Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

distressing circumstances. We endea- bounty, it would be a great relief vor to do all in our power to owe no to my mind. I beg to inform you, man any thing; but in spite of every that I am wholly dependant upon my effort, we are unable to keep with the curacies.' holy precept, without, to every outward " At the suggestion of a friend, appearance suffering want, which, I apply to your Society for assistance. through the blessing of a tender and I have a wife and Five children, all merciful Father, has not been hitherto dependent upon me; and my income the case. I have nothing to depend on from my curacy is ninety pounds! I but what I have from my two curacies, have two full services on Sunday, and a which is in all FIFTY-FIVE pounds, and monthly sacrament. I have established we are TEN in family to provide for out a Sunday-evening lecture on the Liturgy of that sum, which is but little more in the Sunday-school room. The lecthan two shillings a week each!

ture is attended by 200 or 300 children • It is not without some reluctance I and adults, and I have reason to thank beg to make my case known to you. the Lord, that his blessing attends this I am a married man, and have THREE new means of grace, which has been children; the eldest near four years old, most providentially afforded to my and the youngest five months. I serve parish. We have a national school, and two curacies, for which I receive NINETY LENDING LIBRARY attached to the pounds per annum. The parish where Sunday-school. The Scriptures and I reside is five miles in length, the prayer-books are circulated through the other parish is four miles distant. medium of the Bible and Christian Should I be deemed an object for your Knowledge Societies.' LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-DESCRIPTION OF AN HINDOO FESTIVAL. WHILE here, (Mr. Howell states, we women undergo the ceremony of swinghad an opportunity of attending a great ing upon hooks put through the skin in Hindoo festival,' called Gangamma their backs. The machine which was

Tirnal, or the great goddess Gangamma, used for this purpose was a bullock-cart. held in the village called Cocottapetta, Over the axle-tree a post was erected, distant from Cud dapah about five over the top of which a beam, about 35 miles. This was a most novel and feet in length, passed, and moved upon affecting sight. About 50,000 people a pin. The longer end of this beam were assembled in a sort of grove, around extended over the bullocks; at the end the filthy pagoda in which was the of it was a square frame attached, object of attraction and adoration. adorned with young plaintain trees, in Before the door the people were sacrific- which two persons could stand. When ing sheep and goats to the idol all the the hooks were inserted into the skin, day, and streams of blood flowed in the ropes attached to the hooks were all directions. Around this place is a lashed firmly to the top bar of the wide road, on which multitudes of frame, so as to allow the people to stand bullock-basket-carts were driven, from upon the lower bar. This being done, which grain, of various kinds, was and we saw the operation performed in thrown to all such as chose to receive several instances,—the beam was raised it, in fulfilment of vows. Between upon its fulcrum, and the persons in twelve o'clock at noon, and six in the the frame were raised about 25 or 30 evening, we saw thirty men and two feet above the ground.

SOUTH AFRICA.-LATTAKOO. . SINCE I last wrote to the Directors, cluding the Blooms (sons of the famous our faith has been much tried with re- robber of that name, described by Mr. gard to the prospects of this Mission; Campbell) came unexpectedly on the but, through the goodness of our Heavenly Batlaroo cattle out-posts, a little way Father, we still continue to enjoy com below the stations, and swept away parative peace, and we hope that all our every thing within their reach. They trials and fears will soon terminate in a came no farther ; but, from good aubrighter day, when the Lord will make thority, we learned that it was the bare his arm, and pour out his Spirit on intention of the Blooms to return and the Bechuanas, as he has already done root out this Mission. in the South Seas. About four weeks After mature deliberation, and prayer ago, we were concerned to hear that for divine assistance and direction, we two parties of the mountaineers, in- resolved to remain at the station, and, whatever might be the consequence, to Mateebé and his people are still offer no resistance, but to leave our wandering in the Bushman country, cause with Him who has engaged never afraid to return while the state of things to leave nor forsake them that put their is so unsettled. We have now a goodly trust in him. In consequence of the village of natives, from various interior above report, many of the natives sent tribes, living on their own premises. away their families, with all their cattle, They are chiefly poor, but are in posto a distance. On these dark and session of fruitful gardens; and we have gloomy prospects, the Lord was pleased no doubt that they are better off than to grant that some rays of light should those whose dependance is solely on shine from a quarter the least expected. their flocks. The arrival of the Bechuan Jan Karse (or Karsten) a respectable books, by Mr. Miles, was to us like life Griqua, who is brother-in-law to the from the dead; for, from a conviction Blooms, and who, with his family, was that they were lost, I began to compile living at some distance S. E. of this and prepare a second copy. place, hearing of our situation, imme The rapidity with which the scholars diately removed to the station, with the acquire a knowledge of the words says intention of meeting his relations, not something in favour of the system in the spirit of combat, but with the adopted, though, when the compilation hope of influencing them by reason to was made, I intended it merely pro abandon the murderous course they have tempore till I should be able to settle so long pursued.

