who has had said to him those awful words, "Recieve the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a priest," and yet can get into the pulpit of his Church, and declare the priesthood a fiction? We use the word "demoralising" advisedly, for we believe that it is impossible for any one to say what Dr. Peile has said in this sermon, and keep a right judgment in things pertaining to God: the habit of mind which can trifle with the most solemn engagements, and deny the most awful words, is one which has already prepared itself to receive and entertain any kind of error or falsehood congenial to itself. To understand this better let us compare the obligations of one Sacrament with those of another, the Sacrament of Matrimony with that of Orders; suppose some one anxious to show his independence of the obligations of matrimony, as Dr. Peile is of those of his ordination, and even to assert his right to keep as many concubines as he pleased; would not all condemn that man as thoroughly immoral and depraved? Why not then say the like of holy orders? The second sermon, eminently common-place and superficial, does not call for any other special remark. The Divided House; a sermon, by Mr. C. R. Tollemache, London Parker), is, we fear, in bad taste, and not historically accurate. It does not follow because the Celtic Church, at the time of the Mission of S. Augustine, did not recognise the Primacy of Rome, that therefore the Church of England at the present day is not bound to acknowledge it; any more than that common assertion of the Roman Catholics, that because S. Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory, therefore Canterbury must always acknowledge the Supremacy. Nor is it historically true that S. Augustine "signalised his mission by conniving at the murder of twelve hundred British monks." The massacre of Bangor took place many years after the death of S. Augustine, as Mr. Tollemache ought to have known. These kind of sermons completely defeat the aims of their authors, and had better neither be preached nor published. The Ignorance of foolish Men, and how to meet it, (London: Masters), is an excellent sermon, which we can recommend for distribution. The Baptism of Christ by S. John, considered with respect to Infant Baptism and its Administration. A Sermon by the Rev. O. B. Tyler (London: Church Press Company), 1868, is wellintentioned, but wanting in theological knowledge. The writer does not seem to have mastered the doctrine laid down by S. Paul that there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit ;" otherwise he could not have given the exceedingly weak answer he has to the question, "Why were they who had already received the Holy Ghost afterwards baptised?" 66 The Attraction of Jesus Christ Crucified, by Mr. Liddon, preached in S. Paul's Cathedral, at the Special Evening Service on Good Friday, 1868 (London: Rivingtons), having rivetted the attention of such a various multitude as that which assembles in S. Paul's Cathedral at the Special Services, for upwards of an hour, must be one of unusual power and earnestness, and so it is moreover it is one, in which the power is felt as much in reading it as in hearing it. In the limited space at our command, we cannot make quotations of sufficient length to give even a sample of the preacher's style and matter. We therefore recommend it to our readers, not to be read only, but to be studied. : What are the True Principles and Doctrines of the Church of England? A Lecture, delivered at the Music Hall, Swansea (London: Palmer), is an excellent lecture, clearly and forcibly written, making an excellent tract for distribution where ignorance of Church principles prevails. Church-Rate Legislation: a Letter to the Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy by William Longman and Frederic_ Burn Harvey, Churchwardens of Berkhampstead (London: Longmans), is a valuable and interesting pamphlet. The various Bills before Parliament to settle this much-vexed question are briefly examined in this letter. That of Mr. Newdegate, to make the Church-rate directly a charge upon the land, and not indirectly, as it is now; that is, that the landlord should pay and not the tenant, is the plan that these gentlemen think to be most equitable but experience warns them that it is now impracticable. They therefore propose that there should be a compulsory Fabric Rate, and leave all the rest to be provided for by voluntary means. But would this plan really settle the question? Would there not be as much contention, strife, and litigation about a Fabric Rate, as there is now? Have not political dissenters quite as great a prejudice against maintaining the fabric of a church as to washing the surplice? Besides, would not the compulsory clause lead in the end to our churches becoming Government property, and ceasing to be parochial? The temper of the House of Commons is to get rid of anything compulsory in any shape. Sir Robert Phillimore, D.C.L., Dean of Arches, against the Lord Bishop of London (London: Pickering), is a clever application of the judgment of the Dean of Arches to the constant habit of bishops in their manner of performing the Rite of Confirmation. The writer shows that, according to the judgment of the Dean of Arches on a Rite and a Ceremony, in which Mr. Mackonochie was condemned, the Bishop of London, and indeed all the bishops, should be condemned for their altering the ceremonies at Confirmation. We fear bishops are too pachydermatous to be wounded by this arrow. Some people are subject to mild crazes on certain points. Mr. Rochfort Clarke, the other day, writes a Letter to the Rector of S. Martin's-in-the-Fields, to denounce painted windows, and to declare his adhesion to the literal meaning of the Second Commandment. Why does he not close his offices, and refuse to do business on Saturdays, according to the literal command of the Fourth? Mr. Sillen, in his tract on Usury, (London, E. Wilson), has an equal craze about usury. His case is very much stronger than Mr. Clarke's, for in addition to the Old Testament he can cite numerous canons, all denouncing the practice, whereas Mr. Clarke can quote nothing better than the Homily on the "Peril of Idolatry." Usury, however, pur et simple, is not forbidden in the Old Testament, but only taking usury by Israelites of one another they were allowed to take what they liked of strangers. In the middle ages, when property was unsafe, and principles of trade not understood, usury was equally unjust, oppressive, and therefore to be condemned. It is not sinful in itself, but in its abuse, and in