the Christian Observer, and accordingly I write them out from the original pencillings which lately came under my notice.

Islip Rectory; July, 1865.

FRANCIS TRENCH.

"Ye honour the Lord when ye take heed to yourselves that ye do not sit down to the food, which He gives you to sustain life, without a thankful remembrance that it cometh from the Lord. Our hands may be strong to till the ground, and to raise from it our bread; but it is the Lord who giveth to our arm strength, to the earth its fruitfulness, and to the food its power to nourish us. Our heads may be filled with knowledge, and others in return for the labour of our heads may bring to us money in abundance; and thus we may obtain means to provide our tables; but it is God who giveth us that knowledge, that intellect, or that ingenuity, through which we are thus supplied. And that same God could make us in a moment (as He made Nebuchadnezzar) idiots, and helpless as a babe. Or do we possess fields and houses, or other sources, whence our wealth flows in upon us; it is only by the pleasure of the Lord that we have such things, when He might have made us, as He hath made so many others, poor wanderers on the face of the earth, or like Lazarus at the gate of Dives, instead of enabling us to fare and live sumptuously. Forget not, therefore, whatever be your lot, whether you are rich or whether you are poor, that it is the Lord who provides for you day by day, just as much as when He shed forth manna from heaven on the Israelites-just as much as when He fed the Prophet Elijah by the brook Cherith, or when the five thousand were fed from a few loaves and fishes. But ye forget these things, because your faith is weak, and ye delight but little in the Lord's doings, and your remembrance of His mercies, though daily renewed, is faint. Did men think and consider as they ought to do, should we ever see Christians sitting down to their meats, and omitting the holy practice of saying grace for that which God spreads before them? Should we ever see them muttering a few words in a disrespectful tone and posture, instead of speaking with that reverence which is due to Almighty God? No! These things could not be. He who studies to do all to the glory of God will be glad of these daily opportunities, that he may return thanks unto Him who filleth all His creatures with food and gladness.' He will rejoice to show a good example unto those around, whether they be scoffers or devout, whether they be godly or ungodly men.

"The table is a matter of daily recurrence. Much time is spent at it. People meet there who, perhaps, meet little at other times-tares and wheat-vessels made to honour, and vessels made to dishonourthe good and the bad, who, without some necessity bringing them together, would probably be disinclined to meet together at all. Much sin on the one hand, much edification on the other, may be there. Mighty was that curse of David-'Let their table be a snare unto them!' The table is full of snares. Some there overcharge themselves with drink or surfeiting; some forget what self-denial means; and though they do not absolutely eat or drink, as man would hold it, to excess, still they indulge so freely, that they could not retire to prayer or open their Bibles with lively attention and delight.

Vol. 64.-No. 332.

4 N

Some, too, make the table a scene of impropriety by conversation of an indecent kind, and by mockery of those that are good, and of all true religion; while others, less wicked in these ways, but not free from condemnation, sit still and hear that which is wrong, while they ought to rebuke it, or quit the table at once. Many show themselves thus to be cowards in the cause of Christ, or ashamed of their profession, or forgetful that God is a jealous God, who bids His people to depart from the evil, and come out from among the wicked ones, and confess Him before men. And God tells them that 'evil communications corrupt good manners,' and that light should have no 'fellowship with darkness.'

"The table, too, is often a scene of uncharitableness. Dives fared sumptuously every day, and thought nothing of the beggar at his gate. So there are many, who take much thought for themselves what they may eat and what they may drink, but take no thought for the poor and destitute around them, and squander large sums on their luxury and delicacies. And some are discontented at their poor and mean fare, though sufficient for them, and all coming from the hand of God. They murmur at its scantiness, and envy those who may be better off than themselves. Therefore I charge you all before the Lord to repent of all former neglect, and to sanctify the Lord God at your tables, and seek His blessing on them with thankful hearts and the voice of reverence."

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy and Churchwardens of the Diocese of Worcester. By Henry Lord Bishop of Worcester. June, 1865. London: Rivingtons. 1865.-No one, we should think, can read this Charge without recognizing in it the hand of a painstaking and conscientious bishop. It is a document of unusual fulness; occupying fifty-two pages; without any waste of time or of words. More than twenty different topics are handled in it; some of them at considerable length; and in the whole tone and spirit of the Charge there is apparent a sincere desire to speak with tenderness, prudence, and consideration.

