Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

UNITED STATES NATIONAL SO

CIETIES.

The number of the National Religious and Charitable Societies is eight. In Boston are, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and the American Education Society. In New York are, the American Bible SocietyAmerican Home Missionary Society American Tract Society and American Society for meliorating the Condition of the Jews. In Philadelphia is the American Sunday-School Union. In Washington is the American Colonization Society. They are all managed by officers, selected from different parts of the country.

PARIS SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING

CHRISTIAN MORALS.

The society has proposed a premium of five hundred francs, for the work best calculated to excite feelings of Christian charity among the labouring classes, and to shew how they may exercise it most practicably and beneficially. The proposal originated in the following circumstances. A short time since, a person whose name is withheld in compliance with his own injunctions, and who is mentioned only as a Swede, and an honest labouring man, sent the society three hundred and fifty francs, with the following statement. He had lived, he said, negligent of many of those obligations which Christianity requires; and though he was industrious, frugal, and even occasionally charitable, he was so, less from a sense of duty than to promote his temporal interest, to maintain his family with respectability, and to conciliate the esteem of his neighbours. Some time since, a few numbers of the society's journal having fallen into his hands, he read them, and, to use his own expression, his eyes became opened to the duty and the possibility of charitable exertion; and he began to consider, whether, by retrenching every day something from the moderate sum which he reserves for his necessities, and by working every day one hour longer, he might not be able

to assist some unhappy person, or promote some other charitable object. The three hundred and fifty francs were the produce of as many hours of extra labour. His first view was to liberate some prisoner; but, upon applying to the magistrates in the place of his residence, Geneva, there was not an imprisoned debtor to be found in any of the jails of that town. remitted his gift to the society for ChrisHe then tian Morals; who gave him his choice of liberating a prisoner, ransoming a Greek woman or child from the Turks, or founding a prize for the object above stated. He chose the last; with an expression of deep contrition, that in bestowing his donation he had not been sufficiently divested have made up the sum to five hundred of a proud and selfish spirit. The society francs; hoping the example of this labouring man may teach others in the same condition of life, to "go and do likewise." The friends of charitable and religious institutions in France are judiciously endeavouring to promote among the working classes, those sentiments of charity and Christian duty which are so honourably conspicuous in this country, and to which our Bible and Missionary Institutions are indebted for a very large part of their re

sources.

The society now enumerates the following committees, devoted to its several objects of benevolence: A committee for Trade; a prison discipline committee; a promoting the abolition of the Slave juvenile committee for the relief of orphans; a committee for succouring the Greeks; a committee for general purposes of benevolence; a moral and religious tract committee; and committees for adjudging prizes for works calculated to assist the following objects: the abolition of capital punishments; the promotion of civil courage, with a view to repress duelling: the extinction of national hostility; the abolition of lotteries, gaming, &c. &c. These various committees are proceeding with great zeal and prudence, in their several objects of benevolence.

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS.

Rev. R. H. Law, to the Archdeaconry of Wells.

Rev. W. O. Bartlett, Canford Magna V. with the Chapel of Kingston annexed, co. Dor.

Rev. G. B. Bloomfield, Tattenhall R. co. Chest.

Rev. R. Buchanan, Church of Gargunnock, co. Stirling.

Rev. T. Cannan, Church of Carcephain, co. Wigton.

Rev. T. H. Coventry, Croome Hill R. Worc.

Rev. H. Cripps, Stonehouse V. co. Gloucest.

Rev. G. W. Curtis, Winnington R. co. Dorset.

Rev. H. Davis, Burford St. Michael P. C. co. Oxford.

Rev. W. Dow, Church of Tongland, co. Kirkcudbright.

Rev. R. Downes, Berwick St. John R. co. Wilts.

Rev. D. Evans, Llanafanfewr V. Wales. - Dunn, Church of Slains, Aber

Rev. deen.

Rev. C. Green, Buxhall R. co. Suffolk. Bev. T. T. Haverfiend, Godington R. co. Oxfordshire.

Rev. W. F. Hook, Mosely P. C. co. Worcest.

Rev. W. T. Hopkins, Nuffield R. co. Oxford.

Rev. J. Lamb, Church and Parish of Kirkmaiden, co. Wigton.

Rev. D Macfarlane, Anderston Chapelry, Glasgow.

Rev. W. Mair, Fulbourn All-Saints V Cambridgeshire.

Rev. J. Maitland, Church of Kells, co. Kirkcudbright.

Rev. S. Martin, St. Mary Magdalen R. and St. Nicholas V. in Lincoln.

Rev. W. Menzies, Church of Keir, Dumfr.

Rev. H. A. Napier, Swimcombe R. Oxford.

