or any other form whatever of Christian burial. Another thing that is shocking in that country, is the administration of justice as long as a prisoner can pay the Monks to intercede, he is not tried; but when his cash is out, he is brought to trial, ignorant himself of what crime he is accused, until the moment he is to make his defence of course, not being provid ed with witnesses, and generally found guilty, he is condemned and executed upon the public place, at the same time that no body knows what has been his crime. In the latter end of November last, a man was hanged in the presence of some thousands, and his head cut off and placed in an iron cage, yet no one knew for what: I was very curious to discover his offence, and went to the Attorney-General, with whom I am very intimate, but he refused to tell me any thing about it, declaring that he was not at liberty to speak upon the subject. If matters of life and death are to be thus treated, you may conjecture how other legal matters are disposed of. It is not to be credited how the people are priestridden, every thing is in the hands of the Clergy-the Editor of the News-paper at Barcelona is a monk: the Controller of the markets is a monk: the Manageraye-the Manager of the Play-house, strange as it may appear, is a monk also."

PIEDMONT:

The Waldenses-At former periods this interesting people have obtained the protection of several European Sover eigns and States: and the names both of Charles I. and of Cromwell, of King William and Queen Mary, of the Elector of Brandenburg, the Duke of Würtemberg, the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt, and other Princes, appear on the list of their benefactors.

The following is an account of the late attempts that have been made to promote their welfare: it is abridged from the Introduction by the Rev. T. Sims, prefixed to his late work, "Historical Defence of the Waldenses, &c. :"

"Those attempts may be comprised under the following beads:- (1.) The renewal of the royal grant, &c. ;-(2.) The endowment of an hospital;-(3.) The maintenance of students ;-(4.) The establishment of schools;-(5.) The supply of books.

66 (1.) The Vaudois having been reduced to a state of abject misery after the persecution of 1656, King William and Queen Mary generously contributed to their relief. Out of Queen Mary's grant of 5001. per annum, the sum of

2661. per annum, was granted for the support of thirteen ministers, and their widows, after the return of the Vaudois to their native Valleys, in the year 1690; and it continued to be paid till the year 1797, when, in consequence of the subjection of Piedmont to the French government, it was suspended. In the year 1814, William Wilberforce, Esq., made repeated, but unsuccessful, applications to Lord Castlereagh, for a renewal of the suspended grant. It has been, however, since restored; for the Rev. William Stephen Gilly having visited the Vaudois in 1823, and published a volume, which has excited much interest on their behalf, a committee was formed in London for their relief, May 26, 1825, and a deputation from that committee having waited upon the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, and the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, they very cordially assented to a proposal for the restoration of the suspended grant.

"In the year 1768 bis late Majesty George III. granted letters patent for a collection in the parish churches in Great Britain, to enable the Vaudois to maintain their ministers, churches, schools and poor. A capital of 10,0001. was thus raised; the interest of which has been regularly remitted by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.' His present Majesty George IV. has also lately presented them with a donation of 100 guineas.

66 (2.) Their Sovereign, the present King of Sardinia, granted the Vaudois permission, in the year 1824, to solicit contributions in foreign states for the endowment of an hospital. This benevolent enterprise originated with Wm. Plenderleath, Esq. during his residence in the Valleys in the summer of 1821; who in the following year remitted 270 francs, a part of the sacramental collection of the English congregation at Rome. An appeal having been made by the Moderator and others, his majesty the King of Prussia authorised a collection in the churches of his dominions, and contributed 100 ducats. Through the solicitation of that monarch's minister plenipotentiary, the Count de Waldbourg Truchsess the King of Prussia granted the sum of 10,000 francs to various benevolent objects, at his Excellency's discretion; and the King of Sardinia allows 600 francs per annum to each of the Vaudois pastors. The late Emperor of Russia having also intrusted Count Waldbourg Truchsess with the sum of 12,000 francs, his Excellency appropriated 4,000 towards the purchase of a house for the proposed hospital.

"(3,) Students for the ministry are usually educated at Geneva or Lausanne, and at the latter university four students were allowed 600 francs by the Swiss cantons. The Vaudois having been visited by Gorges Lowther, Esq. in 1820, that gentleman published a pamphlet entitled, Brief Observations,' &c. and formed a fund for the maintenance of Vaudois students.

66 (4.) Besides the grammar-school at La Tour, there are fifteen parish schools in the Valleys, and during the winter months smaller schools in the hamlets, which have long been supported by contributions from Holland.

Count Waldbourg Truchsess, has ap-` propriated the Countess Fontana's annual donation of 200 francs to the establishment of a girls' school at St. Jean. A similar school at St. Germain has been also formed.

