I entered certainly the most curious church I have ever seen, not for its beauty or architecture, but that it is filled from the floor to the roof with wax legs and arms, and other parts of the human body, with instruments, pictures, and other matters-all trophies of the wonderworking power of the "Madonna," and expressive of the gratitude and devotion of the people. All this is visible on ordinary days, but that which can only be seen at the Festa, is the "penance," which must be performed in order to conciliate the favor of the " Madonna," and entitle the performer to an interest in her miraculous favor. This consists in going down on the hands and knees at the entrance of the church, and with the tongue on the ground, literally crawling and licking the dust all the way to the altar. The Church is not small, and as the penitents must not lift their tongues from the ground, they could not go right were not guides placed to direct their course in the line-you have probably seen the people in Rome going on their knees up the Holy Stair Case-a mass of moving matter, without the visible and ordinary means of motion-this will give you but an inadequate idea of what I am attempting to describe-there the head is erect, but in this case it is on the ground, and concealed by those who in the same posture are crowded around-thus the whole forms a waving mass in which the human figure seems to be lost or rather transformed and degraded; and presents a spectacle bearing no analogy to any other exhibition of humanity I have ever witnessed. Never shall I forget the impression this humiliating spectacle produced in my mind, or my horror at seeing the fat and pampered priests who were sitting on a sort of throne, overlooking and encouraging the tortures of these misguided penitents.

Arrived at the altar, these poor people are in a state of exhaustion which deprives them of the power of speech or motion, and they lie for a time there apparently lifeless-on recovering some are content to offer silent petitions, but others more vigorous, lift up their faces now blackened with dust, and scream aloud their desires and prayers-I saw seven young girls all of one family performing this penance-the "Madonna" had performed a miracle in favour of their mother, and this was the fulfillment of their vow-There was also a poor man and his wife, with a deformed boy, whom, after having done the penance, they presented to the "Madonna," with, as it appeared to me, the fullest confidence that he would be made straight on

the spot-After staying long and repeating often their fruitless petitions they retired not at all doubting the power of the "Madonna," but accusing each other of not having performed the stipulated number of fasts-I should tire you were I to tell you the number of instances of this kind that happened before my eyes,-in all of which the "Madonna" was acquitted--the priests who mingled in the crowd, instructing them to look for the disappointment in their own imperfect observances the coffers of the Church seemed to get well filled on the occasion -a sort of shop is established near the altar where the priests sell prints of this miraculous picture-and as there seemed no stipulated sum, the votaries gave according to their faults and penitence When all is over, their faces are cleansed from the filth accumulated in the Church -their clothes are changed, and their hair decorated with leaves and flowers, strings of chesnuts and peeled hazel nuts are drawn round their brows, or are allowed to fall gracefully on the neck and shoulders, the print of the "Madonna," bought in the Church is made into a sort of Roman standard most fancifully ornamented, and is placed in the hands of some young woman of the party who, seated on a donkey, forms the centre of the family group-in this way they proceed to Naples, and its neighbouring villages, and having abundantly indulged in the juice of the grape, they amuse themselves with singing songs in praise of the "Madonna," who heals all their diseases, and crowns them with fortune and happiness-those who belong to Naples generally pass through the town in this masquerade, and go to Posilipi, where, I am told, they end the day in riot, drunkenness, and debauchery. Of this last scene I saw nothing, but 1 did see them in a state of exhilaration which accompanied as it was with the very same style of ornament, resembled nothing so much as the Bacchanalian throng represented on the friezes of ancient Greece and Rome. There was the Ass of Silenus, the leafy crown of Bacchus, with the thyrsus and cymbals; nor was there wanting the voluptuous dance of the Nymphs, or the frantic gestures of Fauns and Satyrs-children, dogs, and goats, filled up the motley scene.

NORTH AMERICA.

Jews-A periodical publication, printed in Charlestown, informs us that a society of Jews has been there established, for the purpose of removing all abuses which have crept into the Mosaic ritual, and to commence a reformation through their

own endeavours, suitable to the progress of civilization, and the views of the 19th century. Isaac Harby has drawn up a sketch of the objects of the society, in which are to be found the names of many estimable persons well known in Europe. The particular object of this proposed reformation is to promote the future interests of the Jewish people, and to procure for them a more important station among the nations of the earth. As members of the great family of Isaac, they believe they can no longer see with indifference the bad examples which are continually before the eyes of their children, the inevitable influence of which tends to obscure the understanding, and deprive the future generation of all knowledge of that true worship they owe to their maker. The Reformation Society is anxious to avoid any separation, and it appears that hitherto they have succeeded, for no open or public division has yet taken place. If they cannot succeed in introducing their reforms into the service of the Synagogue, it is their intention to build a new temple in Charlestown, that they may offer such prayers and praises to the Almighty, as their conscience will not condemn. Among their other plans, is a proposal for observing the sabbath on the first, instead of on the last day of the week.

