PUBLICATIONS

New Zealand Tablet, 29 July 1915, Page 36

PUBLICATIONS

The Sunday Gospels Explained to Children. By Rev. -.>-.' M. Parks/ Wagner, New York/ Price, 6s 6d, | Sermons for the Children's Mass. By Rev. F. Renter'. --: - Wagner, New York. Price, 4s 3d. '.'"* ■'-■■■" Short Sermons on the Gospels. By Rev. F. Peppert. Wagner, New York. Price; 4s 3d: i :'. These three volumes may well be bracketed, for they stand on the same level, and that not a high one. We are ? always asking ourselves, why these sermon books are being published. The sermons when delivered' and adapted may be very suitable for the preacher's congregation, but surely- something more -is required when a volume is sent out to a. world overflooded with books. What is really wanted, if these sermon books are to be published at all, is a clear exposition of Catholic doctrine, an explanation in readable English of the old principles of the spiritual life, an instructive study' of the Gospel story, together with some homely lessons drawn from Sacred Scripture, especially from- the text of the Gospels. And these high truths should be put forward in simple, well-chosen words: We cannot honestly say that any one of these books fulfils these requirements. To take only the last point. I open one of the books at random and I find in one paragraph of an instruction to children such words and expressions as these: 'lgnominious death,' 'secluded in that upper chamber,' ' shadows were dispelled,' 'couch his meaning,' discourse with His disciples in eloquent persuasive language,' ' peace in our dowry.' If any teacher is on the look-out for excellent books for children, the works of Mother Loyola and Mother Salome are marked by deep insight into the child's heart, wealth of illustration, and intelligible English. Conferences for Boys. By Rev. Reynold Kuehnel. Wagner, New York. Pp. 310. Price, 6s 6d. It is a relief to turn to this original book of solid instructions for boys. The author is evidently wellgrounded in the principles of the spiritual life and knows how" to give sound advice, which is concrete and practical to a degree. The subjects treated of are the chief natural virtues, the more important Catholic devotions, and those saints of the Old Covenant and the New who are the special patrons of youth. Originality is stamped on every page of these breezy conferences. American slang is frequently introduced, on the plea, no doubt, that it is better for your hearers to understand you than to be sent to sleep with fine words and phrases which are meaningless for them. One or two illustrations will best serve to show the quality of an instructive and fresh book. Speaking of the 'chronic kicker' our author says: 'Soon it is discovered that he is nothing more -than a false alarm. . . . He lias a very exalted and exaggerated opinion of his own importance and ability. In his conceit' he imagines that he has cornered all the intelligence of the world. He has enough "nerve" to last a dozen normal men throughout their lives. Nothing is beyond him. The weather, politics, his foreman at the shop, his parents at home, all come in for his censure. To avoid being classified with the chronic kicker, always bear in mind that you and your fellow-men are human, that we are at best little bundles of inconsistencies, and that things will go wrong sometimes in spite of best intentions. Look at the dark side of human nature if you must, but don't forget to look also at the bright side. It will often be bright enough to make you forget the other side.' He-ft are one or two plain remarks about a 'gentleman ': —' To be a gentleman, it is not necessary to follow the latest styles, wear patent leather shoes, rainbow-colored. socks," and all the other trimmings. Such things may be good enough for a dummy in a clothing store, or a brainless dude. Some think that to be a gentleman one must be a sissy. - But an' overgrown baby is a poor apology for a man. Others have the mistaken idea that a gentleman must have no more backbone a. dish-rag.' A last quotation. Father Kuehnel has two excellent recommendations on the choice of friends. ' In the first place, select your friends

—-other* things' being equal—-from among those" of'but own" faith'. The' Communion of Saints" binds us together for time and eternity. Friendship is > a flower that may -grow" anywhere. '?% But it will'bloom, to best advantage, and bring forth t richest fruits, ifi: plaited* in the soil : of our holy faith.' Next to your parents, your own parish priest should- be your dearest friend. The number of boys that know" absolutely nothing of their priest except his name, and r never speak-to'.'liim* except in the confessional, never see him -except at the altar, is surprisingly great. It is a sad revelation, of ' the lack of confidence and of trust that many boys have for the priest.' . Catholic. Moral Teaching and. Its . Antagonists. By Joseph Mausbach, D.D., Professor" at the University of Munster. English translation published by Wagner, New York. Pp. 504. Price, 10s 6d. This work by a German professor is not unlike German artillery—heavy, but searching and accurate. It was written at first as a reply to a series of attacks that was made some* sixteen or seventeen years ago in Germany and Austria upon certain aspects of Catholic Moral Teaching. Protestant' and Rationalistic circles became very loud in their denunciations of Catholic principles and flung at Catholics the biting gibe thatCatholic morality was inconsistent with the demands of modern culture. Writing in the year 1915, we are of course glad that that is so. ; The work falls into two parts. The first part deals with ' The Position of Casuistry in Catholic Morals.' The fourth chapter of this section is excellent, for it touches with a sure hand on the chief misunderstandings of outsiders in regard to Catholic moral teaching, such as, The End Justifies the Means, Imperfect Contrition, Sins against the Sixth Commandment, Oaths and Promises, Mental Reservation. The author's treatment of the familiar charge that the Jesuits teach the justification of the end by the means, even in the case of sinfulactions, is well-documented and masterly. The second part contrasts Catholic and Protestant notions of morality in reference to such important subjects as The Law of God and Conscience, Sin and Justification, Law and Freedom, Morality and Happiness, Mortal and Venial Sin, Commandments and Counsels,. The Natural and the Supernatural, Church and State, The Authority of the Church and the Liberty of the Individual, Religious Denomination and Public Life. The last chapters on Church and State, etc., are especially good, and go fully into the heated controversy of the attitude Catholic trade unions in Germany should adopt towards non-Catholics. The whole discussion is illuminating: Copies of all these works come to us from W. P. Linehan, Melbourne. [Ghimel.]