BOOK NOTICES

New Zealand Tablet, 22 May 1919, Page 37

BOOK NOTICES

A I^md^o^ffk^ of Moral Theology. By Rev. * Anthony 'Koch, D.D. Edited by Arthur Preuss. Vols. I. and 11. Herder, London. (Catholic Supplies, Wellington; 8/6 per vol.) \ ; ln these two volumes we have the beginning of a 'series on Moral Theology corresponding to the Pohle-Preuss series of Dogmatic text-books. The first volume, which is largely of an introductory nature, contains admirable chapters on the nature, history, and bibliography of Moral Theology, and also treatises on Morality, subjectively and objectively considered. The principles are clearly set forth and there is abundant reference to well-known :, authorities on the • subject. As a contribution to general knowledge alone the first volume might be recommended not only to the clergy but also to the educated Catholic laity who would derive much profit ; from; such a study. The second treats of Sin and the Means of Grace. The exposition is always clear and attractive, and the matter'is. thoroughly up to* date. The chapters on the Sacraments should prove helpful to those whose duty it is to instruct others in the catechism. The theology of the means of grace and the Catholic doctrine on the nature, origin, and divisions off sin will be '■ found here in a concise practical form which should appeal to busy priests. We take it that the work was expressly published for the clergy, but we cannot help saying that this series Dogmatic and Moralcontains just the sort of matter for study which zealous, intelligent laymen would be well advised to welcome. s ' -' ■--- ---«'« .•■.—■ '-. The Villa Eossign-01. By Maria Longworth Storer. Herder, London. (4/6 net.) Mrs. Storer has given us in The Villa 7?ossig?iol a fine stirring novel which holds the reader's interest from cover to cover. It is a picture of modern life in which the character of a pure young Catholic girl is sharply contrasted: with a degenerate step-mother and her friends who, having 110 religious principles to anchor them, live like pagans and frankly envy the debasing institutions of the East. How the girl was saved from the machinations of the demoralised step-mother and a wicked old French actress is well told. The scene is chiefly laid on the Riviera, in and around Monte Carlo and Nice. The descriptions are of a high order and the characterisation excellent. Under the bright skies of the South, we see the materialism and intellectual perversion of modern pagans in its darkness, and the author leaves the reader to draw the moral from the contrast of such beings with the heroine whose Catholic principles save her from contamination amid her surroundings. Saint Patrick's Purgatory. By Shane Leslie. Herder, £;London. (2/6 net.)/ We Irish people know; that there, is a little lake hidden away among the ,hills-ofxTir-conail and that thither every year hundreds of devout pilgrims go to make a retreat of such austerity and hardship as the rest of the world does not dream of. Lough Derg is Ireland's holy lake. It "is known still as St. Patrick's Purgatory. In the dim twilight ,of history it had a spiritual tradition among the pagan Irish, and the cairns on the slopes of v the hills are memorials of rites v centuries ago. Following the wise custom of the early Church Patrick used to sanctify places and

observances ; that were dear to his .converts • thus .s#jng' them from the pain of < many a' wrench, and superihiposing ,on :■ old foundations the new Gospel' that- he' brought. them. Lough Derg too he sanctified by his prayers and fastings, during which' tradition tells %i that God showed him the places of.' Purgatory— loca purgatoria ostendit Dens. In the ages of faith men earned hither from across the seas to pray where Patrick prayed. and to invoke his intercession,. Many a. prince and many a prelate knelt on the stony shores of the Lough, where the Irish peasants kneel to tins day. You will find mention of the shrine in Calderon and m Ariosto y ' ' so well known was it in these days. Shane Leslie has given us a volume of stories. and; legends % about Lough Derg which we gladly commend to our readers The Four Gospels: With a Practical Commentary. By Rev. Charles J. Callan, O.P. Linehan, Melbourne. -„ (21/- net.) i^™b*biw»u^^ For missionary priests it is desirable to have at hand 1 a manual in which they can readily turn up for refer- 1 ence any given text of the Gospels, regarding which they 1 want explanation and commentary. Catholic laymen 1 who love reading the New Testament also often feel 1 the want of such a work. Father Callan has given us 1 in the present volume a handbook which will meet this 1 want. Without excessive length or undue, brevity he 1 interprets the Gospels in conformity with, the teaching | of the Fathers, theologians, and exegists whose names | carry weight and authority -' For the long arguments 1 on disputed questions readers are referred - to - special | treatises, and the aim of Father Callan has been to set | before students;, and priests only what is essential and useful. He does not attempt to supplant older and more ponderous volumes which will always be consulted by those who are making a profound study of the Bible. He offers to Catholic readers a complete manual in a handy form for constant, use, helpful to * the devout reader as well- as to the'busy priest. The introductions the Gospels are practical and helpful. The arrangement.ofi.the; commentary is attractive and does away with 'the necessity of constant reference to foot notes. The work seems to \us to be what Father Callan set himself to provide: a really fuse practical aid to the study of the Gospels. *"———™»—— sssssss ——^