They are incapable of being reproduced in any other pulpit, but they would form very interesting and instructive reading to any well-educated Church people. We trust that Mr. Haines will settle down in some other sphere, and build up another body of disciples in some of the dark places of the land.

The Rev. John Wordsworth has published seven University Sermons. (Oxford: Parker.) They are learned and orthodox, and intended to meet the difficulties which beset the Undergraduate mind at the present day.

It is no uncommon thing to meet with prosaic verse. But prose which turns readily into poetry is a very rare production. Such, however, it has been shown by Miss Bellett is much of Faber's Description of the Holy Land. From Bethlehem to Nazareth (Masters) is the title of the experiment which she has made, and a charming little volume she has produced. It is difficult, where all is really beautiful, to select any one passage for special praise. But, if we must choose one, it would be the chapter headed "The Eternal GOD." Ben Cramer: Working Jeweller, by Stella Austin, (Masters.) The authoress of "Stumps,' 39.66 Somebody," "Rags and Tatters," and other clever little books, has earned for herself a well-established reputation as a thoroughly successful writer of tales for boys and girls, which can only be increased by the work that has just appeared under the above title. It comes to us outwardly in most attractive guise, and is illustrated by some very pretty representations of the scenes it describes, but it is the story itself which will delight the young people for whom it is intended, and which more mature readers will find very enjoyable also. The scene is laid chiefly in Italy and Paris. In a villa near Florence we are introduced to "Bors" and "Dodo," two thoroughly natural children, whose sayings and doings are very amusing. They make acquaintance with a good-natured, manly English boy, Sydney Reid, who plays an important part in their history, but their best friend is the working jeweller, “Father Ben," as they term him. From him they receive sensible religious teaching, which gives the book a value beyond the mere amusement it is sure to afford its readers, and the following conversation is a good instance of Father Ben's mode of instruction. Bors, who is watching him at his work, announces that he wishes to ask a question

"When father and mother died, we went in to kiss them and say good-bye. Father said, 'Be a brave boy,' and mother said, 'Be good children.' Now Dodo and me often talk about it, and we can't make out what it is to be good. Does it mean the same as being brave?"

"No,' said Ben, they are not the same. You can be brave without being good, but I do not think you can be good without being brave. Good people are always brave, at least I have always found them so. Bravery is only another name for fearlessness. Vigorous health and a stout heart might make a man naturally brave. But if you are good of what can you be afraid? A child who has hold of his father's hand does not fear though the night may be dark and he cannot tell where his father is leading him. And the great King has hold of our hands and is leading us Himself every step of the way. Of whom or of what shall we be afraid if GOD is with us?'

"It was talking over Bors's head, and he did not quite understand. He waited a minute, then asked humbly, 'And what does it mean to be good?"

"It's easy enough,' said Ben, 'as I've been taught it. It's no use muddling people's brains and telling them they are not to do this thing or that thing, and they may do this thing or that thing. Years and years ago, long before you were born'—the sad look deepened in eyes, and mouth, and voice-'I heard something in a church that has lasted me all my life, and I will tell it to you and perhaps it will last all your life also.'

"Yes,' said Bors, breathlessly.

“Well, then. To be good means only to be like the good God. Set every thought aside and put this first before all others. To be good is to be like the good God. To act as GOD would act, to speak as GOD would speak, to think as GOD would think. To say to yourself the very first thing in the morning, To-day I am going to try to be as much like GoD as I can possibly be.' And ask Him to help you.' "But GOD lives in heaven,' said Bors.

"Yes, now He does. But for thirty-three years He lived in this world, and did just the very things we do, except that He never did anything wrong. Now think of GOD as being a Boy about your own ages. When He was a Boy He learnt lessons and played about with other boys. When He grew older He worked at a trade, was obedient to His parents, and all the years of His life ate, and drank, and slept, and talked, and walked about among people as we do. Surely you know that, Bors?'

“Yes,' said Bors, nodding. 'But please go on. Tell me what you think GOD would have done if He had been like Dodo and me?'

