practically decide the question to which we have adverted; namely, whether a national church be the best method by which religious instruction can be provided for a people? It will hardly be denied by any one that a national church really comprising within its pale the whole nation, excepting, perhaps, a few eccentric sectaries, would be a noble and beautiful institution. The multitude, "of one heart and of one mind," would present to view the realization of the idea of a Christian nation; which we might hope to see advance, in the course of years, into a nation of Christians. At present, it must be granted that the existing divisions prevent this happy state of things from taking place, and sadly disfigure the face of Christianity, as presented to the unbelieving world. If these divisions arose from the excessive, unscriptural, or inexpedient requirements of the established church, there would be good reason for instituting an inquiry into the practicability of so altering those requirements, as to bring once more within its pale those who had been so undesirably excluded. But if the fact be otherwise,-if it be true that millions are left to wander without the pale of the church, not because they willingly exclude themselves, but because the careless or apathetic guardians of the church have taken no heed to lengthen her cords or strengthen her stakes," so as to admit the everincreasing masses of the population; -if this be the case, and if the fault be, not in having done too much, but in having done too little; not in over-legislation, but in lack of provision; then it is clear that it is not a new scheme, but new energy, that is needed; and that instead of changing the institution itself, it rather behoves us to raise our practice to the level of its spirit, and to fill up, better than we have done, the admirable outline which our forefathers have left us. Were this attempted, we feel a growing confidence that the church would speedily become, in fact, as well as in name, truly national; and that myriads now compelled to wander about "as sheep having no shepherd," would throng her courts;-practically evincing, so as to confound all gainsayers, that a national church was indeed the best method of providing for the religious instruction of a people. THE BELIEVER'S CONSOLATION IN DEATH. THE diversity of opinions upon religious subjects, and the numerous errors and divisions which abound, must often tend to unsettle the mind of the weak believer: there seems an attempt in the present day to rend asunder the seamless garment of that Redeemer, who as the risen head of his church, is one with his members, and whatever errors in doctrine may exist among professing Christians generally, his real followers have but one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Yet agreed as all true believers are upon what is essential and important, it is nevertheless painful to observe in some a decided opposition to certain parts of Scripture, while they rest almost exclusively upon others. The Bible is one harmonious whole, containing the revealed will of God on all points necessary for us to know; it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; and no part of its sacred contents is to be set at nought, as without meaning or comprehension, or too high for edification. The simplest truths may be made subservient to our soul's interests, and the loftiest conceptions of the inspired writers may not fail to infuse into the mind of the humblest individual, through the Spirit's aid, that light which may shine upon the soul with transcendent brightness, and raise it out of the depths of nature's grossest darkness. The days in which we live are such as to make the word of God exceedingly precious, and the mariner might as well attempt to navigate the wide ocean amidst rocks and quicksands without a compass, at the peril of a fatal shipwreck, as the Christian to steer his course aright, amid the dangers and difficulties which surround his path, without this heavenly chart. In the present day, especially, there is a difference of opinion even among good men, respecting the prophetic parts of Scripture. Some holy men have been led to preach the doctrine of the second advent, and boldly to warn an evil and adulterous generation of the near approach of that day, which, while it will gladden the hearts of those who are looking and longing for the Saviour's appearing, will be a day of terror and dismay to his enemies. O let not professing Christians set aside > this portion of God's word, as though it had not a place in the divine record; the assurance of our Lord's second coming is so amalgamated with our Christian faith and hope, that not to be in constant expectation of such an event, is like the foolish virgins, sleeping on when we ought rather to be waiting and watching. The frequent contemplation of this great event is calculated in an especial manner to withdraw the mind from earthly things, and to elevate the soul above the grovelling interests of this world; and though while our Lord delays his coming, it is a duty incumbent upon all his followers to be diligent and attentive to their lawful calling, like wise and faithful stewards, it is no less their high privilege to be constantly animated with the hope of that blessed period, when He will come again in glory,, and take unto him self his great power and reign among them. The sin and misery which abound in this evil world, and which make the whole creation groan, must often make the Christian long after that state of eternal blessedness when the church at large will enter into rest, and be happily secured where sin cannot intrude, or a pang of sorrow be realized. It is a joyful thought that we are nearer our salvation than when we first believed; that the night is far spent, and the day is at hand when we shall be emancipated from a state of suffering and death. The scriptures exhibit an enlarged and consoling view of the glory which awaits the dying believer to be "absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord." Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." So that whether we contemplate our own dismissal from the body through that last enemy which is to be destroyed, or the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour with an innumerable company of holy angels, the heart is cheered. May the transitory and uncertain nature of all sublunary things tend to fasten us more securely upon the rock of ages, may every change remind us that here we have no continuing city, but are fast hastening to that invisible world where we shall be associated with the spirits of the just made perfect. The time and the manner of our departure we must leave; but whatever be the means of removing a true believer from this world to a better, whether by famine, sword, or pestilence, all is wisely ordered, and appointed; for "what shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or sword; nay, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us.". A-a. FUNERALS IN TURKEY. THE following account of funerals in Turkey, is extracted from a very interesting volume recently published, by the Rev. J. Hartley, entitled, Researches in Greece and the Levant. R. N. In Turkey, the places and rites of sepulture have an affecting prominence and solemnity connected with them, scarcely equalled in Christendom. In general, the dead are interred in very spacious cemeteries contiguous to towns and vill. ages. There appear to be two cities placed side by side-the city of the living, and the city of the dead; and the population of the latter far exceeds that of the former. The Turkish cemeteries around Smyrna cover a very considerable space of ground. They may be recognized, at a distance, by the lofty and sombre phalanx of cypress trees, which are always the favourite attendant on Turkish graves. The Jews have also covered the face of a very large hill, rising above the city of Smyrna, with the stones which note the place where the earthly remains of their deceased countrymen are deposited. There is a desolation and forlorn appearance presented by this spot, unsheltered as it is by a single tree, which is in striking contrast with the thick shade and beautiful order of the Turkish places of burial. It shews, that, even in death, the Jew is not exempt from the contempt and oppression of which he could not divest himself whilst living. The immense burial grounds of the Turks on the Asiatic side of Constantinople, have been much celebrated by travellers. There is also a cemetery of the Armenians close to Pera, which I often used to visit with peculiar delight. The eye beholds, to a wide extent, stone after stone glittering upon innumeMAY 1832. rable graves: whilst thick spreading trees extend their branches and their shade above them. A silent awe pervades the mind, in contemplation of the scene; and the feel. ing is often increased by the new arrival of corpses which are to be deposited by the side of their ancestors. In walking silently and lonely among these graves, I have not unfrequently seen Armenian females weeping over the last abode of a husband, a father, or a friend. The interment of a corpse according to the ritual of our Church had always, to my mind, a striking solemnity in Turkey. On passing through the streets to the place of burial, innumerable eyes of strangers of a diversity of nations gazed fixedly upon the scene. All is still. The pursuits of business are suspended; a lucid interval appears to be imparted to the delirium of folly and sin and, when the muffled drum and martial step, which accompany to the dust the body of an English sailor, add their interest to the procession, the feelings of spectators are wrought up to no common pitch of excitement. During the reading of the burial-service, more especially at Constantinople, where the English burialground is in a place exceedingly public, a solemn attention arrests all present, even though to few the language is intelligible. Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Christians, appear to have forgotten their animosities, and, at the grave of death, to have recollected that a common fate awaits them all. However distinct they may be from each other in the enjoyments and attainments of life, and however they may differ in what is much more momentous-the prospects of immortality, still is there an awful uniformity, which unites in one inseparable communion the men of all ranks, of all ages, and 2 A of all religions: Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.` Very frequently, whilst you are silently engaged in your appartment, the stillness of a Turkish town, where no rumbling of wheels is ever heard, is interrupted by the distant sound of the funeral chaunt of the Greek priests. As the voices grow more loud, you hasten to the window to behold the procession. The priests move first, bearing their burning tapers, and by their dark and flowing robes give an idea of mourning in harmony with the occasion. The corpse is always exhibited to full view. It is placed upon a bier, which is borne aloft upon the shoulders, and is dressed in the best and gayest garments possessed by the deceased. I have sometimes seen a young female, who had departed in the bloom of youth and beauty, adorned rather as a bride to meet the bridegroom, than as one who was to be the tenant of the chamber of corruption. The young man at Nain, who was restored to life by the command of our Saviour, was doubtless carried on a bier of this kind. When our Lord intimated the design of interposing in his favour, they that bare him stood still. And when the miraculous energy was exerted, he that was dead sat up, and began to speak : (Luke vii. 