doubtful whether such a person ever existed; and demonstrated that the Douay version of the Scriptures, on which so much had been said, is, in fact, not an authorized version; that both text and notes had been disavowed by different prelates, and that there is no authorized Roman Catholic version of the Scriptures in the English language. He showed that fanaticism and infidelity were produced in countries where the Scriptures are restricted, as well as where they prevail, supporting his position by a reference to the French Revolution; and sat down, expressing his confident expectation, that the Bible Society would hereafter be permitted to continue its course without interruption. We regret that our limits confine us to these extracts; but are happy to announce, that a full account of the proceedings is now published, price only sixpence, which we earnestly recommend our readers to procure, and hope it will be very exten sively circulated. One thing struck us very forcibly the Roman Catholic speakers grow weaker and weaker. Mr. Browne's argument is very inferior to Dr. M'Keon's, and Mr. O'Beirne's to Mr. Browne's; both of them express their reluctance, and speak in a desponding tone, that no good could result from the discussion. No good could result, it is true, to their cause; but they who pro voked the discussion were scarcely the persons to acknowledge this. On the contrary, the Protestant speakers rise triumphantly as they advance, and, confident of the power of their weapons, press home on their opponents the invincible arguments of truth and soberness; they meet the Roman Catholics on their own ground; they appeal to fathers and to councils, as well as to the sure testimony of revelation; and they demonstrate the fallacy of the Catholic pleas; prove that even the famed Douay Testament is no authorized version in the eye of the Roman church; and then show that the zeal which has been evinced in sonie quarters for this Testament is really only a Jesuitical pretext for impeding the circulation of the sacred Scriptures. Great thanks are due from Protestants to Messrs. Bushe, and Digby, and Hamilton. Great praise should be given to Almighty God for assisting his servants on so trying an occasion; and many fervent prayers should be offered up, that the temporary conviction produced on the minds of the hearers of the excellency of Scriptural truth may, through the Divine mercy, be so deepened in their hearts, that they may be led to read, and mark, and learn, and inwardly digest the word of God; and may, finally, through God's mercy, attain and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, set before them in Christ Jesus. Notices and Acknowledgments. We think A Constant Reader's remarks apply quite as much to his own epistle as to the article which he censures; posthumous fame and posthumous infamy are powerful springs of action. Received, F. Y.-N.-A. N.—Extract from the Archives du Christianisme.—An Unbeneficed Clergyman.-J. S.-Theognis.-W.-J. A.-M. A. L.—Aape, › J. W. M.—J. N. Hackney, will be inserted. IN concluding our present Volume, we desire thankfully to acknowledge the goodness of Almighty God, in graciously owning our imperfect services to the promotion of his glory, and the benefit of our fellowcreatures. We have been favoured through the year with extended patronage and support. Our stated and highly valued Correspondents have still continued their favours, and many others have kindly contributed their occasional support; so that we have not had to lament a deficiency of materials, but rather the impossibility of introducing within our narrow limits many interesting and important papers. We desire, therefore, to return all our Correspondents unfeigued thanks, beseeching the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation abundantly to own and reward their labours of love. In reviewing the year that is past, we see abundant cause for praise and thanksgiving. Our country has been preserved in peace, and advanced in prosperity. The difficulties which a few years since pressed heavily on our agricultural interests have mercifully been removed, and both agriculture and commerce appear now highly prosperous. Our religious privileges have graciously been continued the Gospel is still preached throughout our land, and, through the Divine mercy, has not been preached in vain. Our religious and other charities have also been proceeding in their work of mercy; and hopeful symptoms in various quarters appear, encouraging us to anticipate the speedy fulfilment of the promise that the heathen shall be given to the Son, and the distant parts of the earth become his possession, and that all shall know the Lord from the least even to the greatest. There are, indeed, dark spots in the picture which must excite painful feelings in the mind, but which ought to be steadily contemplated by the Christian, in order that he may be excited to use the appropriate means for their removal-we allude to the disgusting and disgraceful slavery in which so many thousands of our fellow-men are still retained in the West Indies, and the pertinacity and injustice with which every approximation to their delivery is resisted; to the permission given in the East Indies to the murder of widows, and the perpetration of abominable and cruel rites, and the discouragement of native converts to Christianity; to the horrid licentiousness