sity of Bonn, is probably the most complete monograph on the subject, but its treatment is almost wholly technical and historical. As its author is a Roman Catholic it occasionally shows, as might be expected, some marked leanings. For the rest, the writer was compelled to search in encyclopædias, and books on liturgics, most of which, however, contain only dry-as-dust information as to dates and authorities and origins, which are chiefly of interest to the liturgical student or archæologist. In this respect, however, he would single out as of especial value Chapter VIII of "Origines du Culte Chrétien," by Duchesne, of which an English translation by M. L. McClure is published by the S.P.C.K. (London, 1903); the 20th and 21st books of Bingham's "Antiquities of the Christian Church," and chapters 6, 7, and 8, in "The Ministry of Grace" by Bishop John Wordsworth of Salisbury. It may be well to mention here for the ordinary reader that the original sources of information on the Church Year are to be found in early Church historians, missals, and other service books, decrees of Church councils, official documents, sermons preached on festival days, early calendars, and hymnaries. For much that the author has written on the Calendar he is indebted to an excellent volume on The Theory and Use of the Church Calendar in the Measurement of Time," by his former preceptor, the late Professor Samuel Seabury, D.D., of the General Theological Seminary, New York, a grandson of the first American Bishop. Of the many devotional books on the Christian Year probably the best and most useful modern volume is that of the late Arthur Cleveland Coxe, Bishop of Western 1 English translation, 1908, Kegan Paul & Co. New York, entitled "Thoughts on the Services," a new issue of which, edited by Bishop Whitehead of Pittsburgh, is published by the Lippincott Co. of Philadelphia. Of poetry it is needless to say that Keble's "Christian Year" and "Lyra Innocentium," and Mrs. Alexander's "Hymns for Little Children," take the lead in charm and devotional feeling. Bishop Ken's "Hymns for All Festivals of the Christian Year," 1 amid much that is dull, contains a few poems of real worth. In George Herbert, Spenser, Wordsworth, Tennyson, and the "Lyra Apostolica" (containing poems by Newman, Keble, and others), the "Lyra Messianica" by Orby Shipley, "Lyra Catholica " by E. Caswall, "Lyra Sanctorum" (for the Minor Festivals), "The Cathedral" by Isaac Williams, and Palgrave's "Treasury of Sacred Song," besides the Hymnals, much illustrative poetry may also be found. While the author makes no pretensions to original liturgical lore, he believes that his treatment of the various subjects has the support of the latest and best scholarship. He hopes, moreover, that the little book may be found useful, not only in his own communion, but also in other bodies of English-speaking Christians, whose growing tendency is to return to the ancient and well-tried methods of the historic Church in matters of worship and festival. It has been wisely said that, "By the changes of day and night, of seasons and years, Creation calls upon man to raise his mind to God at stated times, and to enter into communion with Him." 2 It may be that the observance together of the great immemorial days and seasons of the Christian Year which, through all the centuries, have made Christians 11721; new ed. by Pickering, 1868. ? Kellner's Heortology, p. 1. to kneel together before their common Lord, in a common worship, will prove the most effective method, above mere argument, for bringing about that visible unity for which, with dying breath, the Lord Jesus pleaded with the One God and Father of us all. CONTENTS The Need of a Popular Manual-Hooker's defence of the WHY THE CHURCH HAS A CHRISTIAN YEAR The System "broad-based" on Human Reason and Experience Hooker's Philosophic Defence of the Church's System-Action of the Puritan Parliament in 1644-Abuse of Good Cus- toms no Reason for their Destruction-Even the Sabbath I Its "Root" in the Divinely Appointed Ritual Year of the PAGE Christ-A Full Account not to be expected in the New THE RITUAL YEAR OF THE CHURCH OF ISRAEL The Sabbath not Jewish, but Universal-The other Sacred Festivals Historical-Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, Feast of Trumpets, or New Year, Purim, Dedication, or Feast of Lights, Great Day of Atonement-Names of the THE JEWISH YEAR AND THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH Under this System Christ and His Apostles were Trained from Childhood-To these Laws and Customs our Lord was Supremely Loyal-He Chooses Two of the Great Feasts of Israel with which to associate His Death and The First Christians were all Jews who faithfully observed the Ancient Festivals and Fasts, but saw in them the "Body" where formerly there was but a "Shadow of Good Things to Come"-Passover and Pentecost-"The THE VALUE OF CUSTOM AND TRADITION IN THE CHURCH S. Paul's Valuation of Customs and Traditions-The Worth |