Pastoral Visitation. By H. E. Savage, M.A. (Longmans and Co.
2s. 6d. net.)—This is a volume of the "Oxford Library, of Practical Theology." It seems, as far as we have ..heen able to examine it, to deal with its subject in a most sensible and useful way. (These adjectives, we may interject, do not by any means exclude a genuine earnestness of purpose and conviction.) Mr. Savage is practical ; he gives rules, not the less valuable because they are precise, for the actual doing of the work. Of ceursa there is much that cannot be enjoined, much that must be left to the discretion of the individual. But to the average worker it is distinctly useful to have the details of so many hours, so many visits daily. The stress that is put upon unwritten prayer is also seasonable. A memory stored with the phraseology of the Collects should never be at a loss ; but the actual book is a great hindrance. The office of the Visitation of the Sick must be followed in its spirit, not its letter. If Mr. Savage could have given some useful hints for visiting the well-to-do class how great would have been the benefit! They must be visited, but how is it to be done ? Ideally, a gentleman is always at his ease. But actually, some are shy ; and some men, however good, have not and never can have, the easy manners of the well-bred. Probably this class increases among the clergy. Mr. Savage sees; no difficulty in a decent celebration of the Eucharist even in the poorest home. Altogether, this is an excellent book.
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