Toward the Sunrise; being Sketches of Travel in Europe and the East
New York: R. Worthington, 1881. 8vo. xiv, 459 pp., including half-title to final part (the memorial). FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. Frontispiece plus numerous text illustrations, as well as frontispiece of William Morley Punshon before text of the memorial. Publisher’s gilt and black illustrated cloth, very minor rubbing on the back board; overall a fine copy. Item #15236
First American edition, published the same year as the original Canadian printing. The author recounts his journey through England and thence to Northern Africa via Italy and Greece. From Alexandria he travels to Israel, Egypt, and back through Italy. A considerable portion of the text contains Johnston’s description of Israel, and he competently describes his observations in a contextual manner, providing fascinating historical notes. He also details his time in Italy, commenting on everything from religion (how Protestants fare) to art to the food, again including historical insight. Included at the end of the book is a short work on the life of Punshon (1824-1881), an English Methodist minister who moved to Canada who founded the Metropolitan Methodist Church in Toronto.
Johnston (1840-1922) was ordained to the Methodist ministry, first in Toronto and thereafter in Montreal and in Windsor. He contributed to various religious journals, and authored a number of books, including biographies.
Price: $150.00