American Protestant Episcopal Church. We have received the Journal of the proceedings of the forty-first Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, held towards the close of last year; from which we copy a few passages, as illustrative of the condition and prospects of our sister, or rather daughter Church; towards which we must cherish an affectionate regard, and which, we rejoice to learn, is greatly increasing both in numbers and religious efficiency.

The following are extracts from the address of the Bishop (Dr. Hobart), detailing his proceedings during the year. They shew how laborious are the duties of an American Bishop; and our readers must remember that these labours are entirely gratuitous, and are undertaken in addition to the cares of an ordinary pastoral charge :

"I commenced my visitation of the Churches of the Diocese with those in the city, (New York,) and in the course of the last spring, the ordinance of confirmation was administered as follows." Here follows the list, which it is needless for us to copy. It closes with the following gratifying notice :-" I take pleasure in stating that I confirmed, at St. Philip's, the Church of the people of co

lour, under their exemplary pastor, the Rev. Peter Williams, 113; and on this occasion, as on all others when I have officiated there, I witnessed an orderly and devout congregation."

"I had received so urgent a request from the wardens and vestrymen of the respectable congregation of St. Paul's, at Boston, in which Bishop Griswold, of that diocese, united, as well as their Rector elect, the Rev. Mr. Potter, to preach at his institution, that I was induced to do so, and I experienced, in all respects, the highest gratification from my visit: I preached at Boston, on Sunday, the 27th of August-at St. Paul's in the morning, Trinity in the afternoon, and Christ Church in the evening; the next day at Salem; and the following day, the 29th, again at St. Paul's, at the institution of Mr. Potter, which solemnity was performed by the Bishop of the diocese. I left Boston on Friday, the 1st of September, and on Sunday the 3d, officiated at the Little Falls, on the Mohawk, near 300 miles distant. journey was rendered unusually difficult by the extraordinary freshets in the Green Mountains, which had seriously injured the roads, and in some places rendered them almost impassable. On Monday the 4th, I consecrated the Church at New Hartford, four miles west of Utica, and the following morning admitted the Rev. Amos C, Treadway, Deacon, the officiating Minister there, to the order of Priests. In the afternoon I officiated at Paris, and confirmed seven persons. The next day, at Manlius, forty; and in the afternoon I officiated at Jamesville."

This

We must pass over the remainder of this episcopal journey, which proceeds throughout in the same manner. Among the closing details are the following, which we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of quoting.

"The road from Buffalo to the southwest corner of the state, on Lake Erie, not admitting of convenient travelling in any other vehicle than a strong stage waggon, I was compelled to travel all the night of Monday in the stage, to Fredonia, where I confirmed, on the morning of Tuesday, twelve persons; and the next day, the 27th, at Mayville, twentyseven. In this village, beautifully situ ated on Chatauque Lake, the head waters of the Allegany, seven miles distant from Lake Erie, and elevated near 700 feet above it, a new church is erecting by an enterprising congregation, under the faithful services of the clergyman there. On the 28th, I retraced my way to Buffalo; from whence, on the 29th, I proceeded to Rochester, where I arrived on

the morning of the 30th, when I consecrated the elegant Gothic stone edifice of St. Luke's Church, in this prosperous village; and the next day I was highly gratified in administering confirmation to seventy-two persons. My course of visitation closing at this place, I departed for my home, which I reached on the following Thursday, with abundant cause of thankfulness to Almighty God for my preservation during the labours and fatigues of the journeys of a year past, embracing in the whole between 3 and 4000 miles."

"The whole number confirmed during the past year was 1940.

