ter of his duties as he stands connected The advantages of the proposed appointment would be manifold, and must be obvious-being directly calculated to meet the inconveniencies alluded to. A person selected on account of his natural and acquired qualifications, whose whole attention was directed to the subject, must be better qualified than others not possessed of the same advantages, and consequently would be more likely to obtain auditors and to make an impression-he would also be able to dis. engage the subject from every thing like personality, or even locality, (no small advantage), and whatever angry feeling might be excited by his preaching, would rest on himself, and would not be visited on the resident minister, so that on his removal it would gradually subside. Another, and a great advantage would be the drawing forth the powers and resources of the Established Church, and setting it before the public in an attitude of effective energy and useful ability which must command respect; and it would, in the lapse of a short time, raise up a body of men practised in speaking and well acquainted with the controversy, eminent also as preachers-who, under the superintending care of him who "walketh amid the seven golden candlesticks and holdeth the stars in his right hand," would be the decus et tutamen" of our Zion, at all times ready from the pulpit, the platform, or the press, to defend her and to advance the Truth. It may be added in conclusion, that regularity of appointment, diocesan sanction, and Episcopal ordination, would greatly facilitate the work of such chaplains and give them a very decided advantage over others-for the people respect the character and office of the ministers of the Established Church-and may not a well known argument from expediency be used here, if the work of preaching without parochial connexion is not an evil in se," (much more if it is the way in which the Truth has been propagated in every country, and not without the sanction of the example of our own church at the Reformation,) if, again, it is and has been extensively carried on by other denominations of Christians with great effect, is it wiser to suffer such a work to be done without or with the sanction and cooperation of the constituted guardians of Religion in our land? I feel convinced that had the Church of England from the time of the Reformation until now, adopted this plan, she would neither have to lament so much Popery nor so much dissent as prevails now. I have to apologise for being so diffuse in the detail of this plan, but conceiving it to be well calculated for the circumstances of Ireland, I am anxious to have it submitted to those friends of religion whose zeal, charity, experience and influence, may enable them to judge of it and to recommend its adoption. I have the honor to be, Your Lordship's Most obedient, very humble Servant, То The Poor their own Benefactors. The following "Improved Plan of Benefitting the Poor, by inducing them to help themselves," presents some useful snggestions:To the Editor of the Christian Examiner. MR. EDITOR-Various as are the means which are used by the rich of this country to alleviate the temporal wants of their suffering fellow creatures, I know of no way more calculated to produce a beneficial effect, than the following plan which came under my notice a few days ago. meeting was convened for that most laudable purpose in the village of E, in the County of W A on December the 5th. Before I would mention the Resolutions which were passed on this occasion, I would call your attention to an Institution which was originated at Brighton in the year 1825, for the improvement of the condition and habits of the poor of that place. A short account of its nature and operation might be useful, as it is probable that a like Establishment would produce, in any parish in Ireland, the like advantages, as elsewhere observed-it was calculated to encrease the comforts of the poor, and a direct tendency to improve their habits and condition. The plan was as follows:-That each Parish be divided into six divisions-that each division have its Secretary, and that each Secretary have its visitors, (six or more according as they are needed). The duty of the visitors are to go regularly once a week through their portions, to encourage the poor to make small deposits of money, for their Own relief, either towards rent, fuel, or clothing; these deposits are entered into the visitor's book, and are returnable to the depositors in the winter months, with a Premium from the Society, it might be returned in the Summer months, but in that case * Form of Popish Excommunication. — We have received the following "Form of Excommunication' from a clergyman of high respectability and integrity. We feel great pleasure in lay. ing it, and the judicious observations with which it is accompanied, before our readers. To the Editor of the Christian Exaniner. SIR, The following is an authentic copy of an excommunication which was found some years back among the papers of one Philip Dunne, an Irish Roman Catholic Bishop, who resided in the county Wicklow. I have not been able to ascertain its precise date, but do not hesitate to pledge myself as to its genuineness. If you think the perusal of it likely to interest or amuse any of your numerous readers, I request you will have the goodness to publish it in your forth-coming number. Such a document as this, presents a striking commentary upon the opinions of those who would have us believe, that the spirit of Popery has been changed and softened by the spirit of an improved age, by the spread of civilization and liberality, and by the "march of intellect!" and shows us what Protestantism would have to expect, were our Infallible Mother 'once It is to be remembered, that each Secretary must be perfectly well acquainted, both with the houses and inhabitants of his district. more enabled (quod Deus avertat!) to exercise over us her assumed parental authority ! Jan. 7, 1829. 