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HISTORY OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR. By the Reverend A. Leroy. R. & T. Washbourne; Benziger Bros., American Agents. 12mo. pp. 542. $1.85 net.

Father Leroy has given us a wonderfully interesting history of those heroic little women who are esteemed and loved the world over by reason of their devotion to God's poor. We append the approbation which the work received from Cardinal Vannutelli, which will serve to make known its many excellencies:

"Reverend Father:-The position you hold has enabled you to acquire a perfect knowledge of the Little Sisters of the Poor, and I congratulate you upon having undertaken to write their history, and, above all, for having succeeded so well.

"In our days, when men teach that we must no longer believe in God nor in His providence, it was fitting to place before their eyes the great example of humble religious, who for the love of God devote themselves to the works of charity that are most repugnant to nature. It is well to point out to them women, deprived of every resource and relying only on Providence, who provide for the daily wants of their 42,000 aged poor.

"At the present time, in which religious congregations in Europe are the objects of so many assaults and persecutions, it was necessary to lift cautiously a corner of the veil which hides the admirable and even heroic virtues which they practice with a courage and constancy only equalled by their modesty.

"The history of the Little Sisters of the Poor which you have just published, by its imple narration of facts, puts these two truths in the clearest light.

"Faith in God and in His providence alone can explain the sublime idea Jeanne Jugan had conceived to nourish, with alms collected from door to door, the aged poor, whom in her charity she had gathered in a poor garret of Saint Servan.

"Faith in God and His providence accounts for the rule she imposed on her d.ughters, to accept for their poor neither income nor rent, but to beg each day what was necessary for their sustenance.

"Faith in God and His providence: these words are written on the first and last page

of the history of the 280 homes of the Little Sisters of the Poor, each one of which is established and lives only by daily collections.

"The charming simplicity with which your book relates their modest and sublime virtues renders them most attractive.

"It is impossible to read, without being deeply touched, the details you give of the life of the Little Sisters in their old people's sitting-rooms, in their infirmaries, in their daily collections, where, in spite of rebukes, and sometimes insults, they remain gentle and assiduous. In presence of a like spectacle it is impossible not to praise God, who inspires and maintains such devotedness and virtue.

"I hope, dear Reverend Father, that this book, written with perfect tact, and with that noble simplicity so suitable to the subject, may spread rapidly and be read by all, rich and poor; it will make the Little Sisters of the Poor and their admirable work better known and loved, and thus help to put down more than one prejudice, and bring back souls to God.

"Accept, dear Reverend Father, with many thanks, the expression of my sincere devotion in Christ our Lord.

"S. CARD. VANNUTELLI." "Rome, April 10, 1902."

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. PART II. DIDACTIC BOOKS AND PROPHETIC WRITINGS. By Rev. Francis E. Gigot, D. D. Benziger Bros. 12mo. PP. 500. $2.00 net.

In this volume Doctor Gigot brought to a close his introductory studies of the Old Testament. In it he examines clearly and with precision the questions. of name, place in canon, contents, integrity and purpose, historical character, and date of composition of the didactic and prophetic books. His rare power of digesting and condensing the views of other writers has enabled him to crowd into the volume the substance of what has been said on these questions by the representative scholars of the contemporary traditional, middle and advanced schools. As a rule he treats the subjects objectively. Except where the

teaching of the Church requires the acceptance of one conclusion, he seldom expresses, in a decided way, his own opinion. It must be admitted, however, that his leaning is often very apparent, and that it is frequently towards the conclusions of the progressive Catholic critics. In the hands of young students the method followed by the author may be considered unsatisfactory inasmuch as such students are not capable of judging the value of the arguments of the different schools that are set forth. But such students will use the work under the guidance of professors who will point, where it can be done, the opinion that is best, or will emphasize the fact that, in the present state of these studies, it is often difficult to accept one conclusion and condemn the others. An introduction setting forth at length only one side of the questions at issue, and briefly considering the other side only for the purpose of rejecting it would be, on the whole, far more unsatisfactory. The Scriptural labors of the next decade of years may require many changes in the views of one school or another; in the meantime this work will render great service to Catholic students of all classes.

THE RELIGION OF OUR FOREFATHERS.

By the Reverend Vincent Hornyold,
S. J. Burns & Oates; Benziger
Bros., American Agents. 12mo.
pp. 204. 50 cents net.