We cannot be expected, obviously, to yield an unreasoning assent to all that is said on all these twenty different topics; nor can we find space to discuss a single Episcopal Charge at such length as the sepa rate consideration of all these topics would require. For the most part, we go with the bishop; while on two points at least,-the Burial Service and the Oxford Declaration,-we should have liked some modification of the opinions given. But the most important passage in the whole document is one which we can cite with entire satisfaction. It touches on "the question of the day," and it is expressed with that clearness and decision which becomes increasingly necessary :

"Among the questions of religious interest, upon which the minds of men are

fixed, I need not say that the question of the Divine authority of the Bible has created the liveliest apprehensions in the hearts of men of simple faith. All other questions sink into insignificance compared with that which touches the security of the foundation upon which we have been accustomed to rely. We have been deeply pained and shocked at what men have said and written of the Bible. It is impossible to abstain from condemning with indignation the irreverent language with which efforts have been made to shake the faith of believers, or the self-confident arrogant tone of statements respecting the historical truth of Holy Writ, which, never of more than doubtful authority, the progress of discussion has shown to be unfounded. The questions, however, which have been raised respecting the authority of the Bible, have taken a deep hold of the minds of thinking men; and if no satisfactory answer be given to them, the discussion of them may die away, but a spirit of uncomfortable doubt will linger where all ought to be full of light and joy.

"It has been said that our Church does not speak with sufficient clearness about the authority of Holy Writ; and some colour is supposed to be given to the statement by the Judgment in the recent prosecutions to which I have referred. And yet to one who weighs what is said upon the subject in our Articles of Religion and in our Book of Common Prayer, it would seem to be abundantly clear that our Church declares the Volume, which we call the Bible, in its integrity, comprehending all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and that it uses those books throughout to draw from them as Articles of Faith things necessary to salvation.

"Our Church does not indeed lay down any doctrine about the way in which the several writers of the sacred Books were enabled to communicate the Word of God; nor does it declare what use is to be made of Holy Writ for any other purpose than the regulation of religious faith and duty. But our authorized formularies seem to me to express a clear judgment that the whole Bible is the Word of God, and that Christians are bound to use it, in what relates to faith and duty, as an authority from which there is no appeal. "In the Twentieth of our Articles of Religion the terms, God's Word written,' 'Scripture,' 'Holy Writ,' are applied clearly to the Volume comprehending all the Canonical Books.

"In the ordination of a deacon the candidate is asked, 'Do you unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?'

"In delivering the Bible to a candidate for the priesthood, the Bishop is directed to say, 'Take thou authority to preach the Word of God.'

"Can there be a doubt whether the Church, which uses such language and imposes such conditions, does thereby declare the Bible in its integrity to be the Word of God? Those who say that the Bible contains the Word of God, seem to use such language to imply that the written words may be separated into two parts; one which expresses the mind and will of God, and another which is simply the utterance of the human writer, and out of which nothing can be gathered respecting religious faith and duty. Our Church makes no such admission, but requires her ministers to take the whole volume and to use it to instruct the people in matters of faith and duty."

This judgment is of the more value, since it is found united with various counsels of a very tolerant kind. For instance, at p. 35, the bishop says,—

"I feel strongly that it is not the part of the Clergy to discourage free inquiry or to deprecate the application of the best natural powers of mind to the investigation of questions of spiritual and religious interest. 'What harm,' said Cranmer, can gold catch in the fire, or truth in discussion ?'

"If, indeed, I were in doubt, or had any misgivings about the claims of revealed religion to our devout acceptance, I might, perhaps, think it consistent with good policy and prudence to try to stifle inquiry and to persuade men to take for granted what might be found unable to stand the scrutiny of intelligent investigation. But, because a long life of thought, in which I thank God that I have enjoyed more than usually favourable opportunities of thought, has satisfied my inmost spirit that the claims of revealed religion, as professed and taught in the Church of England, are of unimpeachable validity, I cannot think

it consistent with good policy and prudence, or with the due dignity of truth, to deprecate the free inquiry of intelligent and educated men, or to cast the ready stigma of infidelity upon every statement which appears to go beyond accustomed limits.

"It will be an evil day for the Church, and if for the Church then for the realm, of England,-an evil day, I will venture to say, for the interests of morality and religion every where (for the position taken in the world of thought and letters by our Divines has gained respect for the Church of England every where), if the clergy of our Church do not show themselves equal to the occasion; if our ranks are not recruited by men of well-trained powers of intellect; if we do not prepare ourselves, one and all, as we have opportunity, with a due sense of the importance and responsibility of the work, to lead the religious thought of men of education and intelligence."

