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GOOD KING WENCESLAS. A POPULAR CAROL. By Alice J. Whitmore. POSSIBLY few of us are aware that the story of Good King Wenceslas is some- thing more than a legend. It is founded upon actual fact, and is his- torically associated with a people who became our latest allies in the war. These are the people who, under the title of the Czecho-Slov ak s, have recently constituted themselves a nation, and who have now formed a provisional government under the leadership of Professor Masayrk. The Czech o-Slov-ak nation, as we know, comprises two branches of the same people who belong to Moravia, Silesia, Bohemia and Slovensko in Upper Hungary. The Czechs have oc- cupied Bohemia since the fourth or fifth century, but their real history begins with the introduction of Christianity in the ninth century, and the dawn of national consciousness first appears in the early struggles between heathen and Christian. St. Veneeslas, as he is called by the Czechs themselves, is the first of their national heroes, and his importance in the national life may be gauged by the fact that when the Czech people refer to the oonstitutiom;al rights of their country they speak of it as the lands of the crown of St. Venceslas." ? ? "Good King Wenoaslas" belongs to the tenth century, when the Dukes of Bohemia were still tributary to the Teuton. The long struggle between Slav and Teuton, which was destined to cul- minate in* this present world crisis, had already* begun, and the core of the national movement in Bohemia has always been connected with ecclesiastical V reform. The national heroes of Bohemia :i were always saints and scholars •rather than warriors and statesmen.' It is in V the Church and the University that we find the cradle of the national idea, as l: well as the storm centres through which it was eventually to mature. Thus we can understand how it is that St. Venoeslas —who is rather to be compared to V Edward the Confessor than to those V mighty, warriors, King Arthur and St. George, who are our national heroes— V* should occupy so high a position in the annals of, Bohemian history. "■ The grandfather of St. Venceslas was a strong adherent to the new faith, and made a great point of placing his own ■ son, the father of Wenceslas, under Christian influence.. But that son. married a woman who refused to con- form to Christianity, and so to protect Wenceslas from his mother's evil in- fluence, his grandmother, Ludmilla, -took, charge of the boy and instructed him in the Christian faith. Drahomira, the mother of Wence 1 s became the leader of the heathen party j in opposition, to Ludmilla and-.tfie Cjirls- tian clergy, and she brought ap her other son, Boleslav, to follow in her foot- steps. Thus it transpired that the two brothers became leaders-the one of the ian Christian and the other of- the heathen party in the State. Wenceslas, as the elder of the two, became Duke of Bohemia upon the death of his father, but the heathen party gaiined ascen- dancy. Wenceslas decided to abdicate and retire into a monastery, but his plans were frustrated by the Pope, who desired to retain a Christian Prince upon the throne. Drahoinira and Boleslav then resolved upon the death of Wenceslas, and he was invited to attend a feast to celebrate the christening of Boleslav's infant son. Wenceslas appears to have been some- thing of a fatalist, for he seems to have accepted the invitation fully aware that his brother's designs were sinister, and that attendance at the feast would prob- ably mean his death. During the feast) he retired to a church to worship, and there, much after the manner of the murder of our own Thomas a Becket, he was murdered by his brother as he knelt at the altar. ? The carol, &s we sing it now, is a translation from the Latin of the thir- teentli century, but the hymn to St. Venceslas was originally written partly in Czech and partly in old Slavonic in the later half of the tenth century. Tlie carols sung in England today are the outcome of the mimcle plays of the four- teenth century, in which the nativity chiefly figured. The idea would prob- ably be to enshrine the memory of the old saint in a. setting which would ac- cord with our English ideas of Christ- mas. In any case, the original hymn has doubtless suffered considerâble alteration in the course of the centuries, but the central figure and the lesson to be lea,rned ramain unaltered. We have the picture of a king bent on fulfilling a duty, even although it might involve his death, and find him leaving an example through the following of which others might experience the glowing satisfaction that results from treading tha oath of duty-

