In Ireland-one entire edition of the Book of Common Prayer, in the Irish tongue and character, has been, prudently and gradually, distributed, with great acceptance; as have also very many copies of "Prayers and Thanksgivings," selected from the whole book, and of the Second and Third Homilies, now first translated into the vernacular tongue of our sister island. A new edition of the whole Book of Common Prayer in the above-named tongue and character, is now in the press. ABROAD. -In British Colonies and Dependencies. In addition to supplies of English Prayer-books and Homilies, this Society has printed and circulated, or is circulating at its own expense, 1. In Hindoostanee (assisted by means of the loan of type from the Church Missionary Society), an edition of nearly the whole of the Prayer-book. 2. In Chinese, two editions of the Morning and Evening Services, and Psalter; and one edition of the First and Second Homilies. 3. In Malay, an edition of the Morning and Evening Services and Psalter. And it is probable that the Second Homily (on the Misery of Man by Sin) will be soon printed in the same language. 4. In Malayalim, this society has contributed to the printing of the Prayer-book. 5. In Indo-Portuguese, the Society is about to publish the whole Book of Common Prayer. 6. In Armenian, the Second Homily 18 in the course of preparation for the press. 7. In Bullom, one of the languages of Africa, the Prayer-book and Homily Society has printed and circulated an edition of parts of the Liturgy. In Hanover, and in other foreign parts, as opportunity has occurred and expediency permitted, Prayer-books or Homilies, or both, have been put into circulation in German, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, Modern and Ancient Greek, and Arabic. The Second Homily has been lately translated into Swedish. The expense attending these exertions is very great; and increased means are altogether necessary to the continuance of them. The various measures adopted by the Society, with a view to the extension of its sphere of usefulness, press peculiarly heavy at this time upon its funds-especially the publications above-named, in Irish, Malay, and Indo-Portuguese; and the most earnest and respectful appeal is hereby made to the liberality of the welldisposed. The Society offers its publications at reduced prices to sailors, watermen, &c.; and has issued an appropriate recommendation to these classes to purchase them. The books may be procured at the Society's House; of Mr. Courthope, Rotherhithe; and of Mr. Saddington, West Street, Gravesend. VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. FOREIGN. No important article of foreign intelligence has been announced during the month. The almost exclusive topic of the continental journals, is the recognition of SouthAmerican Independence by the British Government, which has excited the bitterest reproaches from the friends of the holy alliance. The popular continental rumour is, that a determined opposition is to be made to the decision of this country, even at the risk of renewing the horrors of war. No official allusion, however, has transpired from any quarter indicative of such a result; and whatever be the intemperance of feeling with which certain powers may contemplate the successful resistance of our oppressed brethren in South America to their oppressors, it is scarcely to be believed that they would admit into their councils the extravagant folly of waging war with England because she has recognized the independence they have achieved. DOMESTIC. Parliament met on the 3d of Fe bruary, and was opened by commission with the following speech read by the Lord Chancellor : "My Lords and Gentlemen, "We are commanded by his Majesty to express to you the gratification which his Majesty derives from the continuance and progressive increase of that public prosperity upon which his Majesty congratulated you at the opening of the last session of Parliament. "There never was a period in the history of this country when all the great interests of the nation were, at the same time, in so thriving a condition, or when a feeling of content and satisfaction was more widely diffused through all classes of the British people. "It is no small addition to the gratification of his Majesty that Ireland is participating in the general prosperity. "The outrages, for the suppression of which extraordinary powers were confided to his Majesty, have so far ceased as to warrant the suspension of the exercise of those powers in most of the districts heretofore disturbed. "Industry and commercial enterprise are extending themselves in that part of the United Kingdom. It is therefore the more to be regretted that associations should exist in Ireland, which have adopted proceedings irreconcileable with the spirit of the constitution, and calculated, by exciting alarm, and by exasperating animosities, to endanger the peace of society, and to retard the course of national improvement. "His Majesty relies upon your wisdom to consider, without delay, the means of applying a remedy to this evil. "His Majesty further recommends the renewal of the inquiries instituted last session into the state of Ireland. "His Majesty has seen with regret the interruption of tranquillity in India by the unprovoked aggression and extravagant pretensions of the Burmese government, which rendered hostile operations against that state unavoidable. "It is, however, satisfactory to find that none of the other native powers have manifested any unfriendly disposition, and that the bravery and conduct displayed by the forces already employed against the enemy afford the most favourable prospect of a successful termination of the contest. