therefore indispensable of necessity. And can any one, possessed of a competent knowledge of the superstitions of Ashantee, hesitate to adopt this conclusion? Is an improved system of agriculture to be introduced? The visible representatives of the gods of the people are growing upon the very spot where the experiment is to be attempted. Are the natives to be taught to work the invaluable mines with which their country abounds? It will be found that the hills which contain the precious treasures are the imaginary residences of the national deities, and that superstition will deprecate the sacrilegious touch. Are the advantages of an innocent commerce to be recommended? Yes; but the intervention of the numerous "unlucky days," and the time necessary for the consultation of the heathen oracles, before any important business can be undertaken, will retard, and often entirely defeat, the best-concerted arrangements. Are remonstrances to be addressed to the people, on account of their inhuman practices? The sacrifice of human victims is not inhumanity, in their estimation; but an act of piety most acceptable to their gods, and one of the best proofs which they can afford of their affection for departed relatives and friends. Even Osai Quamina, who lost his throne because he had ventured to abolish several other superstitious customs, did not dare to abandon the practice of human sacrifices at the graves of his relatives. Nor was such a reluctance an uncommon feeling. Very recently, the neighbouring king of Dahomy replied, to a gentleman from Cape-Coast Castle, (who expostulated with him on the occasion of a public sacrifice,) that their religious customs rendered such offerings imperative, and that were he to forbid them, the dissatisfaction of the people would place his own life in jeopardy. It may, therefore, be considered as certain, that, whatever may be done by other means in the way of facilitating the introduction of the Gospel, the work of civilization will not be advanced to any considerable extent, until the superstitious spell by which the people are bound shall be broken by Christianity itself. When that, however, shall be once accomplished, the happiest results may then be expected to follow. The influence which a successful evangelical mission in Ashantee (Ashanti) cannot fail to exert in promoting peaceful relations between that country and the British settlements on the coast, deserves especial notice.” "Assuredly the Committee did not resolve upon attempting the formation of a mission in Ashantee, but under the deep and solemn conviction of the arduous nature of the undertaking. The formidable obstacle which an insalubrious climate opposes to Missionary labours in every part of Western Africa, will prevail also in Ashantee to a great extent; but that will not be the worst feature of the case. Moral difficulties, of the most appalling character, must be encountered. Let the situation of the Missionaries be contemplated, when, far from civilized society, the almost every day scenes with which they must become awfully familiar, will be those tragedies of barbarity and horror, at the bare recital of which the heart sickens; and when frequently they must witness those outbursts of superstitious fury, during which scarce. ly any life is safe,-with the conviction, too, that themselves are peculiarly obnoxious to the priests, the demons who direct the storm,-let these circumstances be kept in view, and then it will be understood how great an amount of moral courage and of divine support they will require to sustain them at the post of duty. And who can tell to what an extent the indul. gence of a barbarous caprice may not frustrate their exertions, and for a while disappoint their hopes? Mr. Freeman congratulated himself on having found a friend in Korínchi, the chief of Fómunah; but his aid cannot be anticipated; for Korínchi, having given some cause of offence, has been destroyed with deliberate cruelty,-the king baving ordered a certain stream to be diverted from its channel, until a hole should be dug in its bed, in which that unfortunate chief was placed, and then left to perish in the returning waters of the rivulet." VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. PARLIAMENT was prorogued, by commission, with a brief speech, stating that her Majesty had formed a new administration, as advised to do by Parliament; thanking the Commons for the supplies; stating that Parliament will necessarily, next session, turn its attention to measures "for equalizing the public income and the annual expenditure, and other important objects connected with trade and commerce ;" and lastly, expressing her Majesty's deep concern at the distress in some of the manufacturing districts, and assuring parliament that it may "rely upon the cordial concurrence of her majesty in all such measures as shall appear, after mature consideration, best calculated to prevent the recurrence of that distress, and