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him he got that for being a jumper. Crawley was formerly a Roman Catholic, but now belongs to the Presbyterian Church. The police succeeded in finding several Bibles in the river. A man named Edwards has been arrested and fully committed.-King's County Chronicle.

COLONIAL.-South Australia.It is stated that a magnificent Popish cathedral is about to be built at Adelaide.

FOREIGN.-The Romish Population of Switzerland.—The population of Switzerland at present amounts to 2,362,200 souls, of whom 936,000 are Papists, 1,433,000 Protestants, and 2,600 Jews. The population is distributed amongst the different cantons as follows, viz.:-Zurich has 1,100 Papists; Appenzell-Rhodes, exterior, 115; at Schauffhausen there are estimated 185 Papists, and rather more than 33,060 Protestant inhabitants; at Basle-Ville there are 450 against 25,700 Protestants. In the Canton of Vaud there are 3,100 Papists out of a population of 200,000 souls; at Neufchâtel, 2,000 out of 63,000 inhabitants; at Glaris the number is 4,300 out of 31,600 souls; at Basle-Campagne, 6,300 out of 44,300 inhabitants. The Papists are more numerous at Geneva, where they are estimated at 19,700 out of a total population of 63,300 souls; Thurgovia includes 19,800 Papists, and 71,000 Protestants; Berne, 52,700 Papists, and 388,000 Protestants; Argovia, 85,000 Papists, and 109,800 Protestants. In all the other cantons the Popish population is in the majority. Whilst there is no longer any canton in which there are not domiciled some few Catholics, however insignificant in number, Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, Zug, Appenzell-Rhodes, interior, have no Protestant inhabitants whatever. The Valais has only about 90; Tessini, 210; Lucerne, 520 (against 133,000 Papists); Fribourg, 6000; Soleure, 6,100; and St. Gall, 65,800, and 106,000 Papists."-Times, Dec. 17.-Trent. "L'Univers " announces that the city of Trent was preparing to celebrate, with great pomp, the third centenary of the assembling of the Council of Trent in the beginning of 1846. A Special Committee, charged

with regulating the ceremonial of the commemoration, had been appointed, and the Patriarch of Venice, the Cardinal Archbishop of Salzburg, (who expatriated the Zillerthalers,) the Prince Bishop of Goritz, and a number of German prelates had already promised to attend. The Pope, on his side, had granted a jubilee of six months on the occasion; the Bishop of Trent had caused the colossal crucifix, before which the Fathers of the Council signed the Acts, and the chapel of that Cathedral, in which it is deposited, to be magnificently decorated; and the inhabitants had erected, to the east of the Church of St. Mary Major, where the Council assembled, a monumental column, surmounted with the statue of the Mother of God, "ever victorious over all heresies." The first stone was laid on the 26th of October, and the monument inaugurated on the 13th of December.- -Popish Mummeries and Delusion.-Night processions, as well as many other long discontinued usages, have been raked up from the chest of ages to dazzle the eyes of the faithful in the nineteenth century at Treves, the scene of the holy coat exhibition. They were commenced on the 18th of August last, and continued every Friday until the 6th of October. Not less than 4,000 persons, each carrying either a taper, a lantern, or a torch, and accompanied by a number of whiterobed maidens, bearing splendid banners of various sizes and devices, passed at half-past nine o'clock of that evening across the city market to the Bishop's Court. There a hymn was sung, and Bishop Arnoldi appeared on the balcony and dispensed his blessing to the people; a proof that these religious demonstrations, even supposing them not to have originated with the higher clergy, are at least secretly approved and encouraged by them. Nor are such fooleries confined to the south. M. de Olzewsky, a cavalry officer, now seventy-four years old, is at present engaged in making the pilgrimage to Rome on foot, in order to fulfil a pious vow.Statistics of the Jesuits. The "Frankfort Post Ampt Zeitung " and the "Rhenish Beobachter" gave recently a statement,

