PUBLICATIONS

New Zealand Tablet, 4 November 1915, Page 45

PUBLICATIONS

Catechism of Christian Doctrine. Published by order of his Holiness Pius X.

This is a practically new, concise, and very complete catechism, • prepared and published by the special order- and authority of Pope Pius X., and translated and edited by the Rev. J. Hagan, D.D., Vice-Rector of the Irish College, Rome. Until formally adopted by the Hierarchy of the Province it can hardly take the place of the cate- - chism now in actual use, but to teachers and parents and all who have to do with the religious instruction of the young it will be found invaluable as a supplementary manual of Christian doctrine. The main difference between the new publication and current catechisms is that the former is clearer, fuller, and more comprehensive, dealing with many points and topics of considerable interest and importance that are altogether omitted from existing manuals. For example, we have the question, ‘ Can God also do evil’ ? and the answer: God can do no evil, because being infinite goodness lie can will no evil; but He tolerates evil so that His creatures may be free, nay, from evil He is even able to bring forth good.’ Here we have, in a few lines, a complete theological answer to the oft-repeated question, Why does God permit the present war ? Again, the ever-recurring question as to the salvation of those outside the visible Church is thus admirably dealt with : ‘ Q. Is anyone saved outside the Church? A. He who is outside the Church through his own fault, and dies without perfect contrition, is not saved ; but he who is outside the Church through no fault of his own and leads a good life, can be saved by that love of God above all things which unites him to God, and in spirit, to the Church, that is to say, to the soul of the Church.’

Many similar examples might be given. In addition to the main portion of regular catechetical instruction there-is a preliminary chapter on ‘First Notions of the Christian Faith,’ and several valuable appendices, comprising a brief sketch of the history of divine revelation, notes on the Christian festivals, tables on the ecclesiastical year, showing the feasts and fasts, and instruction for Christian parents and teachers. The translation is admirably done, the English being clear, crisp, and very readable and attractive in style. The edition under notice has been published by E. J. Dwyer, George street, Sydney, at the specially low price of Is, and, as might be expected, is already in great demand. We cordially recommend the publication.

We have also to acknowledge receipt of the following excellent publications of the Australian Catholic Truth Society:— Catholicism and Peace, by Rev. Joseph Keating, S.J. ; Mates, by Miriam Agatha; The Children’s Army, by Miriam Agatha; Ludwig Windthorst, by P. S. Cleary, L.C. ; Points in Catholic Polity, a Catholic Federation pamphlet; Personal Prohibition Needed—Not National, by Very Rev. W. J. Lockington, S.J., with a Foreword by his Grace the Coadjutor-Archbishop of Melbourne; and The Peasant Pontiff, a life sketch of Pius X., by M.A.S.

A CORRECTION. In our recent review of the new People’s Edition of the Bible the price was, by a typographical error, stated as 2s 6d instead of 3s 6d. As a result of the review Mr. Dwyer informs us that he has had a number of inquiries, and he asks us to state that the price of this very excellent edition is not 2s 6d but 3s 6d, post free 4s 3d.