the orthography.

CHINA.—PINANG. EVERY thing relating to the introduction the end of the Chinese year (nearly), of the Gospel amongst the Chinese, many children stay away to make their must prove highly interesting to those new year's clothes, and we are obliged who are at all acquainted with the to give the children twenty days' vacaimmense extent of that vast empire. tion; after which I hope to proceed The following extract of a letter from with new vigour and several improvethe Rev. S. Dyer, describes the com ments. The children read nothing but mencement of a work which will, we Christian books, and not a single objectrust, prove highly important.

tion has been made to this. Not a word My teacher is hard at work, preparing is said about their own classical works; for making Chinese metal types. I indeed, the system effectually remedies hope, ere long, to be able to send some the evil which subsisted in my former wooden blocks to England, with full schools. The teachers allowed the directions to make the types. I shall children to read their own books in my be obliged to send them to Malacca to be absence. The schools can, also, be cut; so that, perhaps a few months may much more vigorously superintended elapse before I am able to despatch them. on the British system, and they are ten

My two schools on the British system fold more under my control. encourage me much. I am particularly I have heard lately from Dr. Morripleased with Mrs. Dyer's. This being son, who was quite well.'

FROM THE FRENCH JOURNALS.
BERLIN.

to the cause of Christ. His resignaHis Majesty the King of Prussia has tion, and his joy at rejoining Him who given a hundred ducats towards the had ransomed him with his blood, erection of a Protestant Church at New never forsook him for a single instant. Orleans.

His last words were those of Job : conSWITZERLAND.

verted to the Gospel in his youth, this The third Jubilee of the Reformation venerable Christian proved his faith by was celebrated in the Canton of Berne, the whole of his life: and at the time with great solemnity, in the beginning when neologism and infidelity were of last June. The venerable Antistes making havoc in Germany and SwitHess, whose name has long been known zerland, his attachment and fidelity to as an able and zealous member of the Christ crucified were a powerful proBritish and Foreign Bible Society, lately testation against the inroads of a baseentered into his rest, at Zurich, after a less system of theology, and of a philong and active life, which was devoted losophy which was merely human.

REGISTER OF EVENTS. The labours of Parliament are for the present terminated by its prorogation, on Monday, July 28. The Royal speech was read by the Lord Chancellor, and stated, among other particulars, that His Majesty continues to receive from his allies, and from all foreign powers, assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country. That his endeavours to effect the pacification of Greece in concert with the King of France and the Emperor of Russia, have continued unabated. That the Emperor of Russia has found himself under the necessity of declaring war against the Ottoman Porte upon grounds concerning exclusively the interests of his own dominions, and unconnected with the stipulations of the treaty of the 6th July, 1827, but has consented to waive the exercise in the Mediterranean See, of any rights appertaining to his Imperial Majesty in the character of a belligerent power, and to recall the separate instructions which had been given to the commander of his naval forces in that Sea, directing hostile operations against the Ottoman Porte. That combined efforts would still be made for the purpose of carrying into complete execution the stipulations of the treaty of London. That the expectations of his Majesty with respect to Portugal had been disappointed, and that his Majesty and the other powers of Europe, acting in concert with him, had been compelled to withdraw their representatives from Lisbon.

