10 MAY 1879, Page 23

Canons of the First Four General Councils. (Clarendon Press.)— Much

is talked about the "Four Councils," but few, probably, really know what was done at them, are aware, for instance, that the Nicene Creed took its present shape at Constantinople, but comes down to 118 from the Council of Chalcedon. It will probably be a surprise to many that the Council of Nica forbad kneeling at prayer, a practice which some, it seems, were accustomed to observe on the Sunday, and in the period between Easter and Pentecost :—" It seems good to the Holy Synod that men should utter their prayers standing." The Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) recognises the permanence of vows of celibacy. Protestants scarcely know what they mean, when they accept the First Four General Councils.