The Irish ecclesiastical record

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ...on a great variety of subjects: the feasts of the Church, the mysteries of religion, the maxims of a holy life, and the great truths of eternity; and everywhere, iu the words of Caidinal Newman, written to the Author, " the verses have a clear, easy, and musical flow." This is a very great excellence in poo.ms intended for the young; for it is by no means easy to indulge in flights of imagination, and at the sume time secure simplicity of style with accuracy of language. We are confident this little volume will be eagerly welcomed in Convent Schools, and we would also recommend it as suitable for prizes and gift-books, lls perusal is sure to be beneficial to all, young and old, for it conveys solid instruction iu graceful language. The Author never forgets Dryden's maxim, although, as he truly observes, it is not always borne in mind by poets: " Whate'er you write of, pleasant or sublime, Always let sense accompany your rhyme." J. H. THE IRISH ECCLESIASTICAL RECORD. JULY, 1882. CONFESSION OF SIN IN GENERE. IT may serve to avoid misapprehension if I state, at the very beginning of this paper, that it does not treat of general confessions, but of those in which the penitent says merely, " I have sinned," or, " I accuse myself of all the sins of my past life." Our ordinary manuals of theology discuss the question whether such confessions are valid and lawful; and though the usual answer is well known, and not difficult to act on, yet the practical nature of the case, and the principles involved, will, I hope, bo sufficient apology for calling the attention of confessors to the subject. I. And first, with regard to the validity. The received doctrine is laid down in Gury's Compendium. The confession will be valid, first, in case of necessity, and...