VOLUME 3

OPINIONS OF THE METHODIST PRESS

METHODIST

We venture nothing in expressing our judgment that for profound interest, thrilling portraiture, charming style, beautiful diction, and soul-stirring narrative, it is incomparable. We are not alone in this opinion in the judgment of the best minds who have read it, it is all we have stated it to be. — (New York) Christian Advocate.

After a careful reading, we pronounce the work a complete success. There is the salutary facility for grouping events and characters, the same beauty of description, the same masterly power in the delineation of character, which are found in his former work. We are delighted with the work. — (Boston) Zion's Herald.

They have all the charm of romance. We say to all, Read these intensely interesting volumes. — (Cincinnati) Western Christian Advocate.

Dr. Stevens is the ecclesiastical Macaulay, and his works are equally interesting and ever enchanting. — ( Chicago) Northwestern Christian Advocate.

The Senior Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church (Morris) writes in the (New York) Christian Advocate: Some books answer to look over, for recreation; others are made to be read. The History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by Dr. Stevens, is a book to be read."

Entertaining and even fascinating by a style of thought and a variety of incident that never cease to please. The author has woven a narrative so thrilling and substantial that it deserves a place in every American family. — (Pittsburgh) Christian Advocate.

A work of strange and delightful interest. It must be beneficial to Methodism the world over. — Canada Christian Advocate.

If there is another ecclesiastical historian who has given to the Church and the world so piquant, so readable, so eloquent a book as this, we have not read it. The data have been gathered with great industry, arranged with care, grouped in the composition with skill, fused into unity, written out with affectionate reverence, in eloquent, ringing sentences, and yet without a tinge of slavery to the sect. — (New York) Methodist.

What Macaulay has done for England, Stevens has done for Methodism. — William McArthur, Esq., of London.

CONGREGATIONAL AND LUTHERAN

The Congregational Quarterly (Boston) speaks of "Stevens' fascinating History of Methodism."

The researches of Dr. Stevens are exceedingly valuable, not only to the members of his own denomination, but to all who are interested in ecclesiastical history; and the author deserves the thanks of all the Churches in furnishing the public with so interesting and important a contribution. — ( Gettysburg) Evangelical Quarterly Review.

PRESBYTERIAN

Dr. Stevens is liberal as a Christian scholar, and aims at candid fairness in dealing with elements that he would oppose. Hence his work will be studied by ministers and others who are not of his denomination, but desire to be conversant with the literature and sentiment of the Church universal. — New York Observer.

We take leave of the book, congratulating our Methodist friends that their history has been so carefully and attractively written. It has more than denominational interest. — New York Evangelist.

The American Presbyterian and Theological Review speaks or it as "a well-compacted and digested history," and adds, "Dr. Stevens continues his excellent work with the same comprehensiveness, minuteness, and spirited delineation which marked the earlier volumes. American Methodism is honored in and by its historian."

The Princeton Review says: "The author's elaborate History of Methodism has established his reputation as a faithful and able historian. His writings have taken the place of authorities, and have abiding importance for Christians of all denominations."

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL

We take up these new volumes wishing for the leeway of a Quarterly in which to find room for the reflections that naturally arise at their very sight. The perusal of these initial volumes would flood certain minds with light, and remove many a root of bitterness. — Dr. Tyng, in (New York) Christian Times.

Stevens is an excellent writer; he thinks clearly and writes strongly; he makes all of Methodism that can be made of it, and the field is fruitful. His delineations are admirable. — Am. Quart. Church Review.

SECULAR AND LITERARY

The North American Quarterly (non-denominational) gives some nine or ten pages to the work, and speaks of it as "deserving high praise an important contribution to the ecclesiastical history of the United States."

Stevens' "History of the Meth. Epis. Church" is a book which no public man can afford to be ignorant of; and it is also a book which unlettered readers will find more attractive than an ordinary novel. — (New York) Evening Post.

It is well done. It will be appreciated both in and out of his Church. — (New York) Journal of Commerce.

The narrative is marked by clearness and vivacity of statement, abounding in graphic biographical sketches, many of which exhibit not a little skill in that branch of composition. — New York Tribune.

It is not too much to say, that in comprehensiveness of detail, in distinctive portraiture of character, in broad, ingenuous philosophy of facts, in brilliance, purity, and vigor of style, they are worthy to be compared with the productions of the best English or American historians. — (Boston) Evening Transcript.