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see of Rome; which see there is no proof that Peter ever held; and which city, indeed, it is not certain that Peter ever visited. Nevertheless, upon these assumptions a claim is built up, for supreme authority over all Christians, on the part of the Bishoprick of Rome, and all its clerical

adherents.

Dr. Doyle, whom we have already quoted, uses these expressions in speaking of himself, and his brethren the Romish Priests: "The men whom the Lord deputed, in his own name, and with his own power, to govern his people until his second coming-" (p. 157*). "Let us go up, like Paul and Barnabas, and their friends, from Antioch, and hear what Peter, and those who are with him, say about it: let us hear what seems good to the Holy Spirit and to them, or to those who were to be teaching in their place to the end of the world: let us hear what they command us to think and do upon the matter." (p. 195.)

But it is important to observe, further, that this authority, thus claimed by the Romish Priesthood, is not an administrative, but an arbitrary authority. They do not claim to rule the Church according to the laws of God as laid down in Scripture; but they set themselves above the law of God, and assert their right to correct, alter, enlarge, and improve that law, extempore, by virtue of a convenient thing called tradition; which said tradition is to be taken entirely and implicitly from their lips, and, indeed, has no existence any where else.

On this subject, Dr. Doyle says, "The written portion of the law was only a supplement to tradition; and the meaning of it, wherever it is doubtful, cannot be ascertained unless by the light of this same tradition." (p. 206). "The Scriptures are given to the Church, to be expounded, and the sense of such parts of them as are doubtful or hard to be understood to be explained or decided upon, by those who are commissioned by Christ to teach." (p. 207).-By these doctrines, taken in connection, it is plain that common sense and the use of the Scriptures are each dispensed with, and every thing is left to the dicta of the Priest. Nothing more despotic, nothing tending more powerfully to enslave the mind, can well be imagined.

But observe, further, how this power is made use of. Doubtless, in publishing at the present a volume of Letters on the State of Ireland, it was not Dr. Doyle's wish to say any thing which might excite alarm or offence, or hinder the success of the proposed measure; and yet, with all his caution, we find the truth escaping from him, ever and anon, in halfsentences. On the subject, for instance, of the legitimacy of the appointment and character of the Clergy of the Establishment, he says, "Regular vocation, ordination, and mission, from those who had received it from Christ, or from those who succeeded to his disciples-all this would not appear to be sufficient. Unless the person sent to preach compare his Gospel with that of Peter, and those who are with Peter, though he were called from heaven, he may, as Paul testifies of himself, be only running in vain. He may, if he be not in the body of which Peter is the head, make for himself, as Cyprian says, a human church, an adulterous church; but he cannot add to the Church of God, if he be separated from him on whom alone Christ built it." (p. 169.)

But we must follow the Doctor even further still; and we shall find him, not only denying the genuineness and legitimacy of the Established Church; but even arguing as if the Romish Priests had a sacred right to the possession of the minds and faith of their followers, and as if any attempt to

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enlighten the poor deluded believers in Prince Hohenlohe ought to be prohibited by law. He evidently considers the teaching of the poor Irish to read the Bible, and the supplying of them with the Scriptures, to be acts so deeply criminal as to deserve the special prevention of a penal enactment. "These societies," he says (the Bible and Hibernian), "have questioned the authority of those whom God appointed to rule his church" (p. 154).—“ Under the pretext of educating the poor, they come, not to broach any particular error, but to disturb the whole constitution of the Church of God." (p. 156).—" These Societies have no right or title to interfere with the education of the people" (p. 143)." Why weigh in opposite scales the natural and original rights of the Catholic Clergy in this country, against the unfounded pretensions and usurped authority of a self-constituted society?" (p. 136.)-Of a Bible education itself, he says, "The wild superstition which, under the name of Bible reading, or Bible distribution, is now disturbing the peace of Ireland, and threatening the safety of the state" (p. 128).—"The tendency of all these societies is one and the same,-the subversion, by indirect means, of the ancient faith, and the establishment on its ruin of a wild and ungovernable fanaticism. We have borne many things, but we have never borne a persecution more bitter than that which now assails us." (p. 153.)

