of young men from the universities, seeing, or thinking they see, a nearer road to prefermentto fine broad cloth, and fat livings-by the way of Puseyism, are constantly joining their ranks, to the great grief of thousands.

Now, sir, look at the other side of this picture. Perhaps the English Church was never better supplied with pious, learned, talented, laborious, evangelical ministers, than she is at present; but they are so greatly outnumbered by the other party as to make them timid in action. Then, again, the evangelical party have no regular, well-digested, ostensible plan of action. They do not work in concert. They have no common bond of union. Each one labors in his little, local, and individual sphere, and is telling his congregation, from time to time, of the rapid spread of Puseyism and Popery; and this, too, in such a manner as is much more calculated to discourage than to rouse the laity to any wellorganized plan of opposition. Further, the low churchmen have no well-selected, bold, determined leader. No hardy, fearless, lion-hearted person, such as Wickliffe or Luther, steps forward, to place himself at the head of that body to lead them onward in combined action against Puseyism and Popery-to grapple for the great and blessed boon of the reformation, which is in danger of being lost to the nation. While, on the other side, Dr. Pusey, as a bold, daring, learned leader of his sect, rushes forward reckless of consequences; and, as if the means were to justify the end, he is not scrupulous to a shade either as to what he says or does. Witness his vile attack on the Wesleyan Methodists, after he has been answered, and his allegations refuted, time and again.

In addition to the above gloom which hangs over the evangelical party, they are poor, as a body, compared to their opponents; and not only so, but they are afraid to act in union, lest they should trespass on the prerogatives of their dioNot so with their enemies.

cesans.

There is another topic closely allied to this which is a curse to the Church and the nation; I mean the old, hackneyed, unproved and unprovable subject of apostolic succession, which serves to keep the low Church party, as well as the other, at a cold measured distance from both the Wesleyans and the Dissenters; yet, in my humble opinion, the evangelical party never will be able to contend successfully with Puseyism and Popery without the aid of the above mentioned sects. What is a little remarkable, or at least worthy of passing notice at this time, is the venom with which Pusey and his followers are assailing the Wesleyans and the Dissenters;

but especially the former. No doubt this is Puseyite policy; for should the "tug of war" ever fairly commence in Britain as to whether Popery or Protestantism should reign, both Dr. Pusey and the Papists know their greatest difficulties would arise from this quarter; and hence their hostility to the Methodist system is equally as great as their hatred to the Methodist doctrines, or to the Methodists as a body. That the evangelical party should be blind to these things, and act in that blindness, may prove as fatal to them as if they were put to sleep by magnetism, or some other ism, until Dr. Pusey and his followers get the noose they are preparing for them fairly around their necks; and then, with one death-like pull, they may drag them under Popish rule and Popish reign.

You are probably aware, sir, that tapers and the candelabra are already introduced, and not a few churches burn lights at the altar, in the day time. Among the places which do this, Leeds, Liverpool, Mary-le-bone, and Ipswich, may be mentioned. What the end will be heaven only knows.

I remain, my dear brother, yours very truly. JOHN TRIPPett.

Discussion.-A public discussion took place lately at Manchester, between Mr. Cleary, a Catholic, and Mr. Atkinson, a member of the Protestant association. The propositions advanced by the former were, that the Church of Christ is infallible, that the universal Church in communion with the see of Rome is the only true Church, and that the reformed sects are heretical and schismatical. The debate was listened to by two thousand persons. When the discussion ended, Mr. Love, of the mercantile firm of Love and Barton, in Manchester, made a public declaration that he renounced Protestantism, and embraced the Catholic faith. His example was followed by ten other persons.

Lady Young, the friend of Queen Victoria, and possessing an income of more than sixty thousand dollars, was lately admitted into the Catholic Church.-Mélanges Religieux.

Rev. Mr. Newman.-We learn from a private, but highly creditable source, that this distinguished Oxford divine will spend next Passion week at St. Mary's college, Oscott. May the rumor be true!

