Apostles of the Lord. By W. C. E. Newbolt. (Longmane
and Co. 3s. 6d. net.)—Canon Newbolt has published in this volume "six lectures on pastoral theology delivered in the Divinity School, Cambridge," this year, to students who had in view the taking of Holy Orders. We cannot profess agreement with all the views set forth—we should like to have seen an emphatic statement that the Anglican Church regards confession as exceptional—but there is such a glow of zeal, so much wise counsel, so manifest and, we should think, so contagious an enthusiasm for the ministerial work, that we do not care to criticise. Take this passage from the conclusion of the sixth lecture :—" There is no calling so full of happiness, there is no profession so full of abounding joy, as that to which God in His mercy is calling you. It is a profession which deals in blessings, shedding them abroad wherever the influence of the Apostle of God reaches. Surely we should strive to magnify our office, to test to the very utmost the capacities of our high calling ; not to strain with lingering looks after a life of lesser obligation, and less exacting devotion ; not to pose as laymen when God hue called us near to minister in His sanctuary. The joys are great and real. Think only of the privilege which is ours of drawing so near to God in the service of His House. Think what a privi- lege it is to be allowed habitually to linger in the hallowed atmosphere of devotion, to be allowed to offer this as our regular work and daily exercise to God! We know how eagerly our good Church laymen will snatch an hour here and half an hour there out of their busy lives to breathe for shorter or longer intervals the atmosphere of devotion. We, on the contrary, are brought by our duty daily and habitually into this hal- lowed and inspiriting service. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house ; they will be always praising Thee.' It is a ques- tion whether or not we clergy are making half enough of our privileges in this respect. We ought to show by the robust- ness of our spiritual life, the vigorous health of our moral actions, by tone, by the little marks of character, that we are men who day by day breathe the pure air which plays around the mount of God. We ought to bear in our faces some marks of the glory which encircles those who go in and out before His Presence, who hear His voice and see His face."
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