Ordination Sermons Preached in the Dioceses of Oxford and Winchester,
1860-1872. By James Russell Woodford, D.D. (Masters.) —This volume derives a special interest from the promotion which has come to the author since its publication. Dr. Woodford was for many years examining chaplain to the late Bishop of Winchester, was so, in fact, at the time of that prelate's death. To the public generally he was known as a highly successful imitator of the Bishop's peculiar oratory ; and Mr. Gladstone probably thought that in appointing him ho was re- placing to the best of his ability a great loss. We do not know that the volume before us will be exactly reassuring to those who feel doubtful of the wisdom of the Premier's appointments. The tone is one of a some- what strongly marked sacerdotalism. A preacher of ordination sermons is naturally apt to magnify his office, and there is much excuse for one who knows so well as an examining chaplain the mediocrity of power and attainment among those with whom he has to do, if he seeks to call in the help of elevating theories. The sense of a priestly calling gives a certain dignity, self-restraint, and earnestness to even the meaner type of man. A genuine Evangelical fervour does the same, but the via media between the two is sadly apt to degenerate into something common-place, and even base. Still we think the fact distinctly comes out in this volume that Dr. Woodford is " higher " than Dr. Wilberforce, just as we feel sure many of the young men who have listened to these addresses are now far higher than Dr. Woodford. The moderate High Churchman hardly feels himself now-a-days to have a locus standi. Apart from this question, the sermons are of considerable merit. Few that we have seen read better ; few retain so much of that power which often seems wholly to pass away with the vibration of the living voice. And the earnest practical exhortation to energy of action and purity of life which they contain, quite apart from all question of dogma, is admirable.
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