Now, as no man submits quietly to "persecution," if it is in his power to put a stop to it, it is sufficiently plain that Dr. Doyle, and those who follow him, would prohibit Bible reading and Bible distribution among the poor Roman Catholics of Ireland,—if it were in their power to do so. It cannot, indeed, be said that what is called Emancipation would give them immediate power to effect this mischief; but it is certain that it would give them a portion of that power, and, probably, a sufficient portion to enable them to effect much mischief of this kind.

One word more.-It is a principle, conceded by the promoters of "Emancipation," that security is to be given to the Established Church, that no injury shall arise to her from the proposed measure; and, accordingly, every person admitted to office, under the proposed Bill, is to take an oath having this security for its object. Now it so happens, that the Romish leaders have already given us the strongest assurances that they will either not take such an oath, or, if taken, will not observe it. On former occasions they have often protested against any such pledge; and the language Dr. Doyle now applies to the Church is as follows: "The most heart-rendering curse which Providence has permitted to fall on the land-occupier in Ireland, is the Church Establishment: this, like the scorpion's tail, is armed at all points, and scourges the peasant, through tithes and church-rates, till it draws his very, blood." (p. 104.)

From such language it is plain that the scheme of comprehension must fail. The Papists are enemies, avowed enemies; and those who would fain treat them as friends to the Protestant Institutions of the country, are greatly deceived, and will either let in a body of inveterate foes within the pale of authority, or will utterly fail of producing any result what

ever.

INTELLIGENCE.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE seventh annual convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the state
of Ohio, was held at St. Paul's, Chilli-
cothe, November 3d, 4th, and 5th, 1824.
The venerable Bishop Chase, in enume-
rating the episcopal acts done by him,
since the last meeting of convention, deli-
vered a particular and very interesting
account of his design in coming to this
country, and of the very kind and Chris-
tian reception given to him, and of the
noble subscription in aid of the Theolo-
gical Seminary in that diocese, for which
we regret that we have not room.
suffice to say, that the Bishop's conduct,
both in America and in England, in rela
tion to the seminary, was approved by the
convention, who passed a resolution ex-
pressive of their "cordial union with the

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Bishop in the sentiments of gratitude "and respect which he has expressed for "his reception and treatment in England, "and for the liberal donations that have "been made towards the foundation of a theological seminary in our diocese." Much of the attention of the convention was given to the drawing up of a constitution for the seminary, from which we, with pleasure, extract the three following articles, as they furnish a most satisfactory proof of the integrity with which Bishop Chase has acted throughout; and a guarantee that the course of study there to be prosecuted, will be such as, with the Divine blessing, shall be the means of raising up a succession of able and faithful ministers of the Gospel.

"Art. VI. The Board of Trustees shall have power to constitute professorships, and to appoint and remove the professors, and to prescribe the course of study, and to

make all rules, regulations, and statutes, which may be necessary for the government of the seminary and to secure its prosperity; provided that all such rules, regulations, statutes, or other proceedings, shall for ever be in conformity to the doctrine, discipline, constitution, and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and to the course of study prescribed, or to be prescribed, by the bishops of the said church.'

"Art. VII. If, at any time, the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, shall, by resolution entered on their journals, declare any rule, regulation, statute, or other proceeding, of the Board of Trustees hereby constituted, to be contrary to the doctrine, discipline, constitution and canons of the church, or to the course of study prescribed by the bishops, such rule, regulation, statute, or other proceeding, shall thenceforth cease to have effect, and shall be considered as abrogated and annulled.

"Art. VIII. The bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America shall, individually, and any two or more of them, be visitants of the seminary, to take care that the course of discipline and instruction be conformable to the preceding provisions. And it shall be lawful for any one of the bishops aforesaid, at any time, to institute, in his own name and character of bishop, any proper legal process, to enforce and secure the administration of the seminary according to the foundation herein prescribed."