The author of this little volume is well known to English and American. readers as the author of two small works which appeared some years back, entitled respectively, "The Faith of Old England" and "The Old Religion." The circulation of eighteen thousand of these little volumes together with the many conversions which followed have prompted the author to publish the work under present consideration. The object is to satisfy the wishes of those who

ask for a single book, setting forth in the simplest of styles and in the simplest of words not merely the teachings of the Catholic Church but likewise her history in connection with dogma from her earliest days. No one who reads this book carefully will presume to make the claim that the British or Anglican Church is the Church of Christ. Especially praiseworthy is the calm, unruffled manner in which the author presents his arguments and vindicates the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. The book should be carefully read by all Catholics and by all who have a leaning to the Catholic Church.

SISTER MARY OF THE DIVINE HEART, DROSTE ZU VISCHERING, RELIGIOUS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, 1863-1899. By the Abbe Louis Chasle. Burns and Oates; Benziger Bros., American Agents. 12mo. pp. 434. $1.60 net.

We have here the life story of a remarkable woman; a woman of extraordinary holiness and whose heroic virtues and revelations at once suggest a resemblance to Saint Gertrude and Blessed Margaret Mary. No one can read this book without being all the better for the perusal. It is a stimulating life story and one which shows the possibility of leading a life of heroic virtue even in this our day.

His Eminence Cardinal Merry Del Val, in a letter to the author, says:

"The Sovereign Pontiff, who is most desirous that the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus should everywhere increase, has been much pleased by the publication of the holy life of Sister Mary Droste zu Vischering, and by your presentation of it to him. At a time when so many periodicals and books filled with heretical teachings are circulated, and spread abroad on all sides, it is a consolation to find the life of this virgin published, presenting, as it does, to Christian souls the most salutary examples of charity. It was, in fact, practically through

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This is a story of uncommon merit. From the very first line to the last the interest never lags. And that first line, what a beautiful one it is! It tells the reader at once that here is no clumsy, bungling hand at work but the skilled fingers of some one endowed with artistic perceptions are wielding the brush. And so, while at the very outset the judicious reader's expectations are raised very high, there is no disappointment in store for him. The story is fairly alive with interest, the characters are welldrawn, the dialogue is natural and brisk. and the descriptions strong and realistic. Altogether the book is a notable contribution to current literature and has this feature to recommend it, that both in scene and incident it is unique and original. We bespeak for it a large sale and a place in every library, and earnestly hope that its success will be such as to encourage the author to further efforts in this field.

O'NEILL'S CATHOLIC DIRECTORY OF

ILLINOIS. Published by William J. O'Neill, 543 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. 12mo. pp. 184. Bound in blue cloth.

This Directory will be found not only useful but almost indispensable to the clergy and to those who have dealings with them, for it contains full information concerning the clergy, churches, colleges and other institutions, with

parochial school statistics. It contains many illustrations which serve to brighten the pages and interest the reader. There is this distinct and unique feature about the work, while it serves every purpose of the mere reference Directory it is so full in the information. which it gives and so bright and pleasing is the manner of giving it, that it will interest even the casual reader.

THE LIGHT INVISIBLE. By the Rev. Robert Hugh Benson. Benziger Bros. 12mo. pp. 250. $1.00 net.

Under this striking title Father Benson gives us a collection of stories which are unique, uncanny and vague. That they are delightfully written and read. smoothly cannot be denied, but the subject-matter is as intangible, as frail, as the gossamer thread of a spider's web. We suppose they are meant to be ghost stories. Certain it is that they will prove more comfortable reading by the noonday sun than by the midnight lamp.

WHY DO SO MANY VAIN FEARS KEEP YOU AWAY FROM FREQUENT AND DAILY COMMUNIONS? INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL, EVEN CONFESSORS. By the Rev. S. Antoni, S. T. D., Missionary Apostolic. Brochure. pp. 130. 15 cents per copy; $1.50 a dozen. Address Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament, 185 East 76th Street, New York.

Since the Holy Father's Encyclical urging daily communion upon the faith

ful much has been said and written on the subject and to the priests urging it all sorts of objections have been brought against the practice. In this pamphlet all these objections have been answered and therefore we bespeak for it a wide circulation, for doubtless it will have the effect of inducing many hitherto timid souls to receive communion daily.

THE old year is gone. Books are

balanced, accounts closed. At the beginning of the New Year we know how we stand. Contentment or regret are measured by the deficit or profits. There are spiritual debts, spiritual accounts, spiritual loss and gain. Have we thought it worth our while to balance our books which will tell us how we stand with God and the interests of our soul?