still permitted in our men of war, and the countenance given to that compound of brutality, folly, cowardice, and murder, distinguished by the term duelling. allude to the progress of popery, and the existence and enlargement of Jesuitical establishments at Stoneyhurst, and various other parts of this country; and to that most absurd and impolitic expenditure of the public money in the maintenance of that nursery of intolerance and sedition,the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth. We We lament indeed that men of honour and integrity, engaging in their country's service, are still exposed to various acts of cruelty and oppression, for which no compensation can be obtained. The Roman Catholic and Greek church are really dominant in some of our foreign possessions. British Governors have impeded English Clergymen in the circulation of the Scriptures, at the request of Popish Bishops;-British Officers have been broken for hesitating about firing salutes in honour of certain saints; and, strange to say, the sentence of the Court Martial has been confirmed by the Commander in Chief, the presumptive Heir to a Protestant Throne. Nor have we heard that any disapprobation has been evinced towards those Governors, or any order issued which may prevent the consciences of brave and honourable and enlightened men being ensnared and entangled by similar ido latrous requisitions. So that, under existing circumstances, every Christian in the army or the navy may be called, by the folly or the impiety of his superiors, to choose between poverty and disgrace on the one hand, or the violation of the laws of God and the dictates of his conscience on the other. We have had occasion to notice the difficulties with which the Naval and Military Bible Society have had to contend; and regret to add, that those difficulties are not entirely removed. But why, we ask, why do not the opposers of voluntary Bible Societies themselves step forward and render the institutions, they condemn, unnecessary? Why should not every soldier and every sailor be supplied, on his entering the army or navy, with a Bible and Prayer Book? and why should not these inestimable treasures be numbered among the soldier's or the sailor's necessaries, and regularly inspected as such? The great object of Christian benevolence would thus be attained, and the Commander in Chief would add another to the numerous benefits he has already bestowed on the army. very exer Meanwhile we thank God for what our eyes have seen and our ear's heard. We have to mourn over existing evils, and still remaining iniquities; but in looking back to former years, we are compelled to say, What hath God wrought! our Bible, and Missionary, and Jews, and School Societies are producing incalculable benefit; and the tions of the enemies of religion are recoiling upon themselves. No one can observe the opposition recently made in Ireland to the London Hibernian and other Societies, and not feel that such opposition must be over-ruled for good. A spirit of inquiry is already excited; in every place where religious meetings have been interrupted, the question is now asking, Why is this? The Popish priests are attempting public discussion, and have, in our judgment, exposed the weakness of their cause in the debate at Carrick on Shannon, as noticed in this Number, and have since experienced a similar defeat at Carlow, where the Protestant disputants have been exposed to considerable personal danger. Let not, however, the friends of religion remit their exertions; the Roman Catholics are evidently plotting some new attempts; they are collecting money throughout the country, under the specious name of the Catholic Rent, to which even some Protestants are weak enough to subscribe. How this money is to be applied, we know not; but one fact has been communicated, that at a late Bible Society in Ireland a large part of 600 tickets, at 10d. each, was purchased by Catholics, and the peace and good order of the meeting consequently interrupted. The Papists are evidently aiming to obtain command of the public press; and while it is well known, that a most popular Magazine, and a professedly loyal Newspaper have been corrupted to advocate the cause of slavery, we shall not wonder at discovering new advocates for papal superstition springing up when Parliament shall assemble. Our line of conduct is however decided. We purpose to pay increasing attention to their proceedings, and to furnish, under the title of The Protestant', in each succeeding number, a few pages more especially calculated to expose their artful and malignant attempts. Meanwhile, He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, the Lord shall have them in derision." Only let Protestants be firm to their principles; let Christians be more active, zealous, liberal in charity, and fervent in prayer, and " God, even our own God, shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall see his salvation." Missions, Moravian Murders National Society.. Irish Education Commission 149, 358 Jews' Society. Mann, Thomas, May, Thomas Melancthon. 118 63 303 .... 1, 41, 81, 121, 161 ...240 Myconius 241 Pavillon, Nicholas ....455 Merchant Seaman's Bible Society....397 .53, 176, 414 ..435 Morrison, Rev. Dr. Speech of 238 .858 Nativity, On the 10 ... 115, 160 196 ....814 Neat, Rev. Mr. Conference with Jews 79 160, 200, 280, 320, 359, 400, 440, 509 |