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, “His Majesty has directed us to inform you that the estimates of the year will be forthwith laid before you. "The state of India, and circumstances connected with other parts of his Majesty's foreign possessions, will render some augmentation in his military establishments indispensable. "His Majesty has, however, the sincere gratification of believing, that not withstanding the increase of expense arising out of this augmentation, such is the flourishing condition and progressive improvement of the revenue, that it will still be in your power, without affecting public credit, to give additional facilities to the national industry, and to make a further reduction in the burthens of his people. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "His Majesty commands us to inform you, that his Majesty continues to receive from his allies, and generally from all princes and States, assurances of their unabated desire to maintain and cultivate the relations of peace with his Majesty, and with each other; and that it is his Majesty's constant endeavour to preserve the general tranquillity. "The negociations which have been so long carried on through his Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, between the Emperor of Russia and the Ottoman Porte, have been brought to an amicable issue. "His Majesty has directed to be laid before you, copies of arrangements which have been entered into with the kingdoms of Denmark and Hanover, for improving the commercial intercourse between those States and the United Kingdom. "A treaty, having for its object the more effectual suppression of the Slave Trade, has been concluded between his Majesty and the King of Sweden; a copy of which treaty (as soon as the ratifications thereof shall have been exchanged) his Majesty has directed to be laid before you. "Some difficulties have arisen with respect to the ratification of the treaty for the same object, which was negociated last year between his Majesty and the United States of America. "These difficulties, however, his Majesty trusts will not finally impede the conclusion of so beneficial an arrangement. "In conformity with the declarations which have been repeatedly made by his Majesty, his Majesty has taken measures for confirming by treaties the commercial relations already subsisting between this kingdom and those countries of America which appear to have established their separation from Spain. "So soon as these treaties shall be completed, his Majesty will direct copies of them to be laid before you. "His Majesty commands us not to conclude without congratulating you upon the continued improvement in the state of the agricultural interest, the solid foundation of our national prosperity; nor without informing you, that evident advantage has been derived from the relief which you have recently given to commerce by the removal of inconvenient restrictions. "His Majesty recommends to you to persevere (as circumstances may allow) in the removal of similar restrictions; and his Majesty directs us to assure you, that you may rely upon his Majesty's cordial co-operation, in fostering and extending that commerce which, whilst it is, under the blessing of Providence, a main source of strength and power to this country, contributes in no less a degree to the happiness and civilization of mankind." The general purport of this speech (with the exception of two or three painful topics) is of a very gratifying nature. To enumerate thepoints which call upon us for public congratulation, and for humble thankfulness to God for our national mercies, would be to recapitulate almost every part of the speech. We are particularly pleased, not only with the assurances of existing peace and prosperity, but with the recognition and assertion of wise and enlightened principles of legislation, by which we doubt not these blessings will be extended and perpetuated. The painful topics are, the intimation that new restrictive measures are necessary in Ireland, the interruption of tranquillity in India, the proposed augmentation of our military establishments, and the temporary impediments in the ratification of the slave-trade convention with the United States. The only one of these topics which has hitherto engrossed much of the attention of Parliament, is the restrictive enactment for Ireland. Other points, we trust, will also meet with full investigation, especially the asserted necessity for augmenting the army, and the causes which have led to that necessity, whether as respects our relations in India or elsewhere. There are so few circumstances which can justify that great est of scourges, war, that the utmost jealousy ought to be felt in examining the evidence that is to prove