66 I am, Sir, yours, &c. F. O. By the authority of God the Father Almighty, and the blessed Virgin Mary, and of St. Peter, and St. Paul, and of all the holy saints, we excom municate Francis Freeman, late of the city of Dublin, but now of Sackmill, in the county Wicklow; that, in spite of God and St. Peter, in spite of all the holy saints, and in spite of our Holy Father the Pope, God's vicar on earth, and in spite of our Reverend Father in God, Philip Dunne, and our Diocesan, and the worshipful canons, &c. &c. who serve God daily, he hath apostatized to a most damnat le religion, full of heresy and blasphemy. (Scil. the Protestant.) Excommunicated may he be and delivered over to the devil as perpetual malefactor and schismatic. Accursed may be be in all cities, and in all towns, in fields, in yards, in houses, and in all places, whether lying or rising, walking and running, leaning or standing, waking or sleeping, eating or drinking, or in whatever thing he does besides. We separate him from the threshold and all good prayers of the church, from the participation of the holy Jesus, from all sacraments, chapels, and altars, from holy bread and holy water, from all the merits of God's holy priest, and all holy men, and from all cloisters, from all pardons, privileges, grants or immunities which all the holy fathers the Popes have granted to them. And we give him over to the poewr of the fiend, and let him quench his soul in the flames of hell-fire, as the candle is now quenched and put out. And let us pray to God. our Lady, St. Peter, and St. Paul, that all the senses of his body may fail, as now the light of this is gone out : except he comes in sight thereof, and openly confesses his damnable heresy and blasphemy, and by repentance, as much as in bin lies, makes satisfaction, to God, our Lady, St. Peter, St. Paul and the worshipful company of this church. And as the staff of this holy cross now falls down, so may he unless he recants and repents. ، PHILIP DUNNE." The above is, of course, a literal translation from the Latin. It is absurd to expect that the Reformation can make any considerable way in a country where doctrines and VOL. VIII. documents such as these are promulgated, and permitted to exercise their baneful influence upon the minds of an ignorant and superstitious people. Unless some steps are taken to counteract the effects of priestly error; unless some measures be adopted for the support, encouragement, and personal protection of the people; unless some scheme be devised for mitigating the horrors and sufferings the severity of that moral martydom, which those who would "come out from among, and be sepearate," from the abominations of Popery, are now compelled to endure;–it is impossible, (humauly speaking) that any large measures of success can attend the exertions of those who are engaged in the reformation. This is the great obstacle that has latterly impeded the progress of the reformers. I well remember the sensation that was produced, in a parish with which I am acquainted, last year, when, in reference to a poor man who had read his recantation the previous Sunday, the priest declared from the altar, that, . he saw the apostale's soul that moment in the flames of hell!" And the effect was only heightened-the omnipotence of the holy man" was only the more surely credited,-when some time after, the poor creature having been compelled by terror to return to the corruptions which he had abandoned, the priest declared, and published his declaration in the papers of the day, that he never met a more pious or disinterested penitent in his life!"-Another instance, too, could be produced, as having occurred in the same parish, wherein a man, who had persevered for six or eight months in attending church with his family, was so watched, and haunted, and ridiculed, and goaded to an extreme of the most relentless persecution, that his brain actually became disturbed, and in manner and conversa- sation he exhibited, during his stay in the parish, every syptom of confirmed F. O. mania ! .. Kilkenny Bible Association.-The following account of the proceedings of the Sixteenth Anniversary of this Association will be interesting to our readers : : To the Editor of the Christian Examiner. U Society was held on Tuesday the 9th December, and it proved a very interesting one. Mr. Bookey, of Dorringo, High Sheriff of the County, took the Chair on the occasion. The Court-House was filled. Many of the leading landed proprietors both of the City and County-upwards of twentyfive Clergymen of the Established Church and several Roman Catholics attended. The Rev. Doctor Pack, Vicar General of the Diocese, moved the first Resolution after a very appropriate and excellent speech. He was followed by Robert Flood, Esq. the Rev. Messrs, Doctor Butler, Graves, Irwin, Madden, Shaw, Caulfield, Cooke, Roe, and John Flood, Esq. of Flood-Hall. All the addresses were marked by a striking exhibition of christian truth and christian feeling and the impression was such as might be reasonably expected-marked attention throughout the whole assembly and a feeling of interest in the proceedings which drew tears from many eyes. Nothing could exceed the peaceable and respectful demeanour of the Roman Catholics-and I am more than ever convinced, that if the proceedings of the public Meetings of the Branches of the Bible Society, continue to be conducted in strict ac. cordance with the letter and spirit of their circular of August 31st, 1827much good would be done in allaying irritation-in inducing a patient hear. ing to truths of everlasting importand in having them quietly, and with the least possible measure of prejudice to the consciences of those who either dislike or are careless about them. ed by Rev. Messrs. Moore, Trench, Gregg, Hare, Powel, Kelly, Morgan, Jones, Bison, Armstrong, Newcombe, Jelly, and Hayland, &c. &c. The due observance of the Sabbath.