Miscellaneous. DECLINING INFLUENCE OF THE ROMISH PRIESTS IN IRELAND. We presume few of our readers are ignorant of the way in which the priests of Ireland formerly treated their people. If any of the latter dared to disobey the slightest injunction of their ghostly fathers, not only was "cursing," by "bull, book, and candle," resorted to, but in very many instances the cutting whip and the priests' fists were the usual accompaniments. Thanks to the discussions on the Romish controversy, which took place in different parts of the country, and to the consequent diffusion of information, a brighter day has dawned; and in many places the people will not submit to the indignities to which they were formally obliged to submit. As a specimen of the fights which are at present continually taking place, between the priests and the people, on account of the rapacity of the former, we quote the following from the Cork Constitution, of the 13th ult. "CASTLETOWN BEREHAVEN PETTY as "James Little, Esq., R. M. Presiding. Mr. Mark O'Sullivan, v. Rev. Daniel Healy and Rev. Garrett Roche, for Assault. "Mr. Mark O'Sullivan sworn. Complains of defendants; went to mass; was where he always sat; was saulted, dragged and abused by Healy and by Roche. This was on Sunday; called on them, Healy and Roche, to let him alone in the name of the Pope, the Bishop, the Blessed Virgin, the Queen, and the law: was sitting where he always sat since the chapel was built; sat on the railing which surrounds the altar. A person, now in court, was also there. Mr. Healy told the people that he (Mark) had devils in him; Healy then threw himself down from the altar on witness. "To the Court. Thinks he was first asked quietly to go out; said he had a right to stop there; Mr. Healy first caught hold of him; Mr. Roche also did so. "Robert Hanley sworn. Was at chapel at Irees the Sunday after Christmas; saw the clergyman trying to turn Mark O'Sullivan out, but he wouldn't go for them; saw them often catch each other; Father Healy used always to catch first; they were no way peaceable from the time he saw them. Mark had his book open, and was quiet if he was let alone; the priest used always to be in a passion; expressions were made use of by the priests first; heard them say what was bad, but can't recollect Mark calling Mr. Healy “a priest from the devil;" Mr. Roche did not use violence; he (Mr. Roche) caught Mark when Mr. Healy did so, but he was pacifying him. "Cross-examined. Never heard what was bad of Mr. Healy; some are thankful to him; others are not. "Dennis Sullivan sworn. Was at Irees chapel on the Sunday after Christmas; saw Mark and Father Healy drag each other; Mark said that Mr. Healy was worse than Lucifer, the angel who was banished from heaven; Mark left his place because he was forced to do so; saw Mr. Healy pushed back against the wall; he was near falling, but can't say it was from what Mark did to him. "Cross-examined. Can't say if Mark is in the habit of interrupting the priests; I saw the place vacant very often, but when Mark was at chapel always saw him in the same place; would not take upon him to give a character of a priest. "Patrick Harrington, being sworn, testified to the same facts. Went "John Harrington, sworn. to the chapel to hear mass; Mark O'Sullivan had his prayer-book in his hand; Mr. Healy called upon the people to turn Mark out, as he could not say mass while the devil was there; he also called him (Mark) a bastard; this was on Sunday, the 29th of December; it was during mass and after the scuffle he was called a bastard. "Three other witnesses testified to the same facts. "Informations granted against Rev. Daniel Healy, P. P. of Kilcatherine. Rev. Daniel Healy, v. Mr. Mark O'Sullivan. "This case (for assault) was gone into before, but postponed till this day. Is a "Rev. Daniel Healy, sworn. Roman Catholic priest of Kilcatherine; on Sunday, the 22nd of December, he was in his chapel; was exhorting his people, and correcting their abuses, when Mark O'Sullivan ran up to him with a clenched fist to strike him; he (Mr. Healy) had to catch a candlestick "Witness. I did (with hesitation). This was after the scuffle; called no names before; said to the people that it was a humiliating thing to be treated in that way by such a character, and a bastard; had a right to ring the bell, and call the name of a person in strong language; this was not cursing; he could not curse without the sanction of the bishop. "Mr. Healy stated to the court that he had no police in the parish, and that Mark O'Sullivan had a faction in the chapel. "Mr. Little observed, that this was inconsistent with his former statement, that the people were with him against Mark. "Jerry M'Carthy, priest's clerk, sworn. Was in chapel on the Sunday ; Father Healy spoke of Harrington's name, and said he would not get forgiveness till he brought a token from the bishop; O'Sullivan said he would know from the bishop himself if he (Father Healy) had a right to curse. Mark asked the people permission to speak, and some of them desired him to do so. "Here Mr. Healy exclaimed-'Yes, some of his botheen (banditti) boys answered him, when he called on the people.' from the altar to defend himself; was correcting abuses; felt it his duty sometimes to scold the people, and to curse them; made no allusion to Mark, but did to some of his friends; the person he was talking of drew a knife three times on the previous Sunday to stab a man. Mark called him (Mr. Healy) "Mark-Botheen, indeed—the peoa priest from the devil, and a Lutheran ; this excited the people; the congrega-ple won't be tyrannised over any longer - there is no chance of the kingdom of God while they have such a priest.' tion joined him against Mark; he had to ask the people to let him (Mark) alone, they were so annoyed. "To the Court. Did use some abusive