15.) I believe it is unusual for any of the Orientals to be buried in coffins. The Greeks allow so short a time to intervene between the decease of an individual and his burial, that certain evidences have occasionally been afforded of premature interment. Once, as I was assured, a person on his way to the grave, through the streets of Smyrna, sat up and began to speak, to the great alarm of all present. There was a person frequently seen in Smyrna, when I was resident there, who had actually been placed in his grave, and left in that situation. On recovering his recollection, he emitted cries, which were soon heard, and which led to his release before any fatal consequences had ensued. The nature of the graves, as will soon be described, afforded him the means of escape, which an English grave and coffin would have utterly precluded. The closing part of the Greek Burial-service, commencing with the words, "Come, and impart the last embrace," is very affecting, The friends of the departed press forward from every part of the church, and kiss his cold and pallid lips, and weep over him. It is considered a very peculiar mark of disrespect to neglect this last office of affection. It is, perhaps, a foolish weakness; but I own I was not superior to it. I felt a solemn species of delight in the idea, that, if I died in Greece, I should have a large number of most affectionate friends to come and pay me this office of kindness, before they consigned me "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust." The custom of employing professional mourners to howl for the dead still exists in some parts of the Levant. One morning, whilst taking a solitary walk in Ægina, the most plaintive accents fell upon my ear which I had ever heard. I followed in the direction from which the sounds proceeded; and they conducted me to a new-made grave, over which a woman, hired for the occasion, was pouring forth lament→ ation and mourning and woe, with such doleful strains and feelings as could scarcely have been supposed other than sincere. It was the grave of a young man who had been cut down in the bloom of life, and very pathetic expostulations were addressed to him, in reference to his quitting so soon his family, his friends, and his property. After the conclusion of the Burial-service, the corpse is stripped of its gay attire, and committed to the grave with no other covering than that of a large winding-sheet. In Smyrna, and some other places, the graves are vaults with nothing above them but a grave-stone. Here, for twelve months, the corpse reposes undisturbed; but, at the close of that period, the large stone is removed, and the remains are inspected with much interest. If it If it appear that entire decay has ensued, much satisfaction is expressed: the bones are removed, and placed in the charnel-house; and the grave is left vacant for the next member of the family who may inherit it. But if, unhappily, the corpse should be found unmouldered to dust, it is deemed a most inauspicious circumstance; it is considered a certain sign that the deceased had left the world under the excommunication of some ecclesiastic; and it is the duty of the relatives to use every means within their power to rescue the unhappy spirit from so melancholy a condition. Hence, bishops and priests are sent for; portions of the Gospel are read over the corpse; and many superstitious practices are employed, in hopes of producing decay, and of relieving the excommunicated soul. When symptoms of decay appear, as they naturally will after exposure to the air, comfort returns to the minds of the survivors; and hopes are entertained, in consequence of their religious endeavours, that their friend will now obtain repose. Persons who reside amongst the Greeks will be surprised to find how many absurd narratives of this description are in circulation amongst them. It must also be deemed a singular circumstance, that the resistance of a corpse to putrefaction should be in some instances, as just described, the token of excommunication; and in others, as in St. Spiridion and St. Diony. sius, a proof of superior saintship. ON THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF EMIGRANTS. -- SIR, My attention has lately been called in a more especial manner to the numbers of persons who are emigrating from Great Britain and Ireland to take up their abode as colonists in Canada, America, or Van Dieman's Land, in consequence of near forty individuals having just set off from a parish immediately adjoining my own. now learn that immense multitudes of men, women, and children, are thus quitting their native land, and traversing the mighty deep to take up their abode in a far distant wilderness; and that it is fully expected that still increasing numbers will follow in their track. I Now, Sir, whatever may be the advantage to the individuals who thus go forth, or however great may be the relief afforded to the parishes at whose expence many of these persons are sent forth, I cannot but express my regret that the country is deprived of their valuable services, when as it appears to me there are wastes, and fens, and commons, and bogs, which, under judicious regulation, might have afforded advantageous employment for all these multitudes for many years to come; and I regret their emigration the more since, as far as I can learn, a very large proportion of the emigrants are hardy, industrious men, who have some little property of their own, and are of that class on which mainly depends, under God, our national strength and prosperity. The emigrants from Ireland are almost entirely Protestants, who feel they can no longer continue with safety in that country, and who therefore flee from that tremendous storm which hangs over their devoted land; and threatens the most imminent danger, if not entire extirpation, to all who are |