But if we are to trust our unassisted powers, there are no less than six or seven "cycles " or " wheels," announced here: i.e., of 460 years (p. 36), of 1335 years (p. 37), of 1152 years (p. 37), of 1890 years (p. 38), of 372 years (p. 39), and so on. Amidst this too great affluence of choice, we are as far as ever from finding out the right "cycle." It is like looking for a needle in a bundle of hay; and we must give it up. Davus sum, non Edipus. GOD PARENTS AT CONFIRMATION. BY ALFRED SALTS, LL.D., Vicar of Littleborough, Lancashire. London: C. Kegan Paul and Co. 1879. Pp. 88. preface Canon Wilkinson says, the thoughts "have been found so helpful, that the author does not feel justified in withholding them from publication." We live in days when we have to become accustomed to new terms, some of which we used to regard as the property of Dissent, and others of Romanism; but we have learnt the lesson that it is lawful to be taught by an enemy. Thus, on the first page of the volume which is before us, we find the words "Preparatory Prayer Meeting." Under this heading Mr Wilkinson gives, in his earnest way, some guidance in preparation for Holy Week. He makes five suggestions; the first, confess your sins; the second, believe in our LORD JESUS CHRIST; the third, put yourself into His hands for Holy-Week; fourth, think first of CHRIST; and the last, believe in the Holy Ghost. In the address on Tuesday in Holy-Week we have for our theme the "instinct for silence," in which we have this beautiful thought-"We have a longing to be still' to let Him speak those last words from Calvary." It is not Mr The purpose of this little book is to suggest the revival of the custom of having God-parents at Confirmation as well as at Baptism. Dr Salts thinks that by resorting to this practice, which is obsolete in the Church of England, we shall be able, in the Church's own way, to gain, or rather keep, a hold on the younger members of the flock, which Bible classes, night schools, &c., have failed to do. The Bishop of Man-Wilkinson's method to work out a thought; but to confine chester, in his Preface, gives "a few words of commendation to this essay," and says he regards "the increasing seriousness with which young people engage in the rite of Confirmation" as "one of the most cheering religious signs of the age." The author in the first chapter deals with the subject of God parents in general, and advises a revival of the custom of registering the names not only of the Baptized, but also of the Sponsors. He gives a copy of a register of the Baptism of one of Dr Cosin's sons, in which the names of the "Patrini" are inscribed. After showing that the sponsors at Baptism should not again act at Confirmation, but new ones be appointed, Dr Salts adduces two unimpeachable authorities for the revival of the office of God-parents at the Rite of Confirmation in the Church of England. In the twenty-ninth Canon, A.D. 1603, there are the following words:"Neither shall any person be admitted God-father or God-mother to any child at Christening or Confirmation before the said person so undertaking hath received the Holy Communion." And in the third Rubric, at the end of the Catechism, it is ordered that " every one shall have a God-father, or a God-mother, as a Witness of their Confirmation." Then we have in this work comments on this practice by Anglican Divines, "criticisms of Dissenting writers," quotations from Synods and Councils, and opinions of moral Theologians in its favour. The author having traced an analogy to this method of the Church in looking after her members, in the "Class system" of the Methodists and the "Overseers" of the Society of Friends, concludes his interesting and learned essay by pointing out the advantages of the Institution of God-parents for the Confirmed." We quite agree with the Bishop of Manchester, that "there may be those among the clergy who may be disposed "-seeing its advantages-"to restore in their parishes where practicable," this ancient" custom." HOLY-WEEK AND EASTER. By the Rev. GEORGE H. WILKINSON, M. A., Vicar of S. Peter's, Eaton-square, and Hon. Canon of Truro. London: Wells Gardner, Darton and Co. 1888. Price 1s. Pp. 98. This book consists of addresses which were delivered in S. Peter's, Eaton-square, in 1872. In a brief and modest himself to devotional reflections and practical suggestions which are to be drawn from it. In the next address there is, in connection with the words "Follow thou ME," a reference to Alpine scenery, which reveals the author's power of apt illustration. The addresses on Good Friday, which are full of the spirit of love, are not those of the "Three Hours" but are differently arranged, the first being at 1.30, the second at 2.30. We are tempted to prolong this notice by calling the attention of our readers to the thoughts on "Resting in the LORD," for Easter Eve, and to the sparkling