"(5.) The Vaudois have been usually supplied with books from Lausanne and Geneva. The books principally in use are Martin's or Ostervald's Bible; the Liturgies of Geneva and Neufchatel; Ostervald's 'Nourriture de l'Ame,' and Catechism; the Psalter, with musical notes; and Pictet's Prayers and Hymns. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge' has also voted a supply of elementary books. Till lately, Bibles were extremely scarce amongst the Vaudois. In the year 1815 a correspondence took place between the present Moderator and Mr. Sims, on the expediency of forming a connexion with the 'British and Foreign BibleSociety;' and in the following year an association was formed, and the society in London made a grant of 500 Bibles. It being discovered in 1823, that numerous copies remained unsold, the people being unable to defray the expence of carriage, custom-house dues, &c.; the Society by a new act of generosity, permitted the ministers to distribute the copies amongst the poor, gratis. The Rev. J. L. Jackson, who made an excursion to Piedmont in 1825, has obtained an additional grant of 700 Bibles from the same source, and 300 copies have been given by the 'Paris Bible Society.""

INDIA.

Bishop Heber.The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, at a very numerous meeting specially convened for the purpose, among other resolutions expressive of their regard for his memory, Resolved,

That 2000 be expended by the Society in the establishment of two TOL. IV.

Scholarships for Native Missionaries, in Bishop's College, to be for ever called Bishop Heber's Scholarships.

That £2500 be expended in repairing Churches and school-houses, and enlarging and supporting the Native School press, and that Memorials should be presented to Government and to the East India Directors, for the appointment in future of three Bishops-one for each of the Presidencies of India.

The Society for Propagating the Gospel have adopted similar resolutions; and the Church Missionary Society have in like manner, resolved to memorial Government, to increase the number of Indian Bishops, and determined to found two Scholarships at Bishop's College, Calcutta, to be entitled, Bishop Heber's Church Missionary Scholarships.

SOUTH SEA.

South Sea Islands.-The following interesting intelligence has been received respecting one of the South-Sea Islands, Rarotonga, in which Christianity has been recently introduced by means of missionaries, themselves natives of the neighbouring islands. Rarotonga is one of the Harvey Islands, a group situated between 19 deg. and 22 deg. south latitude, and 160 deg. west longitude, and between 500 and 600 miles south-west by west of Tahiti.

"At Rarotonga, the idols have been destroyed and cast away, and part of them have been forwarded to England. A place of worship has been erected 600 feet long, and sixty feet wide, which will hold 4500 persons. Captain Dacre says, that the aisles were so crowded that he could not walk down them, and yet many were outside anxious to hear the word of God, that they are all learning to read; they pay the greatest respect to their teachers; and the island begins to assume altogether a different appearance. All the heathen games and dances are abolished, and this hitherto solitary and spiritually desolate island, is beginning to blossom as the rose.

Haaví, a native teacher in the Harvey Islands, writes to a missionary:-" Peace be to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The people of Mautii have received the word of God, and several have offered themselves as candidates for baptism. My heart rejoices in God, because the devils have become subject to the name of Jesus. I have sent you some of the gods of Mautii; one has been burnt. We are erecting a place of worship; it is finished plastering; also the seats are

U

completed: our own dwelling-house is also finished, and sofa, table, and bedstead; and all the evil and bad talk

which I informed you of formerly has entirely vanished by the power of God."

PROGRESS of the REFORMATION. County Cavan.-At Cavan church on Sunday, Dec. 31st, thirty nine persons, (19 men, and 20 women) conformed to the Established Church. On the following Sabbath, Jan. 7th, the number of conformists was twenty one (11 men & 10 women.) On Jan. 14, twenty four renounced Popery, (7 men & 17 women.) And on Sunday, Jan 21st, thirty six, of whom 15 were men, and 21 women.

At the church of Ballyhaise, on Sunday, Dec. 31st, one person renounced the Roman faith; on Sunday, Jan. 7th, six, viz., 2 men and 4 women, conformed; the following Sunday, Jan. 14, three persons, 2 men and 1 woman, abjured Popery; and on Sunday, Jan. 21st, the number of conformists was nine, one man and eight women.

In Arvagh church, on Sunday, Jan. 14, one man and two women renounced Popery and in the parish of Killeshandra, one person conformed on Sunday, Jan. 21st.

The total number of persons who have conformed in the county Cavan since the 8th of October, amounts to 476, exclusive of those who have renounced Popery in other parts of Ireland.

