Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 278, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1913 — METHODIST MINISTER WRITES A ROMANCE [ARTICLE]

METHODIST MINISTER WRITES A ROMANCE

Rev. Arthur DeLong, Formerly of Delphi, Has Biblical Novel - Published at St. Joe. Carroll County Citizen-Times. The Citizen-Times is in receipt of a copy of Rev. Arthur H. DeLong’s' new book, “It is Not Lawful.” Rev. DeLong was formerly pastor of the Methodist church of this city and only recently moved to St. Joseph, Mo. “It is not lawful” is a romance, the interest of which centers about the ’ ' ♦ stories of John the Baptist. Mary Magdalene and Salome. It is a little difficult for us to believe that the biblical characters were thoroughly human. Yet they were, and Mr. DeLong’s portrayal of them brings this point out vividly. “We are men' of like passions with you” is true not only of Paul and Barnabas, but also of John, Mary and many others. Rev. DeLong handles his material in an unconventional but none the less reverent manner. His character sketching is clean and strong and some of his descriptions of the life and customs in the time of John the Baptist are of idyllic beauty. Herod, Herodias, Salome, the Magdalene, the Baptist and others in close association with them stand out in bold relief. The romantic narrative is told in a deeply interesting w&y and the attention of the reader is held without break to the tragic ending. The chapter on ‘The Death of Herod” will take its place with dramatic chapters from the pens of Lew Wallace, Dickens and other famous writers. We people of Delphi would like to think that ‘lt is Not Lawful” was written when Rev. and Mrs. DeLong were residents of Delphi. But the reader of this wonderful romance soon realizes that the book is not the work of four or five years but the culmination of a lifetime of study of biblical history. • Rev. DeLong’s dedication of his book will appeal to Delphi folk, because of the affection for his wife. It reads: “To the sweetheart of his childhood, the maiden of his youthful dreams, and wife of his bosom, whose inspiration and help made this story possible, this book is lovingly dedicated by the author.”