to promote the great object of her wishes, the happiness and contentment of her people." Some of the abettors of the Oxford Tract sect are using the influence which they have obtained in the Times newspaper, in making the editorial coluinns of that journal a vehicle for the dissemination of their opinions, by means of a virulent attack upon the extension of the Protestant episcopate to Jerusalem. Much obloquy, also, is cast upon the archbishop of Canterbury, and the right reverend prelates who have planned with him this important measure: a measure which has been hailed with unanimous joy by all sound members of the Anglican church. The anti-catholic conduct of these self-called Catholies, verifies what we said years ago, in reference to Dr. Hook's vituperation of bis meek diocesan, Bishop Ryder; and what we once heard in substance from the lips of one of the shrewdest prelates upon the bench-that those who are most clamorous for making bishops popes in the abstract, are always the first to oppose and unpope those prelates who do not happen to fall in with all their notions. The allegation that the settlement of a Protestant bishop in Jerusalem is schismatical, is opposed both to facts and to every Scriptural idea of the fabric of a Christian church. In Jerusalem there are resident, a Romanist bishop, a Maronite bishop, a Nestorian bishop, and a Jacobite bishop; while the church of the Greek communion is under the authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople; but "the motley congregation," as the Times calls them, of Protestants in Palestine, are destitute of an episcopal head; their children cannot be confirmed, nor can churches be consecrated, or ministers ordained according to the rites of their communion. In the mean time, all-encroaching popery is pressing its tyrannical usurpations: and the Eastern churches are looking to the Church of England for protection. The Patriarch of Constantinople, placed between Mohammedan and Romanist persecution, is unhappily but "the cipher of a function:" the real contest is with Rome. We know that Rome usually finds friends-in effect though not in words among those who call themselves Anglican catholics. Thus Bishop Luscombe at Paris is represented by them as a schismatical intruder, there being popish prelates in France, to whom Protestant episcopalianism ought to succumb; and Dr. Pusey came to London to the Board of Christian Knowledge, when it was proposed to translate the English prayer-book into foreign tongues, to remonstrate against the wickedness of circulating either our prayer-book or the Bible in any popish diocese, unless with the sanction of the popish bishop. In like manner the pope has reason to make his best bow to the Oxford Tractarians who have procured a footing in the Times newspaper and elsewhere; for he knows, if they do not, that the establishment of an Anglican prelate in Palestine would be the most powerful check to his corruptions and usurpations; and by God's blessing the means of strengthening what is really valuable and scriptural in the oriental churches; and of correcting errors, obliterating superstitions, extending sound doctrine, and invigorating piety, among them. The trial of Mr. M'Leod had commenced when the last accounts were dispatched from America. We trust there is no reason to apprehend a war between Great Britain and the United States, both of which must be injured, while neither could be benefited, by hostilities; but the affair of M'Leod, the recent capture of Grogan, and other events, shew that some casual collision may unhappily provoke a contest, unless the rulers and people of both countries act with wisdom and justice, instead of being misguided by prejudice and passion. The American confederation must relinquish its anti-international principle of allowing each of the States in the Union to act for itself in questions which involve the relations of the whole with other cabinets. The President has issued a spirited proclamation against those miscreants who are endeavouring to stir up discontent and rebellion in Canada, and making "military and lawless incursions" into its borders. As to the case of Grogan, the President's proclamation shews that the Canadians have had much provocation to retaliate upon the border agitators; but there can be no question that if the strict line of international law has been transgressed, the British government will offer due apology and reparation. We have no fear that the case of M'Leod will terminate fatally; but we trust that, under the powerful influence of the present British administration, it will lead to a revision of the whole state of affairs between the two countries, and to a mutually honourable and satisfactory adjustment. In China her Majesty's arms have been victorious in an attack upon Canton; but at the very moment when the city must shortly have surrendered, Captain Elliot accepted for its ransom six million dollars, which he proceeded to