expression, but would explain why he did so. "Witness. Mark said Mr. Healy was the devil's priest; Mr. Healy said he was Christ's priest. Mark rushed upon the altar with his fist closed. Father "Mr. Little. Did you call Mr. Healy seized a candlestick; he (the O'Sullivan a bastard? clerk) threw himself between them; he "Rev. Daniel Healy. You ought to be more courteous to your priest.' Mr. Healy claimed the protection of the court because he was called out of his name (being called 'Healy' without' Mr.') "Mr. Little recommended Mr. O'Sullivan to address his priest as Mr. Healy. "Mr. O'Sullivan stated that Mr. Healy charged 10s. for licenses, and £5 for marrying, if a man wore a good coat. The priests wanted to lie upon sofas when the people had not straw. "The above were said during the course of the proceedings, and Mr. Little had frequently to interpose his authority to keep the parties silent. "Informations were granted against Mr. Mark O'Sullivan. Rev. James Fitzgerald, v Mark O'Sullivan, Darby Harrington, John Harrington, and Cornelius Lowney. "Rev. J. Fitzgerald sworn. Is parish priest of Kilaconenagh; went on Sunday, Jan. 5th, by order of his superior, to arrange the dispute in Kilcatherine parish; went amicably in company with Mr. Mark O'Sullivan's cousin; was met by Mark O'Sullivan and a crowd of people; told Mark he came on a peaceable purpose; Mark turned to the people and said, 'be firm, boys, be firm." He (witness) wished to go into the chapel, but was counselled to return by Mr. Downing and others. Darby Harrington ran before him and said he should not go in. (Here Mr. Fitzgerald pointed to Darby Harrington, and said he knew his face, though he did not then know his name. Darby Harrington-'And I know your face too.') Again went up to Mark, and assured him his object was peace. Mark cried out, No priests-no surrender.' Witness considered himself in danger; the people called out, the priests are too rich-they have too much money;' which, said Mr. F., 'I considered very exciting language indeed.' Sent for the vestments, by the clerk, to say mass in Mr. Healy's house; told the people they were committing a transportable offence, and that he would get a file of soldiers to protect him; witness claims the protection of the court, and has no wish to punish the others; but as to Mark O'Sullivan, he intends to prosecute him under the Whiteboy Act. He had been to see Mr. O'Connell, and he told him so; Mr. O'Connell is a practical Roman Catholic, and knows the law-knows the law.' (with a chuckle). "Darby Harrington, being sworn, stated that Mr. Healy had published at first mass that Mr. Fitzgerald was coming to curse young Mark, and that was the reason they would not let him (Mr. Fitzgerald) into the chapel ; Mr. Fitzgerald was asked if he intended to curse, but would give no answer. "Mr. Little remarked, that this was and religion; that he would make no a case involving a question both of law comment, but would read a letter from a Roman Catholic gentleman, a magistrate, and of high character. The letter was as follows: "I state, as a Roman Catholic, that it is contrary to religion and decorum for a priest to curse or revile from the altar. It was never practised in cities, and was only sometimes used by violent and ignorant clergymen in remote districts. The sacrifice of the mass is intended as an expiation for the sins of those who participate in it, and a priest who desecrates the altar by blaspheming and reviling, acts, in the mind of every well-informed Roman Catholic, directly contrary to his duty and holy calling, and causes great scandal to his the writer's name-it was Mr. O'Doflock.' "Rev. Garrett Roche. A magistrate has no right to dictate to us: we look to the bishop. “Rev. James Fitzgerald. I know the writer. "Mr. Little said, he would give novan. "Mr. Fitzgerald. I knew it. "A letter was read by Mr. Little, according to Mr. Fitzgerald's wish, from Bishop Egan, which condemned the practice of allowing any one inside the sanctuary, except invalids and aged persons." Reviews. Introduction to the profitable reading of the A very appropriate title to a very useful little work. It is exceedingly well adapted for Bible classes, as it comprises much useful information in a small space. The Christian, whose time and means are limited, will find a compendium, which the diligent perusal of the sacred volume will, by the divine blessing, tend greatly to make him "a man of God, throughly furnished unto every good word and work." To such, whether in England or Ireland, we can safely recommend this little volume, Life and Voyages of Captain James Cook. By the REV. GEORGE YOUNG, D.D. Illustrated by several Engravings. 12mo. Pp. 466. London: WHITTAKER & Co. Attractive as Cook's Voyages have always proved to the general reader, especially the young, they have a peculiar interest for the Christian, as containing the first notice of islands in the South Seas, where missions have since gained their proudest triumphs. Hence we are disposed to regard with favor any attempt to reduce that bulky work to a more manageable form; and thus to bring it within reach of a far wider circle of readers. It is not merely, however, as a condensed abridgement, that the present volume, by a distinguished Dissenting Minister of Whitby, is entitled to favor; since, it contains "much original information," and many particulars drawn from "authentic documents," which had not previously seen the light. The quarter whence it emanates is peculiarly favorable; for, at Whitby that prince of navigation learned to be a sailor, On a recent visit to that picturesque locality, we looked with much interest at the His house where he lived at that time. is that which relates to Tahiti. The homage there paid to Captain Cook had too much of an idolatrous character; as is well seen in Mr. Ellis's