out any reference to the ground of their objection, I would humbly entreat them not to do this; but, as a mark of deference and politeness at least, if from no other motive, conform to the rubric," &c. (p. 17.) "I think turning to the east, &c. reverential if others do not, I am sure I would not wish to interfere with their liberty." Mr. Campbell is certainly a very gentlemanly man, with a satirical

turn.

Among other single sermons, we may notice an excellent one by the Hon. and Rev. John Grey, preached in Berwick-upon-Tweed on behalf of the Propagation Society (Burns). "The Christian's Liberty in relation to the Temperance Pledge," by the Rev. James Lee Warner (Hatchards), concerning which we have to say, that were the vow of Temperance taken with the views and under the limitations prescribed by our author, we could not dare to speak a word against it. Catechising, an essential part of the Evening Service," by the Rev. G. Moody (Rivingtons, Darton and Clark), which is very important; and "The Communion of Saints in the Holy Eucharist," by the Rev. T. Bowdler, of which the author's name will be sufficient recommendation. Simony," a Visitation Sermon, by W. Downes Willis, A. M. (Rivingtons, &c.) deserves a far more extended notice than we can at present bestow on it.

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MISCELLANEOUS.

[The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed in this department.]

REVIVAL OF CONVENTUAL INSTITUTIONS IN A MODIFIED

FORM.

THE axiom of experience that like causes will, under similar circumstances, produce like effects, has seldom been more strikingly exemplified than in the yearning at present felt in so many independent quarters, after some means of RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT. It seems agreed that the ascetic life, of which we find traces both in the Old and New Testament, received its first development in the disturbance of the social system caused first by the persecutions of the third and fourth centuries, and afterwards by the irruption of the northern nations into the southern provinces of the Roman empire. At that time the uncertainty of life itself, and of the means of sustaining it, drove men's thoughts forcibly inward to the life of the spirit, and urged them to redeem the time, which might be so short, by direct and immediate preparation for the eternity that might at any moment open upon them. We are now suffering from an unsettlement, originating, indeed, in different causes, but leading to similar results: -the unequal distribution of this world's good causing society to exhibit the unseemly spectacle of luxury and satiety in close juxtaposition with misery and want, on the one hand grasping selfishness, on the other pining poverty or reckless ferocity, the endless whirl of all-absorbing business, the perverted activity of even benevolence itself, and last, though not least, the wildness of speculation, and the wantonness of private judgment on religious subjects;-all these present a scene of sickening tumult,—a moral Babel,—which raises, in minds of depth and reflection, earnest longings after something more real, more peaceful, more stedfast, some state of things where the still small voice may speak and be heard, and be obeyed,-where the spirit may prepare itself for the conflict unto which this disorder

threatens to grow, and may plume its wing for its last long flight. These great ends never were, and never can be so well promoted as by the CONVENTUAL SYSTEM Considered in itself, as abstracted from its superinduced abuses. It was for these ends that that system was originally designed, and with these steadily kept in view it received, in its days of purity, its growth and increase. Piety towards GOD, charity towards man, severity towards self, and these carried to a high and exemplary pitch ;-such were the cardinal principles of Monasticism, and for many ages such its practice also; and it is in the revival of that system-not in its abuses, but in its fundamental principles-that we must look for an antidote to much of the godlessness, the uncharitableness, the selfishness, with which "the whole head" of modern society "is sick, and its whole heart faint."

That this is no new or singular idea appears from the fact, that, from the Reformation downwards, a chain of authorities can be deduced, comprising names the most venerated in our Church, bearing testimony either to the damage inflicted on our ecclesiastical system by the abolition of monasteries, or to the desirableness of their revival with such modifications as the change of times and circumstances requires. These authorities, many of which have been carefully collected, and are ready, when called for, to be given to the public,* will serve still another and most important purpose. The various and discordant quarters from which they are selected will tend to abate the fears of those in whose minds the conventual system is identified with the corruptions of Romanism, by showing them how much favour it has found in the eyes of persons who looked on those corruptions with the deepest abhorrence.

It seems to be an admitted fact, that many of the evils and corruptions which found their way into the monasteries of this country arose from their having been exempted from the control of their proper ordinaries. A recurrence of these would be most effectually guarded against by placing every such institution under the direct surveillance of its respective Bishop, and giving him the appointment of the superior. It seems hardly conceivable that, with the fourfold cord of visitation which our system so easily admits; viz. yearly by the Bishop, half-yearly by the Archdeacon, quarterly by the Rural-dean, and monthly by the parochial Clergyman, any material infraction of the order of the Church, either in doctrine, discipline, or practice, could take place.

Perhaps the most promising commencement of the revival would be by the foundation of a college (a step lately suggested by a correspondent of the "Church Intelligencer") for aged or disabled Clergymen. By this means two objects would be gained,--an experimental trial of the system in its most unobjectionable form, and the supplying of an acknowledged and glaring defect in the system of our Church. For how inconsistent and incongruous is it, that whilst among us veterans disabled in carnal warfare are lodged in palaces, and fed with the fatness of the earth, the soldiers of the cross in their time of age

*May we suggest to our respected correspondent the publication of these documents in our pages?-ED. CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER.]

and necessity should be cast forth as the objects of precarious bounty! This might be succeeded by gradually infusing into the foundations already existing for the temporal relief of both men and women more of a religious character; e. g. by establishing the daily service, encouraging works of piety and charity, &c.; and as the endowments of these charities should increase (to which end the pious contributions of the Christian community should be encouraged,*) by extending the foundations, when practicable, to associates of a higher order, and giving them the more decided form of places of pious retirement. By this time the revival would be sufficiently tested to admit of new establishments being formed where they might be required. It may be worth mentioning, at a time when so much attention is being drawn towards the revival of the choral service of the Church, how admirable an opportunity would be afforded in the chapels attached to such institutions of both creating a taste for, and bringing into practice the ancient and catholic mode of "praising God in the great congregation."

