ECHOES ETERNAL — J. E. Moffatt, S.J. — 1935 First Edition — Original Dust Jacket — American Bible Society Ephemera

Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1935. First Edition; no later printing indicated. Hardcover in original publisher's dust jacket. An appealing Depression-era Catholic devotional work by Jesuit priest J. E. Moffatt, S.J., consisting of a series of spiritual meditations presented in the form of letters to “Fidelis.” Moffatt addresses prayer, meditation, the Eucharist, spiritual life, the transitory nature of worldly concerns, and the Christian's relationship with God. Of particular interest is the ecclesiastical approval printed in the volume: Nihil Obstat, H. B. Ries, Censor Librorum; Imprimatur, Samuel A. Stritch, Archbishop of Milwaukee, May 9, 1935. Stritch later became Archbishop of Chicago and a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. The volume is dedicated: “To my brother, priest of the Most High God, and my sisters who have chosen the better part.” ORIGINAL DUST JACKET Retains the scarce original publisher's cream-and-blue dust jacket, including front and rear panels, spine and flaps. The front features a striking period typographic and stylized botanical design. Original publisher's price of $1.25 appears on the jacket. Rear panel advertises Moffatt's “Minute Meditations Series,” including Thoughts on God's Mother and Ours, Thoughts on the Heart of Jesus, Thoughts on the Holy Eucharist, and Thoughts on Our Friend Divine. Jacket flap also advertises God's Minutemen, Taste and See, and Ave Maria. LAID-IN AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY EPHEMERA Accompanying the volume is a vintage two-sided American Bible Society, Booklet No. 90, issued from Bible House, Astor Place, New York, apparently long preserved laid into this copy. One side, headed “How to Use the Bible,” provides a fascinating topical Scripture-reading guide directing readers to specific Biblical passages for occasions including sorrow, failure, worry, discouragement, loneliness, temptation, fear, prayer, work, travel and other circumstances. The selections are attributed to Prof. Harris Franklin Rall. The reverse, “To the Friends of the Bible,” promotes the missionary work of the American Bible Society and describes its translation, publication and distribution activities. The leaflet is especially appropriate to this volume: its practical guide to Scripture for everyday spiritual concerns closely complements Moffatt's own purpose in Echoes Eternal. While its original association with the volume cannot be documented, its age, condition and subject make it an unusually interesting piece of surviving religious ephemera. Leaflet shows substantial age wear, staining, creasing and a large irregular area of old paper/adhesive disturbance, all preserved as found. CONDITION Original blue/teal cloth binding remains attractive and sound, with title and author visible on spine. Light general shelf wear and age wear to boards and extremities. Interior shows scattered foxing and age spotting, particularly to endpapers, preliminary leaves and title page, with occasional spotting elsewhere. Text remains readily legible. Binding appears sound. Original dust jacket is age-toned and soiled with rubbing, edge wear, chips, short tears and small areas of loss, but remains substantially complete and presents well for an approximately 90-year-old jacket. Original $1.25 price remains present. American Bible Society leaflet is worn and stained with creasing and old paper/adhesive disturbance as photographed. An evocative surviving 1935 Catholic devotional volume in its original dust jacket, enhanced by period religious ephemera, offering interest to collectors of Catholic devotional literature, Jesuit authors, American religious publishing, Depression-era books and historical religious ephemera.…