Rev. C. H. Parker, Comberton Magna R. co. Worcester.

Rev. W. Parker, Comberton Parva R. co. Worcester.

Rev. A. C. Price, Chesterton V. co. Oxford.

Rev. J. Richardson, Church of Largo, co. Ayr.

Rev. G. Lod, Church of Tealing, co. Forfar.

Rev. T. Turton, Gimingham and Trunch R. co. Norfolk.

Rev. J. Walker, Church of Muthill, co. Perth.

Rev. T. Westcombe, Preston Candover V. Hants.

Rev. T. Whitfield, Winterbourne R. co. Gloucester.

Rev. T. Wilde, St. Andrew's R. Worcester.

Rev. W. Wood, Staplegrove R. co. Somerset.

[blocks in formation]

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

FOREIGN.

PORTUGAL. This country is at present a scene of tumult and apprehension, in consequence of the invasion of its frontier, by armed bands of its own subjects, disaffected to the constitution, who have been fitted out for their enterprise within the Spanish territory, and are endeavouring to rally around them those of their countrymen who share their political opinions. The Portuguese authorities have in consequence, felt it necessary to apply to this country for assistance, which has been most heartily granted, (see Domestic Intelligence,) and we trust will be found sufficiently prompt and powerfal to prevent any further mischief. If France keeps aloof, as her government have pledged themselves to do, and with

out doubt will do, from the contest, the issue in favour of the constitution cannot, we should trust, be uncertain or long protracted.

FRANCE. The chambers have opened with a speech from the throne. In reference to the affairs of Spain and Portugal, the little that is said is decidedly pacific; his majesty stating that disturbances have broken out in some parts of the peninsula, but that he shall unite his efforts with those of his allies to put an end to them, and to obviate their consequences. The speech announces a new bill for further restricting the press; another for amending the regulation of juries; and a third, which, it is to be hoped will be more efficient than any that have preceded it, for repressing the slave trade.

Since the delivery of the speech, the government have expressed, in the legislature, in the most decided manner, their intentions with regard to the peninsula. They state that France had pledged itself to England, that Spain should not proceed to hostilities with Portugal on account of its constitution; that France itself has been outraged by the conduct of the Spanish court on this subject; that her ambassador had been withdrawn from Madrid, in testimony of the dissatisfaction of the French cabinet; that the conduct of England had been highly honourable, and her right to assist Portugal perfectly clear; and that the French government are using their efforts, and they hope with success, to induce Spain to renounce the ill-advised course of proceeding upon which it has entered. The French government appears to be, at length, heartily tired and ashamed of its late peninsular policy. The expense, inconvenience, and dishonour, which France has incurred by its alliance with king Ferdinand, in his crusade against liberty, and his attempt to establish despotism, is no more than the retribution which such conduct merits; and which we trust will not be without effect, in securing the future peace of the world, and the unmolested progress of constitutional freedom, and intellectual and moral light.

DOMESTIC.

The corn-importation indemnity bill, to pass which the legislature was expressly convened, having gone through its stages, parliament has adjourned its sittings to the 8th of February. Ministers have expressed their determination to bring forward some decisive measure respecting the corn laws, immediately after the recess. The delinquencies of certain Joint Stock Companies, implicating some members of the legislature itself, have been brought to the notice of the house of commons by Mr. Waithman; and a committee has been appointed to examine into the charges against one of them, the Arigna Mining Company, with a promise from Mr. Canning, that a similar inquisition shall be made in the case of any others against which a presumption of fraud equally strong can be made out. The house certainly owes it to itself, and to the country, not to shrink from the investigation; and, we are happy to observe, that with a view to prevent in future that intrigue and unfair influence which have been too often effectually exerted in the committee on private bills, a project is before the house for creating a committee of appeal, to examine into

the merits of all petitions against the decisions of such committees, and to report to the house on the subject. We wish the house had been induced to listen with equal complacency to the motion for preventing bribery at elections. As matters at present stand, it would be better, in a moral and religious view, that seats should be openly and legally venal, than that they should be really so under the safeguard of silence or perjury.

