the subject one of great importance at this crisis.

The Rev. E. BICKERSTETH read the Report.

The Rev. T. R. BIRKS then moved the following Resolution:-"That the Report now read be adopted and circulated among the subscribers, and that the officers be re-appointed."Mr. B. took a rapid and comprehensive view of the past policy and the present position of Popery in this country. He pointed out, that the power of apostate Rome was prefigured in Scripture; that out of the four great monarchies, there was to arise from the fourth a little horn, speaking great things, and ruling for awhile over the ten kingdoms. His tory corroborated and illustrated what prophecy had foreshadowed; and Romanism, instead of being destined for eternal duration, was denounced in Holy Scripture as the enemy of God, opposed to pure religion, the counterfeit of Christianity, and the blight of national prosperity. JAMES LORD, Esq., seconded the Resolution. He pointed out the progress which Popery had made, owing, not to its goodness, but the too great apathy and indifference of Protestants, and contended that Popery was opposed alike to what is pure and scriptural in religion, noble, and elevated, and free in political institutions. Popery had never been the friend of England,-never could be, and therefore, without reference to party-for it was not a party question, he had felt it alike his privilege and his duty to oppose all concessions to the system of Romanism.

Rev. ED. BICKERSTETH Moved the second Resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. C. BURY, who gave some very touching and striking details as to the intolerance of Popery in Spain, where he had resided during a portion of last year.

Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D., moved the next Resolution. He observed, that in this age of rapid communica tion, the smallness of the locality, or audience, should be no barrier to activity. Information given in one place, had an almost unthought of effect in another. Thus some of the remarks he had made when last in

that Hall, had been the subject of discussion in the House of Commons; and though what he had said had been a good deal misrepresented, and the performers in the House had introduced some minors into the melody which did not belong to it, yet he had rather the instrument he had touched should be played upon in that House, even discordantly, than that its sound should not be heard there at all. Dr. Cumming dwelt upon the wickedness of the system of Popery; pointed out the way in which it presents a different aspect in different countries, appearing more or less liberal or intolerant.

Rev. JOHN ARMSTRONG COGHLAN seconded this Resolution.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CHRIST'S CROSS.-Christ's cross is the sweetest burden that ever I bare; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or sails to a ship, to carry me forward to my harbour.

Hold fast Christ, but take his cross and himself cheerfully; Christ and his cross are not separable in this life; however they part at heaven's door.

To be crucified to the world is not so highly accounted of by us as it should be; how heavenly a thing is it to be deaf and dead to this world's sweetest music.

Make others to see Christ in you, moving, doing, speaking, and thinking: your actions will speak of him, if he be in you.

Go where you will, your soul will find no rest but in Christ's bosom: inquire for him, come to him, and rest you on Christ the Son of God; I sought him, and I found in him all I can wish or want.

Lose not sight of Christ in this cloudy and dark day; learn not from the world to serve Christ, but ask himself the way; the world is a false copy and a deceitful guide to follow.

All come not home at night who suppose they have set their faces heaven-ward : it is a woeful thing to die, and miss heaven; how many a mere professor's candle is blown out and never lighted again. Many, now take Christ by guess; therefore, I say, be sure you take Christ himself; his

sweet working in the soul will not lie, it will soon tell whether it be Christ indeed whom you have met with.

The day of the Lord is at hand, when all men shall appear as they are: there shall be no borrowed colours in that day; men borrow the lustre of Christianity, but how many counterfeit masks will be burned in the day of God.

I wish our thoughts were, more frequently than they are, upon our country; heaven casteth a sweet perfume afar off to those who have spiritual senses.

Go on in the strength of the Lord, and put Christ's love to the trial, and put upon it burdens, and then it will appear love indeed; we employ not his love, and therefore we know it

not.

More I can neither wish, nor pray, nor desire for you, than Christ, singled and chosen out from all things, even though wearing a crown of thorns. I am sure the saints are at best but strangers to the weight and worth of the incomparable excellence of Christ. We know not half of what we love, when we love Christ.

I would not have believed that there is so much in Jesus as there is. It is little to see him in a book; but to draw nigh to Christ is another thing.

That Christ and a sinner should be one, and share heaven between them, is the wonder of salvation; what more could love do?

THE LAST FOURTEEN BRITISH PARLIAMENTS. First dissolved June 29, 1802; second began November 15, 1802, dissolved October 24, 1806; third began December 15, 1806, dissolved April 29, 1807; fourth began June 22, 1807, dissolved September 29, 1812; fifth began November 22, 1812, dissolved June 10, 1818; sixth began January 14, 1819, dissolved February 29, 1820; seventh began April 21, 1820, dissolved June 2, 1826; eighth began November 14, 1826, dissolved July 24, 1830; ninth began October 26, 1830, dissolved April 23, 1831; tenth began June 14, 1831, dissolved December 3, 1832, eleventh began January 19, 1833, dissolved December 30, 1834; twelfth began February 19, 1835, dissolved

July 17, 1837; thirteenth began November 15, 1837, dissolved June 23, 1841; fourteenth began August 11, 1841, dissolved July 23, 1847. During the above period we have had fifteen Premiers, viz.,-Mr. Addington, appointed March 7, 1801; Mr. Pitt, May 12, 1804; Lord Grenville, January 8, 1806; Duke of Portland, March 30, 1807; Mr. Perceval, June 23, 1810; Earl of Liverpool, June 8, 1812; Mr. Canning, April 11, 1827; Viscount Goderich, August 10, 1827; Duke of Wellington, January 11, 1828; Earl Grey, November 22, 1830; Lord Melbourne, July 16, 1834; Sir R. Peel, December 10, 1834; Lord Melbourne, April 18, 1835; Sir R. Peel, August 30, 1841; Lord John Russell, June 29, 1846.Globe.

