* One reason for my objection to what is called Roman Catholic Emancipation, is, that I conceive it to be calculated materially to injure the interests of the Established Church. I have not a doubt upon my mind (and I think any one who would take the trouble to read the speeches of the Popish orators, and the pamphlets published by the Popish prelates, must feel as I do) that the object of the Romish agents in this country is to overturn the Church establishment; and if more unequivocal proof were wanting, this one fact would be sufficient to prove it, viz. the assumption of the title of temporal rank assumed by the popish prelates, and their denying the proper titles of nobility to the lawful Bishops of the country nothing is more common than to read in the newspapers, under the influence of the popish party, advertisements of schools, and charity sermons, patronised by His Grace the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin,'

while the legitimate prelate of that see is styled 'the most Rev. Dr. Magee.' In the title page of a pamphlet just published by J. K. L. in reply to the charge lately delivered in St. Patrick's Cathedral by the Archbishop of Dublin, that distinguished prelate is designated the most Rev. Dr. Magee, Protestant Archbishop of Dublin.' -Now, as such men as Dr. Doyle and Dr. Curtis, cannot be so ignorant as not to know that Bishops derive their titles of temporal lords by a creation quite distinct and independent of their spiritual dignity, it appears to me that this assumption of titles on the part of the Romish prelates (which by the way was never done till lately) has been adopted to serve a political end, which cannot be very friendly to our Church, which they have been pleased to liken to the Juggernaut of India, while the validity of its ordination is denied, and the Reformation from which it originated pronounced A CURSE. See the late charge of his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin.

I think most persons entertain inadequate views on the subject of Emancipation from an imperfect acquaintance with the history of Popery.--Some able articles on this subject have appeared in the late numbers of the Christian Examiner, which

The means suggested by your correspondent for this glorious purpose are, 1. the establishment of Reformation Societies in the various towns of Great Britain, and 2. enlarged subscriptions to the different Societies now in active operation in Ireland.

With respect to the first, it is an object of the highest importance, and if adopted even to half the extent your correspondent in his commendable enthusiasm suggests, would soon under the blessing of Him 66 without whom nothing is strong," shatter to the dust the lofty battlements which popery has erected to defy the armies of the living God. Nor let it be objected that the dissemination of controversial tracts, and the promotion of controversial discussions will cultivate a spirit of religious war, and render the "odium theologicum,' epidemic among us ;-no, Sir, the people of Ireland are athirst for something to allay the doubts excited among them upon the subject of religion, they have already begun to suspect that the priest is not omnipotent, that the church' is at least not always infallible, and that

the minister' is at least not always wrong—all that remains for

contain many important and remarkable documents illustrative of the nature of that religion, and statements of facts several of which were new to me, and will probably prove so to most of your readers who may be curious enough to consult the papers to which I have referred. From these and other reasons I am quite convinced that it is perfectly impossible that Roman Catholics (particularly the clergy and those under their influence) can give security sufficient to ensure the protection of the constitution as established in Church and State, in case the Legislature should admit them to a share of the government, so long as the doctrine of the Supremacy and Infallibility of the Pope remains a dogma of the Romish communion, and so long as the appointment of their prelates is vested in a foreign potentate, whose interest is not often favourable to the Protestant government of this country, and who still claims such powers as those exercised by his predecessor against Queen Elizabeth.

us to do, Sir, is to give this spirit of inquiry, no check. Convinced as I am, that it is the work of God, I believe that no human power can stop its progress, and I would call upon all who desire to be on the Lord's side, to aid the glorious work, by the dissemination of the scriptures, by the distribution of religious tracts, by the promotion of societies for schools and scripture readers, and above all, By THEIR

MOST FERVENT PRAYERS.

With respect to the societies now at work in Ireland, it may be said of most of them, that their own success is their ruin.-Such has been the demand for Bibles, that the Hibernian Bible Society has been compelled to issue grants to the amount of nearly £1000. more than their income! The London Hibernian School Society has been compelled to discontinue, for want of funds, nearly a hundred schools ! And the Irish Society are obliged to leave uncultivated and untouched immense fields, which, notwithstanding the little labour bestowed upon them, are already ،، white unto harvest." May the Lord of the harvest send

great forth

labourers, to gather the wheat into his garners; and may he put it into the hearts of those in England, who annually squander hundreds of pounds in useless and superfluous luxury,—may he put it into their hearts to consider, that for every pound thus wasted, FIVE Irish children might receive sound instruction in the Scriptures of truth for the space of ONE YEAR!