brightness of the Easter addresses, but we must direct them to the book itself, in which they will find much spiritual help. LENTEN AND OTHER SERMONS. By HENRY W. Burrows, Prebendary of S. Paul's and Vicar of Edmonton. London: William Wells Gardner. Price 2s. 6d. Pp. 177. Of these sermons, six are for Lent, and the twelve remaining ones for other seasons and times. The first sermon is on the call of Elisha, in which we think the author makes a little too much of "the half-regret with which a prophet draws in one who little foresees what a call involves." Doubtless the cost may be great, but there is an overpowering sense of joy in a Divine vocation. The Sermon on the Incarnation is a very good one. In it the Scotist opinion is evidently favoured The Incarnation "was no after-thought. Man's nature had been created capable from the first, in order that the Son of GOD might assume it." Mr Burrows' plan is not to go into the depths of any doctrine or mystery, nor to view it in a controversial light; but he deals at once with its practical bearings. As instances of this, we may point to the sermon on "The In-dwelling Spirit," and on "the characteristics of the First Disciples," which is an Eucharistic Sermon. Mr Burrows alludes to the advantage of going "into what is technically called a retreat," in the sermon on CHRIST's withdrawal into the desert. In another, he foretells what must be finally the result of atheistic teaching, the "loosening of moral obligations." He notices the relation of cause and effect in the order of the Psalmist's words, "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no GOD;" and it follows "they are corrupt and become abominable in their doings." We can highly recommend this volume. It is a fine sample of parochial teaching. THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS, a Lenten Exercise. By the Rev. J. D. MEREWEATHER, B.A., Oxen, Chaplain at Venice. London: J. T. Hayes, 17 Henrietta-street, Covent-garden. 1880. This author of this little book treats his subject poetically. After each of the seven last utterances of our LORD, a chorus of angels sing in somewhat prosy verse. Whilst giving the author all credit for his reverence and devotion in approaching so solemn a subject, we cannot pronounce the result to be a success. The Clergyman's Magazine (Hodder and Stoughton) contains two high-class articles, one on the Holy Personality of the Holy Spirit, the other on the "Comparative Value of Moral Evidence," which latter, however, wants closer attention than is generally accorded by readers of magazines. Two others are of a practical character, of which Dr Bell's Homily on "Harsh Judg ments" is the more useful. It is not the only fault of "House to House Visitation" that it is based (without any necessity) upon a questionable interpretation of Acts xx. 20, though it may be due to our own obtuseness that we cannot divine what part of a parochial staff the author indicates by "acting presbyters and deacons who do not wear a white tie, and like some of the Apostles, have feminine appellations." There are plenty of helps in this number to Holy Week and Easter Sermons. In the first paper of this month's Expositor Dr Sanday continues his solid disquisition on the value of the Patristic writings: this time (it strikes us) with a little excess of critical detail not always close to the point. "As Old as Methuselah" is a wild essay, which, urging a strange theory, necessarily proposes strange interpretations of passages which contradict it. (By the way, we were not aware that the Scripture narrative represented Melchizedek as carrying "a small model of the Ark"!) Mr Beet's paper on the Greek Aorist is both thorough and readable. He speaks boldly, but hardly with rashness, when he says that the meaning of this tense "has a wide bearing on the entire domain of theology." There are two more papers in this number, which is one of pleasing variety. EASTER CARDS. MR ARTHUR ACKERMANN, of 191 Regent-street, sends us a packet of Easter Cards, some of which will be useful just now to our readers. Besides his own new Series of Easter Crosses, we may specially call attention to the Cards issued by Messrs Prang and Co., for which he is agent. Many of them are beautiful and very artistic. Those worthy of special separate mention are Nos. 7878, 1086, 1081, 1099. Messrs DUPUY, of Newgate-street, have also submitted to us a large assortment, consisting principally of Birthday Cards, some of which are very good. We may mention No. 7005, All who have the management of children, whether at home or in school, should be grateful to Messrs MARCUS WARD for these most varied and useful Series of Cards, for while they are really well executed, the prices are so moderate as to place them within almost everyone's reach. →Pavorital Colima દાલ Me PAROCHIAL BOOKS. BRIGHT THOUGHTS FOR THE MORNING. London: W. Wells Gardner, 2 Paternoster-buildings. Price 1s. This is a little book of meditations for young people. Both prayer and meditation require training of the mind. Many prayers are wasted, and much time lost in so-called medita tion, because people have not learned to control and concentrate their thoughts. 