PREFACE. IN wishing our contributors and readers the usual greetings of the season, we do it with an earnest hope that they will realize in the coming year all that the words imply. There are signs of hope and fear in the state of matters ecclesiastical, and we can only hope, that in some way or other, we may be spared a legal decision, whichever way, upon the deep mystery of the Holy Eucharist. It may not be out of place, if, whilst thanking so many as we are called upon to do, for their interest in past years, we ask them to endeavour to increase our circulation during the year ensuing. Many competitors have arisen to cultivate a field of literature which we were the first to occupy; and we confidently appeal to the past as an augury of the future, assuring them that we shall, mid evil report and good report, by Divine assistance maintain those glorious principles which distinguish those, who are not ashamed with one of other days to avow, that Christian is their name and Catholic their surname. W. B. F. November, 1854. Bishop of New Zealand's Melanesian Mission 271 22 264 William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury 203 135 Reopening of the Chapel of S. John the Evangelist, Haverstock Hill Reopening of the Church of Papworth $. Agnes, Cambridgeshire Report of the Bishops to Convocation on the Division of the Ser- Notices to Correspondents Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven, a Postil 99 Patience Passage of the Alsen Fjord Prayer never Dies Prison called Life, the Redbreast, the REVIEWS OF BOOKS : L'Ami de la Religion Baines' (Rev. J.) Sermon, The Wisdom of Bezaleel Brechin's (Bishop of) Memoir of Helen Inglis . Flower's (Rev. W. B.) History of Scotland Going Home 216 79 137 419 140 78 Arnott's (Rev. S.) Address on the late Visitation of the Cholera 396 396 159 238 315 Gresley's (Rev. W.) Sermon, The Unity of the Church Gurney's (Mr.) Songs of the Present Grace, and How to Gain it Royer's (Lieut.) Account of the English Prisoners in Russia Talks about Many Towns; or Rosa's Summer Wanderings Theodora Phranza; or the Fall of Constantinople 451 369 193 "A fancied honour, such as is indeed A Will o' th' Wisp, that leads poor fools agog Adrasta. THEODORA de Rushton and Euphrasia Choniatis sat together in the little room which Sir Edward had so elaborately fitted up for the reception of his bride. It was the same morning of which we have just been writing; and at the same time. "What have I not to thank GOD for," said Euphrasia, 66 that my father was not taken, as he so nearly was, last night! Fancy what would have been his lot now!" "It is sad indeed," cried Theodora, "to think of that scene; and of those that witness it, and are powerless to help it. The young lord Notaras, too, I pity more than all; my father had always looked for great things from him. And yet, perhaps, what is greater, than to die, in the sight of the whole city, for the faith ?" "It is indeed to conquer by enduring," replied her friend. "And so the Lord Chrysolaras is better this morning even than last night." "As you shall see," answered Theodora, "as soon as Theophrastus leaves him: there is now no danger, neither does he think the recovery likely to be a tedious one. Your news,"-and she smiled,-"will be his best cure." "My father will see him in the course of the day, if he |