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REVIEWS AND NOTICES.

The Catholicity of the Church's Love, and the Humility of her Ceremonial. Four Letters in Reply to a Devout Layman. By an English Priest. London: Masters.

THIS is a small tract, but touches matters of grave import, upon which we propose to bestow a few words of comment. The Layman, to whom it is addressed, appears to have been startled at the views avowed by the writer in some previous work, and in a letter summed up his apprehensions in these two propositions :-that high Church principles would narrow the line of distinction between ourselves and Rome to a degree that would be unsafe: and, secondly, that ecclesiastical ceremonial must tend to minister to pride. In answer to the first, the writer enlarges on the dictum of Bishop Hall, that between the two churches "there are certain scholastic opinions of a middle rank, mere theological corollaries, or perhaps some outward ceremonies, wherein we dissent; principles of Christian religion there are not :" and then applies himself to combating the unfavourable feeling which is naturally produced in the mind by the hostile attitude which Rome nevertheless maintains against us. This he does, by reminding his friend, that upon our principles Rome is a branch of the Church Catholic; but upon her principles we are not. Consequently, there must be a great and sensible disparity between the feelings with which we regard each other.

The premises are indisputable; but we are not sure that they would lead us, in all respects, to the same conclusion with our author. We would rather argue in this manner :- -So long as Rome regards us as without the pale of salvation, nothing, it is obvious, which we can say or do, will alter her disposition towards us. Consequently, what we have chiefly to think of in determining the attitude which we should ourselves maintain, is simply its effect upon ourselves and our own brethren. Now, if there is one lesson of practical wisdom more than another which the experience of the last few years has taught us, we conceive it to be this, the desirableness of abstaining as much as possible from the creation of unnecessary barriers between ourselves and other members of our communion. Of those who have left us, a large proportion, we are persuaded, if they would read their own. hearts aright, could trace their dissatisfaction with the English Church, to the adopting, one by one, of practices unessential, which at length left them very little in common with ordinary English Churchmen: at least so the tempter whispered to them, charging them with dishonesty and want of candour; till at length, goaded by his stings, they resolved on purchasing present relief by a deliberate act of self-will.

2. That it is Protestant and not Catholic ceremonial which breeds pride, may be seen at a glance by entering any of the churches of the last fifty years. Which is it that exalts the clergyman in solitary grandeur to the obscuring of the altar, the sanctuary of the Most High? which teaches him to deck himself with rings, and perfumed and curiously

wrought cambric handkerchiefs? which to proclaim the good deeds of himself and two ungodly churchwardens, as office bearers, when "this church was repewed and enlarged?" which pays the most respect to worldly rank and riches? which teaches persons to talk most of the "reading" and preaching of Mr. So-and-so? The best answer to these cavils, perhaps, after all, may be found in the gospel for the day on which we are writing (S. Bartholomew's), where, immediately after our LORD had said The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, but it shall not be so among you," He adds, "I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My FATHER hath appointed unto Me, that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The one kind of exaltation leads to pride; the other does not.

A few words on Baptism addressed to the Women of England by one of themselves, (Bell,) is not, as its title would lead one to suppose, the work of a professed theologian; but it is intentionally orthodox, and must help, along with a multitude of similar publications emanating from every quarter of the kingdom, to force the light of true doctrine at length even into those minds which have been most unwilling to receive it.

We can scarcely speak so favourably of a letter by the Rev. W. A. RAWLINSON, on the Blessings of Baptism rightly received, which professes, "while it repudiates the extravagant ideas of the Tractarian school, to uphold the true dignity and substantial use of this Sacrament." We are surprised to see the respectable name of Mr. J. H. Parker to a pamphlet containing a statement so offensive in itself, and betokening necessarily either ignorance or heresy.

The Baptismal Controversy has crossed over to Ireland; and the Church has found a vindicator of the orthodox doctrine in the person of Dr. COLLINS, Dean of Killala (The Gorham Case, and the doctrine which it contains, considered. London: J. W. Parker). The writer's statements are not in all points so precise as we could wish; but the pamphlet is excellently well suited for Ireland, and has some very sound and sensible remarks upon the causes which have led so generally in that country to the loss of the true doctrine.