But a still more important measure has been brought before parliament: we need not say that we allude to the embarkation of troops for Portugal, to enable the Portuguese Government to repel the attacks of its foreign enemies, who have assailed it by means of hostile bands of its own subjects, organized and fitted out within the frontiers of Spain. Ministers have considered it their duty, under the obligation of treaties, to assist, by a military force, the government of Portugal, our oldest ally, against external aggression, but without interfering in its intestine disputes. Their decision has been warmly hailed by men of all parties in parliament, and generally throughout the country. We see not indeed how they could have acted otherwise, either in national honour or on considerations of expediency; and with regard to the risk, the expense, and the possible bloodshed that may ensue, we trust that, under the present aspect of affairs, and with the avowed disapprobation of France to the conduct of Spain, these will not be very great; and at all events, we fear, they would have been eventually much greater had a less decisive course of proceeding been adopted by this country. yet, we would hope, and earnestly would we pray, to him who is the Author of peace, and the lover of concord, that the sword maynot be unsheathed. Ifotherwise, this country has at least the satisfaction of knowing that we are not sacrificing our blood and treasure to rivet on our fellow-creatures the chains of civil or religious despotism; but to support them in their just efforts to break the one, and we trust eventually both. It may be also, and every friend of humanity will earnestly implore our government to make it, one condition on which our aid is granted, that this partial alarm of war in Europe shall be the voice of peace to tens of thousands of injured Africans, by our exacting from the Portuguese the total abolition of that demoniacal traffic in blood, a fearful portion of which they have hitherto so obstinately maintained.

Even

Having adverted to this subject, we cannot omit to notice the noble and un

deviating hostility, which is manifested by the founders of South-American Independence to slavery in all its forms. In an address to the legislature of Peru, now Bolivia, on their assembling a few months ago to form a constitution, that distinguished patriot Bolivar thus expressed himself on that subject.

"I have left untouched that law of laws-equality, without which all other guarantees perish, as well as all other rights. To her we are bound to make sacrifices. I have laid prostrate at her feet the infamous state of slavery.

"Legislators,-slavery is the infringe ment of all laws. A law having a tendency to preserve slavery would be the grossest sacrilege. What right can be alleged in favour of its continuance? In whatever view this crime is considered, I am persuaded that there is not a single Bolivian in existence so depraved as to pretend that such a signal violation of the dignity of man can be legalized. Man to be possessed by his fellow-man -man to be made a property of! The image of the Deity to be put under the yoke! Let these usurpers of man shew us their title-deeds? The Coast of Guinea has not sent them to us; for

Africa, devastated by fratricide, exhibits nought but crimes. After these relics of African tribes are transported hither, what law or power can sanction a dominion over these victims? The act of transmitting, proroguing, and perpetuating this crime with its admixture of executions, forms the most shocking outrage. A principle of possession, founded on the most serious delinquency, could not be conceived without overturning and upsetting all the elements of right, and without a perversion of the most absolute notions of duty. Nothing can break asunder the sacred dogma of equality; and is slavery to exist where equality reigns? Such contradictions would rather impugn our reason than our justice. We should then be deemed insane rather than usurpers. If there existed no God, no protector of innocence and justice, the fate of a generous lion, reigning in deserts and woods, would be preferable to that of a captive in the service of an infamous tyrant, who, as an accomplice of his crimes, provokes the wrath of Heaven. But no-God has intended man for liberty! He protects him that he may exercise the heavenly gift of freedom."

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

JAMAICENSIS ; D. M. P; LAICUS; D. D; R. P. B; W., and R. L. will appear. CLERICUS; IMPULSUS; R. F; and W. H. M; are under consideration.

ПISTS will see that we have not forgotton his communications.

L. L. T. had better tender his paper to some American publication. which he remarks is wholly unknown to us.

The paper on

J. W. N. says, that in our review of Bishop Hobart's last work, we were led into a very great mistake respecting the Christian Knowledge Society's Bible. On turning to the passage (Ezekiel xviii. 31), to examine the truth of our allegation that the editors have changed W. Lowth's term "regeneration" to "reformation," he finds, to his surprise, the very term "regeneration," and not "reformation," subscribed W. Lowth. His edition, he adds, is that of 1818. We can only repeat, our statement, that in our edition (that of 1817), and also in Bishop Hobart's reprint, dated 1818-1820, the alteration is as we have mentioned. The circumstance was pointed out in our volume for 1817, in proof of the unfair liberties which the editors had in some places taken with the text of their authors; and as the discovery excited at the time considerable surprise and warm remonstrances, the editors may probably have thought it expedient to restore the author's own reading in the later editions. We should be happy to learn that they have acted in a similar manner throughout the work, wherever alterations occur which affect controverted points of doctrine. The members of the Society ought indeed to require a pledge from them, that they have done so, or will do so. The public must depend entirely upon the honourable feeling of the editors in this respect; for as the quotations are detached, and without any reference to page or volume, and range through a vast number of authors, it would require the labour of many years to collate them. It does not appear to us to be the most dignified course to correct here and there a false reading which happens to be detected and animadverted upon, if others are suffered to remain so long as they continue undiscovered. If any passage do not express the opinion of the editors, they are at liberty to reject it; but they are not justified in mutilating it, and then subscribing it with the name of the author.