The Speech contains no reference whatever to Ireland, an omission which has disappointed the expectations of some who are desirous of ascertaining the line of conduct which Government contemplate, with reference to recent occurrences in that country. Notwithstanding, however, the high tone assumed by the demagogues of the Catholic Association, it is not very probable that any material variation in the system, already adopted by Government, will be deemed necessary. A firm and equitable administration of existing laws; a determined repression of acts of party violence; a calm contempt of the lofty and stimulating speeches of men given to change, with a steadfast watch over their actions; and the maintenance of a sufficient body of civil and military force to act with promptitude and decision in case of emergency, will, perhaps, eventually conduce more to the prosperity of Ireland, than any of those measures which zealous partizans are so strenuously recommending Government to adopt.

The Russian armies are advancing slowly, though successfully, in their march towards Constantinople. We trust, however, that the calamities of war may speedily be terminated by negotiation. If Russia and Turkey were permitted to fight out the battle alone; the Turkish power would be annihilated, or Russia very materially injured. Either alternative would have an unfavourable effect on the tranquillity of Europe; and hence the Courts of Great Britain and France appear to be cordially uviting their efforts to avert the evils which the ambition or obstinacy of either the Russians or Turks might occasion. France is sending an army of 12,000 troops to the Morea, and a British Fleet is employed to give weight to our negotiations in the Mediterranean.

Don Miguel appears at present to have acquired undisturbed dominion in Portugal. A feeble attempt was made by the friends of Don Pedro to prevent the success of Miguel, but their efforts were in vain. The Governor of Madeira, however, still remains faithful to the Emperor of Brazil; and there is a considerable party in the kingdom of Portugal who are hostile to the Usurper; yet so long as he is supported by the Romish Hierarchy his opponents have litile prospect of success, nor can their power be effectually undermined in any other way than by the progressive advance of light and knowledge.

The Irish Papers communicate several painful instances of riots and affrays between the populace and the police, in which some lives have been lost, and many persons wounded. Most of the affrays have arisen from tumultuous proceedings, in consequence of the Election of Mr. O'Connell, from which event the poor deluded peasantry have been induced to anticipate important benefits to themselves and the Romish Cause. The scandalous abuse, however, then inade of the power possessed by the Romish Priesthood; the ingratitude evinced to those, who, whatever be their political demerits, have yet deserved well at the hands of the Romanists; and the conduct pursued by the Romish Party towards those who have not gone all lengths with them, afford striking proofs of the inefficacy of conciliation; of the impropriety of any further concession; and of the utter hopelessness of any plan of civilizing and tranquillizing Ireland, which is not founded on the moral and scriptural instruction of the people at large. The labours of the London Hibernian Society, and the Sunday School Society have in these respects been of incalculable value; and the admirably arranged system of the former, enables it to maintain its ground in numerous instances, notwithstanding the most determined hostility of the Romish Priesthood. We have lately seen a return from one district of the Society's operations in which an affray recentiy took place attended with loss of life, and where the friends of the Institution deemed it necessary to have a party of armed Police present to protect their public meeting; but where the Roman Catholic Students amount to 270, while the Protestants are only 110. A Sunday School of the London Hibernian Society, in the same district, consists exclusively of Roman Catholics.

Among the recent disturbances in Ireland, one instance occurs where the peasantry are stated on good authority to have been drawn up in military order, arranged in sections and divisions, and placed in a well chosen and highly advantageous position, so that an officer of considerable experience who was present on the occasion, has expressed his full conviction that the assemblage must have been trained by some of ihe disbanded military, and under the direction of competent leaders. These circumstances have excited in various quarters considerable alarm, especially as it is known that other numerous parties were assembled at the same time in the neighbourhood. In this alarm we do not participate. The leaders of the Romish party know full well that their whole boasted strength can avail little against the power of Great Britain. They know that any attempt at insurrection, however mischievous in the first instance, would be speedily suppressed: and that the consequences would be ruinous to their cause and destructive to their own lives and fortunes. The demagogues of the Catholic Association, however rashly they may talk, will not venture to act, unless Government should show signs of timidity, or a foreign foe should appear ready to support their efforts : at this moment the Romanists endeavour to justify Mr. O'Connell's postponing his attempt to take possession of a seat in the House of Commons, by asserting that the Emperor Nicholas will open the way for Mr. O'Connell without any trouble on his part ; that is, the Romanisls hope that a foreign war will compel the Administration tamely to recognize Mr. O'Connell's new interpretation of existing laws, or humbly to submit to their repeal. These hores however will assuredly be disappointed. If Government stand firm, if the Protestant clergy of Ireland do their duty, and if Protestant landlords promote scriptural education among the poor, and give reasonable encouragement to Protestants, Popery will soon fall in Ireland.