Mr. HEYGATE'S Wedding Gift (Rivingtons) breathes that same earnest, unaffected spirit of piety, which characterises all his other writings. Minuteness of detail, which might otherwise degenerate into dulness, is relieved by well-chosen selections from the most eloquent of Christian writers, as S. Chrysostom, and our own Taylor.

A new edition (the third) of SIR ARCHIBALD EDMONSTONE's Christian Gentleman has just appeared (Masters), re-arranged and considerably enlarged. This is the best testimony to its value. The preface contains some touching allusions to the trials with which the Church is now afflicted, showing that they sink deeply into the hearts of her most faithful lay members, as well as of her clergy.

Under the title of Tracts on the Church, Mr. Parker has published JONES of Nayland's Essay on the Church, and three or four others of that sound and useful writer's shorter controversial pieces.

Annie Moore, by the Rev. RICHARD LOWNDES, M.A. (London: J. Hughes), is a tale of country life, pleasantly written, and betokening a practical acquaintance with the habits of the poor. Mr. Lowndes is wrong in saying that the Apocryphal books were written by persons who were not inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT." The homilies indeed state exactly the reverse. What is Apocryphal," or doubtful in them, is only the measure or degree of their inspiration. This should be altered in another edition: in other respects, the theology of the writer is commendable.

"

We gladly welcome another volume of Hymns from Catholic sources, bearing the sanction of the venerable Bishop of S. Andrew's. (Edinburgh: Lendrum.) They are for the most part the same Hymns as those found in the Birmingham and Leeds selections, which we noticed two months since: but in several instances, the translation is decidedly better. We may mention especially the Pange, lingua, and the Salvete, flores. There is a full supply for the week-days, and "the hours" and a few Prose Anthems are added for the chief seasons of the Church. The demand for such a work betokens a higher state of Christian feeling in this distant diocese, as does the sanctioning it upon the part of the Bishop evince a more just sense of the episcopal office, than anything we have seen in England.

We have read with interest a Sermon preached before the Tithe Redemption Trust, by the Rev. JAMES DAVIES, Rector of Abbenhall. It betokens both vigour of expression, and depth of thought, beyond anything that we have seen issuing from this quarter. At the same time, we observe in it with regret, a certain self-reliance, and undervaluing of the traditions of the Church as well as of the world, which we are persuaded is at this time most needlessly impairing the influence of a very high-principled association of individuals. We will illustrate our

meaning by two instances. While lamenting the paucity of the Church's agents, the writer must needs go out of his way to attack Sisters of Mercy; and protesting against State-appointed Bishops, he advocates the choosing them by lot!

The Sermons of the Rev. R. TOMLINS, (Masters,) belong to that class of plain practical discourses which we are always glad to welcome. If not very much above the ordinary sermons of the day in literary pretension, they are distinguished by a tone of straightforward earnestness that cannot fail, under God's blessing, to tell upon men's minds. That great truth that Christians are to be built up, not suddenly perfected, is well enforced throughout this volume, and that this work of building up and perfecting must be by care and perseverance, step by step, by self-control and self-denial. As examples of the latter duty, we would name the sermons for Ash-Wednesday and Good Friday, with which we were specially struck.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The Letter of our American correspondent is in type, and shall appear in our next Number.

Errata:- Page 163, line 31, for Deo read Dei; for ergo read erga.

MORMONISM AND THE BURIAL OFFICE.

The Defence of a Refusal to Profane the "Order for the Burial of the Dead." With a Preface. Dedicated to the Members of "Church Unions." By JAMES BRADLY SWEET, M.A., Perpetual Curate of Woodville.