On the 19th of December, three affidavits were tendered at the Petty Sessions of Cavan, in support of the assertion made by the enemies of the Reformation, that the converts were in general influenced by bribery these affidavits have since been contradicted on oath: we shall give each affidavit separately with its refutation.

William Reilly, of the parish of Killincare, schoolmaster, came forward to swear, that Robert Morrow, of Ballyjamesduff, promised him a situation in one of the schools, on condition that he would embrace the Protestant religion. That he did embrace the offer, and was supported during three weeks by Lady Farnham, whilst he was preparing for the management of a school; but that remorse of conscience tormented him until he returned and was reconciled to the Catholic Church.

County of Cavan to wit.

Robert Morrow, of Ballyjamesduff, voluntarily maketh oath and saith, that he never made any offer of a situation in any school to William Reilly,' on condition that he should embrace the Protestant religion; and that on Saturday, the 9th ult, he met the said William Reilly on the road, and having heard that he had returned to the Roman Catholic religion, asked him the reason he did so; to which Reilly replied, that he could not live in the country unless he returned; that he would not be allowed to dig his potatoes unless he did so, and that he would soon leave the country and go where he wonld have no hinderance, but might follow the conviction of his mind, or words to that effect. Sworn, &c.

Catherine Fitzpatrick, of the Parish of Kilmore, school mistress, offered to swear that George Kildea, one of Lord Farnham's moral agents, proposed to give her 51. in hand, and 51. annually; adding, that her brother should receive 101, in hand, and 101. per annum, on condition that they would read their recantation in the Church of Cavan. County of Cavan to wit.

George Kildea voluntarily maketh oath on the Holy Evangelists, and saith, that he is a Roman Catholic, and has been one from his infancy; and further saith, that he never was employed by Lord Farnham, or any other person or persons whatsoever, to offer any bribe or hold out any inducement whatever to any person, to influence them to conform to the Established Church. Deponent further swears he does not recollect to have had any conversation with Catherine Fitzparick, schoolmistress in the town of Ballinagh; that he has made no acquaintance whatever with her, nor has he ever seen her to Deponent's knowledge and belief; and Deponent further saith, that he recollects drinking in the town of Ballinagh some time back with a man of the name of Fitzpatrick, the conversation turning on the conversions going on in Cavan, and he verily

believes that whatsoever he might have said when he was intoxicated, was elicited from him for the purpose of putting forth such a fabricated affidavit as Catherine Fitzpatrick offered to swear; and Deponent further saith, that he never was moral agent, or any other agent, to Lord Farnham, and that he never was employed by Lord or Lady Farnham in any manner whatsoever: and Deponent further saith not.Sworn &c.

Bryan Smith, of Durham, in the Parish of Killancare, proposed to swear that he was a Roman Catholic: that one Brenan, who had lately abandoned the Catholic church, and a Preacher, named Jackson, called at his house on the 7th instant, and endeavoured to prevail on him to become a Protestant, as Brenan had done, promising that they would procure him twelve pounds and a farm of land on such terms as would make him comfortable during the remainder of his life; and that when they were unable to induce him to go with them, they left two books with him, one of which was entitled, "Andrew Dunn's Conver

sion." County of Cavan to wit.

Francis Brenan of Carrygorne, voluntarily maketh oath on the Holy Evangelists,

and saith that he has read in the statement signed by Dr. Curtis, and other Roman Catholic Bishops, a declaration of Bryan Smith, of Durham, in the Parish of Killincare, in which it is stated that he and James Jackson offered him, the said Bryan Smith, the sum of twelve pounds and a farm of land, if he would become a Protestant. Now, this Deponent swears that he never made such an offer to the said Bryan Smith, or any other offer of money or land, for that or any other purpose whatsoever. Sworn, &c.

County of) James Jackson of CreagCavan

babressan, voluntarily makto wit. eth oath on the Holy Evangelists, and saith, that he bas read in the statement, signed by Doctor Curtis, and other Roman Catholic Bishops, a declaration of Bryan Smith, of Durham, in the Parish of Killincare, in which it is stated that he and Francis Brenan offered the said Bryan Smith the sum of 121. and a farm of land, if he would become a Protestant. Now, this Deponent swears that he never made such an offer to said Bryan Smith or any other offer of money or land, for that or any other purpose whatsoever. Sworn, &c.

Co. Fermanagh. On Sunday, Jan.

14, one person renounced the Roman Catholic religion in Mullaghdun church, parish of Cleenish-this is the third convert from Popery in this parish.

Co. Monaghan. On Sunday, January 14, six persons renounced the errors of Popery in the church of Ballibay: in the same place, on Sunday, January 21, three others conformed.