JUBILEE AT ROME.

The following extract of a letter, dated February 2, 1825, shews that this grand device of Antichrist for the promotion of his cause, is not now so productive as formerly.

"The holy year, or year of jubilee, goes on rather stupidly. It is thought that the Pope is sadly disappointed in his expectations; none of the ceremonies have excited much attention. The church in which the Holy Infant is exposed in the real cradle, had been strongly protected and barricadoed, to save it from the rush of the pious multitude; but, lo and behold, no multitude came, and the whole representation and procession, cradle, bambino, and all, were allowed to pass unobserved, except by a few strangers, attracted more by curiosity than devotion! The breaking open of the holy door at St.

Peter's excited more attention. This door is never opened but on the year of jubilee. The Pope is the principal actor in the scene. He comes in state, supported by the cardinals, and with a hammer in his hand, and a few Latin words in his mouth, he knocks down the impediment to the ingress of the faithful, and opens the way to the holy of holies. Through this door no one must enter but on his knees. I have seen people of all ranks, all ages and sexes, from the dignitary of the church to the most humble layman, from the powdered marquis to the shirtless beggar, all crawling up the steps and prostrating themselves at the top to kiss the holy ground. Women with their petticoats look very awkward at this work; and the prostration at the third, or upper step, is most inconvenient,

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as they of necessity fall on their noses from the embarrassing exertions of the ascent. But the greatest disappointment of all, and that which has excited most uneasiness in the Papal court, is the extraordinary deficiency of pilgrims. It has been usual, in the year of jubilee, to see travellers from all quarters of the world, with their cockle-hats and staves, coming to Rome to enjoy the advantages of the occasion, and to have their feet washed by the pope and cardinals. In the confident expectation that numbers of these holy and privileged people would be eager to shew their veneration for the new pope, beds were prepared, and all arrangements made, for the reception of two thousand persons; and how many do you

think have arrived?-only thirty men and two women!!! Those about the court, who cannot hide the fact, but are frightened to admit the consequences deducible from it, are willing to attribute the deficiency to political reasons. They say that the Emperor of Austria, and other powers, owing to some differences with the court of Rome, have been reluctant to grant passports to cockle-hats and staves. But there are many others who, with shrugging shoulders, and sundry significant nods and winks, are obliged to confess, that they see in this occurrence the certain indication of the decline of papal power, and the breaking up of a system which has so long enthralled and enslaved the human mind."

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING RELIGIOUS INQUIRY IN IRELAND.

A Society has recently been formed in Ireland under this title-or, rather, has arisen from the union of two other soeieties which contemplated different parts of the same design-the object of which is to ascertain and make known the nature, extent, and influence, of the doctrines and practices which prevail among the Roman Catholics in Ireland; to compare such doctrines and practices with the written word of God; and to assist in forwarding public and private discussion on the differences between the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, particularly on the right of the laity to the unrestricted reading of the holy Scriptures. The Society is likewise to combine with these its peculiar objects, the dissemination of the great and fundamental doctrines and duties of Christianity; and to endeavour, by exciting and encouraging the

friends of true religion, to aid in hastening on the spiritual reformation of Ireland.

It is conducted by a Committee of twenty-one members, who are to procure suitable patronage; empowered to fill up vacancies; to elect country members; to appoint officers; to make laws for regulating their own proceedings; and to transact the general business of the Society.

Laymen subscribing a guinea, and clergymen subscribing half-a-guinea, shall be members of the Society for the year in which such subscriptions are paid. Every subscriber of ten guineas at one time, and every executor who shall pay a bequest of fifty pounds, shall be members for life.

Subscriptions are received at 22 Upper Sackville street, Dublin; and at Messrs. Drummond's, Charing Cross.

SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF POOR PIOUS CLERGYMEN. We have just received the last Report of this excellent institution, which contains, as usual, a series of extracts from the Letters of many excellent Ministers, that clearly demonstrate how severe are the sufferings and trials with which many are called to contend. The following may serve as a specimen.