The present county assizes rather encourage the hope that crime is in some degree diminishing amongst us. They afford however some awful examples of atrocious guilt, and some striking displays of retributive justice. A young man of the name of Corder, in May, 1827, qværelled with, murdered, and huried in a barn, his wretched paramour. After chuying at home some time, and giving various accounts to the poor girl's f who enquired after her, he went to London, advertised for a wife, and m w u. Meanwhile the friends of the mur. dered young woman becoming more and more uneasy, and dwelling on various suspicious circumstances, were so alarmed by the mother's dreaming that her daughter was buried in the Red Barn, that they determined on searching the place; here the remains of the poor girl were found and identified, Corder was in consequence apprehended, convicted, and executed, The wages of sin is death. Be sure that your sin will find you out.

In another instance a poor man named Harrison being expected to give evidence at an approaching trial unfavourable to a relative of one of his murderers, five individuals, to none of whom he had given any offence, resolved in cold blood on his death. A trifling sum of money was given to one of them who had no cause whatever to desire his destruction. The poor man was way-laid, murdered, and buried ; and to complete the scene of horror a son gives evidence on the trial against his own mother, and a father and a mother against their own son. Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence has resigned the office of Lord High Admiral.

Notices and Acknowledgments. Received_THEOGNIS.-J.B.--VIATOR.-.-AMICUS.-HIBERNICUS.-D. C. -N. N.-Mary.- AN ADMIRER OF TRUTH.R. W.-A--a.

[blocks in formation]

The family of Nowell are supposed Piscator Hominum, a fisher of men. by antiquaries to be of Norman He was educated at Middleton, origin. In the middle of the thir. about six miles from Manchester, teenth century, two brothers, Adam and admitted a member of Brazenand William, obtained their first nose at thirteen, taking the degree settlement in Blackburnshire; the of Bachelor of arts, May 29, 1536, former by an union with the heiress and that of Master, June 10, 1540,* of Stephen de Magna Merlay; the Before he took the latter, he was latter by a grant of Little Merlay elected fellow of his college, and from John de Lacy, Earlof Lincoln. esteemed for his piety and learning, The subject of the present article as well as his zeal in promoting the was descended from the former reformation of religion. Of the branch, when they had added to the period of his admission to holy patrimony the neighbouring manor orders do certain record is left; of Read, and fixed their residence but we are assured by Strype, that there, in the parish of Whalley and he was desirous of an entrance into county of Lancaster.*

the sacred function from the age His father John, by his second of sixteen.t In the reign of Edwife Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. ward the Sixth, he kept the school Kay of Rachdale, had four sons, of Westminster, where he trained of whom Alexander was the eldest, up the youth in protestant prinborn in 1507 or the year following. ciples. He was licensed by that Read Hall, the place of his birth, monarch in 1550 as a preacher ; anciently Rivehead, or Riverhead, but · where he exercised his talent, stood on the banks of the Calder, we are not particularly informed; a tributary stream of the Ribble ; except that he preached, during this and probably from early pastime on reign, 'in some of the notablest these waters, he acquired that places and auditories, in the realmı.' predilection for angling, which he For so he himself says, in answer retained through life, and which is to a scoffing slander of Dorman ; associated with his memory by his who, notwithstanding he did right portrait in the hall of Brazen-nose well know' this fact, was not College, Oxford, representing him ashamed to say of him, fifteen years surrounded with hooks and lines, afterwards, that of a mean schooland bearing the inscription of

* Wood's Ath. Oxon. 1. F. 57.-Ibid. 63. * Churton's life of Nowell, p. 3. of Annals, I. p. 206. OCT. 1828.

3 A

« AnteriorContinuar »