We readily concede all this, when coupled with the safeguard which we have already given;-that the Bible is, throughout, God's word, and therefore not to be affected by any reasonings of men, whether "scientific" or "philosophical." Here lies the grand difference; whether "science" is to be the queen or the handmaid; whether it is to judge, and, possibly, to condemn, Revelation; or to submit to its teachings. And on this fundamental point we are glad to have the Bishop of Worcester distinctly with us.

The Gospel in Type; or the Evangelical meaning of the Hebrew Ritual. By the Rev. J Ridgeway, M.A. Seeley & Co. 1865.— We can recommend this work with great confidence to our readers. The subject has been often handled by learned and able writers. But it is so rich in lessons of doctrine and practice, that it can afford to be treated of again and again. Mr. Ridgeway has discussed it with great ability, and a sound and discerning piety. His style is impressive and lively; his remarks are appropriate, and often new; and we are sure that no one will rise from the perusal without a fuller understanding, and a warmer interest in this important part of Holy Writ.

A Voice from the Fireside. By Mary Elizabeth Miller. Aylott and Son, London.-Mrs. Miller points out the defects in the present system of education for young ladies, and shows how much more necessary it is for them to be acquainted with home duties than to learn half the so-called "accomplishments" which are forgotten or neglected as soon as they leave school. The author touches on many subjects concerning home life, besides that of education. The chapter on "Home Duties," and that on "Fast Young Ladies and Over-Dress," may be studied to advantage both by mothers and daughters, and we doubt not they may both learn a lesson from it. Mrs. Miller's remarks on dress are very true:-" Depend upon it, a ladylike person will always appear a lady, be she dressed ever so simply; and, on the other hand, nothing can make an ordinary, common-looking woman look more common, more ordinary, than over-dress!" All very good; but all may be comprised in one sentence,-" Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your bodies and your spirits, which are His."

The Idle Word. Short Religious Essays. By Edward Meyrick Goulburn, D.D. Rivingtons, London. Perhaps no part of Christian duty is so much neglected at the present time as the government of the tongue. Few people seem to realize the words of Scripture, that "By thy words thou shalt be justified; and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." We rejoice that

It is a subject of

at last the subject seems to be gaining attention. momentous importance, and cannot be too seriously considered. If we think for a moment of the immense amount of mischief which is done in the world by a few" idle words " spoken thoughtlessly and without consideration, of the characters ruined, the peace of families destroyed, and the incalculable injury done, we shall at once admit that the subject is one of the greatest importance to us all.

The purpose of these essays is clearly explained in the first chapter. Dr. Goulburn tells us that it is on the important subject of conversation that he "feels more and more that one of the greatest hindrances to personal piety-that which cats out the heart and soul of true religion-is an unrestrained and unchastened exercise of the tongue. That if people could but be persuaded to banish from their lips empty talk (talk relevant to nothing in particular, gossip about their neighbours' concerns and arrangements and the like), and to have only such speech as was instructive or amusing (for words of innocent humour and wit are surely not idle words) a vast amount of moral and spiritual mischief would be swept away as so much rubbish out of the world, and men would be introduced by the effort into the atmosphere of holiness, as finding themselves unable to effect such a clearance without constant mindfulness of the presence of God."

Dr. Goulburn writes with elegance, power, and much deep feeling. But on doctrine he is obscure, or we fail to perceive his merits. One thing he seems still to want, a clear sense of the reality of the believer's personal union with Christ Jesus, and of our "completeness" in Him.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE Elections have just closed; both Conservatives and Liberals have suffered severe losses, and made unexpected gains; but on the whole the character of the future Parliament will not be materially changed. Now that the contests are over, two things strike us: the moderation of the candidates, and the violence of the people. Men of extreme opinions have not met with acceptance. Ön questions affecting the welfare of our old institutions, Liberals, where not compelled to speak, have been discreetly silent. On matters of reform and progressive improvement, Conservatives have spoken as men always in favour of removing proved abuses. The return of Mr. Newdegate for North Warwickshire, as the popular candidate, gives us great satisfaction. It shows that wherever candidates will boldly avow their Protestantism, they will be treated with respect. It should be remembered that in North Warwickshire there are to be found, a cathedral church, with its Roman Catholic bishop and hierarchy; the Oratory under the control of Dr. Newman, (both in Birmingham); and, within a few miles of these, the College of Oscott, second in magnificence to no foundation of the kind beyond the precincts of our universities. The influence of these institutions is, of course, widely felt, even amongst those who have no immediate connection with them. The return of Mr. Newdegate under such circumstances is a triumph to the Protestant cause. The heart of England is sound.