FIFTY-TWO pounds per annum, and that I am entirely destitute of any other means of assistance, save charitable institutions, and sympathizing friends!”

"11. When I last addressed the Committee my trials were numerous. Since that period they have been complicated and severe! Poor Mrs. confined of her NINTH child, never left her bed after much suffering, for nearly five months, until she was removed a corpse! In her death, six surviving children have lost a tender mother, and the unworthy writer a faithful companion.-Had it not been for kind and liberal friends, my embarrassments must have been extensive...

Thus

circumstanced, you will see that my case is a strong one; especially, when I inform you, that my curacy does not amount to

12. I have lately had an increase to my family, and have now nine to maintain (including a servant) and an income which actually amounts not to eighty pounds per annum. Out of this sum, small as it is, I am constrained from time to time to administer to the wants of a people, who are reduced to the lowest depths of poverty, and for a great part of their time without employment. I have been pressed I may say to the utmost point of endurance!....I may say with the Psalmist, ‘I should have fainted, but that I believed verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living;' and I have seen so much of it, as will not suffer me to give up my hope in Him, even when every other refuge seems to fail; yet my rejoicing is mixed with trembling.

Notices and Acknowledgements.

We are concerned to state, that in the morning of Sunday, March 13th, an alarming fire broke out in some adjoining premises, and communicated to the Printing-office and Warehouse of Mr. Gosnell, which were in a very short time entirely destroyed.

By this alarming accident we have been deprived for the present of the valuable services of Mr. Gosnell, who has regularly printed our work from its commencement, with a degree of correctness and attention which calls for our gratitude, and has been uniformly marked with the approbation of our Readers; who will, we doubt not, deeply sympathize with Mr. G. under this trying and afflictive dispensation.

A part of this Number had been printed previously to the accident, and was in consequence entirely destroyed. The copy of some articles was, however, providentially preserved; and they are therefore reprinted: but the last communications of LITOREUS, AN UNBENEFICED CLERGYMAN,-V. R.,-and some minor articles, are, we fear, irrecoverably lost. The Address of the Rev. PETER ROE at the interment of the Rev. W. Power, was also consumed; and we are therefore highly obliged to him for the duplicate contained in a packet recently come to hand, which will appear in our next.

Received, A. B.,-CHRISTIAN,-N. G.,-ALPHA,-MONITOR.

The Obituary inquired after was not accompanied with any name, or reference as to its authenticity. When this omission is supplied it will appear in course. So far from being laid aside on the ground the writer supposes, we perfectly coincide with him in sentiment; and have expressed similar ideas on former occasions.

A FRIEND TO IMMEDIATE ABOLITION is informed, that East-India sugar may now be procured at almost any respectable grocer's ;-that the sale is rapidly increasing; and that sanguine expectations are entertained of its being speedily furnished at such a reduced price as to be found equally economical, if not more so, than WestIndia sugar. We have received several communications upon the subject, which we are at present unable to notice.

A BRITISH FEMALE justly remarks, that "If we are to allow Papists to share in governing us, in order to conciliate their feelings, we must expect, of course, that they will call upon us to surrender that Sacred Volume to which their late conduct at several meetings of Bible Societies declares them so bitterly hostile. It is therefore our obvious duty to unite in earnest prayer that we may still enjoy the light and instruction of God's Holy Word; and that our rulers, whose hearts are in the Lord's hands, may be enabled to stand firm in guarding to us that blessing, which has made us the glory of all nations, and in unnumbered instances the refuge and comfort of the afflicted and oppressed.'

We regret that circumstances compel us to postpone the account of the anniversary of the Manchester and Salford Auxiliary Hibernian Society.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

In the Press, in one vol. 8vo., A Practical View of the Redeemer's Advent: in a Series of Discourses: by the Rev. J. H. Stewart, M. A., of Percy Chapel.

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