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which we mainly refer, appertains neither to the golden head, the silver breast, the brazen belly, the iron legs, nor the clayey toes of the great image; it is of the Stone that shall grind them all to powder.

Ireland's has been the Ephesian church of Europe: to its angel it might be said, "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." But Ireland, like Ephesus, left her first love; her ecclesiastical leaders began to listen to the seductive persuasions of the lying apostle at Rome; and in a very short time the threat was fulfilled to her also. By the iron lance of Henry, her candlestick was thrust from its place, her light extinguished, and darkness overspread the land. But it does not end here: after the removal of the candlestick comes a word of hope: "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate," and among all their delusions the Irish people have never received any of the infidel or licentious doctrines with which even now England herself, poisoned by France, is corrupted to a fearful extent. This ought to be borne in mind, together with other particulars, and pre eminently as regards perfect freedom from the almost universal crime of persecuting the Jews, when we look into the history of Celtic Ireland; even if we keep out of sight their claim to partake largely of Hebrew descent, which many circumstances combine to confirm, and which is regarded as authentic by not a few well-informed Jews; and surely to the

believing mind a strong claim will have been made out on behalf of Ireland, as a subject for most serious and careful historical investigation.

Until within a few years, the preposterous fable of the ancient Irish having first been converted from paganism by Romish missionaries was generally believed, as it is by themselves universally. The priests tell them so, and they are satisfied; but we now know better. Dr. Monck Mason, Dean Murray, and others have put us in possession of a little authentic information on that head; or rather they have forced upon us truths which it was a shame to us to be ignorant of. The Rev. Christopher Anderson, in his "Historical Sketches of the Native Irish," opened a well-spring of blessings to that wronged, neglected people; for many who were seeking their spiritual good on the common grounds of Christian philanthropy, and obedience to the command given to preach the Gospel to every creature, were thereby encouraged to tenfold efforts, knowing that they were descended from an early generation of devout and eminent Christians; whose glory it was to try, and to convict, and to reject the false teachers of Rome, even before the apostacy had attained to the full growth of its monstrous and hideous proportions. The hand that traces this testimony has laboured for years in the cause of Celtic Ireland on the strength of that same encouragement; and would fain lead other and abler helpers into the same track.

We-no, not we, but many unthinking people, scoff and jeer at the poor Irish devotees undertaking a "pilgrimage" to the house of correction, where Daniel O'Connell holds his court. Would it not be

wiser to look into the springs of action influencing so large a body of people to feel and to act as it were one man, and to turn our discoveries to good account for them and for ourselves? This cold, hard, sordid, money-getting age, cannot penetrate the depths of the Irish heart: it would endanger the frost-bitten fingers to bring them within the influence of its warmth; and the whole might be set down as the frolicsome vagary of a very humorous people if we did not see the scanty morsel withheld from their own and their children's famishing lips, and the rag that should cover them dispensed with, in order to swell with their poor coppers the fund that they imagine is needed to supply the object of their enthusiastic loyalty. This is no vagary; this is not a sacrifice of what costs them nothing; this is not the act of a people who deserve to be trampled down as the offscouring of the human race.

O Ireland, beloved of my heart! how happy should I be, if it pleased the Most High God so to bless these words as to lead a parent to devote a few hours of her children's study to the thrilling subject of thy real history, thy real character, sufferings, wrongs, claims and hopes! Often silent through despondency, I have seemed forgetful of thee; and perhaps in the intentness of a watch for the first beams of Israel's rising sun, to lose the remembrance of the little lonely star that looked so lovely in the west. But what was western shall soon be in the east again: Israel's sun set in darkness, preparatory to its brilliant rise; and Ireland's twinkling star, despite all that man can do, or say, or think, SHALL also rise again. The providence of God, through centuries past, the marvellous work that He is even now

accomplishing in the remote places of that neglected isle, among her native race, speak with an emphasis not to be mistaken the future purpose of His inexhaustible goodness, “Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it."

C. E.

"SPIRITUALIZING."

ZION. A third opinion, that the Prophet is speaking of the Christian Church generally, and here announces its ultimate glory when all nations shall be converted to it. But this interpretation, though followed by the multitude, is quite as difficult to maintain through the chapter, (Isaiah Ix.) as either of the preceding. It is easy to say, that Zion spiritually means the church, and some perhaps might agree with certain of the Fathers, in thinking that camels and dromedaries aptly symbolize proud rich men: but who they are, who are typified by the flocks of Kedar, and the rams of Nebaioth, or what is the spiritual signification of the ships of Tarshish, does not seem so easy to determine.-Dr. M'Caul.

FANCY FAIRS.

To the Editor of the Christian Lady's Magazine.

MADAM,

Will you kindly allow one, whose way has been often smoothed, and the difficulties of it lessened, by the contents of your Magazine, to propose either for your own, or some of your correspondents consideration, a few questions respecting the now very prevalent custom of raising money for religious as well as benevolent purposes, by means of “sales of useful and ornamental needlework, &c." Feeling that "Christian Ladies" were the chief actors in these scenes, and having been somewhat surprised at the worldly tone, both of conduct and conversation, manifested in these engagements, I thought your customary charity might lead you to assist me in the discovery whether I could, while endeavouring to prove all things," act up to the apostle's injunction, “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," when contributing in this manner to works of faith and labours of love.

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The questions I wish to have decided are these1. Upon what principle are these Sales conducted, and by what scripture warrant justified?

2. Are the wares sold such as that money ought to purchase, which we believe to be a talent com

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