'Bright Thoughts for the Morning' will furnish excellent seed thoughts for a short daily meditation. The devotional poems which illustrate the various subjects are very far above the average. BIBLE STORIES FOR CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS. Second Thousand. London: John Hodges, 24 King William-street, Charing-cross. 1879. Price 28. 6d. We have always been of opinion that the best Bible Stories are to be found in the Bible, and told in the best language. The book before us does not change our opinion, but rather confirms it. Its language contrasts unfavourably with the vigorous Anglo-Saxon of the Bible; and some portions of the book, for example, the unnecessary amplification of the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, we consider most foreign to the object for which it is intended. PLAIN READINGS FOR SICK PERSONS. London: John Hodges, 24 King William-street, Charing-cross. Price 1s. 6d. A useful little manual for the clergy. The Church teaching conveyed in the readings is sound. STORIES ON THE CATECHISM. By C. A. JOHNS. Edited by the Rev. W. J. Knox-Little. Parts V. and VI. Price 18. each. London: C. J. Palmer, 32 Little Queen-street. These stories are excellent, as we might have supposed from the names of the authoress and editor. The tales which illustrate the doctrines of the Church are not all new; we meet with the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, which has been admirably told by Dr J. M. Neale. For readings to a class in school, to children at home, or for suggestive materials for children's Sermons, these stories will be found very useful. AN OFFICE OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. Compiled by H. M. G London: C. J. Palmer. A little book of devotions intended for those who are pre 7007, 7010 as being good. Also 7025 as suitable for children, vented by illness or other sufficient cause from attending Holy Last, by no means least, Messrs MARCUS WARD forward several packets of their cards which, though not specially suitable for Easter, may not inappropriately be mentioned here; while all are well executed, some are specially artistic and pleasing. The packet of eight Landscape Views under the title "The Mirror of GOD," are capital, and very cheap | (price 18.). A pretty set of British Birds' Nests and Eggs is No. 129 (price 6d.) The Birds themselves will be found in Packet 146-"What the Birds tell us" (price 6d.). Communion in Church. FOUR MEDITATIONS ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD. Given at All Saints' Church, Honington, Warwickshire. By the Rev. E. THOYTS, M. A., Vicar. Oxford and London: A. R. Mowbray and Co. Pp. 63. The history of our LORD's Passion is a precious gem which shines more brilliantly with constant handling. The number of meditations on this, the most interesting of subjects, is immense, and yet there is room for more. The little book before us is evidently the work of an earnest and devout man, Very useful to send to absent friends will be Packets 109 though he fails to bring out much new light in his handling of and 110" Mizpah" (price 1s. each). the subject. From Messrs Mowbray (Oxford and London), we have received several small tracts or leaflets bearing on the right observance of Good Friday. Also an illustrated broad sheet representing the Condemnation, the Crucifixion, the Embalming, and Burial of our Blessed LORD. A PRAYER TRIPTYCH (price 1d.), is specially useful. We have also received My SUNDAY FRIEND for 1879, a volume always welcome, and always good alike. WHAT IS CONFIRMATION P By W. REYNER COSENS, D.D., Vicar of Dudley (London: William Poole), treats of the holy rite in a thoroughly Catholic spirit. IN RESURRECTIONE DOMINI. Pone luctum, Magdalena, Et serena lacrymas; Non cur fletum exprimas Alleluia resonet. Sume risum, Magdalena, Alleluia resonet. Gaude, plaude, Magdalena, Tumbâ Christus exiit, Qum deflebas morientem Alleluia resonet. Tolle vultum, Magdalena, Redivivum obstupe; Vide frons quam sit amena, Quinque plagas aspice; Fulgent sicut margaritæ Ornamenta novæ vitæ. Alleluia resonet. Vive, vive, Magdalena, Tua lux reversa est Gaudiis turgescat vena Mortis vis abstersa est: Mo ti procul sunt dolores Læti redeant amores. Alleluia resonet. Poetry. THE RESURRECTION. Hush thy grieving: Grief has ceased Hush thy wailing, Magdalene : Not to-day is Simon's feast; Why those tears, that mourner's mien Causes here are none for sadness, Numberless for joy and gladness. Alleluia. Smile once more, and let thy brow Alleluia. CHRIST has issued from the tomb, Alleluia. Gaze on Him. He lives anew; Alleluia. Lo, thy