my method, I will not conceal it from you. It is most plain we cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by strength of intellect. Therefore your first duty must be to begin with prayer. Entreat the Lord to deign to grant you, in his rich mercy, rightly to understand his Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word of God but the Author of that Word himself; even as He has said, 'They shall all be taught of God.' Hope nothing from your study, or the strength of your intellect; but simply put your trust in God, and in the guidance of his Spirit. Believe one who has made trial of this method." (From the History of the Reformed Religion in France, by the Rev. Edward Smedley.) Day had not yet broken, when all Paris Duke of Guise, accompanied by his uncle, was awakened by the clang of the toscin of D'Aumale and the Bastard of Angoulême, St. Germain de l'Auxerrois, the signal at advanced towards the hotel of COLIGNY, which it had been preconcerted that the where Cosseins, warned of their approach, troops should be on the alert. Many of the had made fit dispositions for attack. The Huguenots who lodged in the neighbourhood wounded Admiral had been roused from a sprang from their beds, and hastening to the feverish sleep by the din of the alarm bell; Palace, enquired the cause of this unexpected but confident in the recent friendly profesand untimely sound; and to what purpose sions of the King, and in the fidelity of the the throng of armed men was directed, whom Royal Guard, by which he deemed himself they saw moving rapidly and tumultuously, to be protected, he at first thought that some in many directions, by torch light. They were at first carelessly answered that a Court spectacle was in preparation, and their farther questions were rebutted with insolence, which lead to blows. Meantime the partial tumult had been raised by the Guisards, which would speedily be suppressed. As the noise increased and drew nearer, and as the report of fire-arms was heard in his own court-yard, he tardily and reluctantly admitted a suspicion of the truth; and rising from his bed, notwithstanding the weakness which compelled him to lean for support against the wall of his chamber, he addressed himself to prayer, in company with his chaplain Merlin, and his few other attendants. One of his servants, Laboune, summoned by a loud knocking at the outer gates, had already descended with the keys; and when Cosseins demanded entrance in the King's name, he opened them unhesitatingly and without apprehension. The daggers of the assassins, as they rushed in, prostrated him lifeless at the threshold; and the five Swiss, warned by his fate, ran into the house, closed the door, and raised a hasty barricade with such furniture as they found at hand; one of their number, however, fell beneath the shot which had excited the Admiral's alarm, and the frail barrier which the others had constructed, soon gave way under the blows of the assailants. As their steps were heard ascending the staircase, Coligny, no longer doubtful of the event, turned with an unaltered countenance to his friends, and urgently warned them to consult their own safety. "For myself," he added, "escape is impossible; and happily, I am well prepared for the death which I have long anticipated. Human aid can no longer extricate me; but you need not be involved in my calamity, neither must your wives hereafter curse me as the author of their widowhood." The roof afforded them hope of secure retreat! and over this they dispersed themselves, after having broken through the tiling. The, assassins, five in number, armed in shirts of mail, had now gained the door of the apartment. The first who entered was a German named Besme, nurtured from his childhood in the family of the Duke of Guise. Coligny, in his nightdress, calmly awaited the onset; and when asked by Besme, in a stern and threatening voice, whether he were the Admiral, replied at once in the affirmative; pointed to his grey hairs as demanding reverence from youth; and added that, at the utmost, his life could be shortened but a little space. The murderer, unmoved by this calm and dauntless bearing, passed his sword through the veteran's body, and, after withdrawing it, inflicted a deep gash across his face; while his associates despatched him with repeated blows. The sole complaint which fell from Coligny's lips during his agony, was a regret that he should perish by the hand of a menial, and the constancy of his demeanour, extorted a confession from one of those who assisted in the deed of blood (deeds with which he had long been well acquainted), that he had never before seen any one en counter a sudden and violent death with so much firmness. Scarcely had the Admiral ceased to breathe, when the voice of Guise was heard from below, impatiently demanding if all were over? "All is over," replied Besme, and he was answered by Guise, that the Sieur d'Angoulême must see in order to believe, and that the body must be thrown down for their inspection. The yet bleeding victim was accordingly forced through a window into the court-yard; and D'Angoulême, after wiping the gore from its face, and thus satisfying his brutal curiosity, spurned the corpse with his foot, acknowledged that it was indeed his enemy; and urging his followers to bring to a full end a course thus happily begun, in compliance to the King's command, hastened on to fresh carnage. Three days had now elapsed since the murder of the admiral, and during the whole of that period his body had been subject to the vilest insults of the infuriated rabble. It was at first tossed rudely into a stable; then, after having been disfigured by savage and unseemly mutilation, the head severed from the trunk and the extremities torn from the limbs, it was dragged through the streets to the banks of the Seine. But so early a repose beneath the waters would have disappointed the fierce cravings of a malice which pursued its victim even beyond death. Till the morning of which we are speaking, the corpse continued to be trailed through the city; and when the shapeless mass was at length suspended in chains, by one leg, from the gibbet of Montfaucon ; a slow fire was at the same time