"To detail minutely the incidents of these journeys, would be too great a trespass on your time and patience, and perhaps would not fall within the design of these addresses to you. Yet there is one incident which I think you will excuse me for mentioning: on my journey from Rochester home, I left the State of New York, a few miles south of Owesto, and entered the beach woods of Pennsylvania, which cover the exceedingly wild and mountainous district, through which runs the boundary that separates these two States. On my arrival at the village of Montrose, in the evening, I was surprised with the information that Bishop White was at that moment preaching in the Court-house. I, of course, imme. diately burried there, entered the room, and saw the venerable father of our Church in the midst of the flock who had crowded around him; and was struck with the clear and edifying words of truth from that voice, whose benevolent tones had cheered my childhood more than forty years back. Little did I then think that I should hear them in what is still almost a wilderness, at a period when he who uttered them should have attained the age of four-score. The unexpected meeting, under such circumstances, was, I may say, truly delightful; and the interesting visit of the aged Bishop of Pennsylvania to this remote part of his diocese, must be attended with highly salutary effects.

"In the above visitations I always preached, and often delivered an address on the subject of confirmation, and always, with one or two exceptions, an address after confirmation, to the persons confirmed.

"My visitations afforded me the fullest evidence of the zeal and assiduity with which the clergy prepared the candidates for confirmation, and of the highly beneficial effects thence resulting. Almost all the congregations which I visited in the country, are comparatively of recent origin-and in these the persons confirmed were generally more advanced in life, than in our city congregations. They consisted principally of converts to the church; of those who attached themselves to her from other denominations; and the enllghtened seriousness with which I had every reason to believe they received this holy rite, gave evidence of the fidelity with which their pastors had prepared them for it.

"For all this, for the increase of our congregations, which now amount to 150, and which within 12 or 15 years, have been nearly doubled in number, 12 being organized during the past year, we are very much indebted, under God, to missionary exertions. And I am thus led to entreat an increased attention to measures for augmenting the missionary fund." It has occurred to me, and the suggestion was approved of by the missionary committee, that the fund might be increased by collections made for the purpose in every congregation, at the visitation of the bishop-particularly when he holds confirmation. The occasion is an interesting one; it usually brings together a large congregation- and the religious sensibility which is generally produced by the administration of the ordinance of confirmation, will be favourable to pious liberality. A resolution, providing for this measure, will be laid before you for your consideration.

"I ought not to omit to notice my visit to the congregations of Indians at Oneida Castle. Their behaviour was, as usual, orderly and decent-several were confirmed; and the solemnities were rendered more interesting by the admission of Mr. Eleazar Williams, who is of Indian extraction, to Deacon's orders, and who goes with several of the Oneidas to Green Bay, in the territory of Michigan, where there are other Indian tribes."

We must lay down this interesting journal for the present, but may take another opportunity of extracting a few of the missionary details.

In our last Number, we stated that the number of conformists amounted to upwards of 1340 in the same period: in making this statement, we were aware that we were considerably under the true number, because we omitted all those recantations, as stated in the news-papers, of which we could not ascertain both time and place: and we are there. fore, fully assured that the number given by our correspondent is nearer the truth. We shall be glad to insert a revised copy of W. K. M's paper, if he should think fit to favour us with it again; and we take this opportunity of requesting such of our readers as may have kept lists of the recantations to furnish us with them, as it is important that our report of them should be as accurate as possible; and we are unwilling to publish any statement upon this subject, in which we have not the fullest confidence.

RECANTATIONS OF POPERY.

On Thursday, April 12th, his Grace the Archbishop of Tuam, confirmed 43 persons in the church of Ballymachugh, Co. Cavan, who had lately renounced popery in that parish.

Sunday, April 22d:-In addition to those recorded in our last, who renounced popery on this day, we have to add the following:

Co. Tipperary. At Roscrea church, 2. Co. Wicklow. At Carnew church, 2; at Delgany, 4; and on Easter Sunday 1, not previously noticed.

Co. Galway. At Ballymoe, 1 woman. Co. Limerick. At Ballingarry, 3; at Newcastle, 2.

Sunday, April 29th.-Co. Armagh. In Loughilly church, 2.

Co. Mayo. In the church of Cong, 2. Co. Limerick. At Askeaton, 6; in the church of Ballingarry, 2.

Co. Longford. In Kilroe church, 1.
Co. Wicklow. At Carnew church, 2.

Sunday, May 6.-Co. Mayo. At Hollymount church, 9, (6 adults and 3 young persons.)

Co. Louth. In the church of Charlestown; 3; (on Easter sunday, 2, not previously recorded.)

