church; to which one miserable bell, much like a small porridge-pot, called half a dozen people, which number comprehended the congregation. The church-yard itself was low and wet; a broken gate the entrance; a few small wooden tombs and an old yew-tree the only ornaments. The inside of the church answered the outside the walls green with damp; a few broken benches; with pieces of mats, dirty and very ragged; the stairs to the pulpit half worn away; the communion-table stood upon three legs; the rails worm-eaten, and half gone. The minister of this noble edifice was answerable to it, in dress and manners. Having entered the church, he made the best of his way to the chancel, where he changed his wig, put on a dirty, iron-moulded, ragged surplice, and, after a short angry dialogue with the clerk, entered his desk, and began immediately without looking into the book. He read as if he had ten other churches to serve that day, at as many miles distance from each other. The clerk sung a melancholy solo; neither tune nor words of which I ever heard before. Then followed a short, confused, hurried discourse after this the small congregation departed; which had consisted of a gentleman and his family from the distance of about a mile and half, and two old men, who constantly attended for sixpence a piece, given by that family. The door was then shut, till the next Sunday came round.

These are literally and truly facts: and that many other country churches are no better, either within or without, nor better served or attended, every body who has gone through the smaller vil,

lages in England must know. In some of the most admired parts of our admired country, in the neighbourhood of the capital, in parishes frequented by people of fortune, and where perhaps three or four noble families attend divine service every Sunday in the summer season, the churches are suffered, year after year, to be in a condition, in which not one of those families would suffer the worst room in their house to continue for a week.

This deplorable state of our churches shows, I think, the state of piety amongst us more than any single circumstance, and has an effect upon the minds of young persons which is very discouraging. A wretched, cold, damp building, far removed often from all habitable dwellings; within sight of which few people of consequence care to live; made the receptacle of the dead; visited by the living only once a week; and then endangering the health of those who visit it,-do we wonder that people are glad to be dismissed from such a place, where nothing but horror and melancholy strike their eyes and their thoughts? Nor can the finest discourse from the pulpit dispel the gloom: and the psalmsinging in most country churches is far from contributing towards this salutary end.

Who can expect that the young and gay will prefer this scene to the pleasures of the world? It is not in general to be expected. Would but the rich and great in every village, who lavish sums of money on their own persons, furniture, houses, grounds, &c. &c.-would they but bestow a little of it towards making the house of God, if not equal with their own habitations, at least decent and cheerful, and such as may be entered safely and

without fear; very great indeed would be the effect on multitudes! It is difficult to conceive how a small portion of a large income can be expended more to the credit of the donor, or to the benefit of his neighbours.

We naturally call to mind, upon this occasion, the uneasiness felt and expressed by the royal prophet, on considering the magnificence of his own house, and the little or no care taken of the ark of God. And if we reflect seriously on the necessity of having places consecrated to sacred purposes, and the importance of their being kept up with due reverence, two other remarkable passages in holy writ will occur to every thinking person. When the second temple was built, and adorned by order of king Artaxerxes, we find Ezra addressing himself to Heaven in these words: "Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this into the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord." And we cannot but admire the wisdom of the Jews; who when asking of our Lord a favour for the centurion, say, "He loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue." Then the Saviour went with them.

I am, sir,

Your obedient humble servant,

A Friend to Decency in Religious Worship.

The observations made by my correspondent are, I fear, but too just; and I most readily embrace the opportunity of recommending them to the consideration of all whom they may concern.

The inhabitants of most country parishes are prevented by their poverty from doing much in

matters of this kind. The necessary repairs are often a sufficient burden. Opulent families should therefore step forward, and take upon them the articles of ornament and beauty, or at least convenience and comfort. They themselves would be the first to enjoy the advantages; of which it may not, surely, be accounted the least, to be saved from the necessity of blushing, when foreigners, or persons of a different persuasion, behold the wretched condition of the church by them frequented. A few good examples could not fail of being followed; and fashion, in this particular, might soon be put on the side of religion.

ladeed, unless the nobility and gentry shall be pleased to lend their assistance, from having bad churches, we shall come to have none at all. Many of them were built about the same time; and about the same time, if not well looked to, will be falling and it is easier to support than to build.,

It may be questioned, whether the Gothic form, though so veuerable for its antiquity, do not itself occasion some of the inconveniences above lamented. A smaller and more compact room would often contain the congregation; and the service might be performed in it with more ease and benefit both to the speaker and the hearer. It would be less subject to damp and cold, and at the same time more light and cheerful. For notwithstanding the celebrated line of Milton, there is no natural connexion between darkness and religion, which is the source of joy and comfort, of light and life, to the human heart, and should dispel gloom and melancholy wherever it comes.

Towards the promotion of this desirable end, a

due performance of psalmody could not fail greatly
to contribute, as it was most undoubtedly intended
to do. At present, in many country churches, it is
either dismal or ridiculous; and our people are
frequently induced to fall off to other religious as-
semblies, by the superior melody to be heard in
them. There is hope, however, of some reforma-
tion among us in this part of divine worship; as
many worthy clergymen have turned their thoughts
this way, and selected proper tunes and proper
words for the purpose. But whoever wishes to see
this matter thoroughly discussed, and a proper plan
proposed, must consult the sensible and excellent
pamphlet lately published by Dr. Vincent on the
subject.
Z.

WHEN you commenced your career as a periodical editor, you enumerated, with a minuteness of detail, the various ingredients of which your farrago was to be composed. Having ever esteemed a discussion of the merits of literary compositions a very pleasing and profitable exercise of the judgment, with great satisfaction I perceived that criticism