From Deacon to Churchwarden. By J. W. Kirton, LL D.
(Swan Sonnenschein and Co.)—It is evident that Dr. Kirton thinks it no change for the better to go "from Deacon to Churchwarden." It is true that Mr. Joshua Wakley was a hypocrite throughout his career, that he became a deacon to please his betrothed, and a churchwarden to spite his minister. Still, he became worse as he went on about in proportion as the one motive was more discreditable than the other. The impression left by the story is disagreeable. If per- suasion is to be effected by conciliation, it will hardly have much influence on Church of England readers. Why should the Ritualist vicar be represented as forging a certificate ? We readily acknow- ledge that it is a legitimate thing in a controversial story to make the characters on the wrong side go to the bad. But the crime should have some connection with the error. We see nothing of the kind in the misdoing of Mr. Wakley's elder son.
Previous page
