The Hymn Book of the Modern. Church. By Arthur E.
Gregory, D.D. (Charles H. Kelly. 3s. 6d.)—Dr. Gregory, appointed to preach the Fernley Lecture, and with a special view to the new Methodist Hymn-book, put together these general thoughts on hymns, and details, historic and other, about the hymns of various Christian ages. With his initial chapter, "A True Hymn," we find our- selves in general agreement. No definition of a hymn is possible; it would be easy to cite examples which cannot be made to agree with any received canon, but which are nevertheless accepted by common consent. "Lead, kindly Light," for instance, is much more of a meditation than a hymn ; yet who would exclude it? Not the least valuable part of the book is the list of hymns which all the chief Communions in England have agreed to in elude in their collections. There are a hundred and eighteen, which are to be found in the Wesleyan, Baptist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and both Anglican hymn-books. Of these, eleven are Wesley's and four Watts's.
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