-We are glad to find measures in progress to enforce in Dublin the observance of the Sabbath. A meeting was held some time since, attended by almost all the parochial clergy, and a deputation waited on the Archbishop, who not only sanctioned the calling of vestries on the subject, and the appointment of overseers, but exerted his influence with respect to a market in his jurisdiction, so that it was changed from Monday to Wednesday, thereby cutting off the probability of cars and carmen arriving in Dublin on Sunday for the purpose of attending it. The Commander-in-Chief, and the officers commanding the several regiments, have so effectually co-operated with the clergy as to have effected a considerable change in the streets immedi ately adjoining the barracks. Friend of Israel Society The follow Ever yours, my dear friend in the ing is the Report for December:-- It is Truth, Church Missionary Society.-The Annual Meetings for the Portarlington District, were held in the commencment of this month, comprebending the towns of Edenderry, Monasterevan, Portarlington, Mountmelick, Athy, with some parochial associations in the neighbourhood of the above places. Six meetings were held, and five sermons were preached. The collections amounted to nearly £30. The meetings were numerously at tended, the greatest interest was manlfest, and at a second meeting in the evening in Portarlington it was crowded to excess. The Very Rev. Dean Trench presided at Portarlington; and the various meetings were address with pleasure we can announce the close of this year brings with it the most cheering intelligence from every quarter, which fills us with thankfulness and joy, and in this the band of the Almighty has been most pre-eminently working, in behalf of our feeble efforts for evangelizing bis people, Israel. A copy of the Church catechism has been forwarded to John Baptiste, the interesting convert at Constantinople, in Hebrew and modern Greek, and, it is hoped, he will make it blessed to many, by rendering it the basis of religious instruction in the East. It was accompanied by a selection of prayers from our liturgy, translated into Hebrew, which had been sanctioned and approved by his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, two years ago, Letters of the most interesting nature have been received from different correspondents, of which the following are extracts :— Extract of a letter from a gentleman in London, by whose effrots, five Jews have become sincere believers in Christ, Miss Nevill having sent him forty copies of the Extract from Rabbinical writers, for distribution among the Jews in London, and several copies of the Scriptural Views of the Friends of Israel. Hampstead, Nov. 25, 1828. Madam-Your letter and the little works which accompanied it, were duly received on the 24th inst. and the kind motive that induced you to send them, was fully appreciated by the Jews and myself. I am commissioned by them to transmit to you their thanks, and to say they think your little works may be useful to those who may not have leisure to investigate larger works on the subject, they will therefore have pleasure in disseminating them, and should they find the Divine blessing attend the reading of them, they may avail themselves of your further offer of sending more immediately. I remain, yours truly, WM. BCopy of a letter from a lady at Clifton, dated Nov. 20, 1828. "My dear Miss Nevill, From what I can understand respecting the state of the Jews in England at present, those in Bristol are in the darkest state; they are, I am told, perfectly indifferent about spiritual things, though bigotted to their forms, A Mission to them might do great good. There is a great shaking of the Gentile nations, The North has given up." It was reported at a public Meeting at Bristol, that ten thousand Jews from Russia, bad lately arrived in Palestine. I sent the reports, and twenty copies of the Rabinnical Extracts, for immediate distribution among the Jews, which will soon be disposed of. I felt much interest in the reports, and trust the right band of fellowship will be held out to all who labour and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and that many will join you in the Christian feeling you Eave expressed in promoting such a sacred object. I long to hear the success of your plans for the East.-Believe me yours truly, "E. B-1-r.” Extract of a letter received from Her Serene Highness the Princess de Reuss; and as it would lose much by translation, it is given in the original French, that language being so generally understood, no apology is necessary for its insertion. Klemgez, 4th Nov. 1828. Madame-J'ai recu vôtre lettre avec le plus grand plaisir et avec une vive reconnaisance envers le seigneur, qui parait benir le plan pour une école à Firktiegel; car J'etois sur le point de vous êcrire, lorsque votre lettre arriva, qui m'encourage a-present bien plus encore, a vous demander le secours, sans lequel nous ne pourrions rien entreprendre. Vraiment, nous admirons les voies du seigneur, qui a evillé dans votre ame, une si tendre compassion pour les pauvres Juifs de notre pays. Que lui vous bênisse et vous recompense! Permettez moi avant de terminer cette lettre de vous exprimer encore une fois, ma reconnaissance et le respect sincere, que Je vous porte; le Seigneur vielle vous fortifier, vous guider, vous proteger, c'est le desir vraiment senti Votre devouée servante, DOROTHEE REUSS. The report alluded to in this letter was that of the Ladies' School Society, which had been enclosed her by, Miss Neville, along with a copy of the Rabbinical Extracts. As the system of Sunday Schools is totally unknown in Prussia, ample abstracts of their proceedings have been sent to the Princess de Reuss; and it is hoped she will introduce them to the notice of religiously-disposed persons, and they may, if acted on, become a national blessing to the country. Individual exertion may do much, but it is God only can give the encrease-to his hand is ascribed all the success of the proceedings of the Friends of Israel. The interesting Journals of Rev. J. Mayers are daily expected from Geneva. An important communication has been received from Rev. Mr. Leaves from the east, which at present it would be premature to publish, but which is likely, in a few months, to draw the attention of the Christian World. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Royal Irish Academy. We are glad to perceive that this learned body has just published the 15th volume of their Transactions, and that while it is not |