dispose of in honouring the protested opium bills. The whole transaction is very lamentable. If we must war, it ought to be for more honourable objects than unset that of indemnifying smugglers, whose ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A Sincere Friend; L. G.; An Inquirer; An Old Subscriber; W. B. OXONIENSIS; YOUR READER ;and several CONSTANT READERS; are under consideration. OBSERVATOR will perceive, upon reflection, that the customary expressions "orthodox dissenters," and "evangelical dissenters," are merely intended to distinguish those seceders who in the main hold to the doctrinal articles professed by all "orthodox" and "evangelical" churches; from those who are not seceders only, or chiefly, upon questions of ecclesiastical government and discipline, but in relation to the doctrine of the Trinity, the atonement, original sin, justification by faith, and the work of the Holy Ghost; particularly those who call themselves "Unitarians;" that is, Arians and Socians. OBSERVATOR will surely allow that some epithet is necessary to distinguish the religious opinions of such men as Owen, Howe, and Baxter, from those of Priestley and Belsham. Can he suggest one more convenient, better understood, and less liable to misconstruction, than those which have been long in use? When Bishop Horsley, Archbishop Magee, and others, speak of the orthodox," they include what are called the " evangelical" dissenters; but with no reference to the important questions at issue between them and the Anglican Church. Of the sum placed at our disposal by a transatlantic correspondent, we have presented two hundred pounds to the Irish Society for promoting scriptural instruction through the medium of the native Irish tongue, thinking we shall thereby so far carry out our unknown friend's wishes as expressed in his letter. We will consider of the appropriation of the residue. We fear that the just animadversions of E. B. L. upon a proposed new Sunday newspaper, which is to contain, like its predecessors, sporting intelligence, the affairs of the drama, &c., would only be an advertisement upon it. The infamous "Dispatch" was stated to have largely increased its sale by the just and necessary exposition of its wickedness. It is very mournful that it should be so. The subscribers to the Christian Observer are not likely to subscribe for a Sunday Newspaper, new or old; so that E. B. L.'s remarks would not reach the sinning parties. In our answers to correspondents last month, there were two or three which were superseded by our having privately communicated with the parties; but as the printer inadvertently retained the heads on the cover, we will recapitulate them. We informed H. that the Paraphrases of Erasmus were ordered to be set up in our churches in the year 1550; and that the clergy had been enjoined four years before to procure the New Testament in Latin and English, with the Paraphrases for their own instruction.-We notified to SURRIENSIS that he would find some account of the Southwark Archidiaconal church fund in our Number for August; when we mentioned some difficulties, and proposed a modification of the plan; but that we regarded the matter at present chiefly as an experiment.-We told OLD PATH, whose letter on "Penny-post shilling collections" appears in our present Number, that we thought the scheme, though benevolently intended, would die away, for the reasons which he mentions among others. The Tractarians at Oxford are making zealous efforts to procure the election of the Rev. Isaac Williams, tutor of Trinity College, and author of "The Cathedral," and of Tracts 80 and 87, on "Reserve in communicating religious knowledge," as successor to Mr. Keble at the approaching expiration of his Professorship of Poetry. Two or three Oxford correspondents remind us to impress upon those of our readers who are non-resident members of Convocation, the urgent duty and importance of voting against so highly improper an appointment. Ν DOCTRINAL VIEWS OFTEN DETERMINED BY MORAL For the Christian Observer. IN my last paper, I offered a few practical observations upon a subject which, in every age, has allured and baffled the pursuit of reflecting minds-I mean the connexion between the Divine decrees and human agency. This difficulty, however, it should always be observed, does not arise from, nor is it peculiar to, revealed religion. It is a difficulty which outstands all systems; which reason suggests, and revelation indeed does not, perhaps to man's present faculties could not, solve. In entering upon such a topic, it was not my object to establish or to refute a system of speculative doctrines, many of which are intimately connected with individual experience, and therefore, in the realizing faith of one, are profound truths, which nourish and expand the heart, in the fancy of another are but vain imaginations, in his mouth idle words, too strong meat to be digested by his cold spiritual temperament, or