its strong temptation to oppression and wrong. We much wish that the picture of freedom and absence from State control which Mr. Lindsay, in his Address delivered before the Church Union, Scotland, at the First Annual Meeting, held at Aberdeen, on the 22nd October, 1867, (Aberdeen: Brown), so graphically draws, as the heritage of the Scottish Church, were realised in action. He contrasts the position of the Church of England, as the "bond-slave of the State," with the liberty of the Church of Scotland; the Bishops who are "mere nominees of the Crown," with the freedom of election in the North: but surely he forgets that there may be other bondages and restraints as withering in their influence: and we can speak from experience, that the bondage to half Presbyterian Lairds is more blighting and more galling than anything we suffer from the State. Are the free-elected Bishops of Scotland so very much superior to the State nominees of England? Too many Anglicans, High Church Anglicans, in judging of Scotch "freedom from State tyranny," look through Bishop Forbes' spectacles-the glass in which is coleur de rose. The Plain Guide (London: Masters), has deservedly reached. a third edition. It is a most admirable manual. Songs of Joy (London: Rivingtons), written with taste and some poetical feeling, is an appropriate book of original verses for children. Recent Secessions and Corporate Re-union (London: Burns), is a production which at least indicates the growth of a school amongst the Roman Catholics fully appreciating the great religious Revival in the Church of England, and can write of it with fairness and charity. Mr. Edward Husband's four sermons, The Battle of the Faith (London: Palmer), as regards their doctrine, are unquestionably orthodox and Catholic. Some of their statements, however, are a little crude and not put exactly in a way calculated to win over the doubtful. Still their style, though somewhat abrupt, is vigorous, original, and forcible, while they are exceedingly readable and attractive. That on the Re-union of Christendom is the best. The Gate of Paradise; a Dream of Easter Eve (London : Rivingtons), is a pleasant allegory, too short by far, and too imperfectly worked out. It has, however, grace and good taste on every page. Mr. A. M. Morgan's sermon, preached at All Saints', Lambeth, Prevailing Intercession (London: Parkers), is a vigorous composition, written in forcible and scholarly language, and is rife with Catholic truth and practical piety. Dr. A. T. Lee's Tract regarding the present state of the Church of Ireland (London: Rivingtons), a pamphlet in its forty-sixth thousand, should be read by all politicians and churchmen who maintain, as we do, that the eighth commandment is still in force, and that to rob a corporation, capable of legally holding property, is equally a sin as to rob a private person. If Church property in Ireland be taken by the State, the Russells and the Bedfords ought to be made to disgorge their spoils of the so-called "Reformation." Perhaps we may live to see this. God grant it! Amen. A useful manual is Mr. T. J. Bailey's English Orders and Papal Supremacy (London: Parkers), comprising as it does in a few pages the leading facts upon which the validity of Anglican ordinations rests. The book is compiled with clearness and care, and will be acceptable to many. We observe with regret however, that Dr. Pusey's mistake about the form adopted in Parker's consecration being the same as that used in the consecration of Chicheley, is [repeated, with no reference to the Doctor's withdrawal and correction of it; and, moreover, that our great crux-sufficient reasons for altering the Sarum Ordinal-is wholly unconsidered. A second edition of Mr. George Huntington's Sermons (London Parkers), is just out. Extremely well written, sound and solid both in their theological statements and hortatory passages, they are rendered additionally interesting by the appropriate application of the Catholic faith and practices to the needs of the present day. Lady Herbert's new book, Abyssinia and its Apostle (London: Burns), is a charming volume, written with considerable power and most perfect taste. Treating as it does a history and a subject of which little is known, it will be very acceptable and instructive to a large class of readers. A most admirable publication has just been issued by Mowbray of Oxford, The Order for the Communion of the Sick, with Notes and Directions. As a practical help for clergy who desire to celebrate and administer the Holy Mysteries with reverence and care, we know of no volume likely to serve their purpose better. All the directions are full and lucid, while the author's own valuable dissertations are evidently the work of one who writes from experience and who writes con amore. The Order for Unction from Edward's First Prayer Book added, is we believe now very widely re-adopted. Thus an Apostolic and Scriptural rite is being restored. A seventh edition of Mr. Fosberry's Hymns and Poems for the Sick and Suffering, (London: Rivingtons), has just been issued, at a very reasonable price. It is a standard work, evidently well appreciated by the public. Mr. G. R. Prynne's Hints on the Management of Sunday Schools, (London: Hayes), is an admirable book, thoroughly practical, and full of the wisest suggestions from an experienced authority. Maximilian, and other Poems, by Mr. J. C. Earle, (London: Burns), published in aid of S. Vincent's Home for Destitute Boys, is a most charming and attractive volume, full of true poetry, expressed in elegant language both with grace and power. It is with sincere regret that we omit some extracts we had marked for quotation, of singular beauty. So that all we can do is to recommend our readers to procure this tasteful volume for themselves. It is issued at a reasonable cost, and deserves a wide circulation. Mr. Prebendary Pye's Four Sermons on the Christian Sacrifice, (Oxford: Mowbray), are distinguished for their outspoken plainness of speech. Not, however, that they are at all wanting in accurate theology, sound reasoning, or practical suggestionsfar otherwise. We are glad to see, too, that a dignitary of the Church openly advocates the restoration of the word "Mass." All that is Catholic and useful in promoting Corporate Re-union ought to be advocated, and should be proclaimed on the housetops. Father Sarra's Doctrine of Indulgences has been issued in English by Mr. Ambrose St. John, of the Oratory, and published by Burns. Protestants may here discover, if they choose to take the trouble, that their many misconceptions of Roman |