its dire necessity; especially as, in the case of the Burmese war, that evidence must necessarily be ex parte. But passing by, for the present, the other topics of the speech, opportunities of noticing which will occur in the course of the session, we turn to Ireland, which has already occupied the almost exclusive attention of Parliament, and is likely to give rise to much further debate. The statement in the speech which alluded to the Catholic Association was followed up by the introduction, by Mr. Goulburn, of a bill for suppressing all such assemblies. An animated debate, of the unprecedented length of four days, took place upon the motion for leave to bring in this bill; during which almost every public character in the house, and especially gentlemen connected with Ireland, delivered their opinions. The proposition was eventually carried by a majority of 278 to 123. We cannot undertake to give even an outline of the arguments on either side; or of those which have been introduced into various incidental discussions bearing on the same subject. It is a satisfaction to know, that the Catholic Association means quietly to submit to the intended restrictions, should they be imposed by law. We are persuaded, however, that no restrictive measures, however necessary or expedient they may be considered at the moment, are likely to give permanent peace to that distracted and hitherto il governed country. We are happy to find that the inquiry into the state of Ireland is to be renewed and enlarged during the session. Would that we could hope that effectual measures will be devised and followed up for putting a termination to those painful scenes which it has so long exhibited. 1: ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. C. L.; F. D. G.; A READER; L. Y.; B.; OLBIUS; AN INQUIRER; R. H; 2; A S. intended his allusion to Jer. xv. 18. to be given with the points, for which the reader may refer to the passage in the original text. The Reverend Chaplain of the County Prisons at Maidstone informs us, that the account copied by Monitor from the London newspapers, of the sacrament being administered to Thomas Coombs, was incorrect. The Chaplain, with great propriety, refused to administer it. His letter was too late for insertion in this Number; but we take the earliest opportunity of giving his contradiction to the above injurious report. CHRISTIAN OBSERVER. No. 279.] MARCH, 1825. [No. 3. Vol. XXV. THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. For the Christian Observer. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH IN FRANCE. HERE is no fact in ecclesiastical history more fully established, than that an elevated state of spiritual feeling has not continued to exist for a long period, in any place, or amongst any body of Christians. The infirmities of human nature have found a favourable soil for speedy and extended growth, even where men have met together for the best objects, and with the best desires of the renewed heart. The large experience of Baxter fixes the usual duration of a vigorous state of piety at very few years; and the history of all churches, from those which our Lord more immediately addressed, to the congregations with which we ourselves are acquainted, seems to verify this position. Some bodies of Christians have indeed established within themselves a conservative principle, which, in every tendency to decay, affords the power of reviviscence; and for this we are indebted, in our own Establishment, to our Articles, Liturgy, and forms of worship. But, under other circumstances, churches which appear to have been well constructed have so entirely fallen away that their history is almost forgotten. Nor is it difficult to account for this. The generation of Christian who begin a church adapt its construction to their own standard of feeling, and thus the light within and the form without are kept alive together. But the next generation, who are introduced to membership by the will of others, are apt, from the deadening effect of long habit, to adopt a lower standard of religion than their CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 279. fathers, and to carry on their worship with more formality; and, from not being careful to keep their lamps trimmed and their lights burning, the fire too often gradually goes out. Sometimes, again, it pleases God in his dispensations to permit opposition or persecution to arise; and under the trial, the sufferers perhaps gradually yield, or, if not, are sometimes carried away by an irresistible annihilating force. The Almighty, not unfrequently, sees fit thus to deal with his people in order to try their faith and promote their patience. A striking instance of such an overwhelming dispensation is seen in the history of the Reformed Church in France. Its origin, its growth, its extended influence, its purity, the benefits which it conferred upon the country in which it was placed, as well as upon other lands, marked it as a building of God, a part of his spiritual temple. But no church has suffered more severely from the rage of the persecutor. Many a stately monument indeed remains, the proof of its excellent structure and its extended usefulness; but the waste and desolation which it has