of knowing that on every point I am fortified by very ample authorities. It so happens that I have read scarcely any but primitive Theology, and scarcely any of the present day. When I do read the latter, I confess I am often startled at finding myself in a new atmosphere. Though I acknowledge with thanks your reviewer's kind notice of my sincerity, I hope you will, in some shape, acquit me before your readers of denying the Real, objective Presence of CHRIST in His Sacrament after the Priest's consecration.-Yours, &c., E. D. CREE. CHURCH DECORATIONS. SIR,-In answer to the inquiry of M. S., in the February number, I would recommend "A Handy Book of Illustrations and Suggestions for Floral Decorations," by A. K. Mowbray, and published by Mr. Masters, price 1s., by_post 1s. 2d.-Yours, &c., PETER H. [J. P. recommends Mr. Cutts' Book on Church Decorations, published by Crockford.-ED. C. C.] Queries. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. SIR,-Will any of your correspondents kindly inform me what we, i.e. the Anglican branch of the Church Catholic really believe by the "Communion of Saints," if prayers for the dead and intercessory prayer are objected to (as they are by many professing Catholics)? Also I should like to be informed what is the great difference between the "Douay" Bible, which the Romanists use, and our own version of the Holy Scriptures, and what authority they have for taking the Apocrypha for doctrine, while we believe it not to be inspired? I should like also to know why some people never wear gloves in Church? of course I mean at or dinary services, as no one would approach the Altar with gloved hands.-AN OLD SUBSCRIBER TO THE C. C. UNBAPTISED INFANTS. SIR, I should be very much obliged if any of your correspondents would answer the following questions-Is there any authority for believing that children dying before they are baptized can be saved? refer more especially to the case of a child in India, or any other country, dying before it could possibly, from the distance of a church or clergyman, be baptized? What are we then to think, for surely it is not the fault of the child, or of its parents? I should also be glad to know what we are to believe to be the unpardonable sin against the HOLY GHOST-VERENA. SISTERHOODS. SIR,-Will you, or one of your correspondents, kindly tell me of any book or pamphlet on Sisterhoods, giving an account of their work and daily routine?-Yours, &c., AN INQUIRER. DIFFICULT TEXTS. SIR,-Will you, or some of your correspondents, assist me towards a right understanding of the following passage, Job xix. 26: -"And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see GOD." In the margin we read, "After I shall awake, though this body be destroyed, yet out of my flesh shall I see GOD." On this text is founded our doctrine of the resurrection of the body; but the marginal translation seems quite to do away with this doctrine, as it says out of (or without,) my flesh, &c. The text and the margin contradict each other, and how can we reconcile them ?-Yours, &c., A. S. M. THE GOLDEN NUMBER. SIR,-Will any of your correspondents give me some information respecting the Golden Number, as used in the Calendar of "The Sealed Book of Common Prayer?" In our modern editions of the Prayer Book, I find the Golden Number is confined to two months only, viz., March and April; whereas, in "The Sealed Book," it is attached to almost every day throughout the year. I can understand why the Golden Number should be affixed to March and April; but am at a loss to know why in the Sealed Book it should be found on those days and months on which Easter cannot by any possibility fall.-Yours, &c., M. A. CANTAR. S. BLASIUS. SIR,-Can any of your readers inform me who S. Blasius was? Also, if we have any authority for observing those days marked in the Calendar, where no Collect, Epistle, or Gospel, has been appointed for them. Before the sermon last Sunday week, the clergyman, whose Church I was attending, gave notice that the following day, being the festival of S. Blasius, there would be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 11 o'clock; also on the 19th of January a similar notice was given, owing to the following day being the festival of S. Fabian. It seems to me that as the Church has provided no especial service for such days, it could never have been intended that they should be kept in the same way as our other festivals. I should be glad, however, for the opinion of those who read your excellent Magazine. Yours, &c., Ivy. SUPREMACY OF THE POPE. SIR,-Can any of your readers inform me, what arguments are generally used by Anglo-Catholics against the absolute supremacy of the Pope? I should suppose that a certain kind of supremacy would be conceded by English Catholics, as they would regard the see of Rome in the same light as the different branches of the Eastern Church regard that of Constantinople.-Yours, &c., A. C. C. H. THE TERM PROTESTANT. SIR,-Will you kindly inform me in your next issue of the Churchman's Companion, why the term Protestant is so much objected to by some people, as I suppose the Church of England did protest against the errors of the Roman Church? Also, why a clergyman's wearing bands in church is objected to as being academical and not ecclesiastical, and yet the square college cap is allowed and considered correct, which I suppose is also academical.-Yours, &c., Lux. EASTER DECORATIONS. SIR,-Now that Easter is again approaching, I should be glad if some one will tell me what power churchwardens have with regard to decorations. Last year some ladies had made preparations for decorating a certain parish church, when they were told by the churchwardens that they would not allow it. Now, sir, I wish to know whether this act is legal or not? Whatever it is, it certainly is tyrannical. Yours, &c., AMBROSE. CUSTOM AT THE MARRIAGE SIR,-In the "Form of Solemnization of Matrimony" it is directed, "Then the man leaving the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand, they shall both kneel down." Will you or any of your correspondents tell me if it is right for the congregation present to kneel down also, or to remain standing as before?