27 MARCH 1886, Page 23

Classified Gents of Thought. By the Rev. F. B. Proctor,

M.A.; with a Preface by the Rev. II. Wace, D.D. (Hodder and Stoughton.) This heavy volume is mainly composed of fragments from an im- mense variety of writers, and these collected passages are intended, the compiler informs us, to serve as "a dictionary of ready reference on religious subjects." We scarcely understand the applicability of the term " dictionary" to a volume of this kind. A dictionary should cer- tainly define the word or subject of which it treats ; but these frag- ments but rarely do this. It is often difficult to see the precise motive of a quotation at all, as, for instance, we open the volume absolutely at random, and see:- " EtoqtrENCE.—Apollos met with two candid people in the Church. They neither ran away because he was legal, nor were carried away because he was eloquent. —John Newton."

Or, again, under the head of "Jeremy Taylor," the only passage is the following :—

" Jimmy TAThoR.—The cross of Christ is dimly seen in Taylor's works. Compare him in this particular with Donne, and you will feel tha difference in a moment.—S. 7'. Coleridge."

Is is almost terrible to think that for a "gem of thought," under the head of " Newman," the student should find this solitary passage :—

" NEWMAN.—Newman mad his party are idolaters ; they pat Christ's Church, Christ's Sacraments, Christ's ministers, in the place of Christ himself : these are imperfect ideas, and moral evil follows. Thus it is that narrow-mindedness.leads to wickedness. The best men are they who worship Christ sad no idol. Judaizing is a direct idolatry— exalting the Church and the sects, as others have exalted His mother, and others, in the same spirit, have exalted circumeision.—Dr. Arnold."

It is difficult, moreover, to understand on what principle such a

selection as this is- made, since in another part of the volume, ander the head of " Certainty and Probability," we have Froude's strong testimony to the inestimable value of Newman's religious teaching. We dig once more in the mine before ns, and come upon another "gem," under the head of " Culture ;" the only passage under that head is the following :— " CUM:UM—Culture makes whole lands, for instance Germany Gaul, and others, physically warmer, bat spiritually colder.— J. P. F. Richter."

And in like manner we are disappointed in any page to which we turn in the hope of finding either a rememberable gem of thought or a clear, concise definition. From an altogether different side, the volume may prove servicable. It contains excellent sketches of sermons, outlines of subjects for Bible-class teaching, and admirable anecdotes for the teachers to draw upon. We do not think the habit of dipping into a work of this kind the beat form of preparation for a teacher to make ; but many are overtasked in the routine of daily work, and glad of rapid aid. That this is so, and that the volume before us is calculated to supply a want, are sufficiently indicated by the fact that Dr. Wace has thought fit to lend the weight of his name to a preface com- mending it to the world.