founded on authentic records, respecting the present extent of the so-lately avowed restored Jesuit Order as follows:-There are at this moment in Italy 150 houses of the Order of the Jesuits, containing nearly 4,000 persons; of whom 1,800 are priests. In France there are 56, containing 872 Jesuits; of whom 362 are priests. In Germany there are 88, of which 14 are situate in Bavaria, 21 in Austria, 3 in Wurtemberg, 7 in Baden, 2 in the two Hesses, 2 in Nassau, 5 in the province of Rhenish Prussia, 3 in Westphalia, 6 in Silesia, 3 in Saxony, 1 in Anhalt Köthen, and 5 in Hanover and the Free Cities. In the Grand Duchy of Posen there are 7, in East and West Prussia 5, in Pomerania 2, in Brandenburgh, 2, in Saxony 1. The total number of the Jesuits living in these houses is 1,000; of whom 400 are priests. In Spain there are 87 houses, containing 536 Jesuits; of whom 220 are priests; and in Portugal 8, containing 160 Jesuits; of whom 75 are priests.- -The Jesuits at Malta.-A convent of Jesuits has recently been inaugurated at Civita Vecchia, in the island of Malta. On the occasion the Rev. Father Esmonde pronounced a discourse in Italian, in the course of which he thanked Queen Victoria for the great favour she had conferred on his Order, in suffering them to establish themselves at Malta. He added, that the Jesuits would evidence their gratitude to the Queen by labouring to promote the happiness of the isle, especially through the channal of education. Syria.-M. Hiliani, Popish Archbishop of Damascus, arrived at Havre on the 28th ult., to solicit pecuniary assistance on behalf of the churches and faithful of his diocese. The "Univers" publishes the first five lists of subscriptions, amounting to 7,140f.andria. The English Protestant church is progressing very fast, but the works are likely soon to be stopped for want of funds. The amount

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already subscribed, including the 5007. given by Her Majesty's Government, will fall far short of the architect's estimate. Considering the great number of English Protestants who now pass through Egypt, a place of worship is essentially necessary, and it is hoped that those connected with India and the overland route will come forward liberally in aid of so desirable an object. Morning Paper. Dr. Wiseman and the French Bishops. -It is stated in "L'Univers," that Dr. Wiseman, Popish bishop in England, in the month of October last visited Paris, and that the principal object of his journey was to address a letter to the French bishops, in which, after alluding to the Protestant darkness which has long enveloped England, he says, "the Omnipotent has caused a ray of hope to shine upon us which dissipates the darkness of the future.' He makes allusion to the recent perversions, and speaks of "old prejudices dying away," and ": more affectionate sentiments expressed towards them" (Papists). These results he attributes to a "spontaneous impulse of grace, and a providential succession of circumstances." He then alludes to the recent prayers in France for "the conversion of England,' and expresses his hope to obtain from the bishops a public demand of prayers on the part of your priests, your religious communities, and the whole body of your faithful; and if, above all, we can obtain from each of the priests of your diocese an oblation of the adorable sacrifice in favour of our unhappy country.' Several of the bishops have, in consequence, recommended throughout their dioceses, prayers for the conversion of England.

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JERUSALEM.-We regret to record the melancholy intelligence that the Lord Bishop of Jerusalem departed this life, a short distance from Cairo, on his way to England, on the 26th of November.

N.B. Every Subscriber of 10s. annually to the Protestant Association is entitled to a copy of the Magazine; to be had on application at the Office.

Macintosh, Printer, Great New Street, London.

THE

PROTESTANT MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1846.

THE STATE OF IRELAND.

PARLIAMENT has resumed its sittings. On the twenty-second ultimo, Her Majesty in person opened the session of 1846. What may take place before its close; what measures may be brought forward, adopted, or rejected, is beyond the power of human foresight to declare. A crisis more momentous has rarely occurred in any period of our history.

Never, perhaps, was the curiosity of the public mind more intensely excited than on the present occasion.

Various, and erroneous, have been the speculations and con jectures as to the points which the Royal Speech would include or exclude. Railways, protective duties, or their abandonment; Ireland and Popery, have formed the most prominent and the most exciting topics of conjecture.

On one or the other of them have for a long time been exercised and excited the sagacity and practical wisdom of the agricultural, theological, and commercial world. The present session must witness the trial of certain principles, and their adoption or rejection by the voice of the British Senate.

Most grave is the crisis, and deeply connected with the public peace and our national prosperity are these questions; and great need have all to join in the devout prayer in the service of the Church for the Divine blessing upon the deliberations of each House, and the councils of our Sovereign, that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established amongst us for all generations.

Acknowledging, as we at all times desire to do, the superintending providence and care of the Almighty, alike in the concerns of nations and individuals, we cannot scruple to assert our own conviction that the safety and prosperity of the empire rests rather with the faithfully speaking, the faithfully acting, and the praying few, than in all the jargon of political pedantry, and philosophy, falsely so called the timid expediency and state diplomacy of the present day. New Series, No. 2.

