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THE PROTESTANT ELECTOR.

"The Church of Rome may flourish in the country which it ruins.”

THE present times are most eventful. It is felt and confessed by the wisest and the most experienced that a crisis is at hand.

Our baffled statesmen, worn out by their long contests with Popery, —ashamed of their past defeats,—but without manly boldness enough to confess their errors and retrace their steps,—seem resolved to rush for protection to Rome; and to call in the power of the Pope to aid in governing the subjects of Queen Victoria, rather than to throw themselves upon the Protestant energies of the country.

Our theologians,—in whom, by virtue of their sacred office, the majority of the people of this country have been wont to repose confidence,—have, with a few noble exceptions, instead of cmulating the example of the Seven Bishops,—stood aloof whilst the wolf was ravaging the flock. They have, unhappily, as a body looked on in silence, if not in apathy; and even where the alarm has been given, the ecclesiastical trumpet has sent forth so uncertain a sound, or a note so feeble, that it has been almost unheeded, if not unheard; and those who sought for reasons to avoid the conflict have availed themselves of that uncertainty, or feebleness of sound, to excuse themselves from coming forward to the battle.

As patriots, and as Christians,—as lovers of our own country, and desiring the advance of Christ's pure religion throughout the globe, we deplore this sad state of things hinted at rather than described.

Our religion makes us loyal to the Crown,—to revere the ministers of our faith,—and to respect the office, even where we cannot approve the policy or principles of those who, in the providence of God, have been called upon to exercise the functions of their respective offices.

But shall we be bound hand and foot and delivered over to Popery? Will the Protestants of this country witness without strong remon strance the efforts now being made to reconcile their country with Rome? We believe we know they will not. What, then, is to be done?

From theologians who mislead, and from statesmen who betray, we turn to the Protestant electors of the United Kingdom. With them, under God's blessing, it rests to say, by their votes at the approaching election, whether Popery shall be endowed or encouraged by us. Το them we say, your own interests, and those of your children, are at stake: you and yours must suffer if bad laws are made; the more so, as you have the power of returning those who may make good laws. When laws are framed by human authority, not sanctioned by, but opposed to the laws of Him by whom alone kings reign and princes decree justice, they are sure to bring down not a blessing, but a curse upon those who make them.

We have assisted in replanting the tree of Popery uprooted by our ancestors, and its baneful shadow seems rapidly bringing a blight upon the peace, happiness, and prosperity of the country.

Several constituencies have recently avowed their own conviction of this, and announced their determination to return Protestants faithful to their cause. Why should not other cities and borough towns follow the example of Liverpool, Manchester, Exeter, Reading, Bodmin, &c.?

To assist our brother Protestants in carrying out this work the "Protestant Elector" is announced. It is for them we labour, not for ourselves; and if they value the existence of a journal which shall with brevity and faithfulness chronicle passing events, and seek to promote the great cause in hand, they will see the importance of aiding this publication. Let those, then, who approve the object announced – the principles on which we would have the policy of this yet great nation conducted-let them aid us with their best energies,-let them circulate our paper, let them assist us with their literary and pecuniary contributions. The work is great-and the time is short,-the crisis urgent. By prompt, prayerful, united, energetic, efforts, much good may yet be done through the Divine blessing, and much evil averted. A Protestant journal is now published and to be continued three days in a week, for fourteen weeks, with an especial reference to the approaching general election. The name of the paper is "The Protestant Elector," price threepence; the size eight pages quarto. Those of our subscribers and friends desirous of aiding in this movement are requested at once to intimate their willingness to do so by becoming subscribers.

It will be obvious that there is no time for delay; and as the amount for the fourteen weeks will be but 10s. 6d, it is hoped that some friends of the cause in every borough town, county, and division of county, will at once forward their names as subscribers.

Letters to be addressed to the publisher of "The Protestant Elector," care of Mr. Macintosh, Great New-street, London.

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.

A GENERAL election is at hand. The events of late years clearly show that the great question of the day will be, whether the truth of the Bible shall be upheld by our country; or in other words-shall England be Protestant?

