SONG OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN TO HER CHILD LYING IN THE MANGER. (FROM THE LATIN.) HUSH! the Virgin's song is ringing O'er their glorious Infant's bed : Loving songs we raise, sounding Thy sweet praise, Sleep, my Child, my heart's sole Treasure, Sleep, my Child; Thy Mother singing And Thy father's voice is ringing Loving songs, &c. Sleep, my Child, for I am pouring Sleep, my Child, if Music's needed, Loving songs, &c. Н. Т. LITERARY NOTICES. MR. W. DENTON has followed up his Commentary on the Gospels by A Commentary, Practical and Exegetical, on the Lord's Prayer (London: Rivingtons). Well arranged, with considerable system and great research, this book is a real addition to modern theological treatises, inasmuch as it not only provides a vast array of authorities-many of the names of which are not even known to ordinary writers-but indicates where great literary treasures may be surely procured. The author's own part of the book is exceedingly well done, with judgment, tact, and discrimination. Those of our readers, therefore, who have not yet obtained it, would do well to do so at once, as it is a fitting companion volume to Mr. Denton's former Commentary, and will prove of great practical service in the preparation of sermons. Though many volumes of sermons are published, very few commend themselves as of any decided value, the great majority being commonplace in the extreme. To this general rule, however, a book of Mission Sermons (London: J. H. & J. Parker), by Mr. J. B. Wilkinson, is a remarkable exception. He has produced a volume, in which sound Church teaching, and good practical illustrations of Holy Scripture, are combined with singularly definite sentiments, and a very attractive eloquence. And with all this, the sermons are exceedingly plain excellent specimens, in fact, of what mission sermons ought to be. Our readers will thank us for cordially recommending it to them. The second edition of the Priest's Prayer Book (London: J. Masters & Son) has just appeared, the first having been disposed of within a month of its issue. Those of our clerical readers who do not possess it, should be reminded that we have already placed on record our sincere conviction that it is by far the best and most complete book of the sort that has been issued for very many years; and that this second edition is-by the addition of new offices and other valuable matter-even more complete than the former. The Priest-Vicar of Wells Cathedral, Mr. R. R. Wallis, who apparently judges himself to be an "honest Evangelical," has in reply to Mr. Spurgeon, attempted to defend his own denial of the doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration. He has tried hard to push a camel through a needle's eye, but-as was to have been expected -has signally failed. Dr. Neale's Song for the Times (London: Masters) has been reduced in price. It can now be had, in its second edition, for Threepence. Brother Ignatius' Letter to the "Rev. Father Darby of Manchester" (Manchester: Heywood), was evidently written in haste. Had its author revised it more carefully, and eliminated a few expressions which would in no degree have weakened the force of many of its remarks, the result would certainly have been more satisfactory. It may, however, serve its purpose with some, notwithstanding this. The editor of the " 'Day Hours of the Church of England" has published a valuable Appendix (London: Masters), being memorials for the minor Saints' Days, thus giving completion to a book which has signally rendered the greatest practical service to the Catholic Revival. It is a remarkable fact that, with very few exceptions, the Kalendar of the Book of Common Prayer is almost identical with the earliest English Kalendars. Mr. Masters sends us a second edition of Rev. F. G. Lee's Advent Sermons, The Message of Reconciliation, which, being exceedingly plain and forcible in their style, as well as interesting and well-put in their arguments, will be acceptable to many during Advent. And not less so, perhaps, from the fact that all the texts of them appear to be selected from the Sunday services. The Union Review Almanack for 1865 (London: Hayes) sup plies a want which has long been felt. Here we have, for a shilling, a plain, well-written, and-as far as we have been able to look it through-accurate series of directions for performing Divine Service according to the present rule of the Church of England, with the Lessons, Proper Psalms, Services, and Colours of the day given in one place, without the trouble of turning backwards and forwards for either or any. The publisher of The Month, a new serial, has sent us the four first copies. It was a mistake to have imitated the character and even the typography of the Cornhill, for the claim of the Editor of this new serial is different in many particulars. His labours are well carried out, and he has produced a magazine, which, both as regards its letterpress and illustrations is inferior to none, while its tone is far in advance of the great majority of such productions. We warmly commend it to our readers' attention as eminently deserving of support. The list of contributors is excellent. We regret to learn that All Saints', Margaret Street, has lost the efficient labours of Mr. Gutch. Nothing can be more pointed, telling, nor clearly-put, than his outspoken comments in a very striking and able sermon, entitled The Profaneness of Pharaoh (London: Rivington) which deserves to be generally read and thought over. We need all to speak out with similar plainness and similar ability, and in no way require mere flat platitudes or vapid common-place. The Rev. John Milner in his Sequel to a Few Plain Words about the Apostolical Succession (London: Masters) has done good service by the publication. His opponents, however, if they be Scotch Presbyterians, will hardly comprehend his arguments-for (to judge from their writings) they have as little conception of the ancient church and its organization, as a newly born child has of the Square Root. Mr. Milner is wasting his powder and shot. Dr. Littledale has happily had occasion to re-print from our pages his paper on The Elevation of the Host (London: Palmer). It would not become us to speak of it as it deserves. We merely place the fact on record to enable those of our readers who may wish to possess it for themselves in its present form to do so. The Occasional Paper of the Eastern Association contains matter of great interest to all who are wishful for the Re-union of Christendom; and we therefore, recommend it to the special attention of our readers. It is published by Mr. Batty of Bouverie Street, E.C. Mr. W. J. Deane's Five Sermons on Union, will be also interesting and acceptable to many, being able and eloquent expositions of an important subject, well brought out and carefully put together. From Baltimore we have received a Memorial of the Rev. W. E. Wyatt, D.D., which is one of the best-written memoirs we have read, together with a Sermon on his death by Mr. Grafton,-eloquent, powerful, in good taste, and thoroughly Catholic. Mr. Stretton's Manual for Catechising, entitled The Church Catechism explained, Part II (London : Masters) is well calculated to be of singular use to the Clergy, being a valuable compilation, and as such we recommend it. The Judgment of Conscience and other Sermons by the late Archbishop of Dublin (London: Longmans) will be acceptable to his admirers. Other persons will find in all of them something of value and food for thought. Mr. Archer Gurney's Letter of Entreaty and Remonstrance to Dr. Pusey (London: Palmer), is in no way an answer (perhaps it is not intended that it should be such) to the celebrated pamphlet on the Privy Council Judgment. We have received from the Messrs. Parker a thoughtful, and, at the same time, an eminently practical Sermon by the Rev. W. Tuckwell, entitled The Aim of a Liberal Education. Edmund, a Tale, by Ralph Blakelock, B.A. is exceedingly well written, with a good plot and sound moral. It is published by the Church Press Company. A Few Words of Farewell addressed to the Congregation of Clare Market Chapel, by Mr. W. Baird (London: Batty) is both appropriate and telling. |