final victory over him and his cause, when they had nailed him to the cross, and saw him expire upon it. However, the sorrow of his disciples would soon be turned into joy; even as the woman's pangs of travail are, by the sight of her infant, and by her satisfaction in beholding it. Thus they (as well as he) would have sorrow; but he certainly would see them again after his resurrection, and then they would have the most cordial, solid, and substantial joy, communicated to them, which would not be destroyed by his ascension into heaven, as the Holy Spirit would be their Comforter; nor would the malice of men or devils, or any of their trials and sufferings in life or death, ever deprive them of it."* THE JEW AND HIS DAUGHTER. As I was going through the western part of Virginia, (says an American writer,) an old clergyman gave me a short account of a Jew, which greatly delighted me. He had only lately become acquainted with him. He was preaching to his people, when he saw a man enter, having every mark of a Jew in his face. He was well dressed, and his looks seemed to tell that he had been in great sorrow. He took his seat, and listened in a serious and devout manner, while a tear was often seen to wet his manly cheek. After the service, the clergyman went up to him and said, “Sir, do I not address myself to one of the children of Abraham?" "You do," he replied. "But how is it that I meet a Jow in a Christian church?" The substance of his account was as follows :-he had been well educated, had come from London, and with his books, his riches, and a lovely daughter of seventeen, had found a charming retreat on the fruitful banks of the Ohio. He had buried his wife before he left Europe, and he knew no pleasure but the company of his beloved child. She was indeed worthy of a parent's love. Her mind was well informed, her disposition amiable; she could read and speak with ease various languages; and her manners pleased all who saw her. No wonder, then, that a doating father, whose head had now become sprinkled with grey, should place his whole affections on this lovely child. Being a strict Jew, he brought her up in the strictest principles of his religion. It was not long ago, that his daughter was taken sick. The rose faded from her check; her eye lost its fire; her strength decayed; and it was soon too certain that death was creeping upon her frame. The father hung over her bed with a heart ready to burst with anguish. He often tried to talk with her, but could seldom speak except by the language of his tears. He spared no expense or trouble in getting her medical aid: but no human skill could extract the arrow of death now fixed in her heart. The father was walking in a wood near his house, when he was sent for by the dying daughter. With a heavy heart he entered the door of her chamber. He was now to take a last farewell of his child; and his religion gave him but a feeble hope as to meeting her hereafter. The child grasped the hand of her parent with a death-cold hand. "My father, do you love me?" “My child, you know that I love you; that you are more dear to me than all the world beside." "But, • Rev. T. Scott's Commentary. it." my father, do you love me?" "Why, my child, will you give me pain? have I never given you any proof of my love?" "But, my dearest father, do you love me?" The father could not answer. The child added, "I know, my dear father, you have ever loved me; you have been the kindest of parents, and I tenderly love you: will you grant one request? O, my father, it is the dying request of your daughter; will you grant it?" " My dearest child, ask what you will, though it take every farthing of my property; whatever it may be, it shall be granted: I will grant "My dear father, I beg you never again to speak against Jesus of Nazareth." The father was dumb with surprise. "I know (added the dying girl), I know but little about this Jesus, for I was never taught; but I know that he is a Saviour; for he has made himself known to me since I have been sick, even for the salvation of my soul. I believe he will save me, though I have never before loved him. I feel that I am going to him, that I shall ever be with him. And now, my dear father, do not deny me; I beg that you will never again speak against this Jesus of Nazareth. I entreat you to obtain a Testament that tells of him; and I pray that you may know him: and when I am no more, you may bestow on him the love that was formerly mine !" The labour of speaking here overcame her feeble body. She stopped, and the father's heart was too full even for tears. He left the room in great horror of mind; and ere he could recover his spirits, the soul of his dear daughter had taken its flight, as I trust, to that Saviour whom she loved and honoured. The first thing the parent did, after he had buried his child, was to procure a New Testament. This he read; and, taught by the Spirit from above, is now numbered amongst the meek and happy followers of Christ. The Cabinet. KNOWLEDGE GOD'S GIFT.