The readers of your Correspondent's letter may perhaps be led to inquire for some work wherein correct views of the state of Ireland and the progress of reformation may be found.—I would refer them to a periodical, published in Dublin, and, I believe, in London also, and conducted by members of the Established Church, within whose pale most of this glorious work is carried on, namely, "The Christian Examiner; or, Church of Ireland Magazine: " a publication in which your readers will find a faithful record of the various events connected with the religious state of Ireland in general, and much other useful information, together with sound views of Scripture truth.

ERIN GO Bragh,

March 26, 1827. SIR, I have been much interested by the communication of Clemens, in your Number for the present month, “On promoting the Reformation in Ireland; but it contains a statement which, I apprehend, requires illustrations in proof of its correctness. It is contended by many, that Protestants in France and other Roman Catholic states enjoy greater liberty than Roman Catholics do here. It is further contended, that the experiment which the opposers of Roman Catholic emancipation so much dread to have tried in this country, has

been demonstrated by the experience of other Protestant states to be perfectly safe. Besides Canada, Hanover and other European Protestant states have been adduced. A reply to these averments is exceedingly desirable, and I trust you will not suffer them to pass without an early notice; pointing out distinctly those circumstances which give the question of emancipation in this country a different bearing from what it would assume in those other countries alluded to.

Allow me also to suggest that the assertion-" If popery totters in Ireland, it will tremble through

These inquiries are so important that we cannot feel justified in sending them forth to our readers without some brief observations; leaving it to our valuable correspondent Clemens, from whom we shall always be happy to hear, to make such farther remarks as he may deem necessary.

1. We conceive it is not true that Protestants enjoy greater liberty in France than Roman Catholics do here. Roman Catholics enjoy at present both in this country and in Ireland absolute liberty. They go out and come in as they please. They erect and open chapels, and found schools and colleges, and possess nunneries and other religious houses; they make converts and publish books, and circulate tracts, and establish missions, and hold public meetings, in the very centre of the metropolis, and are protected in all their religious and civil rights, none making them afraid. They enjoy uninterrupted security, and they know that no man dare molest them. If any one chooses to join himself to their communion, he has no difficulty and meets with no civil inconvenience. What a Roman Catholic must encounter in France, should he be disposed to turn Protestant, is clearly exhibited in the Summary of Facts attending the conversion of the Prince of Salm-Salm, who in consequence of conforming to the confession of Augsburgh was forth

with banished from France.* In Ireland there is no danger whatever in a Protestant turning Roman Catholic ; but if a Roman Catholic turn Protestant, his person and property are exposed to the most imminent risk; many such converts have been compelled by Roman Catholic Intolerance to flee their country.

2. When the advocates of Roman Catholic Emancipation point out some specific Protestant States in which their experiment has been fairly tried and found perfectly safe, we will pay all possible attention to the case; at the same time remarking that when Protestantism degenerates into Socinianism, Neology, Infidelity, &c. it becomes too faithful an ally of the man of sin for his subjects to attempt the disturbing of its peaceful slumbers.

3. We are afraid Protestantism is exposed to very considerable danger in Canada; and are certainly not disposed to place much confidence in any arguments drawn from the existing state of things in either that country or Hanover. It appears to us at once the duty and the interest of this country to adopt more decisive measures for the promotion of true religion in all our foreign dependencies. Piety is the surest basis of political attachment, and infidels and latitudinarians are the very worst of politicians.

We apprehend, with our correspondent, Clemens, that any severe blow to Popery in Ireland will produce a powerful impression through the greater part of Roman Catholic Europe. The present recantations are, we doubt not, the subject of mournful contemplation at Rome itself. We have been informed that there is a very active correspondence going on between the Romish Hierarchy and its remotest members; and we doubt not

* See Evanson's Translation, reviewed in our No. for Feb. p. 73.

that the same conclave which rejoiced at the foolishly anticipated dissolution of the Bible Society, is deeply distressed at the intelligence weekly conveyed from every part of Ireland. Nor can we conceive that France is an indifferent spectator of present transactions in Ireland; especially considering the sanguine hopes recently indulged of regaining all her former influence by means of the Irish priests. We have lately been informed that

the Irish College at Paris contains nearly a hundred students, and that sanguine hopes are entertained of restoring the Colleges at Douay, &c. to their former prosperity. We recommend any of our countrymen who may visit France, to pay especial attention to these Colleges; and by books, tracts, and conversation, to communicate a little light to the different classes of students.-EDITOR.