"That is right,' said Ben, approvingly. 'You've got the idea. What you have to do in any doubt is to say to yourself, 'What would GOD do if He was Dodo or me?' The answer is easy enough now. He would learn His lessons-obey His aunts-play His games, and keep His temper if He did not always win.'

"Bors's face grew scarlet, every hair on his head seemed to be standing on end, his eyes dilated, and he spoke ashamedly.

"I'll try and not mind when Dodo beats me. I-I do get cross sometimes when she does. I don't like being beaten by a girl, you know.'

"But I suppose girls may like to win as well as boys,' said Ben, smiling. 'I am sure GOD would think so.'

"You are sure He would?' inquired Bors, anxiously.

"Quite sure.'

"Then I won't mind,' said Bors manfully. Now, Father Ben, what else would GOD do?'

66 The ticklish bit had come, the settling of one of the smallest diamonds into the little gold house which was in future to be its home, and the answer had to wait some minutes. But Bors was not restless. He nursed his right leg, a habit he had when he was thinking, and watched those big fingers and that tiny stone.

"GOD never was in a hurry,' said Ben at last. If things He wanted did not come quite so soon as they might have done, He did not try to make them come sooner by going after them. He waited.'"

The fact of Father Ben's identity with a person supposed to be dead, which we shall leave our readers to find out for themselves, is the only part of the story which savours more of romance than of real life, but there is nothing improbable in the circumstances, and the book altogether is one which may

be strongly recommended without the least fear of its perusal causing any disappointment.

Miss Toosey's Mission (Mozley and Smith) is a quaint little story showing how the most unattractive persons may gain sufficient influence to perform really important works for their Master, if only their will is fixed in the right direction.

The Monthly Packet for January (Mozley and Smith) omits three of its serials including the Editor's clever "Magnum Bonum," in order to make room for the "Story of an Otter," which is undoubtedly very well written, but while the anecdotes of these singularly affectionate animals are extremely interesting, we cannot think that any one would find much pleasure in reading the painful account of the cruel otter hunt. Miss Sewell's "Note Book of an Elderly Lady" in the same periodical is most valuable on the subject of female education.

Under the somewhat pretentious title of The Science of Missions: the Evangelistic Baptism indispensable to the Church for the Conversion of the world (Edinburgh, Gall and Inglis,) Mr. James Gall propounds a discovery, which the High Church Clergy of England had long ago discovered-viz. that "the public Preaching of the Word will form only a very small proportion of the means by which the Gospel of the Kingdom is to be spread, and the Church of CHRIST to 'make increase of itself in love.' There will be a thousand nameless influences at work, of gentle kindness, deeds of mercy and works of usefulness, backing up the testimony of JESUS, from thousands of lips that are at present silent in His cause." The practical upshot is that at Glasgow and also at Edinburgh an Institute has been built, containing Lecture Halls, and rooms where old and young, men and women, may find wherewithal to interest themselves. This is all doubtless good work-though to our minds Bible Classes seem a little too frequent; for it is a fact that the Kirk has never reached the lower strata of society. But we repeat, the merit of the discovery does not belong to Scotland, but to the High Church Clergy of England. The Missions of S. George's-in-the-East and Clare Market were founded thirty years ago or more to carry out this system, and in a more liberal way.

Dr. Pusey has published a new edition of the Sermon preached by him before the University of Oxford more than twenty-five years ago, (Parker,) entitled The Rule of Faith as maintained by the Fathers and the Church of England, which is quite as useful now as formerly. It is a great testimony to his trustworthiness that he has no change to make in it, or anything to add save what the recent Vatican Council requires.

In another Sermon preached last Term, Un-Science not Science adverse to Faith, he will be found equally exhaustive, as in the more direct province of Theology. No modern writer seems to have escaped his observation.

Parochial Offices, (Masters,) being chiefly "Forms of Prayer to be used at various Parochial Meetings," may advantageously find a place in the Study of any one entrusted with the care of a parish.

Correspondence.

[The Editor is not responsible for the opinions of the Correspondents.]

To the Editor of the Churchman's Companion.