-There is no man living that can see all things, neither hath God given any man to know every thing. One seeth more clearly than another, one hath more understanding than another, one can utter a thing better than another; but no man ought to envy or despise another. He that can do better than another, should not set him at nought that understandeth less; yea, he that hath the more understanding ought to remember, that the same gift is not his, but God's, and that God hath given it to him, to teach and inform the ignorant.Bp. Miles Coverdale. BAPTISM. If, instead of turning the day for baptising their children into a season of worldly festivity, as some, alas! do, engaging in the very things they seal of the covenant as a mere form, or matter of then profess to renounce; or if, instead of using this decent observance, as, alas! is too frequently done, even by better-disposed persons; if, instead of thus profaning this holy sacrament, they who engage in it come in faith; so express are the promises of God, that if by his grace they are confidently relied upon, his faithfulness ensures their fulfilment. "For faithful is he that hath promised; who also will do it."-Rev. J. H. Stewart. SENSE OF THE DIVINE OMNIPRESENCE.-A vague and general admission of the doctrine is of little moment. We speak here of a serious and realising sense of it. For want of this just impression, the hypocrite deceives himself with the delusive hope, that the specious appearance by which he imposes upon others, and perhaps also upon himself, will answer a like purpose with his Maker. It is for want of this just impression that wickedness abounds. Where is the profligate, who, when acting in direct violation of the law of God, would not be terrified at the discovery how perfectly he is under the inspection of that great and terrible Being? And how salutary would be the apprehension thus excited! How would he tremble at the consequences of appearing in judgment before Him to whom every thought is exposed, and who is marking every deed, for the express purpose of righteous retribution! True, there are many hardened in their vices, many beyond the reach of argument, and capable, as it should seem, of bidding defiance to the God who made them. But is there one who could survey what is at this moment immediately, although invisibly, around him, and not recoil at the sight? Is there one who could behold the countenance of the Almighty flashing indignation upon the daring offender, and not shrink, as into the very dust, before Him? Take the boldest transgressor who ever blasphemed the name of his Creator, and spurned at the offers of his grace; take him in the full course of his abandoned career, while good men stand appalled, and even bad men are amazed at his wickedness; let him be rioting in all the malignant passions of that spirit of evil who worketh in the children of disobedience; yet if you could give him to see for one moment in what a condition he is, with an avenging God by his side, and the vials of His wrath ready to be poured upon his devoted head; yes, even this shameless transgressor would here, in the land of the living, call upon the rocks and mountains to bury him for ever from the sight of that tremendous presence! Is the man bold because these things exist not? He is bold only because he sees them not. They are indisputable and awful realities, and will one day burst upon his view in all their accumulated terrors. We affirm not that even this alarm would change the heart; that is the work of the Holy Spirit: but would it not lead the sinner to tremble for his sins? Would he not cry out, What must I do to be saved? not absolutely impenitent, would he not consider his ways, and put away the evil of his doings, and listen to the message of salvation? Who then can state in words too strong the importance of cherishing an abiding sense of the Divine presence? How full of encouragement and consolation to them who fear God! How replete with salutary terror to those who are under the influence of an evil heart!-Rev. Dr. Dealtry. And if THE MINISTRY.-The ministry of things divine is a function which, as God himself did institute, so neither may men undertake the same but by authority and power given them in lawful manner. They are, therefore, ministers of God, not only by way of subordination, as princes and civil magistrates, whose execution of judgment and justice the supreme hand of Divine Providence doth uphold; but ministers of God, as from whom their authority is derived, and not from men.-Hooker. DIVISION.Divisions are Satan's powder-plots to blow up religion.-Watson. Poetry. For the Church of England Magazine. "TO-MORROW I will seek the Lord," Seek him while yet he will be found- Seek him with all your might and mind— Seek him when your delights decay, And when they flourish, seek; Seek him on every Sabbath-day, And through the passing week. Seek him; and him you soon shall find, Who put the morrow from the mind, THE FRESH GREEN MOSS. How I love to look on the fresh green moss, When the young light leaves in the quick breeze toss, When it springeth up in the woodland walks, And last year's fallen leaves. It lies an emerald crown, When the last rain hath patter'd, When on the ruin gray, As it shivereth, thoughts of fear, But oh! I love the bright moss most, On the sculptured stone that fain would boast For I think if that lowly thing can efface The fame that earth hath given, Who is there that would ever chase Glory, save that of Heaven? Miscellaneous. