PREFACE.

In the Statute Law of the land, when we find any part of it deficient, or by lapse of time inapplicable, we either repeal or amend it. To keep it within our knowledge purposely, and yet habitually violate it, would be inconsistent with the honesty and truthfulness which we attribute to the English mind.

Is it so with our Religion?

The Church has made canons of discipline, and rules of Faith, derived from the times of the Apostles which we proclaim to be laws binding upon her members. On the supposition that by lapse of time they may have become inapplicable, do we either amend or repeal them? On the contrary, we look upon them as they stand, pass them by, and ignore them.

What is inconsistency when we refer to civil legislation, becomes hypocrisy when the matter with which we deal refers to God. Yet this seems to be our case.

In our public services we continue from time to time, as for instance the service for Ash-Wednesday, to declare