Слике страница
PDF
ePub

of St. Paul's promised "to pay all spiritual obedience to the Right Reverend William Skinner and his successors," what did they mean by this? did this imply that their minister was to dictate to his bishop when, where, and how he was to confirm the young people of the flock? that their minister was to decide what canons of the Church he was to obey or what to disobey, or how long, or how often, he was to plead "his scriptural objections," and "his religious convictions" against his bishop's commands? that their minister might sign a paper one year, and twelvemonths after plead that he did it under a mental reservation which directly contradicted every word of it? and that by "electing their own minister," they denied to their own bishop the authority of placing over them their shepherd in the Lord?

Of the folly, on Sir William's part, of supposing that he can still act "Presbyter of the Church of England," though he has renounced his Bishop, we have spoken so much at large in Mr. Drummond's parallel case, that we care not to repeat it. Mr. Lawson's (No. 5) pamphlet, though, perhaps, rather too pungent for our taste, contains some observations (pp. 9-11,) which it would puzzle Sir William to answer. We had marked them for extract, but we are compelled to pull up somewhat suddenly.

Of these pamphlets we can just afford space to remark, that Sir William's is beneath contempt in matter and style; and that No. 4, "Sir William Dunbar Defended," is the vulgarest rubbish we ever read ; with No. 2 we concur heartily, excepting the point which we have criticised. Mr. Lawson's is the most able of the set, if he did not fall into railing; and No. 3 is remarkable only for its dulness.

We have only to add, that at the conclusion of the affair (we regret that it was not terminated by excommunication; perhaps, however, it is not yet over,) Sir William seemed much disposed to keep the temporalties of St. Paul's, which, in the "History of the Scottish Church since the Revolution," we find to be "perhaps the richest in Scotland," (p. 487,) although he had relinquished the spiritualties; but we are enabled to announce that "the managers, &c." have so far obeyed the Bishop's injunctions as to declare the charge vacant-whether they will present another clergyman yet remains to be seen.

POSTSCRIPT.

After the above notice of the Dunbar schism was in type, and partly worked off, we were favoured with a letter from Sir William Dunbar, requesting us, when we redeemed our last month's promise of noticing this business, to keep in view the conditions of the voluntary union. As the nature and provisions of this document are the very grounds upon which we have argued the case, it is remarkable enough that we and our opponent should have chosen the same lists for the controversy; when he dictates the conditions upon which we are to meet, he can complain of no

"The Bishop's letter to me shows the following opinions to be entertained by his

reverence:

"First, That he committed to me the charge of St. Paul's.

"Secondly, That until he had done so, I had no authority to read the public prayers of the Church, to administer God's sacraments, and to preach His word. Now, in these sentiments, entertained by his reverence, I cannot concur," &c.— Dunbar, p. 17.

unfairness on our part; and to complete the case against him, we subjoin the terms quoted by the Rev. Baronet :

"That all the present rights and privileges of the members of St. Paul's Chapel, (particularly as set forth in the constitution or decree arbitral, pronounced by the late George Moir, of Scotstown, Esq., and extension thereof,) shall remain entire and be secured in the union, more particularly the choice of the clergyman, the sole management of the funds, and the continued use and preservation to the chapel of the exclusive use of the Liturgy, including the Catechism of the Church of England; none of which rights and privileges shall be infringed upon without incurring the dissolution of the said voluntary union."

A Memorial, &c. The Doctrine of the Cross, exhibited in the Faith and Patience of a humble Follower of Christ. London :

Burns.

1843.

THIS is a book which we should feel shame to take up as mere critics: it is far too holy and solemn. It is the biography of a female of very simple and childlike obedience, and of a most devout and saintly life, who was graciously led, and this, as far as we may learn, by God's especial grace to "know of the doctrine," by "doing His will." Educated a Quaker, she found that cold scantling of religionism too confined and narrow for even her antebaptismal depth of piety; the full system of the Church alone was sufficient for the perfect development of a rare and exalted holiness; and after passing through some very singular trials and difficulties, she settled down into the most careful and diligent walk in the Catholic faith and practice, at least as completely as her shortened life permitted; for she died before she arrived at "the perfect stature." If we are not mistaken in a conjecture supplied by a single passage, she was, on her incorporation into the Church, an attendant on the ministry of a clergyman of the extreme Calvinistic school: but the insufficiency of modern evangelicalism is forcibly and most practically evinced by her life; had we any confidence in one of the late Mr. Knox's distinctions, though in her case the "foundation" might be laid in the uncatholic modern doctrine of conversion, this biography proves that it was the Church alone which could build the "superstructure Christian." She ripened out of evangelicalism by a gradual and personal experience of its lack of depth and heavenliness it realized to her neither the true idea of the Divine incorporation, nor the power of being conformed to His image. In her was set forth the true teaching of the Cross; being made perfect through much tribulation, she found her way to eternal joy by suffering here with Christ her door to enter into eternal life was gladly to die with Christ; and if we required an evidence of the strength of the Catholic system to train saints for life or death, this touching "Memorial" would furnish it. It is rather for tears and humbled hearts than to be talked about; and we recommend it most heartily to those who think that our own Church has not sufficient life to produce a St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a St. Theresa or a Magdalen of Pazzi, as well as to those who say that Catholicism and formsm are convertible.