-Yours, &c., W. F. T. POSITION OF THE CLERGY DURING THE SINGING OF THE PSALMS. SIR,-I was much struck the other evening in a service I attended at a church in Brighton to observe that while the Psalms were being chanted by the choir and congregation, the priests (several of whom were officiating) kept their seats, while at the repetition of the Gloria, they each time lifted their caps (such as are worn by Roman Catholic priests during parts of Divine Service.) Can you or any of the readers of the Churchman's Companion give me any reason why they should keep their seats, when it is customary at that part of the service for all to stand?Yours, &c., E. F. B. MARRIAGE OF COUSINS. SIR,-Can you or any of your readers tell me whether there is any law, civil or ecclesiastical, which forbids the marriage of first or second cousins, and also what is the foundation for the prejudice against such marriages ?-Yours, &c., A CONSTANT READER. "THE SAINTS ABOVE, AND SAINTS BELOW." SIR,-Can you or any of your correspondents tell me in what hymn the following lines occur? "The saints above, and saints below, But one communion make." Can you also tell me of a nice tale illustrative of the proper observance of Lent?-Yours, &c., OLGA. REMOVAL OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. SIR, Will you inform me, through the medium of the Churchman's Companion, when Christmas Decorations should be removed? The "Churchman's Almanac" di rects them to be removed last Saturday, being the Vigil of Purification; acting on this ours were removed, and we have been censured by people who consider themselves the High Church party. Please reply to J. E. L. [Christmas Decorations ought undoubtedly to be removed on the Vigil of the Feast of the Purification.-ED. C. C.] WORK ON ASTRONOMY. SIR,-Will you or one of your correspondents tell me, in your next number, of some book on astronomy adapted to a beginner in that sublime art? Also the publisher and price, if possible?Yours, &c., C. B. S. ["The Heavens," translated from the French of Amedée Guilleume, will meet our correspondent's wishes.-ED. C. C.] FADED PHOTOGRAPHS. SIR,-Will some of the correspondents of the Churchman's Companion kindly tell me if they know of any process that will restore faded photographs, and also take out the yellow spots and stains which, after a time, more or less appear on them? I have a large unframed photograph quite spoiled by an immense yellow blotch. Also, having seen in a book the assertion that many ladies employ themselves in painting on glass, and that the art is neither difficult to acquire, nor tedious to do, I should be glad of any hints as to selfinstruction that can be given me. -Yours, &c., ANNA. NUT-TREE ON FAIR ROSAMOND'S GRAVE. B. has just read that the nuttree on Fair Rosamond's grave in the ruins of the old nunnery at Godstow, still bears a profusion of nuts, but without kernels. Can any one tell her if it is really a fact? BOOK ON SCRIPTURE TYPES. SIR,-Can you tell me of a good book on the Types of the Old Testament, for Sunday-school teaching? I want to give my scholars some verses to learn out of the Old Testament on the type, and some on its fulfilment in the New, with practical lessons. Can you ass st Notices to Correspondents. H. J. S. The Prayer Book directs that persons intending to communicate, should give in their names to the Curate previously; and it is forbidden to receive any to Communion, who are not confirmed, or willing to be so. J. H. K. The better Colleges, such as Cuddesden and Salisbury, do not, under ordinary circumstances, receive any but graduates. King's College, London; S. Bee's; Birmingham; and S. Aidan's, are intended for those who have not taken a degree. The Letter of H. on 66 'Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister," practically answers Lux and E. H.'s queries. We inserted the letter of W. R. W. in our last issue, for the reasons then stated, and also to call forth the refutation which could so easily be given to his arguments; but the discussion on this subject must now close-to prolong it further would seem to imply that it is an open question-which it is not-the Church has definitely ruled against these marriages, and admits of no appeal in their favour. While thanking Clericus, M.A., sincerely for his letter, we think it unwise to raise further discussion on the precise nature of a mystery so far surpassing human comprehension. We have actually received a letter from Rednaxela, which does not appear to be a hoax, in which we are asked who is the author of "How doth the little busy bee!" J. is requested to send his address, as letters are awaiting him. Accepted: "Good Friday;" "Easter Day;" "Thy clouds drop fatness;" "Lift up the Cross;" "Reproaches;" › Trust thy way to JESUS" (Ps. xxxix. ;) "Lent;" "I am crucified with CHRIST;""Faint, yet pursuing ;""The Sketch ;"" One more Magdalene;" "Woodville Grange." 66 Declined with thanks: "And do sign her with the sign of the Cross ;" "How beautiful;" "Unfaithful Stewardship" (the author is requested to send an address.) MR. Overstone went away for the Christmas holidays, and Olive's life was fast relapsing into the monotonous routine, which had of late been so much disturbed by the grammar-school gaieties. There was no longer a special reason for practising; and practising alone seemed rather flat, so Olive almost gave it up. Wilfrid seemed to have carried away with him both the music and the mirth of the house, and it was doubtful whether he and consequently they would return again. He had warmly thanked Mrs. Chester on his departure for her kindness in receiving him, and bad said that he supposed Dr. Utton would wish him to take up his abode at the school after the holidays, so that he should not have to trouble her further. A letter from Reginald about this time announced, that "he was so well he could not stay any longer abroad. Stuart's father had found a substitute for him, and he should be in London in two or three weeks' time. He had already had his name struck off the Rolls, and was a solicitor no longer. He was going to pass the necessary preliminary examination immediately on his return, and then be admitted a student of the Inner Temple. He had been promised employment as a writer of articles for a weekly paper, with which Mr. Stuart was connected; and he had also an engagement to read two or three hours a day with a young man in London, for which he should be well paid; and with his usual VOL. III. (N. 8.) U |