Polynesia;" to which we refer, as the best supplement to the present volume. This being, however, a subject too extensive for our limits, we prefer giving a short passage, relatingto a different groupe of islands, and illustrating several features of savage life: "The despotic power of the chiefs over the common people, in the friendly isles, was often displayed. An axe, which had been solen out of the Resolution on her arrival, was, on the captain's application to Feenon (a great chief), speedily recovered; his command to that effect being implicitly obeyed. An inferior chief, while Feenon was on board, ordered the people away from the tent; and some of them venturing to return, he beat them unmercifully with & large stick. One man was so cruelly abused, afterwards recovered; and when the chief that he was carried off for dead, though he was told that he had killed him, instead of being sorry, he only laughed at it. In one instance only, a chief was caught pilfering; and Captain Cook ordered him a dozen lashes, and made him pay a hog besides. After this, the chiefs never stole anything themselves or slaves, to steal for them; and so little 3 but employed their servants, value did they put on the lives of the latter, act, instead of interceding for them, they that when any of them were caught in the often desired our people to kill them. The poor wretches were so inured to hard usage, that a flogging seemed to make no more impression on them, than it would have hit on a less cruel, but more effective, plan made on the main-masts. Captain Clerke for checking their depredations: every culprit that was taken had his head completely shaved by the barber; and was thus not only made an object of ridicule, but a marked had received that punishment, should be man; care being taken, that all who kept at a distance." (Pages 337 and 338). Continental Corner. BAPTISM OF BELLS. We see, by the following article, from a journal of Tours, what opinion is formed in the departments of certain profanations made by the Church of Rome, of the sacred acts of Christianity. The information alluded to is the baptism of a bell: "We have witnessed a showy parody of the fundamental right of Christianity. A Pagan cere. mony has been celebrated by men calling themselves ministers of Christ, in a chapel devoted to his worship. Two bells given to the hospital were baptized. This ceremony was celebrated in great pompt, by an archbishop, assisted by his clergy, assisted by the donor, who played the double part of father and godfather. A mass, enlivened by the attendance of a great number of persons, and an edifying sermon, preceded the baptism; then the ceremony commenced. The two bells were suspended at a short distance from the ground, in the middle of the chapel. A rather profane coquetry was visible in their toilet, both were clothed in rose-satin petticoats and robes, a la dentelle, and decked with ribbons and flowers. Monseigneur Morlot, the bishop, solemnly approached the two innocent sisters; M. Voit Prudhomme, their godfather, and a noble dame, their godmother, placed themselves on their right. After the usual words, Monseigneur proceeded to purification, by touching them; after which, the two bells received holy unction, within and without. Then Monseigneur, pulling a ribbon, struck the clappers in succession against the bells, which responded in divers tones; the godmother then accomplished the same feat with perfect grace, and the godfather with his habitual dexterity. This having been done, we have two Christians more, having engraved on their rim; the one, My name is Anne Valérie;" the other, "My name is Julié Caroline." 66 "It was with a holy sentiment of piety that we were witnesses of this profane spectacle. A baptism of bells! But what is the original sin of these poor creatures? What stain has been washed away? In the spirit of Christianity (read Popery) baptism washes away the original sin of man; have the two bells of Voit Prudhomme any fault which they have derive from their fraternity? AUSTRIA.-In Austria, as elsewhere, the Popish clergy have recourse to the temporal power to stop the progress of Evangelical Protestantism. Every attempt on the part of a Protestant to communicate religion to a Papist is treated as a crime; whilst Papists enjoy the fullest liberty in proselyting. Recently the inflnence of the priests has been used to prevent many Protestant artisans of Vienna, known for their sentiment of piety, from having Popish workmen in their workshops, and even from meeting with other Protestants to celebrate family worship.-L'Esperance. BAVARIA. We read in the Universal German Gazette, that the Synod of Ansbach have represented with firmness and dignity the grievances of the Protestant Church. The government has excluded from the assembly many lay members whom it feared, who were nevertheless honourable men. The Bavarian minister has refused among others, to confirm the nomination, as a member of Synod, of the worthy burgomaster of Regensburg, M. de Thon Dittiner. This is a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Bavaria, and one of the most prominent among those who have boldly contended for the liberties of the Evangelical Church.-L'Esperance. PORTUGAL.-Our readers, no doubt, recollect that the Portuguese bishops brought before the Chamber of Peers a motion tending to prohibit heretic Bibles, and to submit all books entering the kingdom from without to censors, who should examine them to see if they contained any errors or immoralities. (In this motion they associated the good books circulated by Protestants with the most immoral books). The sellers and the readers of these books to be punished with the most severe penalties. This proposition was sent to a commission (committee), and the result has been the rejection of the entire motion.— L'Esperance. |