It appears that the "Memorial" is composed by a near iend-are

we wrong in conjecturing a medical attendant ?—if so, such specimens of the "Religio medici" are as comforting to the Church, as, we fear, rare in the profession. It is scarcely credible how much of the Church's work might be done by the doctor; in the ages of faith, the functions of priest and physician were ordinarily united; and "Luke, the beloved physician," had those who followed him in either portion of his ministration. Adopting a very sober and reserved tone, we imagine that the author might, had he pleased, have said much more of the lovely character which he has drawn ; but his object was, of course, not only to strengthen us, but to attract separatists to the Church from this exhibition of her divine and deeper gifts. We may add that the title-page is in the true ancient style: we have so long been annoyed with the various trumpery caricatures of illuminated pages, that it is consoling to find one severe and really correct like the present. by far the best which has appeared.

It is

The Pageant: or Pleasure and its Price. A Tale for the Upper Ranks of Society. By FRANCIS E. PAGET, M.A. &c. &c. London : Burns. Rugeley; Walters. 1843.

ON receiving this volume, with at least two others of the same taking class, from Messrs. Neale and Bellairs, we resolved, as the phrase goes, to speak out, and to denounce emphatically, from whatever source, the continuance of this mode of inculcating high religious truths. It has long been a matter of suspicion to us, whether the spiritual fiction (really we do not know in what accredited division of literature to rank "Tales of the Town," and "Tales of the Village," "Tales of the Manufacturing," and "Tales of the Agricultural Interest") has not done its work, if it ever had a work to do. We do not intend the slightest disrespect towards Messrs. Gresley and Paget, who are exceedingly able men, and learned and high-minded men, but we deprecate a school formed of their followers; to think of their thirdrate imitators is quite nauseating.

At the best, these little stories are rather one-sided; from the days of Plato, the conventional license of a dialogue gives an unfair advantage to our own side of the dispute ; where an advocate is permitted not only to arrange his own but his opponent's arguments, to give himself all the logic, and the other interlocutor all the nonsense, it is but a small triumph to come off victorious. And again, as far as we have yet read, the stock subjects of these light militia recur at very short periods apostolical succession, baptismal regeneration, self-denial; and then self-denial, baptismal regeneration, and apostolical succession. Our readers have not to be told that, in this review, such subjects are always estimated at their most awful value; but we are alarmed lest, in a mere literary idle drawing-room way, young ladies and young gentlemen should, as far as words go, allow all this, and there stop. It will be of little use to knock up the Minerva Press, and to substitute a "Catholic" Minerva Press for it. It may be that "Matilda de Rosanne," if there ever were such a novel, would be less hurtful than æsthetic, rose-coloured, vignetted, embossed, hot-pressed, rubricated

[blocks in formation]

tales. The fact is, that the whole class is much too nice, much too readable, much too satisfying for us. Somehow or other, the very novelty of such a mode of helping a most serious controversy, or even of inculcating duties, however urgent or forgotten, makes us disposed to suspect its lawfulness. Surely the Church has, for eighteen centuries, had the same work to do, the same souls to win, the same varying shades of character and education with which to deal; and yet, till within a few years, she never thought of converting heretics by love-tales, or of forcing herself into the boudoir in a white chip hat, and marabout feathers. No: if we must have controversy, let it be stern in guise, repulsive in form, systematical and technical in language, as of old. We are sorely alarmed at the question of Church authority discussed in the pauses of a quadrille; and, of the two, we would rather hear him of the white gloves ask her of the pink slip, about the common-places of the season, the Cartoons, and the last marriage, than whether she has read " Agnes de Tracy," or what is supposed to be the subject of "Mr. Paget's next." fact that they are so popular, coupled with another fact which is not so pleasant, that so very little way is made, is at least ominous; for five hundred who read tales and tracts, is there one who acts? There is a limit, though it requires a wise head and steady hand to draw it, where popularizing truth should cease. If shallow science owes its existence to the Pinnocks and Marcets-if trumpery politics to the Martineaus, and flimsy education to the Edgeworths of a by-gone day, it may be that some who would most deprecate it, will have to answer for the abeyance of a masculine, deep, and earnest theology in the Church of England. Ringleted Catholicism and kid-gloved churchmanship we have an especial dread of.