his weak faith, and which, therefore, serve but to divert him from the use of congenial and nutritious food, and to oppress or pervert the faculties and energies of his soul, But I did not refuse to enter upon this subject when it presented itself, because it appears to me that there are intimately associated with it two opposite classes of principles, tempers, and affections, of daily exhibition and vital importance, of which the opinion that the mind adopts with respect to those profound and unfathomable mysteries of Christian philosophy, or rather the spirit in which it approaches them, is frequently but the ripe fruit and evidence; and which it is of the utmost practical utility, as the individual case may require, either to inculcate or to reprove. There is a levelling, democratic spirit, most opposite to the meekness and lowliness of Christ, who was at once the Lord and the servant of all; and who, though "the high and lofty One which inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy," came not to be ministered unto but to minister," which, with obstinate stiffness would refuse "honour to whom honour is due," and if it does not, with a more generous ambition, soar above it, would at least pull down the stately fabric of society to the level CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 48. 4 X 66 66 of its own low hovel, and when it turns its eye towards God-for it is the same mind which we bring with us to the market and to the church, to the office and to the closet-it is the same spirit which grovels amid the dust of earth, that lifts its transient glance towards heaven—would pluck the jewels from the crown, and tear away the robes even of the Divine Majesty. There is an anarchy, and insubordination of mind, utterly inconsistent with that harmony and order which must necessarily pervade, as its maintaining principle, God's eternal system; which would dash the sceptre from the hand, and limit and restrain the exercise even of the Divine prerogative. There is an untractable indocility of spirit, the lineal descendant of that self-will and pride which caused war in heaven, and cast out Satan and his angels: "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north! I will be like the Most High!"-which drove out men from Paradise; we "shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil;" which would expel Christ from earth, we will not have this man to reign over us ;" which would fathom with the warped and scanty line of a prejudiced and perverted reason the infinite depths of the Divine Mind, summon God to its tribunal, and hold Deity accountable for His doings: a spirit most opposite to that childlike, humble, teachable spirit, without which a man shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. There is a spirit of jealous suspicion, which would obey God, but dares not trust Him-which would be reconciled to God, but must guard itself against Him with due precaution-and would embrace Him in a coat of mail; which, with the most scrupulous orthodoxy, will defend, in the detail, each fundamental doctrine of Divine truth, yet shrinks from the contrast of its own pigmy insignificance with the colossal Being which results from their combination and harmony; which, for example, strenuously asserts the prescience of an omnipotent First Cause-the depravity, misery, and ruin of man by nature, and his justification by faith alone-his death-like impotence and helplessness, and the indispensable necessity of a new birth; and of preventing grace to effect-of assisting grace to maintain it; his utter unworthiness and indesert in the sight of God in any stage of his course, and under any influences; and which yet shudders when it views God in the full exercise of those unlimited and arbitrary powers with which, in theory and detail, itself would arm Him; which shudders when it views Him seated upon the throne of universal empire, clothed in all His infinite attributes, weighing in the balances of eternity, and recording amid the decrees of heaven, the destinies of worlds and of souls; or moving among them equipped in the complete armour, and exercising the full powers, of an omnipotent and overruling Providence; dazzling in this His glorious apparel, "travelling in the greatness of His strength." There is a subtle spirit of legality, which earnestly contends in words, and in the gross, for that fundamental truth of Christianity, justification by faith alone, but which, in the analysis of its experience upon this important point, neutralizes and virtually retracts its profession, by the reservation of a vague, undefined something in man, by which it is he himself who consummates the work of his redemption, himself drawing down from the treasury of heaven, and applying to his own soul those blessings which are neglected by another; a spirit which places man, in words, under a law that excludes boasting, yet teaches that, in some vague, undefined manner, by the exercise of |