into Elizabeth castle. His design was, however, delayed by the policy of the magistrates, and finally rendered abortive by the revolution in A. D. 1688.

PRESENT STATE OF RELIGION IN JERSEY.

After this brief account of ecclesiastical affairs, we proceed naturally to the present state of religion in the island.

The number of beneficed clergy, or incumbents, including the dean, is just equal to that of the parishes, the canons of Jersey absolutely forbidding pluralities. The dean is always one of the rectors. Here is a regular spiritual court, of which the dean is the head: the other eleven rectors are his assessors. This court has, attached to it, a greffier or register, two advocates or proctors, with an apparitor to execute its summonses. Two or three ministers, with the dean or vice dean, are sufficient to form a court. Appeals may be made from this tribunal to the bishop of Winchester, as superiour ordinary; or, in case of a vacancy in that see, to the archbishop of

Canterbury; such appeals must be heard by the

prelate in person.

:

The rectors are entitled to the small tithes, and, though only in some instances, to a part of the great tithes the remainder of these belongs principally to the crown, and forms a part of the governor's salary. Thus, instead of being rectories, the livings may with more propriety be denominated vicarages. This abridgment of the spiritual revenues has been the subject of constant complaint, and it has frequently prevented gentlemen from bringing up their sons to the clerical profession. A proper representation of this grievance, would, it is presumed, produce a favourable alteration; more especially, as the emoluments called in England surplice fees, are little known in the island. The repairs necessary for every parsonage house, are, however, done at the expense of the parish; so that the heirs of a deceased rector are not liable to those dilapidations that, sometimes, in England, fall so heavy on a widowed family.t

* Within the memory of many persons, several parishes have been given to French-protestant clergymen, in consequence of there not being natives to supply them.

† Were this measure adopted in England, we should not see so many parishes without parsonage houses; and it would tend to promote willingly that residence which is now so rigorously enforced.

When the revenues of the churches were seized, the patronage fell to the sovereign, who has since ceded it to the governors; but the deanery continues of royal nomination; and, by the canons of King James the first, the dean "shall be a master of arts, or a graduate in the civil law, at the least, and the originaries or natives of the island, shall be pre"ferred before others to the ministry."*

Though, from the causes just recited, the livings are necessarily small, yet most of the rectors have at present an advantage, as local chaplains to the troops stationed in or near their respective parishes: the increased value of land, and the advanced prices of its produce, add likewise to the clerical incomes: but these benefits are temporary, and will fail when peace shall be completely established.

Assuredly it is the duty of the clergy to be indefa tigable in the discharge of their sacred functions. The salvation of their respective flocks depends greatly on their active exertions. They ought to be enabled to say with the prophet, "I have been very "zealous for the Lord of hosts." They are told, that, if they "blow not the trumpet," the blood of the

* It should appear that, in King James's time, the inhabitants were in general very illiterate; since, in the same canons, it is ordered, that two churchwardens are to be chosen for each parish; men "able to read and write, if possible."

people will be required at their hands; and that God "will curse" even their very "blessings": but, at the same time, if they are thus urged to be "burning and shining lights",-if they are strictly forbidden to engage, either directly or indirectly, in secular employments, their situation in life ought to be rendered respectable. Great efforts are now making in England towards ameliorating the condition of the infe riour clergy: here several of the rectors hardly derive, from their livings, more than the income of many English curates; and were not most of them possessed of parental inheritances, the revenues of some would be extremely limited.

There is a church in every parish, and a chapel, on the established footing, at St. Aubin's: this was erected by subscription; and the proprietors possess the right of electing the minister. The chaplainship of Elizabeth castle is a distinct military appointment.

By the before-mentioned canons, "no conventicle, "or congregation, shall be suffered to make sect 86 apart, or withdraw themselves from the ecclesias"tical government established in the island." This intolerant regulation is no longer enforced: a more liberal spirit prevails: so that now here are Calvinists, Wesleian Methodists, Catholics, one Quaker family, and a single Jew. The first two mentioned

1

To

exer

sects have, of late years, rapidly increased.* check this secession requires the animated tions, both public and private, of the established clergy. The Calvinists and the Methodists have each a spacious and neat chapel at St. Helier's; and there are also conventicles of both persuasions in other parts of the island. The Catholics are likewise indulged with the privilege of performing their worship publickly they are chiefly emigrants, both clergy and laity, together with such of the military as profess the same faith.

Two regular church services are appointed for every Sunday: one of these is now, in most of the parishes, performed in the English language; but this is because the rectors have become chaplains to the troops. At St. Helier's there is, in addition, an evening service.

The aforesaid ordinances enjoin also public catechisms; a practice of great utility.+

* Mr. Falle says, that in his time might be seen four or five hundred communicants, even in country churches. Can this be said at the present day? Alas! no!!!

Bourrit, speaking of the cathedral of St. Peter, at Geneva, mentions its great dimensions, and yet adds respecting it, "qui, malgré sa grandeur, n'est pas assez vaste dans les jours de còmmunion, et de "jeûne." ITINERAIRE.

+ It is to be lamented that this good custom of our pious ancestors is not more strictly enforced in England: it is, however, noticed occa