The very

All which sour surly thoughts we have long brooded over; when lo, "The Pageant!" a most excellent and lively, and well-intentioned tale, which is not at all controversial; and therefore most of what we have said is inapplicable to it. It embraces a subject which has occupied some of our own pages; and much of those terrible details of the devilish factory and mining systems, upon which we have commented, has been reproduced by Mr. Paget, although his chief aim in the present tale is to expose the atrocious wickedness of fashionable London life, as applied to the poor milliner girls. We can only say that we earnestly wish this book circulation in the very quarters about which we are most doubtful; the more smart Lady Gertrudes and Honourable Fannies we can get to read it the better; and the more cold, and worldly, and selfish they are, the more they stand in need of "Uncle Wat's" rough tongue. If ever we ask for a pulpit, it will be to be allowed, some first Sunday in June, to preach a sermon in St. Peter's, Pimlico, on Isaiah iii. 16-26.

While we are on the subject, we must just request the influence of Mr. Paget's excellent taste to prevent his printer from luxuriating in such childish caricatures of illuminated titles and headpieces, and stamped bindings, as "The Pageant" rejoices in; they are simply ridiculous.

The wished-for "Prize Essay towards the Conversion of learned and philosophical Hindus," (Rivingtons,) by Mr. J. B. Morris, Fellow of Exeter, has just appeared. It is far too important in subject, and learned and elaborate in execution, to admit of more than acknowledgment in this place. That must be no common book to which the wreath was awarded, which such a man as Mr. Sewell failed to win.

"Popular Tales and Legends," (Burns,) pleases us much; it goes upon the right principle to cultivate the habit of faith, by early exercising children "in the contemplation of the wild and the unearthly," and the religious teaching is suggested, rather than directly intruded. This is judicious: in our young days, a fable seemed hardly earned after swallowing the dry husk of moral at the end; children must be caught by guile: and it is about as wise to ask a wit to be funny, as to take a child to its "religious lesson." It is a healthy sign, too, that we are no longer ashamed of fairies and dwarfs: the "good people" left us out of spite for their bad usage.

"Notes on the Use of the Surplice, &c." (Rivington,) is an Appendix to an excellent pamphlet, entitled, "The Prayer for the Church Militant, and the Surplice: in reply to the Quarterly Review," and contains valuable documentary matter. The subject has obviously grown upon the author, and the more research is expended upon it, the more decisive is the evidence that the surplice is the only vestment authorized by the Anglican Church, in all parts of divine service. Remembering how deep a principle is at stake on this question, we cannot be too thankful for the care and labour bestowed upon what seems an unpromising inquiry.

"Squire Allworthy and Farmer Blunt," (Rivington,) is a dialogue on the Offertory, by Mr. Palin, of Stifford, of whose labours in this cause we have already spoken favourably. We doubt whether much good is done by this particular mode of inculcating duties; but probably the experience of a village clergyman is better than our own as to its usefulness. It is well intended certainly but why was the tract so vilely printed, for it is not over cheap?

A most magnificent undertaking has just been commenced by Mr. Sunter, of York, "The Monastic Ruins of Yorkshire." The work is dedicated, by permission, to the Archbishop of York; nor could his grace have easily found one worthier of his patronage. It also boasts a most excellent Introduction, of which it is enough to say that it is by the Rev. E. Churton. No. I. which is all that we have yet seen, is very beautiful. We had no conception either that lithography could attain such consummate delicacy, or that a book so beautiful could have been got up in the provinces. The work, we believe, will be completed in about six numbers. We must also mention a Chart of Ecclesiastical Architecture, by the same publisher, as a well-executed and useful manual.

"Flee Fornication," (Burns,) is a tract which required a strong-minded man to write; it was of course much needed, for we have been, it is to be feared, faithless to our commission in suppressing from false delicacy all allusion to a certain class of sins. Fleshly lusts had not been so common, and so little thought of, had the Church spoken with scriptural boldness against them; however, it is a good sign that this sad matter is gaining attention in all quarters.

And while we are upon Tracts, it would be presumptuous to do more than announce from the same publisher a series of "Selections from the Works of Bishop Wilson." Two numbers, one on Confirmation, and one on the Lord's Supper, have appeared.

"A Word of Warning, connected with the alarming spread of Tractarianism, by the Rev. Hugh White, A.M.," (Dublin, Curry,) is not only unpleasant, but

« ПретходнаНастави »