VOL. VIII.-February, 1846. E

Politicians without principles, like ships in the midst of a tempestuous ocean, without chart, or compass, may go right, but it will be more by the casual direction of the wind, than by any wise choice or direction of their own; and without any power on their part to avoid it, they may be hurried onward, and dashed to pieces on the rocks. A statesman, like a steersman, should have some sure and certain guide to follow, otherwise he endangers his own safety, the safety of his cargo, and of those who are embarked in the same voyage with him.*

The subject of the present article, is one which many think to be exhausted. But are the evils complained of cured? We would that they were, and till they are, it is a part of our province to point out the errors of those who, while they assume the responsibilities of State physicians, give poisons for medicines-and aggravate, instead of healing the disease.

But it is asked, is not the state of Ireland more tranquil than it was? Does the same amount of crime and disorder prevail? Do we hear of similar atrocities as those which at once distinguished and disgraced her some years ago? Do as many murders take place? We would that we could give satisfactory replies to each of these interrogatories; but, alas, we cannot. Coaxing and intimidation have alike failed to produce the desired effect upon Ireland, because the mischief has not been rightly traced to its source. The external development of the evil, suppressed for awhile by fear of the strong arm of the law, presented an aspect of mitigated symptoms. But it was at work still;-it was beneath the surface, not the less dangerous because out of sight. Popery is the real cause of the evil, and when we are continually told that the power of the priesthood is so absolute that they must be conciliated and bought over, we ask, why they do not, if they can, as we are told they can, exercise a salutary influence to prevent the outrages, murders, and assassinations, which continually take place, or to bring the criminals to light?

Perverted religion there, throws a halo of saintship round the ruffian who in open day assassinates his brother man--and the arms of the people are ready to receive and protect him. The object of the present fearful and exterminating warfare, now carrying on in Ireland, is different from that immediately had in view some few years ago. That object was the extirpation of the Protestant Church in Ireland. When the

*

may

"My idea of a great statesman is one who represents a great idea. That lead him to power. To connect himself with a great idea-to develop it; to impress it upon the mind and conscience of a nation, makes a man a great statesman. I do not care whether he is a manufacturer or a manufacturer's He would by such a course attain a sublime and heroic position.". Speech of Mr. D'Israeli, January 23, 1846.

son.

[Thus apostles and martyrs christianized the world-thus Luther accomplished the Reformation.-ED. P. M.]

design of those who, standing behind the scenes, and moving in secret, was to annihilate tithes and church-rates, and get rid, if possible, of a parochial Protestant clergyman, then the warfare was against the persons, lives, and properties of the clergy.

They have partly gained their end, and now an agrarian contest is excited, and some mystic power stirs up the spirit of a furious peasantry, to seek the extermination of the landlord. What is the cause of these outrages? Why does Ireland present such a frightful exhibition of poverty, wretchedness, and crime?

In vain will human legislation seek to accomplish the real and permanent amelioration of Ireland, whilst patronising her worst enemies, and discouraging her best friends.

Let us not be deceived. Ireland is not pacified. Agitation there is not allayed. On the contrary, it has proceeded to such unheard of length, as to be forced upon the attention of the Government, and the cries of the orphan and the widow, made desolate by the hand of the assassin, have brought the grievances of Ireland once again before Parliament.

In the Royal Speech the unhappy condition of that portion of the United Kingdom is thus spoken of:

"I have observed with deep regret the very frequent instances in which the crime of deliberate assassination has been of late committed in Ireland. It will be your duty to consider whether any measures can be devised calculated to give increased protection to life, and to bring to justice the perpetrators of so dreadful a crime.

"I have to lament that, in consequence of a failure of the potato-crop in several parts of the United Kingdom, there will be a deficient supply of an article of food which forms the chief subsistence of great numbers of my people. The disease by which the plant has been affected has prevailed to the greatest extent in Ireland.

"I have adopted all such precautions as it was in my power to adopt for the purpose of alleviating the sufferings which may be caused by this calamity, and I shall confidently rely on your cooperation in devising such other means for effecting the same benevolent purpose as may require the sanction of the Legislature."

Nor is it without cause. Scarcely an Irish journal can we take up which does not speak of the lawless and distracted state of that country. Let the following be taken as a specimen, and by no means an unfair and exaggerated one :—

"THREATENING NOTICE.-G. D. Putland, Esq., having taken some land from Mr. Watson, near Garrykennedy, was about to build and make other improvements, but the following notice was served on him, and Mr. Putland has accordingly resolved on leaving the place :

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