Church Work. By the Rev. Bernard Reynolds. (Longmans and Co.
5s.)—Mr. Reynolds makes in this volume a valuable contribution to the " Oxford Library of Practical Theology." " Practical " it is in an eminent degree ; it goes to the heart of the subjects which it touches, and it is marked throughout by vigour, plainness of speech, and a breadth of view which seldom fails. We cannot always follow Mr. Reynolds to his conclusions; we do not always accept his premisses ; but we recognise in him both zeal and wisdom. Perhaps the most doubtful part of his book is his enthusiastic appreciation of the revived monasticism in the Anglican Church. We acknowledge that there is much to be said on his side, and his descriptions of the communities are attractive. But the time for judging them has not come yet. On the whole, the experience of the past, not in England only, but in countries which have not broken from Rome, is not favourable. One difficulty concerns vows. The monastic system may be said to postulate vows, and so come into conflict with Anglican principles. What does Mr. Reynolds mean when he says that the "Baptist Schism" should by rights be named Anabaptist from lack of teaching about baptismal grace" ? Now it is quite arguable that Baptists hold a higher doctrine about the Sacrament than the average Anglican. Who is the more like to the reorrtiri.dvos of the Primitive Church, the adult convert coming up from the water in which he has been immersed, or the sleeping infant on whom the water has been sprinkled ? Which answers better to the "buried with Him in baptism" ? But this by the way. The strange thing is that Mr. Reynolds does not seem to know that "Anabaptist" means "baptising again." The early Baptists, of course, did this, as all their disciples had been baptised in infancy. Now the community probably obtains the greater part of its membership by in- heritance. Children, unbaptised in infancy, grow up and receive the Sacrament. The term "Anabaptist" is less applicable than it was. What is the good of having two learned editors if they let such things pass ?
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