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.-The physical history of our globe, in which some have seen only waste, disorder, and confusion, teems with endless examples of economy, and order, and design; and the result of all our researches is to fix more steadily our assurance of the existence of one supreme Creator of all things, to exalt more highly our conviction of the immensity of his perfections, of his might and majesty, his wisdom and goodness, and all-sustaining providence; and to penetrate our understanding with a profound and sensible perception of the high veneration man's intellect owes to God." The earth, from her deep foundations, unites with the celestial orbs that roll through boundless space, to declare the glory, and shew forth the praise of their common Author and Preserver; and the voice of natural religion accords harmoniously with the testimonies of revelation, in ascribing the origin of the universe to the will of one eternal and dominant Intelligence, the almighty Lord and supreme First Cause of all things that subsist" the same yesterday, today, and for ever"-" before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made, God from everlasting, and world without end." -Dr. Buckland. JUDAH AND ISRAEL.-Perhaps few persons read the history of these two kingdoms without some feeling of distaste and a painful repugnance; the general picture of it is so dark, so deeply charged with the crimes of bad princes and a sequacious people; their bold sin, public unthankfulness, apostacy, wars, tumults, and treasons. In the midst of this confused scene, it is some relief to watch the stability of prophecy, and perceive that the disorders and commotions, otherwise so distasteful, contribute to authenticate the veracity of one promise of God. There is a fixed point, a spot of light, for the mind to revert to. It is that of a prophecy always under trial, and always confirmed. Add to that prophecy its singular connexion with Christianity, and its confirmation touches upon our Christian belief. For Christ is "the root and offspring of David ;" and the prophecies relating to both are in their evidence connected together." -Rev. John Davison. NEWFOUNDLAND.I have visited, between this place and the Bay of Islands, hundreds of families who had never seen a clergyman of any denomination. I was happy to find that the Prayer-books brought out by the original settlers had been, in many cases, handed down to children and children's children; and that in many places the Lord's-day was spent so as to tend to the edification of the people, through the use of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. The requests which I received from the people, who are generally too poor to purchase copies of the Common Prayer, were so numerous, that I cannot, from any means now at my disposal, meet the demands of a hundredth part of the people who will be expecting to receive them from me. I was happy to see that copies of your single Homilies were in very many of the fishermen's houses. Bound Homilies, which had originally been lent or given by your society's committees to the captains of merchant brigs, had-in some cases from shipwreck, and in others from the importunity of our fishermen, which had induced the captains to part with them become dispersed along the shore, and were in the way to accomplish much good. And in one place I found a good octavo Prayer-book with your stamp, from which prayers are read each Sunday and holyday by a respectable planter in Placentia Bay, who is indebted for this book, and for an annual present of excellent books, which he uses for the public instruction of his neighbours, to an Essex clergyman, whom the good old man has never seen. If the generous donor of these books could have seen the numerous congregation assembled in March last, at Sound Island, in Placentia Baywhich I was informed was not so numerous as it usually is, in consequence of the great number which were scattered among their winter residences in the woods - he would be delighted to dwell on the prospects of blessing which these thus assembling in Christ's name might entertain. And if the desire to attempt the doing of good in the same way could obtain publicity generally in England, how much would the missionary, the schoolmaster, and the intelligent planter, be assisted in their attempt to improve their neighbourhoods through such supplies!— Letter from Archdeacon Wix to the Prayer-Book and Homily Society. - PROSPERITY too often has the same effect on the Christian that a calm at sea hath on a Dutch mariner, who frequently, it is said, in those circumstances, ties up the rudder, and goes to sleep.-Bp. Horne. LAKE OF TIBERIAS.