The Catechism recommended by Total 1,120 250 160 100 50 2,080 70,330 dressed a circular to the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this city, representing the claims of the Society to their support. They employed a Collector to wait on the individuals thus addressed for contributions, and now tender their grateful acknowledgments for the liberality with which, in many instances, they were aided. It was found, however, that so many families had then left the city, as to render it expedient to postpone further applications till the winter. They are, therefore, now about to resume them, and cherish the hope that their Christian Of these there have been already disbrethren will feel an interest in the prospersed (including a small proportion sold perity of an Institution which has for its object, disseminating among all classes of the community, the influence of pure and undefiled religion of that religion which is the most fruitful source of individual and social happiness, and the most effectual guard of civil order and fidelity In their earnest desire to answer the pressing calls that have been made upon them, the Board have not only exhausted their treasury, but, rather than lose opportunities of doing good, have anticipated the liberality of their fellow Christians. The following is a general view of the operations of the Society, from its institution in 1810, until the present time : There have been published, of A Tract on the Duty of Morning and Evening Devotions (3 editions) Copies, 7,000 A Tract on Profane Swearing (2 editions) 4,000 A Tract on Sins of the Tongue (3 editions) 7,250 The penitent Swearer's Soliloquy and Prayer (2 editions) 6,000 The Procrastinator's Soliloquy and Prayer (2 editions) 6,000 The Poor Man's Soliloquy and Prayer (2 editions) ATract on Drunkenness (2 editions) 6,000 4,000 Every Man the Friend or the Ene- A Tract on the Sabbath (2 edi. A 'Fract on Family Worship Total €6,000 - 6,000 2,000 2,000 68,250 Trusting that this view of the operaest in its behalf, the Board of Trustees tions of their Society will excite an interfriends, and the blessing of that God to commend it to the liberality of their whose honour it is devoted. By order of the Board, Should there have been an inadvertent neglect of sending the circular to any person disposed to aid the Society, or should the Collector omit to call on any such, Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by either member of the above Committee, by the Treasurer, Mr. Cornelius R. Duffie, No. 86 Wallstreet; or by the Agent, Mr. Thomas N. Stanford, No. 160 Pearl-street. The regular payments for members and subscribers (ladies) are $2 50 cts, at the time of becoming such, and $1 per annum. The payment of 8 15 constitutes a person member or subscriber for life. A person is appointed to collect Subscriptions and Donations for the above valuable Institution, in the hope that the friends of Religion will not refuse to con tribute to the important object of diffus ing Gospel truth, and promoting piety and good morals, by the dispersion of Religious Tracts. The Clergy and others from various parts of the country, bear testimony to the great good which has been done by the Tracts which they have received; and it will be much to be lamented, should the Society, from the want of funds, be compelled to cease their ex ertions. New-York Auxiliary Bible and Common Prayer Book Society. We regret that want of room compels us to postpone several articles until the next number, and particularly the interesting Report of the 400 New-York Auxiliary Bible and Common Copies. Prayer Book Society. The friends of the important objects of this Institution were much gratified by the assemblage of a large and respectable congregation in St. Paul's Church, on the evening of the 28th inst. when a collection was made for the benefit of the Society, and an address, of great interest and eloquence, delivered by the Rev. Dr. How. The gratification arising from the services of the evening, was increased by the performance of se. veral anthems by a portion of the members of the Handel and Haydn Society, accompanied on the organ by Mr. S. P. Taylor. The collection amounted to 437 dollars. ༣་ At the earnest request of several respectable friends of this publication, we have been induced to change it from the folio to the octavo size. The folio size was adopted on account of its being the least expensive, and of some other advantages. But many subscribers have expressed a wish to preserve the numbers, in order to bind them in a volume; and for this purpose the octavo size is certainly the most eligible The change, however, will be attended with a considerable increase of expense; which, from the present low rate of the work can be ill afforded, but which is en countered, in the expectation that the Journal will receive extensive patronage. The first number in the folio size can folded in such a manner as to be bound in an octavo volume. For the convenience, however, of those who may choose the octavo size, the first number will be hereafter reprinted in that form, and fur. nished to them at a moderate expense, as soon as it is ascertained that the number of subscribers to the work will justify this measure. Boston, January 23. The Rev. Thomas, Carlisle was, on Tuesday, admitted to the holy Order of Priest, at St. Peter's Church, in Salem;" and yesterday he was instituted Rector of that Church. The services on the occasion were performed by the Right Rev. Confirmation in the evening service. Bishop Griswold, who also administered The Episcopal Tract Society on Thursday celebrated their anniversary. The discourse on the occasion was preached by the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold, and was peculiarly calculated to advance the interest of the Institution. The music was uncommonly excellent. be Hatherleigh, 