In 1844 the Dissenters' Chapels Bill was passed, a Bill which altered a law praised by Lord Chancellor Lyndhurst, as wise and just, in order to give Socinian congregations possession of endowments and chapels that had been left by pious Presbyterians for the purposes of Christian worship.

In 1845 was passed the Maynooth Endowment Act-an Act per-
VOL. IX.-July, 1847.
New Series, No. 19.

manently endowing for the first time since the Reformation, a College for training Popish priests.

In 1846 the Religious Opinions Bill was passed, by which various statutes against the publication of Papal bulls, and for maintaining the supremacy of the Queen were repealed or modified.

In the same year, as well as in this, Bills have been brought into Parliament to repeal the Act of Supremacy as regards Roman Catholics, to repeal the penalties against Jesuits, and to permit Romish or idolatrous processions, which, though happily defeated, yet received the support of some of the leading members both of the present and late Administrations. In the education debates of this session the heads of each party in the House of Commons have declared their readiness to endow Popish schools and Popish priests, if the voice of the people permit.

If we look abroad, we see the island of Tahiti, after having been rescued from the darkness and idolatry of Heathenism by forty years' earnest labours of English missionaries, delivered over to the power of Popish France, a Christian dethroned, a peaceful population massacred, and in place of the simple worship of Christianity, the island studded with the symbols of Romish idolatry. All this we have allowed to be done, when a word from our country would have prevented it.

In our colonies, where the executive Government is less restrained than at home, a system is rapidly growing up of endowing alike the teachers of Protestant truth and Popish error.

Upon the coming election, then, will mainly depend the question, whether England is to continue Protestant. Electors of the City of London, whose fathers perished at the stake for the support of Protestant truth, the maintenance of which has made England the glory of the world, the eyes of the country will be directed towards you. Great will be the effect of your example. Shew to your fellowcountrymen that much as you value your commercial greatness you value the truth of God more.

Let no consideration induce you to support candidates who on the one hand adopt the half-infidel notion that religion has nothing to do with politics, or with a show of philosophical moderation profess to inquire, what is truth; or, on the other hand, those who would endow all religions alike, and see no moral obliquity in the conduct of a man who, professedly a Protestant, gives money to support the superstitions of Rome.

Exert yourselves to seek out and elect men who, themselves true Protestants, will, while they deprecate persecution, use their influence to uphold our national Protestantism in all its integrity throughout the empire.

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.-GENERAL ELECTION.

AT a Meeting of several members of the Senate, held at the British Hotel, Cockspur-street, on June 10th, 1847, a very satisfactory letter from the Viscount Feilding having been read, the following Resolutions were adopted, which had been previously passed at a Meeting held in Cambridge of resident members :—

"I. That in consequence chiefly of the votes given in Parliament by Mr. Goulburn on the Bill for the Endowment of Maynooth College and the Dissenters' Chapels Bill; and in consequence, among other considerations, of his refusal to support the Petition of the University of Cambridge for the retention of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor ; Mr. Goulburn is not a fit representative of the University.

"II. That in order to vindicate the character of the University as a body identified with the Church of England, in doctrine and discipline, and as such more especially protesting against the corruption and usurpation of the Church of Rome, a candidate be brought forward for the avowed purpose of representing the University in these respects.

"III. That there being reason to believe that the Viscount Feilding concurs in the spirit of these Resolutions, communication be held with that nobleman with a view to obtain his reply to the following ques

tions:

"Whether he is prepared to resist all connexion with and concession to Romanism; more particularly, whether he will oppose the endowment of the Romish Church in Ireland or elsewhere; and whether he will oppose all attempts to establish an intercourse with the Court of Rome?

"Also, whether he is prepared to advocate the extension of the Church of England, as regards increasing the number of bishops and clergy, the formation of schools in connexion with the Church, and the building of churches?

"IV. That if Lord Feilding's replies to the above questions be satisfactory, it be submitted to the members of the Senate, that he be brought forward as a suitable candidate to represent the University in Parliament."

Lord Feilding has expressed his entire assent to the above Resolutions.