Church isieiiari Societa. I SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND THE EAST, j By Frank Lenwogd, M.S. I For -those interested in social questions, and I problems of sex, race, education, and indus- I try in the East.- 2s. 6d. net, by post 2s. 9d. I THE LAND OF PROMISE. Bg H. G. Harding. Deals with present and future possibilities in Palestine, from political, social, or mis- sionary point of view. 2s. net, by post 2s. 3d. I CHINA LOOKING WEST. By F. Hughes-Hallett. Describing China's life and powers, and her past and present religious history. Is. net, by post IS. 2d, g FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 0 HANA s A Girl of Japan. By Mrs. Hutchinson. For girls of twelve and upward. Describes holiday and school excursions and sports, and tells of social etiquette and religious customs in Japan. 23. n,ts by posla,, 2s. 4d. THE LION-TAMER. By A. P. Shepherd. An interesting story of Robt. Moffat and an I outlaw converted by him. For boys of I twelve and upward. 6d. net, by post 71d. I ,9' KATO'S PRAYER. By Margaret L. G. Guillebaud. For ttiose from 5 to 8 years, with pictures that can be painted, cut out", and made to stand up. 6d. net, by Post 71d. PLUIVi-BLOSSOM. By Lily Sandford. A Missionary Play-Book full of fascinat.ing things that children can do for themselves. 4s. 6d. net, by post 5s„ JIG-SAW PUZZLES: Out of School tn dapELn. is. 3d. net, by post Is. 6d. What's That P" ) 2d. net each, by post 4jd. Qff to China a .1 (the two for 7|d.). I Notice to Sundag-Scbool Superintendents and others x A list of books suitable for gifts and prizes will be sent on application. < C.M.S. SHEET ALMANACK, 1920. I Printed in colours, with large central picture, I" The Importunate Neighbours" I and daily texts, Lessons for Sundays, etc. I Price 2d., by post 3d. I Alsb arranged for localizinj. Particulars on I Alsb arranged for localizinj. Particulars on I appliratxn. The Manager, Publishing Department, c. M. House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C. 4. AIIôí' IF j ORPHAN WORKING SCHOOL I AND ALEXANDRA ORPHANAGE, | Maitland Park, Haverstock Hill, N.W. 3. Instituted 1758. Patron: HIS MAJESTY THE KING. < President; H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G. Treasurer The Right Hon. Sir Horace Brooks Marshall, R P.c;; M.A."LL.P; (ALD.) OVER 800 FATHERLESS CHILDREN are now maintained and educated. Amongst them are many whose fathers have fallen in the war. Others similarly bereft await admission. All need the Home-like care, the training and discipline the School supplies. A larger number of children would be received if funds permitted. The Charity is wholly dependent on Voluntary Contributions. Donations will be thankfully received by • ALEXANDER GRANT, Secretary. Offices 73, Cheapside, London, E.C. 2. ( SOCIETY: J OR TUE ASSISTANCE OF iieiES IN jeouced mmmitmn FINANCE COMMITTEE. MONEY. They say money makes the world go round- I can testify to money óiling the wheels'of this Society! Without money, it would stop, and affect upwards of 200 poor, silent, suffering women most acutely and some of them would end their days in the workhouse. Many of the Ladies are old and feeble—some chronic invalids. Please .send money, and send it quickly,, that we may not begin 1920 in debt. We want f 500 as soon as possible. That we tlhallget it I feel sure, Hon. Sec., EDITH SMALLWOOD, Lancaster Honse, MALVERN. Readers who respond to any of the1 Advertisements in this journal would greatly oblige by mentioning the Church Family Newspaper** as the ioorc« 61 their Information. Ro btnzo-n s.Ol1ra\1erZ HANDKERCHIEFS ? for Christmas Gifts. These useful articles are always acceptable to the recipient. An example No. D.E.9 (as illus.). Ladies' finest Sheer Linen Handkerchiefs with open work and dainty lace border. Size about IU inches Price per dozen, 12s, Christmas Gift List 46E sent post free on request. Robinson & Gleaver, Ltd., B ST, IRELAND.