[British Critic, July 1841.]
Archdeacon Thorp, of Bristol, has published two Charges delivered in 1839 and 1840. They embrace the subjects of Cathedral Chapters, Rural Chapters, Church Discipline, Church independence, the Tithe Commutation Act, and Church Rates; and contain an excellent suggestion on the union of the Five Church Societies into a Church Union Society.
Dr. Pusey has published a Sermon, preached in Bristol, (Rivingtons,) under the title of “Christ the Source and Rule of Christian Love.”
The learned Dr. Todd has published a literary curiosity (Dublin Univ. Press), “The Last Age of the Church,” by John Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation.
Mr. Collison, of St. John’s, Cambridge, has published (Rivingtons) a temperate and successful “Vindication of the Anglican Reformers” from the well-meant calumnies of Professor Scholefield.
Mr. Beaufort’s Norrisian Essay on “Scripture sufficient without Tradition” (J. W. Parker), is a careful, learned, temperate, and well-reasoned essay on the important subject which it undertakes. It is singular that the same general subject has been proposed for one of the Oxford Theological prizes of the year, which has been gained by the Rev. M. Pattison, Fellow of Lincoln College. These prizes are not ordinarily published, but the character of Mr. Pattison’s mind, as seen in a work which we have reviewed above, is sufficient to assure us of the clearness and critical acumen with which he would treat an argument.
“A letter to the Warden of Wadham on the Oxford System of Education,” (Vincent, Oxford,) is the work of a person who has evidently thought a good deal on the subject, and does not write at random.
The Bishop of Nova Scotia has published a Sermon in behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Mr. Hussey, Censor of Christ Church, a University Sermon on “The Great Contest,” preached on Easterday; and Mr. Sibthorp, a University Sermon on St. Mark’s, under the title of “The Claims of the Catholic Church;“—both excellent; the latter especially interesting from its subject;—Mr. C. Marriott, another University Sermon on St. Barnabas, on “The Church’s Instruments for the Work of the Holy Spirit;” Archdeacon Thorp, an impressive University Sermon, called “The Student’s Walk;” Mr. Ram, a Visitation Sermon at Towcaster; Mr. Tarbutt, a Sermon on the Observance of Lent; Mr. Scott, a Sermon on Christian Quietness, by way of warning against so-called Revivals of Religion.
It is with melancholy satisfaction that we have received, in a collected form, the late Mr. Davison’s “Occasional Publications” (Rivingtons); satisfaction, that so many papers can be traced to him on theological and other subjects; deep regret, that his pastoral labours hindered the gifted author from leaving us further memorials of his faith and wisdom.
“Principles of Natural Education, by Rev. H. Hopwood,” (Burns,) is an examination of the views of “the state-educationists,” with the main object of pointing out what is good in them, and developing it into something more definite and real than they present. The idea is philosophical and valuable, and it is well brought out.
“Hints to Teachers in National Schools,” by the same author, (Burns), is a useful little selection of remarks and hints from some authors of name on the subject of education. There is much in it that is highly interesting; for on no subject has there been more ingenuity elicited than on education. The writer notices, with respect to some of these authors, their sad want of “definite Christian principles.” If it had been possible, (which perhaps it was not), the book would have been made much more valuable by being compiled more from sources not thus objectionable.
“The history of a Pocket Prayer Book, written by itself,” (Philadelphia), collects under that fictitious form a great number of facts and true narratives; and shows how wide and how deep church principles are taking root in the United States.
“The careless Christian reminded of his Privileges, warned of his Danger, and urged to repent without delay,” by the Rev. G. W. Woodhouse, (Rivingtons), is written in a serious practical style, and more sound and faithful in its doctrine than many publications on the subject.
Mr. Cyril Hutchinson’s “Plain Sermons on the Church Ministry and Sacraments,” (Cleaver), are clear and plain spoken discourses, designed to prove the danger of slighting these means of grace.
Mr. Woodward writes on “The Amusements of the World” (Duncan and Malcolm) in a style almost amusing enough to be a fair substitute for them. Far be it from us to tolerate anything so utterly out of the control of the Church as the theatre in its present state, but we cannot agree with Mr.Woodward when he says, that if he had an acquaintance, a most exalted character, as near Christian perfection as a man can be, he would mentally pass a lighter judgment on him if he heard that he had “committed some desperate act of flagrant open sin,” than if he heard that “a character of the same high stamp” had “with all sobriety and decorum, presented himself at the theatre.” However he does not always speak in this tone.