In this remark we speak, we are sure, the sentiment of the great majority of the warmest friends of the Society, and of no individual more than of the late highly venerated Secretary. We would urge the re-consideration of this subject upon the members of the Society, especially as a sub-committee of revision is actively engaged in the reformation of the Society's list of publications. We have already expressed our

belief, that the great majority of alterations do not go beyond the limitations laid down by the editors themselves, in their preface; being introduced, as they state, " for the sake of perspicuity and compression." The number in which points of controverted doctrine are involved, is probably not great; the editors having of course selected authors whose statements they generally approved; but be they many or few, they destroy all confidence in the extracts as vouchers in citing authorities. As we have been induced thus far again to enter upon the subject, it may perhaps interest many of our readers to lay before them a specimen of actual collation, which we presume may be considered as an average exemplification of the corrections of the editors. In the annotations on the first three chapters of the First Book of the Kings, occur various extracts from Bishop Hall's Contemplations, which we shall range side by side with the original passages. It is but justice to say, that the alterations in them are within the limits prescribed to themselves by the editors. If other alterations of doctrinal importance occur to any of our correspondents, we shall be willing to specify them.

Bishop Mant and Dr. D'Oyley. "Neither was the man, by whom God sent to David that message of assurance, that his son Solomon should reign and prosper: yet now, when Adonijah's plot was on foot, he did not sit still and depend upon the issue of God's decree, but bestirred himself in the business, and consulted with Bathsheba, how at once to save their lives, and defeat Adonijah and advance Solomon. If we would not have God wanting to us, we must not be wanting to ourselves."

[ocr errors]

Many good counsels had David given to his heir: now, he sums them up at the end. Dying words are wont to be the weightiest the soul, when it is entering into glory breathes nothing but divine."

"The best legacy that David leaves to his heir, is the care of piety; himself had found the sweetness of a good conscience; and now he commends it to his successor. Here was the father of a king, charging the king his son, to keep the statutes of the King of kings; as one who knew that greatness could neither exempt from obedience, nor privilege sin; as one who knew, that the least deviation from the greatest and highest career is more perceived, and therefore most dangerous. Thus, he charges his son not to look for any prosperity save only from well-doing. That happiness is built upon sand, which is raised upon any foundation besides virtue. If Solomon, when old, had well remembered the counsels of David, he would not have so foully miscarried."

"Joab now takes sanctuary in the tabernacle of God, and places all his hopes of defence in the horns of the altar. If he had formerly sought for counsel from the tabernacle, he would not now have needed to fly to it for refuge. If his devotions had not been wanting to that altar, he would not have needed it for a shelter. It is the fashion of our foolish presumption to look for protection, where we have not cared to yield obedience."

"If this act of Shimei's was small, yet the circumstances were deadly: the com

Bishop Hall's Contemplations. "Neither was the man, by whom God had sent that errand of grace to David concerning Solomon, assuring him both to reign and prosper: yet now, when Adonijah's plot was thus on foot, he doth not sit still and depend upon the issue of God's decree; but he bestirs him in the business, and consults with Bathsheba, how at once to save their lives and to advance Solomon and defeat Adonijah. [Here six following lines are unnoticed by the commentators.] If we would not have God wanting to us, we must not be wanting to ourselves."

"Many good counsels had David given his heir: now he sums them up in his end. Dying words are wont to be weightiest. The soul, when it is entering into glory breathes nothing but divine."

"The best legacy that David bequeathes to his heir, is the care of piety; himself had found the sweetness of a good conscience, and now he commends it to his successor. [Here follows a sentence of three lines, not noticed by the editors.] Here was the father of a king charging the king's son to keep the statutes of the King of kings; as one that knew greatness could neither exempt from obedience, nor privilege sin; as one that knew the least deviation in the greatest and highest orb, is both most sensible and most dangerous. Neither would he have his son to look for any prosperity, save only from well-doing. That happiness is built upon sand, or ice, which is raised upon any foundation besides virtue. If Solomon was wise, David was good; and if old Solomon had well remembered the counsel of old David, he had not so foully miscarried."

"Who (Joab) takes sanctuary in the tabernacle of God, all his hope of defence is in the horns of the altar. Fond Joab, hadst thou formerly sought for counsel from the tabernacle, thou hadst not now needed to seek to it for refuge; if thy devotions had not been wanting to that altar, thou hadst not needed it for a shelter. It is the fashion of our foolish presumption to look for protection, where we have not cared to yield obedience."

"If the act be small, yet the circumstances are deadly; the commands of

« PredošláPokračovať »