Light of life is here, In fruition swallowed up." SERMON 4 GOOD FRIDAY. S. JOHN xix. 5. "Behold the Man." A few months ago the faithful were, with joyful hearts, saying to one another, "let us now go even unto Bethlehem." Now with bowed heads, and sorrowful souls, "behold, we go up to Jerusalem." We have said to the careless world, "abide ye here, and we will go yonder and worship." We will follow in the blessed steps of JESUS, the true Isaac, to the Mount of Sacrifice, where GOD will Alleluia. JACKSON MASON. not spare His beloved Son. May we leave all that is low and earthly and degrading this day, and go up into a mountain, even Mount Calvary, where JESUS, who once preached on the Mount of blessing, will preach to us from His cross upon the Mount of Sacrifice. On that sad Mount of Calvary there is darkness, and yet there we shall find light, since the True Light hath there shined out of the darkness. We shall go there to-day in the darkness of our sin and sorrow, but if we repent we shall pass into the light, into the light of His countenance; and that sad mountain of darkness and death will become to us like that great and high mountain from whence we shall see Heaven opened to us, to all believers. JESUS said, "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto ME." Year by year we see these words more perfectly fulfilled. The power of the cross is seen in the increased observance of Good Friday; and although there is yet much to deplore in the carelessness or unbelief of the many, yet we must believe that at last the crucified JESUS will draw all men unto Him. To-day JESUS crucified draws us to Calvary. We go with the crowd, we turn aside from the events of everyday life" to behold this great sight." With what feelings do we come to the cross of JESUS? Amongst us, doubtless, there are some careless ones as there were among the crowd on the first Good Friday; those who come to the cross and go away unsaved. There are many in the world to-day who will pass by Calvary with a jest, and mock before the face of the dying Son of GOD. But there are many, also, whose hearts are full of love and full of sadness for the sufferings of their LORD; let them pray for the scorner and the careless one, and the unbeliever, that they may be drawn to the cross and find pardon. There were some who went to Calvary on that first Good Friday perhaps scarcely knowing why they went; sad-hearted troubled folk, whose lives were wrong, and who knew not how to cure them; and who, kneeling beneath the cross, and feeling the precious Blood of CHRIST drop on them, found light, and joy, and peace. Oh! if there be any such here to-day, who have cried for the light and never found it, who are conscious that there is something wrong with them which they know not how to mend, let them come to Calvary now, let them fall prostrate in prayer before the cross, let them go down into the grave of repentance to-day, and so shall they rise on Easter morning to the new life of better things. And now that we stand in the presence of our Redeemer dying for us, “let us stand in awe, and sin not," let us "be still, and know that it is GOD." Let us strive to realize that we have crucified JESUS, that our sins no less than those of others have given JESUS to the cross. Let us try to feel that, as the voices in Pilate's hall cry "crucify "I see the scourges tear His back, And of that crowd who smile and mock, ""Twas I that shed the Sacred Blood, I nailed Him to the tree; I sacrificed the CHRIST of GOD, See how the cruel nails have torn those trembling hands! For the sins of our hands the hands of JESUS are pierced. For the sins to which our feet have been swift to hasten, the feet of JESUS are torn; for the sins which our brain has devised, the head of JESUS is crowned with thorns, and bowed in agony. "Oh! for a pencil dipped in living light, To paint the agonies that JESUS bore.' Let us mark hands on the cross to bless us His children. And now Hɛ, the true Jacob, has stretched forth His the spirit, which are joy, love, and peace.” Once more "Behold the Man," and beholding, cry with the Centurion, "of a truth this was the Son of GOD." They part his garments among them; and there again his enemies unconsciously teach us a lesson. Adam by his sin lost the robe of innocence, and hid himself from GOD, ashamed of his nakedness. JESUS suffers His garments to be divided that He may clothe us sinners with the robe of His righteousness. They have pierced His side with a spear. Ah! not only the spear of steel, but the spear of man's ingratitude pierced Him even to his broken Heart. And mark the result. Then came forth from that broken side streams of love, streams of water to cleanse us from our sin, and of blood to strengthen us for ever in His sacraments. Thus in His death are the prophecies fulfilled. "I am poured out like water," said the Psalmist, and now from the