Cavan. In Cavan church, 1.

Carlow. In the church of Carlow, 1; Killeskin, 1.

Co. Wicklow. At Delgany, 1; Powerscourt church, 2.

Co. Roscommon. In the church of Ballinlough, 1.

Drogheda. At Drogheda, 3. Co. Mayo. In Cong church, 1. Co. Down. At Maghera church, 1. Co. Sligo. At Easky church, 4 men; in St. John's church, Sligo, 6. Dublin. At St. Audeon's church, 1

Unitarianism in Dublin.—We gladly publish the following letter, which we have just received, and we trust the important hint it contains, will not be lost upon our clergy.

SIR,-It may not perhaps, be without benefit, to call your attention and that of your clerical readers to a periodical publication which is disseminated through this city at present, under the title of "The Christian Pioneer." It is printed in Glasgow, but it is circulated here under the sanction of the ministers of the

Arian congregation which assembles in Strand-street. I have lying before me, the Number for December, 1826, which contains five principal articles. The first is headed" on the duration of future punishments ;" and in reference to this subject, the writer of the article in question, boldly asserts, that "all mankind after undergoing the necessary corrective discipline, will be fitted for the enjoyment of perfect and eternal happiness ;" and of course, denies that the breach of God's law is a matter of such importance, as to call for the punishment which the Scriptures assign to it, namely, "everlasting fire." The second article is headed by the question, "What evidence can prove the Trinity ?" and concludes with these words, "It is believed to be utterly impossible, that a man of sound mind, who carries with him to the Scriptures, just views of the evidence which this doctrine demands, or ought to possess, can receive it as a part of the Gospel, especially as a truth essential to salvation." The third article is in the shape of a letter addressed to a hearer of Dr. Wardlaw, the writer of which remarks, "I have great cause for blessing the good providence of God, when I look around me in the Unitarian chapel of this city, in beholding not a few who were formerly Trinitarians, but who are now rejoicing believers in the all-holy, all-cheering and all benevolent doctrines of Christian Unitarianism." The fourth article brings forward "one hundred Scriptural arguments for the Unitarian faith ;" in which the usual confusion is observable, arising from a want of attention to the clear distinction which the Bible makes between the human and divine nature of our Saviour. The fifth article is entitled "The Apocryphal Question," and here the writer is inclined to make short work with Scripture; as he seems to wish to expunge as Apocryphal, every part of it which does not suit his own views. quarrels particularly with Solomon's song, concerning which he remarks, that it is "an irreligious production, the tendency of which is to contaminate the principles and vitiate the morals." The remainder of the pamphlet seems to be taken up with accounts of the progress of Unitarianism; and with reflections manifestly calculated to injure the cause of the Bible Society.

He

I have thought it my duty, to address these few lines to you Mr. Editor; because I think that the clergymen of our church are not sufficiently on their guard at present, against the efforts made to diffuse the principles which this publication advocates. The popish controversy

Fanaticism.-St. Patrick's Well, Co. Limerick.--The following communication reached us some time ago, and should have been inserted long before this, had it not accidentally been put out of sight.

Mr. Editor-The affinity between popery and fanaticism both at home and abroad, is very remarkable. The following fact is mentioned by Madame Campan in her journal, on the credit of an Abbé, a man of distinguished character and of great piety.

The Abbé B. one day told Madam Campan, that during his residence in Italy, he frequently saw in the streets, monks of various orders, mounted on chairs or planks of wood, preaching or holding conferences. When these conferences took place in the churches, a Christ as large as a child, whose head was made to move by means of a spring, was supported by one of the chorister boys concealed within the pulpit. During these conferences, the priest asked the Christ, whether he would forgive such things; and by help of the spring which was moved by the boy, the Christ bowed in token of assent, or shook his head in token of disapproval, just as the priest thought proper to determine.

Madam Campan says, "when Monsieur B-told us this, I said, never repeat such a story again. I cannot conceive that the clergy would tolerate things of a nature calculated to turn into ridicule the most holy of all religions." These facts replied the Abbé, are well known to travellers. At Naples, they make St. Januarius weep. I only relate what I saw."

At home, in a Protestant church yard, I myself, witnessed a piece of superstition, not so knavish, but equally puerile and debasing to Christianity. Three funerals happening to come up at nearly the same time, the greatest emulation arose among their different friends, to see which would be interred first. I asked why they con