The Gospel of Out of Doors

The Gospel of Out of Doors, by Dr. Francis E. Clark '73. New York: Association Press 1920.

The reviewer finds it hard to better the publisher's description of this book: "The same gentle, kindly spirit that has endeared the founder of the Society of Christian Endeavor to thousands is to be found in this charming little volume. It presents 'the lure of the old farm,' to which he has yielded, in a fashion which his readers will find delightful." The easy, simple flow of these essays bears out Dr. Clark's statement that it was easier to write them than not. He describes without affectation or scientific pretence the bird and animal life about the farm as it passes before his eye, the humors of the vegetable garden, the pleasure of the quiet days. The appeal of the book is to those whose mood is quiet, retrospective; who do not care for loud humor, literary "effort," scientific observation, or strenuousness generally. Of the best of the chapters, "A Rainy Day at the Farm," is it not sufficient to say that it made the reviewer very heartily wish to try one?

N. L. Goodrich.