kindled beneath, in order (to use the forcible language of De Thou) that every element in turn might contribute some share to its destruction. De Thou himself witnessed this most ignominious exposure; and he called to mind, with bitter reflections on human instability, the scene of pomp and splendour in which he had recently beheld the veteran warrior engaged, and the triumphant anticipations which he had then heard him express respecting the imagined war in Belgium. The King also visited these mangled remains; and Brantome has attributed to him on that occasion, a speech originating with Vitellius. When some attendant turned aside to escape the offensive smell, Charles observed that "the body of a dead enemy always savours sweetly." The anecdote may not be authentic, but even if it is not so, it sufficiently evinces the contemporary estimate of Charles's coldblooded ferocity. It is stated that Coligny's head was carried in the first place to the Louvre; and a doubt appears to have existed at the time, whether it was conveyed afterwards to Madrid or to Rome. The pious care of Francis Montmorency, whom either his superior good fortune or sagacity had preserved amid the general destruction of his friends, at length stealthily detached from the gallows what remained of the Admiral's body. For a while, he dared not commit it to consecrated ground; and it was deposited in a leaden coffin, and kept in a secret chamber at Chantilly, till the arrival of less disturbed times permitted its transfer to Chastillon, and its interment with fitting solemnity in the ancestral vault of the Colignys. POPISH LOGIC. Expediency says, Oh! this does not refer to the whole Bible, but only to that portion which had been delivered at this time, and applies only to the Israelites. Principle denies this, contending that it refers to the "Israel of God, in all ages; as is shewn by the latter part of the 40th verse, where it says, "for ever." But it places beyond doubt the obligation of obeying the ten commandments, which are also recognised by the National Board, in the general; while they prohibit the enforcing the second, or the questioning the propriety of its being blotted from the Popish decalogue; and thus they tacitly admit the propriety of their so leaving out the second commandment, if they do not also tacitly admit the propriety of The Papists say the Church is above the worshipping saints, angels, and images. Thus Scripture: 1. Because it is more ancient. Answer. But no: people are more ancient than kings or laws, yet are they not above them. 2. Because we know not, they say, this to be the Scripture, but that the Church tells us so. Answer. When in a crowd, I know not which is the king-and one points him out to me, is he therefore above the king? REASONS WHY THE CLERGY OF THE CATION. BY A LAYMAN. Expediency asks, why will not the Clergy of the Church of Ireland join in carrying out the National system of Education? Principle answers, because the system is unscriptural, in that it prohibits the general reading of the Scriptures. Expediency says, No! it only prohibits the controverted parts. P. Did they join, they would thus acknowledge the right and propriety of withholding the Scriptures, but the competency of any one to do so, they distinctly deny. They know that had any part been unnecessary, it would not have been given. Well, then, what does Scripture say upon the subject? We turn to Deut. iv. 2, and find it distinctly stated, "Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it;-6, keep, therefore, and do them for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nation, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people;-8, and what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law?" then, though anxious to avail themselves of the facilities afforded by the National Board for extending instruction, Scripture leaves them no alternative but that of refusing this aid on the terms offered, or of disobeying God.-Judge ye, then, which they should do! E. Then you think they ought not to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them of teaching a part of the truth, because they are not allowed to teach the whole ? 66 P. I think they ought to obey God, trusting that "He will make all things work for good." We find it commanded in Eph. v. dren;" and we find Him teaching His 1, "Be ye followers of God, as dear childisciples, as mentioned in Luke xxiv. 27, beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Thus you see, that did they conform to this rule of the Board, they would compromise their principles. So whatever seeming good might attend it, they dare not do so. E. How would they compromise their principles ? P. Do you not think that a man's conforming his conduct to what he asserts to be true, is the best proof of his belief in the truth of his assertion? E. Certainly, I do. P. Well, then, their not joining the National Board is the best proof they can give that they believe that no one man has a right to withhold any part of the Scriptures from any other; and further, it is the best proof they can give to those who will not hear the whole Word of God, that they think it dishonouring to God, to suppose that any part of His inspired Word ought not to be read or publicly taught, and were they to do otherwise, they would compromise these principles. E. But the people will not accept of such an education as you propose. P. They cannot help that. They must "be followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises."-Heb. vi. 12. They did not frame their message, so as to make it acceptable. No! it was as commanded, Ezek. ii. 1, "and thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear," the whole message, 66 concealing nothing.". Jeremiah, xlii. 4. St. Paul also, in Acts xx. 26, 27, says, "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." They are bound to do likewise. But the fact that there are now 33,000 Roman Catholic children attending the Church Education Society's Schools, in preference to the National Schools, proves incontestably that a very large number would accept such an education as we offer. But while this fact may be received as encouragement, the not having such success is not to discourage us; the "increase is all of God," and He often withholds his blessing for a time, to exercise our patience and prove our faith. And think'st thou, Zion, my beloved, All nature's bonds may sever, Then fear not, my beloved one, INTELLIGENCE. RAGG. "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING."