BOOK REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOOK REVIEW.

"THE HOSTAGE: A MIRACLE PLAY."

This three-act play devotes Acts 1 and 2 to an incident in New South Wales in 1818-19—the deporting of Rev. J. O'Flynn, a priest who had failed to secure any authorisation for his ministry from the British Government. It is Act 3 that gives the play its title, for the "Hostage" is no other than Christ, veiled under the appearance of bread in the consecrated hosts that Father O'Flynn left unconsumed in a repository in the residence of William Davis. The author (Rev. Eris O'Brien, a well-known historian in Australia) stages the Governor of New South Wales of the day—Lachlan Macquarie, Father O'Flynn, William Davis, Michael Dwyer (formerly a chief of the '98 rebellion in Ireland), James Erskine, and Michael Robinson, all historical figures; and their dialogue is expressly made up from their own words as recorded in public documents. Father O'Brien's meticulous care for historical accuracy it is, we suppose, that leaves the first two acts rather dull—a dulness not sufficiently relieved either by the Governor's hardly suppressed good nature or by the rather faint-hearted protest of the deported priest. But Act 3 is a delightful piece of work in blank verse. A fictitious character, Dermot, faithfully watching before the Blessed Sacrament in the house of William Davis, is rewarded for his love by a tremendous vision—his guardian angel, God, the Blessed Virgin, St. Patrick, St. Augustine, and St. Francis Xavier appear in turn- The voice of God is weakly echoed in seven lines, whose omission would better the play. The verses put into the mouths of the three saints named, however, are finely done. Perhaps the best lines in the play are:—

• For such severe Probation won the world to Christ and thronged The spacious halls of heaven.

Also these lines - from St. Francis Xavier, claiming his kinship with the Australian born, are very done— ,

"For e'en when plunging past your shores I sped. The parted waters from my vessel's prow Circled in ever-wld'ning mass to break Against the southern sands and spill thereon. Unconscious blessings that discerning years Drank in; and therefore um I kin to those Born on that land." • ?

The "Tu es sacerdos in aeternum" spoken by the voice of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, though theologically unsound, is a daring reverence that could only be successfully attempted by a man who is sacerdos himself. The play, which is published by Angus and Robert - son, is a notable addition to Australian literature. » "™~~ ~"~~~■""~~~—— CURRENT NOTES. The Auckland Diocesan Synod will be opened on October 11. The new Archbishop of York (Dr. Temple), is a supporter of the Labour party. Mr. Robert Watchorn, of Los Angeles, baa been thanked by the Primitive Methodist Conference in England for the gift of a church, schools, manse, and twelve cottages at Alfreton, which are now in course of erection on the site of his boyhood's home. The cost of the whole scheme is over £30,000. The memorial stone has been laid at Purchurst, a euburb of Swinden, in England, of a Primitive Methodist Church, which is the gift of Mr. P. Hinton, an Anglican. It will be the only free church in the locality. At the twelfth anniversary of the League to Abolish War, held in London City Temple, one sneaker, Mr. George Lansbury, preached the extremest pacifism and non-intervention, stating he would gladly see Great Britain step out of Egypt and India, a sentiment for which he was cheered by the audience.

Union between the two great branches qf the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, the Established and the United Free, has now reached the final stage before it passes into fact. Yet the Moderator of the Church of Scotland' Assembly will not be satisfied until a greater' re-union comes to pass. He looks forward to reconciliation with the Episcopal Church, which he thinks the more generous spirit of our times may make possible.

Concerning the appointment of the new minister of Mount Eden Congregational Church, the "Christian World" has the following paragraph: "The Rev. R. Cybi Roberts, M.A., 8.D., of Christ Church, Llandaff North, who.has accepted the pastorate of Mount Eden Church, Auckland, New Zealand, will leave England in October. Mr. Roberts will also become principal of the first Congregational College in New Zealand, which is to 60 opened shortly."

The 700 th anniversary of the death of Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, was observed by celebrations in that city. Professor Claude Jenkins, in a cathedral sermon, outlined the archbishop's career. ; In the setting 'of his time he stood, said the preacher, a definitely Vigorous personality, even if he was sometimes enigmatic and perhaps a little disconcerting. He showed how Langton turned nearoing to practical account, and mentioned that the hymn which had been sung at Evensong that evening, "Come, Thou Holy' Spirit, Come," had been attributed to the archbishop. • *

The Adelaide Diocese is raising £800 to put the Church Caravan on the road for one year. It will be staffed, by two ladies. The van will visit from house to house, meet the parents, get to know them, and interest them in the religious training of the children; try to get all Church children who cannot go to- Church Sunday schools <to join the Church Mail Bag school; meet the children after they come out from school and make friends with them, giving them <. short talk, and showing pictures; link up * mother* to the llftS" 8 ' Union » and girls with the' G.F.B. :i|

The Bishop of Winchester, Dr. F. T, Woods preaching at York Minster, on ♦£!♦ HfcSf T "pressed his conviction that the alternative of peace would be the extinction of civilisation. "It will be impossible," he said, "to localise a future war. The world is so contracted by mechanical l means—the Press, the wireless, and ti* platform—that 4f a conflagration breaks out in one corner it is almost certain to spread. The destructive weapons of modern science will make war intolerable, if not impossible." Later in his sermon the Bishop, stated they did not want a dull levelling down of nations; each had iti own capacity to contribute to the common 1 weal, what was wanted was peace anj tslloerstife