March 24, a neat place of worship was opened at Nottingham. Mr. Dawson, of Kegworth, preached, morning and evening, from Isa. ii. 3; xlv. 22: and Mr. Crockford, pastor of the church, in the afternoon, from Ps. cxxii. 7.

Weare informed, that the Kentish Annual Association will be held at the Rev. G. Townsend's Meeting, at Ramsgate, Messrs. Slatterie and Ralph to preach on the occasion, the Wednesday after the first Sabbath in July.

The Sussex Ministers will hold an Association at Mr. Leggett's Meeting, Burwash, the last Wednesday and Thursday in May. Messrs. Hamilton, Jones, and the Minister at Lady Huntingdon's chapel, Brighton, to preach on the occasion.

The Rev. G. Phillips, late Pastor of the particular Baptist church, Jamaica Row, Bermondsey, has accepted a call from the third Baptist church lately formed at Birmingham.

We understand the Benevolent Society for the counties of Essex and Herts, will bold their Annual Meeting at Saffron Walden, May 21st.

A fresh instance of Christian liberality deserves to be recorded: - The subscriptions made for the benefit of the family of the late Rev. Jeremiah Newell, of Great Missenden, Bucks, amount to 15661. 118. 6d.

A circumstance as affecting as it is Unusual, took place in the month of March, in the city of York: - Three persons were executed at the same time, on one scaffold, -à son for the murder of his father, a husband for the murder of his wife, and a mother for the murder of her child!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

A Correspondent, who approves of our noticing (in our Review for March) the Catholic treatise, entitled, "The Laity's Directory," wishes we had mentioned the situations of the Schools, particularly a General Charity School in Sommers Town (at the bottom of Evestram Buildings, near the Polygon) where boys and girls of all descriptions are taught reading and writing gratis, as expressed in the third page of their Directory. "These seminaries," he says, "are occasionally advertised in the public papers, without any observable trace of the religious tenets taught in them."

A few weeks since, he informs us, a pious friend of his went to visit a sick per

son in Sommers' Town, when some chil dren of poor Protestant parents, educated in the Charity School above mentioned, entered the room; and seeing a Bible on the table, one of them instantly exclaimed, "You are a Heretic! you ought to be burnt for having such a book!" One would charitably hope that the boy must have uttered this exclamation in jest; but if it was in earnest, it affords a sad proof of the suc cess of Catholic instructors, in conveying the most mischievous notions into the minds of Protestant children.

ROMAN CATHOLIC PETITION.

Mr. Editor,

Ir gave me singular pleasure to see the Roman Catholic Petition to the House of Commons, and to observe the happy change wrought in their sentiments, and publicly declared under the most solemn sanctions. The strong declarations that such is their faith, and such alone in their view the faith of that church to which they belong, however startled me; and led me to look into the canons and councils, fenced with every anathema against their impugners. The result has been, that either some general alteration has been lately made in the Catholic faith, of which I am unacquainted; or the petitioners in Ireland are no true Roman Catholics, but dissidents from the Council of Trent, and all the established decrces of the holy See.

I confess myself a great friend to universal toleration; and that Religion is a private and personal thing, with which the state hath nothing to de, whilst no avowed principles or practice are allowed hostile to the peace and tranquillity of the public; which I have ever understood was essentially the case with all the adherents of Popery, and into whose hands it would be madness to put weapons, which their faith and principles engaged them to turn against us, whenever a fair opportunity occurred for doing so, and that this would be a meritorious act. I remember the saying of that most Catholie Ferdinand, respecting Bohemia, Malo regnum vastatum, quam damnatum; and with his faith the decision was not exceptionable, as no corporeal sufferings or losses can be compared with the danination of the soul; and, therefore, coercive means must be commendable.

But the present race of Irish Roman Catholics renounce this, under the most solemn caths and engagements; and from which no Pope or power on earth is, they say, able to release them. Admitting their assertions to be true, there

surely can be no longer reason to withhold the common privileges of their fellow-countrymen from them; but as they avow themselves Roman Catholics, and subject in spirituals to the See of Rome, it would surely be proper to have this matter investigated, and an appeal made to the Governors of that church, whether such is the avowed faith and practice of the present church of Rome. Let these petitioners, therefore, transmit their petition to the Roman See; and the Pope, at the head of the congregation of Cardinals, declare whether these declarations are perfectly consistent with the established Roman faith and profession. This can only procure a delay till the next session of parliament; and will enable the petitioners to proceed with a sanction of authority from the church to which they profess to belong. In the present state of Europe, this would be attended with many good effects; and tend greatly, in all lands, to produce a more tolerant spirit, than which nothing can be more conthicive to the progress of true religion. It is a ridiculous idea, that any true church of Christ can be injured by promoting universally a spirit of mutual forbearance and indulgence. Only let the reality of the facts stated be ascertained by the most conclusive evidence obtainable; and then, with greater con

fidence of no evil consequence following, may the Irish Catholics he admitted to the possession of equal privileges. But should the petitioners be disowned by the church authority, under which they profess to be governed, either they must assume another name; or, disclaiming the erroneous part of their church, avow themselves, and those who think with them, the only true Roman Catholic body.

I have carefully examined what hath the sanction of preceding ages; I have conversed on the points with a great multitude of emigrant clergy; and I have never found an individual that would not have anathematized many of the declarations contained in this petition; and I apprehend the French clergy were never the most bigotted adherents to the church of Rome. What change of sentiment the new order of things may have produced in the Gallican church, I cannot say. But the humiliations of Popery in its head and branches, cannot but rejoice every true Protestant, and give hope that free and liberal enquiry can no longer be denied; and that whatever bigotry and ignorance must still, in the nature of things, remain, the chain of bondage will be relaxed, and the minds of men be more open to conviction.

A Friend to every true Church of Christ.

"Yesterday (March 3) about thirty Irishmen were brought before the Lord Mayor, charged with being present at ashop, and resisting the officers sent to apprehend them.

"It appeared that there are several houses in Black-boy Alley, Chick Lane, which communicate with each other, all of them occupied by Irishmen, who, on Sunday nights, assemble to make merry, and spend the evening in dancing, according to the custom of Ireland. Warrants had before been granted to take them into custody; but the attempt failed. Additional constables, however, were sent, who broke in upon them, and overpowered them.

"Those who could not give a good account of themselves were sent ou board the tender; but the greater number appearing to be in daily employment, and ignorant of the laws, were discharged."

On the same Sabbath (March 3)“ One of the most numerous and splendid par. ties which the rotation of fashion has exhibited this season, was given by the Marquis of A---. It was, indeed, "the feast of Reason and the flow of Soul." The dinner was of the most sumptuous kind, and served entirely in plate. The young Roscius entertained the company with speeches from several plays; when some noblemen and gentlemen, who had been proof against the contagion of public opinion in his favour, resigned their scepticism, and suddenly ranked themselves amongst his enthusiastic admirers.

"In the evening, the Marchioness had a party; when the beautiful and youthful Lady Hsung, and obligingly exhibited all her wonted fascinations of attitude. An elegant supper concluded the banquet."

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