POPERY REFUTED BY COMMON SENSE.-Some of the Irish are so enlightened, by Sunday Schools and Bible Societies, that they can exercise their reason on the abominations of Popery. One of them being the other day asked by his priest, a curate, why he did not come to confession, -"Please, your reverence, do you ever confess?" "Yes, I do, to the rector." "And do you pay?" "Yes."-" And to whom does the rector confess?" "To the bishop."-" And does he pay him?" "Yes."- "And to whom does the bishop confess?" "To the vicar-general."" And pays him?" "Yes."- "And to whom does he confess? "To the Pope." "And pays?" "Yes."-" And to whom does the Pope confess?" "To Jesus Christ.""And does he pay anything?" "No."-" Then please your reverence," said the man, as I am very poor, I think I shall go to Christ at once."

CABINET.

66

POETRY.

A POPISH LEGEND AND A PRACTISED LIE.

(From the Protestant Elector.) AND shall the scarlet one of Babylon, Our English ground again set foot upon.

Why was the vigour by our fathers shown?

Why bigot James pushed reckless from his throne?

Why did the light of Gospel truth shine forth,

If not to show this tinsel-nothing worth.

A fellow claps three hats upon his head,

Cries, I'm the Pope, for Heaven I stand instead! Blaspheming knave, that knows the cheat he deals,

And sanctifies the fool from whom he steals.

Your money, knaves! or I've a rod in petto,

Peas in your shoes, and marching to Loretto.

You've heard of that Loretto, 'tis a wonder,

Wonder of wonders, store-house of

Near Reconato sure 'tis fixed-but no, Up and away again this house must go, Till at Loretto, on a lady's lands,

It found a resting-place, and there still stands.

Lauretta was that noble lady's name; Pious and pure and chronicled by fame. O'er the poor shed she raised a marble fane,

For fear the house should fly away again,

And having caged it safe invited all Who had their sins for sale to incrust the wall

Of that poor shed with gold, and make it fair

With all the gems that rich and pre

cious are.

What folly is too great for man? Sure within

Sore is the weight of unrepented sin. If gold can cure-from both most willing part,

Haste to Loretto, 'tis the readiestmart. So has it been for aye, for long we've

seen

The foot-sore pilgrim, and the uncrowned queen ;

Priest, pimp, or pilot, conqueror or knave,

The bold-faced freeman and the cringing slave,

Bring richest gifts to offer at that shrine,

Blest by the fraud that popes have made Divine.

This one of many of the practised cheat,

Long played for profit, and not yet effete.

More of the cross in relics yet remain Than would rebuild the Royal George again.

I'll not repeat the blasphemies I know, Nor half the tricks these mountebanks can show.

But shall it be? that in an age of light,

When truth and knowledge have shown out so bright,

These can prevail. Believe me 'tis a toy,

The breath that made it can as soon destroy.

Then gild your shrines, and echo back your lies,

Truth and the Gospel bear away the prize.

July 17, 1847.

J. D. PAUL, Bart.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Anecdotes of the Roman Catholic Church in the Nineteenth Century, derived from the Notices of Travellers in Europe; and other authentic Sources: including Particulars of a Society of Roman Catholic Ladies, and Remarks on the present Posture of the Papacy.-London: H. S. Baynes; Edinburgh: J. Stillie ; Dublin: W. Curry, jun., and Co. 1847. pp. 80.

THE writer of this work offers apology, if that were needed, for the publication of his work, by referring to the sentiments thus expressed by two English Prelates, Dr. Gibson, and Bishop Barrington :

"We can never be too watchful against the designs and approaches of Popery. But I know not how those days of danger and terror are clean forgotten by many amongst us, who can make themselves a kind of advocates for the Papists, and persuade the nation, in effect, that neither the increase of Popery at home, nor their open attempts abroad, deserve our fear or regard." (Dr. Gibson)."I am far from being of opinion that no one can be saved within the pale

of the Church of Rome; but I do think, that any one who lives in habits of idolatry by the adoration of the host, of blasphemy by the invocation of angels and saints, and of sacrilege by the suppression of half the Eucharist, is in a dangerous state; and that we are bound as Christians and as Protestants, to use our best endeavours for securing at least our own people from such errors, if we cannot succeed in convincing those who profess them." (Dr. Barrington.)

The writer then proceeds to give a brief account of the proceedings of Popery in France, Germany, Sardinia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Polynesia, and England: and after adding extracts from Roman Catholic works of devotion, concludes with remarks as to the present posture of the Papacy as follows::-"It appears, then, that the chief heretic now in the world is the

Bishop of Rome. He has raised and united to himself a great party or faction, who, wherever they dwell, make innumerable things parts of their worship, and necessary to communion with them, which God never required them to say or do in public worship. No Divine command can be pretended for the submission of the whole Church to the

Bishop of Rome; for the worship of angels, the Virgin Mary and other saints; for the worship of images, and of the host; for prayers in an unknown tongue; for making pictures and images of the invisible God; for the celibacy of the clergy; and a thousand other things which are made as necessary to communion in the Church of Rome, as love to God, or faith in Christ. These human institutions in the worship of God, which are made

terms of communion in that Church, her and the Protestants. As long as are the only cause of division between she continues to teach for doctrines the commandments of men, so long she is heretical, and the author of that sect which is denominated Po

pish. And most justly it is called a heresy or sect, because its centre of unity is the greatest heretic or sectary in the world, viz., the Bishop of Rome, who impiously sets up himself as the head of a faction, in opposition to the plain Divine rules of faith and worship laid down by Christ in the Gospel."-Hallett's Notes on the Scriptures, vol. iii., p. 391.