[It has been thought worth while to append to this article the following revised impression of a paper which appeared some time since in the "Church Intelligencer," and which has been privately distributed.]

"Revival of Monastic and Conventual Institutions on a Plan adapted to the Exigencies of the Reformed Catholic Church in England.

"Quid aliud fuere Monasteria quam officinæ virtutum, abstinentiæ, jejunii, patientiæ laborum."-D. Ambros. Lib. x. Ep. 82.

"A Monastery is a school of christian penitence. It is a little community, having its own officers, in which each has his own post marked out, and in which all are engaged in labours of love; whilst from its silence and peace the soul has leisure for contemplation."-British Critic, No. LX. Article, Port Royal.

"To speak seriously and without passion, what can the ill be.... to have places set apart, whither men, either by nature, time, or otherwise unfit for the world, may retire themselves in religious company, may think on heaven and good learning."—Sir Roger Twysden, Beginners of Monastic Life, p. 31.

"Something like Monasteries for women would be a glorious design; and might be so set on foot as to be the honour of a QUEEN ON THE THRONE.' -Bishop Burnet.

"It is a question which must long have presented itself as a subject of anxious thought to reflecting Christians, In what way the general interests of the Church, and the christian education of her people, may be best promoted; and by what means a remedy may be best provided for many of the evils-social, domestic, and personal-arising out of the present disordered state of our civil and ecclesiastical relations?'

"The solution of this question which has occurred to many minds, and which seems to be increasingly gaining ground, is, that the wants alluded to would be most effectually met and supplied by the REVIVAL OF MONASTIC AND CONVENTUAL INSTITUTIONS in a form suited to the genius, character, and exigencies of

*In reference to this point the writer desires to record his admiration of Lord John Manners' late christian and patriotic endeavour to obtain a relaxation of the statutes of Mortmain; an object which we trust that right-minded young nobleman will not be discouraged from pursuing, by the ill-success of his first attempt.

the Church in England, whereby her devotional, practical, and educational system might be carried out, and an asylum might be opened for persons of both sexes, who, from deliberate choice, or under the pressure of various trials, might be desirous of permanent or occasional retirement from the world, and opportunity of quietude and devotion.

Perhaps the best model for such establishments (mutatis mutandis) would be the Monastery of Port Royal des Champs, as described by Mrs. Schimmelpenninck, in her edifying 'Memoirs of Port Royal.'

"The OBJECTS of such Institutions would be

"1. To widen and deepen the legitimate influence of the Church, by exhibiting a model of her system, as fully carried out, and reduced to actual practice. "2. To promote and conduct christian education upon Church principles. "3. To afford a retreat for the contemplative, the bereaved, the destitute, and the embarrassed.

"4. To cherish a spirit of devotion, charity, humility, and obedience. "5. To give better opportunities of acquiring self-knowledge, and exercising penitence.

6. To promote simplicity and godly sincerity in the intercourse of life. "7. To revive plainness and self-denial in diet, dress, furniture, personal attendance, &c.

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8. To form habits of retirement, silence, and recollection.

THE MEANS.

"1. A system of community, by which the superabundance of the wealthier might be made available to the support of the poorer members.

2. Daily public Devotion, and frequent Communion, agreeably to the order of the Church.

"3. Strict observance of the Festivals, Fasts, &c., prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer.

"4. A RULE for dress, diet, furniture, recreations, &c.

"5. Appointed times for silence, and subjects for meditation.

"6. Corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

"7. Exercises of penitence and obedience.

"8. Bodily and mental labour-particularly in educating the young, composing works to meet the necessities of the Church, working for the poor, and assisting in the various duties of the establishment.

THE CONSTITUTION.

"No Vows, but a solemn declaration and engagement of obedience to the Superior, and of compliance with the RULE of the Institution during residence. VISITATION-monthly by the Parochial Minister, quarterly by the Rural Dean, half-yearly by the Archdeacon, yearly by the Bishop.

"SUPERIOR-to be appointed by the Bishop, and removeable at his pleasure; to appoint his or her subordinate, subject to the Bishop's approval. "Other details may be easily supplied.

"It is hoped, and earnestly requested, that the friends of primitive piety, order, and simplicity, into whose hands this paper may fall, will direct their thoughts and endeavours towards expanding these hints, and devising some method of bringing them to a practical issue. To such it will be obvious that the design must not be desecrated by the interference of schemes of worldly gain, in the shape of Joint Stock companies, Proprietary Shares, &c. It must be the offspring of Love to GoD and love to man the free-will offering of penitent gratitude, or open-handed charity to GoD, and to HIS CUURCH."

[For the argument in favour of the revival of such institutions in great towns, the reader is referred to the article "on Bishops' Fellows," in a former Number of the CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER.]