ture of that dispensation he came manifests the deep sense she enter-to establish: the authoress has tains of all the fundamental dochandled the subjects on which trines of Revelation, she is ever she treats in such a manner as to alive to the indispensable necessity verify her own account of them, of making Religion a practical and namely, that they are at once personal concern. 'consonant with the doctrines and Unapplied, (she writes) the most articles of the church' of England, sovereign remedy is useless, for then and in unison with that perfect

not even Gilead's balm can heal the

disease. Christ will prove no Saviour standard by which all theology and

to us, unless applied to our individual morality must be judged. Our

case. It is the office of the Holy Spirit limits will not allow of our exem to take of the things of Christ and show plifying this account by large ex- them unto us. Faith is the hand by tracts from the work, but we select which we grasp Christ crucified. That one or two as fair specimens of its saving faith by which we apprehend the style and nature. The following

finished salvation of Jesus, and make it judicious remark on the truth of

our own, is a grace wrought in the

heart by the operation of the Spirit of Christianity occurs at page 207. God. Far better would it be for the

When were converts to Christianity children of men if the sun were turned most numerous ? was it not when there into darkness, the moon into blood, and existed the best possible opportunity of all the stars of heaven to withdraw their detecting the least imposition or false shining, than that this glorious promise hood on the part of the writers of the of the outpouring of the Spirit should New Testament? Let it not be forgot be blotted out from the book of God's ten that those early converts were remembrance. neither won by the arm of worldly pow We take our leave of the er, nor bribed by proffered gold. On Authoress, with sincere wishes that the contrary, no sooner did they embrace the Gospel, but they were met at

her volume may obtain as wide a the very threshold by ignominy and

circulation as it appears to us to persecution in every varied and frightful merit; and that she may be enabled form, sufficiently terrific to deter all but by the profits arising from the sale, men really convinced of the truth, and to contribute bountifully to those swayed by its sacred influence."

charitable purposes to which she Whilst the writer continually devotes them.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Recently Published. The Hope of Israel; Presumptive Evie The Rockite, an Irish Story. By

dence that the Aborigines of the Charlotte Elizabeth. 12mo. Pp. iv. Western Hemisphere are descended and 286. Nisbett, 1829. from the missing Tribes of Israel. By Barbara Anne Simon. 8vo. Pp. New Model of Christian Missions to viii. 328. Seeleys. 1829.

Popish, Mahometan and Pagan Na

tions, explained in Four Letters to a Polynesian Researches, during a Resi Friend. By the Author of the Nadence of nearly Six Years in the tural History of Enthusiasm. 8vo. South Sea Islands ; including descrip Pp. 124. Holdsworth. 1829. tions of the Natural History and Scenery of the Islands, with Remarks A Critical Examination of some of the on the History, Mythology, Tradi · Fundamental Principles of the Rev. tions, Government, Arts, Manners, G.S. Faber's Sacred Calendar of Proand Customs of the Inhabitants. By phecy, with an Answer to his ArguWilliam Ellis, Missionary. 2 vols. ments against the Alillennial Advent 8vo. with Maps and Plates. Pp. xvi. and Reign of the Messiah. By Wiland 536; and viii. and 576. Fisher. liam Cuninghame, Esg. 8vo Pp. xiv, 1829.

and 186. Cadell. 1829. AUGUST 1829.

2 S

INTELLIGENCE.

CORSICA.

IRELAND.

An industrious young woman, who had mirthful revelry of the neighbours at laboured hard and saved the earnings of the wake, and some little offerings at several years, at length became mistress the funeral. The poor widow left in a of about eight pounds, a large store in state of destitution, was unable, from the her rank of life (the very lowest). She dishonesty of the debtors, to procure was attacked by a disease by which she peaceable payment of some small debts slowly wasted away, and by which in due to her deceased son, in all amountspite of all the powers of relics and holy ing to about four pounds; and fleeced by water she died at length. Her's was a the Romish officials, went to the Vicar slow, and in the sense of the Romish General of the diocese, to beg adminischurch, a righteous death. She had tration without payment of fees, in order full time to deliberate and consult her to act under the will. spiritual guides, as to the best appropri- “A very poor woman was taken, soon ation of her fortune. Let the disposal of after her confinement in child-bed, into it prove the state of society in that class, the Fever Hospital for some disease. and furnish an evidence of the principles The doctors observed that she loitered in and motives by which the great majority the house after her recovery, longer of our peasantry are actuated. She be- than the patients in general wish to do, queathed to the priest to say masses for and at length inquired the cause. They the repose of her soul, a guinea; to found that the poor woman, after the some pious persons to perform stations, birth of her child, having been unable (that is to creep on their knees round a to pay the half-crown, invariably exwell, muttering certain prayers to the acted for churching' by the Roman saints, valued by the dozen), for the Catholic Priests, could not get her child same purpose as the masses, a guinea baptized until she had pawned her only likewise ; for whiskey to give her a da. cloak for the money. She was ashamed cent birl' (that is a drunken mob at the to leave the Fever Hospital in so naked funeral, and a noisy, riotous meeting at a condition; and hence her delay within the wake) four pounds; and in legacies the range of pestilence and death. The to her relations, including the expense revenues thus collected from a half starvof her coffin and some offerings or fees ing population, exceed all that has to the priest, two pounds. Such is Po- hitherto been conceived. The Priests pery, and such the tyranny of the brutal profess to baptize gratuitously, because, habits which Popery engenders and say they, it may save the child's soul, perpetuates.