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As Rosarians, it is to be hoped that we have. If the year has passed and there is nothing to our credit for the year's work in the great book of life, we may point out many causes, and manufacture many excuses, but one that we are sure of is that we have not been faithful Rosarians, have not been devout clients of Mary's beads. As Rosarians we assumed the obligation of saying the fifteen mysteries once a week. If we have fulfilled our promise, we have probably done more. At first it is tiresome and tedious to say the five decades of the beads, but the more frequently they are said, the more sweetness is experienced in their repetition. Ask a good, holy, Irish mother how often she says her beads in the day. The number will surprise you. Put the same question to the good old men who spend much time in church. Again you will be surprised. Leo XIII taught forcibly and unmistakably that the Rosary is not a devotion for the ignorant, but one whose beauties transcend human intelligence. Religious, priests, bishops, Popes have found in Mary's beads a devotion of the highest order.

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For the New Year it is not advisable to make too many resolutions. They should be few, and increasing efforts must be made until habit has made their

keeping second nature. We suggest

that unfaithful Rosarians renew their promise of saying the five mysteries of the beads three times in the week. Those who have been true to their promise cannot do better than beg of Our Lady to admit them to the secrets and consolations of the Rosary. One has but to say the Rosary frequently and very soon, but almost imperceptibly, a certain pleasure and consolation is experienced in telling our beads.

At the beginning of the New Year, effort is frequently made by organizations, whether in the nature of societies, or publications, to increase their membership. Let it not be applied to Rosarians, that "the children of the world. are wiser in their generation than the children of light." We ask all Rosarians to help us in increasing the membership of the Rosary Confraternity. There are several hundred thousand members in the United States, but we must not be satisfied with this. Wherever the Catholic name is known and wherever we find the true Catholic home, there we find the Rosary recited. Why, then, should any practical Catholic in the United States who says his beads be deprived of the rich indulgences of the Rosary Confraternity? Every Rosarian can induce one or perhaps a dozen friends to become members of the Confraternity. Remember, there is no initiation fee, there are no dues, of any kind, nor are offerings in any shape expected. There need be no meetings. The Confraternity is simplicity itself. If it does not exist in your parish church you can become a member by sending your name to any church where it is established. If you prefer to have us enter names, THE ROSARY MAGAZINE gladly offers its service. To become a member the only condition is to have your name registered on any Registry

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Knowledge of God is the highest possible attainment. In this knowledge just as in any branch of science some reach loftier summits than others. Theologians say that in the next life our happiness depends on the manner of our knowing, loving and serving God in this present state of pilgrimage. But to love and serve God we must first know Him.

Meditation is an important factor in arriving at the knowledge of God. To put aside all other thoughts and think seriously of God is to meditate; and if meditation be regularly and persistently practiced, our knowledge of God will be extended and our faith developed and strengthened.

The imperative affairs of every day life are real obstacles to serious meditation. But there is a means of efficaciously concentrating the attention on God and eternal truths, and this means is the Rosary of Our Blessed Lady.

The Rosary is the book of God's love from which the faithful love to learn. To really appreciate the Rosary, to rightly understand it, to derive the great

est benefit and pleasure from its recital, one should meditate on each mystery with fixed attention, excluding to the best of his ability all impertinent thoughts. This at first is not an easy. task, but with each effort it becomes easier. If this most beautiful devotion be employed merely as so many prayers to be said, and these perfunctorily and as quickly as possible, of course much of the benefit and savor is lost. Behold the faithful soul who is devoted to the Rosary, who experiences in large measure the comfort and consolation it offers, who from constant practice has become so attached to this form of prayer that it is his daily offering to Heaven! He prays slowly, devoutly, attentively, meditating on the different mysteries and thus performing a work which yields him untold rewards.

In meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary we bring before our minds with all the vividness of reality the principal epochs of the life of our Saviour and His Blessed Mother. We see Jesus coming into the world, we follow Him to the tomb and await His glorious resurrection. We enter intuitively into the actions of our Blessed. Lord, we become better acquainted with Him and ponder deeply all that concerns salvation. With increasing knowledge of Christ our love for Him increases and we are urged to conform our actions and our lives to His-to be perfect even as our Heavenly Father is perfect.

Just as beauties of art; veiled from the vulgar, thrill the souls of the artistic, so those well versed in Mary's Rosary perceive beauties in the life of our Lord and in our holy faith, of which the superficially instructed are ignorant.

Happy the soul who is devoted to the Rosary and meditates intelligently and faithfully upon its truths. Through Mary's intercession each bead will be a jewel to adorn his crown in heaven.

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