The Bishop of London on the "Surplice Question."-The bishop of London, while adverting in his recently published charge to the question, whether a clergyman, when preaching, should wear a surplice or a gown, recommends it as "most consonant with the intention of the Church, that he should wear a surplice when

preaching after the morning service, and a gown when the sermon is in the evening." His lordship's sentiments on this, as on some other points, would appear to have undergone considerable alteration, the greatest, indeed, of which the nature of things will admit, being no less than an alteration from black to white. In the year 1825, while bishop of Chester, his language to the clergy of the diocess was-"Gentlemen, it is most consonant with the intention of the Church, that you should, while preaching, array yourselves in black." In the year 1843 his language to the clergy of the diocess of London is-" Gentlemen, it is most consonant with the intention of the Church, that you should, while preaching, array yourselves in white." It would certainly be satisfactory to the public-the clerical portion of it more especially—if his lordship would be condescending enough to explain how he came by this new light. If it be difficult to decide when "doctors disagree" with each other, it must be even more difficult to do so when they disagree with themselves.- Cheshire paper.

IRELAND.-There cannot be a greater proof of the paternal interest taken by the sovereign pontiff, Gregory XVI, in the Catholic Church of Ireland, and of the high estimation in which it is held by his holiness, than his anxious desire to establish Irish ecclesiastics as bishops in the different sees connected with its foreign missions, and his practice of conferring suitable dignities on others of them, so soon as he is informed of their deserts and claims on his beneficence. An instance has lately occurred in the person of the Rev. Mr. Laffan, one of the senior priests in the church of the Conception, Marlborough street, Dublin. His holiness, having been informed by a respectable dignitary of the Church of this reverend gentleman's many years of valuable services in the ministry, of his successful teaching in the cause of religion, and of his zeal for the maintenance of the dignity and respectability of public worship, has been graciously pleased, within these few days, to transmit to him, from himself personally, the degree of doctor of divinity.

We have to announce the gratifying intelligence that two of the household of a highly respectable Protestant family, in the neighborhood of this city, at the county Kilkenny side of the river, were received into the Catholic Church during the present week.-Waterford Chronicle.

Restitution to the Catholics of one of the Cathedrals of Dublin.-A correspondent says that many persons in the above city are of opinion that the Protestants ought to convene a meeting of their body, and enter into a magnanimous re

solution to make restitution of at least one of the ancient Cathedrals (St. Paul's or Christ church) to the Catholics, whose fathers built, endowed, and possessed them! This resolve would be the more opportune, when it is found that in the vicinity of those churches, in a circumference of less than half a mile, there are at least nine churches (without including the church of St. Catherine) for the accommodation of Protestants, whereas one of these churches would more than suffice for all the Protestants in the metropolis.-True Tablet.

Joy bells for St. Paul's Catholic Church in Dublin. In a short time it is expected that the splendid peal of joy bells for the new church of St. Paul, Arra quay, Dublin, will be ready. They will be the first of the kind connected with a Catholic church in Dublin since the “glorious, pious, and immortal" plunderers of all that is holy and sacred deprived us of our churches, bells and beadles.-Ibid.

SPAIN. The Catholic clergy of Spain continue giving constant proofs of their faith amidst all the sufferings and penury endured by them under existing circumstances As if all that were not sufficient, they are made the victims of calumny by foreigners, who seek to deprive them of the brilliant crown of glory which they have merited, and which they still merit, on account of their constancy in professing the faith, and their firmness in fulfilling their duties. It is stated in a London periodical, that half of the clergy of Seville are Deists. This is a falsehood. In a work published, also in England, by a Mr. Borrow (a Bible distributor who was sent here to poison us with Protestantism, just as the Chinese have been poisoned by the English with opium) it is falsely asserted, that, amongst the Spanish clergy there are many of Jewish origin who still profess Judaism.-Catolico of Madrid.

CANONIZATION.-In France the preparatory investigations and proceedings have been instituted for the canonization of the Rev. Mr. De la Salle, founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a society that labors quietly, but with the most astonishing success, in instilling into the minds of youth, particularly those of the poorer class, the principles of religion, and such knowledge as will fit them for usefulness in the world. The most extensive and minute inqui ries have been made relative to the life of Mr. De la Salle, and the numerous testimonies that have been procured, either from the cotemporaries of those who were witnesses of his virtues, or from others who have had an opportunity of forming a correct opinion upon the subject, bear evidence to the fact, that the holy priest prac

tised in an heroic degree, the Christian and sa. cerdotal virtues. It is to be hoped that a decision to this effect will emanate from the holy see. Mr. De la Salle was born at Rheims on the 30th of April, 1651, studied at St. Sulpice, in Paris, and afterwards became a canon of the cathedral at Rheims, and received the doctor's cap in the university of the same city. From the year 1681, he lived among his brethren. His death occurred at Rouen, in 1701.-Propagateur Catholique.