347 Plymton St.Mary, 835 Okehampton Tavistock, The two numbers for February will be issued in the course of the month. Confirmation. On Sunday, Dec. 22, Confirmation was held in Christ Church, in the city of New-Brunswick, New-Jersey, by the Right Rev. Bishop Croes. Ón this occasion, morning service was performed, and an appropriate sermon preached, by the Rev. J. C. Rudd, of Elizabeth-Town; after which 47 persons received this holy rite, Lanuceston, Stratton, Lantegloss, Bodmin, St.Columb Major 759 Exeter, 1002 Honiton, The rumber confirmed by his Lordship during the late visitation, was 23,718 persons in Devon, and 11,235 in CornwallTotal 34,957. Printed and published by T. & J. Swords, No. 160 Pearl-street, New-York; where Subscriptions for this Work will be received, at one dollar per annum, or 24 numbers. CHRISTIAN JOURNAL No. 3.] AND LITERARY REGISTER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1817. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOHN WICKLIFFE. JOHN WICKLIFFE lived about the year thirteen hundred and sever.tyone, in the reign of Edward the Third. He was Professor of Divinity at Oxford for many years. By diligently studying the Scriptures, he was convinced that the pure Gospel of Christ was almost wholly buried beneath the load of errors and deceits which the corruption, the pride, and ignorance of the Pope and Romish Clergy had introduced. Being much concerned at this sad state of things, and desirous that others should share in the light imparted to himself, he began to protest against the errors of the times, and to direct the people to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. He denied the power of the Pope to be beyond that of any other Bishop. He denied that the bread and wine in the Sacrament were turned into the real body and blood of Christ. He declared the Gospel of Christ to be a sufficient rule of life for every Christian man. He taught, that if a man be truly penitent towards God, it is sufficient, without making confession to the priests: that Friars (an order of men in the Romish Church, who, under pretence of religion, sup ported themselves by begging) are bound to get their living by the labour of their hands: that greatness among Christ's disciples does not consist in worldly dignity or honours, but in the near and exact imitation of their Saviour: that Christ never meant his Gospel to be locked up in a learn ed language which the poor cannot understand, but that it was to be read and understood by all. These new doctrines, which Wick- [VOL. I. liffe preached at Oxford with great boldness, met with much support. A large number of followers soon embraced them; and so rapidly did the flame spread itself abroad, that great alarm was quickly taken by the Bishops, the Monks, and the richer sort of priests. They raised a violent outcry against Wickliffe, and would certainly have crushed him, had he not been supported by the Duke of Lancaster, one of King Edward the Third's brothers. In the year thirteen hundred and seventy-seven King Edward the Third died, and was succeeded by his grandson Richard the Second, who was then only eleven years old. Wickliffe had now a great many followers. They, as well as himself, went about the country preaching diligently to the people, and were every where listened to most attentively. The Duke of Lancaster had now lost much of his great power. About this time, the Pope becoming alarmed at the progress of the new doctrines, directed a Bull (or letter of authority) to the University of Oxford, sharply rebuking them for not having rid the Church of the errors of Wickliffe. He sent another to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London, ordering them to have Wickliffe immediately taken up and cast into pri son. The Bishops accordingly again ordered him to appear before them; but so many persons interested themselves in his favour, that they were afraid to do what they wished, and were contented with charging him no more to preach his old doctrines. But all this had no effect upon him; for he still went on exactly in the same way as before. Some time after, the enemies of 5 Wickliffe prevailed to have a law passed, the object of which was to enable them to imprison him and his followers. This was the beginning of a furious persecution, which was afterwards carried on against him without mercy. Wickliffe was the author of a vast number of books and tracts, all defending or explaining his doctrines, and pointing out the errors of Popery. But his great work, and that which ought ever to make his name dear to the people of England, was an English translation of the Bible. They who know the comfort of having a Bible in the house, which they can 'understand, and delight to read and pray over, will best be able to imagine what a treasure Wickliffe thus presented to his countrymen. The Romish priests, however, did all they could to keep it out of the people's hands. Yet many did read it, and thereby became wise unto salvation. The latter days of Wickliffe were spent in peace and quietness. He had been obliged to hide himself to escape the fury of his enemies, but their attention being now directed another way, he returned to his parish at Lutterworth. Here he quietly departed this mortal life, in the year thirteen hundred and eighty-four. : Wickliffe's doctrines did not die with him all the efforts of his enemies could not crush his followers in England. Some they burnt, others they imprisoned, or barbarously tortured; yet still they, and others after them, boldly bore testimony to the truth. Things went on thus down to the very period of the Reformation. ! clared that, "even from his youth upwards unto the time of his death, his conversation was so praiseworthy and honest, that never, at any time, was there any note or spot of suspicion noised of him. But in his answering, reading, preaching, he