-1 Thess. v. 17. Shoreditch and Hackney Tradesmen and Operative Protestant Association.-A most able lecture was delivered to the members and friends of this Association in Hoxton Chapel, Hoxton, on Thursday Evening, August 1st, by the Rev. W. Cooper of Dublin. The subject was, Popery in Ireland. City of London.-On Monday Evening, August 12th, a meeting of this Association needle Street. was held in the Hall of Commerce, ThreadThe chair was taken by James Lord, Esq., and the meeting was addressed by the Rev. E. Pizey, Messrs. Sibley, Binden, Callow, A. V. Allen, and W. J. Scott. The Hall was very full, and the audience listened with great attention to the important statements brought forward. A bold and decided protest was made against the iniquitous aggressions of the French on the Island of Tahiti. Southwark.-The course of Lectures in connection with this Association, advertised to be delivered in the National School Room, Borough Road, has terminated. The attendance has been good, and the members appear to have taken a great interest in the Lectures. A Roman Catholic attended on three or four occasions, and disputed some of the statements made by the lecturers, on which a discussion ensued, especially on the charges brought by one of the lecturers against the Church of Rome of idolatry and suppression of the second commandment. The result, as might have been expected, was the signal discomfiture of the papal champion. Tower Hamlets.-A course of six or eight Lectures, chiefly by Clergymen, will be delivered (D.V.) to the members and friends of this Association in St. Thomas' National School Room, Stepney, to commence on Tuesday, September 10, and to continue weekly. Another Course by Members of the Metropolitan Association will be delivered in the Trinity Episcopal Chapel School Room, Cannon Street Road, St. George's East, commencing Monday, September 9, and to be continued weekly. The Quarterly Prayer Meeting of the members of the Metropolitan Associations will be held (D.V.) on Monday Evening, September 16, at 8 o'clock, in the Rooms of the Protestant Association, 11, Exeter Hall. gentleman was extremely happy in pointing out the evils which had already resulted from our legislation with respect to Roman Catholics; and those which were to be apprehended for the future. He read copious extracts from the recently published life of the late Lord Chancellor Eldon, connected with the Roman Catholic question; and he referred to an observation by Mr. Lord, made at a previous meeting, to the effect that if government, in 1829, had been as well informed of the trickeries of Popery as at present, the bill of that year would not have passed. If now so well informed, he asked, why did not government retrace its steps, cancel what had been done, and repeal the bill of 1829? It was to be feared, nothing would be done in this direction. In the late discussion respecting the grant to Maynooth, Sir Robert Peel said, her Majesty's government were impressed with the conviction, that the college was not in a satisfactory position; and that its position would be one of the subjects to which their attention would be directed before the next session of Parliament. But before the end of the debate, the hon. bart. said, he hoped hon. members would not entertain too sanguine expectations from what he had said in the earlier part of the evening. Here something seemed to be promised, but afterwards qualified. If Sir R. Peel thought the grant was wrong, now was the time to refuse it. The Lecturer proceeded to describe the nature of the Popish religion as a system of deception, which was adapted to times and circumstances. The most intelligent priests The Chairman expressed his gratification were placed in towns, and the more ignorant on seeing the numerous attendance; and in country districts. He gave details of after some brief observations on the general questions at issue between Roman Catholics and Protestants, he introduced the lecturer for the evening, We feel pleasure in informing our readers that Prebendary Townsend's work, "The Accusations of History against the Church of Rome," is now being republished by the Protestant Association, as one of their special publications, under the able editorship of the Rev. J. E. Cox. Norwich Operative Protestant Association. -The usual monthly meeting of this Association was held on Monday Evening, at the Assembly Rooms. The attendance was large, and many were unable to find seats. Henry S. Patteson, Esq., was called to the chair; and amongst the number present were the Rev. Dr. Brewer, Rev. S. O. Attlay, Rev. J. Perowne, Rev. S. Titlow, Rev. J. Calvert, Rev. W. Lohr, Mr. W. Skipper, Mr. E. C. Bailey, Mr. H. Priest, &c. The Rev. W. B. Hurnard, of Carleton Rode, who came forward amid applause, and delivered a lengthened address, taking a review of the principal measures of government relating to Roman Catholics for the last half century, with a view to show, that the predictions of enlightened statesmen respecting the results of the Roman Catholic emancipation, had been verified. The address was a very able one; and the Rev. Published under THE PROTESTANT At F. BAISLER'S 124, Oxford-street; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co. W. DAVY & SON,] the impositions practised on the pilgrims resorting to Jerusalem which had come under his notice. The priests pretended to show the place of crucifixion, the rent in the rocks, and other things, for which they extorted money from the people, in the same way that O'Connell extorted rent from the Irish. After an earnest exhortation to his hearers to hold fast the Protestant faith, the lecturer concluded an interesting discourse. The Rev. S. O. Attley moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was unanimously accorded. The Doxology having been sung, the assembly dispersed. Seven Shillings per Hundred, for Distribution. [Gilbert-street. |