-About eight o'clock we reached Tiberias, having travelled about two hours along the side of the lake: we had occasion to observe that more pains appeared to have been taken to construct the road where it was very rocky, than in most parts of Syria which we had visited. The modern town of Tiberias is very small, it stands close to the lake of Gennesaret, and is walled round with towers at equal distances. At the northern extremity of the ruins are the remains of the ancient town, which are discernible by means of the walls and other ruined buildings, as well as by fragments of columns, some of which are of beautiful red granite. South of the town are the famous hot-baths of Tiberias; they consist of three springs of mineral water. We had no thermometer; but we found the water too hot to admit of the hand being kept in it for more than fifty seconds. We endeavoured to boil an egg, but without success, even out of the shell. Over the spring is a Turkish bath, close to the lake's side, which is much resorted to, particularly by the Jews, who have a great veneration also for a Roman sepulchre which is excavated in the cliff near the spot, and which they take to be the tomb of Jacob. Beyond the baths, a walk runs from the lake to the mountain's side, which rather perplexed us when we were taking the measures of the ancient walls of Tiberias; but it has since appeared evident that the walls did not extend so far to the south, and that this was the fortification of Vespasian's camp, as appears from Josephus (Jewish Wars, b. iii. c. 10. § 1), who places it in this position. The lake of Tiberias is a fine sheet of water; but the land about it has no striking features, and the scenery is altogether devoid of character. — Irby and Mangles' Tour. NOTICE. A new Edition of Vol. I., entirely reprinted, may now be had, handsomely bound in ornamented cloth, price 58. 6d. Those Subscribers who wish to have their copies bound in the same manner may have them done up by the Publishers, price 1s. 10d. ; or the embossed covers may be purchased separately, price ls. 6d. Portfolios, of a neat construction, for preserving the separate Numbers until the Volumes are complete, may be had of the Publishers, price 2s. 6d. LONDON:-Published by JAMES BURNS, 17 Portman Street, Portman Square; W. EDWARDS, 12 Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country. PRINTED BY ROBSON, LEVEY, AND FRANKLYN, 46, ST. MARTIN'S LANE. ON THE PRESENT PROSPECTS OF PRO- Is Protestantism, on the whole, advancing or retrograding in Ireland? is a question which cannot but be highly interesting to every lover of the cause of truth, to every admirer of those principles, in defence of which a host of martyrs sacrificed their lives. It is, unfortunately, too much the fashion to consider the question as one of mere policy; but surely it is a question with which Christianity rather than mere politics is concerned. It is not whether this or that party shall have a predominant influence, nor whether the adoption of this or that measure "shall give to Ireland repose;" but whether the principles of the Reformation are, or are not, to prevail. It must be confessed that, on a superficial view, Popery seems to be becoming more firmly established; its professors are shewing themselves more openly; its tenets are more broadly and unequivocally proclaimed; its objects are less disguised. On the other hand, Protestantism seems to be standing still; it does not present the same bold front which once it did; political circumstances, arising from the much-agitated question of tithes, have thrown it apparently into a defensive, rather than an offensive, position. But, notwithstanding all this, my opinion is, that the cause of Protestantism in Ireland was never more promising than it is at the present moment; and a fair and candid examination of the question will, I think, establish the truth of this sentiment. Into this examination it is my purpose to VOL. II-NO. XLIX. PRICE 1+d. enter, with this preliminary remark, that a very strong effort of the mind is required. before an individual can be brought to throw off the yoke of popery. Innumerable prejudices have to be surmounted, which have 66 grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength;" the trammels of an education fostered by extreme bigotry have to be shaken off; so that it can be no matter of astonishment if months and years should elapse before his mind is open to conviction. In no sect or party is more attention paid by their spiritual guides to the instruction of their youth in their own peculiar tenets than among the Roman Catholics. Not only are their own principles carefully instilled into them, but every thing which has a tendency to shake their faith is scrupulously withheld. From the first moment they are capable of exerting their reason, they are taught on every occasion to regard it as a mortal sin to entertain the slightest doubt; and should any feeling of this kind cross their minds, to shrink from it with horror. Add to this, that they are accustomed to look upon priests as possessed of a power little less than divine: the assumed power of the keys, and the dread of excommunication, present an almost insuperable barrier to the reception of the truth. their This, however, is not the only obstacle. There are circumstances which may well cause the stoutest heart to hesitate, and diligently count the cost, before he throws off the yoke. He must not only be prepared to give up the friendship of his family, as well as of his party, but also to endure insult and persecution in every shape. His emancipation renders him an outcast; he is a scorn S and reproach to his neighbours; henceforth all dealings between him and the party he