experienced are almost without parallel in modern times. It cannot but be interesting to your readers to look back on the history of this celebrated church. I shall therefore lay before them some of the most remarkable particulars, appending to them such reflections as may appear suitable to the subject. The real church of Christ seems to have had an existence in France in the time of Charlemagne, at which period the purity of Christianity was zealously maintained against the S idolatry of Popery*. The first dawn * Even in the darkest ages of Popery, there were doubtless individuals who rose many degrees above the level of the surrounding corruptions; and, long before Popery was known, we find a Hilary giving lustre to the land of his nativity, by piety and virtues of no common stamp. This celebrated man was born at Poictiers in the fourth century. He was descended from a noble family, and had received a liberal education; but he was a pagan. He tells us, in his own account of his conversion, that he was led by calm reflection to perceive the vanity of idolatry; and by reading the writings of Moses, and the Prophets, his mind became enlightened respecting the true God. The New Testament taught him the doctrines of the Gospel: he perceived their excellence and suitableness to his condition, and heartily embraced them. By the study of the Scriptures alone, says Milner," he obtained and steadily professed the Nicene faith before he had ever seen the creed of that name, or knew any thing of the Arian controversy." After his conversion he avoided the fashionable heresies of the day, and gave himself up to the promotion of true religion in himself and others. His zeal in the Arian controversy is well known. He became bishop of Poictiers; but, meeting with great per. secution for the sake of a good conscience, he suffered banishment for a considerable period: he was however at length restored to his see, where he died in the year 368. to of the Reformation in that country who, in the twelfth century (1160), appeared in the preaching of Waldo, brought to light some truths which had been long hidden amidst the ignorance and superstition of the Roman-Catholic Church. He did not propose to his countrymen any new system of doctrine, but merely church, the supremacy of the pope, complained of the degeneracy of the and various other things which he wished to bring back to primitive order. Persecution, of course, soon attended his steps. But, as oftentimes the enemies of religion, by the means which they take to crush a growing spirit of inquiry, only scatter it, as those who stamp violently upon fire, in order to extinguish it, only spread it the more widely; so the opposition to the followers of Waldo dispersed the whole body of Reformers, and diffused their tenets in France and over the face of Europe. Waldo himself appears have proclaimed his opinions in various parts of the continent. One of his disciples and ministers, Lollard, did the same in England. The Albigenses, so called from the counMilner remarks of him, that "his views of the Trinity are remarkably perspicuous try about Toulouse where they dwelt and scriptural." "The Holy Spirit," he embraced, in a body, the doctrine of says, enlightens our understandings and Reform. It was carried into Calawarms our hearts: he is the author of all bria, Bohemia, Germany, Flanders, grace, and will be with us to the end of the world: he is our Comforter here while Poland, Spain, and even to the dowe live in expectation of a future life, the minions of the Grand Sultan. Nor earnest of our hopes, the light of our has this light ever been extinguishminds, and the warmth of our souls.Speaking of the incarnation of the Son of ed; for it was handed down to WicGod and redemption by his blood, he liff, and by him to the Bohemian remarks," Since the Son of God was martyrs, who delivered it to the made man, men may become the sons of German Reformers,awakened as they God. A man who with gladness receives this doctrine renews his spirit by faith, were to inquiry by the remarkable and conceives a hope full of immortality. circumstances which aroused the atHaving once learned to believe, he rejects tention of Luther.-Persecution of captious difficulties, and no longer judges the most determined kind attended after the maxims of the world. He now now those in France who professed the neither fears death, nor is weary of life; and he presses forward to a state of blessnew doctrines, as they were coned immortality." On the subject of the sidered; but, in truth, the old Holy Trinity, he remarks," The chief doctrines of Christianity, purified qualification in a reader is, that he be from the corruptions of preceding willing to take the sense of an author from what he reads, and not give him one of ages. Many, however, held fast to his own. He ought not to endeavour to them; and in every class of society find in the passages which he reads that which he presumed ought to be there. In such passages as describe the character of the Supreme Being particularly, he ought at least to be persuaded that God knew himself." A man who reads the Scrip tures with such impressions of humility and implicit faith cannot go very far astray, even in the worst of times. |