June 16, 1847.

FACTS FOR THE TIMES; OR, THINGS TO THINK ON FOR ALL PEOPLE.

BY SAMUEL PHILLIPS DAY, FORMERLY A RELIGIOUS OF THE ORDER OF THE PRESENTATION.

(Continued from page 142.) THE next circumstance to which I shall advert is the burning John of Huss and Jerome of Prague, two distinguished reformers, who laboured assiduously to expose the wickedness, falsehood, and intolerance of the papal system. The former individual

was summoned to attend the Council of Constance, and for this purpose received a safe-conduct from the Emperor Sigismund, insuring his safety during his journey, at his arrival, and on his return home.* On the pledged faith of this emperor he firmly relied, but unhappily, for no sooner did he arrive at his destination than he was seized, imprisoned,

The following is a translation of the safe-conduct:-"Sigismund, by the grace of God, chosen emperor of the Romans, perpetual defender of the empire, King of Hungary, &c. To all the ecclesiastical and secular princes, dukes, margraves, counts, lords, &c., in whatever city, village, community, or place whatsoever, who are faithful subjects to us and the holy Roman empire, and who will either see or hear this document; venerable, high-born, noble, dear, and faithful, we greet you well. We have taken under the special shelter and protection of ourselves, and the holy empire, the most honourable and upright professor, John Huss, Bachelor of Divinity, and Master of Arts, the bearer of this, and who is on his way from Bohemia to the General Council held at Constance. We also command you, all and each, to protect him, when he comes to you, to receive him hospitably, to entertain him honourably, and to assist him in whatever may accelerate his journey, or render it safe, whether by land or water; and to be willing to allow him, his servants, and all that he has, to pass through, remain in, and again return through, all passes, harbours, bridges, counties, dominions, districts, jurisdictions, cities, towns, boroughs, villages, and all places, peaceably, without toll or tribute, or other annoyance; and, if need should be, to provide him with a special escort, for the sake of our honour, and the glory of our majesty.

"Given under our hand at Spires, 16th day of October, 1414, thirty-third year of our reign, in Hungary, and the fifth of our empire."

and denounced as a heretic! the nineteenth session of that Council decreeing "that the safe-conduct granted to heretics by an emperor, king, or any other secular, shall not prevent any ecclesiastical judge from punishing such heretics, even if they come to the place of judgment relying on the safeguard, and would not otherwise come hither." The awful position, that “faith is not to be kept with heretics," was acted upon in the case of this illustrious man. And, accordingly, Huss was burnt alive on the 6th July, 1415, and "his soul devoted to the devils in hell." A cap was also placed on his head, and a representation of three devils painted upon it, with the inscription," Hæresiarcha." Previous to his being led to the place of execution, he thus addressed the Fathers of the Council," Centum revolutis annis, Deo respondabitis, et mihi." "Let a hundred years have rolled away, and you must answer to God and me." Jerome, of Prague, who came to Constance with the noble design of supporting his friend, was condemned to the Inquisition; but met with a similar fate on the 30th May, 1416.§ Surely, in the words of the Bishop of Illinois, "It is a sin to think of Rome's practices without abhorrence."

Turn we now to one of the foulest, cruelest, and most diabolical scenes in the Black History of Rome. Rife and teeming as it is with atrocities, murders, butcheries, and perfidious deeds, I single out this one circumstance, considering all the horrifying details of it, as unparalleled, not only in the annals of Rome, but in the history of the world! I allude, with feelings of bitter sorrow and indignation, to that tremendous scene of blood and treachery-the massacre of

+ Johannis XXIII. Concilium Constantiense, A.D. 1415, vol. 27, p. 791. This iniquitous doctrine is likewise laid down in Azor. Inst. Mor. pars. I. l. 8, c. 13 et Becan. Theol. Schol. par. 2, tom. 2, tr. I. c. 16, qu. 6.

Enfant. Hist. of the Council of Con

stance.

§ It was said to Father Fulgentio, when he went to Rome on the safe-conduct of Paul V., "The conduct was safe for his coming hither, but not for his going thence,"

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