the affectionate earnestness of a true father. He dwelt chiefly on the sacramental nature of the rite which he was going to administer, and on the deep responsibility as well as blessing which would fall on those who were now about to receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST at his hands. He then put the appointed question as an earnest of their sincerity, and having received the answer, uttered with much fervour by the united voice of the candidates, his Lordship descended to his chair. It had now been removed into the centre of the chancel, on the step of which the candidates knelt, literally at the Bishop's feet, as no railing or obstruction interposed between them and the representative of CHRIST. The Vicar himself went to call them from their respective places, thus avoiding all interference of beadles and similar functionaries; and having led them truly as their father to receive the Sacred Gift, he knelt himself upon the stones immediately before, to pray for them his children, that they might never fall from the grace now given. In this he was joined by all his people, true to the teaching which had ever set so vividly before them their membership one with another; and, we believe, there was not one voice silent in the fervent Amen which followed each blessing at the laying on of hands. It was indeed as if they were but one family, offering up their earnest supplication for their younger brethren and sisters beloved in the LORD; and no words could do justice to the deep devotion and strength of feeling which pervaded the whole flock, candidates and assistants alike, and which, however, was the inevitable result of that admirable training in all true Christian principles, of which the parishioners of S. Thomas' are the favoured recipients.

When the sacred rite was over, the Bishop again addressed the candidates in a few earnest words, equally valuable with those which preceded it, and finally dismissed them with his blessing.

We only regret that this account, necessarily brief, should have rendered inadequately the very remarkable manner in which this solemn ceremony was conducted from first to last, leaving an impression on the minds of all present which they are not likely ever to forget, and affording a signal example of what the power and eloquence of the Church in these her holy ordinances really is, when in all details of their administration, her will alone is followed out with true obedience and reverence.

Nor may we omit all mention of a decent celebration of the marriage service at Rotherfield, in connection with which place we have had more than once to notice the advance made in whatever affects the Catholic ritual of our Church. It was the marriage of the Rector's daughter. The bride was arrayed in fitting bridal dress. The procession of friends advanced slowly through the crowd that had gathered on the way, and entered the church by the south door, proceeding to the middle of the nave, where they

were met by the officiating clergymen and the bridegroom. Here the service proceeded as far as the Psalm. Whilst this was being chanted by the choir, the procession advanced towards the altar, where the service proceeded, the Holy Eucharist being administered,

Afterwards a large party of the parishioners, consisting chiefly of labourers, attendants at the Church, and mostly communicants, sat down at the Vicarage lawn to an ample repast; and the chil dren of the Schools were also partakers in the festivities. The bride was a great favourite with the cottagers, and she left with their heartfelt prayers for her happiness and prosperity. We trust that we shall have still more frequently to chronicle instances of this character. A due return to ecclesiastical order must be the work of time yet it will be done. There may be, and will be, many a struggle, many a misunderstanding, many a cross to bear, yet we do think and believe, that in other senses than that in which the words were first penned, we have every reason to say, "There's a good time coming, boys;" and for this it is only needful to "wait a little longer."

And now, kind reader, pass we from general to personal matters. We are about, (as we shall tell you in the Preface, which being the first page in the book is always written last,) to make great changes in our 66 Mag,:" (pardon the abbreviation-it is so we familiarly call our periodical;) and we trust that all to whom we have afforded a 66 Companion" in days gone by, will have reason to request the pleasure of his further acquaintance, and find him so agreeable, that they will be anxious to introduce him to those to whom he has hitherto been unknown. We shall not promise that we are about to meet the "requirements of the age❞—we are not going to talk about "progress," "advancement," and such like terms, except the progress of the Church, and the advancement of that cause which we have so much at heart. The full details of our changes will be found in the advertisement that has been issued ; and supported by a corps of writers, such as we number among ourselves, we hope to be able to blend amusement with instruction, and to make happy many a fireside during the coming year. Farewell for the present-another year is just closing-another year; the midnight chimes will soon sound of peace and good-will; the midnight carol will awake the sleeper; the misletoe hang in its wonted place; the boar's head smoke upon the table; and so we bid you one and all a merry Christmas and a happy new

year.

Queen Elizabeth said, "When I call to mind things past, behold things present, and expect things to come,

I hold those happiest that go hence soonest."-Camb. Eliz.

TRISTAN D'ACUNHA.

EXTRACT from a letter recently received from the Rev. W. F. Taylor, dated Jan. 21, 1852:—

"I am happy to say that I have still nothing but favourable accounts to send you. Praise be to GOD, my mission still continues to prosper, even beyond expectation. Would that the instrument were more worthy the work; but the weaker the means, the more evident is the Master's hand.

"My scholars begin to make marked progress, though I have had many difficulties to contend with, having to teach persons of such different ages, and most of them very backward; and the elder children being obliged to be very much away. But all are very anxious to learn, and some have made good progress. Half a dozen of my day scholars can now read the Psalms very fairly. They could scarce spell out a monosyllable when they began. My evening scholars are all beginning to read fairly, except one or two who knew nothing when they began. My schoolmistress has proved a very valuable acquisition. I hope in another year that every person above seven years old on the island will be able to read fairly. My eldest pupil is Mrs. Glass, the wife of the 'Governor,' and she has made very good progress.

"I have continued to administer the Holy Communion every fourth Sunday since Easter, and on Ascension and Christmas days. I have now fifteen communicants, who constantly partake of the Holy Sacrament, when called."

Notices to Correspondents.

G. T. W.-The question asked by our correspondent is one which can hardly be answered in general terms, so much depends upon habits, temperament, &c. Aids to devotion of all kinds may be safely used: yet those to which G. T. W. alludes are better fitted for aids to contemplation. He will find some strong statements in Bp. Nicholson's Exposition of the Church Catechism, a cheap edition of which has lately been published. He may also consult an able, and admirable Letter, entitled "PICTORIAL CRUCIFIXES, a Letter to the Bp. of Chichester.'

99

WE thank a Subscriber for calling our attention to the books mentioned for the use of Lay Visitors. They are certainly entitled to a place in the list -which however was not set forth as complete, but only as containing a