which must be lost if it die without « The second case is one in which the baptism ; but they in general refuse to money for religious uses was less wil. baptize without the Churching, and the lingly given, being paid, not by the party latter costs 28. 6d. Popery turns to who was to reap the benefit of a deathe account every superstition and weakness bed bargain, but by a survivor, for a of the unregenerate mind. Among the dying and subsequently a deceased friend. lower classes of Romanists in this counA young man died, and left a pro- try, it is considered most dangerous and perty producing three pounds yearly to unlucky to touch meat that has been his mother, who took care of him in his dressed by a mother who is not yet last moments. The poor woman had no churched, or to be in the same house money in hand, and was compelled to with her. She is avoided until after that mortgage his income of three pounds ceremony, nearly as much as a Jew under for one year, paying fifteen shillings for leprosy, or other legal uncleanness. extreme unction and masses after death "A country thus oppressed by the to release the soul from purgatory; and ignorance-loving power and grinding the remainder for the coffin, (costing avarice of the agents of the Romish court about six shillings) the whiskey, pipes can never be the residence of any but a and tobacco, necessary to keep up the wretched and turbulent population."

SYRIA.

GREEK CHURCH. The following extract from an American publication, points out some causes of the opposition made to the propagation of the Gospel, by the priests of the

Greek church, and evinces the existence of corruptions amongst them, very nearly resembling those of the Romanists.

“ The original cause of all opposition to a well conducted mission is always

Um

the depravity of the natural heart. But is regularly one piastre, though more is arising out of this, are other causes, generally given. These private masses, varying according to the feelings that are the greatest source of income to the are touched, or the interests that are priests; and are either voluntary or infringed by the doctrines of evangelical obligatory. The voluntary are, 1. For religion. These, in the case of this the sick. When the priest visits the mission, you have already gathered from sick, they or their friends desire mass, the full communications of my brethren and pay the price of it. This is conhere.--Still I have thought it might not sidered voluntary, yet if the priest be useless to explain to you, somewhat knows that no such request will be in detail, one of them, having its origin made, and of course that he will have no in the important fact, that the doctrines pay for his trouble, he will not visit the we preach tend to destroy at once the sick. A case occurred not a great while sources from which the priests derive ago, where a sister of a girl in Mr. the greater part of their regular support. Goodeil's family, being dangerously

“An account of the manner in which sick, the priest, knowing the family to a priest in Syria is supported becomes be extremely poor, would not visit her, an important document when viewed in until urged by persons whom he could the light just mentioned. In attempting not well refuse. The poor people, when to give this, I shall confine myself to the he came, were unable to pay him for Greek Church in Beyrout; which, so his visit, by giving the price of a mass. far as I know, does not differ materially And, though the girl continued sick, so from its sister churches of the same de- that every one thought she would die, nomination; nor from those of other he obstinately refused to visit her again, sects. It is at present supplied with saying that he would not serve them for seven priests, who say mass in rotation, nothing. So that, had she died, she in the same building. Their income is would have been deprived of absolution from the following sources :

in het dying hours, wbich in these “ 1. The funds of the church. These churches is considered a thing greatly are considerable; but with the pecula- to be dreaded.-2. After a confession, tion of the present agent, the support of The people do not regularly pay for the poor belonging to the church, and absolution at confession; but at that satisfying the rapacity of the Pasha, time they usually ask mass to be said their proceeds are so far expended, that for them, and pay for it. This is the priests receive almost nothing. voluntary in the same sense as that

“2. Funeral, marriage, and baptismal just mentioned. If the mass is not fees. These are regularly established asked and paid for, the priest is afterat one piastre each ; * but more is wards negligent in confessing and abgenerally given. Nor is the fee volun- solving.-3. The more religious, very tary, as in the case of marriage with us. often, without any particular occasion, --I know of one instance where a priest, pay for masses, in order to appropriate one of the most respectable in Beyroot, the benefit of them to themselves, their not satisfied with the fee offered him by friends, or deceased relatives. Indeed a poor man, and which in fact, was all when any one makes a present to his the money he had, to bury his deceased priest, it is an almost universal custom, wife, quarrelled with him over the to ask the priest to say mass for the corpse, and finally left him to bury his giver in return. And it is a singular dead alone, without any religious fact, that, although the Greek church ceremonies.