behaved himself laudably, and as a stout and valiant champion of the faith; vanquishing, by the force of the Scriptures, all such who blasphemed and slandered Christ's religion." This is the best answer to all the slanders of his enemies, and a full justification of that praise and honour in which Wickliffe's name is held in all the Protestant churches. The light of reformed Christianity, of which Wickliffe scarcely beheld the dawn, has, since his time, under various disadvantages, been making gradual advances. We trust it will shine more and more to the perfect day. The doctrines which Wickliffe preached, were, in the main, the same as those contained in our Liturgy and Homilies. Let us then imitate the courage and zeal of this good man in promoting the glory of God, by walking in the light of pure, undefiled Christianity. Let us look for salvation, as he did, only to the cross of Christ; and never be tempted to have recourse to any other hope, or to follow any other guide. The word of God is truth. That word is now no longer looked upon in a foreign language. All may understand it. Let us then study it daily, praying for grace to receive it in the truth and in the love of it; and so to lay it up in our hearts, that we may not sin against God, but walk in all his ordinances and commandments blameless. But it was not only in England that Wickliffe's doctrines were spread abroad: many of his books were dispersed in Germany and Bohemia, where they were read eagerly. This Extract-Christianity alone teaches us, prepared the minds of men for that in the words of our Saviour, to say, even great and glorious Reformation of which are commanded us, we are unpro"when we shall have done all those things Religion which afterwards was effect-fitable servants: we have done that which ed by Martin Luther. In the year fourteen hundred and six, the University of Oxford publish ed a testimony concerning the great learning and holy life of Wickliffe, in which, among other things, it is de was our duty to do." Nothing short of an immediate revelation from heaven could assure us, that for those transgressions, of times guilty, satisfaction has been made which even the most perfect must be someby the sacrifice of our blessed Redeemer: that "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and that unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation. A second Dialogue between THOMAS STEADY and WILLIAM CANDID, about going to Church. (Altered from a Religious Tract published in England.) Candid. WELL, neighbour Steady, I went to church yesterday, for the first time these twenty years; and what was more, I determined to go in an humble Christian spirit, and without prejudice, to take things just as I found them. Steady. In that case, I am sure you were not disappointed. C. No indeed, I was not; on the contrary, I was highly delighted; and have resolved never to absent myself from church any more. S. How is this sudden change? C. The prayers, the preaching, the whole service, were truly heavenly. I found particularly, that having a book, so that I could see what was coming next, was a great advantage in prayer. S. I have always thought so, because it gives us time to consider, and see the nature of the petition, and our own need of the thing which we are about to ask for. It is not like a fine speech, in which we want something new and striking. C. Very right; for as long as we are in the body, we daily need the same things. And indeed, I never considered till now, how much the Lord's Prayer teaches us this; for it is very remarkable, that Christ did not give his Apostles a new prayer for every day, but made the same do for all, because our wants remain very much the same. S. Very true; and if you want other examples, the children of Israel, on various occasions, joined in one form of prayer and praise; and the whole book of Psalms was a set of forms, inspired by the Holy Ghost for the temple-service. C. I begin to be much of your opinion on these subjects, especially as no one refuses to sing a written psalm or hymn; and if we can praise God by set forms in singing, why not pray to him so too? S. And it is very much to be wished that church people would use their prayer books, and keep their eyes fixed on them through every part of the service, even though they may know the prayers. This is more devout and orderly, and would prevent their minds from wandering. But tell me more particularly what passed at church yesterday; for I was not there, being obliged to stay at home with my wife, who was expected to die before the service was over. C. I was sure it was no slight cause that kept you away. S. No, Sir; a man who feels the importance of his soul, will not, dare not neglect the means of grace. I often think with sorrow on my younger days, when I was glad of an excuse to miss church. I preferred attending to my worldly occupations and amusements to going to the house of God. If I had been cut off by death in those days, what must have become of me? But God in infinite mercy has spared me, and, I trust, turned my heart. But return to what you were saying. C. There was nothing new in the service; it was just as it used to be twenty years ago, when I was in the habit of attending. But yet it was altogether new to me, for I enjoyed it exceedingly, which I never did before. How was that? S. The change was in yourself. To a person careless about his salvation, the prayers of the Church are mere matters of form; but to a man who feels the burden of his sins, and desires to be delivered from them, and to obtain the mercy and favour of God, the prayers are very sweet and comfortable. C. So I found them; and I am persuaded, that if many of my friends who are prejudiced against the Church-service, because they used to hear it in their days of irreligion and ignorance, when it was impos |