The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, December 1879

In this thought‑provoking volume, a series of letters from a celebrated Victorian artist and critic are presented to a group of English clergymen. Written without formal theological training, the author challenges the clergy to rethink the Lord’s Prayer and the everyday practice of faith, urging them to move beyond comfortable conventions toward a more demanding, yet sincere, expression of Christian duty. The introductory essay frames the correspondence as a public conversation, inviting responses from both clergy and lay readers and promising further discussion in a forthcoming publication.

The letters are framed by a modest editor who records the lively exchange among several clerical societies, capturing the earnest debate sparked by the writer’s bold claims. Listeners will hear the tension between tradition and reform, the call for a deeper, more personal engagement with gospel teachings, and the invitation to consider how art, ethics, and religion intersect in the pursuit of a higher moral standard.