I CANNOT help feeling astonished that persons professing godliness, and really seeking salvation through the death and sufferings of a crucfied Saviour, can enter into the pleasures and amusements of the world; and even go so far as to vindicate those very vanities, which, if they are sincere in their desire of serving God and becoming true disciples of Christ, their own consciences must assuredly condemn. We may well inquire of such persons, Is this honouring your Saviour in your lives and conversation? Are you prepared to receive the summons of your Master, while sitting in the theatre or at a card-table? Can you conscientiously say that your lamps would then be trimmed and your lights burning? Conceive the transition (were it possible) of being removed from a card-assembly to that heavenly host who surround the throne of the Lamb, and triumph in that marvellous grace which has redeemed them from the power of sin, and made them more than conquerors through his redeeming mercy!

We may inquire again, have we any sanction in the conduct of the apostles, or those of their followers, for practices of this kind? Certainly not; their language continually

was, “Abstain from all appearance of evil." "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing." Friend. ship with the world is enmity with God." These, and many more equally striking passages in the pages of inspiration, might be quoted to prove the necessity of Christians being a peculiar people, if they intend to realize what they profess to be seeking. Moreover, can it be supposed that Christians, whose duty it is to reprove sin in others, will be able to perform that duty effectually, when they are themselves giving sanction to vanities and amusements which are decidedly contrary to a life of holiness. Let them be assured their endeavours will neither have God's blessing nor the attention of those they endeavour to reform, but most justly will they draw down upon themselves this rebuke, "Physician, heal thyself."

But a still more painful view than this may be taken of the subject; the lamentable stumblingblocks which are thus placed in the way of young inquirers. It is natural when we first set out on our way to Zion, to seek direction from those who have long before avowed themselves to be travelling thitherward. Alas, how great is our surprise,

when we discover in those very individuals follies and inconsistencies for which we are now filled › with shame and remorse! O did they but know how increasingly difficult they render the road to young beginners by this conduct, we are inclined to think their walk and conversation would be widely different. Surely they are not aware how much doubt and unbelief they occasion, and how often they excite a suspicion whether there really is a necessity for walking in the narrow way to heaven.

But here we must stop, and take the word of truth for our guide. "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be which find it. Because wide is the gate and broad is the road which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat." This solemn consideration and express declaration of Christ himself, ought surely to

convince every one of the positive necessity of separating from the world, and determining henceforward to know nothing save Christ Jesus and him crucified. Very many are the difficulties which must be encountered, when first decisive measures are taken, there are enemies within and without; but in the name and strength of Jesus we have nothing to fear. Constant and fervent prayer will assuredly be followed by success; and our severest trials will well be compensated by the glorious hope of a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Prospects like these should animate every heart to press forwards for the prize of our high calling; to devote ourselves entirely to the service of our Lord and Master; to walk as he walked, pure, undefiled, separate from sinners, looking daily for the mercy of God unto eternal life.

CONSTANS.

LORD! when we seek thy throne of grace
To crave a blessing there,

O let not earthly things have place,
Unduly, in our prayer.

To know that 'tis thy bounteous hand
Our daily bread bestows;
To feel it is from thy command
Each added blessing flows;

This we may humbly know, and feel,
But let not worldly store
One thought excite which would reveal
A craving thirst for more.

Thou knowest well what things we need ;
Oh, give us faith to see
That such necessities can plead

Their own brief wants with Thee.

Matt. vi. 32.

But teach us in the solemn hour
Of supplication, still
Simply to crave of Thee the power
To do thy holy will.

To feel that thy protecting care
From evil is our shield;
To see, in dark temptation's snare,
Thy arm for us reveal'd;

To know thy kingdom here on earth
Within our hearts increase,
And prove the all-surpassing worth

Of thy pure gift of peace ;—

Be such our prayers! For all beside
Thy word a pledge shall be,
For Thou hast promis'd to provide
For all who follow Thee.