Uncle John Vassar ; or, the Fight of Faith. By
his Nephew, the Rev. T. E. Vassar. (Dickinson.)—" Uncle John Vassar " was an American "Revivalist," and a man of no common type ; devoted to his work, with an absolute and untiring devotion, of which it is im- possible to read without admiration. The story of his life might have been better told than it is in this volume, for the style wants simplicity, but it is easy to discern in its descriptions the features of a really great man, full of love for his fellow-men, and of a quite indomitable courage and perseverance,—an unaccountable phenomenon, if the faith by which he lived was a delusion. We shall quote one story of ." Uncle John," when he was taken prisoner by Stuart's cavalry. It was fancied he might be a spy. He answered that he was a colporteur of the American Tract Society, and then went on, " 'General, do you love -Jesus ?" The courtly General answered, know that good old Society, and have no fear of its emissaries.' But, my dear General, do you love Jesus ?' The puzzled officer was relieved by the sugges- tion of those who had arrested Uncle John, and who were already restive under his close questionings. General,' said they, take the man's promise that he will not tell of our whereabouts for twenty- four hours, and let us see him out of our lines, or we will have a prayer-meeting from here to Richmond.' "
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