THE uneasiness caused by the present operation of the Burial Service, and the stringent laws which enforce its use, even in the most unsuitable circumstances, which originated in the feeling of its impropriety in various smaller and less palpable cases, has now an occasion for showing itself in a more definite form., It has the advantage of two very glaring instances to ground its claims upon; one occurring at Cambridge, in which the law took its course, and a faithful Priest was punished as unfaithful; the other related in this pamphlet, in which the same result would have ensued, had the friends of the deceased availed themselves of the law against Mr. Sweet. And, what brings out still more the awkwardness of our position is, the circumstance that Mr. Sweet's was no mere hasty effort to enforce discipline over the departed: in a former instance, he had presented persons for excommunication to the Bishop, (and would in the present case have done the same,) but his Lordship refused to act.

It is remarkable too, that while the former was a case of a breach of morals, the latter was one of falling from the Faith. And in this age, in which heresy and schism are fearfully underrated, it bears the features of a denial, not only of distinctively Christian doctrine, but even of our God Himself. And adherence to these awfully blasphemous doctrines, and the teachers who disseminate them, was persevered in to the last by the wretched woman, in spite of remonstrances from the curate and two of the neighbours during her illness; and notwithstanding a knowledge of the intended refusal to give Christian Burial to any one of her persuasion who should die impenitent.

Mr. Sweet has prefaced "the Defence" with some remarks on the present state of the laws and canons relating to burial; in which, amongst other things, he well asserts the necessary connection between a proper system of discipline and a well-arranged use of funeral rites. An insight into this connection, and the difficulties of a restoration of the regulations with respect to this question, may very probably have operated with those, who, while they have acknowledged the evils of our present position, have yet, through fear of making matters worse, hindered the attempt for their amendment. But at the present time, when the revival of Convocation is looked for, and important changes must be anticipated, there is * Page 5.

VOL. X.-OCTOBER, 1850.

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at once an opportunity for fully discussing this question, and also for urging it upon the public mind as one of the crying abuses which must await the meeting of that Body for its entire removal. For it is particularly a Church question. And an ecclesiastical assembly alone, and that the proper representative of the English Church, can take in all its bearings and merits, and supply a full and efficient remedy.

Cases, like this one which has been so firmly, yet temperately, met by Mr. Sweet, may very probably be of frequent occurrence. And that, on account of the great spread of Mormonism in our land. In the north, especially about Liverpool, where they began, are they prevalent; and they seem gradually extending southwards. In London, like almost all other heresies, they have made a strong head. Their numbers in England have been computed at about 30,000.* Their very extravagance appears to help their progress. Their opposition to the Church too, the promise to their members of great spiritual gifts, and that adventurous novelty which tempts the curious Englishman, as well as their unscrupulous and cunning mode of diffusing their principles, must, we fear, yet further cause their propagation among our religiously-ignorant poor.

Mormonism has a distinct character from most of the other sects. There is a completeness about its system, a claim to Catholicity, and withal an adaptation to some of the spiritual wants of the age, which makes it more formidable than the other deviators from the Church's path. And this is the more remarkable, because its originators were not only illiterate men, but men totally incapable of planning the scheme which has been put into execution. It seems that Joseph Smith worked on with but little foresight, but rather fitting himself to the emergencies of his daily-altering position. At first he appears to have been led solely by a lucky idea, on Spaulding's book coming into his hands or into those of his longerheaded accomplice, Sidney Rigdon. There is, we believe, no evidence of his having comprehensive and novel plans in childhood or youth, like the geniuses who from time to time have accomplished startling enterprizes in the history of the world. His early, like his latter character, was rather marked by the low cunning of a professed swindler. All throughout his life, amid his successes, reverses, and recoveries, he appears to us as a mere tool, a man who clearly was moving on, he knew not how. And it is this character which makes us fear it the more; because, what is the very strength and evidence of true Religion, is thus seized upon by the great enemy of Religion. We have fearfully brought before our minds the words of Holy Writ; that "Satan has transformed himself into an angel of light."+ In this way, Mormonism seems to accommodate itself to the spirit and wants of the age. It catches † 2 Cor. xi. 14.

English Review, No. XXVI. p. 440.