THE VIRGINS OF TYROL.-The Presbyterian has republished a foul libel on one of these remarkable personages, borrowed from the Liverpool Standard, and observes that it will be read with confusion to the Roman Catholics. We think that the shame should be felt by the propagators of the atrocious calumny, of which an authentic refutation is given in the London Catholic Magazine of January. We refer our readers for the refutation of this atrocious calumny to the letter of the prince bishop of Trent, published in our number of the 9th of March.

Cath. Herald.

BELGIUM.-Mr. Frederick Valland, of the canton of Berne, Switzerland, recently made the solemn abjuration of Protestantism, in the chapel of the Jesuits, at Brussels. Mons. Fornari, nuncio of his holiness, administered confirmation to him. The convert also received holy communion.-Ibid.

CEYLON. Rev. C. Russell, professor in Maynooth college, Ireland, recently appointed vicar apostolic of the island of Ceylon, is at Rome, seeking to be released from accepting the new dignity.-Catholic Herald.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA.-The Univers of the 12th February, contains the following remarkable statement. We deem it our duty to inform our readers that we have ourselves for some days been prepared, through our own letters from Rome, for the announcement:

"During the last fortnight, accounts the most delightful to the Christian world, have been prevalent in Paris. From letters written by persons of the highest character, which we have had under our own inspection, we learn that authentic accounts have been received in the capital of Christianity from the Catholic missionaries in China, announcing that the Chinese emperor will, for the future, permit missionaries free entrance, and right of travelling without obstacle, through his dominions; not content with this concession, the emperor himself has solicited that new and more numerous missionaries should be sent out. It is certain that the Propaganda has already appointed forty religious, amongst

VOL. II.-No. 4.

whom are many Jesuits, whose names are announced to the mission. The departure of these missionaries for China will be immediate.

"These accounts from China attest facts of another description, and which, to Christians, will explain those we have above announced. The silence we have preserved during the last fortnight, will be a guarantee to our readers that if we speak out to-day, it is on testimony the most weighty and worthy of belief. A letter which we received yesterday from Rome contains the following:-Authentic letters from the Chinese missionaries confirm the astounding miracle of the apparition of our Lord, in the presence of a vast number of the faithful and unbelievers."

The Univers states it has received other details, but contents itself with quoting some observations from the Gazelle du Simplon of the 8th of February. Our letters confirm its details:

"Intelligence of undoubted authority has arrived from the apostolic vicariate of China, stating that a great multitude of Christians and Pagans belonging to that nation, saw in the air, the heaven being serene and clear, the image of Christ Jesus crucified."-Cork Examiner.

CANADA.-New Bishopric.-From the Canadien and Mélanges Religieux, we learn that the holy see has formed a new diocess in the British possessions, to consist of the province of New Brunswick, which hitherto was subject to the bishop of Charlottetown. The Very Rev. William Dullard, hitherto vicar general of the bishop of Charlottetown, and pastor of the congregation of Fredericktown is the bishop elect.-Herald.

Education.-The brothers of the Christian schools will soon commence an establishment in Quebec. Their labors in Montreal are blessed with the happiest results to religion and morality.