has forsaken are at an end; and it will be well if he escapes without injury to his person or property. It is notorious that many have been compelled to leave their country, and seek among strangers that subsistence which was denied them at home. With these preliminary remarks I proceed to shew on what grounds I am led to the conclusion, that Protestantism is advancing in Ireland :: I. The many and exorbitant demands made by the priests upon the purses of the people furnish a ground of hope that a better day is dawning upon Ireland. Numerous are the expedients adopted, and various the means of obtaining money. Among the most fruitful are confession, which is a duty incumbent upon every individual at least twice a-year, from a very early age. Marriages, the payments for which vary according to the wealth or station of the parties, and the real or apparent difficulties which stand in the way,such as "separating the blood," when there is any affinity between them, but which can always be removed on payment of a sufficient sum. Baptism, extreme unction, and, most productive of all, because most indefinite, masses for the souls of the departed. It is true that all these payments are, professedly, voluntary; there is no actual compulsion; but, as Mr. O'Croly well argues, "Are all payments not compellable by law to be denominated voluntary contributions? Can monies paid through terror, or under the influence of public opinion, or through a sense of commutative justice, be classed under this head? Doubtless many persons cheerfully contribute to the support of their clergy, and pay, without reluctance, upon every necessary occasion; but, on the other hand, very many act a very different part; many who would, if left to their own free choice, pay not a single stiver into the ecclesiastical treasury. These persons part with their money through terror of public exposure, and the superstitious fear of sacerdotal hostility. Church-dues, in short, are sanctioned by custom, and exacted by an authority as powerful, perhaps more powerful, than that of the law of the land."* Now such a state of things cannot but open the eyes of the people. Men are extremely sensitive where money is concerned; and he who would remain passive were he merely subject to a mental yoke, will raise a great outcry and resist to the utmost of his power, when a direct demand is made upon his purse, even though that demand should come from one who can "bind and loose" at his pleasure. II. We derive another favourable omen from * O'Croly's Essay on Ecclesiastical Finance, chap. ii. the influence of schools, Bible-classes, Scripture readers, &c. Popery in Ireland is consistent only with a state of very great ignorance; and I should, therefore, be disposed to look favourably upon the lowest degree of education which will cause the mind to expand and produce habits of reasoning, although that education should not be, strictly speaking, religious; for I cannot but think that wherever a habit of reasoning is formed, there is not much fear of the event. But what I especially allude to, as likely to lead to the most beneficial results, is, a sound religious education, such as that pursued by the Irish Society. The last quarterly extract of that society presents a very gratifying report of the numbers attending upon the instruction of the society's teachers. Of 21,593 who were actually produced for examination previous to July 1836, 15,908 were from 15 to 50 years of age, 485 were above 50, and 3,322 were females. It must be borne in mind that this has reference to the Irish Society only, which communicates instruction through the medium of the Irish language, and to which alone my limits will permit me to direct attention. While I was engaged in my present task, I received a letter from one who takes a deep interest in the affairs of the Irish Society, from which I extract the following cheering intelligence: "I can speak of about a hundred in that neighbourhood (Kingscourt) who have received the sacrament in our Church. As to those that are Protestant in sentiment, I have no doubt I could produce a thousand; and as to those who are no longer holding communion with the Church of Rome, there are many thousands in different degrees of light. There is the same movement going on in the west and the south; in fact, wherever the Irish Scriptures are circulated. The people will receive them in Irish who would not in English; and whenever they read the Scriptures, their hold on popery is loosened." I cannot resist the desire to quote the following passage from the last annual report of the society, to which I give my hearty assent:"If among the poorest and most ignorant of the native Irish, persons among whom it would be folly to suppose any thing like communication and combination in support of a system, living as they do in the north and south of Leinster, the east and west of Ulster, on this side and beyond the Shannon, in the districts far distant from each other of Clare and Cork, Kerry and Limerick, -if among these people one general description of feeling seems universally to prevail,it must afford the very best means of judging of the true and genuine character of popular opinion; and, indeed, it is a state of public |