denies the existence of purgatory, yet “3. Masses. These are said every masses are often said for the dead in day in the year, except during Lent; this way, many years after their death. when, among the Greeks, they occur but These are distinct from the masses for twice a week. Occasionally the names the dead, which are performed immeof individuals are mentioned in the diately after their death, and are what I prayers of these masses, and then the have termed obligatory, meaning that benefit of mass, which, according to the the priest is obliged to say them, and doctrine of the church, is a propitiatory the relatives to pay for them. Masses sacrifice for sin, is supposed to be of this latter character are performed especially appropriated to them; and once every day for forty days. One those who have requested this ceremony, third of the profits goes to the bishop, must pay the price of the mass, which and the remainder to the priests. This • A dollar is worth about thirteen piastres and

custom seems to have given rise to the a hall, a piastre is equal to forty paras.

opinion that the departed spirit does

W

not enter a permanent abode until forty “6. The first day of every month, and days after leaving the body ; * so that on some of the more important feasts, during this time masses are of service. the priest visits the houses of his

“ 4. Offerings. (Corabeen.) Every parishioners, carrying with him a cross Sabbath and feast day, families give the and an olive branch, and a little conpriest in the church, each five loaves secrated water, with which he sprinkles of bread, and a few paras. Out of one the rooms of the houses, repeating at of the loaves the priest, with a pointed the same time, a few verses of the knife, considered an emblem of the spear Psalms. The people in return kiss the that pierced our Saviour; picks a few cross and his hand, and give a few paras. crumbs, which he puts into the wine for “7. Forty days after the birth of a the mass; saying, at the same time, a child, the mother presents herself in the prayer for the giver, or any person, church and gives to the priest a small living or dead, for whom prayers may sum; he then prays over her. Before have been requested. Ile then returns this, she cannot enter the church,

this, she cannot this loaf to the giver, and takes the other being considered, as in the Mosaic law, four for the use of his family. In times unclean. of plenty, there were comparatively few

“ Besides these, there are some confamilies who did not make these offer tributions for various things too minute ings every Sabbath and feast; but now and inconsiderable to be mentioned. they are not so common. Besides these, “ You will perceive from the facts are the offerings for the dead, made the above stated, that almost the whole second, the ninth, and the fortieth days income of the priests consists in perafter the funeral. They consist each quisites, arising from doctrines and practime of fifteen loaves, like the five tices, which we, as preachers of the mentioned above, and three large gospel, must oppose. The whole busidishes, consisting of boiled grain, ness of masses, which forms the prinalmonds, raisins, walnuts, &c. covered cipal labour of the priests, and is the with a crust set with lighted tapers.

chief source of their income, must be The priest receives these at the door opposed, as the greatest error of these of the altar, prays over them for erring churches.

erring churches.

For the doctrine that the dead, distributes a few particles the bread and wine of the sacrament among the people, and takes the re- contain not only the body and the blood mainder for his own use. This is dis- of Christ, but his divinity also, and tinct from the forty masses for the dead must therefore receive the same worship mentioned above; but like them is as God himself, contains the very obligatory. In addition, many volun essence of idolatry. And the belief that tarily give the same offering at the end every mass is a true and propitiatory of six months, and at the end of a year. sacrifice for sin, does away the imThese offerings very nearly supply the portance of the death of Christ, who priest and his family with bread.

died once for all, and makes men put “ 5. Every Sabbath and feast day, the confidence in that which is an abominawomen on entering the church, give the

tion and a lie. All these masses and priest a few paras, requiring him to pray prayers for the dead destroy, also, the for their friends whoin they name. He belief that this is the only state of prowrites the names and mentions them in bation, and lull men into security in the prayers.

their sins. It is not strange, therefore, ce writing the above remark. I have in. that men, who, as their people all well quired respecting it of the priest of this village. understand, serve the altar only for He says no such doctrine is acknowledged by ihe Greek Church; but that some of the priests, in

money, should perceive the tendency order that they may reap the profit, encourage the of our doctrines; and like Demetrius, opinion, for the purpose of inducing the people to

the silversmith, seeing their craft to be have the regular masses said; and that many would be glad to preach the real doctrine of in danger, should excite no small stir purgatory, as to them it would be very profitable, against us. While attacking these He says, however, that in order to prove that

errors, we have sometimes endeavoured masses benefit the dead, the following story is told in some of the books of the church. A certain to inculcate the sentiment, that ministers St. Macarios, of Egypt, had for a long time been

of the gospel ought to be supported, anxiously inquiring on this point, until one day, as he was passing throngh a grave yard, a skull

and have told them how it should be addressed him, and asked him why he did not say done. Indeed, we have thought this an masses for the dead. The saint inquired if they were of any use. Yes, said the skull, of very

important point to urge, and have told great use: those of ns who are in hell, are allowed the people they ought to perform their on their account a liberation from our torments,

duty in this respect better than they now and those who are in heaven, enjoy greater blesseduces.

do; so that their clergy might have some