side of JESUS is poured out a river which goes forth out of Eden to water the garden of the Church. By that pure water of life, clear as crystal, JESUS has formed for us a better pool than Bethesda, where those who are crippled by sin may find healing. And by that precious blood He has formed for us a Red Sea, through which we may pass in safety, and see our enemies, our old sins, dead upon the sea-shore. And now that we have stood by the cross of Jesus, let us not merely beat upon our hearts and withdraw like the Jews, nor stand afar off like the friends who forsook the LORD, but let us strive to make this indeed a Good Friday for our souls, by true and sincere repentance for our sins, so that with lightened hearts we may seek the Risen JESUs on His Altar "very early in the morning" of the blessed Easter-day. H. J. WILMOT-BUXTON. The Sermon in our next issue will be by the REV. W. E. HEYGATE, Rector of Brighstone, and will be suitable for the Season after Easter. OUTLINE OF SERMON FOR EASTER DAY, S. LUKE xv. 32. "It was meet that we should make merry and be glad: for This Thy Brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." ALLELUIA for (Rev. xix. 67.; S. Luke i. 51 f., Ps. xcviii. 1 . -2; Ex. xv. 1 m.). The Seed of the woman hath (Gen. iii. 15), for the proud one, Satan (Ps. vii. 16-17) when he said (Ps. xli. 8 l. A. V.), already was He (Prov. viii. 31). Alleluia! for (Ps. cvii. 16) He hath (1 Cor. xv. 20), He hath spoiled the Strong man (S. Luke xi. 21-22; Coloss. ii. 15; Judg. v. 21 7.). Ps. c. 1 for T, see Sursum Corda and Prop. Pref. for Easter Day : "Lift up your heart, lift up your voice, Rejoice, again I say Rejoice!" we tell out our gladness to the world around with music and flowers and the decoration of GoD's sanctuary-and that we ascribe (Ps. xcvi. 7, 8, 9) by having more numerous Services and by offering more frequent Eucharists! THIS THY BROTHER WAS DEAD AND IS ALIVE AGAIN: AND WAS LOST AND IS FOUND. No apology needed for taking these words out of their immediate context, and applying them mystically to our Blessed LORD; for it would be hard to find any sentence of Holy Scripture more thoroughly suited for the text of an Easter sermon than this, once uttered by Him Who is (Rev. i. 18.) 1. THIS THY BROTHER. Who and what is This? Our Elder Brother (Prov. xvii. 17 l.; 1 Tim. ii. 5 l.); for He is not (Heb. ii. 11 l. 12 ƒ.). Yes! (Heb. ii. 14 f.; Gen. ii. 23 f.; iii. 22 f.) HE, the Second Adam (1 Cor. xv. 47 l.), our Head and Crown, the True type and representative of our race, is one with us, for (S. John i. 14; Eph. v. 30). And HE vouchsafes to call us His brethren (S. Matt. xxviii. 10). Shail we not eagerly claim kindred, use this Name of Love, and take Him as our Brother, Protector, Friend? Shall we not live as brethren of CHRIST our LORD (Ps. lv. 14-15)? Shall not men take knowledge of us (Acts iv. 13 7.)? Yes if there be any reality in us, we shall imitate and follow His Resurrection by (S. Matt. v. 16). The grave-clothes of sinful desires and evil habits will be cast off and we shall rise with CHRIST (2 Cor. v. 17). Wherefore (Coloss. iii. 1). Let us by our every thought, word, and deed, prove our right and title to be called His brethren, "very members incorporate of His mystical Body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people." 2. THIS THY BROTHER WAS DEAD. Day by day the Holy Church throughout all the world, acknowledges in the Creeds, that her LORD, our Brother, according to the Flesh, was crucified, dead, and buried." And year by year we keep holy the day of the LORD's Death and Passion, in remembrance, how for us men, for our salvation, out of pure love, the Eternal Son was crucified and slain, underwent the death of a malefactor, and was indebted to a rich man for His tomb and burial (Is. liii. 9-12, S. Matt. xxvii. 57-61). About the reality of our Blessed LORD's Death there could be no possibility of doubt; for it was witnessed, attested, and believed in, The death of the Cross alike by friends and foes. was generally very lingering, but in the case of our Blessed LORD it was sudden and unexpected. HE died from a broken heart (Ps. Ixix. 21.) The powers of nature were not utterly exhausted, for just before HE breathed forth His soul, HE cried (S. Matt. xxvii. 46 f.). No mere three days' trance, but a real and true death, because (S. John xix. 31-35). Why for lo! the winter of Lent is past (Cant. ii. 11, 12, 13 f.) did they break the legs of Dymas and Gesmas, and all Nature speaks of Resurrection ! As then (Ps. cxviii. 24), for This our Brother was dead (T). Therefore is it that we joy before God (Ps. lxxxi, 37) with Psalms and Hymns and Songs of Praise-that forbear in the case of our Blessed LORD? It was unnecessary-He was already dead. His death was attested by the Centurion for (S. Mark xv. 39, 44, 45), by the fact of SS. Joseph and Nicodemus burying the body of the LORD |