep interest. — Charles Ellis,

Salt Lake City, Utah. Price ten cents. John T. Miller, is the author of a discussion of Educational Prob- lems, a treatise concerning moral purity, religious training, physical ed- ucation, prevention of disease, and the rational method of cure, including an essay on stimulants and narcotics. This treatise is attached to Child Culture, a book of seventy-seven pages treating on the laws of physiol- ogical phrenology and mental suggestion, by N. N. Riddell, Ph. D., who is also the author of a little book entitled A Plain Talk to Boys. These books will doubtless do much good wherever they are read. The contents of Educational Problems, written in simple but plain language, are more to be commended than the typographical execution of the books which is very indifferent. Published by Human Culture Publishing Co., 251 East 3rd South St., Salt Lake City, Utah. Child Culture and Educational Problems, bound together, fifty cents. Plain talks to Boys, ten cents.