Co. Carlow. On Christmas day, a young woman read her recantation in the parish church of Tullow.

On Sunday, January 14, a Sermon on the errors of the Church of Rome, was preached in the parish church of Carlow, by the Rev. George Hamiltonthe attendance of Roman Catholics was very considerable. Controversial Sermons are also about to be commenced at Kilkenny and other places.

Derry. On Tuesday, January 9th, the day appointed for the controversial discussion, the Protestant Clergymen attended, and were met by a numerous assembly, but not so large as might have been expected : an opinion had prevailed that some Priests, notwithstanding the interdict of their Bishops, would enter the lists, and the eagerness to obtain tickets was considerable. The chair was taken by John Cromie, Esq. The following is an extract of a letter from one of our correspondents, dated Jan. 10th :

"The Discussion,' as it is popularly termed in these parts, was held yesterday in Derry, that is, the Protestant Clergymen appeared at the place of meeting, and severally addressed the assembly; the number present was not very great, probably four or five hundred, and a good many Roman Catholics, but the effect of the Priests' absence is perhaps greater than would have been their discomfiture had they appeared; their flocks are exceedingly displeased with them, even almost to shutting the chapel doors against them. Uneasy misgivings about their Church's tenets are agitating their minds, and every thing seems to invite Protestant exertion among them. It is but a few weeks since the Roman Catholics of a district in this parish sided with Mr.- in the establishment of a Kildare-street Society school, in opposition to the Priest, and carried their point with such a high hand that he has been forced to go with the stream. There have been also some silent conversions at Strabane."

Dublin. In St. George's church, on

Sunday, Jan. 14, the Rev. Wm. Bushe stated in the course of his sermon, that there was then among the congregation a female, lately a Roman Catholic, who had that morning conformed to the Church of England, and had received the Sacrament from him,

Baptism of a Jew.-A Jew, a native of Hamburgh, who for many years had been dissatisfied with Judaism, and since his arrival in Ireland had occasionally attended different places of Christian worship, without having attained any distinct views of the real nature of Chris

tianity, lately expressed an earnest desire to be baptised. After some previous instruction, there appeared to be no reason to doubt bis sincerity, and the ordinance of baptism was accordingly administered in the presence of many witnesses, by the Rev. H. Irwin, in Sandford chapel, Cullen's-wood, on Sunday the 31st of December last. This is perhaps the first Jew ever admitted into the Christian Church in Ireland-and it may not be uninteresting to state, that a few days before the infant child of converted Jewish parents was baptized in the same chapel.

Ordinations. On Sunday Jan. 7, the following gentlemen were ordained Priests, at Raphoe, by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese:

Rev. H. Carre, and Rev. C. W. Lyne, for the Diocese of Raphoe. Rev. G. H. Ashe, Rev. E. Burrowes, A. M. and Rev. P. Donnelly, A.B. for Derry.Rev. W. Leahy, for Clogher. Rev. C. Smith, and Rev. G. O. Verner, for Dublin.

Promotion. His Grace the Lord Primate has presented the Rev. R. Henry, late of Drumcree, to the Curacy of the new church of Portadown.

Church Consecrated. On Thursday, Jan. 11, the new church at Ballymacarrett was consecrated by the Bishop of Down and Connor-an excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by his Lordship on the occasion.

We have been requested by a friend to insert the following:

Died, at her residence in Glassnevin, on the evening of Tuesday, the 9th of January, 1827, in the fifty-fourth year of her age, SARAH, wife of the Rev. Dr. GRIER, and sister to his GRACE the LORD ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN. Sustained by a firm and well-grounded confidence in the mercies of her God, through the merits and mediation of Christ, this excellent woman endured a protracted illness of ten months, with that placid composure and pious resignation, which characterize the true Christian. As by a conscientious discharge of every social and relative duty; by a sweetness of temper, peculiarly her own; by her mild, benevoleut, and affectionate dispositionever anxious to please, and fearful to offend, she endeared herself during life to her family and her friends; so

by the exercise of every Christian grace and virtue in the last severe hour of trial, did she acquire increased claims on their love and veneration. Here, indeed, it was, that "the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit," which were so richly associated in her character, all displayed themselves in their purest lustre; here, that elevated serenity of mind, which accompanies the delightful retrospect of a well spent life, tended to soothe the severity of her sufferings, and to strengthen her faith and hope, and joy in the

Lord.

To all who knew her, her death is a cause of deep regret; to her family, who knew her best, her loss is irreparable. But as it is permitted them to hope, that she has exchanged the miseries of a sinful world for the felicities of a heavenly one; however natural it be in them to mourn, it were presumptuous to repine.