. The Holy Communion. By John Wordsworth, Bishop of Salle-
bury. (Parker and Co.)—The Bishop republishes in this volume four visitation addresses delivered last year. He deals with the Gospel Narrative, the Eucharist in the Primitive Church, and the Communion Office of the Church of England. It is a book of much learning, and is framed throughout in a reasonable spirit. Many noteworthy things are to be found in it, far too important for discussion in this very brief notice. One point may be mentioned. It refers to the creed. "We should remember in saying it that it is the only part of the service in which the word
• I' is used. Faith must be a personal thing. No other man's or woman's faith, however much it may help us, can justify and save us. Hence, here and in the Apostles' Creed we are taught to say, all together, I believe in God." A mischievous custom, for which, we fancy, the musicians are responsible, has grown up, according to which the priest only says, "I believe," and is taken up by the congregation. On fasting Communion the Bishop is moderate, an example which the younger clergy would do well to follow.
Previous page