SOUTH AMERICA.-From a private letter, dated January 13th, from Rio de Janeiro we learn some interesting particulars concerning the missions of South America. In 1816, thirtysix Capuchin friars established themselves at Bahia in Brazil, whence most of them sallied forth into the interior of the country to labor at the conversion of the savages. From that time until a few months since, no intelligence had been received from two of these missionaries. One of them, Father Louis de Livorno has lately returned to the convent where his brethren reside, to the agreeable surprise of all; but he is so emaciated and worn out as to exhibit rather the appearance of a spectre from the other world. The news of this extraordinary being having reached Rio de Janeiro despatches were immediately sent to Bahia to obtain a portrait and a

32

biographical sketch of the holy man. The picture represents him surrounded by a band of savages, of the Cannibal tribe, which, with the divine blessing, he had succeeded in converting to the faith. It appears that when he first visited this barbarous people, he was accompanied by three Indians, who soon left him alone in the midst of a wild and trackless region. Retiring to a neighboring hill, he fixed his dwelling there, and six long months rolled over his head before the sound of any human voice interrupted the silence of his dreary solitude. While he was thus passing his time in prayer and patient endurance, the quiet of the forest was suddenly broken by the approach of more than five hundred savages, who presented themselves before the missionary and expressed their willingness to learn from him the truths of religion. Ever since that period he has been employed in the instruction of the Indians, whom he has induced to renounce polygamy, with their superstitions, to observe the precepts of Christianity, and to exchange their wandering life for the pursuit of agriculture. Speaking of the Jesuits, the same correspondent says: "The Father Provincial, Mariano Berdugo, was invited, with twenty-two of his brethren, to establish a college in the city of Buenos Ayres. The request was made by President Rosas, who is the supreme ruler of the Argentine republic. This man, after having profanely succeeded, by means of fear, in introducing his likeness into some of the churches, had good reason to suppose that the inmates of the college which he had just founded, would willingly receive his painting into their chapel; but he was mistaken. He discovered that he had to deal with the real sons of St. Ignatius. Father Berdugo replied, in respectful terms, to the president, that he would place his portrait in a most conspicuous part of the college, but could not station it in the house of divine worship. The courtezans of Rosas appeared to be satisfied with the answer of Father Berdugo, but he soon began to perceive the consequences of having displeased the tyrant. After some time he was informed by an unknown person, that the following day was appointed for the visitation of the college by the civil authorities; upon which the fathers of the institution immediately held a council, and sent home to their respective families the pupils that had been placed under their charge, one hundred and twenty in number. The superior and three of his brethren succeeded in getting on board of a vessel, disguised as English sailors. Father Berdugo, with one of his companions, came to this city (Rio de Janeiro) for refuge, and were received with every

mark of respect by the nuncio, the bishop, and the authorities. The government at Buenos Ayres having issued orders that no passports should be furnished to the Jesuits who had remained there, the people were indignant at the measure, and the fathers were invited to resume their occupations, nothing more being said about the portrait of Salvador Rosas. The ostensible object of the government was to lay hold of the four individuals, who had succeeded in leaving the visiters with empty hands. I am informed that the indefatigable members of your order (the Jesuits) have established themselves at Cordova, in the province of Tacuman (Bolivia). They are eight in number, among whom is the celebrated Padre de la Pegna, of Mexico. What will you say if I tell you that we are daily looking for news from the city of Conception, the capital of Paraguay. Two fathers of your society have availed themselves of the demise of the despot, Dr. Francia, to visit that celebrated spot. We are daily expecting to be informed, that time is working wonders."

DOMESTIC.

ARCHDIOCESS OF BALT.-Circular-The next Provincial Council will be opened on the fourth Sunday after Easter. I earnestly recommend to the reverend clergy and the faithful of my diocess the important business which will engage the attention of the assembled prelates. For which purpose, I request the reverend clergy, from the 29th of April to the 21st of May-1. To add daily at mass the Collect of the Holy Ghost. 2. To say weekly one mass of the Holy Ghost. 3. To solicit the faithful under their spiritual charge to offer up their prayers, and, once at least, to receive Holy Communion with the intention of invoking the light and grace of heaven on our proceedings.

Religious communities are requested to offer up for the same object, such special acts of devotion as may be approved of by their spiritual

directors.

+SAMUEL, Archbishop of Baltimore. Given at Baltimore, on Thursday, en at on Thursday. }

Spiritual Retreat at St. Vincent de Paul's.-The retreat for the laity commenced in this church on Sunday, the 12th of March, under the direction of the zealous F. McElroy, of Frederick city. Father McElroy is a distinguished member of the Society of Jesus, and the well-earned reputation of his order for piety and learning, was fully sustained by the eminent ecclesiastic who presided at these religious exercises.

In the morning of that day the Rev. Mr.

Schreiber opened the retreat by a preparatory discourse, pointing out to the faithful the great advantages to be derived from these pious exercises, if entered upon with becoming dispositions-this species of devotion was not novel in the Church-even the faithful Israelite of the old law was exact in its observance; and, under the Jewish dispensation, the favorites of the Most High sought the sequestered dell or the lofty mountain top, to commune with heaven; the example of the Saviour was introduced, and his disciples awaiting the descent of the holy spirit. In every age the Christian Church points to her holy hermits, her fervent anchorites, her pious recluse, who withdrew from the busy haunts of men, to spend their lives in holy seclusion, far from a world that placed so many snares for the feet of the unwary. The subject was continued in the afternoon of the same day, by the Rev. J. B. Gildea, in an energetic appeal to the people of his charge, to avail themselves of the opportunity now offered them-the holy to become more holy, and the wanderer from virtue to return to the service of heaven.

As the character of the speaker, even the very appearance of the individual, is not without its influence on such occasions, Father McElroy was habited in the dress of his order; and the mild and pensive composure of his countenance indicated one who was solely taken up with the things of heaven-with a heart overflowing with mildest charity, he pictured the goodness of God, ever ready to receive the repentant to favor-in fervid and glowing outline he portrayed the reward of bliss eternal, awaiting such as repent and persevere to the end; and in solemn warning denounced the obduracy of the sinner, deaf to the voice of grace, and unmoved by the stings of conscience.

Decorated with but few of the flowers of the rhetorician, the eloquence of Father McElroy is peculiar in its forcible appeals to the intellect; holding the mind of his auditory as if at will, he alluded to the instances wherein the tired mercies of heaven seemed unwilling to bear longer with the oft repeated crimes of the obstinate sinner: whilst, as an ambassador for Christ, and one vested with authority, in the name of his God, he promised favor and forgiveness to such as sincerely repent.

The all important object of the retreat was self-knowledge-the sinner was to learn how he stood in the presence of his Creator, and the sublime end of his creation was strikingly pictured to his mind, whilst the faculties of the soul were enlisted in the investigation. The will was first calmly invited to seek its end, and soon

taught to believe that none could be holier than submission to the adorable will of Him who formed it. Memory was the next faculty, introduced as the abundant store-house where Virtue deposited her treasures, and finally Intelligence drew from both an offering worthy the divine Creator. Thus spending the first day in showing how reasonable was the service of man to his God, and how fitting the application of his ennobling faculties when exerted to the honor of Him who gave them.

But man needed blessings-he needed the divine favor and protection-he must therefore ask them ere he could hope to receive, and at once the excellence and advantage of prayer invited his attention; nor was this prayer so much the sounding accents of the lips, as the deep and fervent breathings of the spirit—it was the unspoken prayer to which he alluded-the silent entreaty of the heart, which in holy meditation led the soul into solitude, there to commune with God. It was in this salutary exercise of meditation, on the things of eternity, that the faculties of the soul, will, memory, and understanding, were in a special manner introduced as most efficacious in moving the mercy of heaven.

The goodness of God was next portrayed, and this new favor inviting them to a spiritual retreat, was designated as another signal proof that the Almighty wished not the death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted and live; he knew they would avail themselves of the proffered blessing-they would accept the boon held out to them-the mild mercies of the Saviour were recounted, as so many motives to repentance the sweet reception of the prodigal into favor, and the prayer of pardon on Calvary were feelingly introduced-the joys of heaven, promised as a reward for virtue, and the dread tortures of hell pointed at, as the punishment of vice and if the countenance of the sinner was mantled with shame at his past ingratitude, his hopes now brightened, as looking through the tear of his penitent love, he sighed for pardon. It were unnecessary to go through the various exercises of this retreat, which lasted eight days; suffice it to say, that it was crowned with the happiest results. We are informed that between two and three thousand persons received holy communion in St. Vincent's alone, whilst many others, of different congregations, who attended these spiritual exercises, partook of the life-giving sacrament in their respective churches. S.

Conversions.-Among those who have been of late admitted into the Catholic Church in Baltimore, are two officers of the United States' Army.